This is my first feature length HSM story, after starting out with a couple of one-shots. Each chapter will feature a different memorable event in the lives of Troy and Gabriella over the years. Please review and let me know whether you like it! :)
Memories of a Lifetime Together
Gabriella Montez sighed anxiously, as she sat awaiting her final exam results at Stanford University. Just as she was about to start pacing the floor, her boyfriend of just over five years , Troy Bolton, came running up to her. "Did you get them yet?" He asked before she even had the chance greet him. "Not yet. Still waiting," she told him. "Hi." Troy smiled at her as he replied, "Hi. Don't be so nervous, knowing you, you've aced everything!"
"How can I not be nervous, Troy? These results will determine what I do for the rest of my life. If I don't get into law school, the past three years will have been a waste." Gabriella had just completed her Pre-Law studies, and had spent the last month waiting to find out if she had done enough to go on to pursue a Law degree. "Gabs, there is no way that's going to happen. You've worked really hard here. It's time to start believing in yourself" Troy said firmly. At that moment, a lady from the administration office walked over to a nearby table, carrying a large box filled with white envelopes. Other students had begun to arrive, and now, Gabriella made her way to the table, clasping Troy's hand tightly. She found her name and, after a moment's hesitation, ripped open her envelope.
There was a minute of silence as the young brunette scanned the slip of paper, her eyes searching for the result she longed to see. Then, she let out a joyful gasp. "I did it! Oh my gosh, Troy, I did it!" she squealed in delight. "What did I tell you? I'm so proud of you, Gabi!" her boyfriend exclaimed, lifting her up and spinning her around. Gabriella let out a giggle, realising that they were drawing attention to themselves, in the middle of the University, in front of all of her fellow students. But for once, she didn't care.
Troy put her down and grinned. He had just graduated from Berkeley himself, having studied theatre and sports which had enabled him to keep playing basketball regularly. After three years he was still no closer to choosing between his two passions; so he now divided his time between coaching a kids' basketball team twice a week, and helping out at his local theatre, where he sometimes got the chance to perform.
Now, Troy looked on proudly as his girlfriend talked animatedly with some friends. He had known for some time that Gabriella was the one he wanted to spend his life with. And he had spent the last few weeks preparing to ask her a very special question, which he planned to do during a romantic dinner on her birthday, which was coming up. "Troy!" he was pulled from thoughts of his plans as Gabriella, having said her goodbyes to her friends, returned to his side. "Hey, let's celebrate. How about a walk along the beach?" he asked her. Why did I say that? He thought. I was supposed to take somewhere out of the ordinary, not the beach where we go all the time! She looked somewhat confused herself. She had to wonder how a walk on the beach could be construed as a celebration, but decided to agree anyway. "Okay, sure." After a short drive, the couple arrived at their favourite beach in all of California. It had become their new private place after they had moved from Albuquerque.
Strolling along the sand arm in arm, Troy began to feel that he could wait no longer with his proposal. Oh no. He thought. Don't do this now, man. You don't have the ring, you've already planned the whole thing out... However, his subconscious was too late with the warning and as soon as Troy looked into Gabriella's dark brown eyes, he knew he was going to do it, right there and then.
"Gabi?" he blurted out. "Yeah?" she said curiously, recognising the determined look on his face. "Uh, okay, I was going to wait until your birthday to do this, but..." he babbled, gently taking her hand. "Gabriella, I have known for a very long time that it is you I want to be with for the rest of my life. It is you I want to have children with. And it is you, and only you, who I want to grow old with. I don't actually have your ring yet because asking you this here and now wasn't really part of my plan, but..." Troy looked her straight in the eye. "I love you more than you will ever know. Will you marry me?"
Gabriella didn't hesitate. Through her tears, which had been falling uncontrollably throughout his speech, she jumped into Troy's arms, repeating "yes" over and over again. She pulled back after a minute, looking into his eyes as she ran a hand through his hair. Troy leaned in and softly brushed his lips with hers, and she kissed him back, letting him hold her. And there they stayed, holding each other in the middle of their favourite beach, until the sun began to set, and the future Mrs Bolton began to fall asleep.