Chapter 16: Walk Away

Montez Residence...

Gabriella came home from school that afternoon thinking about her performance she did with Troy for drama class and for one thing, the two managed to get a good grade at the expense of exposing her feelings of hurt and heartbreak on stage in front of the class. She didn't bother talking to anyone after her confrontation with Troy in the hallway after their performance. She just through the rest of the school day avoiding everyone because the last thing she wanted to do was talk about what happened in drama class and she managed to tell Troy how she truly felt. She headed to her room and listened to one of Maria's old tapes and she found interested that her biological mother used to do a double major in Music and Law while her biological father did a double major in Music and Social Science. She listened to a song Maria recorded for one of her assignments with Bernardo called "Walk Away" and ironically, it was a song that suited how she was feeling today.

"Okay this is session five for Professor Laurie's composition course for second year," Maria replied on tape, "Hey Bernie are you sure this will be a good song? Besides...I wrote a song that is considered on of them heartfelt break-up songs. Hey make sure you guys are ready to record besides I got Angela on standby to record."

"Alright babe we'll nail this one besides we fixed the problem with the recorder," Bernardo said on tape, "You ready because I see Ange outside singalling me to hurry up and start recording and for Creed to tell us to get this on the road because I know those two definitely have plans tonight."

"Fine everyone standby for recording," Maria announced, "Okay this is session five recording of Walk Away." It was quiet for a few seconds until Gabriella heard the band play and she began to to hear Maria sing on the cassette tape:

I guess I should've known better,
to believe I'm a lucky chain, Oh.
I lent my heart out forever,
and finally learned each other's names.

I tell myself, "this time it's different."
No goodbyes, cause eyes can't bear to say it.
"I'll never survive on one that's coming",
If I stay, Ooh!

Just Walk Away! Ooh, and don't look back.
Cause if my heart breaks, It's gonna hurt so bad.
You know I'm strong, but I can't take that.
Before It's too late. Oh, just Walk Away!
(Walk, Walk, Walk Away) Ooh, just Walk Away!
(Walk, Walk, Walk) Away-aye-aye, yeah.

While the tape was playing, Gabriella pulled out Maria's songbook and turned to the page where she found the lyrics to the song and she began to sing along to the tape as she sat on her bed reading the lyrics and singing to the track.

I really wish I could blame you, but I know
That it's no one's fault. No, No. No, No
Cinderella with no shoe, and
the prince that doesn't know he's lost.
He says that her face is so familiar, and
Goodbye with just the same old song.
But this time I will not surrender!
'Cause I'm gone, Ooh, yeah!

Just Walk Away! Ooh, and don't look back.
Cause if my heart breaks, It's gonna hurt so bad.
You know I'm strong, but I can't take that.
Before It's too late. Oh, just Walk Away!
(Walk, Walk, Walk Away) Ooh, just Walk Away!
(Walk, Walk, Walk) Away-aye-aye, yeah.

Ooh, I've got to let it go.
Start protecting my heart and soul.
Cause I don't think I'll survive a goodbye again.
Not again!

Just Walk Away! Ooh, and don't look back.
Cause if my heart breaks, It's gonna hurt so bad.
You know I'm strong, but I can't take that.
Before It's too late. (Before It's Too Late!)
Oh, just Walk Away!
(Walk, Walk, Walk Away) Walk Away, Walk Away, yeah!
(Walk, Walk, Walk Away!) Walk Away, Walk Away, All right!
(Walk Away, Walk Away, Yeah, Walk Away!) Walk Away, Walk Away.
(Oh, Walk, Walk, Walk Away!) Walk Away, Walk Away, Ooh..

After the song tape finished she heard talking for a few moments between Maria, Bernardo and their friends in regards to their recording session and any feedback which ended up being positive. As she stopped the tape, Gabriella heard a knock on her bedroom door and surprisingly, she found Troy standing in front of her. Troy was the last person she didn't want to talk to right now but he wasn't ready to leave.

"Troy what are you doing here?" Gabriella asked sternly, "Besides how did you get in my house?"

"Your mom let me in," Troy answered, "She's actually downstairs on the phone with a client so she let me in. I was actually came a few moments ago and then I heard your stereo playing and I'm guessing you're listening to one of Maria's old tapes. You actually...have a nice voice, and you sound like her."

"Like you even gave a damn these days...you just seem preoccupied these days and right now I got nothing to say to you right now!" she tried to slam her bedroom door but Troy stopped her as he let himself in her room.

"Please...just give me a few minutes to explain Gabi please," Troy begged, "That's all I'm asking for and I promise I'll leave if you want me to."

"Fine c'mon what do you have to say to me?"

"You're right and you have every right to be angry with me and I deserved what happened on stage. I can tell while we were performing you were heartbroken and I managed to hurt the one person I ever truly loved. It made me feel guilty and I made you watch me breakdown, snap, and head for self-destruction emotionally because I couldn't handle dealing with what happened to Nick. The truth was it was hard to deal with the second time around and I thought I was going to head down the same path those guys did. I broke your heart I really did...but I didn't imagine that I hurt you so bad that you couldn't take anymore pain I caused you. I pushed you away and I became distant yes it's true and I'm really guilty for that and all you wanted to do was help me. I'm beginning to imagine how you felt that day when you found out about Bernardo and then realizing that we promised to be there for each other through thick and thin."

"Yeah and you told me that everything I got from the Ostroff Centre was his legacy...and that of both of my parents," Gabriella sighed, "You kept your promise to be there for me but it seems like the word promise is a big word you couldn't keep, even after we got adopted. You want to know why it hurts so much what you did to me it was because a long time ago I gave my heart to you when we were kids, then part of that you took the day you left St. Luke's and there went half my heart. As the years went by somehow, I didn't give up and part of me felt like you promised you find me again and you did...only to come back for the other half of my heart and then break it. You know what the sad part of it is that I don't how damaged it is I'll still love you and you're one of the reasons I got to live for. But right now, all I want now is to stop living in the past and forget about everything that happened between us before. Pretty much I'm sick and tired of everything that happened in the past effect us right now and it's time we let it go."

"What do want me to do? Right now I'm not sure where us stands and we been through so much you can't give up on us Gabi please I can't lose you and even if you try to push me away, yeah I deserve it and if you want me to feel what you're feeling okay I'm fine with that. What I know is the same thing, heart or broken heart, I'll still love you no matter what and I'm really sorry...for what I did to you. If you want to forget about me and just move on with your life I'm fine with that and we'll stop living in the past. I know I can't love anyone besides you and what happened to Nick, to Peter I know it will stay with me I'll learn to deal with it. Someone told me that I shouldn't let watching someone dying change everything I knew and had in my life. I promise I'll wait whenever you're ready if you want I owe you that and if you don't I'll be alright considering the damage done when I thought I had your best interest."

"You can stop feeling guilty now because I know it takes a lot of courage for you to own up for what happened and I never blamed you for anything. Heart or no heart I too will still love you. I knew a boy I met once upon a time in a orphanage called St. Luke's who knew what the word promise is and inside I still believe he still knows what it means. The only question is can he fulfill it after what we went through? I can't hate him because he met something in my life and gave life a different meaning to live for when there was nothing left. He may have hurt me the day he left when we were kids, or when he dumped me because he couldn't cope hurting me after watching someone fall off a cliff over a broken heart. He may have this notion he maybe capable of hurting me and he did but after everything I told him today, afterwards I'll look back and say that it's just all in the past and it's time we let you. I'll wait for him...only if he's able to let go of the past and focus on what he has right here and right now."

"Maybe he'll still have a chance," Troy slightly smiled at Gabriella, "He'll still need to ignite the spark that connected these two people together long ago and do whatever it takes to prove himself. All they need right now is to do a little soul searching and when he's ready, he'll finally be able to make peace with the past by walking away from it and focus on what he has right here and now."

"Right now we just need some time to think about where us stands...don't worry I know we'll be alright," Gabriella slightly smiled as she walked him to her door, "Besides, at least that's one promise you keep. Troy...when you're ready just tell me. It's always good when reflecting to go back to the beginning where everything started in order to get a proper perspective on where the road takes you now."

"Thanks Gabi," Troy replied as he left and gave her a picture and a piece of paper, "Oh I want you to have this...so you wouldn't forget and remember who I was when we met the first time. You should keep it...besides I don't want you to remember meeting me the first time when I pushed Nick for taking your ball and make you think I was a bully too."

"I wouldn't have it anyway," Gabriella ran upstairs for a second and went to retrieve a picture to give to Troy, "Here...this might help keep you focus on what you need to do and remember how it began. I'll see you around Troy Bolton."

East High School...

A few days later, it was Friday and everyone was waiting for the school day to be over with. Troy and Gabriella kept their distance from each other after their talk at her place and would occasionally greet each other in the hallways or in class. During free period, Gabriella met up with Sharpay, Ryan and Kelsi in the auditorium while waiting for Taylor and Chad to show up. Kelsi was sampling and playing to a piece of music from the stereo as the gang were discussing the upcoming Spring Talent Show.

"What are we listening to Kelsi?" Sharpay asked, "It's nothing but piano."

"Oh c'mon Sharpay I think it's beautiful and relaxing," Kelsi said, "It's by Yiruma called River Flows in You. He's this wicked Korean soloist composer and he's the one I get most of my inspiration from."

"This is something I would usually listen to if I'm at the spa," Sharpay replied.

"I think it's nice and calming music," Ryan added, "What do you think Gabriella?"

"Makes me want to think, relax and reflect on things," Gabriella said, "I mean...I was able to maybe get over the fact that I let Troy know how I felt and for the first time since everything happened, he opened up. I'm not sure where things stand between us but it seems like we just need to rediscover ourselves and reevaulate because it's not what it used to be when we first met. Times change and people change it's just we need to realize we got to let go...of the past for once and move on with our lives."

"Do you still love him after everything that has happened?" Kelsi asked, "I mean you guys have history and that's something no one can't take away."

"I know and yes...I still love Troy. We have a lot of history together and we've been through a lot but right now we just need to go find ourselves and try to make sense of everything. I'll wait for him when he's ready and even if I have to wait longer, it's alright because I know we'll be fine. All we need right now is just time to ourselves."

"That's sweet at least you guys are making progress and..." Ryan was suddenly interupted when he heard some rattling happening backstage in the janitor's closet as he told Kelsi to stop. "Hey guys listen for a minute...do you hear that?"

"Yeah...it sounded like faint rattling in the janitor's closet backstage." Gabriella said as they all got up to head to the closet to figure out where the rattling was coming from and maybe who. The next minute they opened the door and found it dark until they heard two people making out and suddenly they turned on the lights and found Taylor and Chad who had his shirt off. They were all shocked and surprised but Sharpay took out her phone and snapped a picture of the couple as they glared at her with embarassment.

"Huh...hey guys what's happening?" Chad and Taylor asked embarrassed.

"Guess we don't have to wait for them any longer," Kelsi quietly said, "After all they were here the entire time."

"Oh what a great way to spice up your relationship," Sharpay joked, "So much for showing team spirit!"

"Exactly how long were you guys in there for? Huh is this the first time...this ever happened?" Ryan asked shyly.

"Fine you caught us we been making out around the school for the last few weeks during free periods and after school," Taylor said plainly, "Chad and I were in one of the prop rooms the other day and sneaked out to have sex. We know it was wrong to do that and we feel guilty about it and if you rat us to Darbus yeah so be it."

"Why the hell did you say that?" Chad whispered to Taylor, "Do you have to be so truthful?"

"Okay yeah right," the others laughed, "You got to be kidding us!"

"In all weirdness I would say that Sharpay would do Zeke before you do Chad," Gabriella joked to Taylor.

"Oh why do you have to be so blunt Gabi and put it that way?" Sharpay asked a bit offended.

"No...you would do Sharpay and Zeke before I do Chad," Taylor smiled as she and Chad finished fixing themselves up, "Just thought I fire a little joke back."

"Imagining Zeke doing the ice queen?" Chad was laughing nudging Sharpay, "C'mon it's a small joke."

"And how much would it cost you guys to stop using me as the butt of your little sex jokes in exchange for some insurance say an incriminating pic that would probably be blogged at the end of the day?" Sharpay sneered at Chad and Taylor.

"Nothing like a little blackmail," Ryan added.

"She does have a point you two what do we get for keeping your little ploy a secret?" Gabriella asked.

"How about we talk right now and call a truce," Chad and Taylor replied to their friends, "Besides we still have reputations and dignities to keep."

Later on during the afternoon after the school day ended, Gabriella was heading to her locker to get the rest of her stuff and head home for the weekend. She was at least glad of the little comic relief she got after they found Chad and Taylor in the janitor's closet and the two agreed to buy their friends lunch for the next month if Sharpay deleted the picture she took of them. She was suppose the gang to hangout at Sharpay and Ryan's place when she was suddenly stopped in the hallway by Coach Bolton.

"Gabriella!" Coach Bolton yelled, "Just the girl I was looking for."

"Good afternoon Coach Bolton," Gabriella replied, "Are you okay? Is something the matter?"

"I was wondering if you happened to have talked to Troy today...because I was talking to his teachers and apparently he didn't show up for any of his classes today. We both left the house at the same time this morning and he told me he couldn't make practice today because he needed to finish up a report that was due for Monday. Did you happen to see him at all today?"

"I'm sorry Coach Bolton...I didn't see Troy today," Gabriella said worried, "Actually, none of us saw him today. Did you try calling him?"

"Yeah called home and no one picked up and his cellphone and it was off. It's not like him to suddenly take off like this and not say anything to me. I know things between the two of you are a bit tense right now but if it's possible can you manage to get in contact with him and find him for me. I'm worried about where he is with everything happening."

"I'll find him don't worry Coach Bolton I'm sure he's alright," Gabriella smiled, "I'll try calling Troy again."

She headed to her locker and began to worry where Troy was and it wasn't like him to ever miss school. After she went to her locker Gabriella headed to the school roof wondering about Troy and if he was alright. They haven't talked in days and thought they needed space to think about things. As she stared out straight at the sky, she put her hands in her pocket and felt something in her jean pockets. Gabriella pulled out the picture that Troy gave her and stared. It was a picture of Troy when he was five years old with his birth parents that was taken probably a few weeks before the accident in front of their house in San Diego.

"It's always good when reflecting to go back to the beginning where everything started in order to get a proper perspective on life and where the road takes you now," It was what she told Troy the day he came to her house after their drama performance and suddenly she got an idea. "I told Troy to go back to the beginning, he's in San Diego!"

She quickly went to find Coach Bolton and ask him about the house Troy lived in San Diego before the accident. He told Gabriella about where Troy lived before and the cemetery that his birth parents were buried in San Diego as she told Coach Bolton that Troy must be in San Diego. Gabriella rushed home and told her mom that she was going with the Boltons to track down Troy in San Diego and her mother understood and let her leave with the Boltons immediately for San Diego.

San Diego, California...

It has been a couple of hours since Troy decided to skip school and drive down to San Diego. With everything that happened recently he wanted to getaway just for a few hours and the only place that came to his mind was his hometown. It has been over twelve years since Troy's been in San Diego and it brought him some good and bad memories through the pictures and momentums his parents kept of his birth parents. After spending hours in San Diego seeing and visiting places such as the house he lived in, places his parents took him to during family outings, Troy headed to the cemetery to visit the gravesite of his birth parents. He placed a few flowers in front of their gravestones and wondered the entire day what made him come back home after all these years.

"I...know it's been over twelve years since I came home and I don't know why I waited after all these years to see you guys," Troy said to himself, "I don't know what made me come back now but someone told me it's good when reflecting to go back to the beginning where everything started to get a proper perspective on life. You know I did come to visit once, a year after your deaths and mom and dad took me here after they legally adopted me. I thought I lost everything when I was five years old when you guys left me to face life without you guys and you guys dying changed everything. Part of me feels guilty of not remembering you guys because you're my birth parents and I should always keep you in my memories, but also as your son you also want me to get on with my life and live it to the fullest."

"They say dying changes everything for the good or the bad," he continued, "When you guys died...I thought I lost everything and I kept wondering why you left me alone. You guys were suppose to be there for me when I needed you the most but sometimes fate changes. Something in my heart told me after realizing everything that I went through these last twelve years for the good or the bad, you were still looking out for me. I believe it now you were looking out for me and it's about time I got over the past and moved on and look to the future. I just wanted to tell you about the man I'm growing up to be because of a guardian angel you guys gave me to look after me and keep me in line and she is the best thing that ever happened to me in my life and I love her for that. I know you're probably in heaven talking to each other and I came back to finally thank you...for giving me Gabriella and bringing her into my life and without her, I never knew what it meant to have something to live for in the future. You guys gave me one gift before you left through fate and I'm on the verge of losing it unless I prove to her that right now she is what I want."

"Well you don't have to look anymore further...Wildcat," Troy turned around and he found Gabriella standing in front of him as he spotted his parents in the distance, "It this is what fate had in store for us then fate works in mysterious ways. All roads sometimes lead you back home that's how I knew where to find you Troy."

"After everything we went through with Nick, with what happened to Peter years ago, me breaking your heart how can you stand here and tell me you forgive me?" Troy asked, "I literally broke your heart and almost destroyed what my heart tells me was the last gift my birth parents, a guardian angel who would look out for me."

"Because your heart and soul tells me that you're finally making peace with the past and we wouldn't be standing in this graveyard if you didn't know what you wanted. Fate brought us together Troy and into each others' lives that won't change. After everything we endured over the years separately or together, all roads would still lead us back to each other. We've been living in the past for too long, our birth parents would want us to move on and look forward to the future as their last gifts to us, their kids. You believe your birth parents made me your guardian angel when you first met me, I believe the same thing that night in the hospital that someone out there would look out for me and keep me safe...the someone they sent me was you. I don't care what happened before or what might happen after, what matters is now so tell me what your healed heart is trying to tell me."

"I love you more than anything Gabriella Montez and believe me when I say that although you don't believe me or not your what I got to live for." The two of them approached each other as they passionately kissed each other reconnecting once again what they almost lost. "Am I worthy to love you unconditionally right here right now?"

"There's nothing to prove just show me and let your heart do all the talking for you...and yes I love you too Troy Bolton."

"I really want you to meet somebody," Troy took her hand and lead her to the graves of his birth parents, "Before I finally do this and move on with my life with the guardian angel you guys gave me, we just want to tell you if you're up there with Maria and Bernardo you can pass a message on to them that their daughter is in good hands. She has family and friends who love her and her guardian angel to protect her. You guys upstairs led us here tonight to show us that neither one of us can't live without each other and this is fate working in mysterious ways. Love throws many obstacles in our way but love overcomes everything and we're growing up realizing that and that you want us...now to move on with our lives. Gabriella?"

"Don't worry...I promise Troy is now in good hands and we've finally made our peace with our pasts," Gabriella smiled holding Troy's hand, "This was our final challenge finding the road back to each others' hearts. Pam, Danny, if you're up there with my parents Maria and Bernardo tell them thank you...for leading me back to Troy and for bringing him into my life. We can now walk away from the past and walk towards the future just never forget we'll promise to still keep you all in our hearts. Whatever fate has in store for us we'll know you guys will still intervene to make sure we get through anything at all together."

"I think I'm finally done Montez," Troy smiled as he placed one more flower in front of the graves, "Are you ready to face the future together?"

"Just take my hand and take the lead Wildcat," Gabriella and Troy walked hand and hand as they met up with Troy's parents at the entrance of the cemetery. The two of them took one last look at the graves before they headed back home to Albuquerque to the lives they built for themselves and now with each other.

"Thanks for always being there for me...I knew you would find me," Troy smiled, "Someone told me it's good when reflecting to go back to the beginning where everything started to get a proper perspective on life. My perspective has now come full circle and I got something to look forward to in the future."

"I'm glad you took that to heart," Gabriella said, "Don't worry...we'll be alright I promise."