Chapter 17: Right Here, Right Now
East High School...
It was nearing the end of the school year and everyone was looking forward to summer vacation. Back at East High, the spring talent show was fast approaching and everyone who auditioned for the show were preparing and practicing their acts before the big night. Taylor and Chad were in the cafeteria with their friends when they noticed Troy and Gabriella walking into the cafeteria hand in hand and they figured out that East High's favourite couple were officially back together. Troy and Gabriella's relationship had become stronger than ever after coming back from San Diego and working to keep their relationship back on track. They both agreed to perform a duet in the talent show with the help of Kelsi but Troy wanted to surprise Gabriella with something different to perform this year at the talent show as Kelsi told their friends Troy's plan.
"It was about time those two got themselves back on the right track," Chad said as he saw them buying lunch, "For awhile I thought Troy wasn't going to pull himself out of that slump after everything that happened with Nick."
"Yeah I guess whatever went down in San Diego those two probably figured out how much they mean to each other," Taylor added giving Chad a kiss, "Troy and Gabriella's relationship is like a classic love story where two lovers who were separated from each other for years reunite, and face their share of problems. However, in the end they realize true love conquers all. We don't know much about Troy and Gabriella's history, but what we know is those two have a bond and relationship that makes them ultimately each others' soulmates."
"That sounds so sweet how did you become such a romantic?" Ryan asked.
"Hey everyone needs a little bit of romance in their lives dear brother," Sharpay smiled as Troy and Gabriella came and sat down, "And here comes the return of the prodigal couple."
"Okay Shar please don't rub it in," Troy and Gabriella smiled, "Yes guys we are definite back together and this time it's going to be different."
"Yeah we promised each other that," Gabriella said, "So...is everybody looking forward to the talent show coming up?"
"Watching everyone who tried out thank goodness at least this year it would be worth watching," Zeke said, "I'm surprise Troy that you and Gabi are actually going to perform in the talent show. So...what are you guys planning to sing?"
"I bet it's probably one of Maria and Bernardo's songs?" Martha added, "So...are you guys going to tell us?"
"You'll just have to wait and see," Troy smiled, "It will surprise everybody and especially Gabi."
"Troy we agreed to sing together and the talent show is in two weeks what exactly do you have in mind?" Troy just smiled and gave her a kiss as he got up and went to buy a drink.
"You'll find out later I promise that this is a performance our friends aren't going to forget."
"Something tells me that boy is up to something," Gabriella replied, "Does anyone have a single clue?"
"He's your boyfriend you should know," Kelsi smiled as she kept writing her music, "You guys can use the auditorium during your free period to rehearse. Since I'm in charge of the lineup for the talent I booked it for you guys for an hour. Just tell Troy to be there. Just bring your stuff and we'll pick out something for you guys to sing."
Auditorium...
When free period came, Gabriella headed to the auditorium and found a couple of talent show participants packing up and leaving as she found herself alone waiting for Troy to arrive for rehearasals. They agreed to do a duet together but the only problem was they haven't selected a song to sing and the talent show was in two weeks which didn't give them enough time. Soon she found Troy and Kelsi walking into the auditorium as they were talking about something and she saw that Troy was worried.
"Sorry we're late babe," Troy said giving her a kiss, "Kelsi agreed to help us rehearse...and well she's..."
"Just show her the song," Kelsi smiled, "C'mon I already did my work with the music." Troy handed the music to Gabriella as she saw the title of the song.
"Right Here, Right Now that's a nice title," Gabriella said reading the lyrics and music, "You sure know how to write good songs Kels."
"Actually...I didn't write it Gabriella, someone else did. The song was...written by Troy."
"Troy? You wrote this?" Gabriella asked looking at Troy shocked, "I...I'm speechless...you wrote a song."
"Well...just the music and lyrics," Troy replied, "It was difficult and I didn't have much experience coming up with a proper melody and I have Kelsi help me with that. I wanted to surprise you but I wasn't sure if you wanted to sing this. I wrote it for you and me. It's okay if you don't want to and..."
"I love it! You wrote me a song...I think it's worth it to show it off to our friends performing something you wrote for us."
"It was right after that day I came by your house when we did our dance performances for Ms. Darbus. I slowly thought about everything we went through over the years and what we have right now. What inspired me was you and what mattered to me now at this moment. At first I wasn't sure if I could finish this when you told me you weren't sure where things stood between us at the time, but now I'm sure we're going to be alright. You showed me that and because of that it restored faith in us, our faith in our love and you showed me a reason to keep on living. You taught me to stop living in the past and realize what you have right now and I'll spend everything over and over again to show you Gabriella Montez that you are the best thing that ever happened to me. If I wasn't for now, then right now I would end up being a trainwreck and messed up because I was miserable and I let all the tramua I experience effect me. This was my way of reflecting on our relationship and find out I wanted with you by showing you and proving that..."
"Troy stop...you don't have to prove anything to me," Gabriella smiled, "You've done enough and you're making me wait again to hear your song. So tell me Wildcat would this be a performance East High's Talent Show would remember?"
"Yeah...but till the night of the talent show let's just keep this a closed rehearsal between you and me plus Kelsi. So should we get started then?" Troy asked as the two began to rehearse.
Montez Residence...
After school finished, Gabriella and Troy invited the gang over to her house to watch a couple of new movies she bought from the video store including Slumdog Millionaire; Twilight; and the box sets of The Office, House MD and Grey's Anatomy. Before any of them could have movie night they all made sure to do their homework as the others were anxious to know what Troy and Gabriella were singing at the talent show. Gabriella's mom left a note on the table for her telling her that her bridesmaid dress has been already picked up and she wanted her to try it on for the wedding. A few moments later, Troy came into Gabriella's bedroom and saw her in her rose pink strapless bridesmaid dress and he was left speechless staring and admiring how beautiful she looked.
"So what do you think?" Gabriella smiled as Troy continued to stare, "I need an opinion here Wildcat or are you going to keep staring at me with wide eyes all day?"
"Wow I've would say you look like a blushing bride in that dress...but that's even better," Troy replied, "It kind of reminds me of that dress that Katherine Heigl wore in the season two finale of Grey's Anatomy. I guess your mom got the idea for the dresses from that episode."
"That is true and the dress does resemble the one from the season two finale of Grey's Anatomy. I can't believe you remember that episode but I also remember seeing you cry watching it. You were like blabbing all night saying that scene was so heart wrenching and a such a tearjerker because Izzie was lying in the hospital bed in her prom dress next to the man she loved who died. That would make anyone cry admit it."
"At least you're not lying next to someone dead in that are you?" Troy slightly joked.
"Of course not but I know you're not going to die on me not by a long shot and I'm make sure to that. I can surely tell mom and dad that the dress fits perfectly and I can fly solo down the aisle."
"What do you mean by fly solo Gabi?"
"Well my cousin Antonio was suppose to be one of the groomsmen in the wedding party but last month he left to work a summer internship in Europe so he can't make it for the wedding. He was suppose my escort so now since you're here I talked to my parents about this and at first they were skeptical but I assured them that we're cool. Troy would you like to be part of my parents' wedding party for the wedding as a groomsmen?"
"It would be my honor milady," Troy smiled kissing her, "And besides as an added bonus I get to see you in look beautiful. Does that mean I have to look sharp and clean for the wedding?"
"Unless you want to be the only one in the wedding party sporting your red and white jersey Wildcat that will surely make you stand out in the crowd especially in the pictures. People would be wondering when my parents show those pictures who is gentleman sporting the red and white outfit in the wedding party?" The two were suddenly interupted by the arrival of the others as they spotted Gabriella in her new bridesmaid dress and the girls were speechless.
"Sorry to interupt the candid moment here," Sharpay smiled as she took a picture of Gabriella in the dress, "I just wanted a picture of my fave cosmo girl that is a fabolus dress reminds me of the one that Izzie wore from Grey's Anatomy season two."
"Thanks I've been getting that a lot Shar," Gabriella replied.
"But then her fiancee died and she was lying in bed next to him wearing her prom dress," Zeke said, "Pretty much ruined the moment."
"Hey don't be a kill joy Zeke," Troy added, "Besides that was a heartwreching scene. It...made me cry and feel bad for Izzie."
"Dude that is so weak," Chad joked, "At least your girlfriend is not lying next to a dead body in that dress."
"You are so insensitive," Taylor scolded as she hit Chad in the arm, "Gosh men don't know the meaning of showing emotions at least there is one less guy in this room who finally knows what it means to get in touch with their emotional side. So before we all decide to kick back and relax for movie night are we going to finish our math homework or not?"
"That is surely a great idea," Gabriella replied, "I'm going to change first and then we'll hit the books. Troy you coming up to help me change?"
"Sure Gabi I'll come up," he smiled as the two of them headed upstairs to change and came back down a few moments later to join everyone else in the living room.
"So...are you two going to tell us what you're singing for the talent show?" Ryan asked, "We're dying to know."
"For the last time it's a surprise," Troy and Gabriella said, "You'll just have to wait to be amazed."
"All I can say for sure is that Troy and Gabriella will surprise us all," Kelsi slightly smiled, "This is something you won't expect."
East High School: night of the talent show...
After two weeks of quick rehearasals and constantly dodging their friends' questions of what they were performing for the talent show the big night came for Troy and Gabriella. As they watched some of their friends perform their acts from backstage they met up with Kelsi and they spotted their families in the audience. When it was Troy and Gabriella's turn to perform all their friends were backstage waiting to see their friends perform as Kelsi and the band set up.
"Finally now we can see what these two are going to sing," Ryan and Sharpay replied, "They've been secretive about it."
"That is because they wanted to surprise us," Martha said, "I wonder where Gabriella is?"
"I don't know we'll just have to see," Jason added.
"Wait they're about to start," Chad and Taylor said as Ms. Darbus introduced Gabriella and Troy but before the performance handed the microphone to Troy first.
"I wonder what Troy is doing," they all thought.
"First off I just wanted to say that the song I'm performing tonight for all of you is dedicated to a special girl who I met so many years ago that has inspired my heart and changed my life. She is the reason to keep on going on and this song I wrote reflects everything we've been through over the years and I hope she continues to be my inspiration right here right now," Troy smiled as he started singing.
Can you imagine what would happen If we could have any dream
I wish moment was ours to
Own it and that it would
Never leave
Then I would thank that star
That made our wish come true
(Come true) oh yea cuz he
Knows that where we are
Is where I should be too
Chorus:
Right here, right now
I'm looking at you and my
Heart loves the view cuz
You mean everything
Right here I'll promise you somehow
That tomorrow can wait
For some other day to be
(To be) but right now
There's you and me
"Where is Gabriella?" Taylor asked as she tried to spot her on stage, "I don't see her."
"I can hear her from the aisle," Sharpay replied as they saw Troy look out towards the crowd and they spotted her coming down.
"There is she!" Chad replied as they heard Gabriella from the aisle as she was coming down towards the stage singing, "Typical Troy and Gabriella performance."
If this was forever what
Could be better we already
Proved it was but in 2123
Hours abandon the universe
Gonna make you everything
In our whole world change
(It's our change, yea)
And you know that where we
Are will never be th same
Oh no oh no
Chorus:
Right here, right now
I'm looking at you and my
Heart loves the view cuz
You mean everything
Right here I'll promise you somehow
That tomorrow can wait
For some other day to be
(To be) but right now
There's you and me
Oh we know it's coming
And it's coming fast
(As long as there's you
And me oh yea) so lets
Make this second last
Make it last
Chorus:
Right Here ohh right now
Yea I'm looking at you
And my heart loves the view
Cuz you mean everything
Right Here I'll promise you somehow
That tomorrow can wait
For some other day to be
(To be) but right now
There's you and me
Right Here
I promise you somehow
Tomorrow can wait for
Some other day to be
(To be) but right now
There's you and me
(You and me) ohh
You and me but right
Now there's you and me
After they finished performing and everyone was done clapping, Troy and Gabriella headed backstage where they were congratulated by their friends. Everyone was surprised and they were saying that it was the best performance from the two of them.
"So did I leave you guys speechless and surprised?" Troy asked slyly smiling with Gabriella, "So Wildcats what did you think?"
"Dude you actually wrote a song," Chad and Taylor said, "You, Mr. Troy Bolton wrote a song for a second we thought it was one of Kelsi's compositions for you and Gabriella to sing."
"I'm a man of many hidden talents Chad."
"I never expected that coming from the captain of the basketball team to write me a song," Gabriella smiled as they kissed, "But I told you we surprised you all."
"Congratulations on a job well done," Sharpay smiled as she started crying, "It was so...touching you'd played with my heartstrings."
"Look my sister's makeup is running," Ryan joked.
"We even made the Ice Queen's makeup run babe," Troy smiled joking with Gabriella, "Hey I did mean what I said about you inspiring me."
"Thank you it means a lot and you don't have to prove anything else," Gabriella smiled, "I would have said the same thing and let's just leave it as it is okay? There's nothing more to say or prove because we're living proof our relationship over the years is evidence of that. We're good right now and that's all that matters. I love you Wildcat and I would say thank you for giving me your heart to open up."
"And I love you too Gabi," Troy smiled kissing her, "And Gabi...thank you for inspiring me."
(Author's Notes: I know it's been a while since I updated but I thank everyone for the reviews and reading the story. There is still one more chapter left and I'll try to get that up as soon as possible. Take care for now everyone!)
