AN *yawn* I wrote this at one last night so don't be mean about it if there's many mistakes.


"Young men and women, your minds are very much like clay. Being as young as you all are, you are the soft clay. There's still time to be reshaped, to be remolded and to start over. Letting alcohol take over you, won't solve anything. When you drink to get away from your parents, you'll wake up in the morning and they'll still be in the room next to you. If you drink to make your job easier, you have to remember that you'll wake up in the morning feeling worse than you would if you hadn't drank. Will waking up with a banging head and nauseas make you strong enough to get through the day? Does spending your money on drugs and alcohol help save up for a house of your own?"

Troy looked across the obedient crowd from his chair on the stage. Many of them just watched, emotionlessly, while a few seemed interested by the help that was offered by this well renowned organization. In Troy's opinion, the skinny, bald, Caucasian man that was talking looked like one that didn't even know who those in the crowd were.

"Today we have a special guest," the man behind the podium spoke proudly, "you may have heard of him or read his recently published book titled Mistakes. Please lend a hand and help me welcome Troy Bolton."

The crowd erupted in civilized applause as Troy stood up and shook the man's hand as they traded places.

"Thanks for the introduction Mr. Chapner. The first thing I would like to say is that if you're going to read my book, read it now. Don't wait until you have mistakes to try and compete with mine. For the many of you who haven't read my book, I'm Troy and I was an alcoholic. I spent two precious years of my teenage life to partake in stupid games that I always lost. Two years doesn't seem long for a lot of you out there but it was enough for me to make my biggest mistake. Eight years ago I killed Jenna."

Troy stood up there for an hour explaining his entire story from being a neglected teenage boy to losing Gabriella who he referred to as 'Elle.'

"With help from my family and friends, I got back onto my feet and went back to school and got a good job. I bought my own apartment and I wrote a book... Finally I would like to thank you all for being here today and listening to what I have to say. I will pray for each and every one of you. Thanks again," and as Troy turned away, a voice stopped him.

"Do you still love her?" one man stood up in the crowd questioned him suddenly, he looked familiar.

His smile dropped for a minute and he swallowed hard, "I never said I did."

"But you do," the same man stared up at him with a knowing expression on his face.

"She made me stop drinking."

"That doesn't answer my question."

"I stopped crying myself to sleep."

"Answer the question."

"I started liking myself again when I met her."

"Troy Alexander Bolton."

Troy suspiciously watched the man as he kept his eyes locked to his and suddenly he got it.

"Louis Scott Bolton."

"Do you still love her?"

"Everyday I feel like killing myself because I don't want to live without her, but then I remind myself that the world already lost Jenna and taking my own life won't help anyone. If I can save one soul, my soul is worth life."

"Answer yes or no," a beautiful, familiar feminine voice echoed through a microphone.

"Yes."

Louis Bolton made his way out of the seating and jogged up to the stage.

"You do know this is going to be on television right?"

Louis took the microphone and spoke into it, pointing at the side of the auditorium where the curtains were being pulled apart and a young Latina softly made her way over to the Boltons, "ladies and gentlemen please welcome Gabriella 'Elle' Montez."

Troy stood, speechlessly.

"Troy," her voice unflawed by the emotion that was obviously showing on her face, through her eyes, and her movements.

"Gabriella?"

"Well folks, I think it's time to wrap up this shindig for the night. Thank you for coming!" Mr. Chapner pushed them aside and said his farewells as the Boltons and Gabriella walked off stage, and found a room they could talk in.

"How about we go someplace and talk?" Louis suggested, looking up at his younger brother who had grown to be at least three inches taller.

Troy didn't say anything as salty tears blurred his vision and he wrapped his arms around his older brother. Louis returned the hug just as tightly with small, soggy tears of his own.

"I thought I would never see you again Louie."

"I'm so sorry bro."

"I'm just so happy that you're ok man."

On one side of the brothers, Gabriella was breaking down as well. She had done her own soul searching the last three years, and in her heart, she found that she fully forgave Troy. However, it wasn't until his brother showed up at her home with a copy of his book that she decided that she was willing to let him back into her heart, if he'd have her. Hearing him confess his love had made her positive that with his dreadful mistake behind them, they belonged to each other, no doubt.

"I need to explain to you," Louis broke the hug and Troy nodded, "I need you to meet your niece and nephew too."

"Please," Troy wiped his tears, "I really want to."

"Here's my number," a small piece of paper was put into Troy's pocket and they both smiled.

"Will you answer?"

"Of course I will."

"You better."

"I will," he patted Troy on the upper arm and looked over to Gabriella, "but you have plans for tonight so call me tomorrow."

"Plans?" Troy followed his gaze and remembered who else was there.

"With me," Gabriella stepped towards him as Louis slipped away with a small smile and a curt wave.

"Gabs what are you doing here?"

"Someone showed up at my door two weeks ago with a book," she stood right in front of him, looking up at him.

"Gabriella, I love you but-"

"But nothing. Jenna would have wanted me to be happy."

"But this is different."

"No it isn't. Not being with the man I love won't bring her back."

A short silence presented itself between the two as they watched the other.

"You love me?" Troy suddenly had more tears falling down his cheeks while Gabriella smiled a watery grin and swallowed with a brisk nod.

"You said you love me, is that a lie?"

Gabriella dreaded the worst, but was hoisted up and had her beautifully wet face jammed up to his, lip to lip and chest to chest. Heartbeats chimed together as one and she remembered why she had fallen in the first place.


Alan Klien, Latanya and her husband, Mandy, Harry, Jessica, Beth Anne Hoyme, David, Alex, Emily B, Ahmer, Danielle Roa, and Lucille.

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