Gabriella was still shifting through her closet trying to figure out what to year to Troy's family gathering. She had no idea why she was so nervous, every few seconds she had to wipe her hands down the sides of her sweatpants, before she knew it her pants would be worn out. Gabriella stood in front of her closet and tried to get herself to calm down.

"Breath in" "Breath out" she said over and over again relaxing herself. It's not that big of a deal I'm not even going to be staying that long and it doesn't matter it doesn't mean a thing. She thought trying to reassure herself.

Ring Ring Ring. Gabriella picked up the phone.

"Hello" she said

"Hey I'll be over there in less than half an hour" Troy said

"I'm not even ready yet" Gabriella whined

"I called you this morning and reminded you about today and it's been….four hours since then how are you not ready?" Troy asked

"I don't know" Gabriella said running her fingers through her hair. "Okay, okay I'll be done soon"

"Good, I'll still be coming at the same time I said"

"Bye" Gabriella said in frustration then hung up

Now this was crunch time. It was a family gathering so nothing too short and nothing too cleavage bearing. Those were definitely out. Now the color scheme anything dark seemed like she didn't want to be there except for maybe black, black was always good. Family reunions were always focused around fun, so jeans would be the best bet.

Mentally going through what she couldn't and could wear Gabriella finally picked out the 'perfect' outfit.

Gabriella looked in the mirror. She was wearing a knee length dark washed jean shorts. A peach baby doll top cinched at the waist with a black belt that looked like a bow, and black converse. Her hair was up in a bun with a few curly tendrils falling around her face. She gave herself a one last glance over and thought I'm ready.

….

Gabriella sat in Troy's car fidgeting; her nerves were coming back to her. Troy grabbed her hand and rubbed his thumb over her palm, after he felt her relax a bit he kissed her hand and placed it back in her lap, returning his hand to the steering wheel.

"Alright were here" said Troy pulling into the driveway of what Gabriella assumed to be his parents house.

"This place is humongous" Gabriella said taking in the twenty acres of land

"Yeah, I suppose" said Troy nonchalantly "Come on lets go in, I can't wait until you meet everyone"

When Troy and Gabriella stepped into the house they were bombarded by people. Everywhere Gabriella looked there were people and people and people. If she didn't know better she would think the whole world population was right in this house. Gabriella was beginning to freak out at all the unknown faces when she spotted a familiar girl bobbing her way through the crowd. Grabbing Troy's hand she pushed toward her.

"Taylor, Tay is that you" Gabriella called

The girl looked up surprised "Gabby what are you doing here"

Gabriella pointed at Troy "So wait your apart of this family"

"Well yeah, but not blood related" Taylor said shrugging. Gabriella looked confused "Okay let me explain a little more" Taylor said "my mother's sister married Troy's father's cousin and they met through Troy's father and my father who have been best friends since they were teens"

"Yes we have" said an older looking version of Troy "I'm Jack Bolton, nice to meet you" He said wrapping Gabriella up in a bear hug.

Gabriella giggled "Nice to meet you too"

"Darling, don't crush the poor girl" an elegantly dressed lady said tapping Jack on the shoulder. "Hi I'm Troy's stepmom Darby"

"Hi its very nice to meet you" Gabriella said

"You too sweetie, come let's sit on the patio it's getting a little stuffy in here"

Jack, Troy, Gabriella and Taylor followed Mrs. Bolton out onto the patio where they were met with four other faces.

"Oh, so this is the girl Troy huhhh?" said Sharpay winking

Troy laughed "Yes Sharpay" he then turned to Gabriella "This is my obnoxious sister Sharpay" Sharpay feigned surprise hurt, causing the rest of the group to laugh. "Her husband Zeke, this is my brother Ryan and his wife Kelsi."

After Troy finished the introductions they all replied back in unison "Hello Gabriella"

Gabriella blushed and waved back saying "Hi"

When they had all taken their seats and were in the middle of conversation three young kids ran up to Troy.

"Uncle Troy, Uncle Troy" they cried

"I'm coming" Troy said smiling widely "I'll be back" he whispered to Gabriella before he left.

Gabriella watched as Troy played with the kids, as he did a longing inside of her came. She wanted to be married and have kids, and as she imagined this future Troy appeared as her husband each of their kids taking after him in some way. Gabriella then realized not only did she want that future she wanted it with Troy.

"Gabriella are you okay" Sharpay asked

Gabriella turned to see Sharpay and Taylor staring at her worriedly "I'm okay, just these allergies" she said

…

Later on in the car leaving Troy's parent house Gabriella decided she would tell Troy that she wouldn't be around much longer; just when she had garnered enough courage and was about to tell him Troy turned to her.

"Gabriella, I want to say thank you so much for coming, you have no idea how much this meant to me. I don't know if this is love yet but I can tell I'm getting close. You don't have to say anything right now. I promise I can wait for you if you don't feel the same right now"

Gabriella gave a weak smile "I'm glad I came" she said.

With that confession she couldn't tell him now, her heart was breaking emotionally and literally but she couldn't break his; at least not now when she would be there to see it happen. She knew it was selfish of her, but she'd rather die knowing there was a smile on his face.