Everything was a blur. Where was I, how did I get here, what happened. These were the thoughts that ran through my mind as I opened my eyes. I gazed around the room and panicked as I quickly realized there was no sign of Troy. I stummbled out of bed and walked to the doorway, sticking my head around the corner. I was in a hospital. There were doctors and nurses scattered throughout the hallway but still no sign of Troy. The one person I wanted and needed. I felt tears form in my eyes as the result of feeling alone, scared, confused. I slowly walked back to the bed, sitting down and pulling out each wire that was attached to my arms one by one. The pain was excruciating but I pushed it to the back of my mind. I suddenly felt someone's presence enter the room. I looked and sighed in relief as Troy greeted me with a gentle hug.

''You're here,'' I loosely wrapped my arms around his neck, smiling at his embrace. ''What happened?'' I asked, quitely.

''You fainted, Brie. Man, I thought I had lost you for a second,''

''What did the doctors say?''

''They said it can be expected when under a lot of pressure and stress,''

I gulped, ''Oh.''

''Brie, when's the last time you ate something?'' Troy asked, suspicious.

''I don't remember, like 2 days ago?''

Troy sighed and looked at the petite brunette, concerned. ''Baby, you need to eat more.''

I rolled my eyes, ''Easier said than done, Troy.''

''Okay, let me rephrase that, you need help, Gabriella.''

''Can we please just not talk about this now?''

''Gabriella, I love you. But,'' Troy didn't have time to finish his plea as he was inturupted.

''Miss Montez, we have had a look at everything, and you are absolutely fine. I would however, take it easy for the next few weeks, you're collapse was caused by stress.''

I shot a half hearted smile at the doctor, ''Oh, thank god!'' I sighed in relief, although I knew the truth.

''And with all of that, your free to go, Miss Montez.''

The car ride home was long, silent, and awkward. The couple barley acknowledged each other and although sat next to each other, might aswell had been on the other side of the world from each other. Gabriella sat with her knees pulled up to her chest, her hands being used as her pillow, helping her to get comfortable and cosy as she lay her head against the window. Troy sat slouched back, one hand on the wheel, the other occasionally hung out of the window as he puffed on a cigarette. The tension between the pair began to surface and as they arrived back at the cabin, it didn't get better, only worse. There were no words spoken, but the vibe in the air was hatred, pure hatred. This tore Gabriella's heart into thousands of tiny little pieces. More than anything, she just wanted Troy to hold her in his arms but that wasn't going to happen. As they started to scream and shout at each other, Troy raised his voice. Gabriella collapsed to the floor in floods of tears. She stayed in that spot until she heard a door slam. Troy had left the room.

Troy woke up in the middle of the night to find himself alone. He slowly sat up, yawning as he fumbled around for his phone. 4:26am. He turned on the lamp at the side of the bed and looked to his right where Gabriella should have been lay but, there was no sign of her. The bed was empty. Thoughts of the previous night shot through his mind. The way he screamed, yelled, shouted at her. The way he treated her. He burried his head in his hands but suddenly heard a noise coming from the hallway. He kept quiet as he began to walk towards the door. The door was open just enough for Troy to catch a climpse of Gabriella as she sat on the windowsil, mumbling to someone via phone, wearing only his shirt. She had her knees tucked right up to her chest and one arm wrapped around them. Her legs were completely covered in scars and cuts. It almost looked like she had been attacked by a vicious dog. Troy gently pushed the door open and tip toed close enough so he could hear what Gabriella was saying, despite betraying her privacy and it not being any of his business.

''Yes Mia, I'm fine.'' Gabriella paused. ''We just had an arguement, that's all.'' She reassured her.

Troy felt bad, for standing there, betraying her privacy like that.

''Sometimes, I just really fucking hate myself, you know? like, I can't have a normal relationship, a normal friendship, a normal fucking life because of all my issues. I don't know how much more I can take, I really dont.'' Gabriella began to cry, her hands shaking intensly.

Troy continued to stand there, watching as Gabriella quietly cried into her pillow.

''I love him, I love him so much.'' Gabriella was sobbing hysterically at this point. She could barely get her words out. ''I'm just not so sure about us anymore. He'll be leaving for New York in 4 months time. He's got his whole life, a great life, planned out for him. The last thing I want is to hold him back, Mia.'' Gabriella paused, once again. ''I think so.''

''Gabs?'' Troy softly spoke, making himself known.

Gabriella's heart jumped. She dropped the phone and turned to find Troy stood by the doorway. The look in her eyes broke Troy's heart. She looked so delicate and small and vulnerable and.. breakable. Troy rushed over to Gabriella's side.

''Baby, don't leave,''

Gabriella was taken back, ''What?''

''I said; don't leave. I love you, Gabriella.''

Gabriella laughed in an almost sarcastic way, continuing to wipe away her tears. ''You have a funny way of showing it.''

''Listen, about tonight, I'm sorry. I guess people do crazy things when they're in love,''

In love... Gabriella's heart melted at those words.

''But what about New York? And your scholarship? And school? And you're reputation?''

''I don't even care,'' Troy pulled Gabriella onto his lap, wrapping his arms around her. ''I have you'' He mumbled as their lips finally connected.

''And that's enough?'' Gabriella snuggled up to Troy, buring her head in his chest, interlocking their fingers together.

''For now,'' Troy teased, kissing her head.

It was 7:30am when the sun had begin to rise. Gabriella was already awake. She lay cuddled up in bed, listening to the birds singing and whilstling outside. There was a calm and peaceful vibe in the air. This brought a smile to Gabriella's face. She stretched her arms out slowly, yawning whilst doing so. She looked over to her left. Troy smiled at her.

''Good morning baby,'' he spoke, his voice still raspy and sleepy.

''Morning handsome,'' Gabriella smiled.

''Nice sweatshirt,'' Troy smirked.

I giggled, blushing.

''You are so cute,'' he grinned.

Gabriella pulled the pillow over her face.

Troy laughed, pulling the pillow away from her. ''Hey hey,''

Gabriella replaced her pillow with her hands, bringing them upon her face and covering it with them.

Troy laughed, poking her.

''Babe! cut it out!''

Troy held up his hands, ''Sorry miss,'' he chuckled.

''Love you really,'' Gabriella giggled, leaning down to plant a kiss on Troy's lips.

''Obviously,'' Troy replied, sarcastically.

Gabriella playfully rolled her eyes.

''What do you wanna do today babe?''

''I'm really not fussed,'' Gabriella's finger trailed down Troy's chest.

''It's up to-'' Troy hussed as Gabriella began to speak.

''Actually, I was reading this activity booklet yesterday and there is supposed to be a festival just down the road from here this afternoon.'' Gabriella looked up at Troy, playfully using her puppy dog eyes.

Troy laughed.

''You don't even have to ask. Anything for you, babe.''

Gabriella clapped her hands as she squealed, ''Yay! Thank you!''

It wasn't long before it was the afternoon. Troy and Gabriella began to head to the festival. Hand in hand. Gabriella smiled as she toke in that pine scented air. She wore a long flowing white beautiful maxi dress and a cute yellow flower in her hair while Troy settled for a more casual look, wearing a T-shirt and jeans. The pair shared jokes, laughter and kisses between them on their walk. Troy wrapped a protective arm around Gabriella, making her smile. As they arrived at the venue, there were hundreds of people scattered everywhere. They searched for a place to settle and eventually found a spot. Troy pulled out a blanket, laying it on the grass before the two sat down on it. Troy wrapped his arms around Gabriella's waist as she sat in between his legs.

Troy's phone vibrated. He checked his messages.

''Trooooy! baby I miss you:( I miss you in my bed, I want you back! xoxo - Sharpay''

''Who is it?'' Gabriella asked, curious.

''A friend. Actually, I just need to give him a quick ring. Give me one sec, babe,'' Troy returned to his feet, walking away as he dialed a number.

Gabriella watched as Troy seemed to be yelling and shouting at someone over the phone. He was fuming, irriated, annoyed. A frown was glued to his face throughout the phone call which left Gabriella worried. Minutes later, Troy began to walk back. Gabriella kept quiet, she kept to herself.

''Are you okay?''

''Yeah. Of course I am, beautiful.'' Troy smiled.

''Good. Chin up, buttercup.'' Gabriella replied.

Troy chuckled. She was too cute.

Troy and Gabriella spent their entire night at the festival. Dancing, making out, laughing, playing, smiling, woundering. Their night was absolutely perfect. The sun was just beginning to set as they started to walk back to the cabin. The sky was just completely mixed colors of blue, yellow, pink and orange. The air felt thick and quite humid. Both Troy and Gabriella were feeling calm and content, enjoying each other's company. Troy kept whispering sweet nothings into Gabriella's ear, which made her heart slowly melt as she fell even deeper in love with him. For the first time in 7 years, the smile on Gabriella's face was genuine. It wasn't forced or fake. It was real. Completely real. She was happy.