Thank you so much for all the kind comments on the last chapter! Shout to Simone and pumpkinking5 for your reviews!
Simone yes I a definitely writing more chapters, however, I am sad to say that this story is slowly coming to an end. Although, fear not I have a lot of content that can be used for a sequel so I will promise you guys as much as that one will be coming at one point.
"This is our last week of high school. This time next week we'll have graduated and you'll be going home soon. Far too soon, unless you're staying for the summer?"
"No, I have things to do back home… I wish I could stay longer but I am leaving next Saturday. I wanted to tell you sooner but I didn't know how to…" he admitted looking somewhat guilty at her.
"I understand Wildcat, reality is catching up to us and we all have responsibilities. Stanford expects an answer really soon, and I don't know how long I should wait on information from RCE…"
"You still haven't heard anything?" Troy wondered as Gabriella frowned, "should I?"
"I don't know. Marcus texted me yesterday I think, saying he had officially received his letter, even though he knew he was accepted beforehand."
"So, any day now then," she said with a sight, exhaling deeply.
"You said Stanford needed to know soon, do you know what you want to do?"
"Yes, but I think it's the commitment that scares me the most."
"If you know what you want to do, then do it. Follow your heart, Brie and don't let our relationship stop you. We will find a way to make it work, no matter the distance."
Gabriella's POV
I opened my eyes as the sun was shining in my face. Realizing we had fallen asleep in the hammock last night I turned my head still seeing Troy asleep. Our conversation yesterday was going through my head. I knew he had to go back to Etrea, but the thought of a long-distance relationship was making my stomach churn. Knowing it would probably take another week or so before I heard anything from RCE didn't help, when I knew Stanford needed an answer sooner rather than later. Laying in the hammock with him thinking back to all the conversations I've had with him and mom about Stanford made me even more certain about my decision. But as I told him yesterday, the commitment scared me.
A sudden feeling of courage washed over me and I gently tried to get out of the hammock.
"Brie?" Troy's sleepy voice stopped me and I turned looking at him.
"Hey," I smiled as he looked at me.
"We fell asleep out here," he stated as I giggled looking at him.
"I have to do something but I'll be back in a few minutes." He frowned a little looking at me with a curios glance,
"Is everything okay?"
"Yeah, just something I have to do really quick. Don't worry I'll be back in a few minutes," I assured him with a small smile before I got out of the hammock. Walking inside I saw Ted talking to a man in the hallway, who I presumed were Troy's other bodyguard, but didn't say anything, heading upstairs.
Once inside my bedroom I walked to my desk seeing the Stanford acceptance letter folded neatly beside my computer. Gently pulling back my chair I sat down, pressing the power button starting my laptop. Staring at my own reflection on the screen as it powered on, I took a deep breath. I think I was finally ready to make my commitment. What I didn't tell Troy last night was that today was the final deadline for Stanford. Technically I had until midnight but I decided to get it out of the way. Committing to the decision was hard, but I was fairly certain that it was the correct one for me. At least I liked this outcome better than the other one…
Entering my log in details for the Stanford website I saw the welcome page where I was prompted to make a decision. I moved my cursor over to the choice I had made, clicking it. Confirming my choice, I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding. Closing the lid of my laptop I grabbed the Stanford letter before walking downstairs. Hearing voices now coming from the kitchen I headed in that direction seeing mom and Troy talking.
I guess mom was awake without me even realising.
"Good morning," mom greeted as I placed the letter on the counter.
"Good morning," I greeted as she looked at me.
"Did you made a decision about Stanford?" she questioned carefully, as I saw Troy looking at the two of us, well mainly at me…
"I was just upstairs doing that…" I trailed off, turning to look at my mom, which was pouring two cups of coffee, before handing one to me.
"Thanks," I thanked her, taking a small sip, somehow hoping the liquid caffein would give me courage. Well… Courage might not be the thing I was lacking the most, I was afraid. Afraid what Troy would think. Afraid what mom would think. But most of all afraid I would disappoint them.
"I think I have known for a few days, but I declined Stanford's offer."
There was silence, as I didn't meet their eyes, staring down into my cup of coffee.
"I was expecting you to say that," mom told me softly as I looked up at her surprised.
"You did?"
"I wasn't completely certain but I had a strong hunch," she shared giving me a warm smile.
"Wait does this mean…?" Troy trailed of curious as I looked over at him with a small smile.
"Yes, it does."
Wednesday, March 4th
The crowd of students dressed in red and white were almost overwhelming on the field. After checking in I walked towards the field hoping to spot some of my friends. It didn't take long before I found Sharpay dressed in a bright pink pant suit styled outfit, her bedazzled cap sparkling in the sunlight.
"Gabriella!" she called me over as she must have spotted me.
"Hi Sharpay, hi Zeke," I greeted them as Sharpay crossed her arms looking at me.
"Gabriella Montez, why aren't you wearing your cap?"
"I couldn't get it to sit right. It just looked off in a way."
"Here, let me fix that so it doesn't mess with your hair," Sharpay stated as I handed her my cap before she placed it on my head making some adjustments.
"Hi guys how you doing?" I heard the voice of Taylor, but I didn't dare turn around as Sharpay was still fixing my cap.
"Nervous, but what about you Taylor, you're the valedictorian," Zeke asked just as Sharpay took a step back, admiring her work.
"There, you're all set," she stated confidently with a smile.
"Thank you Sharpay," I told her before turning towards Taylor.
"I'm ready. A bit nervous but I've been practicing, and I've gotten a lot of help in getting prepared," Taylor told us, "Anyone seen Chad?"
"No, but I just got here," I told Taylor as she shrugged her shoulders.
"Oh, there they are," Zeke pointed out, and I turned seeing both Troy and Chad walking towards us.
"Hi guys," I greeted them as they smiled seeing us.
"Hey what's up?"
"Chad really?" Taylor questioned sharply looking at the two of them. Troy and Chad stood somewhat in sharp contrast to one another as they were standing side by side. Underneath their graduation gown Troy was wearing a white button-up shirt with a skinny black tie, black pants and black converse, while Chad was wearing a white t-shirt, jeans, and sneakers.
"What's wrong? No-one will know when we walk the stage," he stated before zipping up his gown proving his point, as Troy stood beside him laughing.
"You're something else Chad Danforth," Taylor muttered as Chad grinned, "and that's why you love me."
"You look beautiful Brie," Troy complimented me, but what alarmed me was his hoars voice.
"Thanks, but oh you don't sound too good."
"Yeah… I'm pretty sure I'm starting to get sick."
"Oh no that's bad news. You coming tonight or are you staying home?"
"If it doesn't get worse, I'm still coming," he smiled, but as I looked at him it wasn't his genuine smile. I couldn't pinpoint it but something seemed off. Maybe he wasn't coming after all but didn't want to disappoint us? I made a mental note to ask him later…
"Graduates please get ready for the ceremony," an announcement was heard over the speakers as we all looked at one another.
"This is it guys. We're graduating," Taylor stated before we headed over to start the graduation.
I was sitting in one of the front rows with Sharpay on my left and Troy on my right. We had all walked the stage, and I was sitting with my diploma in hand, small tears streaming down my cheek as I watched Taylor being the last one entering the stage. Standing in front of the podium she looked over the crowd with a smile on her face.
"Dear principal Matsui, dear faculty, dear parents and relative, and dear fellow graduates. I'm honoured to be your valedictorian," Taylor stopped for a moment as the audience gave her a polite small applause. "Today marks a change for us all. A new chapter in our lives, and for many of us a new academic chapter. The future is at our feet, ready for us to tackle head-on, which is both exciting and intimidating. Some of us have a clear path in mind, while some of us create the path as we walk it. Remember Wildcats no matter what others say, only you can create your own path. Remember what you all learned in high school, not just the academics, but that East high is a place where teachers encourage us to break the status quo, and define ourselves as we choose. Where a jock can cook up a mean Creme Brulé," Taylor stopped again as there was a mix of laugher and applause coming from the crowd.
"And the brainiac can break down on a dance floor." More cheering and whooping came as I watched Martha stand up busting a small move before sitting down laughing happily. "It's a place where one person, if it's the right person," Taylor continued as I immediately knew she was talking about me. The crowd made a small awe at the same time Sharpay gently nudged my shoulder with her arm, giving me a warm smile. "Changes us all," Taylor continued as Troy took my hand, gently giving it a small squeeze.
"You, okay?" he whispered as he saw my tears.
"Yeah, just mixed feelings. Mostly happy," I told him before Taylor started speaking again.
"East high is having friends that we will keep for the rest of our lives. And I guess that means we really are all in this together. Cuz once a Wildcat. Always a Wildcat." Taylor finished to the cheers and applause of everyone, before taking a step back, and walking towards principal Matsui who handed her the diploma. Moving her tassel towards the other side, she officially became the final person to graduate.
"And with that I want to officially say congratulations to the graduating class of 2008. You have made East High proud," principal Matsui finished as a loud cheer exploded from the crowd of students, as caps were thrown into the sky in celebration.
As the commotion settled, we all made our way towards the back of the field where I could already see some parents having entered, already looking for their kids. I turned seeing Troy walking behind me, and he looked at me giving me a smile.
"We graduated high school," I stated as I think it was finally starting to sink in that I was done with this chapter of my life. I was happy but it was also a little bittersweet.
"We did, we should celebrate this tonight when we're camping," Troy stated as he wrapped his hands around my waist.
"Yes. Zeke promised some great food…" I started before I heard our names being called by my mom.
"Oh, let me get a picture of you two," mom stated before we looked at her giving her a smile as she starting snapping several pictures.
"Mom," I finally stated as I had lost count over how many pictures she must have taken.
"Fine mi hija, but its not everyday your graduating," mom stated as I knew she was on the verge of crying.
"I should see if I can find my parents, I'll see you tonight?" Troy wondered looking at me.
"Yeah, see you later."
Sometime during the evening
Troy's POV
The campfire was blazing, music was playing and everyone was enjoying the warm summer night. "We did it!" Chad called out making me throw my head back in laughter.
"We graduated!" Jason cheered raising his cup before taking a drink.
"To graduation!" Taylor called out as everyone raised their glasses. "To graduation!" we all called out cheerfully. My arm was draped around Brie's shoulder as she was resting her back against me, as I was soaking up every minute we had left together. Throughout the day I had contemplated several times trying to find a good moment to tell her the news, but there hadn't been any.
"Troy?" Gabriella questioned bringing me out of thoughts, as I looked at her.
"Yeah?"
"I know we talked about spending time together tomorrow, but some of mom's family flew into town and surprised us yesterday. They wanted to celebrate my graduation tomorrow… Can we reschedule for early Friday or are you too busy moving?"
"About that… I tried finding a moment to tell you, but um… This morning, dad told me there was a change of plans, we're not leaving Friday evening after all," I started as I watched how hopeful she became about me staying longer. "I'm leaving in a few hours."
"What?" she whispered looking at me rather devastated, "I thought we had more time? What happened?" she questioned confused as I sighed.
"It's complicated, and I don't know everything, but dad said we had to be back before nine on Friday. He and grandpa have a meeting to do some damage control regarding a new trade legislation that were recently passed. They are also going to address the rumours, again, regarding my whereabouts because people are still questioning if I have left the country for good."
"What? That's crazy, what business do they have knowing where you are all the time?"
"It comes with the territory of being a public person," I confessed with a small sniffle, trying to clear my stuffy nose.
"How early do you need to leave?"
"I know we have to be at the airport by five fifteen, so I remember being told about four forty-five."
"You sure you should be out here tonight if you're leaving in the morning, and you're sick."
"Don't worry Brie, I want to spend my last day with you guys," I told her, but somewhere in the midst of our conversation, Chad had started following along.
"Wait, last day. What do you mean Troy?" Chad questioned gaining everyone else's attention.
"Plans changed. I am not leaving on Friday, but in the morning."
"So soon? That's a shame Troy," Taylor stated as I gave her a small smile.
"Yeah, I though I had more time too, but it is what it is," I shrugged as I saw Chad nodding his head.
"Will you be coming back to Albuquerque?" Chad wondered as it dawned on him that I was only visiting.
"Absolutely, but I have no idea when. I decided a little while ago that I will be attending college in Etrea, I know you had hopes about U of A Chad, I'm sorry," I apologized as Chad smiled.
"Hey I get it hoops, really. It was expected to hear you say that," Chad assured me giving me a smile, "I mean you would have been the only one from the team with me there, everyone is going their own ways."
"Wait, Zeke does that mean you got in?" I questioned puzzled as I knew U of A was his second choice after culinary school.
"Yes, they emailed me this afternoon. I'm going to culinary school in New York in the fall," he announced excitedly as we all started cheering for him.
"Congratulations Zeke," I told him, as he couldn't stop smiling.
"Thank you, guys, it means a lot to me. Now come on, let's celebrate because we have achieved some great things this semester, and we all graduated," he said raising his cup.
"He's right, cheers guys!" Chad called out as we all raised our glasses into the air.
That is all for this chapter, but there will be more coming on March 26th which will officially be the five-year anniversary of this story. I don't know exactly where I want to end this story because I have written content for parts of their summer vacation, but also parts of the fall, and our couple navigating the new distance in their relationship.
The big question remains, have Gabriella made a mistake by declining Stanford?
Let me know your thoughts on where you guys thing think I should leave it, and will Gabriella be accepted at RCE?
-FreeFlyingWriter