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The following Tuesday, the first half day of the week for all East High seniors, the gang met at the Bolton household to hang out all together before they headed back to the grounds of East High for the Senior Carnival, part of the planned last week to send East High's seniors off. Earlier on in the day, right after they had gotten their yearbooks early to start having people sign in their second period, the last period of the day for the half day, they had been crowded into the gym to practice the graduation ceremony.
"All right everyone, line up according to your last names! On the wall there are lists of students in alphabetical order and also signs that say A-Ch, etc. Please line up accordingly!" instructed Principal Matsui from the raised stage at the center of the gym floor.
Troy and Gabriella reluctantly let go of each other's hands as they parted ways to find their correct group.
"Miss Montez, I believe you are sitting up front on the stage with Miss McKessie, remember?" reminded Ms. Darbus as she spotted Gabriella's confused face as to why she was not on the sheets.
"Oh yeah, thank you Ms. Darbus," replied Gabriella with a smile before she walked up to the stage and felt a weird feeling staring back into the crowds of her peers.
Soon, Taylor found her way up to the stage as well. "God, if it feels this weird just in front of the seniors, what is it going to feel like with all of our family and friends this Saturday?" she asked.
Gabriella let out a small groan. "Thanks for the reminder, Taylor. Here I was just trying to calm myself down."
"Relax Gab, I know you have your speech down backwards and forwards. You'll do just great!"
"I hope," murmured Gabriella as Principal Matsui started to walk the seniors through the process of how graduation would be done.
Taylor stood up and pretended she was holding the flag, as was her role in the graduation as salutatorian, and then sat back down as a few members of the administration walked up and then sat back down in their seats in the order they would speak. Soon, Gabriella found Principal Matsui motioning to her so Gabriella got up from her chair and walked to the podium, looked at the crowd, felt her nerves get worse, and then just gave a thumbs up sign before she sat back down, relieved she didn't actually have to give the speech. She had shown the final draft to the principal that morning and he approved it so she was all set. 'Now, to just get over the nerves.'
After that, each row of students practiced getting up and getting their diploma without hearing their names called for speed's sake. Taylor and Gabriella were shown where to step in for the lines when their turns came up and then how to get back to their seats on the stage, both unable to get rid of the feeling of being out of place separated from their classmates.
"So you two looked good sitting up on the stage, by the way," commented Ryan as the gang lounged around Troy's living room. "Although, I could easily tell you were both nervous as anything."
"Yeah, well, you would be too if you had the entire senior class staring at you, then add in family and friends on Saturday!" exclaimed Gabriella.
"But you'll do well without even trying. Think about earlier today!" Troy encouraged.
Taylor looked at the two, who were staring at each other with smiles on their faces. "What are you two talking about?"
"Oh, nothing," murmured Troy with a grin. "Why don't we head on out to school?"
"Umm, sure man," said Chad, also curious as to what was going on.
The gang left the house, with Troy locking up the front door since his parents weren't home. He walked over to where Gabriella was anxiously standing by his truck, on the driver's side, knowing that's where he wanted her.
"Troy man, Taylor and I riding with you or you two coming with us?" asked Chad.
"Neither," replied Troy with a smirk as he handed his truck keys over to Gabriella, who gingerly took them.
"Wait, what?" questioned Taylor, drawing the gang's attention. "You are actually letting Gabriella drive your truck without a license?"
Gabriella reached into her back pocket of her jeans and flashed it for everyone. The entire gang stared as they looked at the scrap of paper in her hands. "YOU GOT YOUR LICENSE!" exclaimed Ryan. "CONGRATULATIONS!"
She was immediately engulfed by Ryan and then Taylor as the friends started cheering in excitement. After everyone stepped back, Troy wrapped his arm around Gabriella's waist. "You are looking at the newest driver of East High's senior class. She studied hard and passed her written exam with flying colors and she was only docked two points on the driving portion for being too cautious, imagine that," announced a proud Troy.
Gabriella grinned at her friends, who still wore astonished looks on their faces. "Why didn't you tell me, Gab?" asked Taylor.
"Troy wanted to keep it a secret to surprise you all and I didn't want to say anything in case I failed," replied Gabriella. "No more being carted around. Well actually, that's still true since I don't have a car."
Troy chuckled and squeezed her. "You can drive my truck anytime you want, babe."
She smiled up at him and leaned up to kiss him while Troy met her half way.
"Well, it's good to see some things never change, even after she got her license," joked Zeke. "All right lovebirds, time to hit the road to head to the carnival! Come on gang!"
Gabriella blushed and pulled away from the kiss. Troy opened the driver's side door for her and then the back half door to let Taylor in behind her. He ran around to the other side and closed Chad's half door and then got into the front seat himself. "Ready?" he asked the backseat.
"I can't find my fifth seatbelt, we can't go anywhere!" teased Chad before he earned yet another smack on the arm from his girlfriend.
"Don't listen to him, Gabriella, you'll be fine!" Taylor assured her best friend.
Gabriella just nodded her head and then started the truck, the seat and controls having already been adjusted to her from the test a few hours ago.
When Gabriella pulled the truck into the East High parking lot and parked, she pulled the keys out of the ignition and threw a look back at Chad. "Still alive?"
"Remarkably," replied Chad with a smile. "Gotta admit, you did good, Gab."
"Thank you," said Gabriella with her own smile before she unbuckled herself and jumped out of the truck, helping Taylor out too before the four joined the rest of the gang.
Before riding any of the rides, the group decided to meander through the alleyway where all the booths were set up for games for $1 per play at each booth, the money going towards the junior's senior week the following year as was tradition. At the third booth they reached, all the guys stopped and started laughing at the sight in front of them.
"Coach?" asked Jason in between laughs. "You're actually in the dunk tank?"
"Laugh all you want, Jason, I don't think you have it in you to hit the target with a baseball. Basketball I'd say I'd be in trouble, but unless Chad or Ryan are up here taking shots, I don't think I have anything to fear out of you bunch," called back Coach Bolton from his little seat above the water. "Haven't gotten wet all day."
"Oooh, boys that sounds like a challenge," commented Zeke with a smile. "I say we take him up on that. Troy, you should definitely go first!"
"Dude, he's my dad!" protested Troy.
"Chicken!" accused Charles. "Come on Troy!"
"How about this? I pay, and I'll take the last two shots since Chad and Ryan are out on this little challenge," suggested Troy as he put down a five dollar bill on the edge of the booth.
"Fine," conceded Jason. "Charles, you are up first buddy!"
"Bring it on boys!" yelled Coach Bolton with a smile, which grew bigger as Charles completely missed.
Jason went next and the group laughed as he chucked the ball instead of at the target but at Coach Bolton, who had nothing to fear as the ball bounced off the plastic that surrounded the tank. "Either you thought the barrier would give and hit me, Jason, or your aim just sucks," teased Coach Bolton. "Zeke, you are up next!"
After Kelsi comforted Jason as he stepped back, Zeke picked up one of the three remaining baseballs and took his best shot at it, hitting the edge of the target but not the middle. "See, that's why you haven't been dunked, Coach! It should be the whole target that counts, not just the middle!" complained Zeke, disappointed he wasn't able to get his coach in.
"Sorry, rules are rules. You know that more than anyone," called out Coach Bolton. "Ah, Troy, let's see what you are made of, son."
Troy tossed a baseball between his hands while he eyed his dad and then the middle of the target. "Promise if I get you in that you aren't going to yell at me or ground me?"
Jack chuckled. "Of course not, this is a charity of sorts. Besides, with your arm being out of practice from both basketball and golf, I have less of a chance now."
"Uh oh, sounds like your dad just challenged you, Troy," murmured Martha.
"Yeah, and you never back down from challenges, even if it is your old man," added Chad. "Come on, you can do it."
Troy nodded his head and threw the ball, missing the target completely. Jack laughed at his son. "See, what did I tell you? Maybe I should have also coached you in baseball, Troy!"
Gabriella, who was watching from next to Troy but on the side, saw his expression change from good fun to determination. "Mr. Bolton, I'd prepare to get dunked if I were you," she called out to her boyfriend's father.
"Glad you have confidence in my son, Gabriella, but I don't think I'm in any danger," returned Coach Bolton.
Troy smirked at this as he tossed the ball in between his hands again. He refocused on the dead center of the target, giving one last look at his dad, who was grinning at him, and threw, hitting the center of the target dead on. "BULLSEYE!"
The gang laughed as Coach Bolton was immediately dumped into the tank, splashing water outside of the tank in the process, and then came back up sputtering. Taylor and Kelsi immediately took pictures of this as Troy walked around the booth's wall with Gabriella by his side. "You all right there, Dad?" asked Troy with a smile on his face.
Jack shook his head but smiled despite himself. "I can't believe you actually hit that! I have to say I'm proud of you even though I ended up being on the losing end of that challenge. Help your old man up?"
Troy nodded his head and went up the steps to give his dad a hand to sit on the edge while Gabriella handed him a towel to dry off with. There were shouts from the gang who wanted pictures, so the three posed briefly before Jack handed Gabriella the towel back. "Guess we better get going, Dad. Remember, no grounding me!" said Troy.
"Of course not. You won fair and square. You two enjoy yourselves this evening, and you guys too!" called out Coach Bolton as he got resituated on the little seat after a junior had reset it. "And Troy, if I get sick, although you aren't grounded, your mom will know whose fault it is."
Troy laughed and just nodded his head in understanding as he grabbed Gabriella's hand and they joined the rest of the group.
"Nice job, man," congratulated Chad. "I knew you could do it!"
"Good thing you cleared up that grounding thing. I know my dad would have tried that," added Jason.
The gang moved on from the games but not before the basketball game drew the guys in to play. Of course, each walked away with a mini basketball while the girls could only just roll their eyes as they bounced them around and between each other.
"So, all the rides here are free. Where do we start?" asked Taylor.
"I so say Circle of Fire over there!" stated Zeke, pointing at a loop with an enclosed car that went around the loop in circles, going from right side up to upside down.
"Yeah, great pick!" agreed Charles.
"I guess then that's it," said Kelsi.
The group moved over to stand in line and waited their turn, telling jokes among themselves. When their turn came, Gabriella nonchalantly edged her way out, letting Troy and the rest of their friends get buckled into the ride before any of them noticed what she did. She grinned back at a confused Troy and gave them all a small wave as they started shouting things at her like "Chicken!" and "Wuss!"
As the ride started, Gabriella moved a little farther away from the ride so she could watch as it geared up to start making the full circles.
"Not a bit G-force, going in a circle type of girl, huh?" asked Sharpay as she came to stand next to Gabriella, Joanna and Tara behind her.
"Hi Sharpay. To be honest, no. I just don't like that feeling," confessed Gabriella.
"Can't blame you, neither do I. Besides, if I just wanted to go in circles, I'd have our driver just drive around in a roundabout somewhere."
Gabriella rolled her eyes at this but smiled over at the blonde. "So what are you, Joanna, and Tara up to tonight?"
"We were hoping to get with Troy," deadpanned Sharpay before she smiled. "Just kidding!" Upon seeing Gabriella's not so happy face at this, Sharpay shrugged. "Guess it's too early to joke about that?"
"Just a tad," returned Gabriella.
"Actually, we were going to head off over to the kissing booth to see who was donating a dollar to kiss who," stated Joanna. "Want to come with us?"
"It's great entertainment, especially when someone pays to kiss their crush, they turn all pink," added Tara.
Gabriella smiled at them and looked at Sharpay. "Really into people watching?"
"Well, what can I say, it's free entertainment. You are welcome to join us if you want to," said Sharpay. "Although, seeing that your friends are off their ride and not walking so straight, you may just want to hang with them."
Gabriella turned her head and saw that Sharpay was right, laughing a little as Troy and Chad accidentally bumped into each other as they started to walk to the exit after they got out of the vehicle. "Probably not. Did you want to hang out with us instead?"
Sharpay considered the idea but saw some of the looks she was given by some of the group. "No, I don't think your friends are ready for that, even if it seems like you are. But, before I go, I wanted to also make sure that you are coming tomorrow night, to the Evans Senior Prom After Party. I'm sure Ryan already invited your whole gang."
"He did and we'll definitely be there. It means a lot for you to go out of your way and invite us too, though. See, being nice doesn't hurt," stated Gabriella with a smile.
"Yeah, I haven't melted yet like the Wicked Witch is supposed to, but don't tell anyone. I still have the Ice Queen thing going on apparently," kidded Sharpay. "See you around!"
Gabriella watched as Sharpay, Joanna, and Tara left towards the kissing booth and sensed Troy's presence before she saw him. "How was the ride, Troy?"
"Great fun, trying to get my bearings now but it was definitely fun. You little sneak ditching last second!" replied Troy. "And talking to a certain blonde. She give you any trouble?"
"Not one bit. I'm starting to think that Sharpay may really be trying to be nicer now. She still has her rich girl tendencies but it's not vicious. Sharpay even wanted to make sure we were going tomorrow night," revealed Gabriella. "And I don't get a feeling from my gut that it was a question geared towards a set up but just a genuine invite."
"Well that's nice," murmured Troy. "Now, enough about her. What ride do you actually want to go on?"
She turned around and looked at the different attractions that were set up, ranging from more rides that went in circles to a small roller coaster to a jump house. "Hmm, what about the Super Slide?"
Troy looked over to where she was looking and saw the tall, yellow, bumpy plastic covered contraption that some of their classmates were going down already while sitting on potato sacks. "I think I can do that. We can even make it a race!"
He grabbed her hand in his and started walking towards the slide, their friends following behind.
"Are you serious? We have to go on this baby thing because of Gab?" whined Jason.
"Shut up, J! If my angel wants to go on it, she'll get to go on it. I'm not forcing you to go!" exclaimed Troy. "Although, five bucks says I'll beat you down to the bottom."
"You are so on, Troy!" agreed Jason with a grin while Kelsi and Gabriella rolled their eyes.
"Hey, I want in!" complained Zeke.
Charles and Chad nodded their heads too, followed by Ryan.
"Leave it to the boys to make going down a slide a betting situation," commented Kelsi. "Guess we leave them to go down on their own after all of us girls?"
"They leave us with no other choice," returned Taylor. "Although, wouldn't it be fun if we sponsored one of us to go on it with them? There are seven lanes."
"But who will want to go up against them?" questioned Gabriella.
Not shortly after, Martha stuck her hand in the air. "ME! I've wanted to beat the guys at something for ages now. We'll go in together and if I win, I agree we'll split the money."
Gabriella grinned at her friends. "I think we're settled then. Here's my money."
Martha took the money from the girls and then approached the guys before they could go up the steps of the slide. "I'm in on this bet of yours too. Here's the money," she stated in a no question tone of voice.
"You sure? This is a no mercy guy's competition here," stated Zeke. "I don't want your feelings getting hurt."
"Oh shut up, Zeke. She'll do great," returned Taylor. "Now come on Kels, Gab, we have to beat them up so we can go down before them."
Taylor, Kelsi, and Gabriella raced ahead of the guys and Martha to get sacks to sit on and waited on the stairs for them to catch up. After a few moments, the three girls lined up along with four of their classmates. Gabriella smiled as she looked over her shoulder and saw Troy leaning down behind her.
"Want to go super fast? I'll push you," offered Troy.
"Sure," agreed Gabriella.
Troy leaned down and kissed Gabriella briefly before she felt his hands firmly, but gently, push her back as the junior who was manning the slides called out "Go!". With Troy's assistance, Gabriella went flying down the slide, screaming at the fun of losing contact with the slide over dips until she slowed to a stop at the bottom. She looked up and saw the guys and Martha had already taken their places and shot Troy a smile before she glanced over at Martha and gave her a thumb up sign, which was returned. Kelsi, Taylor, and Gabriella moved from the bottom and stood on the other side of the stacks of hay to watch, cameras in all of their hands.
The junior yelled "Go!" and the seven friends were off, Chad and Troy having a slight jump on Charles, Ryan, Jason, Zeke, and Martha. It was too close to tell though who was going to win as they were all a good distance within each other, with the exception of Charles and Zeke, who were moving slower than the others, most likely because they lost their grip of the sack they sat on. In the end though, the girls cheered for their girl Martha, who ended up beating Chad and Troy, who came in a mere second or two later than her, tied together, followed by Ryan, then Jason, then Zeke and Charles.
"GO MARTHA!" screamed Gabriella, Taylor, and Kelsi.
Martha grinned at her friends and then turned her attention to the guys. "Pay up, boys!"
The six guys groaned as they dug into their pockets and handed their money over, giving the four girls thirty dollars to split among themselves after they shared a quick group hug.
"Women, they chastise us for betting but then end up with the money? How's that fair?" asked Chad, shaking his head at his girlfriend and the other girls.
"Haven't you learned, Chad? When it comes to the female mind, we will never understand them as we should," answered Troy.
Zeke laughed at this. "That's true and you should know, right Troy? You have had how many do-overs with Gabriella?"
"OUCH! That hurt even me," stated Ryan with a smile.
"Laugh it up boys, but I'm the one with the girl you all wished you had," replied Troy with a smile. He missed Ryan's fleeting look on his face that spoke volumes as Troy turned and went to give Martha a congratulatory hug before he swept Gabriella into his embrace and planted a lingering kiss on her lips.
'Troy, all I can say is that you are down right lucky I am not my sister and I don't possess her knack of being conniving. Otherwise, this whole year would have been totally different and you would never have had those extra chances with the young woman we both love,' thought Ryan before he walked off with Charles to talk to some of their other friends.