Back to the Dream Page
A few days have passed since the big confrontation and things are getting back to normal. The whole gang has lunch together today since it is Thursday, meaning this week it is a Red Day, so they sit together at their normal table, each laughing and talking with each other. Hunter feels his phone vibrate and frowns, not knowing who it could be. He pulls it out and sees it is Johnny.
"Gabriella, I'll be back. It's Johnny," he says before leaning over and kissing her lightly on the cheek and then heading outside the cafeteria. Once outside, Hunter puts the phone back to his ear. "What's up Johnny?"
"Are you sitting down?" Johnny asks, excitement in his voice. "You got the lead my man! The other actor they had lined up originally couldn't come to an agreement with the studio so they have decided to go with you!"
"Great, second choice," Hunter mumbles, looking over at his friends who he can see through the windows. He spots Gabriella smiling, looking genuinely happy for the first time since Monday. "Is that such a wise decision to accept if that's the case? Won't I get a bad rep for that?"
"No way. If anything, you'll get the reputation of being reliable and someone easy to deal with. It's the casting agent's own fault for passing you up for this other guy to start with. I hear he is a real pain to deal with. Now, if you don't have any more problems, I want to get you out here to LA pronto," Johnny announces. "I've talked to your parents and they are prepared to talk to the school about getting you material to work through during the three months you'll be gone for the shoot in Toronto."
Not being able to process everything being thrown at him, Hunter does in fact sit down on a nearby bench, taking a moment to think through everything. "So you want me to get on a plane tonight, to go there for some time before going to Toronto?" he asks, trying to clarify everything.
"Timeline isn't too exact until we finish negotiations but yes, I don't expect you will be attending East High for a few months after today. Don't worry, we can fly your girl out here or there to see you every now and then if that's a problem," Johnny offers.
Hunter looks back over at Gabriella and smiles as she is caught watching him once again. "No, I think that area is fine but man, I have things here I can't just drop. I'm supposed to be a lead in the fall musicale remember?" Hunter reminds his agent.
"Oh, I forgot," Johnny confesses. "But, what would you rather do Hunter? If you skip out on this lead in the movie for that high school musicale, I swear I'll fly out there and kidnap you. It's a high school performance, big deal."
"It is a big deal," Hunter angrily replies. "Especially for Gabriella and my friends."
Realizing how angry Hunter is, Johnny apologizes immediately. "Look, I'm sorry for what I said, but you have to think of your career here Hunter. This could cement you into true Hollywood star status. Maybe win you some awards. Are you really going to throw it all away for these kids? I thought you'd be excited about this!"
"Look, I am Johnny, trust me I am. But I also have a responsibility to my friends, especially to Gabriella. I can't leave them stranded. Let's do this. If I can find a way for someone to fill in for me for the show at the end of next week, I'll be out there in a heartbeat. Just give me some time to work this out, okay?"
Hunter hears Johnny let out a sigh. "All right, we'll do this on your terms but Hunter, as your agent, I have to press upon you the importance of taking this role and striking while you have so much success with your other projects."
"I hear you man, I hear you," Hunter reassures his agent. "I'll call you this afternoon."
Hunter hangs up and heads back inside, a mix of emotions. He was beyond ecstatic about the role he just landed but he is also troubled by what he was going to do as to not let Gabriella and the gang down. On the way back to the table, he watches Troy and Gabriella talk, seeming to have finally gotten over the awkwardness that has plagued them for weeks. 'Troy, I should have thought of that from the start!' Hunter suddenly thinks, getting a true smile on his face now.
He makes his way over to the table and leans over Troy's shoulder. "Can I talk to you outside Bolton?" he asks.
Troy turns around and gives him a confused look but nods and gets up to accompany him outside. "What's up Hunter?" Troy questions, looking at Gabriella's boyfriend as he thinks something out.
"Would you do anything for your friends?" Hunter asks, already knowing the answer.
"Of course! Wait, what's wrong?" Troy asks, knowing instinctively that something was up. Troy and Hunter never spoke together alone, especially after Hunter and Gabriella had become known as the "IT" couple in Hollywood.
"Would you sing and dance in the fall musicale to save it from certain doom? To help Kelsi, Sharpay, Ryan, and of course Gabriella?" Hunter pushes, watching Troy's face for his gut reaction.
Troy doesn't say anything for a few moments, thinking on it in his head. "If it meant doing it so they could do the show then I would, but they have you, don't they?" Troy answers.
Hunter shakes his head and smiles. "Not now. I just got a call from my agent telling me I got a role that I auditioned for a few weeks ago. I honestly thought I didn't get it but he just called saying I have to leave tonight and will be gone for the next few months. You, Troy Bolton, are the only guy I know of that would be capable of picking up all the lines and dance moves before next Friday. Will you do it?" Hunter asks, giving Troy a few moments to sit down and think.
When Troy finally speaks, he has a worried smile on his face. "I'll do it. If it is the only way that Darbus will continue on with the show, then I'll do it for my friends, for Gabriella."
"Good man," Hunter says, patting him on the shoulder. "I'll talk to Ms. Darbus and straighten it all out. Can you do me one last favor?" Troy nods his head. "While I'm gone, keep an eye on Gabriella. She's still a bit jumpy after that confrontation and I don't want anything to happen to her."
"I don't either. I'll keep an eye on her, don't worry," Troy says, taking Hunter's hand and shaking it. "I can't believe I'm going to sing again!" he mutters to himself causing Hunter to laugh.
"Troy, if what I heard in the auditions is how you sing, you have nothing to worry about. Now, if you are trying to take my career away, then I'd say you have a long way to go," Hunter jokes, causing Troy to laugh. "Oh, and please don't say anything to Gabriella. I'd like to do that myself."
"Of course dude," Troy answers, truly understanding.
"Thanks Troy, you won't regret it, I promise," Hunter says before heading back inside.
"That's so great!" Gabriella squeals, jumping up and giving Hunter a huge hug. "You finally got your HUGE break!"
Hunter laughs and hugs her back before setting her down on the ground. "Wow, I didn't think you'd take it this well," he confesses.
"What do you mean, why wouldn't I be excited?" Gabriella asks, confused by his statement.
"Well, this role means that I won't be able to return to school for another three months or so after today," Hunter explains, seeing it all come together in her mind now. "Family Living this last period before that final bell was my last class here at East High for a while. I'll be back after all is done, but I have to head out tonight to go to LA for negotiations."
"Still though, you'll be back and we'll keep in touch right?"
Hunter brushes back a loose strand of hair behind Gabriella's ear. "Of course," he responds. "Like I would let you fall off to the side like that, especially after everything we have been through and done together. Gabriella Montez, I don't ever want to hear of you thinking yourself as just a fan of the star Hunter Smith again. You will forever hold a special place in my heart, no matter time or distance."
Gabriella smiles and hugs Hunter again. "You really do mean a lot to me Hunter. I'll miss you."
Hunter wraps his arms around her again, placing his head on the top of hers. "I'll miss you too. No more cat fights without me okay? Or if you do, I want them videotaped and sent to me. Did I mention how very amazing that was?"
Gabriella steps back from his embrace and laughs. "Only a few thousand times since Monday but I do appreciate it. So far so good on that front, no sign of Jasmine, but that doesn't mean the danger is over. I keep looking over my shoulder just in case."
"Smart woman. I would agree she's up to something and is taking her time with this one after all the failures," Hunter confirms.
"Wait, what about the musicale?" Gabriella asks, remembering their performances are supposed to happen the following Friday and that weekend. "You aren't going to be here!"
"I was wondering when that little head of yours was going to put that together," Hunter responds. "Don't worry, it's all taken care of. I've talked to Darbus and we have a replacement for me who is already hard at work as we speak."
Curious, Gabriella asks, "And this would be?"
"Your ex," Hunter responds simply.
"Troy Bolton? You got Troy to sing and dance in the musicale again? What did you do to get him to agree?" she asks, knowing that Troy had not been all that keen in earnest about the musicale this year.
"Just told him he would have a stunning partner who would guide him through everything in the show. I admit, I laid the guilt trip on him kind of heavy, telling him the whole show was dependent on him agreeing to do it otherwise you, Kelsi, Sharpay, and Ryan would see your dream fall musicale crash and burn," Hunter confesses.
Gabriella playfully slaps him on the arm. "You, Mr. Smith, are utterly horrible. Still, I can't believe you got him to agree."
"Powers of persuasion baby," Hunter says, a rakish smile on his face. "All right, now that we have had our little talk, I must go and round up all my assignments for the rest of the semester and see myself to the airport. Want to help? You'll get a sneak peek of your next few academic months."
Not being able to resist that lure, Gabriella agrees. "Sure. I don't have rehearsal today, the last day of this freedom before Darbus goes all mandatory rehearsal on us."
"I expect full reports now Gabriella," Hunter kids as they head to their first stop, back to Family Living. "You're not going to forget about little old me, right?"
"Of course not, it's more likely the reverse! I wish you could at least come back and see the musicale if you have the time," Gabriella says.
"I'll try, how about that?" Hunter offers, earning a smile from Gabriella. "All right, let's get going. Gotta make it onto that chartered plane in two hours or Johnny is going to have my head." Hunter grabs Gabriella's hand and pulls her along with him as he goes through East High's halls, collecting all his assignments and accepting a few congratulations from the teachers. Once done, he jumps into his car with Gabriella beside him and drops her quickly off at her house but not without giving her one last hug and a kiss on the cheek. "See you soon Gabriella."
Gabriella smiles in return and watches as he drives off to meet his Hollywood destiny.