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It has been a week and a half since their plan came off without a hitch and Troy is shocked to find that himself sitting on a private chartered plane with Gabriella by his side and Hunter in the seat in front of him. Jasmine had been at school every day since the morning show but hadn't caused anyone trouble, mostly because no one would listen to her now. Gabriella had actually started feeling guilty this past Monday, but Troy reminded her of all the plots and ploys Jasmine had used against them and of the fact that Jasmine was not a bit sorry, which helped ease the sympathy pains.
"You know Gabriella, Johnny was pretty happy with that vocal test you sent him last weekend," Hunter says, turning his head so he is looking at her. "I'm so proud that you even did it!"
Gabriella shrugs. "Hey, I faced my worst enemy at school, what better way to end my week than to take a shot at this so called singing career he talked about on last Saturday," she explains. "Hopefully, he liked the song too. It's one that Kelsi composed and I wrote the lyrics to."
"Really?" Hunter asks intrigued. "He may be even more impressed tonight when you tell him. What better way to spend a Saturday night than with your friends, your boyfriend, and an aggressive agent in the Hollywood scene?"
Gabriella laughs and looks over at Troy, who still seems awed to be sitting in the plane with Hunter and her, heading for a quick weekend to California for a party that Hunter insisted they come to as a break from all the drama. She reaches across the aisle and picks up his left hand with her right, intertwining the two as it rests on his armrest. Troy looks over and grins, something she is getting very used to once again.
Soon, they feel the plane start its descent and land smoothly, much to Gabriella's delight, and walk out to be greeted by Johnny.
"Hello everyone!" Johnny calls out as they near. He gives Hunter a hug first and then Gabriella, kissing her on the cheek. "And who is this handsome fellow?"
Gabriella grins and wraps her arm around Troy's waist and leans her head on his chest. "This, Johnny, is my boyfriend and my true love, Troy Bolton, also known as the Wildcat Superstar of East High," Gabriella introduces, giggling as she sees Troy blush.
"It's nice to meet you," Troy says, extending his right hand, which Johnny happily shakes.
"Me too. You did fantastic in the musicale we watched the other week. Definitely untapped talent," Johnny murmurs, eyeing his possible new client and her boyfriend. "Well, I have the usual suites set up for you three. Any plans for today during the day?"
Hunter looks over at Gabriella, who returns the look. "SHOPPING!" both exclaim, laughing as they hear Troy let out a loud, pained groan.
"I think majority has it. Sorry Troy," Johnny says, patting him on the shoulder. "You'll get used to it eventually."
"Thanks," Troy mumbles, getting into the SUV behind Gabriella. Soon, they arrive at the hotel to the usual crowd for Hunter. He looks at the crowd and feels a bit of anxiety, even though they are all out there for Hunter and not him. "Dude, how do you do this every day?"
Hunter turns his attention to Troy just before exiting the SUV. "Just as you go to high school every day. One day at a time and hoping for the best," Hunter replies before getting out.
Gabriella and Troy wait for a few moments before getting the nod from Johnny that it is okay for them to go in. Troy gets out and blushes as he hears some screams at the sight of him. 'They must not realize I'm no one special,' he thinks as he helps Gabriella down, instantly holding her hand in his. They walk into the hotel and into the lobby. Johnny is waiting for them just as he had all those weeks ago on the day of the launch party for Hunter.
'Man, how Hollywood things have strangely become norm for me,' Gabriella thinks, seeing Troy taking in everything. Johnny hands out keys to each of them.
"Thanks man," Hunter says. "Car will be ready in one hour for that shopping trip? Thought we could go to the Beverly and then maybe Rodeo and a few outlets."
"Anything you want Hunter," Johnny says, chuckling as he sees the overwhelmed look on Troy's face. 'I wonder what has him overwhelmed more… the screaming fans, the lavishness of the lobby, or just being back in the arms of the woman he loves.'
Gabriella, Troy, and Hunter make it into the elevator on their way up to the suites, no one saying a word. Troy and Hunter go to Hunter's assigned room but when Troy tries his key, it doesn't work. Hunter tries his key and the door opens right up. "Umm Troy, why don't you try Gabriella's door?" Hunter suggests, a knowing smile on his face.
Troy shrugs and goes over to Gabriella's door before she has the chance to open it. "Let me see if this works," he explains as Troy swipes his key and finds that it does. He hears Hunter laugh down the hall before he goes into his own suite. Troy looks down at his girlfriend. "I guess we're sharing a suite? That okay?"
"Are you kidding? I asked Johnny to let us, especially since Hunter wants his own space with Liam and well, it would be such a waste to have you in your own suite," Gabriella reveals with a mischievous smile. "Besides, I couldn't resist the opportunity to sleep tonight in your arms again, like at Sharpay's and Ryan's party, now could I?"
Troy follows Gabriella in and lets the door close behind him. "You have become quite the little vixen lately, Gabriella! What am I going to do with you?" he teases, pulling her into his arms and kissing her passionately.
When she pulls away, she grins up. "Admit it, you like the little spice that I bring out of me every once in a while," she returns.
"You mean the guts to pull off that big ploy to put Jasmine in her place finally, the loyalty and fight you showed in your dedication to Hunter's plan, your desire to speak more of your mind, and your passionate love for me? Oh Gabriella, I love all of it just because that's who you are. I'll always love every part of you," Troy confesses, smiling back as Gabriella gets a very dreamy look on her face.
"Just as I'm crazy for loving the crazy Wildcat Superstar," Gabriella returns. "But the Troy I love is the man who was very persistent in us getting back together, trying different methods like the talks but also giving me space, the man who can be my best friend as well as the best boyfriend, who sees the best in people, even when he shouldn't, and the man who really loves me for me, nothing more and nothing less."
Troy grins down at her as she smiles up at him, both leaning in for another shared kiss, never wanting to be without the other again. Soon, the phone rings and Gabriella rolls her eyes. "Distractions," she mutters, causing Troy to laugh as she answers the phone.
"Hello?" she answers, taking a seat on the back of the couch while Troy decides to put their bags away in the bedroom. "Wait, what? How did that happen? Johnny, that was just a test, come on! All right, I understand. Thank you."
"What was that all about?" Troy asks, coming back out to the living room and wrapping his arms around Gabriella. "You look worried."
"That was Johnny," Gabriella explains. "He just got word that my voice test of that song Kelsi and I wrote got out and is playing on some internet site but that there is nothing we can do about it. He's trying to shut it down but now that it is out there, it could be everywhere soon. He advised me to think quickly before tonight to decide if I want to chalk this all up to just playing in the studio or starting on a career."
"Wow," Troy says. "That's pretty huge. What do you want to do?"
"That's the thing, I'm terrified! I'm scared of making the wrong decision, like giving up a dream career out of fear, yet I'm also scared that if I take that leap of faith and start this career, I'll only find that I really suck and have my heart pulled out and eaten by the critics," Gabriella confesses. "I think I better call my mom, one second Troy."
Troy watches Gabriella as she gets on the phone with her mom and tells her the entire situation, pacing back and forth. He lets her talk it out with her mom, knowing Mrs. Montez was Gabriella's first and true best friend. After a little while, Gabriella hangs up the phone and puts her cell phone back in her bag. "What did she say?" Troy asks.
"The same thing you probably are going to. It's up to me," Gabriella answers.
Troy lets out a chuckle. "Yeah, that was what I was going to say. Gabriella, this could be a huge opportunity for you, but it would also change your life quite a bit," Troy says. "I'll support you either way you decide."
Gabriella nods but mutters, "Stupid internet!"
"Why don't you think about it for a while longer? We'll go shopping and maybe that will clear your head. It has before," Troy suggests.
Gabriella smiles over at him. "I know how much that just pained you to say Troy. Thank you," she murmurs, wrapping her arms around his waist and leaning against his chest for support. "Either way I go, it's nice to know you are going to be there with me, every step of the way."
"Always," he returns, leaning down and kissing her on the top of her head while stroking her back.
Soon, Hunter stops by with Liam and the two couples leave the hotel for five hours of pure shopping, Troy trying his best not to look tortured as they go from shop to shop to mall to outlet. Eventually, they come back to the hotel and make it to their suite for a rest before the stylists come to help Gabriella prepare for the night. Troy is surprised when he sees a few choices in suits, shirts, and ties for him, as well as a pair of shoes that would go with any of them. Gabriella forces Troy into waiting in the bedroom while she gets ready, still a bundle of nerves about her decision. He ends up getting ready way early and plops down on the king sized bed to watch TV, turning automatically to the sports channel.
Soon, he hears a knock on the door and quickly turns off the television and gets up, fixing his hair quickly before seeing the door open, revealing a breathtaking Gabriella. She is dressed in a red floor length gown with a halter top, his necklace hanging around her neck, and her hair completely swept up in a curly arrangement. "Utterly gorgeous yet sexy," Troy manages to get out after a gulp.
Gabriella smiles at him, extending her hand out, which he quickly takes and kisses before holding it in his. "Ready for tonight?" she asks.
"I am, but I don't know about you," Troy answers, referring to her decision.
"You'll be there every step of the way, right?" Gabriella asks, smiling more as she sees his nod of agreement. "I think, if I don't try this, I'm going to be very 'what if' with myself for the rest of my life. For the sake of never having a regret in my life so far, I'm going to go for it and try it."
"Sounds like a plan boss," Troy teases, wrapping her in his arms, being careful not to wrinkle her dress. "I'm proud of you, you know that?"
"Why, because I finally made a decision?" she asks.
"No, because you're following your heart," he returns as he slowly leans his head down to kiss Gabriella.
There's a knock on the main door, interrupting the kiss. "Man, how many missed opportunities is that now?" Gabriella asks, laughing as the couple makes their way into the living room, which is empty again of people and opens the door to see a dashing Hunter and smartly dressed Liam by his side.
"Ready?" Hunter asks, smiling as he sees Gabriella and Troy. 'They really are fabulous together,' he thinks to himself.
"Yup," Gabriella responds, giving Hunter a hug in greeting, as well as Liam. The two couples go down the elevator and meet Johnny in the lobby, ignoring the flashing of lights going on from outside.
Johnny grins as he sees the four people coming towards him. "You all look wonderful. I have two separate cars waiting for you out there. Hunter and Liam you can take the first and then Gabriella and Troy, you'll be in the second. Gabriella, have you thought about it at all?" he asks, looking at only Gabriella.
Gabriella pauses for a few moments, wanting to make sure this felt right, which it did. "I'm on board Johnny!" she exclaims, causing Johnny to grin more.
"That's wonderful! I'll have the contracts and paperwork ready for you before you leave tomorrow but tonight, my dear, I want you as my newest client to go out there and have fun with one of my best clients and your boyfriend. If anyone asks, tell them your album is coming out in a few months, but don't tell them anything more than that," Johnny responds, happy with her decision.
"Wait, this doesn't mean that we have to like fake break up right?" Troy asks, suddenly worried about that prospect.
Johnny chuckles and shakes his head. "As long as you can deal with being in the spotlight with your girlfriend, you'll be fine. Just be more mindful about the PDA," he teases. "One last question before I let you leave. Hunter leaked to me Gabriella that your friend at East High composed that song and that you wrote the lyrics. Is that right?"
Gabriella confirms this with a nod. "I like to write and that includes song lyrics, poems, and stories. Kelsi and I were just playing around with that song and it came out decent."
"Decent? Gabriella, so far, all those internet reviews love it! When you get back, I want you to get together with your friend and see what else you can come up with. Of course, she would get her own recognition and compensation for it, but I think we have a lot of possibilities," Johnny concludes, very optimistic as to the future of his newest client. "Now go, have fun tonight!"
"Thanks man," Hunter says, patting Johnny's shoulder before Johnny gives Gabriella a huge hug and escorts her and Troy to the second car.
Gabriella is fairly surprised when they get to the party that there are so many paparazzi taking pictures of her and a few interviewers who stop her to ask her questions about the stunt she and Hunter had pulled together, one or two asking about Troy and only one asking about the leaked song, which she answers dutifully, following Johnny's instructions. Once inside, she giggles as she sees how very star struck Troy is as he looks around the room to see all the famous people. "Don't worry, you'll get used to it," she assures him.
Troy looks down at her and grins. "With you embarking on what will probably be one of the best careers, I think I'll have to if I want to remain in your life," he says, softly placing his hand on the side of her face, which she leans into, a look of love shining from her brown eyes.
He spots a backdoor to the club and takes Gabriella's hand to lead her out. They find it leading out to a beach, which is pretty empty of people. Gabriella slips off her heels as the two walk down close to the water, making sure not to get too close because of Gabriella's dress. The couple looks around and just enjoys the moment, being there in each other's embrace, the clear sky above, allowing the moon and multitude of stars to shine down on them.
"This just seems so perfect," Gabriella murmurs, pulling away slightly to look up at Troy. "Being here with you is all I need to be happy in life."
"You flatter me," Troy responds, looking down at Gabriella. "Although, if I'm honest, I would have to say I feel the exact same way about you. You are like the air I breathe Gabriella, and I never want to be without you again, no matter how stupid or jealous I get. Just slap me before I do something as stupid as trying to break up with you."
Gabriella laughs a little. "Trust me Troy, I was planning on that already," she returns, kissing him gently before laying her head back on his chest as they stare out at the ocean again. She wraps her arms around his lower waist, noticing for the first time something bumpy. She pulls back, indicating to Troy that now was the time if ever.
Troy smiles down at Gabriella, using his right hand to tilt her head back up to him so he can gaze lovingly into her eyes. "Gabriella Montez, we've gone through quite a bit for having been together only for less than a year, but it seems longer than that for you know me better than anyone does, even Chad, who has been like a brother since pre-school. We've tested our chances several times only to find that in the end, we belong together, much to both of our delights I think. You complete me in a way that no one else does, giving me hope and confidence and faith when I think all is lost, brightening my day even more by just being there by my side," Troy says, putting his hand into the right pocket of his suit jacket and pulling something out. "Gabriella Montez, will you be mine forever?"