Exactly one week later, Troy sat in his living room, looking at the clock, knowing he had an hour and a half until the curtain rose on Gabriella's closing night. Troy and Gabriella hadn't spoken in the past week and it wasn't from lack of trying on Gabriella's part. He had strategically avoided seeing her at the teen center as well as ignored all her calls and texts until they suddenly stopped on Thursday, two days ago. As much of a jerk Troy knew he was being, as much as his logical being knew that he should trust Gabriella above all media outlets, even if it was a reputable newspaper, Troy couldn't get himself to talk to Gabriella out of the pain he still felt, seeing Patrick on one knee in front of the only woman Troy ever truly loved, seeing the other man's lips on hers.

Troy ran his hands over his face as he let out a frustrated groan. 'Tonight is Gabriella's closing night. Why aren't you getting ready? Oh yeah Bolton, it's because she broke your heart. Did she really though? Troy you know she really isn't capable of such deceit, such heartlessness. Get over yourself already!'

"UGH, enough!" exclaimed Troy in the empty living room, tired of the internal debate he had had with himself on a daily basis in the past week. 'Then give in and go see Gabriella's last performance. You'll regret it otherwise, that much is a guarantee. Nothing has to happen if you go. Besides, Luka and the rest of the teens from the center are expecting you and even gave you a ticket to sit with them in the orchestra area, sixth row.'

Troy rolled his eyes as his mind, or maybe it was his heart, spoke out of turn, thinking for sure now that all this drama and heartache was driving him nuts. His eyes darted back to the clock on the wall and saw that he still had time to get ready and make it before the theater doors closed. Knowing there was no time to spare, Troy made up his mind and got up to head to his bedroom to throw on some nicer clothes than his current attire of jeans and a t-shirt.

When he was finally ready twenty minutes later, Troy grabbed his wallet, cell, and his keys before throwing open his front door, stopping when he saw Tomas standing there about to knock, his closed fist raised now in midair. "Tomas! I wasn't expecting you!"

"You weren't?" asked Tomas, giving Troy a quizzical look. "Remember, guys night? Beer, poker?"

"Shit man, I totally forgot," returned Troy, smacking his forehead with his right hand.

Tomas surveyed Troy's clothing, a pair of black slacks with a gray button up shirt, and knew instantly that Troy was dressed up for something. "I can tell that much by how dressed up you are. Where are you going exactly?"

Troy shifted from his right foot to his left foot, deciding finally to be honest with his teammate and friend. "I convinced myself to go to Gabriella's last performance tonight but we can totally stay. You're a sign that I'm not supposed to go."

Tomas stared at Troy in amazement, glad that Troy was finally coming around. "No way Bolton, you're going! If anything, I'm here to make sure you do go!"

"What? But Tomas, we have plans," protested Troy, feeling Tomas's hand wrap around his upper arm and drag Troy over the threshold, closing the door behind them.

After snatching the keys out of Troy's left hand, Tomas locked the door before looking back at Troy. "No we don't! You didn't even remember so it doesn't count as a valid excuse! Now get moving Troy! What on Earth is stopping you?"

"Fear," Troy said simply, knowing it was the truth as soon as the words slipped past his lips.

"Then your fear will come true. I've listened to you all week, as I'm sure your mates in New Mexico have, debate all this and you know the truth, that I'm positive of. Tonight is your chance to make it all right again man," argued Tomas, pushing Troy in front of him to get them walking.

"I already figured that tonight was the right time, especially when logic kicked in this week and I kicked myself for believing the press," returned Troy, extending his hand out when they reached his car. "I guess this is it."

Tomas grinned as he dropped Troy's keys back into his waiting, open palm. "That it is. Go get your woman Troy."

They pumped fists before Troy got into his car and left, turning on the radio to help soothe his gathering nerves. He froze as he was getting on the highway, hearing lyrics that seemed to speak directly to his past with Gabriella, wondering if someone, somewhere, was trying to tell him something again.

We were both young when I first saw you
I close my eyes
And the flashback starts
I'm standing there
On a balcony of summer air

See the lights,
See the party, the ball gowns
See you make your way through the crowd
You say hello
Little did I know

That you were Romeo you were throwing pebbles
And my daddy said stay away from Juliet
And I was crying on the staircase
Begging you please don't go, and I said
Romeo take me somewhere we can be alone
I'll be waiting all there's left to do is run
You'll be the prince and I'll be the princess
It's a love story baby just say yes

Troy swerved just in time to miss being run over by a semi as he began to merge onto the highway and forced his thoughts back to driving, memories haunting him shortly after as he drove towards downtown Louvis. The memory from their first kiss at the Masquerade Ball came to mind the clearest, both masked but recognizing each other instantly, each other's matches, even if it was subconsciously. A smile appeared on his lips as he remembered the innocence of that moment, the shyness in their first tentative kiss, the chemistry that bloomed from that one moment, even more than they had experienced when they sang at the ski lodge just some time earlier than that.

'Fate really has always drawn us together, somehow, someway,' thought Troy, pulling off the highway and driving towards the theater, seeing he still had fifty minutes to make it, feeling an even stronger draw to be there tonight, to see her again.

A memory after the Masquerade Ball made an appearance just as Troy was parking his car, leaving him sitting there in the driver's seat as he recalled the night Gabriella had agreed to be his girlfriend way back then in high school.

Troy entered the room again with an ice pack in one hand and a kitchen towel in the other. He sat down next to Gabriella and gently placed the ice pack against her wrist, wrapping the towel around her arm to hold it in place. Then, without speaking, Troy grabbed a pillow from the end of the couch and put it on his lap before gently coaxing Gabriella to lie down with her head on the pillow, her wrapped left arm resting on her stomach. Gabriella gazed back up at Troy, speechless at the seemingly unending amount of thoughtfulness and care he had shown her almost since they met at the ski lodge but especially within the last few days, particularly in the last couple of hours.

He saw that amazed look on her face and chuckled, shaking his head a little. "Come now Brie, does it really surprise you after all that I have said, all that I have done, to see how very serious I am about caring for you in this special way? I really do like you Gabriella and I'd risk everything to see you truly happy, hopefully with me. Don't you know that by now?"

Gabriella smiled, touched by the soft words she just heard him say to her. "I think I'm finally starting to fully understand it for what it is Troy," said Gabriella as she slowly reached up her right arm to place her hand on the side of his cheek, feeling her heart warm at the sight of him closing his eyes as he leaned into her hand. "And I am finally able to tell you now that I return your feelings, full heartedly, which is why I am willing to do everything I can to keep you safe, to keep you unharmed. I care about you that much Troy, even after knowing you for as little time as we really have."

"But that's where you're wrong Gabriella," murmured Troy as he opened his blue eyes to lovingly look back into her brown ones. "It's far worse staying away from you, being with you and being able to show my true feelings when I'm around you than it is to get beaten up by the toughest man out there. I have this feeling that as long as I am with you, everything will turn out to be just fine."

"You don't know that though," argued Gabriella in a soft voice, fighting her conflicting emotions and thoughts in her mind.

"And neither do you," returned Troy. He turned his head and kissed her palm, gratified to see that sweet smile reappear on her lips. "Please Brie, let's try us out. What do we have to lose as long as we have each other?"

Gabriella was still fighting the internal battle between her logical mind and her romantic heart when Troy leaned down and their lips met in a shy kiss. She felt herself give Troy the answer he was looking for when she lifted her head off the pillow to kiss him again as he pulled away, this time sharing a more passionate, lingering kiss than before. The pain in her left wrist was forgotten as she wove her right hand through his hair as he began to deepen it, eventually slowly pulling away to look down at the beautiful girl laying on his lap, the girl who had answered his prayers that filled the last month.

"Just please, promise me you won't get yourself hurt okay?" requested Gabriella. "I'd never live with myself if something were to happen to you because of us dating Troy."

"I won't, don't worry. Besides, I am smart enough to know that as much as I want to run outside and scream at the top of my lungs that I have the most wonderful, amazing, and gorgeous girlfriend in the world that I can't. For reasons out of our control, we can't celebrate our love the way that I would like to, out in the open, but having you here in my life, in the official role as my girlfriend, is more than enough for me now. As much as I hate this sneaking, I know it is necessary to keep us both safe and I would never do anything to endanger you, you must know that now," replied Troy. "God Brie, you've made me so happy tonight."

She smiled as she saw the truth of his words on his face, from his grin to his twinkling blue eyes. "As you have made me. You've turned a night that started out a bit rough into a memorable night for all the right reasons as far as the moments that involve you. It means a lot to see you struggle with your impulse to go back to West and torture Riley for what he did tonight and instead dedicate your energy and focus for caring for me. That's what attracts me to you Troy, your pure heart and intentions."

Troy flushed a little at her words before he said, "I wasn't always this way, just since you walked onto that stage at the ski lodge and into my life. Before, well, let's just say the Troy pre-Gabriella would have jumped at the chance to exchange blows with Riley over something like he did tonight but now, now you are my top priority Gabriella and I vow you always will be."

'And how I've managed to screw that vow up,' Troy remarked to himself, shaking his head as he got out of his car, the need to make things right even more prominent in his mind than before, recalling all the amazing times he and Gabriella had shared, back then and even more recently before everything to so complicated.

Troy walked towards the front of the theater after locking his car, pulling his ticket out of his wallet as he approached the main doors, handing it over to the attendant, ignoring the flashing lights of cameras nearby as he entered the theater. A few minutes later, Troy found himself walking down the aisle of the orchestra seating, stopping as he arrived at his assigned row, seeing the many smiling faces excited to see him, minus Selena, who still hadn't spoken to him since their last talk. Troy smiled at all of them, including Selena, as he settled into his seat next to Luka, who separated Troy from Selena. After pumping fists with his "little brother," Troy turned his attention to Selena, who was still suspiciously looking at Troy.

"You actually came," she noted, meeting Troy's gaze head on.

"I did. Whether you believe it or not Selena, there is such a thing as true love, as much as you claim I have proven to you that it doesn't exist. I think I'll prove the opposite tonight, at least I hope," Troy murmured, chuckling a little as he saw the surprised look on Selena's face at his words.

"You mean, you finally believe what we've been trying to tell you all week?" asked Selena, amazed at the sudden change in Troy's behavior that she had seen at the shelter while he was there. "What changed your mind?"

"A little bit of you but more so our memories, what was too intense to ever truly forget. I had to figure this out for myself Selena but I appreciate your persistence in pushing me to fight when I didn't want to. Hopefully you'll give me your support now," replied Troy, smirking a little as Selena just nodded her head, a sweet smile on her face.

All conversation stopped as the orchestra warmed up and the lights half-dimmed indicating that the last performance of this season's ballet was going to start shortly. Troy turned his attention to the stage, listening to the music as it filled his ears, soothing the nerves that still gathered in his stomach as he waited for the curtain to rise to reveal the woman who owned his heart and soul.

Gabriella bit her lip as she finished doing her foundation for under her eyes, desperately trying to hide the dark circles that had gathered there from sleepless nights in the past week. Somehow Gabriella had managed to make it through each performance and royal appearance in the last week without anyone really noticing anything was off with her, well anyone that wasn't close to her. Her parents certainly noticed as well as Emma and Paul, Chris, and even Philippa, who had given her some special foundation she knew that hid lack of sleep well. 'The queen and king probably do too. Who am I kidding? They all must see that I look like crap. Question is, do they all know why?'

If the fight with Troy hadn't been enough, his ignoring her had hurt Gabriella that much more. All the blame couldn't be put on her problems with Troy though knowing that Thursday's meeting with the Copanvy Royal Advisory Council had a great deal to do with her worries too.

Gabriella took in a deep breath and let it out slowly before she took her father's offered arm to follow her grandparents into the room where she instantly felt all twenty-eight pairs of eyes focus on her. Stephen sensed Gabriella's nervousness and placed a comforting hand over hers that was resting on his arm, looking down briefly at his daughter to tell her silently that everything would be all right in the end.

Gathering her courage, Gabriella just gave him a small smile, taking the seat in front of the panel led by Raul as she did last time, leaving Stephen to stand behind his daughter once again, a move that did not go unnoticed by Raul.

"Welcome your majesties, especially to you Princess Gabriella. Thank you for coming today," greeted Raul, bowing before taking his seat, seeing that Stephen had no intention of sitting while the other three members of the royal family already sat down. "It means a lot to Copanvy to know that you, Princess Gabriella, are reconsidering fulfilling your royal duty of being married."

Before Gabriella could respond, Stephen spoke up. "It was never a question of whether my daughter would marry but when and to whom Raul."

"Of course Prince Stephen, I meant no disrespect by it. However, the terms of the ancient tradition and law dictates that the princess must marry someone suitable for this country as he will not only be her husband but the future ruler of this country, following your footsteps of course. We are merely looking out for our country," countered Raul, forcing a smile on his lips. "We as a council have been very generous with the time given to Princess Gabriella to choose from the suitors we approved as well as to allow her to finish her desired schooling. Is it not fair for us to expect Princess Gabriella to fulfill her end of the compromise?"

"It is, of course, but only if you view her choice that you and the rest of this council has given her with an unbiased view," replied Stephen, knowing he had struck accurately as Raul paled a little at his words before quickly recovering. "This is your last session as part of the Copanvy Royal Advisory Council is it not?"

George Hernandez, who was to become the next Head of the Copanvy Royal Advisory Council in only a few days' time, decided it was best for him to step into the discussion that was quickly turning heated between both men. "Of course Prince Stephen. Every single person on this council was charged with keeping the interest of this country in mind and to see to it that the people of Copanvy were thought about above all else. This of course does not exclude the consideration of the happiness and well being of our royal family."

Raul's gaze narrowed on the other man sitting two seats down from him for a few moments before looking back at Stephen, careful to strip the true hostility from his eyes before doing so. "Prince Stephen, from your words, it would seem that Princess Gabriella has chosen well before her twenty-fifth birthday. Is this true?"

"I did choose but he didn't choose me," murmured Gabriella, her voice quiet but not enough to prevent her father and the panel of five men in front of her from not hearing it entirely.

"Gabriella," warned Stephen lowly, knowing this would not end well.

"It's the truth," answered Gabriella, looking back up at Stephen with tears in her eyes, her emotions too raw at that point from all the lack of sleep to be controlled.

George's heart went out to the young woman as he saw the pain there on her face, suddenly feeling the need to protect her. "Princess Gabriella, if you haven't chosen yet, you do still have a few weeks," offered George, seeing her give him a grateful smile as she blinked back the tears.

"That may be true but her time is running out and she knows perfectly well that she cannot choose who was last mentioned at our last meeting based on his lack of qualifications. It would also seem that he would not serve this country well either if the man in question chose his basketball career over our princess already," stated Raul, smirking as there were whispers of agreement from different parts of the room.

From there, the discussion got more heated with more people weighing in on Gabriella's future than she had even realized was possible, all driving home the need for Gabriella to make a choice and to make the smart choice for Copanvy. By the end, when Gabriella was finally allowed to leave, she had realized that Raul had been successful in one thing, making Gabriella realize that her future with Troy was just a mere dream, a hope that had since been dashed to pieces not only by Troy not wanting to talk to her but the clear understanding that Gabriella had a duty she had to fulfill as to not lose the respect of her country.

She glanced at the clock on the wall and grimaced as she realized that she was running out of time to prepare one last time for the ballet that had managed to parallel her life in some ways while also taking her away from it all when everything in real life got too crazy. Gabriella grabbed the remote for her stereo and turned it on, putting the remote back down to focus on applying the rest of her makeup only to pause moments later as she was sliding the zipper up in the back of her first costume when she heard the lyrics of Taylor Swift's "Love Story" as it filled the dressing room.

So I sneak out to the garden to see you
We keep quiet because we're dead if they knew
So close your eyes
Let's escape this town for a little while
Cause you were Romeo, I was a scarlet letter
And my daddy said stay away from Juliet
But you were everything to me
I was begging you please don't go and I said

Romeo take me somewhere we can be alone
I'll be waiting all there's left to do is run
You be the prince and I'll be the princess
It's a love story baby just say yes

Romeo save me, they're tryin' to tell me how to feel
This love is difficult, but it's real
Don't be afraid we'll make it out of this mess
It's a love story baby just say yes,

Oh, oh

I got tired of waiting
Wondering if you were ever coming around
My faith in you was fading
When I met you on the outskirts of town, and I said

Romeo save me I've been feeling so alone
I keep waiting for you but you never come
Is this in my head, I don't know what to think
He knelt to the ground and pulled out a ring and said

Marry me Juliet you'll never have to be alone
I love you and that's all I really know
I talked to your dad, go pick out a white dress
It's a love story baby just say yes
Oh, oh, yes We were both young when I first saw you

Gabriella blinked back tears as moments from long ago flashed before her watery eyes, from Troy and Gabriella's exchange of "I love you" for the first time after having a dish washing soap war, during a tickling session, to the way Troy never gave up on her after Riley's rape, insisting that Gabriella was beautiful and worth fighting for, waiting for. Even when Troy had been engaged to another woman, Gabriella could still recall those caring blue eyes gazing at her, making sure she was all right after getting drugged at a club, and then reappearing here in Copanvy, accepting the complications in Gabriella's life he was blind to.

'He won't be blind much longer though, not if I can help it. If only he would talk to me though,' thought Gabriella sadly, remembering that despite the love she still felt beating in her heart for Troy that he didn't quite return it, at least now. 'And I can't blame him, for what he thought happened. He doesn't even know it all yet…'

There was a knock on the door before a stage assistant poked her head into the dressing room. "Anna, you have five minutes to be on stage. Break a leg!"

Gabriella just gave the other woman a smile before taking in a deep breath and letting it out to relax herself, knowing the butterflies in her stomach were there partially because of the nerves tied to closing night but more so about her uncertain future with the one man she knew she would love until the end of eternity.

"Ella, tonight was simply amazing!" exclaimed Chris, still on a high from the success of their closing night that ended an hour ago, swooping Gabriella up into his arms, twirling her around before setting her back on her feet, both now dressed in semi-formal attire, Chris in black slacks and a red button up shirt while Gabriella wore a navy blue chiffon halter top dress that ended at the top of her knees. "You really topped all your other performances my dear partner."

Gabriella laughed, hugging Chris back. "You did too! Who knew that closing night would go so well?"

"Of course me," volunteered Rodger as he walked up to his star principals of the season. "I knew to trust my gut when I wanted to pair you, Anna, up with Christopher as leads. You didn't let me down, not one bit. Those tears tonight were a fantastic touch too. It gave me goose bumps Anna, truly. Now, through those doors over there is a party to celebrate such a great season. Enjoy yourselves tonight."

Gabriella hugged Rodger before he left her and Chris alone again, both of their moods sobering as Gabriella's tears up on stage tonight came back to the forefront of their minds. "What was with that tonight Ella? You okay?"

Not wanting to ruin the night, Gabriella nodded, knowing that Chris knew she was lying. "Just real life and art imitating each other, that's all. I know I said this to you after our final, final bows tonight but you really were so spot on tonight Chris, not a single misstep. Tessa would have been so proud of you, just as I am."

"Well thank you Ella. Since the Royal Copanvy Ballet Company did decide to throw us this huge, lavish party in one of the most ritzy hotels in Louvis, I will let you get away with that brush off tonight but expect to talk soon, promise?" returned Chris, seeing Gabriella reluctantly nod. "Good. Now, ready to party?"

"Most definitely!" agreed Gabriella, wanting nothing but to get her mind off of her personal problems if only for a few moments longer.

About fifteen minutes or so after making her entrance to the party with Chris, applause greeting them both, Gabriella felt a familiar feeling of being watched, looking around the room quickly, hoping she was right, that he was here. Not seeing him immediately, Gabriella dismissed her hope as just that, a hope, especially as her family approached her, each giving her a hug and their congratulations.

The lightness of the moment vaporized though as Patrick appeared to Gabriella's left, leaving both of them a bit uncertain as to how to treat the other until Patrick made the first move, bowing in front of Gabriella before gingerly taking her left hand in his, kissing the back of it lightly before straightening. "Congratulations on ending your season on such a high note Gabriella."

"Thank you Patrick, for coming tonight and for saying that," replied Gabriella, smiling back at him. She saw Lauren and Edward both give her an approving look before they moved on to talk to some of the directors of the ballet company. Annette and Stephen remained close by but had moved enough away to give Gabriella and Patrick some private time to talk, Annette giving Gabriella a look that communicated with her daughter that they were there if things got too hard.

"Nothing but the truth," answered Patrick, swallowing some as he took in the beauty that was Gabriella. "You really do look lovely tonight. Troy is a lucky man."

Gabriella's eyes widened in surprise at Patrick's words, caught completely off guard. "What do you mean Patrick? There's nothing going on with me and Troy."

"Then perhaps I gave him too much credit, thinking Troy would know the treasure he has so securely within his grasp that no other man could even think of taking the love you have for him away," returned Patrick, his eyes observing Gabriella's reactions. "It was hard hearing you say no to my proposal that night but I think it's even harder knowing now that you still aren't happy. What will it take to make it so that you are?"

"Being able to have my own happy ending, being able to capture the right balance between my personal happiness and what is good for the country," replied Gabriella, knowing she could never lie to Patrick, knowing that he would know instantly if she tried.

Patrick considered this for a few moments, letting his mind wrap itself around her words. "What if I could help you find that balance? I know that you said no, believing that Troy was your answer to your happiness, to finding ever lasting love in your life. If he is out of the picture, I would like for you to consider me again as a viable option Gabriella if for no other reason than I would help you fulfill this royal obligation to Copanvy but also make sure that you are as happy as I could possibly make you, for the rest of our lives."

Instead of taking offense to how easily Patrick was dismissing Troy, Gabriella merely nodded her head, a part of her knowing that this was the best reaction she could give that would minimize a scene but also not box her into any commitments, one way or the other. "I appreciate that Patrick, I will keep that in mind."

"Good," answered Patrick, seeing some people nearby waiting to talk to Gabriella. "Well, I don't want to take up any more of your time on this special night for you when you should be celebrating the end to a successful season. Please, consider what I said tonight. You know how to reach me."

"Thank you," she murmured, returning the kisses on his cheeks that Patrick was giving her in a friendly gesture. 'I know I should be upset that Patrick is trying to get me to change my mind again but he also seemed to be accepting of it still. That's such an odd feeling that I got from him just now.'

Before Gabriella could think further on that, she felt the gaze trained on her again but this time locked eyes with the currently dark blue eyes several yards away from where he was standing next to Luka with Selena, Iyana, Brandi, and Mikey close by. Her heart sped up as Gabriella took a few hesitant steps in his direction, her breath caught in her throat as she did so, butterflies fluttering rapidly in her stomach as she made it half way there, stopping only when Sergio appeared from out of nowhere, stepping in front of Gabriella, blocking her view of Troy as Sergio praised Gabriella on her performance, hugging Gabriella and kissing her on the cheek before she realized what was happening.

She gave Sergio her best smile as she thanked him and made her quick excuses moments later, stepping around him, not caring how rude she was, to continue her journey towards Troy only to find that the spot he was just standing at was now vacant. Gabriella looked around in confusion until she finally saw him again, ready to meet Troy where he now stood next to a door in the ball room only to stop as their eyes met again, this time Gabriella seeing the sadness and disappointment clearly in his dark blue orbs before Troy shook his head, breaking their eye contact as he turned to leave.

Not able to bear having Troy leave her again, losing yet another chance to talk to him, Gabriella quickly worked her way through the crowd, thanking random congratulators with a smile before she finally made it to the door, crossing the threshold just in time to see Troy turn a corner down the hallway.

"Troy!" she yelled, not caring how unladylike she was being as she took off running down the hallway after him. "Troy!"

Gabriella assumed that Troy had purposely ducked out of sight only moments later though as she turned one last corner and realized she had no idea where Troy could have disappeared to as there were stairs to her right that went up and down, another long hallway in front of her, and doors that led to the outside on her left.

"Now what?" asked Gabriella of herself, feeling the despair of the moment take over as she stood there by herself in the hallway of the hotel, feeling completely alone yet again, reminding her of the song she heard in her dressing room earlier in the night. 'Maybe instead of waiting for Romeo to come to me though, I need to go to him and lay it all out on the table. That's the only way I'll ever know if this really was a true love story we were both meant to live or not, right?'

Making a decision Gabriella knew she would stick with, Gabriella gathered herself back together and put up the best front she could before turning around and heading back to the ballroom where the party was still in full swing, feeling a bit better in knowing what she would be doing in the next twenty-four hours.

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