The sun was obnoxiously hot, even for New Mexico, and the robes they were forced to wear did nothing to help the cause. Troy was sure his might be completely drenched in sweat by the time he got to through his cap in the air. Once he had made it through his speech however the temperature seemed to decrease significantly as he sat in the audience next to Chad and Kelsi and waited for the moment they were free.

Kelsi reached over and grabbed his hand and gave it a squeeze. "You were great up there."

Her eyes held a certain sense of pride in them and it made him flush a bit knowing it was for him. "Thanks, it was weird to be up there and look out at us all. It was kinda like performing but not really."

Nodding in understanding she gave his hand another squeeze before she returned her attention to Taylor giving the closing speech. Troy watched her for a moment, she had a small smile constantly on her face and he could practically hear the song she was humming in her head. It was hard for him to know that in a few months time they would be on opposite ends of the country.

They had agreed that they were not putting a label or expectations on their relationship when they left for school. Both were pretty confident that nothing was worth messing up what they had but they decided that kind of pressure was silly to put on themselves, day by day was their motto.

Loud shouts and clapping came from the friends and family in the audience and before Troy could register exactly what was going on he was being pulled up by Kelsi to join their friends in flinging their caps in the air. Reaching up he grasped the edge of the red hat and flung it up with a force he wasn't aware he had.

Everywhere around them hats were soaring in all directions and hitting the ground with light thuds; marking their last moments as high school students. Laughter and screams came from all directions and Troy turned to Chad giving his best friend a large grin before ruffling his hair and yelling out in joy. The rest of the ceremony consisted of the kids finding their hats and mingling with each other and faculty and family.

Slowly the field began to become sparse with people lingering and Troy and Kelsi sat at the top of the bleachers just watching people mull around clinging to the last moments as long as they could. Both had seen their parents off hours ago and promised to be home later after some of the parties ended. Watching the little red and white dots dance from spot to spot Troy thought of their musical again and began to hum 'You Can't Stop the Beat' under his breath.

Without question or fault Kelsi joined in with him and moved in closer to his side, wrapping her arm around his waist. She wasn't the most confident with her singing, especially in comparison with Sharpay and Gabi but around Troy she gave up caring because he didn't judge. At this point he had caught her making a fool of herself so many times she was absolved of any embarrassment.

Beyond the far off mountains the sun was setting and it set a multi colored filter on everything around them. Troy rubbed his hand up and down her arm and stared out into the distance and tried to avoid thinking of anything past the current moment. But Kelsi knew him better and she gave his side a small nudge before breaking the silence. "Stop thinking about it."

"Sorry, it's just hard not to." He pulled back and waited for her to look up at him. "I don't like the thought that in a few months I won't get to do this, sit here with you and just have you within touching distance. There will always be a electronic device between us."

She listened, Kelsi always listened, to him and when he was finished she leaned up and placed a small kiss to his lips. "You're right and it will suck but think of all the time between now and then that we can sit and touch and be together."

It was hard to stay mad or fight with Kelsi because she never said he was wrong but she always had the perfect counter argument. He knew she was right and he already had a few things planed for them to do this summer before they left and he couldn't wait to spend all the time with her. Looking into her eyes he saw the sparkle that always won him over and he leaned into kiss her forehead before pulling her back to his chest. "I do believe me, especially that touching part."

"Troy Bolton, you perv." Her hand smacked him on the chest and then ventured down to his side and gave a soft scratch causing him to squirm and laugh. "Me too." Both laughed loudly and fell backwards into the space between the high back of the bleacher wall and actual seat, tangling their limbs and finding a way to sit comfortably together. It was true that neither looked forward to the fall but for now they had this and a whole summer to fill with each other.

End.