Finally

As I packaged up the last box, a tear ran down the side of my face. I couldn't believe it. Just one more night in the house I knew and loved; the house I was familiar with. I had to leave my balcony, the special place where Troy and I had kissed for the first time, on that night he convinced me to do the callbacks with him. That had been my very first kiss. The balcony had been the place where he had asked me to be his girlfriend. Many nights, the two of us would just sit out there and watch the stars. It was one of my favorite places in the world.

I taped the final box shut. I still wondered if I had made the right decision. It had been a very tough one. Either way, someone was hurt. Either way, I was going to miss someone. And either way, I was going to feel a lot of pain.

I wandered outside onto my balcony, admiring the stars there for the last time. I sat there for awhile in silence, losing track of time. It could have been minutes, or it could have been hours.

I returned to reality when I heard a rustling in the bushes down below. I looked down, and I saw Troy. He began scaling the old oak tree like he had done so many times. I smiled a little, remembering the time he fell out of the tree. Luckily he hadn't been hurt, but the bright shade of red he had turned had made my day.

Wordlessly, he came and sat beside me. He took my hand in his, and began to massage it gently.

"Troy," I asked, "How do I know whether or not I made the right decision?" I asked, worriedly.

"Gabriella, you'll never know for sure. It's impossible. The only way you could know would be if you were to experience life living with both your dad and hen your mom, and then decide. But you can't do that. You just have to know that the decision you made is one you made for a reason."

"Oh Troy," I sighed, "I don't even have a solid reason for why I chose what I chose." I leaned my head on his shoulder.

"Well, how did you make your decision?" He asked.

"I just used my gut instinct," I replied.

"Now then, you made the right choice. Gabi, your gut instinct is always correct. It was what made you audition for the musical, right?"

"Well, I guess…" I said hesitantly.

"And didn't that turn out well?" He probed.

"Yes, it got us together." I responded.

"See, you need to trust yourself. The decision you made is the one that was right for you." He advised.

I sighed a little. Deep down, I knew he was right. It just hurt so much. We sat there for another few minutes in silence.

"Troy?" I began, tentatively.

"What is it?" He inquired.

"I just…I just wanted to thank you. You have helped me so much through this whole process. It's just been really hard for me, but you've always stuck with me and supported me. I…I love you, Troy." I said it with more sincerity than I ever had before. At that exact moment, I knew that Troy and I would always be together. We were meant to be. I didn't just love him. I was in love with him. I knew it with my whole heart.

Overcome with emotion, I leaned towards Troy and kissed him with all the passion I was feeling at that very moment. It was soft and sweet yet fiery and passionate. It was unlike any other kiss I'd ever experienced. After a little while, we both pulled away. My entire body was tingling, and my lips felt swollen. I smiled an Troy. He smiled back.

I looked at the clock. Midnight already!!!!

"Uh…Troy, I hate to kick you out but it's already midnight and I have to get up early tomorrow because the moving trucks will be here early and-"

He cut me off with a quick kiss on the lips. Staring into my eyes, he said good-night, and quickly left.

The next morning came quickly. I went downstairs to eat breakfast, and my mom was already there. Just looking at her made me want to cry. I felt so ashamed, like a traitor. I was all she had, and I was leaving her. I began to sniffle a little and she gave me a hug.

"Gabriella, I understand the decision you made. Your whole life is here. It'll be ok. You can visit at Christmas, and during the summer. Bring your friends if you want. I don't want you feeling guilty, because I know that the decision you made was the one that was best for you."

I gave her a hug. Then my dad knocked on the door. Mutely, we loaded all my stuff into his pickup truck. We drove to his house. My house. With the help of a couple of my dad's friends, we unloaded my belongings. The guest room upstairs was my new room. I smiled, remembering the first time I had been to that house. It seemed like a lifetime ago. Had it really only been a few weeks?

As I thought back to all the happy memories I had had there in Albuquerque, I realized something. I suddenly knew that the decision I had made had definitely been the right one.

The End!!!

AN: Oh, the final chapter. I hope you all enjoyed the story. I had a lot of fun writing it. I want to thank all my loyal reviewers and supporters. And I'd like to thank my patient readers. It often took me a LONG time to update. But yeah. Please review, let me know what you thought of the chapter, or even the story as a whole. If you want me to write a sequel, I'd be open to ideas. But yeah. Thanks everyone!!! And if you liked this, please check out my other stories. Thanks!

-freakymathgirl