Disclaimer: I don't own the characters or the movie

This is a oneshot, just something that came to my mind, it's my first attempt at fanfiction so be gentle, lol. I hope you enjoy.

Song: "Heavenly Day" by Patty Griffin

----East High School----

Gabriella threw her locker open, removing her notebook and jacket. 'It looks so bare', she thought sadly. She had removed her pictures from the door, as well as all of her other belongings earlier that week. You could hear people running down the halls cheering and chatting excitedly with their friends about the summer and college. Those that weren't yelling and cheering were hugging their friends with glossy eyes, promising to call and keep in touch and knowing it would likely never happen, for college was a different world, though no one wanted to admit it. For Gabriella, she was loosing a part of her life that she would miss terribly, part of her wanted to stay an East High Wildcat forever. "Times change, people grow up, its life…" she mumbled to herself, "You'll be okay". She heard a distinctive giggle and glanced over her shoulder to see Sharpay and her drama girls in deep conversation about their dresses for the final dance tonight. 'She'll probably be in hot pink glitter or something', Gabriella thought.

"Hi, Gabriella, I'll see you at the dance right?" Sharpay asked smiling.

"Of course", Gabriella answered.

"Will you be with Troy?" Sharpay questioned.

"Umm, I….." Gabriella didn't know what to say. She really wanted to say yes, but she knew that would be a lie. Her and Troy had broken up a couple of days earlier. They were going to college on different sides of the country since both had different dreams for the future. Hers was to study medicine and become a doctor, along with Taylor who wanted the same. Troy and Chad had both decided to go to U of A on basketball scholarships and pursue the curriculums there. Even though she loved Troy with all her heart, she couldn't ask him to give up his dream college for her. And she knew he would never dream of asking the same of her. They both cried to each other that night, but promised to keep in touch and never forget each other. Truth be known, she just hadn't let it sink in yet that after tomorrow night when her and Taylor left on the plane, she would only see him for holidays that she got to come home for…and even then it wouldn't be the same. It would he an awkward, polite conversation where they asked how the other was doing and went on their own ways. It broke her heart to think of it that way, but it was true. Even though they promised it wouldn't be, she knew he would find some great girl and forget all about her. And as far as her finding another great guy, maybe in about 200 years. Even then he wouldn't even come close to her Troy. Her Troy. Just when she thought she was going to cry, an annoyed voice broke her out of her daydream.

"Hellloo? Earth to Gabriella? You never answered me." Sharpay raised her eyebrows at Gabriella.

"Oh, I'm going with Taylor, since Troy and I….well….we…." Gabriella trailed off, unable to say it aloud.

"Broke up, yeah I know. But you two have to end senior year together….it'd be so wrong not to" Sharpay said genuinely. Sharpay and Gabriella had become pretty good friends after the whole trying to steal my man thing passed. Sharpay was with Zeke, and they were crazy about each other. "Anyway, I gotta go get my hair and make-up done for tonight! It's gonna be more fun than graduation tomorrow morning!" Sharpay squealed running off with her friends. Gabriella stood there sadly, she wanted to go with Troy, but she didn't know what he wanted. They had broken up, he wouldn't want to be with her at their final dance tonight, would he? She didn't even want to go honestly. Where everyone would say goodbye to all their friends and old lives and leave with only memories. Graduation would be the next morning, but it was going to be a ceremony where they didn't get to socialize and talk, it's would be getting a diploma, taking pictures, and wishing everyone well. Tonight was the real goodbye.

"Goodbyes suck" Gabriella said through clenched teeth, fighting back tears at the thought of saying goodbye to her one and only love. Just then she heard a voice behind her as she slammed her locker.

"Hey now, we promised each other neither of us would cry over the next two days…not until we get on the plane at least. And if you start, I won't be far behind" Taylor joked getting a small laugh from Gabriella. "I'm excited about the red and white thing we're doing for the final dance" Taylor said. "I think it's the perfect end to the perfect year, wearing our school's colors, as well as our men's colors! Man we had fun at those basketball games!" Taylor laughed then trailed off looking sadly at her feet, "I'm gonna miss him, Gabi" she admitted with a shaky sigh. Gabriella looked sadly at her friend, who was in the same boat as her. Taylor and Chad had parted amicably, just like her and Troy, because of college. She was really starting to hate it already, and started to voice her opinion before Troy's words came rushing back into her mind.

"I couldn't live with myself at college if I knew you were sitting in your dorm depressed, shut off from everyone because you are missing me. I want you to experience college different than that, and have fun. And I know if we stay together, that's all it's going to be. Both of us terribly missing the other, we'd never make it through the first semester without failing. And your dreams are too important to me to do that…so I know we're doing the right thing for right now".

Gabriella smiled for the first time all day, remembering her love's words. She knew he was right, no matter how hard it is now, in the end it would be better. Not that she'd ever forget him or stop loving him or stop wanting him, but they would be able to live out their separate dreams. Separate. The word tore at her heart, she didn't want to be separate from him. Her mind was like a constant battle, one minute saying 'it's for the best' and the next minute saying 'you fool, you can't be without Troy!'. She sighed aloud and got a chuckle from Taylor.

"I'm just glad I'll have you there with me, girl! If not for that, I'd really be lost!" Taylor laughed with Gabriella for a minute before excusing herself to leave to get ready for the dance. "I'll see you there date." Taylor laughed again.

"Okay date" Gabriella answered. She grabbed her bag and headed towards the door, knowing she'd have to pass right by Troy's locker. Looking at the ground, she slid her hand inside her pocket and started fiddling with the small 'T'. She wasn't wearing it because she didn't know how Troy would react to it, but she still had it with her. She couldn't bear to not have it with her…somewhere…even hidden from the eye. Pulling her hand out of her pocket she sighed just before hearing her name being called. She looked to her right to see Troy calling her name from his locker, where he was standing talking to Chad. She smiled slightly and made her way over to them.

"Well, I'll see you tonight man, the rest of us going stag will be waiting for you so don't be late and make me look like an idiot!" Chad playfully warned Troy, just before they shared a laugh and Chad turned to walk away. Gabriella's heart fluttered, Troy was going alone. That made her happy, even though she knew in her heart he wouldn't take someone else. "See you later, Gabi!" Chad called over his shoulder. She waved and turned her attention to Troy.

"What's up, Wildcat? You ready for the dance?" she tried to sound cheerful, like nothing had changed, but his sad gaze reminded her it had. He nodded and opened his mouth only to close it again when his gaze fell on her bare neck. His beautiful blue eyes shone with unshed tears while he registered the missing necklace. She knew just what he was looking at and brought her hand up to her neck.

"Yeah, I didn't wear it. I didn't know how you would react with…the…b..breakup…" she trailed off looking at her hands that were now fiddling with the bottom of her shirt nervously. He let out a soft chuckle before grabbing her hands in his own, sending shivers through her whole body. Chocolate brown eyes met sky blue ones and they both glazed over. Gabriella took the opportunity to start rambling nervously "I can give it back if you want, I'm sorry I didn't offer sooner. I wanted to keep it but I can give it back" she said while reaching in her pocket pulling out the delicate necklace that meant the world to her. She didn't want to part with it but if he wanted it, she'd give it back in a second. She wanted him to be happy. He stopped her with his voice.

"You have it with you?" he asked softly. She nodded and smiled. He then let out his own smile "I don't want it back. It's yours. I wouldn't have minded you wearing it…" he trailed off before laughing. "I still think of us as a couple, I think I always will, you don't have to wear it" he shook his head . Gabriella brought her hands up to his face locking their gazes.

"I want to wear it. And now that I know you want me to, I'm going to" they shared a smile as she hooked it around her neck. He brought his hand up and touched the small 'T' around her neck, making her close her eyes and take a deep breath at the touch that could bring her to her knees. "I don't know if you want to hear this, but I'm gonna say it anyway. I love you, will all my heart and I always will. There is no one else for me, I'll never find someone that makes me as happy as you. I understand your reasoning behind the breakup and I agree to some extent, but we won't be in college forever. I promise you, I will wait for you" she tearfully vowed. His eyes matched hers, before he smiled a genuine smile and closed his dazzling blue eyes.

"I feel the same, Gabi, but…" she cut him off before he could finish his statement.

"No. I'm not saying I'm going to sit in a room the whole time sad, I will have friends. I will go out and have fun, spend time making wonderful college memories like you want me to. But I will never hold the hand of another guy, never kiss another guy's lips. You are the only one, Troy, it's you…it's always been you" she whispered the last part.

"Then let's make a promise right here. We will wait for each other" he smiled at her. "After all this is over, and we have finished college, we will start our lives together. Because I feel the same way…it's always gonna be you too, Gabi. No other girl will ever come close" he brought his hand up to the side of her face, brushing her hair out of her eyes. She smiled up at him.

"I think we should kiss on it" she smirked at him. He then leaned down and captured her mouth with his. Their tongues moved together like a pair slow dancing for the last time, neither of them wanting the moment to end, but it does. They pull back and he places his arms around her waist while her hands go to his shoulders. They stayed like that for a while, just remembering. Moment after moment passed before their eyes making them both smile. They knew even though they were technically not together officially, there hearts would always be one. "Promise me we won't loose touch or forget this promise. I don't want to come home for Thanksgiving to find we are awkward around each other or…" she started rambling again.

"We won't. It's us, Gabi. We'll never be awkward around each other" he stressed the word making her laugh. "I promise I will not forget our promise" he said genuinely. All it took was one look into those gorgeous blue eyes to know he was being honest and she believed him with everything in her. They weren't breaking up, just momentarily separating while they each pursued their dreams, and after that was done they would be together for the rest of their lives. They leaned in for another kiss, short and sweet, but full of emotions. When they pulled back they were hit with the realization of how different life would be without the other. After college was a long way away, and until then they were not going to be a couple. It was like she was saying goodbye to a part of herself and Troy over the next two days, the part of themselves they reserve for each other. He must have read her thoughts, "I can't wait until we graduate college" he said, earning a laugh from her. "Until then…." his eyes softened once more "…I'm gonna miss you, Gabi" he admitted shakily. She almost lost it at that, but didn't. She had to stay strong and let the waterworks fly when she and Taylor were on the plane, just like she and Taylor had promised each other.

"Me too" she said sadly. "But remember, it's not goodbye, just see you later" she said, trying to convince herself. She got a nod from him, along with a famous Troy Bolton smirk and wink. She smiled sweetly up at the love of her life before saying what they both knew had to be said. "Alright, I gotta go right now, get read for the dance. But I'll see you there, right Wildcat?" she smirked.

"You bet, save me a dance" he flirted.

"I'll save all of them for you" she honestly replied, getting a huge smile from Troy, before walking once more in the direction of the door. Taking a deep breath, she walked away from high school, and one step closer to her future.

--Later that night at the dance—

Gabriella smoothed the front of her dress. She was wearing a red, strapless gown that fitted to her tightly until it reached her hips, then flared out, so it flowed but didn't look like a full skirt. Her dark brown curls were pinned up on top her head, with a few loose wisps of hair curling around her face and neck. Her makeup was done a little heavier than normal, smoky eyes with dark mascara and red lips to match her dress. She had a white corsage on and white high heels. Taylor was wearing a white, spaghetti strapped gown that fit to her at the top and flowed out into a full skirt below the waist. She had her hair down and a red corsage on with red heels. The girls shared a shaky smile before giggling at how silly the other was being and walking into the final dance. The word final echoed in Gabriella's mind, making her slightly nauseous before her mind remembered Troy's sweet and heartfelt words earlier. Her worries instantly disappeared. She was shaken out of her thoughts by a squeal. 'Sharpay' she thought. Sure enough, upon turning around she saw the girl in a sparkly pink gown with glitter all over her and her blonde hair pulled up in a fancy up do. She was pulling an embarrassed looking Zeke behind her. Gabriella and Taylor shared a laugh over Zeke's sparkly pink bow tie and cumber bund.

"You two Wildcats look gorgeous!" Sharpay said excitedly, emphasizing the word 'Wildcats' because of the colors they were wearing. Zeke nodded with a smile and went to speak but was quickly pulled away behind Sharpay, who was making her way to the dance floor. They laughed as they heard Zeke groan. Gabriella turned around to find Taylor making her way through the crowd ahead of her and tried to catch up but was caught in the crowd. Pushing through finally, what she saw took her breath. There at the back of the room at a long table stood Taylor, Chad, and Troy talking to Troy's parents, who were sitting down. Troy looked absolutely stunning. His black tuxedo complemented his tan skin nicely, his brown locks looking perfect. When he turned slightly she saw the white cumber bund and smiled at how they would really be decked out in red and white tonight. Looking at Taylor and Chad, she smiled. Chad had on a red cumber bund, fitting in with Taylor's white dress. They were smiling flirtatiously at each other while Chad and Troy discussed something with Jack, Troy's father. Taylor was talking with Lucille, Troy's mother, about something. 'I forgot his parents were chaperoning' Gabriella thought before making her way to them. When she got closer she saw Lucille look at her and gasp, putting her hand up to her mouth, getting the attention of the other four people. They all turned in her direction, Taylor, Chad, and Jack smiling and Troy standing there with his mouth hanging open. It was then that Gabriella took in his bright shining blue eyes, 'he is so gorgeous!' she thought to herself with a wide smile. Upon reaching Troy they embraced, while he whispered into her ear.

"You look beautiful, Gabi" he beamed.

"You look gorgeous, Wildcat" she flirted with him. He blushed and looked down while she giggled at him. She forced herself to forget what was going to happen the next day and focus on the moment. And in the moment, nothing could touch her, she was happy. Troy's parents hugged her telling her how beautiful she looked before Gabriella grabbed Troy by the hand and pulled him out onto the dance floor, Taylor and Chad following. They joined up with the rest of the gang, who weren't that far from the table Troy's parents were at. And his parents took advantage of being able to see everything, they pulled out a camera. They took pictures of the couples individually, the gang together, the guys together, and the girls together. They took pictures of the gang dancing and couples dancing. Any picture you could imagine, they took it. Normally Gabriella would have been a little bit frustrated by that but not tonight. She knew pictures would bring her comfort later when she lay in a small dorm bed alone, probably crying over Troy. She quickly pushed that disturbing thought to the back of her mind and pushed herself farther into Troy's arms, dancing the night away.

---Later that night, nearing the dance's end---

Fast song after fast song blared out in the gym, and a few slow ones came too. Everyone was dancing together, having a blast and making fun of each other's dancing skills. No one wanted to bring up what would happen after that night. The only couple that wouldn't be split up by college was Sharpay and Zeke. The rest of them would be, a few people were going to the same college, but not any other boyfriend/girlfriends.

After hours of dancing, the group decided to take a breather and made their way to the long table where Troy's parents still sat. They all joked around and reminisced and talked about everything except the inevitable. Then finally, the moment they'd all been dreading came. They heard the kid who always did the morning announcements' voice blare from a microphone, addressing everyone, ready to give his final speech to the graduating class. Gabriella's heart dropped and everyone started glancing nervously at each other and their respective boyfriend or girlfriend.

"Hello everyone. The time has finally come, the time for us to look toward the rest of our lives, our futures. We have to look towards tomorrow and away from yesterday, for yesterday is done and gone forever" the kid started.

Gabriella felt the lump in her throat grow as she glanced at Troy, who was watching the kid on stage with a heavy heart.

"This next song we are going to play is the last song of the night, the last song of the year, the last song of your youth. Maybe you want to spend it with that guy or girl you've been crushing on for the past four years, finally telling them how you feel before moving on with your life. Maybe you want to spend it with your best friend, letting them know how much they meant to you and how you will never forget them. Maybe you want to spend it with that special someone you have been dreading saying goodbye to all night long. But the fact is, we must say goodbye" the kid said.

Gabriella's eyes misted over, she didn't want to say goodbye. How was she ever going to do that? She looked at all her friends sitting around her, all of them wearing somber looks.

"For the time has come to move on, and while we have our memories and we will never forget, we will never be here again. So as you make your way to the dance floor tonight, smile at the people you pass, and say goodbye to your youth together. And remember, spend this dance dancing with person you want to end your high school days with. It's been a wild ride my friends, have a nice life and goodbye. On to graduation!" he finished loudly receiving cheers. Everyone started piling onto the dance floor grouping up or pairing up and sharing tears of joy, or sadness, or longing for the past that will never be again.

They all stood slowly and made their way towards the dance floor, to the same spot not far from the table they had been dancing in all night. Everyone was coupled up: Troy and Gabriella, Chad and Taylor, Zeke and Sharpay, Ryan and Martha, and Jason and Kelsi. Gabriella's mind flashed back to that summer night they all walked together like this last, the night after they sung in the Lava Springs talent show where Troy and Gabriella shared their first kiss. That night seemed like so long ago, yet not long ago at all. That night they were all walking towards the beginning of senior year, the wild ride ahead. And tonight they were walking away from it. She couldn't help but wonder if it was the last time they would all be together like this. Suddenly tears stung Gabriella's eyes and she took several shaky breaths in attempt to calm herself, begging the tears to stay at bay. "Be strong Gabriella, be strong" she whispered to herself. Her eyes caught Taylor's and they both wore the same devastated look. By then they had all reached the dance floor and were awaiting the start of the final song of the final dance….actually it was a lot of things final. They were standing in front of their boyfriend or girlfriend, everyone avoiding each other's eyes but huddled closely together when the music started. Gabriella looked up at Troy and locked eyes with him, neither saying a word for their eyes spoke for them. Attempting to smile, she slid her arms up his chest while he slid his around her waist and she started the hardest thing she'd ever had to do in her life….saying goodbye to her Troy.

(song in italics)

Oh Heavenly day
All the clouds blew away
Got no trouble today
With anyone

Gabriella leaned into Troy and rested her cheek next to his. Closing her eyes she breathed in his scent, trying to catch it and wrap it up and tuck it away into her memory for always.

The smile on your face
I live only to see
It's enough for me baby
It's enough for me
Oh heavenly day
Heavenly day
Heavenly day

Suddenly she was filled with memories, memories of every touch, every kiss, every look, every heartfelt word and she clung to him tighter. Willing time to stop for them tonight, she never wanted to let him go.

Tomorrow may rain with sorrow
Here's a little time we can borrow
Forget all our troubles in these moments so few
Oh we can right now the only thing that all that we really have to do

Tomorrow was coming closer with ever word, and she kissed his cheek, memorizing the feel of his body pressed against hers, the way his chest moved with every breath he took. The feel of his precious heart beating with hers. She pressed herself even tighter to him.

Is have ourselves a heavenly day
Lay here and watch the trees sway
Oh can't see no other way
No way
No way
Heavenly day heavenly day heavenly day

She pulled back and rested her hand on his cheek, and studied him. The way he smiled, the way his eyes sparkled the most beautiful blue she ever had seen or ever will see in her life, the way his bangs fell into his eyes and with a slight shake of his head, he pushed them out of the way. The way he looked at her, that look of love that he reserved for only her. Then she realized this was the last time for a really long time she would feel his arms around her and be able to wrap him in her arms. Sure they were getting back together after college, but she didn't think she could face the next several years without his loving touch. She felt her vision blur and knew this was it. There was no stopping the end now, it was too close. She felt her face twist into pain and let the unstoppable tears slide down her face. They started falling like rain as Troy looked at her with sorrowful eyes and brought his thump up to wipe them away. She closed her eyes, memorizing his soft touch that brought butterflies to her stomach. Troy pushed her back to his shoulder where she held on to him for dear life, silently crying her heart out. He pushed his face into her neck, feeling the tough guy act he was trying so hard to put on slowly fading. His heart ached.

No one on my shoulder
Bringing me fears
Got no clouds up above me
Bringing me tears
Got nothing to tell you
I got nothing much to say
Only I'm glad to be here with you
On this heavenly heavenly heavenly heavenly heavenly day

When Gabriella heard the last three lines of that part of the song, her world crumbled. The cries came from way deep within her, begging to finally break free. She was loudly sobbing against his shoulder, crying even harder with every thought. Her friends all looked over at her with pitiful looks on their faces, everyone was crying now, seeing Gabriella and Troy so broken killed all of them. All it took was for Taylor to hear Gabriella sobbing for her to bury her head in Chad's chest and cry her heart out too. Chad rubbed her back soothingly, while looking over at Troy, who was looking towards the sky, almost as if begging God to take this pain away from them. Chad saw his best friend's tears finally fall as he held on to the still violently sobbing girl in his arms, and that's when his tears fell too. The rest of the gang looked on as Gabriella still sobbed her heart out, all of them crying with her at the sad sight. Even Troy's parents were sadly looking on.

Oh all the troubles gone away
Oh for awhile anyway
For awhile anyway
Heavenly day
Heavenly day
Heavenly day
Heavenly day
Heavenly day
Oh heavenly day

The last words rang out and the whole gym was in tears, goodbye was hard to swallow for everyone. The gang all stood around nervously looking around as Gabriella and Troy still clung to each other, her still sobbing uncontrollably.

"I don't want to let you go…" she sobbed to him. He rubbed her back and pulled back to kiss her gently to calm her, but it didn't work. She took off running to the bathroom with Taylor following in silent tears. The gang made their way over to the long table to retrieve their things. No one spoke, everyone was too sad to say anything. The gang finally left, bidding farewell with heavy hearts, each with their own version of "See you at graduation". Troy and Chad hung around with his parents after just about everyone had left, waiting on Gabriella and Taylor to emerge from the bathroom.

---In the bathroom---

"Tay, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to loose it but everything hit me at once and I couldn't take it anymore" Gabriella tearfully said. She had finally calmed down and was washing her face next to Taylor, who had calmed down and looked fine all except for slightly red eyes. Gabriella's eyes were red and swollen and her nose was red too. "I look horrible. Troy is gonna be ashamed of me" Gabriella said sadly while Taylor let out the first hard laugh she'd had all night.

"You are crazy, that boy loves you and would never be ashamed of you!" Taylor laughed. Gabriella soon joined in and they were laughing together. After a few more minutes, they finally felt collected enough to meet back up with everyone else. As they walked out of the bathroom, they saw Troy and Chad sitting at the table with long faces. The girls walked over laughing, startling the guys who expected more crying. "We decided no more tears" Taylor declared.

"Yeah but we already said that once before and broke our word" Gabriella said remembering her and Taylor's promise not to cry. Troy stood up and hugged Gabriella, whispering in her ear.

"I love you. And when you're at college I'll be there too, because you have my heart" he cooed. She smiled and leaned back to kiss him with all the passion she had before pulling back.

"I love you too, Wildcat. And you've always had my heart too" she smiled up at him. They turned to walk out of the gym holding hangs. Facing their futures and leaving their youth behind. Both knew it would be a long road ahead, but they could make it because each had the other, and even though they couldn't fully be together, they took comfort in the fact that one day, when they were done living out their college dreams, they would finally be together again, this time forever.

Phew! This is one LONG oneshot! Kudos to those of you who type chapter after chapter of these stories! Thanks for reading!