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Chapter 30: Here We Are

"Zeke Timothy Baylor. Troy Alexander Bolton. Jason Michael Cross. Chadwick Matthew Danforth. Ryan Scott Evans. Sharpay Michelle Evans. Claire Marie Hanson. Amanda Haley Mann. Taylor Nicole McKessie. Gabriella Elizabeth Montez. Kelsi Ann Neilson. Helen Catherine Parker. Lillian Hayden Reynolds." The list went on and on, as one by one the students walked up to Principal Matusi to receive their diplomas. They were making their final mark on East High School, walking in the gymnasium for the very last time.

"By the power vested in me by the state of New Mexico I give you the graduating class of 2008." The cheers of the class as a mass of red graduation caps filled the arena drowned Principal Matusi's sentence out. Once all had quieted down again, the processional music once again sounded and the students filed outside, where they could await the congratulations from their teachers and relatives.

As soon as he got outside, Troy Alexander Bolton, the high-school graduate turned around in search of his girlfriend, Gabriella Elizabeth Montez, also the high-school graduate and Salutatorian of the class, right under Taylor Nicole McKessie.

"Wildcat!" he heard the cry from a distance and spun on his heel, opening his arms as Gabriella threw herself at him, instinctively wrapping her legs around his waist. Troy spun around in a circle as she giggled, shoving her face in his neck and taking in his scent.

Placing her feet back on the ground he looked down at her, "You were amazing Brie." He smiled at her as she blushed. "And you're so cute when you blush." She looked away hitting him on his hard bicep.

"I love you Wildcat." Gabriella gave him her million-dollar smile before they were flocked by their friends.

"We did it!" Taylor squealed as the girls gathered up for a group hug.

"I know, we're officially graduates of East High School." Claire looked at the school and gave a crooked grin. "FINALLY!" she screamed, causing all the girls to scream with her.

"You girls are loud." Zeke playfully began playing with his ears as if he were going deaf, only to earn a slap from Sharpay. "Ow, just kidding." He rubbed the back of his head.

"Gabriella darling!" It was Mrs. Shepard, she had made it to the ceremony with Erin in tow, she had insisted upon being there, much to Gabriella's delight. Gabriella smiled and slipped out of the robe, handing it to Troy, who gladly accepted it.

Taking Erin out of her carrier she began to rock her baby sister, "Abby." Everyone turned to look at Erin.

"Did she just try to say my name?" Gabriella asked astonished.

"I think so…" Sharpay looked down at the little girl she'd grown to love with wide eyes.

"Abby." The little girl repeated once again.

"Oh my goodness, that's right sweetie." Gabriella encouraged her.

Erin's head turned towards Troy, "Oy." She tried.

"Yup, that's it baby girl." Troy smiled down at her, taking her hand in his own. The gang laughed, none of them had ever known Troy had such a soft spot.

"I'll take the robes to the locker room." Zeke offered. Everyone nodded and took them off, handing them over to Zeke who went to check them in.

When Zeke returned 10 minutes later the chatter had died down considerably, Troy suddenly turned to Gabriella, "Marry me?" he asked, shocked that the words flew out of his mouth.

Gabriella looked at him with wide eyes. Taylor immediately took Erin into her own arms so Gabriella wouldn't drop her, "Really?" Gabriella asked hopefully.

Troy wrapped his arms around her waist, "Really." He replied. Then he slipped his hand into his pocket and took out a small blue box that he thankfully had been carrying around for the past week.

Tears filled Gabriella's eyes as she nodded her head 'yes' to Troy's question and gasped as Troy slipped the beautiful diamond ring on her finger. Flinging her arms around his neck she began whispering "Yes" over and over in his ear, causing Troy to chuckle at her enthusiasm.

And that's how they ended up here, with Zeke knocking on the room at the hotel on the beach in New Mexico that the girls' were using as a dressing room. "Come in." Taylor called out.

"Everyone ready here?" Zeke asked, looking around.

"Yup, everyone's ready." Gabriella answered taking a deep breath and looking at Erin who was holding a basket of flower petals. "Let's do this." She nodded her head.

"Okay, I'll tell the guys and we'll see you beautiful ladies out there." Zeke winked at them as he turned and left.

Walking back into the guys' makeshift dressing room he nodded, "They're ready for us to start." He told everyone.

Troy nodded taking in a long breath. "Alright, let's go get me married." He chuckled as the guys slapped him on the back and they headed out to get the minister.

And there they were, standing on the a raised platform by the ocean, waiting for the girls to enter. One by one they came down the make shift aisle, created by two sides of fold up chairs. First Claire, then Kelsi, then Taylor, and finally Sharpay, the maid of honor.

All of them were dressed in sapphire blue dresses, made of the same silky material and all cut just above the knee, but in different styles. Claire's hair was pulled back in a bun, Taylor's was straightened, Kelsi's in tight ringlets, and Sharpay's in loose curls.

Next came in Lindsay, Troy's cousin, the ring bearer, and Erin, the flower girl. Both dressed in light blue dresses. Before finally everyone stood as Jack and Gabriella entered. Her strapless white gown hugging her curves in the bodice before slightly flaring out, with sequins and rhinestone making it shimmer in the light of the fading day. Her hair was pulled up in a messy bun that probably took hours to put together, while loose strands fell down in curls framing her face. Her bouquet, along with the other girls' smelled of Gardenias, the flowers used at her parent's wedding as well. And everything was perfect.

As Troy accepted her hand, they glanced at each other, trying to fight the urge to steal a quick kiss before beginning. And finally they said "I do", sharing their vows and placing the rings on their fingers.

"I give you Mr. and Mrs. Troy Alexander Bolton." Reverend Are formally introduced the newly married couple to the world, well their world, as everyone stood up and clapped before the two made their way down the aisle, ready to begin their life together.

That's it! I hoped you liked Learning to Breathe! I want to thank everyone who was so patient with me through all the hard times!! I love you all.

Mollie XOXO