What We Keep Hidden

A High School Musical Fanfiction

by GimmeABeat

Chapter 13: We're All in This Together

"... and West High's pushin' the ball", bellowed the excited announcer as the championship game reached its pinacle. "Fast break. Lookin' for an open man."

"Oh, but it's stolen by number 14, heading back the other way!" Troy stormed through West High's defense and took the ball, dribbling it back toward the Wildcat's goal.

West High School's coach cringed when both teams barreled past him towards the Wildcat's basket.

"East High has the ball! Time is running down on the clock!" The scoreboard counted down the seconds 11, 10, 9, ... as the score sat ominously at 66 to 67 with East High trailing by one point.

The announcer continued to interpret Troy's moves. "Looking for an open man. Fake. Swing to the outside. Ball on the perimeter. Looks for a man on the inside. Nice screen. Shot's up! And it's good! A 12-foot jump shot as time expires for the victory!"

The entire team and the cheerleaders swarmed around Troy at center court. "East High has won the championship! Your East High Wildcats are champions! Congratulations, East High!"

The crowd became as overwhelmed as the team and started chanting Troy's name.

"Troy! Troy! Troy!"

An official handed Coach Bolton the championship trophy and he excitedly ran towards his team with it held firmly in his grasp. Students started pouring off the benches like melting chocolate on a hot fudge sundae and quickly filled the court.

"Coming through! Coming through! Coming through!", Jack shouted over the bluster of the crowd as he made his way through the throng of students to his son.

He handed Troy the huge trophy and the younger Bolton lifted it proudly over his head while two of his teammates hoisted him onto their shoulders and paraded him around the gym floor. Loud shouts of "Wildcats! Get your head in the game!" reverberated throughout the cavernous room.

Troy was finally lowered to the floor and Jack immediately engulfed him in a huge hug. "I'm proud of you, son."

"Thanks, Dad!", Troy replied.

Darbus, who had just spent a harrowing few minutes making her way through the boisterous mob, cautiously tapped Troy on the shoulder to get his attention. "Bravo!", she burst out.

"Brava!", responded Coach Bolton as Darbus quickly scurried away.

Gabriella ran up behind him and hugged Troy. "Congratulations, Wildcat!"

Troy spun around and grabbed onto her shoulders. "What about your team?"

"We won too!", she exclaimed, referring to the Scholastic Decathlon.

"That's fantastic, Gabriella! And I really wanted to thank you again for all your help. I couldn't have pulled that off if it wasn't for you."

She smiled sweetly back at him. "My pleasure, Troy. It's obvious that you two belong together."

Sharpay and Ryan joined them and Troy reached over and pulled Sharpay closer to him. Sharpay noticed that Gabriella had changed from the skin-tight salsa dress into an equally attractive red party dress, perfect for the after-party and she had even accessorized with some silver bangled bracelets. When did she have time to change?, Sharpay thought idly. She, herself, had also changed. Now she wore a white tanktop, emblazoned with Swarovski rhinestones, and low-rise pants with a narrow silver belt and a wide white belt hanging criss-crossed around her waist. Sharpay topped off her ensemble with a large silver heart necklace that Brandon had given her for Christmas.

"Did you hear the news?", Ryan asked Gabriella while grabbing onto her hands excitedly.

"What?", she giggled back.

"Congratulations are in order for you two", Sharpay announced, indicating Ryan and Gabriella. "I guess I'm going to be the understudy in case you can't make one of the shows, so ... break a leg." At Gabriella's shocked expression, Sharpay grinned and explained, "In theater that means good luck."

"And you'll be my understudy, Troy", Ryan told him with more than a little bit of self-gratification.

"Wow, you guys won the part?", Troy asked in astonishment. He was so sure he and Sharpay had nailed it.

"Yep." Ryan was feeling so cocky he actually started rocking back and forth on his heels. "Hey Gabby, let's go talk to Kelsi about which songs we should start learning next." The two happy 'stars' ran off towards the small composer.

Once they left, Troy turned to Sharpay with a frown on his face. "I'm sorry; it was all my fault", he said seriously.

"What are you talking about?"

"If I'd let you audition with Ryan like you wanted to, you would have gotten the part."

She shook her head at him as if he were a small child. "You don't get it, Troy, but Darbus does."

"Uh?"

"She pulled me aside after the callbacks and explained her reasoning. She thinks we need to spend more time together, and not under the spotlight of the drama club. And now, that we don't have to rehearse four days a week for the next month, we'll have more time to devote to us and ... our son."

"Wow? So we lost, ... but we won too, I guess."

"Absolutely." She dazzled him with a big smile.

"Where's Brandon?" He needed to talk to him, but didn't want to arouse Sharpay's suspicions.

"Your mom's watching him. Did you see how excited he was when he was on stage with you? I've never seen him that happy."

"Yeah, he's a great kid; but right now, I'd rather spend time with his mother."

He drew her in close to him and their lips were only inches from each other when Chad bounded up, shouting as he did. "Yo! Team voted you the game ball, Captain!" Then, he shoved the ball into Troy's hand, inadvertently pushing him away from Sharpay.

"Yeah, thanks. Thanks a lot", Troy said with a slight mocking tone to his voice.

Chad, completely oblivious to his interruption, was all smiles and he grabbed Taylor as she walked by, pulling her closely to him. "So...you're going with me to the after-party, right?"

She was stunned and asked, "Like on a date?"

"Must be your lucky day", replied the cocky young man.

Rather than reply to his question, Taylor let a short squeal of happiness and ran over to Gabriella who was still in deep conversation with Kelsi and Ryan. "Chad just asked me out!"

Gabriella squealed back in joy for her friend.

Back with Troy and Sharpay, Troy was once again almost touching lips with Sharpay when Zeke ran up to them with a red gym bag in his hand. "Hey, Sharpay. I'm sorry you didn't get the lead, but I think you're really good. I admire you so much." And this time is was the truth, thought Zeke. Chad hadn't persuaded him into it.

Irritated at having been interrupted, yet again, she flippantly replied, "Why wouldn't you? Now, bye-bye." She started to walk off, dragging Troy with her.

"Oh, wait", Zeke implored while opening his gym bag and pulling out a small plastic bag. "I baked some cookies."

"Ew." Sharpay wrinkled her nose and finally, managed to get away from him.

Brandon appeared out of nowhere, as small children were apt to do when there were sweets involved, and accepted the cookies, saying, "Thanks", as he grabbed the bag and ran away.

Sharpay didn't stop until she was almost under the bleachers in the most isolated area of the gym. Then, she turned to Troy and pulled him into a most anticipated kiss. Surprisingly, Troy pulled away and ended the kiss before it could deepen. "Hang on a minute, Shar." He looked around them until he spotted Brandon. "I need to talk to Brandon." He ran off toward the little boy, leaving the stunned and highly affronted blonde standing alone.

Just then, Chad walked up quietly, with his head down and a remorseful expression on his face.

"Hey, um... Sharpay? Could we talk?"

:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:

Darby sat uncomfortably on the benches, one of the few people in the gymnasium who didn't jump to their feet at the end of the exciting game. Jack, noticing her for the first time, walked over slowly.

"So, that was something, wasn't it?", the coach asked as he sat down beside her.

"Indeed."

"I heard Troy and Sharpay didn't get the part. I'm surprised. I thought they were really good together." He reached up and started to loosened his tie, but thought better of it, considering the company, and awkwardly put his hand back down by his side.

"I agree; they were very good together and maybe they should be."

"Beg pardon?"

"Be together, Jack", she said pointedly. "I think Vance was wrong. I thought he was wrong three years ago, but I was too devastated with what was going on to say anything. Troy obviously still cares for Sharpay and I believe it's mutual. And did you see how little Brandon's eyes lit up when he looked at your son?"

"Yeah... I think that's mutual too, Darby."

"Yes, I think it is." She took a deep breath and rose elegantly from the hard wooden bench. "I'll speak with Vance tonight. If I can't convince him, no one can." Then, she reached over and patted Jack on his arm and added, "But don't worry, it'll all work out. I-I'm not always good at showing my feelings, even to people I love, it's how I was raised. Never let them see you cry was my mother's motto. Unfortunately, that meant building up a wall that was so strong and high no one could penetrate it, but I'm starting to realize the error of that mantra. I saw how Brandon's eyes also lit up when he saw Lucy and after speaking with her, I found out he's only known her for about two months. That hurt, more than I'd like to admit and I'm going to do something about it." At Jack's worry expression, she explained, "I'm going to start loving my family the way they deserve to be loved, Jack. And surprisingly enough, I think I have your wife to thank for it ... even if she does prefer prêt-à-porter." With that remark, she smoothed out the non-existent wrinkles in her clothing and walked over to speak to her son and find out more about this new girl.

Jack had a puzzled look on his face after Darby left and looked over at his assistant coach who had just walked up. "Jim, what's preta porty?"

It was still quite loud in the gymnasium and Jim wasn't as young as he used to be, so it should have come as little surprise when he said, "Pizza party? I heard it's gonna be a hum-dinger. The team's goin' to CiCi's." He chuckled a little before continuing. "I hope somebody called ahead to warn'em, so they start cookin' early. Those young fellas'll eat'em out of business."

"Never mind", Jack said vaguely as he left, searching for Lucy. Maybe he'd ask her, but what if it was something really insulting? He decided it wasn't worth the risk and to just keep it to himself. Besides, things were definitely starting to look up in this family and he didn't want to take any chances.

:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:

After Chad's heartfelt apology and admission that he was a idiot, to which Sharpay heartily agreed, she forgave him. Life was too short to live with bad feelings among friends and she really did want to be his friend again. It seemed like even Chad Danforth was growing up.

Sharpay was so miffed at having been abandoned by Troy that she wondered back onto the court, trying to find someone to talk to. Everyone was pleasant to her, which came as a bit of a surprise, since she'd just caused the reputation downfall of the hottest guy in school. However, it made sense, she supposed. When Brandon announced to the school that Troy was his daddy, how could anyone find any grievance when the news was delivered with such innocent enthusiasm? She had to smile when she thought about it. She seemed to be smiling a lot lately.

From amidst a sea of people still milling about on the court, Troy appeared with Brandon following behind, fidgeting with something in his small hands.

"This'd better be good", she mumbled, but smiled as they drew near. She couldn't help it. Father and son were so much alike; she noticed for the first time today that they actually had the same walk. Could a walk be genetic?

"Just like we practiced, buddy," Troy whispered in the boy's ear.

Brandon took a step or two closer to his mother and uncurled his hands. She stared in shock at the ring lying there. It was sterling silver with two interlinking hearts and a small diamond nestled in the hearts' conjoined space. Troy placed a hand on the boy's shoulder and the other atop Sharpay's right hand.

"Sharpay, will you accept this promise ring?" Glancing quickly down at Brandon, he added hastily, "It's from both of us."

Sharpay blinked. She hadn't been expecting this at all. Murmurs of encouragement circulated through the mass of people surrounding her. She looked from the child to his father and back again. Both wore the same expectant look.

"Yes", Sharpay finally answered. She couldn't keep from crying as Brandon took the ring and slid it onto her ring finger of her left hand.

"Did Daddy teach you that?" she asked, stooping down to pull Brandon into a hug. She gave the boy a kiss on his cheek before leaning up to exchange a brief gesture with Troy as well.

Troy reached in his gym bag and pulled out the game ball which Chad had given him earlier. He handed the ball down Brandon. "Brandon, here's your game ball. You deserve it, son."

Brandon's eyes lit up. This was way cooler than a ring. He looked up at the hoop just as someone picked him up from behind. Turning, he saw it was Grandpa Coach. Jack helped him line up the shot and Brandon sent it swishing into the net effortlessly.

The school pep band started playing up in the stands. "Here we go!", someone shouted.

Ryan grabbed Brandon and carried him over to the sidelines, much to the little boy's disappointment. "Trust your Uncle Ryan, Bran. This'll be great!" He pulled a Brandon-sized red fedora out of his bag and shaped it carefully before handing it to his nephew. Brandon looked skeptical.

At center court, the cheerleaders gathered in a circle and morphed into a straight line.

Together, together, together everyone!

The perky cheerleaders rippled down the line and peeled off to either side while Wildcat-scratching into the air.

Together, together, come on, let's have some fun!

After the cheerleaders ran off to the sidelines, Chad appeared and jumped high into the air, executing an impressive split at the apex of his leap.

Together, we're there for each other every time.

Together, together, come on, let's do this right!

Troy danced light-heartedly around the court, grabbed hands with one of the decathlon members and shook his hand, then he swayed rhythmically with a passing cheerleader as he sang out,

Here and now it's time for celebration! I finally figured out!

"Yeah! Yeah!", everyone joined in.

"That all our dreams ... huh!", Troy bumped chests with Zeke, "have no limitations." The perky blonde cheerleader was suddenly grinding against him and Troy quickly danced away from her, knowing the consequences if Sharpay thought he was the least bit interested in her ... which he wasn't.

"That's what it's all about!"

"Come on, now", Sharpay sang out as she danced and shimmied among the crowd. "Everyone is special in their own way. We make each other strong."

Kelsi and Taylor joined in on the echoed chorus. "Make each other strong."

"We're not the same, we're different in a good way", Sharpay continued as she was swept into another student's arms. "Together's where we belong." From there she was spun directly into Troy's strong embrace.

The entire basketball team, drama club, and cheerleading squad formed a chorus line and belted out a choreographed dance.

We're all in this together!

Once we know that we are,

we're all stars and we see that.

We're all in this together ...

and it shows when we stand

hand in hand ...

make our dreams come true.

Everybody now!

Together, together, together everyone.

Together, together, come on, let's have some fun.

Together, together, we're there for each other every time.

Together, together, come on,

let's do this right!

Ryan stood in the stands with Brandon by his side and he'd just convinced his nephew to wear the hat which perfectly matched his own.

We're all here and speaking out with one voice. We're gonna rock the house...

Brandon shouted out in his much higher pitched little boy voice, "Yeah, yeah!"

Both Troy and Sharpay turned and looked up in amazement to see Brandon standing confidently on one of the bleacher seats next to Ryan. Sharpay's eyes narrowed instantly. What was Ryan thinking? Brandon could easily fall off. He's not even three years old yet!

The party's on, now everybody make some noise.

Ryan knew exactly how to work a crowd and he raised his arms in the air signaling that everyone should join in with him. Then, he reached over and picked up Brandon, much to the little boy's delight, and sang out, "Come on, scream and shout!", as he threw Brandon out into a line basketball players. Brandon was all smiles as he dived out like he was Superman and landed safely in their arms where they held him high and passed him along to the end of the line while Gabriella walked underneath the human archway.

We've arrived because we stuck together. Champions, one and all.

Gabriella reached over and accepted Ryan's hand as she continued to sing. Ryan couldn't help but glance at his sister and knew there would be hell to pay later, but for now, Brandon was standing between Troy and Sharpay and stomping out the song like a pro.

We're all in this together.

Once we know that we are, we're all stars.

And we that

We're all in this together.

And it shows when we stand, hand in hand.

Make our dreams come true.

Troy and Sharpay both reached out a hand to Brandon and lifted him up off the ground, much to his delight, as they continued to sing.

We're all in this together.

When we reach, we can fly, know inside, we can make it.

We're all in this together.

Once we see there's a chance that we have and we take it.

Wildcats sing along.

Yeah, you really got what's goin' on.

Wildcats in the house!

Everyone say it now!

Wildcats everywhere,

Wave your hands up in the air,

That's the way we do it, let's get to it!

Time to show ... the world!"

Sharpay reached out a hand to Troy and he surprised her by taking it and pulling her into him and quickly lowered his mouth onto hers in that perfect kiss which she had been anticipated for so long. Ryan pulled Brandon's hat down on his head to shield him from the higher than PG-13 rated kiss as the two teenagers continued to make-out in the middle of the gymnasium completely oblivious to the smiling crowd around them.

:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:

After everyone had cleared out, Zeke was standing in the empty gymnasium, holding a red balloon and staring dejectedly down at the other balloons which were lying abandoned on the floor. Suddenly, Brandon burst through a red door at the far end of the court and dashed across the polished wood floor toward him. He halted about twenty feet from the teenager and exclaimed in a panting breath, "These cookies are the best things I've ever tasted! Will you make some more for me, Zeke?"

Jack Bolton flew out of the same door, obviously looking for Brandon, who'd also quite obviously escaped.

Brandon charged at Zeke with a gleam in his eye, kicking balloons out of his way as he ran. Zeke slowly shuffled away nervously, not sure what to make of this possessed, sugar-high child. As he drew closer, Zeke actually turned and tried to flee, but Brandon caught him before he made it more than a couple of steps. The toddler grabbed the frightened basketball player around his knees from behind in a surprisingly strong grip for such a small boy. Deciding it wasn't worth the fight, Zeke smiled down at him and replied, "Sure kid, I might even make you crème brûlée."

After securing the firm promise of more cookies, Brandon and Coach Bolton walked hand-in-hand through the halls to where his parents were waiting to go home. Both held cookies in their free hands.

"Grandpa Coach?", Brandon asked as he took a bite. "What's cream bruu-lee?"

"You got me kiddo. I'm still tryin' to figure out preta porty."

The End

Author Notes: Yea!!!! The end of another story. Always a time of much rejoicing.

I wanted to let you guys know that I had this final chapter completed days ago, but then, I got this great review from Clotisy and she said she was really looking forward to "We're all in this Together". Originally, I just wrote something lame like ... the pep band started playing and they all joined in, exclaiming that they were "All in This Together". I hope you liked this version cuz it was much harder to write.

Definition time, in case you forgot... prêt-à-porter is French for ready-to-wear and it's the fancy-smancy way of describing how most of the world buys their clothes. And of course, crème brûlée is a creamy custard with a caramelized surface. It's really satisfying, so I hear.

Hope you weren't too shocked with that twist in who won the roles of Minnie and Arnold. Author ducks to avoid virtual tomatoes being hurled at her.

I have to give special thanks to my Beta reader, Trish. Hi, Trish. Who fixes all my typos and bad grammar (she even corrects my author notes) and gives me great ideas like that twist with who won the callbacks. It was all her idea people --- she made me do it. See how I just cleverly deflected all that blame onto you, Trish? Seriously, I thought it was a great idea.

I want to thank everyone who's taken the time to review and to let you know that it's not too late to leave one now. You guys have no idea how excited I get when I read them. And also, although I'm not always successful, I try to personally reply to each and every review, even if it's just to say thanks.

Wow, all this work for a movie that was only 1:37:45 in length. Go figure! This was probably the hardest thing I've ever written, what with trying to keep it within the framework of the original movie and still have it be TroyPay. I'm not planning on continuing this with HSM 2 or 3, but if one of you would like to tackle it ... feel free. Also, if anyone needs large chunks of original dialogue for any reason, I have a lot of it. That's how I wrote this thing. I watched the original movie and transcribed it, along with actions too --- sort of like a novelization. Then, changed it to fit my plot. Took fooorrrevvver.

And please take note that I took the time to describe the changes of clothes that Gabriella and Sharpay changed into and I gave Gabriella a reason to change since I had her dressed in a sexy salsa dress. BTW, why did she change clothes anyway? You would have thought that if Gabriella had a snazzy red dress, she would have had it on under the lab coat and worn it for audition. But hey, nobody asked me.

I hope I've fulfilled the Disney-standard where everyone lives happily ever after and they all love each other even if they hated each other 15 minutes earlier.

The next one is going to be very AU and a future fic, so I don't have to adhere to all these constrictions. In fact, I'm pretty sure Gabriella is going to be a complete bitch in the next one. It's in the future and college does change people, right?