Promises

I watched from my seat in the auditorium as Gabriella walked across the stage to accept her diploma. After doing so, she descended down the steps on the other side and made her way back to her seat, but not before flashing me a triumphant smile that caused my stomach to flutter. Even after so long, the sight of her smile still made my intestines constrict, as if I had seen it for the first time. I smiled back but felt my chest clench with guilt as my mind reverted back to the news that I had found out earlier that day. I shook the thought out of my head; I wanted to concentrate on the now and nothing else.

Principal Matsui stepped up to the podium and he signaled for all of the students to do the same. As we rose, he cleared his throat before speaking loudly, "I now present you East High School's class of 2008!" Cheers erupted and caps were tossed every which way into the air. As I bent down to pick up mine, I felt someone jump on my back.

"Congratulations, wildcat!" Gabriella said noisily in my ear so I could hear her over all of the commotion.

She slid off my back as I turned to face her. "Same to you, baby girl," I said huskily, wrapping my arms around her in a hug and weaving my fingers in her hair. I pulled her closer and buried my face in her hair, taking in the strawberry scent, the one that I had come to love over the past year and a half. Gabriella disentangled herself from me with a huge smile dancing on her face.

"Can you believe it? We're officially college students!" she cried in the same giddy excitement to that of a child solving their first puzzle. My grin slide off my face as she spoke. "What's wrong? Aren't you excited?" she questioned, her forehead wrinkling in confusion.

I forced the smile back onto my lips. "Of course!" I said, grabbing her hand. "It's just a little scary."

"Yeah it is a bit, but college students!" exclaimed Gabriella again, winking at me, and that time my smile was real.

I interlocked our fingers once more as we began walking toward our group of friends. As we reached the group, we noticed the tears in all their eyes; Taylor's had escaped and were rolling down her cheeks as she stood against Chad.

This would be the last time that the whole gang would be together before we all left for our respective colleges and the thought tugged at my heartstrings. All the late nights, all the days we spent at school, having so much fun by doing absolutely nothing, would never happen again. They were over. And though we would be spread over the country for the next few years, we had vowed to keep in touch. However, we were all doubtful how long it would last until we got caught up in our new lives.

"So, this is it?" Chad finally asked softly as his eyes roamed over everyone's faces and his grip tightened around Taylor's waist.

Everybody kept their heads down as we nodded, not wanting to come to terms with the good-bye that was inevitably following Chad's words. We knew that if we were to see the despair in each other's faces, we would lose it completely. Taylor and Chad's parents called out their names, indicating to them that it was time to go. Taylor looked up first and suddenly pulled Gabriella into a bone-breaking hug as they both started to openly cry. Chad walked over to me and gave me a tight hug. I closed my eyes and tried not to think that this boy, who I have been friends with since kindergarten, was embracing me for what could be the last time ever. As we broke apart, Chad informed me that he would come over the following day for my departure, as Chad was the only person that knew about my news besides my family. I nodded in confirmation. Chad finally pried Taylor off of Gabriella; though it pained me to see the two best friends cling at each other as if the world depended on it. My throat tightened with held-in tears, and I swallowed them, tasting salt. Chad hugged Gabriella as well, before he and Taylor bid farewell to the group. They walked off hand in hand to their waiting parents, Chad brushing tears off Taylor's cheeks as they went. Both turned around as they ventured out the doors and waved to their friends one last time.

I turned to the rest of the group, breathing deeply before speaking.

"Well, Gabriella and I have to go," I sighed, frowning deeply. "So, I guess this is good-bye, for now," I added unnecessarily, before pulling everyone into a hug. Gabriella did the same, only with tears streaking down her face. After all the salutations were exchanged, I grabbed Gabriella's hand and the two of us walked to the exit of the building and into the parking lot. I led Gabriella to my truck by putting my hand on the small of her back while caressing her exposed skin with my thumb, since both of our graduation gowns were now draped over my shoulder. Once we reached my truck, I opened the door for Gabriella and allowed her to climb in. I shut the door after her and ran over to the driver's side, climbing in and starting the car. I drove down the street, my heart beating at triple speed, as I realized that I had to tell Gabriella; the news couldn't be held off any longer.

"Um Gabriella?" I asked in a shaky voice.

"Yeah?" Gabriella turned, tearing her gaze away from the passing scenery. Her eyes were still wet and her face sagged.

"Do you mind if we go to the park?" I queried. "I need to tell you something important." I licked my lips nervously, a bad habit.

"Sure," Gabriella said, slightly suspiciously. She fiddled with her hands in her lap, not daring to look me in the eyes, which only made my vision fog up in anguish.

I reached over and grabbed her hand, drawing it up to my lips and kissing the tips of each one of her fingers tenderly. Gabriella shifted her head to look at me and smiled at my loving gesture.

I pulled the car over as we arrived at our destination. I turned off the engine and emerged from the car, but not before grabbing an envelope from the middle of the seats and stuffing it in my back pocket. I met Gabriella at the other side of the truck and walked with her to a spot under the tree on a hill overlooking the Albuquerque sunset. I sat down, guiding Gabriella with me and positioning her in between my legs as I leaned against the tree. I wrapped my arms around her middle and brought her in close, savoring the moment. I kept my eyes closed so I could document the exact moment in my memory, down to every last detail: the pinewood smell mixed in with her shampoo, the breeze that whipped her hair back far enough to tickle my arms, and the warm glow her skin emitted.

"I can't wait 'till we go to college together, Troy," piped up Gabriella with a content sigh, glancing out at the sunset. "It's going to be a whole new experience and I can't wait to share it with you."

I opened my eyes and sighed, my heart falling deep into the pit of my abdomen. "That's actually what I needed to talk to you about, Gabriella," I whispered. She shifted her body to face me.

"What do you mean?" she asked, her voice quivering ever so slightly.

I almost chickened out, but I knew that it would just get harder the longer I drew it out. "I won't be going to college in the fall," I said in a rush, waiting apprehensively for her reaction.

Gabriella gasped, almost instantaneously, as if the thought had been haunting her prior to my announcement. "What? Why?" she asked frantically.

I withdrew the envelope from out of my back pocket and outstretched my hand, holding it out to her holding my breath as she took it from my hands. She opened the envelope and extracted the piece of paper that was about to change everything. Gabriella's eyes started watering as she scanned over the paper. My heart ached watching her fall apart slowly as she continued to read. Gabriella gently sat the letter down as a sob escaped her lips. I pulled her to me as close as I could as my own tears threatened to fall.

"You said it was the reserves Troy. You said you wouldn't have to go." Gabriella said between her tears.

I swallowed hard trying so fight back the tears, "I know baby girl, but there isn't anything I can do."

"You have to do something, Troy. Please." Her voice broke on the last word and sobs filled the air. "Please, please, please." She cried. I pulled her tighter against my body and she melted in my arms.

"It's out of my control, baby. I have to leave tomorrow morning." I whispered, my tears finally falling, my deep breathing matching Gabriella's as we rocked together.

"Tomorrow?" She whispered, turning around in my arms so she was straddling me. I kept my arms wrapped firmly around her waist, holding her as close to me as possible.

"Tomorrow." I repeated into her neck, my tears hitting her shoulder and sliding along her skin. "I'm so sorry, baby." I whispered through my tears. I pulled back from her and looked her in the eye. Silent tears were falling from her dark brown eyes, staining her soft skin before they fell from her chin.

"I love you." She whispered, our eyes connecting, starting us both off on a new set of tears. We clung to each other, not aware of anything around us.

"God, baby girl. I love you too. So fucking much." I said, clenching my teeth as I willed myself to stop crying, I had to show her I was strong, I couldn't have her possible last memory of me to be one of us bawling our eyes out. "Wait here a second." I got up quickly and sprinted back to my truck, grabbing an armful of things I'd gotten together earlier before I walked back to the tree.

"What's all that?" Gabriella asked me and I smiled weakly.

"It's our night." I said softly, gesturing her to stand up and she obeyed. I spread a blanket on the ground and then sat down on it, pulling Gabriella down with me so she was once again positioned between my legs.

"What's in the bag?" She asked curiously.

"Stuff." I said softly. Gabriella turned around in my arms and looked in my eyes. I weakened and reached into the bag for the first item I had. "My jersey." I said simply, producing my wildcat's jersey and handing it to her. She held it close to her and inhaled.

"Smells like you." She said softly, tears welling up in her eyes. I forced a smile as I kissed her gently on the lips. As we pulled apart I reached for the second item.

"For you." I said, holding out a scrapbook. She opened it and quickly scanned the pages, lined with photos of us and our friends, groups, couples and individuals. "Everyone's written in it, and there's a letter from me for you to read later." I said as she placed it on the blanket in front of her.

"I love it." She said gently, turning back around to kiss me once more. As we pulled apart I savored her taste, her smell, her touch. I knew my memories were vital to my survival.

"And lastly, these." I said, holding out a small box which I passed to her. She lifted off the lid and inside were an extra set of my dog tags. Gabriella had tears running down her cheeks as she threw herself at me, kissing me deeply. I returned the kiss, settling her down against me, both on our sides as we gasped for breath when we broke apart.

"Promise me you'll come back." Gabriella asked in a whisper through her tears. I knew that there was a possibility that I would never be able to hold her in my arms again after tonight, but I wasn't about to make her cry anymore.

"I promise baby girl." I said sincerely knowing that I would come back to her whether it be in a box or alive. I pulled her to my body as I buried my face into her hair as she continued to cry. After awhile I heard Gabriella's breath even out. I looked down at Gabriella peacefully sleeping. I didn't want to leave her; I don't know how I am going to get through 18 months without her. I finally let the tears I had been holding back fall as a quiet sob escaped my mouth, I gazed at Gabriella while she slept as the tear continued falling.

"I can't honestly promise you that I'll come back alive, but I am going to sure as hell try." I whispered into the silence as I watched her sleep, cursing myself for hurting her so badly with my news, knowing it had crushed her heart. "I'll make you proud, Gabriella." I whispered before pulling her close and closing my eyes, drifting off into a world where I wasn't killing my girlfriend through heartbreak.

I felt Gabriella stir next to me I looked over at her to see her eyes flutter open. She looked at me and smiled before she looked around taking in her surroundings and her smile fell as she looked back at me.

"So it was all real…it wasn't a dream?" She asked in a small voice that shattered my heart into a million pieces.

I slowly shook my head as I caressed her cheek with my hand, "No baby girl, no it wasn't." I said my voice cracking. I could see the tears starting to form in her eyes. I cupped her face and put our foreheads together, "Please don't cry baby." I whispered, "I won't be able to take it." Gabriella closed her eyes tightly and nodded her head even though tears continued to slip out as I wiped them away with the pad of my thumb.

Gabriella's dark brown eyes looked at me, "What time?" She asked softly.

I sighed, "In about 45 minutes." I could tell that Gabriella was trying hard not to cry as she bit her bottom lip.

"You promise you'll write?" She asked as intertwined our fingers.

"I promise." I said knowing that was one promise I knew I could keep. I looked down at my watch and realized that if I wanted to get there on time I needed to get changed so we could leave. I walked over to the truck grabbing my Army bag out of the back and setting it on the ground I dug out my uniform. I grabbed the pants and jumped in the truck so I could change into them. As I got out I saw Gabriella walking toward me with her arms full of the stuff from last night, I walked over to her while taking the stuff out of her hands and placing them in the back. I bent down to tuck my pants into my boots as I laced them up tightly. I stood up and grabbed my shirt and put it on, I started buttoning the buttons when Gabriella's hands went over mine to stop me.

"Let me." She said emotionally. I nodded my head and removed my hands and watched her intently as she buttoned each of my buttons with her tears falling, as she buttoned the last one I reached over and grabbed my hat from my bag. Gabriella bent down and grabbed my name patch that read T. Bolton, she attached it to my shirt and let her hands slowly lower themselves down my chest as she stood on her tip toes and gave me a light kiss on the lips. I wiped her tears away before bending down and slinging my bag into the back of the truck. We both climbed into the truck without saying anything, both dreading having to say goodbye for 18 months. As I pulled up to the army base where we would be departing from my emotions were getting harder to control. I parked the truck and got out and walked around to the other side and let Gabriella out. I reached into the back and grabbed my bag before taking Gabriella's hand as we walked up to my parent's and Chad as the announcement for all soldier to start boarding the plane echoed through the grounds. I dropped my bag on the ground as my mother pulled me into a bone crushing hug while she was sobbing.

"I am so proud of you Troy." She whispered as she pulled away from me with her tear stained face.

I turned to my father to have him pull me into a hug, "Come home son." He said as he released me.

I turned to Chad and shared a brotherly hug with him, "Take care of Gabriella while I'm gone man." I whispered as I tried to keep my tears from falling. I pulled back, "And if I don't-"

"You're coming back Troy." Chad said sternly as his eyes glistened.

I turned to Gabriella to see her in a worse state from before, I pulled her into a hug and buried my face in her hair as her body convulsed with sobs. "I love you baby girl, don't ever forget that." I said as my tears finally fell. I pulled back and gave her a loving kiss on the lips, I pulled away as another announcement was called, only to have Gabriella grab me by the dog tags and pull me into a passionate kiss, a kiss that was supposed to last me for 18 months. I lifted her up and continued kissing her pouring out all the love I had for her.

She pulled away with tears in her eyes, "I love you Troy Bolton." She whispered.

I put my forehead to hers, "I love you too Gabriella Montez."

As the final announcement was called I sat Gabriella down and gave her one last kiss before I turned and walked to the airplane a couple of yards away. As I ascended the stairs I looked back to Gabriella to see her in Chad's arms in tears. I felt my own tears form in my eyes as I forced myself to turn back around. I knew I had to get on this plane and survive the upcoming months so I could have her back in my arms where she belonged. I walked forward determined to keep my promises to her.