35We stood on stage in our mock graduation as Ms. Darbus announced scholarships and where all the seniors were going to college. After the last several months being hounded by everyone to make a decision, I finally knew what it was I had wanted to do. After looking into several different colleges, I finally decided on one and I hadn't told anyone which college I had decided on. I wasn't going to tell anyone until tonight either. Here, standing in front of practically the whole school and the community, I finally came to a conclusion and I was going to announce it. "And now, a senior," Ms. Darbus continued, looking over at us, "who I believe, has a decision to make." She held up her hand, introducing me, looking back out at the audience, "Mr. Troy Bolton." She turned back to look at me, asking me to step forward, "Troy." I stepped toward center stage after a brief moment of hesitation, all my cast mates clapping behind me, the audience clapping in front of me. I looked out among everyone in the audience, telling them shortly, "I've chosen basketball." Everyone cheered and I added, "But I've also chosen theater." Everyone in the audience jumped to their feet, cheering even louder. "University of California, Berkeley, offers me both. That's where I'm going to be attending next fall." I nodded, pleased with the decision I had made. "But most of all," I resumed my announcement, "I choose the person who inspires my heart." I smiled, nodding my head slightly. "Which is why I picked a school that's exactly 32.7," I said, turning back to Gabriella, offering her my hand, "…miles from you." I could see the tears in her eyes, and I knew they were happy tears. The emotion in her face matched that in my heart. She stepped forward, taking my hand and standing beside me. I turned out to announce her to the audience. "Miss Gabriella Montez. Stanford University." I turned back to her, looking down into her eyes. "Pre-Law." I spun her around, letting her step up and take her moment in the spotlight. "Next," Ms. Darbus called out as Gabriella walked backwards to stand back next to me, "Mr. Chad Danforth. University of Albuquerque, basketball scholarship…"
That had been more two months ago. Gabriella and I had been doing so much over the last ten weeks, our parents hardly ever saw us, but we were busy setting up for moving away to college. That's what this last trip was, heading out there to find a place to live. We would both be living on the campuses. Gabriella had found a place and we had an appointment to meet with the manager of the apartments Friday morning and then we'd drive up to Berkeley and check out the campus housing while we were there. Tuesday night we were each packing as we got ready to leave tomorrow morning. I'd taken this trip once before and driven straight on the way there, stopping in Barstow, California, to sleep the first night and Gabriella and I had stopped in Flagstaff, Arizona on the way back. This time, we were going to stay in Las Vegas. It was a little out of the way, but we were planning on taking a slight detour to spend some time in Vegas. There were rides there at the different hotels that we wanted to go on. We had reservations at the Stratosphere for tomorrow and Thursday night and then on the way back, we were planning on taking the regular route and stay in Flagstaff on the way home. We'd get home on Sunday, just in time for dinner at my place. My mom was cooking and she'd invited Gabriella's mom. We'd only be here for a few more weeks and they were all telling us how much they were going to miss us already.
"Mom's already crying again, Troy," Gabriella told me over the phone as I put my clothes in my duffel bag. Her mother had cried the night of the musicale, the night of graduation, and at least every other week whenever Gabriella would talk about moving out to Palo Alto. She was excited for her in every way, but she was going to miss her, just as much as my parents were going to miss me. My parents didn't cry though, not even my mom. She'd get a little misty eyed, but she didn't cry. "She's going to miss you," I told her, like I'd told her before. "I know, I just wish she didn't have to be alone. Her job is moving her again soon, up to Seattle. She'll be up there near my sister Carmen, but that's not for more than two months after I'm gone." I felt bad for her. I knew she was close to her mother, just as close as I was to my parents, or closer, so I knew how much she was going to miss her mother. "She'll be closer to you too out there. One day's trip if we leave early enough," I told her, grabbing some socks out of my drawer to finish packing my bag.
"You're right, Troy. Thank you," I heard her smile even though I couldn't see it. "For what?" I asked sitting down on the bed, cradling my phone on my shoulder and pulling my bag on my lap so I could zip it up. "For making me feel better." I was glad I could. I just wanted her to be happy above everything else. "You're welcome," I spoke softly, tossing my bag off the side of the bed, laying down, looking up at the ceiling as I took the phone back in my hand, laying my other hand on my chest. "You about ready to go, Gabs?" I asked, knowing she had been packing even longer than I was. "I just finished," I heard her grunt through the phone, pretty sure she'd just picked up her suitcase and sat it down off the bed. "Good," I said, closing my eyes. "I just finished too. I'm looking forward to Wednesday. I've never been to Las Vegas." I had told her before, but I was excited. "You'll love it," she told me. "We're going to have a lot of fun."
I smiled, yawning. "We should probably get some sleep," I suggested. "We've got a long drive ahead of us. We'll stop in Flagstaff for a late lunch and then have dinner when we get to Vegas. Any place you want to eat when we get there?" She was silent for a moment before answering, "I was thinking we could stop in at one of my old friend's house, but I don't have her number anymore and I'm not sure if she even lives there anymore." I opened my eyes, standing up off the bed and walking around to get some new boxers out of the top drawer. "We could always drive by anyway, some time on Wednesday so it's not too late tomorrow when we get there." I wanted to know all about Gabriella, more than I already did, and that included her past. She had lived in Las Vegas for almost a year when she was 14 and I'm sure she'd love to stop by and see some of her old friends, if they were still there. "That sounds great, Troy! I'd love that!" I walked across the hall and to the bathroom, turning on the light. "Good. I'm going to hop in the shower," I told her, undoing my belt buckle, pulling my belt undone with one hand. "I'll call you in the morning when I leave the house," I told her, undoing my pants and kicking them off. "Alright. I'll be ready. Good night, Troy. I love you." I smiled, leaning against the bathroom counter. "I love you, Gabs," I repeated, smiling, looking like a love-sick fool in the mirror, but I didn't care. I loved her and that's all that mattered. "Good night." I hung up the phone and took my shower quickly before heading to bed. Tomorrow was going to be a long day and I needed my rest.
I woke up the next morning at six, just like I had every morning for school so we could hit the highway by seven. I got dressed and grabbed my bag, tossing it on my shoulder before heading downstairs. Dad was sitting at the breakfast table already reading the newspaper and Mom was cooking breakfast at the stove. I hung my bag on the back of my seat before sitting down beside my dad. "Morning." Dad folded his newspaper, placing it on the table. "You ready for your trip?" I nodded, sitting back in my seat. "I gassed up the truck last night and made sure I had it tuned up Saturday. Gabriella and I mapped out our trip last week and she'll be an excellent navigator." Mom came up behind me placing my plate down in front of me and Dad's down in front of him. "Should we give him his present now?" Mom asked Dad as she picked up her plate and sat it down at her place at the table. Dad looked at me and then up at Mom, nodding. "Now's good." Mom walked across the kitchen, grabbing a gift bag off the counter before coming back over to the table, handing it over to me. I looked down at the bag and back at my mom and over to my Dad. "What's this?" Dad laughed, leaning back in his chair and crossing his arms over his chest. "Just open it."
I pulled the tissue out of the bag, balling it up and placing it on the table. Reaching back in the bag, I pulled out the gift. "A GPS?" I looked between the both of them before turning it on, putting the bag on the middle of the table by the balled up tissue paper. "Your father set it up for you lat night," Mom told me as I waited for it to search for a signal, which didn't take long. "It's got your destination plugged into it already with Las Vegas as your via point for tonight." I looked up at my mom. "Thanks, Mom." I turned to my dad, nodding at him. "Thanks, Dad." He nodded back, saying, "Maps are good, but this is a whole lot better. It's got a function where it can talk to you in 6 different languages, male or female. It's also an .mp3 player, so if you wanted to load any songs onto it later, you could do that. I think it even plays video." I looked back at the system, smiling brightly. "Thanks, you guys! This is awesome!" Mom sat down at her place at the table and after a moment, I turned it off and slipped it in my bag, turning back to them. "Seriously, you guys! Thank you." Dad patted my back, looking over at my mom. "Just do us a favor and don't get lost now." I laughed, shaking my head. "I won't, Dad."
I woke up to my alarm at 5:30, turning it off and walking across the hall to take a shower. I shaved and washed my hair before putting on moisturizer and getting out of the shower. Drying myself off, I picked up my brush, running it through my hair before starting to braid it. If we were going to be in the car all day long, I wasn't going to want to be playing with my hair or having to put it up in a ponytail later on. I walked across the hall and back into my room, shutting the door to get dressed. I walked over to my dresser and pulled out a pair of panties and a bra, laying them on the bed. I pulled my lavender and vanilla lotion out of my bag beside my suitcase, sitting back on the bed. I applied the lotion all over my body before sliding on my panties and putting on my bra. I stood up, walking over to my dresser again, pulling out a pair of white Capri pants and a green rosette jersey top with a white belt sown on to it. Walking into the closet, I pulled out a pair of white sandals, walking back over to the bed and sliding each of them on, buckling them around the ankle. Standing up, I smoothed down my pants before picking up purse, my essentials bag and grabbing the handle on my suitcase, pulling it out of my room and down the stairs.
I left my bags by the door, hanging my purse on the door handle before walking into the kitchen where Mom had homemade waffles ready and waiting with strawberries and whip cream. I smiled at her, sitting down at the counter where she was placing a waffle on a plate for me, sliding the strawberries and the can of cool whip closer to me. "Thanks, Mom," I spoke softly, picking up the spoon in the strawberries, scooping up some onto my waffle. I placed the spoon back in the strawberries, sliding them over by my mom. I picked up the can of cool whip, spraying some around on my waffle before handing it to my mom as well. She wasn't saying anything. I was sure the reason she wasn't was because I knew she'd start crying yet again. "I'm only going to be gone five days, Mom," I told her, turning to her. She stopped scooping her strawberries, returning the spoon to the bowl, placing her hands in her lap. She took a deep breath and I knew she was trying not to cry. I placed my hand on hers, giving them a slight squeeze. "Troy and I will be safe, I promise you," I added, swallowing softly. This was going to be hard on me too, but I had to stay strong for her. She looked up at me, the tears glistening in her eyes, threatening to fall. "I know, Mija," she whispered. "You'll call me every day, right?" I smiled, rubbing y thumb over one of her hands. "I promise." She smiled, nodding, pulling her hands from mine. "Eat. Troy will be here soon."
We ate our breakfast and I helped her with the dishes before drying my hands off and turning to her. I pulled her into my arms, hugging her gently. "I love you, Mom," I whispered softly, holding her close. I rubbed her back and smiled softly at her. "I love you, Gabriella." We stood, staring at each other, both of us about to cry before hearing a knock at the door. Mom stood back, taking my hand. "There's your boy. Time to go." I smiled, laughing slightly as she pulled me to the entryway, opening the door. "Mrs. Montez," he greeted my mom formally, with a nod of his head before turning to me. "Ready to go?" I smiled, pulling out my suitcase to him. "Ready!" He leaned down, picking it up. "I'll take this out to the truck," he said, turning out to take my suitcase out. I picked up my other bag and my purse off the door handle, turning to my mom. "Did you want to walk me out?" She looked out the door at Troy and then back at me. "That's ok, Mija." I wrapped my arms around her, kissing her cheek softly before stepping back. "I'll call you when we get to Vegas." Mom kissed my cheek back and stood back, wrapping her arms over her breasts. "Be safe." I smiled, nodding softly. "We will, Mom." I turned to walk out the door, walking down the sidewalk to Troy's truck. He opened the passenger door for me, taking my hand as I slide in. "Thank you," I said, smiling brightly at him. He nodded, winking at me. "You're welcome." He turned back, waving at my mom who was standing at the doorway. I waved at Mom as Troy ran around the truck and got in his side before starting the engine and pulling down the road.
I held Gabriella softly against my side as she slept against my chest. We were just getting to Boulder City after exiting from state highway 93 onto 2-15 which connected to I-15 which we'd be taking into California. It was just after eight o'clock which meant we wouldn't be getting down to the strip and to the stratosphere until close to nine. Most restaurants would be closed, but there was café in the hotel we could eat at in the casino lobby. We had checked out the website of the hotel while we were making reservations and knew there was Roxy's Diner that was open 24 hours. I looked down at Gabriella briefly before turning my eyes back to the road. Deciding to go to Berkeley was the best decision I could have ever made. I loved Gabriella and I didn't want to be away from her. I exited the freeway at the boulevard that lead to the strip, rubbing Gabriella's side. I started singing softly, just because, "I've never had someone that knows me like you do, the way you do. I've never had someone as good for me as you, no one like you. So lonely before I finally found," I kissed the top of her head, smiling softly, "what I've been looking for. So good to be seen, so good to be heard." I smiled, shaking my head. "Don't have to say a word. For so long I was lost, so good to be found. I'm loving having you around. This feelings like no other. I want you to know. I leaned my head to the side, watching her sleep, "I've never had some one that knows me like you do, the way you do." Running my fingers through her hair, I looked back up at the road as the light turned green. "I've never had someone as good for me as you, no one like you. So lonely before finally found," I rubbed my chin over the top of her head softly, smiling more, "what I've been looking for."
The Stratosphere was at the head of the Strip, but we would drive down it tomorrow night. Tonight, we'd just spend the night in the hotel room and maybe watch a movie until we fell asleep. I pulled into the parking structure, parking the truck before kissing the top of her head. "We're here, Gabs." She moved more against me, wrapping her arm more around my stomach. "Not yet. I'm comfortable." I smiled, rubbing her back softly. "If we didn't have luggage, I'd carry you in," I whispered at the top of her head. She turned her head up slowly to me, smiling sleepily. "I can walk," she yawned, sitting up straight. I got out of the truck, helping her out after she grabbed her bag, pulling it over her shoulder. I shut the door and got our bags out of the back of the truck, throwing mine over my shoulder and holding hers in one hand as I wrapped my arm around her waist, walking into the casino lobby. Checking in took a little less than five minutes before we took the elevator up to the floor our room was on. I opened the door, holding it open so she could walk in. I walked in behind her, laying her suitcase down on the suitcase holder after she set it up. "Thank you, Wildcat." I kissed the side of her head, dropping my bag on the chair by the table, turning back to her. "Wanna go back downstairs and eat or get room service?" She dropped her purse on the bed and turned around. "We can go down to the diner. I just need to freshen up." I smiled, turning around myself and walking to the window, pulling back the curtain. We had a really nice view of the rooftop pool from our room. It would be nice to take a late night swim, but by the time we were done eating, the pool would be closed. "Already to go." I heard Gabriella say and I turned around to see her, putting her bag down and picking up her purse.
I walked over to her, wrapping my arm around her waist as we left the room to go downstairs to eat. Gabriella ordered the blackened salmon filet and I ordered a mac and stew meal. We ate, talking about what we were going to do tomorrow. When we were finished eating, I paid for our meals before heading back upstairs with her. She used the restroom to change into her pajamas, a tank top and long shorts, while I changed into my pajamas, ball shorts and a T-shirt. We turned off the light and climbed into bed, turning on the TV. Multiplicity, a comedy about cloning staring Michael Keaton and Andie MacDowell. We weren't really paying attention as we laid there. She laid against my side, her head on my chest and my arm wrapped around her. I heard her yawn as she moved her hand slowly on my chest. "I'm so tired, Troy." I held her closer to me, kissing the top of her head. I turned on the sleep timer on the TV for twenty minutes. I knew both of us would be asleep before that twenty minutes. "Good night, Gabriella," I whispered as I closed my eyes, getting more comfortable with her. "I love you, Wildcat." I smiled, hugging her more to me, kissing the top of her head again before singing softly, "This feelings like no other. I want you to know, I've never had some one that knows me like you do, the way you do. And I've never had someone as good for me as you, no one like you. So lonely before I finally found," I yawned, getting closer to sleep, "what I've been looking for."