Back to the Dream Page
On Monday morning, Gabriella arrives at the attendance office of East High with a note from her doctor explaining her tardiness. She has just gotten back from the hospital where her stitches were removed from her left hand, leaving only a slight scar, which the doctor said should fade with time. Her mom dropped her off in the front a few minutes ago with a smile before heading off to work.
The secretary in the attendance office issues Gabriella a slip to excuse her from the morning as she hurries to her locker to pull out her Physics book and enters class a few minutes late. She hands the teacher her note and takes her seat, pulling out her notebook right away and scribbling down the notes she had already missed.
After class, Hunter walks with Gabriella over to their lockers and is glad to see she looks genuinely happy. Gabriella is using her left hand more freely, the pain having mostly gone away by the end of last week, and she seems to have lost a lot of her emotional turmoil, at least on the surface. His cell phone vibrates and he pulls it out, seeing it is his manager. "Hello?" he answers, putting his books away and taking out his lunch from the locker before closing it.
"Hunter, we have to talk. We have a major emergency on our hands!" Johnny, his manager, exclaims. "Amy has come down with a serious case of laryngitis this morning and is not going to be able to sing with you tonight at the launch party!"
A huge sense of dread washes over Hunter as he leans against the lockers and runs his left hand over his face. "That's awful. Is she going to be okay?"
"Hunter, she'll be fine and get over the illness. I am more worried about your career! What are we going to do? We need someone to sing her part for the duet since it is going to be the second release from your album tomorrow, accompanying the release of your CD!" Johnny replies. "Do you know anyone who could pull this off tonight?"
Hunter eyes Gabriella, who is humming to herself as she organizes her locker. "I think I do. Can you arrange for the crew on the chartered flight taking me to Hollywood this afternoon after school to expect a few more people? I have someone in mind but I don't want her going by herself."
"Sure, who is this girl?" Johnny asks intrigued.
"Just someone I know here at East High. Don't worry, she'll be great. See you tonight Johnny!" Hunter says, hanging up. He approaches Gabriella, who looks over at him as she closes her locker. "Gabriella, I have a favor to ask of you…"
"I can't believe we are on a chartered plane going to Hunter Smith's launch party!" Taylor squeals. "This is so amazing, thank you Gabriella for taking me with you!"
Taylor leans over the aisle and hugs Gabriella, who happily returns it. "I couldn't think of anyone else I'd rather come with!"
"Here you go ladies," a flight attendant says, handing each of them a Shirley Temple. "Mr. Smith, can I get you anything else?"
Hunter shakes his head as he continues to tap his fingers on the armrest of his seat, nervously thinking about tonight. To his relief, Gabriella had agreed, although very reluctantly. Her nervousness of being in front of crowds almost held her back from saying yes, but Hunter was able to convince her that she should do it. Of course, it helped when he laid it on kind of thick as to how much she would be helping him. He had learned in the past few weeks how good of a heart Gabriella has and kind of used that to his advantage, which he didn't feel guilty about since he knew she would enjoy it once it was over.
To help her out, Hunter told Gabriella she could invite a friend but that he would need to know their dress sizes, assuming the friend was a girl, so he could have his manager find dresses for them both when they landed for them to wear for the night. Gabriella quickly asked Taylor at lunch to come with her but didn't reveal that she would be singing with Hunter tonight. She didn't need the extra pressure of someone else knowing quite yet.
Both girls took the chance at lunch to call their parents and ensure it would be okay. There were no objections, especially from Mrs. Montez who was told about Gabriella singing. She was so excited for this chance for her daughter, she would never dream of interfering. Each girl drove home after school to grab an overnight bag. Mrs. Montez had come home early from work to make sure she saw her daughter off and to give her a huge hug. "Make the best of it Gabriella and good luck!" she said, hugging her daughter tightly before watching Gabriella and Taylor drive away from the Montez household.
Taylor and Gabriella also had to be excused from school on the following day as they would not be able to make it back to Albuquerque until the following night so they had also gone to the teachers of the classes they would be missing before they went home to get homework and assignments to make the time up. Hunter was already checked out for the rest of the week as he had radio and TV spots to do to play up his new CD, so he was all set and was waiting for the girls at the airport.
As the plane drops suddenly and tilts downward indicating their decent, Gabriella gets the overwhelming feeling of nervousness as she realizes that this was all real, that she would be singing the duet off of Hunter's album with him, in front of hundreds of people at the party. He had given her a set of music sheets with the notes and lyrics but she had sheepishly told him that she already knew the song.
"How?" Hunter asks, curious as to how Gabriella had the song in her head already since the song and album both were not released yet.
"Umm, well, the internet?" she answers, blushing.
Hunter couldn't help but laugh at her embarrassment. "Once again, you manage to amaze me Gabriella Montez. I'm glad you know it already though. It will make it easier to sing tonight."
When they land at the airport, Johnny is waiting for them in front of a SUV with tinted windows. Hunter and Johnny exchange a quick hug before Hunter introduces Gabriella and Taylor to his manager.
"Nice to meet you ladies," Johnny greets. "We have you sharing a suite together for the night, I hope that is okay."
"Absolutely," Gabriella responds immediately.
"Perfect," Johnny returns. "Your dresses should also be there and I have a stylist scheduled to come to your room in an hour to do your hair and makeup for the evening. Hunter, which of these ladies will be performing with you tonight?"
Hunter wraps his arm around Gabriella's waist and brings her closer to him. "Gabriella Montez will be joining me. We rehearsed some at lunch and I think it sounds good. She knows the song already. I guess those leaked lyrics and song clips actually paid off for once," Hunter explains, surprising Taylor who was hearing this for the first time. She shoots Gabriella a look, which Gabriella responds to by mouthing "later" to her.
"All right. I would like to hear you sing though before we leave tonight for the party. You are expected to arrive at 8:30, which gives you about three hours to get ready and rehearse some more. Everyone is already hyped about your album Hunter, we just need this extra push to guarantee success."
Hunter nods his head to show his understanding and ushers the two girls into the SUV before him as they drive to the hotel. There is a hoard of screaming fans already outside the hotel, causing Gabriella and Taylor to grin.
"We're on this side of the rope, how weird is that?" Taylor whispers to Gabriella who agrees. "Seriously, how does he do this every day?"
"Very carefully and strategically," Hunter responds with a smile. "Ready for the madness?"
The two nod and the door is opened by Johnny, who lets Hunter out first and has the two girls wait a few minutes before having them exit. The screaming gets quieter as Gabriella and Taylor exit the SUV, murmurs starting from the fans as to who the mystery girls with Hunter Smith were. They give the crowd a quick wave and quickly walk into the hotel's lobby, unsure of what else to do.
Johnny is waiting for them and hands them their room key. "Gabriella, can you please meet me in Hunter's room as soon as you are dressed and ready? I would like to see you sing the duet before we go."
"No problem," Gabriella returns, grabbing her bag from the bodyguard who had taken their bags out of the SUV for them and going up to the suite with Taylor. Once they are on the top floor, they get off and look for the suite. They find it and Taylor swipes her key, pushing open the door and letting out a shriek of excitement as she sees the room.
Gabriella follows Taylor in, allowing the door to slam behind her, as she takes in the elegance of the living room and the wonderful bedrooms, one for each of them. The two girls look at each other and let out another scream of excitement before trying to calm down. "No one is going to believe this back at East High! I need to take pictures," Taylor says, putting down her bag and pulling out her digital camera. She runs around the suite taking pictures of everything as Gabriella puts her stuff down in her room, sitting on her king sized bed and making mental notes of everything she is feeling at the moment – excitement, happiness, shock, and nervousness.
She puts her room key down and realizes that there is another key with a number on it. 'That must be to Hunter's suite for rehearsal,' she thinks, making sure to put both in her purse.
"Gabriella, when were you going to tell me about the duet?" Taylor asks, interrupting Gabriella's thoughts. "When you sang together tonight?"
Gabriella turns to face her best friend. "No, I was going to tell you before the party but I didn't want to tell you before we were here because I was already nervous and I guess telling you makes it even more real, which increases my nerves. See, my hand his shaking," she explains, picking up her left hand from her lap and showing Taylor the trembles.
"Oh, Gabriella, you have nothing to worry about," Taylor comforts, sitting down next to her best friend and giving her a hug. "You have the winter musicale and the decathlons behind you, events which were done in front of a crowd and you were wonderful in both!"
"But this is in front of hundreds of people I don't know, with the exception of you, and people who I've seen on the television or heard on the radio. Not exactly the same crowd here," she exclaims, slowly starting to panic.
Taylor looks at her friend who is becoming more and more flushed thinking about tonight's performance. "All right, you know what you are going to do? You are going to focus just on Hunter on the stage and me in the audience. Forget about everyone else. Gabriella, no matter what happens, as long as you give it your best shot, you are going to do what you came here to do. Let your instincts and nature come through and act on their own accord. You'll be a success, I know it!"
Gabriella gives her friend a grateful smile and hugs her, just as there is a knock on the door. Taylor runs out to grab it and yells, "Gabriella, you better get out here!"
Gabriella runs into the living room and stops as she sees two stylists with makeup kits and hair supplies in their hands, another person wheeling in a rack of dresses, and a hotel employee carrying in a dozen white roses. Taylor runs over to the roses and snatches the card from the bouquet as it is set down on a table and reads, "To one of the most amazing and most talented women in the world. You'll be great tonight! Hunter." She lets out another scream as Gabriella feels a huge grin spread across her face.
"I hate to interrupt this moment ladies, but we really need to get to work in order to have you ready on time. Ms. Montez, will you pick out your dress so I can work with you on your hair and makeup?" a stylist asks, directing Gabriella's attention to the dresses. She goes over and examines each, surprised at the variations in styles and colors both. Finally, she settles on a silky black dress with an empire waist that ends just a little above her knees and also flares out. The top half of the dress conservatively covers everything but does not have any sleeves. Gabriella takes the dress off the rack and hands it over to the waiting stylist who smiles at her choice.
Gabriella sits in the chair for the next thirty minutes, patiently waiting to see what miracles the stylist will perform as the stylist wants to surprise her and has her face away from the mirror. Once done, the stylist sends Gabriella to change into her dress and heels, helping her get the dress over her head but still blocking her view of herself. Gabriella grabs her purse and goes out to the living room where Taylor is still getting made up. She looks over at her best friend and hears her gasp with a big smile on her face.
"I take it that I look good then?" she asks.
Taylor smiles even bigger. "Try absolutely wonderful and sexy!" Taylor squeals, bouncing in her seat to her stylist's chagrin. "I guess you better go to Hunter's suite to practice before we leave right?"
"Oh, right! Wait, I want to see what I look like!" Gabriella exclaims, running back into her room and looking at herself in the floor length mirror. "Wow, you did wonders!" she says, turning her attention to the watching stylist.
"I just did your hair up, leaving a few of your strands loose to curl and light make up. The beauty you see is all you Ms. Montez," the stylist responds with a smile.
Gabriella hugs the stylist tightly before leaving the room and finding Hunter's suite where there is a pair of bodyguards posted who let her in. "Hunter?" she calls out, entering and looking around. "Johnny?"
"Gabriella, you look wonderful," Johnny says, coming out of a room. "I like that upsweep of a hairdo. Makes you look very elegant."
"Thank you," she replies, blushing slightly.
Hunter enters the room from his bedroom and grins. "I would have to disagree with you Johnny. I think she looks absolutely amazing and the word beautiful also comes to mind." He approaches Gabriella and gives her a quick hug and a kiss on the cheek. "You really do look lovely tonight Gabriella."
She can't help but full on blush at this, making Hunter laugh. "Thanks Hunter, for everything," she says.
"Ah, but the night is not over. We still have the party!" he returns.
Johnny puts in a CD with the instrumental version of the song they are going to perform and begins to hand Gabriella the lyrics but she shakes her head. "Don't worry, I have it down," she informs him shyly. He nods his head and takes a seat on a barstool to watch the two. The song starts and Gabriella and Hunter get lost in the song. By the time they are done, Johnny is on his feet.
"Hunter, she is amazing! Gabriella, what formal training have you had?" Johnny asks, simply blown away by this girl from East High Hunter brought with him.
Gabriella shrugs her shoulders in response. "None really. Just a few performance and, of course, my shower," she says with a giggle.
"You may want to think about getting an agent my dear. That's a wonderful voice you have. And the two of you really do sound great together. Hunter how did you know?" he asks.
Hunter grins, looking at Gabriella. "How did I know she had a voice of an angel? Because we are doing the fall musicale that I told you about together. We were friends before but as soon as she started singing, I fell into her trance."
Gabriella rolls her eyes. "There you go again, Mr. Sweet Talker," she comments.
"No, I mean it 110%. Tonight is going to be fabulous and I owe a lot of it to you," Hunter replies, giving her another kiss on her cheek. Johnny sees this and eyes the two together. 'I wonder if they have any idea of the media frenzy they are going to cause tonight…' he wonders to himself.
"Well, I can see we don't need to spend any more time here. Gabriella, is your friend ready? If so, I would like to get you three into the car. Hunter, did you plan on walking in by yourself?" Johnny asks, having a feeling what the answer would be.
Hunter looks over at Gabriella and addresses her. "Gabriella, what do you think? Should I look like a loner going into my own party or would you do me the honor of escorting me?"
"ME?" she returns, shocked. "Don't you want some drop dead gorgeous Hollywood starlet or star on your arm?"
"Are you kidding? It sounds like you want me to ask Jasmine or something," Hunter jokes, earning a playful slap on the arm from her. "Kidding, just kidding! So, seriously, do you think you want to do it?"
"I'd love to," she responds, looking into his eyes.
"Great, so it is all settled. Let's get your friend Gabriella and get going." Johnny directs. They go down the hall, with the bodyguards in tow, and pick up Taylor, who is ready and waiting. She is dressed in a green velvet dress that is knee length with a halter top. Her black hair is down but curled with two green barrettes pulling some of her hair away from her face.
"You look stunning Taylor!" Gabriella exclaims, smiling at her friend who looks a little unsure of herself. "If Chad was here, he would so be dying, promise." This brings a smile to Taylor's face as she becomes more confident about her look.
The two girls follow Johnny with Hunter behind them. They make it out to the SUV without problems, probably because they used a side entrance this time, and set off for the launch party. When they arrive, both girls are overwhelmed by the many photographers and fans that are waiting for Hunter Smith to arrive, all along the street and outside the club they were going to. Hunter looks over and chuckles at the wide-eyed girls who are looking around in amazement. "Welcome to my world ladies," he says, genuinely glad he had their company tonight. "Far cry from East High, right?"
Both Gabriella and Taylor nod in agreement as the driver rolls the car to a dead stop. "Are you really going to go out with him?" Taylor asks of Gabriella before Johnny opens the door.
Gabriella nods with a grin, excitement and nervousness feeling her senses once again. "He asked me to and I'm absolutely flattered by it. Johnny said you would be walking on your own after us. Are you going to be okay?" Gabriella asks, concerned for her friend.
"Duh, I'll be fine. No one is going to hassle a no-name like me. You go out there and enjoy yourself Ms. Montez."
Gabriella hugs Taylor quickly before she is told that it was time for their entrance. Johnny opens the door as Hunter gets out in his black suit and red shirt, which Gabriella thought he looked rather hot in but would never admit to him. Hunter turns around and offers his hand to her to help her out. She is almost blinded by the amount of flashes that goes off in her face as every photographer and fan wants a view of the lucky woman who gets to accompany this super star. Once down from the SUV, Hunter draws her left hand into the crook of his arm and begins walking down with Gabriella on his arm. They stop a few times here and there to pose for pictures, evading questions about who she was to him, and finally making it inside the club.
They wait a few minutes at the door for Taylor, who arrives flustered. "Oh my God, it is so different being the one walking down. Even for a no-name, there is a whole lot of attention!"
"It's because you are so pretty," Gabriella returns, smiling at her best friend. "Now, let's go enjoy ourselves!"
Taylor and Gabriella link arms and wave at Hunter as he turns to Johnny to discuss the timeline for the night and who he needed to meet with while there. The two best friends on the other hand were free to wander around the party, trying different appetizers and drinking sodas. They were offered champagne and a few other mixed drinks but both declined, not wanting to taint this special night with something like that.
Before much longer, Johnny jumps up on the stage set up and introduces the man of the night, Hunter Smith, to the crowd, which cheers for him as he takes the stage. Hunter has a huge grin on his face and gives a short little speech, thanking everyone from coming out. He starts in on his single that was released a few weeks ago and both girls watch mesmerized by his performance. Hunter Smith, the East High student and friend was gone, replaced by Hunter Smith, the movie and singing star.
Gabriella feels a hand on her back and she looks over to see Johnny smiling at her. "A fan too huh? That's good," he says. "Listen, you are going to be up next. Are you ready?"
"Now?" Gabriella squeaks out, looking around at all the people, both famous and not who are watching Hunter sing.
"Now or never," Johnny replies. "Don't worry, if you sing like the way you did for me earlier, you'll do fantastic. Remember, nerves are just a feeling that you can conquer; you just need to put your mind to it and focus on Hunter. He'll catch you if you fall; he's a good performer like that."
Gabriella nods her head as she squeezes Taylor's hand to let her know she was leaving and it was her time. Taylor flashes her a grin and pulls out her digital camera, mouthing good luck to the departing Gabriella. By the time she reaches the side of the stage, Gabriella's stomach is overfilled with nerves, which she tries to settle but is not too successful in. She reaches into her purse and fingers the familiar necklace that she used to wear, smiling a little as she gains comfort just feeling it with her finger tips. Gabriella snaps her purse closed just as Hunter wraps up his first song and steps back to the microphone to introduce the next song.
After adjusting the microphone next to him to what he thinks is Gabriella's height, Hunter steps back to his own microphone and smiles at the cheering crowd. "Thank you everyone for your support of this new album of mine and the first single. Along with the launch of the album tomorrow, my second single will also be released. Now the talent on the single recorded is not the same as the one you are about to hear, but you won't be disappointed by the one tonight. May I now introduce, Ms. Gabriella Montez!" he announces, holding his hand out to her for her to take as she walks onto the stage, fighting her nerves each step of the way. "Gabriella has agreed to accompany me on this duet, which I hope you all enjoy."
Hunter lets go of Gabriella's hand as she steps up to the microphone stand and takes in a deep breath, closing her eyes as she listens to the music start and Hunter begin his verse.
"Whenever you're around, my heart skips a beat, there's nothing else like that feeling. They say it won't last, that we're too young, but baby you've got me singing."
Gabriella, realizing it is her turn, opens her eyes and looks down at Taylor, then at Hunter beside her before joining in.
"Every time you come around, my soul soars, leaving me with this tingling sensation I can't shake. They tell me I'm crazy, that you're no good for me, but darling I know you're the one for me."
Hunter smiles at her as she completes her solo verse before joining her in the chorus and continuing the song. Neither of them takes their eyes off each other, focusing on one another to get them through the rest of the song. As the song comes to a close, Gabriella holds the last note as Hunter gets closer to her and leans down to kiss her cheek. Not realizing, Gabriella turns her head to look at him again, and is surprised to find Hunter's lips softly kissing her own. Lights flash from cameras as they pull away, each looking at each other with questions in their eyes. Realizing everyone is staring, Hunter is the first to break out of the moment and smile at the crowd.
"Give it up for Gabriella! Wasn't she amazing everyone? Well, that's all for tonight for live performances. Thank you again for everyone coming out and I look forward to meeting you all in a few moments," Hunter announces on his microphone before putting his hand in the small of her back and walking her off the stage.
Taylor is there and screams as she engulfs Gabriella in a huge hug. "That was amazing Gabriella! You did fantastic for someone who was so nervous. I told you that you were going to be just fine! Oh and that kiss!" Taylor says, that last part in a quieter tone just for Gabriella.
Gabriella returns the hug and smiles but darts her eyes over to Hunter who is also looking down at her. "Let's go outside Gabriella," he suggests, taking her right hand in his left. She turns her head to Taylor to silently ask if it was okay for her to leave her again and Taylor nods, mouthing "go" to her best friend.
Hunter and Gabriella go out on the patio, which is not too crowded as the party is mainly inside and the wind was blowing a bit of cold air. They find a secluded spot and sit down together on a cushioned bench. Hunter keeps her hand in his, looking down at them intertwined, wondering how he was going to talk to Gabriella about all that just happened.
"Listen Hunter," Gabriella starts, only to find Hunter placing a finger on her lips to stop her from going forward.
"Gabriella, I have something to tell you first," he says, a range of emotions in his eyes.
Taylor watches from inside, seeing only a little bit of their faces from where they are on the patio. 'I wonder what they are saying to each other. That was a really well done duet but to top it off with that kiss, wow,' she thinks. Her phone rings and she picks it up and smiles as she sees who it is.
"Hi Chad," she answers. "How are you?"
"I'm good. Just got back from Zeke's house with Troy and Jason. Zeke, I hate to say it, is becoming an even better chef and baker. Who would have ever thought that a guy like him with so much game on the courts would do so well in the kitchen?"
Taylor laughs as she knows her boyfriend is still struggling with that revelation. "Oh yeah? Well that's good you guys were hanging out tonight."
"So where are you?" Chad asks, wondering about the loud music. "Is the party at some club or something?"
"You would not believe it! This whole day since we got on the chartered flight has been amazing, wait that isn't even a good enough word for this. Let's just say, I have pictures that will still not do this experience justice. Gabriella and Hunter just got down singing together and…"
Chad interrupts her. "Wait, Gabriella, our sweet and quiet little Gabriella, got up and sang with Hunter Smith tonight?"
Taylor hears another male voice in the background, which she eventually figures out is Troy. "Tell Troy hello for me," she says, not clearly understanding what he is saying in the background.
Troy's voice gets on the phone. "Was she wonderful?" he asks, hope in his voice.
Taylor smiles, knowing how much Troy still cared for her best friend. "Yes, more than wonderful actually," she replies, leaving out the kiss as to not hurt him. "You would be proud of her."
The phone gets transferred back to Chad. "Sorry babe, he wanted to ask. Little love puppy here and all…oww!"
She laughs as she imagines Troy probably punch Chad in the arm. "I knew there was a reason I liked Troy. He keeps you in check for me!"
"Well, I better let you go so you can enjoy the party. Tell Gabriella that Troy and I are both happy for her," Chad says as Taylor looks back out the window to see Gabriella's head leaning on Hunter's shoulder.
"Sure. Good night Chad," Taylor returns, unable to take her eyes off her best friend and her new guy in her life. 'I just hope both Gabriella and Troy don't get hurt worse at the end of this,' she thinks, wondering what tomorrow would bring.