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Four and a half years later…
Gabriella grimaced at the sudden stop she had to make in order to avoid rear-ending the car in front of her as the signal light ahead turned red. Seeing this was her opportunity to finish her hair, Gabriella quickly twirled her straight dark brown hair around her ponytail's base and used bobby pins to secure the netting she slipped over her now, almost neat bun. Gabriella checked it out in the rearview mirror just as the car in front of her began to move again, although at a slow pace.
'Slow down Gabriella, getting worked up about this isn't going to get you to the studio any faster,' said Gabriella to herself as she stayed a good distance behind the other car until she was able to turn off the road she was currently on and into the parking lot of the Royal Copanvy Ballet Company. Gabriella quickly grabbed her bag after parking the car and ran into the building, up three flights of stairs, dumping her bag and street clothes into her locker, slipping on her pointe shoes, and running into studio 17 just as the class began warm-ups at the bar.
"Good of you to join us Princess," said Rodger, the instructor of the class. "Quickly, take your place with Christopher and start warming up."
Gabriella silently nodded her head as she dashed over to where Chris Sonders was currently standing, stretching out his back as he leaned back, greeting her with a smirk on his face though as she picked up where everyone else was at for the current combination.
"Late again Ella. You know Rodger will eventually flip out on you for that, princess or not," teased Chris, his green eyes sparkling with laughter.
"Shut up Chris," hissed Gabriella, resisting the urge to "accidentally" smack him in the face with her hand as she turned.
Gabriella focused for the rest of warm-ups, only letting her mind wander a few times while doing easy stretches. She glanced over a few times and found herself always shaking her head as Chris would catch her gaze and smirk at her, making her want to laugh. 'God, I've known this guy for what, four and a half years now? Chris still has his ways of getting a reaction out of me, no matter what I try,' thought Gabriella. 'Yep, it really has been four and a half years since I started ballet dancing as a way to forget, an emotional outlet to stop the tears. I can't believe so much has really changed since then yet hasn't.'
"Anna, you are getting a tad sloppy over there," called out Rodger, shaking his head in a disapproving manner, calling Gabriella by the name she used within the ballet company with the exception of Chris, while Gabriella aligned her leg better behind her, nudging Chris in the chest in the process.
"Ouch, Ella! You are wearing wood at the tips of your toes," whined Chris, rubbing his chest as he pulled back from leaning forward.
Gabriella rolled her eyes as she turned around to the do the last set of warm-ups. "Oh stop being a baby," whispered Gabriella. "It wasn't even that hard."
Chris didn't have an opportunity to say anything back as Rodger came back around and gave them both a look, causing them to finish the set in silence before the true pas de deux work began in the middle of the room.
Gabriella felt herself shiver as Chris wrapped his large hands around her waist but it wasn't the type of shiver Gabriella had when she was in love with the guy, it was more of a shiver of anticipation of the routine they would be rehearsing for the day. Ever since Gabriella started those years ago, she fell in love with ballet and the way she was able to express herself through a constructive channel, instead of just bawling like a baby. 'Of course, it helps that Grandmother loves the ballet so I get instant approval from her for just doing this.'
As the classical music filled the air though, Gabriella pushed all thoughts out of her mind as she focused instead on the music and the complicated ballet steps she and Chris were performing together. They finally nailed the lifts that had been giving them trouble for the last three weeks and Gabriella ended in a graceful pose after the pirouettes that ended the combination. After holding the pose for a few additional moments, Gabriella finally dared to look at Rodger who was looking at herself and Chris who had now come back over to stand with her, both nervous as to what the instructor had to say to them. The other students looked on as Rodger continued to just stare at the dance partners, neither knowing how to respond to that focus in his eyes.
Just as Gabriella was about to scream out of nervousness, a smile appeared on his face. "I think I just decided on our leads for this season's ballet! This year, instead of all the nervousness and everything that goes with announcing when we are watching you all in class for casting, we wanted to catch you on your every day performance, for that truly reveals your talent and character. Congratulations Christopher and Anna, you have several weeks destined to spend together with lots of hard work and hopefully a just reward at the end."
The entire room erupted in applause as everyone gathered around, giving them hugs and shaking hands. When the commotion died down, Gabriella ventured over to Rodger and gave him a small smile. "Thank you Rodger, this is such an amazing opportunity!"
Rodger grinned back. "You've earned it, despite your tardiness. No more of that, especially after today all right? You have a lot of hard work ahead of you and I know you and Christopher have great chemistry and work ethics together but I need you on your best. I cast you because you were simply right for it and don't you let me catch you thinking it's because of what you are either. If you danced like a duck and were the queen herself, I wouldn't cast you in the lead. Chorus maybe but not lead."
"Thank you, I needed to hear that," admitted Gabriella, giving Rodger a hug.
"I figured as much," returned Rodger, stepping back from the hug and looking back at his class. "So, as you all have figured, casting will be posted by the end of tomorrow! Rehearsal schedules will be up early next week. I need you all on your top form so that means take care of yourself, eat, drink water, you all know the drill. I will not stand for crash dieting either, let me remind you. Hospital visits are not on my agenda this year!"
"Oh, Ella, guess you have to give up those cheeseburgers again if I'm supposed to lift you in the lead role!" teased Chris, earning a swift jab in the ribs by Gabriella's elbow.
"Just for that, I'm eating three tonight," murmured Gabriella through her smile, knowing she'd hear it from Rodger if he had heard her while he was talking.
Once Rodger was done, the class continued with its normal floor routines, leaving Gabriella and Chris to talk to Rodger at the end to get all the details about the ballet the company was doing this season and all the other details they were privy to as they were the only one cast at the moment.
As Gabriella walked out of the Royal Copanvy Ballet Company's building, Chris by her side and her ballet bag on her hand, she spotted two familiar photographers and waved, smiling a little more at them. "Hey Martin, hi Henry. How are your families?" she asked.
Martin took a few more pictures before lowering the camera. "The wife is doing well, she's due any day now actually with our first baby."
Gabriella nodded her head. "A daughter right?"
Martin grinned back at her. "Yes, a daughter. Heaven help me if she's as lovely as you are."
Gabriella felt her cheeks warm at the compliment. "Thank you Martin, you always find a way to make me smile more. And you Henry?"
"As well as can be expected. My parents are doing well and my sister-in-law wanted me to thank you for those flowers you sent her last week while she was in the hospital. It was very sweet of you," replied Henry, letting his camera hang from around his neck. "You always think of so many other people."
Gabriella shrugged. "I'm just glad she's doing well. All right gentleman, I have to run as I have an appointment. See you two later!"
Both photographers nodded and headed their own ways to their cars, leaving Chris and Gabriella to walk back to the parking lot together. "I still don't understand how you handle all this so well," commented Chris, shaking his blonde haired head. "You're even friends with the paparazzi and their family!"
"Don't call them that!" protested Gabriella. "Trust me, Martin and Henry are photographers on my list. Paparazzi are those people who invade your space, tying to catch you at your worst so they can get high amounts of cash for them only to attack you again the next day and the next. I lived through that once and I never want to deal with the true paparazzi again. Martin and Henry I've come to care for because they really are men who are working to support their families and who respect me and my privacy. Paparazzi would never let me walk to this parking lot alone with just you accompanying me to my car as this would be great fodder for the next scandalous romance rumor."
Chris just shook his head at his friend and partner. "And that right there is proof you have pent up emotions about all this. I just think it's cool. I mean, after all, my co-starring lead in our ballet company's production is the princess of our country. Heaven help me if I drop you on stage," teased Chris, his green eyes twinkling with laughter.
Gabriella rolled her eyes at this and unlocked the driver's door of her car, throwing her bag in. "You are impossible Chris. I'll see you tomorrow morning then?"
"Tomorrow morning, 6 AM. That run is going to do you wonders, promise," said Chris, leaning in and kissing Gabriella on the cheek. "I'll meet you at the park near the palace all right?"
"It's a plan," agreed Gabriella, getting into the car. "See you Chris!"
"Bye Ella!" called out Chris, watching Gabriella safely leave the parking lot before getting into his own car and driving home.
"Are we done with the formal session now? Can we just have girl talk?" asked Gabriella, anxious to tell Emma Westmore her news.
Emma and Paul had gotten married a year and a half ago, having officially taken to each other two years before that. Gabriella had always suspected that there was something going on even before then between her therapist and her bodyguard but it took a lot of time and pressing from Gabriella herself to get the relationship started. Now, they were happily married and lived in a house of their own, close to the palace, with Paul still working as Gabriella's bodyguard as needed while Emma had official therapy sessions with Gabriella once a month under Queen Lauren's insistence.
Emma eyed the other woman and shook her head, putting the pad of paper and pen down on the side table. "All right, no recording of what you are about to say. What is this news you have to share with me?"
"I got the lead!" screamed Gabriella, surprising Emma enough to cause the other woman to drop her mouth wide open and leave it that way for a few moments.
"You what?" exclaimed Emma. "Did you really?"
"Yes, me and Christopher both! Isn't that amazing! I'm going to be the lead in the Royal Copanvy Ballet Company's performance this season! All that dedication and hard work has paid off!" stated Gabriella, a wide grin now on her face.
"Gabriella, that's amazing!" said Emma, her own smile on her face. "Congratulations, truly that is such an accomplishment! Your family is going to be so happy!"
Gabriella nodded her head. "I know the grandparents will for sure love it and Mom and Dad will be happy because I'm happy. God, it's just incredible how much my life has changed since you and started talking all those years ago Emma. It really is so different."
"Well, you have come quite a long way from your Albuquerque, New Mexico days. No more Alicia Covina, no more Riley Sutton and his nightmares, except for the very few occasions, no more aggressive paparazzi, and no more gossipy high school kids who for the most part attacked you and your character out of their jealousy of your life. I agree, you've come a long way, young princess," agreed Emma.
"And then there's that, being an actual, royal princess. How do you think I've adjusted to the life?" asked Gabriella.
"I think you've done really well, at least as well as could be expected for coming into all of this so late in your life. You handle all social occasions now with grace, are friendly with all the people of Copanvy, and are well loved actually by most of them. I'd say you've adjusted quite well," commented Emma. "You have quite a bit going for you now Gabriella, that much you must realize, especially with this new lead role of yours."
Gabriella nodded her head, her face now showing some sobering from her happy mood. "I know but sometimes, sometimes I can't help but feel that I'm missing something still, something I know I had a taste of seven years ago and haven't felt since. Call me crazy Emma but I still miss him, I still have these feelings for him," confessed Gabriella, looking down at the gold ring that still sat on her right hand, despite the heartache she experienced four and a half years ago, despite having not really spoken to him since. "I'm going crazy again aren't I?"
Emma sadly shook her head. "No Gabriella, not crazy. You're just still in love with the first guy who really loved you and who was your first true love. I was there, I saw that connection and chemistry between you two. It's not something you easily forget Gabriella, no matter how hard you try. If you feel this way, why don't you just call him? I know your cell phone has changed at least twice since we all left the United States so there is no way for him to call you."
"No, I couldn't do that," argued Gabriella, her voice soft as she thought back to the years she was sixteen and seventeen and was head over heels in love with Troy Bolton. "He's moved on with his life and probably doesn't even remember me."
"Right, that boy, I mean guy, forget you and what you shared? Need I remind you that he loved you so much he is probably still carrying scars from the scuffles he got into that year?" returned Emma.
"Just as I still have mine," returned Gabriella, unconsciously rubbing her side where she knew a pale scar still marred her skin. "Anyway, I still can't believe that Taylor and Chad are finally getting married this year. It's so weird knowing that they are still together and more committed than ever. I mean, yes they broke up for a few years but they were brought back together by that love. That has to say something."
Emma eyed Gabriella, silently wondering if Gabriella still harbored hopes that the same thing would happen with her and Troy. "It does, I agree. What about your other friends from East High, oh and West too?"
"Tessa is doing good. She's playing the field, having had I think three serious relationships after she and Zeke Baylor broke up barely into their freshman year. The distance was too much for them, which I for one totally understand. Sharpay and Ryan are both freelancing as they call it, dating whoever they want. I haven't heard from Martha Cox, Kelsi Nielson, or Jason Cross in ages actually. God, we all really are so grown up now aren't we?" stated Gabriella.
"That you are but I think it's still great that you've kept in touch with those that you have. It'll be good for you to see them at the wedding too," said Emma, looking at her watch before picking up her pad of paper and pen again. "Well, unfortunately I have to run. I need to go start dinner. Paul's parents are coming over and I need to make sure this time, dinner is all ready before they arrive or risk having his mother invade my kitchen again."
Gabriella laughed, standing up with Emma and walking out of the room together. "Heaven help us if that happens again."
"Exactly," returned Emma, digging through her purse for her keys. "So I will see you over at our house on Friday right for dinner?"
"Wouldn't miss our weekly tradition for the world," replied Gabriella, hugging Emma before she stepped out into the main hall of the palace. "See you Em!"
"Bye Gabriella!" called out Emma, giving Gabriella one last smile before walking through the hall and out to her car.
Gabriella, left to her own devices, went up the main staircase and down the hall, through the numerous hallways and finally reached her private bedroom, entering and closing the door behind her. Feeling a bit nostalgic from that brief talk with Emma, Gabriella went to her walk in closet and pulled down one of two boxes from that fateful year of her life, setting it down on her bed as she crawled up next to it. She took the top off and smiled immediately as she saw the familiar scrapbook her friends from back then had put together for her, feeling a sad smile on her face as she pulled it out of the box, laying it on her lap before getting the courage to look at it again. 'It's not like I don't talk to Sharpay, Ryan, Tessa, Taylor, and even Chad every once in a while. But it just isn't the same, even during visits,' thought Gabriella as she flipped through the pages, finding laughter bubbling up as she saw some of the candid pictures that were included mid-way through the scrapbook.
Before she could get to the last part of the scrapbook, one she knew was full of pictures of herself and Troy, there was a loud knock on her door. Gabriella looked up and smiled as Paul peeked his head in. "Everything all right?" he asked.
Gabriella nodded her head. "You just missed your wife."
"Figured as much since you were here," said Paul as he strode into the room, glancing down and seeing the now closed photo album sitting on Gabriella's lap. "Trip down memory lane?"
"Something like that," replied Gabriella, quickly tucking the scrapbook back into the box and putting the lid back on. "Sometimes I have to wonder how my life would have turned out if Dad hadn't come back that spring with news of this new life that I have now. Would things have turned out that much differently?"
Paul gave her a sympathetic smile. "That's the thing with fate and life. You just, well, you just never know," answered Paul. "Come on, let's go get some ice cream or something to cheer you up."
"You do realize that Emma is going to kill you if you're late to your parents' dinner at your place right?" returned Gabriella, carrying the box over to the closet to put it back before she met Paul at the door.
"Who said anything about me being late? I'm never late when it comes to Emma," returned Paul.
"Right, sure you aren't. Sometimes, I have to wonder what she sees in you," teased Gabriella as she and Paul continued down the hallways, the side stairs, and some more hallways before they reached the kitchen. They scooped their ice cream and settled down there in the kitchen, not even getting a weird look from the kitchen staff who were used to this behavior from the bodyguard and princess both, as Paul and Gabriella talked and joked for the next hour.