They'd both known it was coming, but that didn't make it hurt any less.

"This never was going to last, was it?" Gabriella asked, shaking her head and brushing her hair out of her eyes.

"Probably not," Troy admitted.

They sat on the edge of the East High stage, legs dangling. Music and laughter could be heard in the distance as everyone caught up with old friends. Troy and Gabriella sat close together, but not close enough to touch. The tension between them was palpable and they refused to look at each other.

"I wish I hadn't met you at that ski lodge. That it could have happened later. Five years from now, maybe, when we'd actually have a chance."

Troy reached over to her and wiped away the tears streaming down her face gently, barely holding back his own tears. She finally met his eyes, biting her lip.

"Don't say that," he said, shaking his head. He smiled, but it didn't light up his face. Not the way it did when they were kids. "You came into my life at just the right time, you know that? Flipped an entire school upside down. You changed all of us for the better. You changed me for the better."

"Yeah," she whispered with a watery smile.

They were silent for a moment on the empty stage.

"So much has happened in this room," Troy finally said. "Do you remember that time I accidentally stapled Ryan's shirt to that ladder?"

"While he was still wearing it!"

Gabriella's warm laughter rang through the air, sparking a chuckle from Troy, and they both smiled genuinely. She lay a hand on top of his, squeezing softly.

"For what it's worth," she said, "you changed me, too. I'm so glad I met you, Troy."

"Me too," he told her honestly, his voice hoarse.

Gabriella leaned closer and pressed one last kiss to Troy's cheek. They each relished in the moment, savoring every second as they flew by all too quickly.

When she pulled back, she offered him a brilliant smile.

"Thanks for everything, Wildcat."

Then she turned around and walked away, her footsteps echoing as she left Troy alone in the dim light.