Summary: Gabriella is afraid that she might love Troy, as she fears they will go their separate ways.

Song: "Bigger Than Us" by Hannah Montana.

Gabriella's POV

L-O-V-E, L-O-V-E.

The dreaded four letter word, love. Something I told myself I would find by my 18th birthday, which is in one week. How am I going to find love in seven days? I have a boyfriend, and his name is Troy Bolton. Don't get me wrong, he means the world to me. But I'm not exactly sure if I love him. I like him…a lot. It's just that…If I love someone, I want it to be for the long haul, not just for a couple of months, or even a year. I want it to last forever. I don't know if Troy and I will last forever. Look at us, he's a basketball star, I'm a geek. It just doesn't click. If we were meant to be together, let me hear a click at this very second. Click. Wait, what? I looked over at Troy. He had just buckled in his seatbelt.

"Gabriella, you okay?" he asked.

I shook off my blank expression, "Yeah, just peachy! Um, let's just go." He nodded and fired up the ignition. I looked over at him, he was smiling at me. I blushed and smiled back.

I see your face; I look in your eyes

What you feel is no surprise

Everyone needs something to believe in

"Gabriella, I can't wait until our acceptance letters come." Troy started to say. "I've been waiting all my life to play with the Redhawks at the University of Albuquerque. I really hope I get in."

I smiled, "You're a shoo-in, Troy. Of course you'll get in. I just hope I made it into Harvard."

Tell me your dreams, I'll tell you mine

In our hearts we'll look inside

And see all of the colors of the rainbow

I know

I sighed. Another reason why I feared love. If I was in love with Troy, I would have to leave him soon, if I got into Harvard. The University of Albuquerque was a great school, and it was my second choice. But it's always my dream to attend Harvard. But I want to be with Troy. I'm guessing this is what Mom went when she told me life was full of choices. I want to go to Harvard, I want to be with Troy, and I want to believe in love.

We all wanna believe in love

We all wanna believe in something

Bigger than just us

Stop with all the negativity, Gabriella. Just because Troy won't be a part of your life for a long time if you get into Harvard doesn't mean you can't love him. Ugh. I'm not that good at self pep talks.

"Gabriella, are you sure you're okay?" Troy asked me as he held my hand. "You seem a bit tense,"

"Me? Tense?" I scoffed, "Not at all."

"Well, is there something you're worried about?" he asked.

"No," I said meekly. I hated lying to him. My mind drew back to thinking about love. I've never felt this way about someone before, could it be love? Or was I just caught up in the feeling of finding someone that I like so much?

We all wanna be a part

Of the greater picture

That's hanging in out heart

Yeah it's bigger than us

"Okay, I'll see you tomorrow?" Troy questioned as he leaned over and kissed me on the cheek.

I smiled faintly and nodded, "You will." I got out of his car and waved as he drove off. As soon as his car disappeared around the corner, I turned swiftly on my heels and walked to my front door. I rummaged through my bag and pulled out my keys. I glanced at the key ring photo of Troy and me working at his uncle's car wash, soaking wet. I chuckled; we had a lot of good times together. The keys jingled as I slipped them through the key jack and slowly opened the door. I tiptoed into the house, hoping I wouldn't wake up my mother.

"Gabriella?" I heard a soft voice call. Sure enough, my mom was sitting on the recliner, wearing her fuzzy bathrobe.

"Hey Mom," I said quietly as I reached over and gave her a hug. "Did I wake you up?"

She smiled, "Oh no, honey. I was already awake. I was just wanted to give you some good news!"

I gasped, "I got into Harvard?"

Mom shook her head, "Mm, not yet. But your chances are looking good; I got a call from Kelly Fisher, who works at Harvard's admissions office. She said the booster board is very impressed by your application!"

"Are you serious?!" I shrieked, jumping up and down.

"Yes!" Mom replied, just as excited. She threw her arms around me, "Oh Gabriella, I'm so proud of you! Can you believe it? Harvard!"

"Wow, it's too good to be true!" I cried.

My mom cleared her throat, "Remember Gabriella, this doesn't mean you're in, it just means your chances are very high."

"Yes, Mom." I said seriously.

"Ah, who am I kidding? Congratulations!" she cheered. "Now that's enough excitement for one day. Get some sleep." she kissed my forehead before making her way upstairs.

I smiled proudly, "Oh my God," I whispered. "I can't believe this is happening." I went up the stairs and flopped onto my bed. I reached for the phone, "Wait until Troy hears this!" I stopped smiling. "Oh no, Troy." I cocked my head and looked at all the framed pictures I had of him. "I have to see past my own little world." I told myself. "What about Troy? I'm sure being on the other side of the country will affect him, too."

I wanna see beyond my own little world

Grab your hands so we can twirl around the galaxy

See the world with clarity

Oh ooh oh

"Hey beautiful," a voice said as someone covered my eyes. "Guess who?"

I laughed, "Let me guess, Troy?" I said as I turned around. "Why are you here? Guys hate this stuff." I was right. No guy wanted to accompany his girlfriend when Nordstrom was having their big blowout anniversary sale. Their day would be spent lagging around huge bags while their girlfriends were looking for more stuff to buy.

"You're right," he told me. "But I figured I'd come here, since I just finished playing basketball with Chad…and there was nothing on TV."

I nodded, "Okay. But prepare to be my human shopping cart." I warned him.

He sighed heavily, "I was afraid of that."

I painted a smile on my face, I was scared inside, and I was planning on telling him yesterday's news. I'm going to tell him today, I thought to myself. Let's just make this a good day before I break the news.

After shopping, eating, and scarfing down ice cream, I decided it was time to tell him. "Troy, I have something to tell you." I explained.

"Okay…" he said, waiting for me to continue.

"Um, my mom got a call from Harvard's admissions office, and the board was impressed by my application." I blurted out.

"Really?" questioned Troy. "That's great!"

"It is?" I asked nervously.

"Of course it is!" he answered. "Gabriella, there's a very high chance you'll get into Harvard! Isn't that something you're supposed to be happy about?"

"Yeah, it is. But aren't you worried about us? If I get in, I'll be all the way in Boston while you're here in Albuquerque. Doesn't that affect you at all?" I asked as I bit my lip.

"It does, but we'll make it work. Right?" asked Troy.

I closed my eyes and sighed, "You're right. We'll make it work." I didn't want to tell him how skeptical I was.

We have such a long way to go

But I know

We're getting closer everyday

Everyday

"Gabriella, you've been acting really weird lately. What's going on? Are you nervous about your birthday or something?" Troy asked, looking worriedly at me.

"Uh-huh, that's why!" I lied. "I'm just nervous about turning the big 1-8, you know? I'll see you later, Troy." I quickly gave him a peck on the cheek and stormed off. Nice going Gabriella, like he's ever going to believe that. I hated this feeling: Telling myself I didn't love Troy, when I really might love him. Crap. I was going to do something I hadn't done in a long time, have a good long talk with my mom.

As soon as I got home, I raced into the house, ran up the stairs, and hurried to my mom's room. "Mom?" I asked, my head peeking through the door. "Can I talk to you?"

Mom's eyes looked up from the book she was reading. "Oh! Of course, honey, sit down. Now, what's going on?" she asked as she took off her reading glasses.

"I'm afraid," I told her simply.

"You're afraid? Of what? College?" she asked, brushing a stroke of my hair to the side.

I shook my head, "No, not college. Troy,"

My mom looked confused, "You're afraid of Troy?"

"No! No, Mom, I'm not afraid of him, I'm just scared that I might…love him." I explained.

"Oh," my mom said. She perked up. "Oh, oh! Aw, Gabriella…you're in love!? How sweet!"

I frowned, "Mom, you're not helping!"

"Oh, I'm sorry sweetie, what is it that's bugging you?" Mom asked.

"Well, if I love him, what will happen when college comes, and we have to go our separate ways? What will happen to us then?" I cried.

My mom sighed, "Oh, Gabriella. I can assure you that almost every couple goes through this phase. It's part of maturing, and growing up."

"Then what does every other couple do?" I asked her desperately.

Mom raised her eyebrows, "Well, most of the time they either vow to make their relationship work, or they break up."

"Oh," I whimpered.

"Gabriella, have you tried talking to Troy?" said my mom.

"That's the thing, Mom. I'm too afraid to tell him how I feel." I gushed.

"Well, if you want to make your relationship work, that's your only option." she said sternly.

"Oh man," I winced.

Mom sighed, "Gabriella, I know how you feel. I went through the same thing with your father, I've been there. Everyone wants to find love. But to have it, you have to believe in it."

We all wanna believe in love

We all wanna believe in something

Bigger than just us

"Okay." I smiled faintly. "Thanks for the talk, Mom."

She chuckled, "Anytime, sweetheart."

We all wanna be a part

Of the greater picture

That's hanging in our hearts

Yeah it's bigger than us

The following Saturday, I woke up to my mom stroking my hair. "Happy 18th birthday, Gabriella!" she said as she flashed me a grin that stretched from ear to ear.

I smiled back, "Thanks Mom." I rubbed my sleepy eyes and threw out a yawn.

"Look what came in the mail!" my mom exclaimed, showing me a giant envelope.

My eyes widened, "Oh my God. Is that what I think it is?" I asked.

"Mm-hm, straight from Harvard!" my mom squealed. She handed it to me, "Are you ready?"

I bit my lip and nodded, "Yes, I can't believe I'm actually doing this. Okay…" I took a deep breath before opening the envelope. I pulled out the letter with my eyes closed. "Alright," I said as I took one more deep breath. I opened my eyes and read the letter. "I…got in!" I screamed at the top of my lungs.

My mom burst out in happiness. "Oh Gabriella, congratulations! I am so incredibly proud of you!" she wrapped her arms around me and gave me a giant bear hug. "You deserve all of it, honey. You've worked so hard for this. All that hard work has paid off!" she shrieked.

I wiped my tears, "Oh Mom, it's a dream come true! I can't believe this is really happening,"

Mom placed her hands on my shoulders and smiled proudly, "Well, it is, honey. And I couldn't be any happier. Oh, I have to call your grandmother!" she said as she hurried out of my room. I smiled as I watched her leave the room. I dropped onto my bed and gave out a sigh of relief. It felt like a huge weight was lifted off my shoulders.

"I'm guessing you got in?" Troy asked excitedly. I turned around to see him standing on my balcony.

I chuckled, "You guessed right! Troy, I can't believe it! I've wanted this my whole entire life, and now I finally have it! It's all so perfect."

"I have some news too!" Troy pulled out a letter addressed by the University of Albuquerque and held it so I could read it.

I scanned the letter, "Mr. Troy Bolton, we are pleased to inform you that you have indeed been accepted to the University of Albuquerque…" my voice trailed off when the news sunk in. "Oh, no way!" I cried happily.

"Yes way!" Troy responded. "Isn't this great? We both got accepted into our first choice colleges!"

"I know! It's so…" I paused mid-sentence. I frowned, "…heartbreaking."

Troy's smile faded. "What do you mean? You've always wanted to go to Harvard. Isn't it your dream?" he asked.

"Yes, it was my dream. No, it still is my dream. It's just…how are we going to make it through this, Troy? How am I going to make it through a day without seeing you, let alone an entire semester? I don't think I can take it. Not seeing you is too hard; after all…I love you." Oops.

"Y-You love me?" Troy stammered as he scratched his head.

I gulped; it was time to come clean. "Yes Troy, I…l-love you. That's why I've been acting all weird lately. You see, I promised myself I would find love by my 18th birthday. I was afraid that if I loved you, we'd have to go our separate ways for college and our relationship will fall apart. And if I love someone, I want it to last forever, you know?"

Troy paused for a second. "I know."

"You do?" I asked, surprised.

"Gabriella, of course I do! Don't you think I'm afraid of our relationship falling apart?" he asked seriously.

"If you are, how come you seemed so calm when I told you about the phone call from Harvard?" I reminded him.

"I was trying to think of the positive." he explained. "Gabriella, I love you too. Thinking about the future all the time is just going to make it harder for us to go to college. Just think about the now, everything will work out, okay? We can get through this, love is something big. Bigger than us."

It fills the universe

It lights the skies above

It rescues our hearts with love

I smiled as I hugged him, "I love you, Troy."

I could feel Troy tightening his grip on me, "I love you, too."

"Gabriella!" My mom called from downstairs. "Hurry and change clothes so we can start getting ready for your party tomorrow!"

L-O-V-E, love

With love

L-O-V-E, love

All of a sudden, that word didn't seem so scary anymore. Love. "Happy birthday, Gabriella!" My friends would say every now and then.

I walked over to my mom and hugged her. "Thanks for the party, Mom. It couldn't be any better."

"Aw, I'm glad you like it, sweetie. If you don't mind, could you get the mail? I know it's your party, but my hands are full, and it will only take a second—"

"Don't worry, Mom. I'll get it." I stepped out the front door and got the mail. As I was flipping through, I noticed another large envelope. "What?" I asked myself as I read the large bold letters. "University of Albuquerque. Oh no." I ran up to my room and locked the door. I quickly opened the envelope and read the first sentence, "Miss Gabriella Montez, we are pleased to inform you that you have indeed been accepted to the University of Albuquerque." My heart sunk. "This can't be happening." I had the chance to go to college with Troy! But what about my lifelong dream?

"Gabriella? Gabriella honey, are you okay?" my mom asked, knocking on my door.

I sniffled, "I'm fine, Mom. I just need some time to think."

"Do you want to talk?" she asked.

"Sure," I said as I unlocked the door.

"So, what's going on?" she asked as she took a seat on my bed. I handed her the letter. "Oh, I see." she muttered.

"Mom, this is a great opportunity for me to be with Troy, but I've had my heart set on Harvard since day one." I said.

"Honey," my mom started to say as she placed a soothing hand on my shoulder. "This decision is entirely up to you."

I looked at her with sad eyes, "But don't you want me to go to Harvard?"

She pursed her lips, "Of course I want you to go to Harvard. I want you to go to any university that will provide you with a good future." She looked straight into my eyes, "No matter what you choose…I will love and support you 100."

I sighed in relief, "Thanks Mom."

She smiled lovingly, "Of course. Remember, I'll support you no matter what you choose." She kissed my forehead and left the room.

After she left, I gathered all my Harvard brochures on my desk and dropped them on my bed. I huffed heavily and placed my University of Albuquerque acceptance letter right beside the brochures. "Life at Harvard seems so great, I'll be in the center of a historical colonial town, and it will be a great opportunity to live on my own." I switched to the University of Albuquerque letter that came with one brochure. "But at University of Albuquerque, I'll be around everything I love. My family, my friends, and Troy."

That's what's bigger than us

It's love, it's love

That's bigger than us

It's love, it's love

That's bigger than us

It's love, it's love

"Ugh," I groaned as hot tears rolled down my face. I was frustrated, I couldn't choose. Both schools were great, but I had to decide which one was best for me. I wiped my tears and let my head drop onto my pillow. I held the brochures close to my chest and sighed. Turning 18 couldn't be any harder. "Snap out of it, Gabriella!" I told myself, angrily. "Stop moping around, feeling sorry for yourself and make a decision!" I closed my eyes tightly for a few minutes, blocking the rest of the world out of my head. I then took a deep breath, I had made my decision. I slowly walked out to my balcony and looked ahead at the blazing sunset.

"Gabriella?" I heard Troy's voice say from the other side of the door.

"Come in," I replied in a raspy voice.

"What's going on? You've been up here for over two hours. Is everything okay?" he asked.

I sniffled and wiped the last of my tears, "Everything's fine. Troy, I need to talk to you." He nodded for me to go on. I handed him my U of A letter.

He skimmed through it before replying, "Wow, you got in. That's…great." he said unenthusiastically. I could tell he was going through the same thing I was. He knew I had the chance to be with him throughout college, but would have to leave my dream to do so. "Look, Gabriella, as much as I want you to go to U of A, you should go to Har—"

"I'm going to U of A with you, Troy." I interrupted him.

"Huh?" Troy asked, confused.

I nodded, "I've made my decision. As much as I would love to go to Harvard, Albuquerque has something Harvard doesn't have."

Troy raised an eyebrow, "What's that?"

I blushed, "You. My dream has always been to go to Harvard. And now, just getting the letter, knowing that I'm good enough to go there…that's good enough for me. As long as I have you."

Troy seemed speechless, "Wow. So, are you okay with this? I know how much Harvard means to you."

"It was the hardest decision of my life," I told him honestly. I looked at him and smiled, "And the best one."

We all wanna believe in love

We all wanna believe in something

Bigger than just us

A/N: Okay, this one is obviously longer than the last one, lol! The song is "Bigger Than Us" by Hannah Montana. As you can probably tell, I decided to make this a collection of Troyella one-shots and songfics. And, I know the University of Albuquerque isn't a real school, it's just the university that's in High School Musical 2. OMG, I can't believe it comes out next Friday!

If you liked it, please review! If you didn't like it, please don't bother and save me from heartbreak. :) Also, if you're an Ashley Tisdale fan, please join my forum called Tizzalicious! The link is in my profile.

Love,

Kayslee ♥