Disclaimer: I don't own High School Musical. Obviously.

Had she known who was on the other side of the door, Gabriella wouldn't have opened it. Instead she would have stayed in bed, systematically destroying her wedding photos. But it was too late now. The minute she opened the door Troy had wedged his foot in the doorway and forced himself inside. Now he sat on the sofa, staring at his shoes and rubbing his wedding ring. Gabriella stood opposite him on the other side of the room, leaning against the doorframe. After a minute of silence, Gabriella grew irritated.

"Why are you here?" she asked, meaning to sound angry, but instead her voice came out as a barely intelligible whisper. Troy looked up at the sound of her voice. He suddenly noticed the large gap between them.

"Aren't you gonna come sit down?" he asked awkwardly.

"I'm fine here," she replied stoically.

"Oh…okay."

The couple lapsed into another silence. Gabriella shifted uncomfortably and began to inspect her bare feet. It took a moment for her to realise that she too was rubbing the spot where her wedding ring should be. Hastily she shoved her hands behind her back and cleared her throat loudly.

"Well?" she asked, her voice regaining some of its familiar strength.

"I'm leaving Albuquerque," Troy said cautiously, he looked up at Gabriella, scanning her face for some sort of reaction.

"What? Why?" Gabriella asked, mentally cringed at the alarm in her voice.

"There's a chance I could play pro in LA."

"Oh…right."

"Nothing's set in stone, y'know? But…they wanna talk and see me play and stuff. They probably won't even take me-"

"Of course they'll take you," Gabriella interrupted. "You're a greater player."

"Yeah," Troy said with a nervous laugh, "me and every other basketball player in the country."

"They don't wanna see every other basketball player play," Gabriella countered with an amused smile on her face; she had always found Troy's insecurities strange.

"You really think I can make it?" he asked, watching her curiously. "Even after…what happened," he added. The mention of that night brought Gabriella back down to Earth. For a moment she had begun to feel genuinely happy for him.

"You may not be able to keep it zipped," Gabriella said pointedly, smirking as Troy flinched, "but you're not too bad when it comes to throwing that ball."

Troy seemed to find comfort in her praise. He smiled to himself, forgetting all about her previous comment.

"Thanks."

Gabriella looked away, not quite sure how she was supposed to reply.

The couple fell into another silence. Troy watched Gabriella. She wasn't wearing any make-up. Her hair was pulled back into a loose, messy ponytail and her baggy tracksuit was doing nothing for her figure, but she still looked beautiful. Troy had never felt so stupid. If he'd gone to visit his parents like he told her, she wouldn't be standing on the other side of the room, completely out of his reach.

FLASHBACK

"I'm gonna go watch the game with my dad," Troy had called over his shoulder as he left the small apartment the couple shared. It had been a shameful lie but Troy had taken the short walk to the bar around the corner feeling guilt free. He needed some time to himself and that was something he would never get if he were honest.

"Oh. My. God."

It had only been a year but it took him a minute to place her.

Cheryl Harding. Cheerleader.

She stood with one hand on her heart, as if she were truly overcome by shock. Her jaw hung open. The faint precursors of a giddy smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.

"I don't believe it; Troy Bolton!" she squealed as she slid, uninvited, onto the stool next to him. Troy couldn't help but be slightly annoyed. He had gone to the bar in pursuit of some quite reflection, but once again, he found himself confronted with an eager reminder of his past.

Cheryl nattered on about her life. Troy had smiled and nodded politely, a small part of him desperate to uphold the Mr. Friendly person he had back in High School whilst she repeatedly told him just how shocked she was to see him there. Everyone knew that he had decided to go to U of A, but every single ex-east high student still had a heart attack at the sight of him in Albuquerque.

Gradually he found himself warming towards her. Troy suddenly remembered that he used to have a bit of a crush on her. It was before he became captain of the basketball team and the epitome of popularity. His mediocre social standings and messy break up with her best friend meant he didn't really get much of a chance. Before long they were talking about East High and the accomplishments or scandalous activities of their former classmates.

Eventually she asked him about Gabriella. They always did.

"How's the wife?" she asked slyly, She had the same amused look on her face as everyone else who made the same enquiry. Troy realised that just like all the others, she thought his marriage was ridiculous.

Troy had already guzzled down a couple of drinks before Cheryl arrived and had graciously downed the few she had brought him. It was probably why he suddenly felt compelled to tell Cheryl everything. He told her about the trivial arguments and the crazy mood swings. The ridiculous curfews she imposed on him and her insane need for control.

He started rambling, blurting out embarrassing and private accounts of marital life. Cheryl blinked. She was only 19; she didn't know much about marriage. But she did know about controlling relationships. She put a hand comfortingly on his cheek.

"I hate being married," Troy moaned quietly, just loud enough for Cheryl to hear.

"It's just one of those…marriage things," she improvised. Troy nodded dumbly but he didn't look convinced. He looked so sad that Cheryl couldn't resist. A part of her had always had a soft spot for Troy. She had been about to make her move when Gabriella Montez arrived. One minute he was playing basketball and going to parties, the next he was auditioning for musicals and taking Gabriella for picnics. Cheryl had always thought that he deserved better. So she kissed him.

'In you face Montez' she couldn't help but think with a grin, as Troy kissed her back.

END OF FLASHBACK

"So what happens now?" Troy asked, breaking the silence.

"I don't know."

"Do you wanna…like, get a divorce?" Troy asked cautiously. Gabriella's head snapped up and Troy could tell by the horrified look in her eyes that he'd said the wrong thing.

"Do you?" she asked incredulously.

"No, no!" he said quickly, standing up and closing the distance between them. He stopped awkwardly in front of her, judging by the panicked expression on her face, the hug he was hoping for was out of the question. "I just…I thought that maybe it was what you wanted."

"I'm Catholic," she said stiffly, pressing herself against the wall in a futile attempt to widen the gap between them.

"So you wanna…work things out?" Troy asked hopefully.

"I…I don't know."

"Because we can! We can work things out. You, me and LA, it'd be great!"

"LA?" Gabriella asked weakly.

"Yeah…you - you're gonna come with me right?"

"I…I don't think so," Gabriella murmured.

"But it's LA! We can get away from here, from Cheryl, from everything. It would be like starting all over again," Troy said desperately. He put his hands on her arms. "Don't you wanna start again?"

Gabriella shifted uncomfortably under the physical contact.

"Maybe it's for the best if we didn't. It's not like you being a big star is gonna help you keep your hands to yourself."

"Oh."

Troy pulled his hands away awkwardly and took a step back. He put his hands in his pockets and stared on the floor.

"So you just wanna…end it," he said sadly.

"Yeah."

"But you don't wanna get divorced?" Troy asked sceptically.

"I'm Catholic."

"Right. Of course…i…I guess I better get going."

"Ok."

Gabriella saw Troy to the door. He shuffled dejectedly down the hallway with his hands in his pockets. As she watched him open the door, Gabriella almost felt sorry for him. He paused at the door and turned to face her.

"I probably won't come back y'know. From LA I mean. I'm staying there, no matter what happens," Troy mumbled.

"Forever?"

"Forever," Troy confirmed before stepping outside and closing the door behind him.

Gabriella couldn't help but get the feeling that he was serious.

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Seven years later

"Hello?"

"What the hell is this?"

"Hi Troy."

"I'm serious. You got one too right, what's going on?"

"Care to elaborate? I can't exactly see whatever it is you're talking about."

"The party invitation."

"You're going to have to be more specific than that. I'm a popular person. I get a lot of invites."

"The one from Gabriella."

"Oh…that one."

"Did you get it?"

"Yeah."

"…"

"…"

"And? What's going on?"

"Have you read the invitation? I think it's pretty self explanatory."

"Yeah but it's not possible."

"And why is that?"

"Why do you think? She can't get married to that guy."

"Why not? I think he's quite nice."

"You've met him?"

"Yeah…"

"When?"

"Last year."

"How long have they been together?"

"I don't know… A while. Maybe a few years."

"A few years! Why didn't you tell me she was seeing someone?"

"You never asked."

"Do you think it's serious?"

"Troy…they're engaged. How serious do you think it is?"

"I don't know. Maybe it's just a joke."

"Well it's not…obviously."

"What's he like? He…he doesn't play basketball does he?"

"No…"

"Does he sing? Oh god he's on Broadway or something like that isn't he."

"Ew, no way. He's an architect or a lawyer or something like that."

"He's smart? Like Gabriella smart?"

"Yes Troy…he is fairly intelligent. Why do you even care anyway?"

"I don't…"

"Yeah, right. Listen I have a call on the other line. I guess I'll see you at the party."

"What? Sharpay wait! You haven't told me what he looks like."

"I'm hanging up now Troy."

"Wait! Has he got blue eyes?"

"Toodles!"

"Sharpay answer the-"

Troy growled in frustration as the phone went dead. He had resorted to calling Sharpay Evans, of all people, to find out the details of Gabriella's relationship. He had already tried Chad, Taylor and Ryan, but at the mention of the engagement party they had reeled off a variety of excuses and hung up. It seemed that everyone had known she was getting serious with someone, everyone that is but him.

Troy stared down at the envelope that had arrived at his beach house that morning. She'd sent a letter with the invitation. He took it out and read it again. Troy found himself wincing as he scanned over the words.

Dear Troy,

I know we have had our differences over the years, but I think it's time we put the past behind us. Literally. I've sent all the relevant papers. You might want to have your lawyer go over them. I want it to be quick and private so it would be nice if you didn't sell your story - I quite liked having our marriage a secret. Not to worry, I don't want any of your money either.

I've met someone. His name is Damien and yes, I am very much in love with him. I want to spend the rest of my life with him and it appears that he feels the same way. It would mean a lot if you came to the wedding. Nothing's finalised yet, but we're thinking early June. We're also having an engagement party in a few weeks. You should come along. Maybe you could bring that supermodel I'm seeing you photographed with everywhere. You can also meet Damien; I think you two would get along great. If Chad loves him then I'm sure you will too.

Lots of love,

Gabriella.

P.S. it would be nice if you brought the papers with you. Preferably signed.

P.P.S. I told you they'd take you. Hope you're ready for a little bit of storm though; Damien's a Knicks fan.

Troy stared down at the wad of documents Gabriella had sent him. He had already tried to read them but couldn't make sense of all the legal jargon. He groaned and threw himself down on the sofa.

This wasn't fair. He had spent a long time trying to get over Gabriella. Pretending that her love life was just as bad as his was had been easy up until that moment. Now it was obvious that she didn't have the same string of broken relationships as he did. Troy sat up, suddenly getting a brainwave.

This was the sign Troy had been waiting for. The kick up the arse that would force him back to Albuquerque where he would win his wife back. He had already spent seven years procrastinating, wondering if she was still in love with him or speaking to her lawyer at that very moment. Very soon it would be too late. She would be married to another guy and never think of him again.

Or will she…it's not like she can marry him while she's still married to me.

If he could just get Damien out of the picture then he could win her over. She would be much happier with him than she would ever be with Damien and most importantly, Troy would be happy too. Sure he had lots of money, lots of friends and lots of fans. He was playing for the Lakers and had filled his father's autograph book to epic proportions, but he was lonely. Supermodels, actresses and socialites could only provide so much companionship.

For a brief moment Troy began to doubt himself. It wouldn't be right to walk back into Gabriella's life again and completely tear it up. But if Damien's the real deal he'll stick and around and they'll stay together.

Troy nodded to himself, pleased with his logic. He would be like the ultimate test. Besides, he could wander in and out of Gabriella's life as he pleased.

She was his wife.

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