A New Journey (High School Musical 3: Senior Year)

Chapter 4: Can I have this Dance?

Just a week after the big game and the musical announcement, Grace got out of her car and met up with Taylor, Sharpay, and Gabby at the front of the school. Ever since the summer before, the girls had become good friends, along with Kelsi and Martha. Sharpay grinned as Grace got closer to the group and said, grabbing the other two girls' attention, "Well, there's our princess of sunshine! We were wondering when you were coming." Grace laughed and replied, "Did you really think I wouldn't show up?" Taylor just gave her friend a pointed look and said, "You did hesitate on doing another musical this year. Granted we all did but you were more hesitant than the rest of us." Grace chuckled and replied, "I had a reason to be, Tay." Just then, Grace's phone began to ring, grabbing the girls' attention. Grace smiled to herself at the caller's ID and said,  "Hello?" Troy's voice said on the other line, "How do you feel about having a date later after school at your house?" Grace chuckled and replied, as she and the girls walked into the school, "My house is almost completely barren, love. Are you sure?" Troy laughed and said, "We can make it work. I'll meet you at your house after school." Grace giggled and replied, "Alrighty then." The phone call ended and Grace turned to her friends, who had smirks on their faces. Grace just rolled her eyes playfully and said, "Come on, guys." The four girls burst out laughing as they walked into their classroom, starting their school day off with Ms. Darbus.

That afternoon, Grace and the rest of the gang met down in the parking lot where they usually met up at before leaving to go home. Grace was parked next to Troy's truck and Andrew was parked on the other side of her. Andrew turned to his sister and said to her, as her and Troy were leaning against Troy's truck, "Hey, can you tell Mum and Dad that I'm at Ryan and Sharpay's? Kelsi and I are gonna help Ryan choreograph for the musical." Grace nodded and replied, "No worries. I'll let them know." Andrew grinned at his sister and said, eyeing Troy who had his arm around Grace's shoulders, "Have fun on your date." Grace chuckled and said, rolling her eyes playfully, "Whatever. Have fun with Kelsi, Ryan, and Sharpay." Troy watched the siblings with a smile on his face, he always found it fun whenever his girlfriend interacted with her brothers. Andrew waved goodbye to his sister and her boyfriend before making his way over to his friends and girlfriend who were waiting for him. Grace turned back to Troy and said, smiling, "I suppose that I will meet you at my house?" Troy grinned and replied, "Yeah. I'll be right behind you." The couple then got into their separate cars and made their way to Grace's house. Grace pulled into the driveway first, followed by Troy who parked in behind her. As the couple made their way into the house, they took notice of all the moving boxes that were lined up in the hallway to the front door. Grace glanced around and said, calling out for her parents, "Mom?! Dad?! I'm home! Troy's here too! We're gonna hang out outside on the back deck!" Katherine's voice replied, "Alright, darling! Have fun!" Grace placed her backpack in one of the dining room chairs and led Troy to the back deck.

The couple then took their spots on one of the swinging chairs, with Troy wrapping his arm around Grace's shoulders. Troy grinned and said to his girlfriend, showing her pictures of two suits he and his dad had picked out the day before for prom, "Hey; I really need your help. Which suit do you think I should wear?" Grace looked up at her boyfriend with confusion and replied, "Because?" Troy chuckled and said, "Because you're going to wear a pretty dress so I want to look right." Grace giggled and replied, "I have never been to a prom, only to grand balls for royal events and such. But this sounds like an invitation to me. *She then looked at the pictures and pointed to one of them* That one." Troy nodded and said, grabbing tickets from his pocket, "I've never been to a dance, much less a prom. I was hoping these might give me a good start. And I figured, that if there was ever a chance that I would attend a royal event with you that requires dancing, this would be a good opportunity. Do you think that we're going to do a waltz? I have no idea how to do that. Grace smiled and and replied, giggling, "In England, Granny would always have the event attendants dance to a certain dance so she would always have myself, my brothers, and cousins practice before we went. My cousin, Will, and I would always be partnered up with each other and we were considered very good dancers. Come on, I'll show you."

The British teenager held her hand out to her boyfriend who took it and stood in front of her. From inside the house, Katherine had walked into the kitchen where she placed another packed box on the floors with the others. Her eyes then turned to see her daughter with her daughter's boyfriend in the backyard, looking like they were beginning to dance.

[Grace, Troy & Both]
Take my hand, take a breath
Pull me close and take one step
Keep your eyes locked on mine
And let the music be your guide
Won't you promise me? (Now won't you promise me)
That you'll never forget?
We'll keep dancin' (To keep dancin')
Wherever we go next

[Both, Grace & Troy]
It's like catchin' lightnin'
The chances of findin' someone like you
It's one in a million
The chances of feelin' the way we do
And with every step together
We just keep on gettin' better
So can I have this dance? (Can I have this dance?)
Can I have this dance?

[Troy, Grace & Both]
Take my hand, I'll take the lead
And every turn will be safe with me
Don't be afraid, afraid to fall
You know I'll catch you through it all
And you can't keep us apart (Even a thousand miles can't keep us apart)
'Cause my heart is ('Cause my heart is) wherever you are

As they sang and danced in the backyard, it began to rain and thunder. From inside, Katherine watched the young couple with adoration in her eyes. As she watched them, she remembered how much she and Daniel were very much in love with each other when they were young. Deciding to give them some privacy, the woman walked away to work on packing some more.

[Both, Grace & Troy]
It's like catchin' lightnin'
The chances of findin' someone like you
It's one in a million
The chances of feelin' the way we do
And with every step together
We just keep on gettin' better
So can I have this dance? (Can I have this dance?)
Can I have this dance?

[Grace, with Troy]
Oh, no mountain's too high and no ocean's too wide
'Cause together or not, our dance won't stop
Let it rain, let it pour
What we have is worth fighting for
You know I believe that we were meant to be, yeah

[Both, Grace & Troy]
It's like catchin' lightnin'
The chances of findin' someone like you (Like you)
It's one in a million
The chances of feelin' the way we do
And with every step together
We just keep on gettin' better
So can I have this dance? (Can I have this dance?)
Can I have this dance?

[Grace, with Troy]
Can I have this dance?
Can I have this dance?

As they came to a stop, the couple stopped spinning and stared lovingly into each other's eyes. Troy brought Grace closer to his chest and placed his forehead against hers, smiling. He let out a breathless laugh and said, "So, is that a yes?" Grace chuckled and replied, "In every language. Sí, oui, ja, yes." The couple then kissed passionately before it began to pour really hard. Katherine had come outside just as it did and said, ushering the couple inside, "Come on, you two! You'll catch a death out here if you stay a moment longer!! Troy, I don't want you driving home in this rain until it stops. I've already called your parents and they're fine with you being her. Come along!" The couple laughed and raced inside with Katherine closing the door behind her, shaking her head with a smile.