Alex had been scared out of her mind as the curtain opened, but by the time she spoke her first line, all of Alex's nerves had jumped off her body and were long gone. She had to keep the smile off her face when she wasn't supposed to be smiling because she was doing what she loved. She was doing what she loved more than anything.

So far the show had gone with very few flaws and now it was time for Alex and Carson's big duet. Breaking Free was arguably Alex's favorite song in all of HSM, however, it was also a song she always dreaded because she had such strong memories of Adrian associated with it. Said memories always came to the forefront of her mind whenever she sang the song, and it never ceased to make her want to cry. Sadly there was no avoiding anything.

Carson opened his mouth to sing and a rich melody began pouring out of him.

"We're soaring, flying, there's not a star in heaven that we can't reach."

***

"If we're trying. So, we're breaking free."

Adrian spun Alex around cheesily as he continued singing.

"You know the world can see us, in a way that's different than who we are."

"Creating space between us, till we're separate hearts."

Alex and Adrian continued singing with Troy and Gabriella on the tv, mirroring their movements.

It had taken some convincing on Alex's part to make Adrian watch 'High School Musical', but the conversation didn't go long and here they were, singing their hearts out. The conversation had gone something like this:

"Hey Adriannnn," Alex said, her voice rising in pitch.

"Yes..?"

"Why don't we watch 'High School Musical'?" Adrian sighed and rolled his eyes.

"Alex no, I am 13 years old. I am in middle school. I don't watch stupid girly kiddy movies anymore." Alex smirked.

"I'll let you sing Sharpey's parts."

There was a small pause as Adrian battled his mind. Finally, he smiled widely.

"Fine, deal."

Alex knew Adrian adored the 'High School Musical' movies, even if he wouldn't admit it. After all, that was the job of a best friend, to know the guilty pleasures of your counterpart and then tease them about it as much as possible as well as entertain them. Plus Adrian and Alex had known each other since Alex was born. Alex figured she should know him pretty well by now and no matter how hard he tried to hide it, Alex knew her friend was still the same seven-year-old boy who danced in front of the tv with the little five-year-old girl who loved 'High School Musical'. Though soon enough it wasn't only the little girl who loved the movie, it was also the boy.

As Alex and Adrian finished up the song, Adrian paused the movie. Alex pouted. "What was that for?" she moped.

"I just think it's really important you listen to those lyrics," Adrian said. "Break free. No matter what life throws your way you're going to get through it. You're so strong Alex, never forget that." he paused. "I love you." Alex's face softened.

"I could say the exact same thing to you." Alex went over to hug her best friend. "Also," she said looking up at Adrian. "I love you too." Adrian smiled and the two stayed in an embrace for a little while before Alex stole the remote out of her friend's hands.

"Hey!" Adrian protested. Alex laughed.

"Enough sentimentality, I wanna finish the movie!" Adrian smiled and shoved Alex forcefully onto the couch so he could steal the remote back. He pressed play.

"Hey! No fair!" Alex accused, but Adrian just stuck his tongue out at her.

***

As Alex looked around at the stage she was on, at the people she was sharing it with, the people backstage, the people in the audience- she knew she was never going to forget Adrian. She knew her life was always going to be a little bit more miserable because he wasn't in it, but she also knew she couldn't let it control her.

Adrian would have wanted her to be happy.

Alex knew she had found a home where she was. Even if her first thought every day was how much she missed her best friend, she had made more friends. She could be happy again. She could be happy for right now. She would just have to teach herself how, because if you're not happy then what's the point? No matter how much success you have, no matter what you own, if you're not happy then you're not living life to its fullest.

That should be everyone's goal.

To live life to its fullest.

Everyone's goal should be to be happy because there's always a way to be happy. The road may be long and hard, but you'll get there eventually. There's always a way to find joy, even if you have to learn how. You may need to get help, you may have days where you feel that you can never take another step but you can keep going. You can. Because once you climb the mountain that you're on, the mountain you struggle up every day-

The summit will be beautiful.

So for right now, Alex could be happy. She could forget the past for just a night.

"We're breaking free."

***

A/N: Wtf??? I finished part one! This is the end of part one y'all!! What did you think???

It's so long...I'm going to need to edit so much...

Thank you so so so much for reading this chapter!! You've made it to the end of part one of the book! I- my mind. It's exploded. I can't believe we're finally here. If you liked this chapter please consider leaving a vote or a comment and again thank you so very much to those of you who have supported me in writing this, y'all mean so much to me.

Love,
Sunny <3