Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens shared one of the greatest love stories of all time. The world mourned their tragic break-up in 2010, and after five years, we’re finally ready to talk about it. But let’s focus on the positives--how we let Zanessa ruin us with their timeless, almost perfect relationship.
1. The ski lodge on New Year's - “Start of Something New” is unreal. I know it. You know it. This is not acting. Maybe two regular strangers would’ve had to put some genuine effort into this scene and actually make an acting choice. That's not necessary when you're helplessly falling in love with your co-star, which we have a firsthand account of in this number. It IS the start of something new, people.
2. The first meeting - The behind-the-scenes footage released with the DVD showed the original “High School Musical” audition from 2005, foreshadowing their real-life chemistry, and the world stopped. You know it’s real when a young V-Hudg falls for a gap-toothed, voice-cracking Zac.
4. Will you say all right? - Vanessa (basically) confirmed her relationship with Zac when she released her “Say OK” music video. And we all rejoiced. We were grateful for the confirmation, but even more so for the intimate look into their lives as a young couple in love. (I invite you all to Google the video and watch it right now. You're welcome.) The salt shaker bit. Sneaking away together at the diner. COME ON.
5. Hawaii (#1) - No one was happier or more in love than the two of them on this romantic Maui vacation. Their millions of fans might have been happier seeing these photos, though. Considering they made us all cry. LOOK AT THIS PICTURE. It's okay if you're crying again. I know. It's a lot to take in.
6. "Gotta Go My Own Way" - This scene ripped you apart. As it should. Those tears are real. This is NOT acting. On a more pleasant note, let's not forget Gabriella's incredible post-break up sprint to her mom's minivan (she hadn't gotten her license yet--good timing, Mrs. Montez). The more you know.
7. They are SO in love - Remember that time they showed up at the “Charlie St. Cloud” premiere together? And how they looked like royalty in comparison to everyone else? And then remember how they looked at each other like this? Same. Ugh.
8. Hawaii (#2) - They went back to Hawaii and were (almost) as cute as the first time around. Now it feels like they were just doing it to get to us, you know?
9. A Lakers game - So happy together. What went wrong, guys? I felt we had a good thing going.
10. Another Lakers game because ball is life - NOPE. I have no words.
11. Enough is ENOUGH - Their best picture from the "Elle" photoshoot is absurd. And unreal. And flawless. Classic Zanessa, right?
12. Their cutest "High School Musical 3: Senior Year" moment - Chad screwed up his prom-posal to Taylor, but Zac and Vanessa or Troy and Gabriella (what's the difference?) are too in love to care.
Zanessa forever.