On Wednesday, January 20, 2016, we all turned on our TVs to Disney Channel to tune into the 10th anniversary of "High School Musical." You may have noticed someone was missing.....yup. Zac Efron, who played the main character, Troy Bolton.
As an OG Disney Channel fan, the "High School Musical" cast was more than just characters in a movie. They were real. I grew up with them and the trilogy. It was heartbreaking to see that Zac Efron did not come to the reunion. My 2006 self would consider this one of the hardest breakups I would experience. Wednesday night, my friends and I were getting dumped by Troy Bolton. And this is how I reacted:
1. Shock
Something is really not right. Something is not right -- really wrong.
*What? Where is Zac? I just don't understand.*
2. Denial
This is not happening. Where is he!? He was the main character of the movie! The movie that launched his career!! I was there from the beginning. He told us that "Troy Bolton is not saying goodbye!?"
3. Isolation
Realizing he will never come back. I just want to be alone and listen to "Gotta Go My Own Way."
4. Anger
The internet blew up. It wasn't just me who tweeted and commented on Zac's instagram.
"Once a Wildcat...always a Wildcat." You lied. Who does that! Who doesn't go to the HSM reunion!! Get your head in the game Bolton!!!
It's like HSM2 all over again when Troy ditched everyone for the basketball scholarship.
5. Bargaining
*Maybe if I hug him to death and cry he will stay*
Zac: Aw. Ummmm. Nah.
6. Depression
I shouldn't have had gotten my hopes up...Maybe the 20th or 50th anniversary he will go to??
7. Acceptance
I'm not the only girl that experienced this heartbreak. We're all in this together.