Disclaimer: Own zippity do da.

Pairings: Ryella.

Warnings: Fluff. Angst. Not like my others.

Sitting here beside Ryan I couldn't think of another place I wanted to be. He was one of my close friends. He helped pick up the pieces of myself that had been torn apart when Troy cheated on me. He turned my sadness into laughter. He erased all the self doubt which clouded my thoughts. I can't imagine a day without him. I breathed in the devine air that seperated us.

It was a still quiet night. We had driven to the outskirts of town to look up at the stars. He was entranced by the stars above while I was captivated with the star beside me. I shivered and pulled my jacket tighter around me.

"Are you cold?" he asked.

I smiled shaking my head, that's not why I had shivered. His blue eyes shone deep and true. My heart beated sharply in my chest. I looked back at the sky. We weren't doing anything, we were doing wonderful enjoying each other's company.

If only he would kiss me, she prayed. She looked at the stars and made a wish.

"Hey Gabi," Ryan said looking over at her.

"Yeah?" she asked. He was going to kiss her, she realized. She smiled shyly.

"I think Im going to ask Kelsi out this weekend." he said decidedly.

"Oh," Gabriella let out in surprise realizing she had assumed incorrectly. In one second she thought he was gonna kiss her and in the next it had become clear he liked another.

"You like her?" she asked.

He smiled sheepishly. "Yeah. There's something about her. She's special."

She hid the tears that blinded her vision. If only Ryan had felt that way about her. "Yeah. I know she'll be happy to go out on a date with you."

Gabriella felt like she needed to leave before he saw that she was upset. Her throat felt raw and scratchy. She wiped the tear that slipped from her eye down her cheek.

Ryan glanced back at her when she had moved her hand up to her face.

"What's wrong?" he asked concerned.

"Nothing...Im just so happy...Being here with you. Most guys would think this is so boring, you know." she managed to say.

"In other words Im boring you to tears." he joked.

"No," she shook her head.

He stood. "Well will a dance keep you entertained?" he asked offering her his hand.

Gabriella accepted. They held each other close as they danced to nonexistant music. She rested her head on his shoulder so Ryan was unaware of the silent tear that stained her face.

That's okay, she told herself, because if Kelsi would leave Ryan broken Gabriella would be there to put him back together. Then maybe Ryan will open his eyes to what he already has.

For now she had her dreams. She had dreamt for one thing, one thing only- to feel her body against his. She wanted him to want and desire her the way she wanted and desired him.

"I love you Ryan," she whispered.

He stopped the dance and looked at her face. He saw that she had been crying. He seemed flustered as if he felt awkward.

"What?" he asked his eyes hoping that she hadn't said what she did.

When Gabriella realized his reaction, she stammered out. "Not like that. There's many types of love. I just care about you deeply as a friend."

He seemed relieved and rubbed the back of his head.

"Yeah." He nodded in agreement.

"Don't you love me?" she laughed letting him know she was joking.

"Yeah, yeah," he repeated taking her back in her arms. They continued dancing and Ryan looked at her face. Gabriella plastered a fake smile.

"I love you, but my type of love is deeper than a friends." he confessed quietly.

A sob escaped her lips at hearing words she didn't think would be possible any time soon.

"I love you too," she was able to say.

He smiled proudly and kissed her lips.

AN: Not too proud of this its not like my others, but oh well.

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