Author's Note: I had the best idea in the world! I had to write it. Now, I'm reconsidering my resign …

October carries crisp winds into the life of the suburbs, breathing baked hues of orange and gold toned leaves around the sun-drenched town of Albuquerque. The sunset crept up upon the land silently, whispering tales of old love stories woven in pink skies, blended with the classically mellow orange …and tinted with golden streaks in the horizon, as a few playfully twinkling stars showed through a pallet of an afternoon canvas.

Leaves crunched under the weight of a 17 year old girl, with the whim of a 6 year old and the wisdom and depth of a lifetime. She looked longingly at the sky. Gabriella Montez had never been a dreamer. She always believed if it were scientifically probable then it just might have a chance of happening to her. But ever since New Years Eve, she believe anything could happen. And now, she was only waiting for something spectacular to occur …right before her auburn eyes.

Her friend, Troy Bolton, stayed by her side during their mid-afternoon walk. Troy imagined himself more with the blonde haired, blue eyed cheerleader type. He felt he was always doomed to what his peers chose for him; to be an NBA star and marry a pretty, young girl. But lately, he was thinking more along the lines of dark haired, brown eyed and Latina. He glanced quickly over to Gabriella, scanning every inch of her face, admiring her like she was a piece of art.

And maybe she was.

"The stars," Gabriella softly said, gazing at the sky as if she were talking to the few clouds rather than to Troy. She looked over at Troy, waiting for him to make a response, but he only smiled lovingly at her.

"Huh?"

"The stars, Troy." She repeated, looking back up at the art hanging above her. A canopy of smoldering passion hung over the two of them invisibly, for no one but their hearts to see. "They're out early. It's almost wintertime." She grinned. Troy laughed a little. Leave it to Gabriella to notice something like that.

The atmosphere was matching Troy and Gabriella: awkward. Taylor promised Gabriella Troy was into her, and Chad almost convinced Gabriella liked him. Neither knew if what their friends told them was true, but they liked to think that it was.

Gabriella watched her breath curl and fade away into the chilly air. Suddenly, she got an idea. Grinning to herself, she spoke again. "Hey Troy …can we play a little innocent game?"

"An innocent game huh?" Troy laughed. "Okay. What game?"

"Truth or dare. Except, I get to do them all." Gabriella giggled. Troy folded his arms, looking surprised but curious at the exact same time. He smiled.

"What? No fair. But, fine." He agreed, knowing inside he wouldn't have been able to turn down her silly request anyways.

"Okay Troy …" Gabriella mumbled, thinking long and hard. "Truth or dare?"

Troy knew there was a catch. Gabriella never did anything unless it was to get information; otherwise it was simply a wasteful use of precious time, in such cases like the bi-annual Scholastic Decathlon. Troy thought about whether he wanted truth …but then she might ask a girly question like, "You do you have a crush on right now?" and demand an answer. But, with dare, she could dare him to do something stupid, he might screw up and then he'll never have a chance.

He decided to seize the opportunity to finally tell this girl how he actually felt inside. How everytime she smiles at him, a spark runs through his body and his knees pass out, how everytime her voice quivers or when her eyes fill with tears his heartstrings are controlled by her, dancing with the marionette. He took a deep, shaky breath and said, "Truth."

Gabriella grinned. This was her chance! To find out if Taylor spoke the truth, to find out if Troy really did want to be more than 'just friends'. "Okay …hmmm …okay here's a hard one." She said quietly and shyly. "Troy, tell the truth. …How do you feel about me? You know …like …how do you feel?" she asked.

Troy smiled. It wasn't the exact question he had expected, but it was much bolder. "Gabriella, I think you're amazing. In fact, anytime I see you I want to run up to you and sweep you up …swinging you around. The …the first time I ever saw you, at the ski lodge, I wanted to kiss you. So badly, when the clock struck twelve I wanted to lean over and give you a Happy New Years kiss. But you had walked off."

There were tears in Gabriella's eyes, but happy ones at that. "Really?" she choked out. Troy nodded, and smiled.

"Really."

"Oh …um …okay well ...truth or dare?" Gabriella continued. Troy shrugged.

"Truth."

"Truth huh?" Gabriella laughed. "You say you like--love me." She continued. Troy watched intently as she considered the thought racing through her mind. "You say you love me ..."

"Dare you to prove it." She grinned.

Troy smiled, leaned in and kissed her.

Author's Note: Review or I'll re-quit. Thanks.

-Kat xoxo