Hey guys...I'm back. I've been writing constantly for a while, but just haven't had enough creative juices flowing to actually get anything published. This story actually just came to me and it's been the only thing I've been able to stick with. Hopefully you'll enjoy it!

Disclaimer: I do not own anything.

Chapter 1

I was currently waiting in line at a little café near my apartment. I came here every morning and usually recognized nearly everyone that was there with me. I'd been coming here for a couple of years and had gotten to know many of the regulars that came in around the same time I did. However, on this particular morning as I glanced around me, my eyes landed on one of the most beautiful women I had ever seen. She had dark chestnut curls. She was a petite woman, probably not very tall when she stood. I couldn't help but stare at her. I'd never seen her in there before. She was also glancing around her as she sipped on her coffee. When she looked in my direction, our eyes met and I noticed she had the most beautiful brown eyes. I quickly diverted my attention away from her and continued on in the line to get my morning coffee.

Throughout the day, I couldn't get that woman off my mind. I was beginning to regret not talking to her. So the next morning as I went to get my coffee, I walked in the café in hopes of seeing her again. But as I looked around, she was nowhere in sight. My shoulders slumped in despair. As I stood in line, I heard the door chime behind me and a couple minutes later I felt someone tap my shoulder. As I turned around, I tried not to show my excitement and surprise as I realized the woman from yesterday was the one who had tapped my shoulder.

"Sorry to bother you, but I couldn't help but notice that you were here yesterday. Do you come here often?" she asked.

"Yes, every morning actually," I responded.

She nodded. "What would you recommend?"

I suggested a couple of options that were on the menu that I usually picked from. She nodded and thanked me. I stuck my hand out to her.

"Troy Bolton."

She took my hand and shook it. "Gabriella Montez." She smiled. She had the most beautiful smile.

"Are you new to the area? I usually come in here every morning and I've never seen you around."

"Oh…uh…actually I'm just here visiting. My mom lives here, so I took some vacation time to come see her."

"Oh," I said, trying to hide the disappointment in my voice that she wasn't going to be a regular. There was something about her that made me want to get to know her better. "Well I hope you have a good visit." I stepped up to order my coffee and as soon as I had it, I said goodbye to Gabriella and headed to work.

The next morning, I got to the café a few minutes early in hopes that maybe Gabriella would be there once again. I wasn't disappointed as I walked in this time to find her already in line. She was the last person in line, so I walked up behind her.

"You're becoming quite the regular around here," I said.

She turned around quickly, surprised at my sudden appearance, and smirked. "Well, what can I say…this place is growing on me and has a lot to offer."

We continued to talk until I had gotten my coffee and had to leave for work, agreeing we'd see each other again the following morning.

Over the next few days, Gabriella and I continued to meet up and talk while we got our coffee. Finally, the day before she was supposed to go home, I got up the courage to ask her to dinner.

"I don't know, Troy," was her response.

"Just a quick dinner. I've really enjoyed your company and I'd like to take you to dinner before you have to go home. I won't keep you out late, I promise. I know you want to spend some time with your mom and you have an early flight."

Gabriella nodded. "Okay, what time and where?"

"How about you give me your address and I'll pick you up at six."

Gabriella nodded once again and wrote down her address for me. I went to work excited for that evening. At six o'clock, I walked up to the door and rang the doorbell. A slightly older version of Gabriella answered the door. I assumed she was Gabriella's mom.

"Hi, I'm Troy Bolton. I'm here to pick up Gabriella."

"Hi, Troy. I'm Maria. Come on in. Gabriella's just finishing getting ready." I stood inside the door waiting for Gabriella, but didn't have to wait long as I saw her coming down the stairs. She was in a pair of jeans with a red top and black heels. She looked beautiful as always.

"Hi," I said, nearly speechless at the sight of her. "You look beautiful."

"Thank you. So where are we going?"

"There's this amazing little bistro close by that I thought we could go to. I thought it would be easy to get to and they have quick service."

Gabriella nodded and told her mom she'd be back later. Maria just smiled and told us to have a good time. I helped Gabriella into my car before driving off in the direction of the bistro.

Throughout dinner, we talked and shared stories, laughed and just had a great time. When we were finished eating, disappointment started to sink in as I realized this was the last time I'd probably see Gabriella. She was leaving tomorrow and she lived on the opposite side of the country.

As I pulled up in front of her mom's house, I looked over at her. She had her head down as she stared at her hands that were fidgeting in her lap. Finally, she looked up and over at me.

"Troy, I had an amazing time. I don't think I've enjoyed spending time with someone as much as I have with you this week. I really wish I wasn't leaving tomorrow."

"Then don't. Stay a few more days."

She gave me a wistful smile. "I wish it was that easy. The hospital is expecting me back in a couple days and I want to make sure I'm rested before going back to work." She was a children's doctor at a hospital in New York. She told me it was a tough job, but she loved it.

I nodded at her, understanding that her vacation was simply over. She must have noticed my disappointment.

"You have my number, though. There's no reason we can't still talk," she suggested.

I nodded again. "You're right. I've just enjoyed spending time with you this week as well and I hate to see you go."

She gave me a small smile. "Thank you for tonight, Troy. I had fun and the bistro was great. Thanks again for everything. You definitely made my vacation much better than I could have expected." She leaned over and kissed my cheek. "Goodbye, Troy." She opened her door and got out. I watched her walk up to her door and just before she reached it, I jumped out of the car.

"Gabriella, wait!" I ran up the steps and stood in front of her, just taking in her appearance for a moment. This woman was amazing and all I wanted to do was get to know her better. I could definitely see myself with her and I didn't want to let the opportunity pass by. She stood there looking up at me expectantly. I took a deep breath and let it out slowly, going over my words carefully in my mind before finally speaking up. "Gabriella, I really like you. And I had an amazing time tonight and this whole week just getting to know you. I'd really like the opportunity to get to know you more, even if you are on the other side of the country. And, if in the future our schedules allow it once again, I'd love to be able to see you again."

A smile lit up Gabriella's face as she continued to stand there staring at me. "I'd really like that, too, Troy. I know we just met, but I feel some kind of connection with you like I've never felt with anyone else before."

I nodded, completely agreeing with her. "So…what do you say? I don't care how slow we take this. I think things will definitely have to be taken slow considering the long distance, but I really would like to see where this could go. Can we give it a chance?" I asked, hoping we were still in agreement.

Gabriella's smile was still in place as she nodded at me.

"Can I kiss you?" I asked.

Gabriella slowly nodded again and I leaned in to press my lips to hers. As soon as our lips touched, I felt sparks. I felt Gabriella kiss me back, her soft lips moving gently against mine. The kiss was slow and gentle and didn't last very long. As I leaned back to look at Gabriella, she slowly opened her eyes and looked up at me. A smile lit up her face.

"I wish I didn't have to leave," she whispered, keeping the moment intimate between the two of us.

"God, I know. But we can do this. We'll try this for a while and see how it goes. I know I have some vacation time saved up, so maybe sometime we can plan for me to come visit you. I've never been to New York and wouldn't mind visiting," I said quietly, smiling back at her.

"I'd really like that." She let out a sigh. "I really hate to do this because I'm not ready to say goodbye yet, but I need to go. I still have to finish packing."

I let out a sigh of disappointment. "I know. I'll miss you." I reached to pull Gabriella closer to me in an embrace and leaned down to kiss her once again. "Goodbye, Gabriella," I whispered against her lips.

"Goodbye, Troy."