Disclaimer: This story is intended for entertainment purposes. No money or sexual favors have been exchanged. Copyright Infringement is in no way intended.
Gabriella Montez had finally succeeded. After six years of undergrad and graduate school, one year of assisting at a community college, and heartbreak she had made herself back to the only city she could label home. Two years into Stanford, Maria Montez had fallen in love and married a real estate agent from New York City. Although Gabriella rarely saw her mother throughout the year, she was pleased for her; they spoke often on the telephone. Gabriella could not resist driving down the street of the house were she'd had her first kiss. The memories came flooding back just like she'd known they would. The windows were boarded up, but the house still looked majestic in abandonment. The tree still wound its branches in the balcony, and for a second Gabriella could see the blue eyed boy climbing. Inside the French doors, countless nights passed in whispers and touches. For a moment, Gabriella allowed herself to remember Troy Bolton. His piercing blue eyes as he stared into her soul. His strong body holding her against him on stolen nights. His singing soothing her to sleep. It had seemed so easy leaving high school. They would simply love each other, but soon the thirty minute drive turned into rain checks as the work started pouring in. The all night phone calls became rushed in the scramble to class. Parties provided temptation. Loneliness supplied paranoia. They could not hold on to each other. Putting her foot on the gas Gabriella sped up and away from the home and Troy.
Taylor McKessie beamed at the brunette scowling on the front step of her apartment. Opening the door before Gabriella could knock, she rushed her causing them both to stumble and burst into a fit of giggles. Having been home for two years, Taylor had signed on at their Alma Mater East High teaching English and coaching a debate squad. She enjoyed being home. She missed her best friend though. When a position for Advanced Literature opened, she knew the perfect person for the job. Gabriella thrilled with the opportunity immediately agreed to return. Taylor was ecstatic to begin teaching alongside her best friend. Shooing her inside, Taylor stood back to inspect her gorgeous petite friend. Once, she'd settled Gabriella into the guest bedroom the two sat down to dinner. They talked for hours, but skipping over the subject Taylor knew she was avoiding. The break up was hard on them all. Gabriella had always been resilient and bounced back with a number of suitors. No one could be fooled into thinking she was over Troy, however, but Taylor was proud of her for trying. She knew what it was like to give your all and it not have it be enough. Dwelling made it worse. She remembered how much effort Gabriella had put into staying away after Troy, and was grateful that the fates sent her back. Not wanting to upset the moment, Taylor decided the news she'd just acquired through text from her boyfriend could wait. Having her best friend home was amazing. She would have time before needing to tell her.
An empty bottle of wine lay on its side between the sleeping women. Chad Danforth chuckled under his breath at the whimper escaping his girlfriends slightly open mouth as she lay sprawled on the rug. He smiled at how eventful the next morning would be when she would realize he'd seen her. The chuckle stopped as he ran his eyes over the slumbering brunette on the couch. He felt responsible for Gabriella staying away so long. He had been the one to advise his friend to play the field. The truth was that Chad had not felt the bond his friend and Gabriella shared. He did not understand how two young people could be so attached. . Meeting Taylor again his entire world changed. He now understood. When Troy and Gabriella parted ways Chad had even given a celebratory singlehood boys night. Troy had moped for months. Chad had slowly eased him back into the dating scene; nursing him until he was ready to get serious again. Being careful not to awaken them he made his way into the bedroom, allowing them to have their shared peace. Tomorrow they would talk. He would talk. She needed to know.