Part One: My Eyes Are on You

Chapter One: Clueless

"What's going on with you? You're back from out of the country and I can barely get a word out of you. Jet lag?" Taylor wondered, sipping on her Peach smoothie.

"No and yes, I guess…"

"Gabi, tell me. It's not like we haven't been talking to each other at all this year. I know all about Takeo—"

"Which didn't happen." Gabriella paused. "Let's just say history repeats itself and I did a Troy number on him."

"So who cares? If he was really interested, that boy would've jumped through hoops and fire just to see you. He wasn't worth it and if it's boy trouble you're bummed about well we have the whole summer. I've got a new car … sort of and we can go wherever you want—as long as it's within a 600mile radius." Taylor offered.

"Thanks, but what's wrong with me Tay?" Gabriella started playing with her strawberry shake.

"Nothing."

"I'm 18 years old and I haven't been kissed. Sometimes I see guys look at me like they're thinking something and they even watch me, but after a while they stop looking. I try to be nice so what is it?"

"They're intimidated. Gorgeous girls always have it hard because guys are too afraid to approach them so they have to—"

"Approach the guy? That's not going to happen." She leaned back into the chair.

"Sure it will. You just need some self-confidence."

"What I need to do is just forget this. Forget I mentioned my whole Drew Barrymore never-been-kissed situation. I'll be in college soon and then I can start over then."

"Fine. But if you're going to have that sad look on your face all day, then you can find a new friend to be with." Taylor complained as Gabriella smiled in response. "That looks so fake."

"At least I'm not crying." She answered with that silly grin still plastered all over her face. As Gabriella started to drink her shake again, she noticed a brown-haired guy in the corner. "Please no."

"No what?"

"Is that Troy behind you? Wait. Don't look."

"Too late."

"Taylor, were you obvious?"

"No." She responded. "But I can't avoid my friend. Hey Troy!" She yelled and waved as he bounded over to the duo.

"I so hate you for this."

"I still love you anyway Gabi." Taylor smiled, refusing to move thus forcing Troy to sit beside Gabi. "I haven't talked to you in a while? Still trying to fend off all those basketball scouts?"

"Just trying to keep in shape … you know for next season. Hey … Gabi."

"Hi." She squeaked back, hating how casual he made it, but the look Troy was giving Gabriella was anything but casual. He was doing that lingering look thing again. Even when she looked away, she could still feel it.

"So, what have you been up to?"

"I just got back. Taylor was the first person I called so… I don't know—"

"Yeah." Troy nodded. "So Tay, did Chad tell you about the plan?"

"What plan?"

"You know."

"I don't, but since Gabi is here I think we have to make new plans." Taylor hinted.

"Why does it feel like I'm not even here? You guys are talking over me." Gabriella complained, mostly looking at Taylor and trying to avoid Troy.

"Sorry, I've been trying to get in contact with Troy for a while, but you two go ahead. Talk. You'll call me later, right?" Taylor started to stand up and give the duo a little private time together.

"Sure."

"I think you should stay Tay and make this one big happy reunion." Gabriella implied, nervously playing with her hair that suddenly felt stringy.

"Works for me." She sat back down, smiling. "So, Gabi why don't you tell us about your trip? What did you do? Who did you meet … did you bring any pictures?" Taylor clasped her hands together, excitedly.

"I left Beanie at home so … no. Well … yeah, but Takeo hasn't sent me any yet."

"Ooh Takeo? Speak."

Gabriella glanced over at Troy who shifted uncomfortably in his seat, reached into his pocket. She looked away, but when Gabriella glanced again, he was playing with his phone.

"Takeo is my really good friend's best friend so the three of us were pretty much glued to each other." She began. "I wasn't even supposed to be roomed with Glenda, which is the funny part, but it worked out … is that what you want to know?"

"You've been gone for the whole school year and that's the best you can do?" Taylor complained. "Troy and I want all the details."

"Actually, you don't have to tell me anything. I have to leave in five so--"

"Give us something, please?" Taylor begged.

"Fine, cliffnotes version?" Gabriella racked her brain for something interesting to say. "I was scared out of my mind, but they made me go surfing so that's my new favorite thing, I picked up some more Spanish which is cool, and … going to the Philippines … it was the best decision of my life. I feel so different now, so much better."

"Yeah, I can barely recognize you." Troy scoffed bitterly.

"What's your problem?" Gabriella asked, angrily.

"Nothing. I think I'm gonna go." He got up hurriedly. As he started to take off, Gabriella found herself chasing after Troy.

"What's going on? I thought you'd be happy to see me."

"You ran off to some remote little island and then you leave a note." Troy complained.

"But we've talked since then."

"By e-mail."He shook his head, realizing that this was a lot … harder than he thought it would be.

"I'll apologize if you want." Gabriella compromised. "But I can't change it. I did it, whether it was right or wrong. You've done some things too that have made me lose it, but I had to accept it." She reached for his hand, finding comfort in the fact that they were so close.

"This is just…"

"Weird? I know. Who knew that so much could change in a year?" Gabriella smiled. "But even though we're different now, it doesn't mean that we're too different to matter to each other. Look at me and Taylor. We're going in two opposite directions and life and she's still my bestest."

"Yeah." Troy nodded, enwrapped in his thoughts. He was walking out of the smoothie place, through the mall, holding onto his ex's hand which looked so bad, but Troy couldn't let go. "So you're walking me to my car?" He joked, once they made it out of the building.

"Sorry. You have stuff to do and I'm holding you back. Just don't forget to call me and Taylor so we can all hang out again, for real, okay?" Gabriella made him promise as she let go of his hand and started to walk back.

"Aren't you forgetting something?" Troy wondered. "You haven't seen me in a year." He whispered, wrapping his arms around Gabriella in what appeared to be a "hug" but he was really holding her. If this got back, he'd have a lot of explaining to do.

(A/N: I wrote this a long time ago and plan on updating again soon, so review! –NL)