Thanks again for reviewing! Enjoy chapter three :)

"Troy, I know I challenged you to do something about this girl; but I didn't mean book a flight to New York! I'm starting to think you might have a screw loose." This was Chad's response to his friend's big decision. Troy rolled his eyes at him, clearly expecting a reply like that. "This from the guy who was so lovestruck he moved to California when his girlfriend got her dream job there," he stated. Troy and Chad were at their gym, getting ready to play a one-on-one game of basketball.

"I think we're talking about two different things here, man. The difference being that I know Taylor's last name. As well as the fact that we've been together for years!" Troy knew it had been a cheap shot. He was trying to justify his own actions, but realised that may be impossible. He had just booked a 'holiday' for himself to New York for the following month, and arranged to have two weeks off from work. Considering that Gabriella had told him herself that she moved around a lot, Troy wasn't necessarily expecting her to be there. But he had decided it would be a good starting point.

"Alright, point taken," he replied. "Basically you think I'm crazy, right?" he asked. Chad gave Troy a look that said, "pretty much." Troy was starting to wonder what had possessed him to let his friend in on his secret. He hadn't told anyone else. As far as his parents were concerned, he was simply taking a vacation. "What exactly do you plan to do when you get to New York?" Chad asked curiously.

Troy was quiet for a few moments. He couldn't give an answer, because he hadn't really thought it through yet. His only plan so far was to get there. Maybe I am crazy, he thought to himself as he realised that he had no clue whatsoever what he was going to do in New York. He was flying across America to find a girl who might not even remember him, for all he knew. But he refused to talk himself out of it. He just had to try. If this search came to nothing, he would give up. If there was no hope of seeing her again; then, as Chad constantly tried to tell him, he would make himself forget about Gabriella.

.HSM.

The time before the day of the flight passed by excruciatingly slowly; as time often does when someone is waiting impatiently for something. But finally the day Troy had been waiting for arrived. His flight wasn't until the evening, so he was having breakfast at Chad and Taylor's apartment – they were going to drive him to the airport to check in after lunch. "So, Tay, any advice? Because quite honestly, I have no idea where to start. And please, I beg of you, don't tell me I'm crazy. Chad has already covered that area, repeatedly," Troy told his other best friend. He was surprised when Taylor, who was usually the most rational out of the three of them, smiled warmly at him.

"Actually, Troy, I think it's sweet, what you're doing. Romantic, even – if this girl knew what you were doing for her, of course, it would be even more romantic." Chad's mouth fell open. He had genuinely believed that his girlfriend would be impressed that he had given Troy sensible advice. He was further surprised when Taylor turned to face him, and sent him a glare. "When was the last time you did something that sweet for me?" she asked her long-term boyfriend. Chad threw his hands up in front of him in defence.

"Hey, what's with the third degree? Anyway, Troy himself pointed out that I moved out here to be with you!" he replied indignantly. Taylor rolled her eyes at him. "Did you forget the part where you begged me not to leave you first?" she reminded him. Then she turned back to Troy. "Then when he finally got on the plane with me, he said I should be grateful that he was coming!" Troy couldn't help but chuckle at his friends. Then he realised he hadn't been given the advice which he was so desperate for.

"Uh, Tay? Advice?" he asked quickly, before she could think of any other reason to continue bickering with Chad. Taylor's smile returned as she pondered his question. "Well, I think your best bet would be to get permission to look at the electoral register. That could tell you whether there were any Gabriellas living in the area around the time that you met her." She gave Troy a few more instructions as to how to go about this, after glancing up and seeing two blank faces staring back at her. Taylor was a lawyer, and knew what she was talking about when it came to just about anything.

.HSM.

Hours later, after saying goodbye to Chad and Taylor, Troy stood up from his seat at the airport as his flight was announced. When he boarded the plane, he felt a mix of emotions. He was excited at the possibility of finding Gabriella, or at least finding out more about her. But he was also worried that this trip would be a waste of time. Most of all, Troy felt an intense wave of sadness. Whatever happened next; it had been eight years. That was eight years that they could have spent together. He wasn't naïve. Nobody could predict what would have happened between them if they had seen each other the next day. And yet, Troy had the strongest feeling that Gabriella had felt something too that night.

So, here he was. About to do something that would either change his life forever; or close a long chapter in his life. Or, to put it bluntly: restore his sanity.

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