Okay sorry I haven't updated in a while - been really busy, but don't worry, to make up for it - Chapter 5 will be up pretty soon as well. Sorry if there are some mistakes in this one, I had to quickly edit it as it was shorter than I planned it to be.

Anyway, thanks for adding this to your alerts and stuffs it really means a lot to me, knowing that you wanna read more of this story - so I will continue posting.

Im also writing a one shot, which will be uploaded soon - so look out for that.

Please review - and suggest some things you want seen in future chapters.


Chapter 4 – Dinner for 5. Or is it?

''So is Troy coming to the dinner?'' I asked Taylor while putting my earrings on.

We'd been through the exciting hellos when she got home from work, we'd both calmed down now, and were getting ready for the meal tonight.

''No hunny, I'm sorry. He had to go to his cousins wedding rehearsal. Don't worry though, you'll see him in his party.'' Taylor reassured me.

''Oh. Okay no worries'' I said smiling, but inside gutted at the fact I wouldn't be seeing him tonight.

I went into the bathroom and quickly changed into a red knee length dress I had brought with me, and slipped on my red heels. My make up was pretty simple, and my hair was curled passed my shoulders. Sharpay told us that she has reservations in a posh new restaurant, and that was all she said, so I figured I'd dress up a little.

I opened the bathroom door and slowly walked out, to see Taylor's and Chad's smiling faces.

''What?'' I asked, wondering if this dress was a bit too much.

''You look beautiful Gab!'' Taylor smiled happily.

Out of nowhere, my phone buzzed. It was a text off Sharpay.

Hey Gabs.

Were outside now.

Also we have a surprise 4 u hehe.

Love Shar xo

''Sharpay's outside'' I smiled. Leaving out the surprise bit, while I tried and figured out what she had planned.

---

I couldn't stop laughing, as they continued on with their story.

Sharpay and Ryan were telling us one of their stories of them on Broadway.

''And then, he fell off the stage onto the director!'' Sharpay started giggling.

''Hey! That so wasn't my fault - I tripped!'' Ryan cried, but then burst out laughing with the rest of us.

Suddenly, Sharpay's phone went off.

''Excuse me a minute, guys!'' Then walked off into the corner of the restaurant.

I could see her smile get bigger and bigger, and then hung up and walked back over to our table.

''Who was that?'' Taylor asked.

'Gabriella... Your surprise is ready! Actually you'll all be sort of surprised... but not as much as Gabriella!'' Sharpay revealed.

''Shar, shh! You're going to give it away now!'' Ryan nudged his sister.

Suddenly the door of the restaurant opened and he walked through the door.

My mouth dropped open.

''Gabriella? Say something...'' Ryan touched my shoulder.

''Troy?'' I softly spoke.

''Gabriella?'' He said in an almost whisper.

Our eyes connected, just staring at each other for a while before being interrupted.

''Dude! I thought you had a wedding rehearsal to go to?'' Chad asked, making us both turn away from each other, blushing.

''Oh, it got cancelled this morning. Then Sharpay told me we were going out for a meal together.'' He looked at me, ''I didn't even know you were in New York, Brie...''

He was the only one who called me Brie. If anyone one else did, it felt awkward. But never when Troy did.

''Um, I arrived this morning'' I said, and then smiled gently at him.

''Hey guys, do you mind if me and Brie, step outside to have a quick catch up? If that's okay with you Brie..?'' He asked smiling back.

''Yeah sure...''

I got up and followed him out, wondering what he was going to say to me.

---

''So...'' I started; we'd been sitting on a bench outside the restaurant for nearly 10 minutes, without saying a word to each other.

''I've missed you, Brie. I know I left not talking to you, but the truth is, I didn't want to face up to reality - because I would have to face the fact that I was leaving to come here, and that we were over. I just couldn't... I'm sorry.'' He said quietly, whispering the last bit.

''Troy...'' I sighed. ''I've missed you too. A lot actually. I didn't want to break up with you Troy. But I knew, no matter how much we loved each other - the whole long distance thing wouldn't work. I mean look at us, this is the first time in nearly a year we've seen each other. I thought I was doing the right thing but...'' My voice trailed off.

''But what?'' He looked up hopefully, his blue eyes glittering. The same blue eyes I got lost in many times before.

''But now I don't know, Troy.'' I stood up slowly. ''Sometimes I just wanna pack my bags, and get on the next flight to New York. But my job, my family - I just couldn't bring myself to leave it all...''

''And I wouldn't expect you too Gab.'' He looked right at me, both of us holding the gaze.

''The truth is Brie; I haven't really stopped thinking about you since I left.'' Troy said softly, without taking his eyes away from mine.

''I haven't stopped thinking of you too Troy. But it's complicated, we live so far apart, and I know neither of us can afford airplane tickets back and at least once a month. I know were both strong, but I don't think were strong enough for this long distance thing. As much as I would love us to do it, I don't think we can. I'm sorry...'' I turned away, as my voice faded into the darkness.

''You right. As much as I want you to be wrong right now, you're right. I just wish I never left Albuquerque sometimes, Brie''

''I do too. I wish I came with you all. But you did, and that's just the way it is Troy...'' Tears started to form in my eyes.

''So you're not going to give us a thought then?'' He asked sadly.

''I didn't say that...'' I smiled at him. ''Let's just enjoy the time we have here...''

''Well, if we enjoying the time we have, I may as well do this... 'He looked at me with those gorgeous blue eyes, and smiled at me.

He slowly leaned in, and I could see where this was going, and boy was there no way was I going to stop him.

I leaned in and closed my eyes, and felt the softness of his lips as they touched mine. He put his arms round my waist and pulled me closer. It felt amazing to be back in his arms, I thought, as I deepened the kiss while putting my arms round his neck.

I slowly pulled back, and smiled shyly at him while breathing in the cold air around me.

''I've missed you so much Brie... Come on, we better get back inside, before the others start worrying.'' He took my hand, and led me back in, looking at me now and again and smiling.

''There you both are! We thought you'd gone home!'' Taylor laughed, and then winked at me when she saw us holding hands.

''Come sit down, we ordered for you both the food should be here soon!'' Ryan said happily, then nudged Sharpay, and whispered something in her ear.

---

''Gabi, wake up!''

I heard a familiar voice, and felt hands on my shoulders.

I opened my eyes slowly, and saw that Taylor was trying to wake me up.

''Morning!'' I said cheerfully as I got walked out of Chad's and Taylor's spare bedroom.

''Had a good sleep I take it?'' Chad asked, as he put two pancakes on a plate and handed them to me.

''Thanks, and yeah I did, and an even better night!'' I winked at Chad, who then laughed.

''I did see. Troy rang earlier as well, and was wondering if you wanted to go out with him today, we said he'd call by at half past 12. And whoa, look at the time 12 o'clock, better get ready Gabs!'' He laughed.

I quickly finished my pancakes and took a warm shower, and then found a white skirt and green top to put on. I slipped into my sandals the minute the door bell went.

''Is Brie there?'' Troy asked nervously, wondering if Chad gave Gabriella his message.

''Yeah sure come in! I feel like her mom or something'' Taylor giggled, and then motioned Troy to the spare bedroom.

He gently knocked on the door.

I slowly opened the door to see Troy standing there smiling at her.

''You ready?''

---

''So, you still working back at East High?'' Troy asked.

Troy had taken me a small cafe, where we'd been talking in between sips of our coffee for the last 20 minutes.

''Yeah, and it sure does bring back a lot of memories...'' I laughed.

''Yeah. So anyway tell me about your life back in New Mexico'' He smiled.

''Well, I work in East High five days a week, and I live in a medium sized apartment with my chocolate Labrador puppy Sam. I do yoga a lot now, with my closest friend back home, Casey, and basically I'm the same me, how about you?'' I said happily.

''Wow cool. Well I live in a nice house which my parents bought for me as a goodbye present, pretty lonely there just me though. I usually have basketball practise 3-4 times a week, with at least 1 game a week. And that's it really, nothing much else to me.''

''Anyway,'' He continued. ''How about we go bowling or something now? Like old times?'' Troy stood up then took my hand and brought it to his lips, then softly kissed it.

''Sure! But bare in mind, I have improved since college!'' I giggled.

''Great, so you've gone from worst player ever, to second worst - Gabriella Montez, I salute you!''

I burst out laughing. ''Ha-ha funny, just you watch you're back Troy Bolton!''

---

BeepBeep!

I reached out into my bag for my phone, which was flashing and vibrating.

Hey gabs

It's Tay

4got 2 tell u

dont say anythin about

troys party tomorrow.

its surprise remember

love tay xo.

I smiled at the thought of Troys party, he's going to so surprised.

''Whatcha smiling about? Your losing remember!'' Troy laughed.

''Oh nothing!''

I got up, lifted up the lightest ball, and then bowled it.

Strike.

I turned around and put my arms round Troy's neck, then kissed him on the lips.

''Who's losing now, Bolton?''