Author's Note: Wow...I never thought I would get so many reviews for a chapter! Thank you so much to all of my reviewers!

This chapter is dedicated to my anonymous reviewer, I love Zac Efron. You rock! I'll see you in school...

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Title: Because I Loved Him

Summary: A new girl comes to East High, and vows to get a certain basketball captain. When she finally attracts his attention, he leaves Gabriella to be with her. But will he realize who his true soulmate is?

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Chapter 4

Gabriella was in Ashlem Park, her favorite place to go when she was alone. She would often go after school (when Troy wasn't over her house) and sit in front of the small duck pond, tearing apart a slice of bread and throwing them to the mallards. Once she brought Troy here, when they were still a new couple. Unfortunately, he found it so boring that he fell asleep on her shoulder while she stared out across the pond, watching the sun illuminate the water.

She'd been coming here a lot lately, ever since Troy started spending his afternoons with Bianca. That girl was like a thorn in her side, driving Troy further and further away from her. If one didn't know any better, they'd think that Bianca was Troy's girlfriend, and not Gabriella.

A tear dropped onto her cheek as her mind replayed the recent weeks' events: Troy getting more comfortable with Bianca, putting his arm around her shoulders, and tugging her hair whenever he saw her. And Bianca giving Gabriella death glares everytime. Whenever Troy so much as poked Bianca, Gabriella felt a stinging pain at her heart, and she would grow pale and clammy.

Her friends noticed this. And they all hated to see Gabriella in such pain. They stopped talking whenever Bianca approached their table, instead turning away and giving their attention to Gabriella. Gabriella was grateful to her friends for being so loyal...but she wanted Troy's attention the most. Unfortunately, it seemed that it was all going to Bianca.

Gabriella knew that Troy was drifting away from her. She tried to stay close to him, offering everyday to help him with his homework and inviting him to movies on weekends, but he declined everytime. She gave him a hug whenever she saw him, making the first move instead of waiting for him to peck her on the lips, like he used to. She would smile warmly at him whenever he looked her way, and try to soothe him whenever he was agitated. But he didn't respond to her affection; she would have gotten more of a reaction if she stroked a rock.

She saw the way that Troy looked at Bianca now: with shining eyes and a permanent laugh on his lips. It was the way he used to look at her...

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Troy drove around town, checking all of the places where he thought Gabriella might be. He checked the library, but it was closed, being a Saturday. He checked Taylor's house, but nobody was home. Then he went to her house, but Mrs. Montez said that Gabriella was out.

As he drove, Troy racked his brains to figure out Gabriella's whereabouts. But his mind kept going back to a certain blonde cheerleader...Bianca. He felt a warm feeling in his stomach as he thought about her. Troy wasn't sure what had caused his affections to shift to Bianca. All he knew was that it was a gradual thing; so slow that he barely noticed it until he was head over heels in love.

He tried to figure out a way to break it to Gabriella. But as far as he knew, there was no way he was going to be able to speak with her unless he was able to find her! Troy smiled slightly as he remembered all of the good times he had spent with Gabriella: sitting with her in a hammock; spinning her around until they were both dizzy; singing with her in the musical; watching the lights glint off her hair as she scribbled something down in Mrs. Darbus's class; falling asleep on her shoulder as she looked out over the duck pond in Ashlem Park...

Ashlem Park. Of course Gabriella would be there. "It's my favorite place to go to when I want to be alone," he distantly remembered her saying. He pressed his foot down on the pedal, and sped away to the park.

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Gabriella heard the sound of a car pulling up in the parking lot. She listened as the driver set the parking brake, then turn off the car and step out. She heard someone approaching her from behind, their footsteps slow and hesitant.

"Gabriella?" She would know that voice anywhere. She pulled her knees up to her chin and wrapped her arms around herself.

"Hey Troy," she responded quietly. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Troy come up and sit down on the bench next to her. She watched as he ran his hands through his hair and sighed, blowing his cheeks out. He was obviously trying to say something to her. And Gabriella had a bad feeling that she knew what it was.

"Did you know that you were my first love?" he finally asked. Gabriella turned her head to look at him, a confused expression on her face. "Yeah, you're probably baffled by that, considering that I'm surrounded by cheerleaders and other girls everywhere I go. But you were the first girl that I ever fell in love with," he continued.

"And why was that?"

"Because you didn't try to be someone else around me. You just acted normally, and that's what first drew me to you."

Oh, Troy, if only you knew what Bianca is really like Gabriella thought. But all she said was, "Oh."

"I enjoyed being your boyfriend, really, I did. I had so much fun singing with you, and watching you do your homework, and just plain being with you. But...I'm not anymore..." he trailed off, trying to judge her reaction.

"Because you don't love me anymore," Gabriella said, tears coming to her eyes. "You love Bianca now."

Troy was silent.

Gabriella took a deep breath. "I know, Troy. I've seen the way you look at her. It...was the same way...you used to look at me."

"I'm sorry Gabriella. I really didn't want to hurt you. But I need to try this, or I'll never be happy. I understand if you hate me completely now..."

"No. Go on. Go and ask Bianca out. I won't stop you."

"What?" Now Troy was confused. He'd expected Gabriella to throw a fit, yell and scream. But she didn't. She was just sitting there, hugging herself, with tears running down her cheeks. He wondered what was scarier: a big explosion from her, or no reaction at all. He decided that this was scarier; he had no way to know how she was feeling.

"Go and be with Bianca. I want you to be happy. And if that means letting you go, then..." she paused, a sob ripping through her speech, "I'll do it."

Troy was crying himself. It pained him to see Gabriella so sad, and to know that it was all his doing. He reached over, and gave her a hug. "Can we still be friends?" he asked softly. She nodded slowly. "I'm sorry," he whispered again. Troy kissed the top of her head, then stood up and turned to leave. But he heard something that made him stop and turn around. Gabriella was singing.

It isn't a crime to want

A little space to breathe.

But you will be fine,

The sun again will shine, on you.

Whatever you do,

Take your sweet, sweet time.

'Cause I'll be here, when you change your mind.

Take your sweet, sweet time.

I'll be here, for you baby,

Anytime.

Gabriella paused for a moment. Troy could see her shoulders shaking. He turned to leave again, but then heard Gabriella continue.

I'm feeling you pull away,

'Cause letting go, isn't easy for me

But you'll never fly, with someone else's wings.

I know.

Wherever you go.

Take your sweet, sweet time

'Cause I'll be here, when you change your mind.

Take your sweet, sweet time.

I'll be here, for you baby,

Anytime.

I will never stand in your way,

Wherever your heart may lead you,

I will love you the same.

And I will be your comfort everyday,

Do you hear the words I say?

Take your sweet, sweet time.

I'll be here, when you change your mind.

Take your sweet, sweet time,

I'll be here, for you baby,

Anytime.

Gabriella waited until she heard Troy's car start and pull away, before breaking down into huge, wracking sobs. She buried her face in her hands and shook her head, knowing that she was letting the love of her life slip away.

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Author's Note: Ha, you are so lucky I was able to write this. I've had a pounding headache the whole day.

Anyway, the song Gabriella sang was "Take Your Sweet Time" by Jesse McCartney. (Yeah, I know, she's a girl, and Jesse's a boy, but I feel the song can go both ways.)

See you next chapter!