A/N: Thanks to everyone who reviewed the story…I'm going to continue. Anyway, to answer a question…there's another reason why they broke up (troy's secret) which will come up in the next few chapters
Disclaimer: I don't own anything but the plot!
CHAPTER 4
Gabi stepped out into the fresh air of New Mexico, her hair flying all over the place and handed her luggage over to the cab driver before getting in the cab. Driving downtown gave her chills as she caught glimpses of places she and the gang used to hang out. Once down into the suburb area, Gabriella noticed her former high school, crowded with students waiting to go inside…..the pain had returned once again.
"It's this one right here. Thank you." Gabi answered to the cab driver as he pulled into her development. He popped the trunk and placed her luggage down onto the concrete. She handed him a ten dollar bill and walked up the path leading to the front door. As she rummaged through her purse, looking for her keys, a shadow lurked behind her.
"Hey, miss superstar…." the shadow said and Gabi turned around only to see Ryan standing there with his hands on his hips.
"What are you doing here?" she said surprised while running across the front lawn. She threw herself onto him, almost causing him to fall backwards.
"Well, I was just walking through the neighborhood…when I saw a beautiful women appear out of nowhere and I wanted to introduce myself. So….my name's Ryan and yours is….." he explained, smiling and holding out his hand for her.
"Stop it! So what's going on?" she replied, hitting him on the shoulder in a friendly way. He started walking into the shade, shielding his face from the sun.
"Well, actually, I heard you were coming home this week and so, Sharpay and I decided to throw a little party tonight. And then there's the one in two day for Christmas, but I'll tell you about that one later. So, would you come? It starts at eight at our place…" he told her persuasively. She hesitated for a second, thinking about her mother's plans and then nodded her head yes and left Ryan standing at the end of her driveway.
"I didn't know how long you would be out there, catching up and all." her mother greeted Gabi from the couch. Gabi smiled in response and placed herself down on the couch right next to her mother, hugging her tightly.
"I missed you, mama. Ugh…I'm so tired, but I'm going to a party tonight at Ryan's, I hope you're not mad…" Gabi began, avoiding her mother's glare.
"Why would I be mad? I know you have to catch up with your friends and that it's important to you, so go take a nap and I'll wake you up at around 7, okay?" her mom interrupted. Gabi agreed without an argument and trudged up the winding stairs. Her bedroom was untouched, the same way it had been when she left for college, with the balcony out looking the backyard.
"Well, you need to say yes because…I brought you something" Troy said on the other side of the phone. It was the night after Gabi had dumped the 'I'm-not-doing-the-callbacks' speech.
"What do you mean?" she asked, placing her head against her bed post.
"Turn around." he answered. Gabi turned around and there was Troy, standing on her balcony with his phone up to his ear. She dropped the phone down onto her bed and opened the glass door leading out onto the balcony.
This could be the start
Of
something new
It feels so right
To be here with you
And now
looking in your eyes
I feel in my heart
The start of something…
"New." he finished, staring at Gabi's watering eyes. "It's a pairs audition." She walked over, smiling, and grabbed the papers out of his hand.
Gabi unpacked her suitcase, putting her clothes into her dresser drawers while imagining what the party later that night would be like. Her blackberry started vibrating once again and she answered to an excited Taylor.
"Are you home?" Gabi picked up, curling her hair with her finger.
"Yes…how did you know?" Taylor said sarcastically.
"Only because you're calling from your house number." Gabi joked into the receiver.
"So, are you going to the party tonight?" Taylor asked, avoiding the fact that Troy was home as well.
"Yea, but…how did you know about it? Ryan found himself in my driveway and he told me. Did Sharpay call you?" Gabi explained.
"Of course. I mean, we're all really good friends now, why wouldn't she invite me…silly!" Taylor laughed, right before hanging up. Apparently, she had to go do her nails or something related to fashion. Once unpacked, Gabi laid herself down onto her comfortable mattress and rested her head against her pillow. At around 7, her mom poked her, warning her that she had to get ready for the party. About forty-five minutes later, Gabriella rushed down the stairs, grabbing her purse and headed out the door. It would at least take ten minutes to actually get into Sharpay and Ryan's house, so she wanted to make sure she left earlier enough.
"Bye, mama. See you later!" she shouted on her way out and left her mother alone in the house once again.