Sorry I haven't updated in so long!! Here's da next chappie:

There was an uncomfortable silence.

"What are you doing here?" Gabriella finally asked in a cold voice.

"Uh, we, um…moved here," Troy stammered. "We all got jobs here. We've been here for a few weeks." Gabriella nodded, not making eye contact with him and looking off to the side. "You've, uh…You're CD's really good." Gabriella nodded again. "And so is your song, Invisible." Gabriella's head shot up.

"Oh, you've heard that, huh?" Gabriella asked, her face turning a pretty shade of pink. Troy nodded. He inhaled deeply and took a step toward her. "Have you seen any of the movies?" Troy nodded as he sat on the grass, looking up at her. Gabriella slowly collapsed on the ground. "How…How is my mum?"

"She's…alright. Physically, she's fine," Troy began, wondering how to put it. "Emotionally…uh, she's a wreck." Gabriella dropped her head into her hands and Troy couldn't see the expression on her face.

"Does she know? About me singing and acting?" Gabriella asked, her voice muffled since she was looking at the ground.

"Yeah, she's very proud…although she--she misses you," Troy breathed in sharply.

"That's what Ash said," Gabriella muttered. Troy raised an eyebrow quizzically.

"Ash?"

"Ashlee McGraw," Gabriella said, finally looking up. Troy saw one tear trail down her face. "You might've seen her in the Invisible music video. She was the blonde one I was dancing on the table with." Troy nodded and shuffled closer to her. "Troy…" Troy looked at her encouragingly. "I'msorryInevercalled." It came out rushed but Troy heard her.

"I guess it was partly my fault," Troy murmured, playing with a leaf on the ground. "I mean, I shouldn't have said all that stuff…" Gabriella put a hand on his arm and shook her head.

"No. I overreacted," Gabriella let out a sigh. "Look, I gotta get home, or Marcus will freak."

"Marcus?" Troy asked, on instant suspicion. Gabriella shook her head.

"He's my manager, Marcus O'Brian," Gabriella stood up. Just as she was walking away, Troy called after her,

"By the way…I like your belly-button piercing!" Gabriella didn't turn around, but she hesitated, and Troy could tell by the way there was a slightest bounce in her step, that she had heard him.


The next morning, Ashlee tossed a pillow at Gabriella.

"Argh!" Gabriella cried, jumping up in her bed. "What did you go and do that for?!" Ashlee laughed and sat down on Gabriella's soft, silk duvet and played with the tassels on the corner of the duvet.

"You were away with the fairies…or Troy Bolton," Ashlee said slyly with a smile. Gabriella grabbed the pillow and threw it back at Ashlee, giving a squeal of indignation at the teasing.


At work that day, in the studio, Gabriella sung perfectly, reaching every note and holding every note she was meant to. Marcus was pleased when he heard her and offered her the rest of the day off. It was Friday, and so Gabriella had three days off. Deciding to go to the local gym--with dark glasses and a hat on--she paid for admission and strode into the main area.

Gabriella stood on the treadmill and slipped her ear-phones in, put the speed to her usual pace and began walking. After ten or so minutes, someone tapped her on the shoulder. Surprised, Gabriella gave out a small shriek and turned around. Troy smiled at her.

"What are you doing here?" Gabriella gasped, turning off the treadmill and pulling out her ear-phones.

"I've been coming here for the past week," Troy answered, walking over to a bench, Gabriella following. "Why do you have those glasses on? You undercover or something?" Gabriella grinned and tossed her hair, making the sure the glasses were still on and her hat was pulled low over on eye.

"You could say that," Gabriella laughed. Troy smiled at her and then rushed on.

"Look, there's a firework display in the park tomorrow, and I was wondering if you wanted to go…with me?" Troy saw Gabriella's slight hesitation and rushed on. "You know, catch up on the old times and stuff." Gabriella thought for a moment and then nodded.

"Yeah, Marcus doesn't have anything planned for me," Gabriella nodded and smiled. "I'd like that." Troy smile back, relieved. "So…Saturday, I'll meet you at the park.

"Yeah, cool," Troy felt slightly awkward. A few years ago, he would've kissed her but it was different now. Gabriella broke the ice by leaning in and giving him a quick hug before waving and going back to the treadmill.

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