I got another chapter up for you guys! I've written up to chapter 33 or 34, i think? Something like that. So you're gonna get a lot of updates for a while, especially to make up for the time missed out on updates. So hope you guys enjoy this one!
Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Chapter Ten

It was hard to believe that Gabriella was leaving the place she called home in a few days. Taylor remembered when Gabriella first got accepted into Stanford. Taylor was so excited for her friend; she couldn't wait to throw her a going away party and hear all the stories about the amazing school. Looking back on it, Taylor could see how she pushed Gabriella to go when it had been clear she didn't want to leave Albuquerque. But when Troy said he'd be following her to California for college, naturally Gabriella stayed at Stanford. Taylor had always been a bit envious of them. Troy and Gabriella had this perfect, rock-solid relationship that was strong even though they were a few hours away from each other. Taylor and Chad's relationship crumbled under such pressure. And now the two of them were moving in together. Taylor couldn't be happier for her friend, but it was still saying good-bye to her all over again. And this time it wouldn't even be for a few months; it'd be for who-knows-how-long. So it felt strange to help Gabriella clean out almost the entirety of her room.

"I can't believe this is it," Taylor said helping fold some clothes. "You're really leaving."

"Seems like only yesterday my mom and I were moving here," Gabriella sighed. She glanced at Taylor. "You know I remember the exact day I came back to Albuquerque. It was the first day of summer and it felt so good to be home. I didn't think I'd be back here for more than a week at a time. Then Mom said she wanted to make this a permanent for me and the twins and I flipped out!" She giggled as she added, "I was decorating the nursery before I even touched my bedroom."

"You were so excited to have siblings," Taylor giggled. "And your mom's lucky, Rowan's a great guy."

Rowan was Gabriella's stepfather. Taylor met him on multiple occasions and she was the first person after Troy that Gabriella introduced him to. Rowan's given name was Raul; he was Latino like Gabriella's family but he chose to go by his Americanized name. Taylor could still remember the story perfectly. Ms. Montez settled herself in California, only twenty minutes away from Stanford. Rowan worked at the same company and they started off as good friends. But things had progressed quickly, especially after he met Gabriella. She never had a father figure in her life either, so it was only natural that they blended like a family so easily. During the spring semester, Ms. Montez told Gabriella she had a business meeting to attend in Albuquerque. And weeks before summer vacation Gabriella found out she'd be spending the season in Albuquerque. That was when her mother said that she was pregnant and getting married. Before the twins were born, Taylor was the closest thing Gabriella had to a sister. Now Gabriella had three.

"He is, but he sucks at names," Gabriella laughed. "He wanted to name the twins Sofia and Ava. Where's the creativity? They're in preschool and there's three Ava's and five Sophia's!"

"Too bad Rowan and your mom didn't see it that way," Taylor commented.

"Yeah, they outnumbered me," Gabriella sighed. But she easily perked up. "But at least they let me pick out the middle names."

"It must be so nice to have little sisters," she said.

"Sisters and a dad. I can't believe what I've been missing out on all this time!" Gabriella quickly covered her mouth when she realized what she said. She may have been lucky to have a dad now, but Taylor never did. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean…"

"It's fine," Taylor shook her head. "I don't need a dad. Can't say the same for Cassie, though. She probably could have used one with her taste in guys."

"When are you seeing her anyway?" Gabriella wondered.

"Probably some time next month," Taylor answered. "I can watch Kari while Cassie helps Chad with his resume."

"Still no luck, huh?" she asked.

Taylor shook her head. "I don't even know if we should talk to her about that when we see her," she admitted.

"Why not?" Gabriella inquired.

"Chad has so many people on his back telling him he needs a job now. He does need a job, but he's not going to get one if everyone's jumping down his throat," Taylor explained. And she would admit, years ago Taylor would be one of those people. But she knew now she couldn't force people to do something and sometimes the best thing she could do was just be supportive.

"This coming from the same girl who pretty much forced him to ask her to prom in front of the entire school," Gabriella said.

"Hey it wasn't just me. That part was Troy's idea. I was just trying to teach Chad a lesson," Taylor said defensively. She added to herself, "He really let me have it after that one."

"What was that?"

"What was what?"

"What you just said."

"I didn't say anything."

"I'm pretty sure you did."

"No I didn't."

Gabriella tapped her fingers. "Taylor, are you not telling me something?"

She shook her head. "What gave you that idea?"

"Oh I don't know," she answered innocently. "Just that you're avoiding eye contact, you're kind of giving generic answers, maybe trying to change the subject…"

"Because there's nothing to talk about," Taylor replied.

"So nothing happened between you and Chad senior year?" she asked.

Taylor thought for a minute before shaking her head. "No."

Gabriella still seemed doubtful. "So you and he didn't…?"

Taylor didn't say anything and continued folding clothes. After a few seconds of no response Gabriella's eyes widened.

"Oh my god, you guys did!" she exclaimed.

"Gabriella it's not a big deal," Taylor said.

"It's a huge deal!" she replied. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"So you wouldn't react like that," she answered.

"But we tell each other everything. I can't believe you'd keep something that huge secret," Gabriella said.

"Like you and Troy have never done it," Taylor said.

Gabriella bit her lip. "Actually…" she said slowly sitting on her bed.

Taylor raised an eyebrow. She put the shirt she was folding down and sat next to Gabriella. "Wait a minute. So you and Troy haven't…?"

Gabriella sighed. "We were waiting until after we got married. But now…now we're just looking at apartments to live and the wedding's not happening for a while. So I don't even know if I should keep waiting."

"Hold on, you were the one that said postponing the wedding wasn't a big deal. Now all of a sudden it is because of this?" Taylor asked.

"I thought Troy and I would be moving in together right after the wedding. And it was gonna be such a special night. You know, first night of the start of our new lives, first apartment together, first night as husband and wife, first time…. But now I'm not sure," Gabriella admitted.

"Nothing you do before the wedding is going to take away from the specialness of that first night," she told her.

"I know. But…I just can't help wondering if I should keep waiting. You know, what if that first night's no good? What if getting settled into our new home means now's the right time?" Gabriella replied.

"You assume that means you'll find one this weekend," Taylor answered.

But she knew that was a lie. Troy and Gabriella would find a home this weekend in California. Troy's job started soon. As in, real soon. So that meant they would need to get settled in as soon as possible. Troy and Gabriella already researched a few places online and once they got to California they would meet with a realtor and look at other homes for sale. Once they saw one they liked in their budget, they'd put their down payment on it, return to Albuquerque briefly and then make the drive there with all of their things. None of them realized how quickly this move would even progress until now. Suddenly it was hitting the girls and it showed. Gabriella was talking about sleeping with Troy – something Taylor thought she'd never actually hear out of the girl's mouth – and Taylor was forced to actually think about life without Gabriella. But it was one thing to think about it and another to experience it. After Gabriella and Troy left, that's when it would hit Taylor hard. Taylor recalled Chad mentioning something about still having some growing up to do; now she was realizing that, in a weird way, her best friend moving was forcing her to grow up some more.

It was quiet between the girls now, neither of them really knowing what to say to lighten the mood. Taylor was about to say something until Gabriella's curiosity broke the silence.

"What was it like? That first time?"

"Honestly?" Taylor asked.

Gabriella nodded.

"He gave it to me. Hard," Taylor answered.

She raised an eyebrow in shock. "He wasn't gentle at all?"

"I didn't ask for gentle," Taylor said. "But Chad and Troy are two different people. He'll make it special for you his way. And when you're both ready, it'll happen. Don't worry about it."

"It's hard not to," Gabriella admitted. "I'm fine with things being done a little out of order; the end result is still the same. I just can't help but wonder, where do we go from here? What's the next step now?"

Taylor put her hand on Gabriella's shoulder. "It's you and Troy we're talking about. You'll figure it out. And you know you can always call me."

"With or without meddling?" Gabriella raised an eyebrow.

Taylor paused and bit her lip. "Maybe a little meddling," she admitted quietly, getting a laugh out of Gabriella. Taylor quickly defended herself, "Hey, you're practically my sister! Of course I'm going to get protective or meddle in your life!"

"I know, I know," Gabriella giggled. "Just promise you'll visit us when we're done moving."

"Of course I promise," Taylor nodded. "Promise you'll tell me everything?"

Gabriella raised an eyebrow. "How much of everything?" she teased with a smirk.

Taylor rolled her eyes. "I meant with finding a job. Your new home, when you'll be back to visit…"

Gabriella giggled. "Of course I'll keep you posted." Her smile faded when she glanced at the clock. Taylor knew what that meant. It was time for Gabriella to pick up her sisters from daycare. Then the family would be meeting with the Boltons for a big family dinner together. And then it'd be bedtime because of Troy and Gabriella's early flight in the morning. It was time for the official good-bye. It was one of the hardest things both girls would have to do. No, it wasn't a good-bye forever. But it also wasn't a 'good-bye, see you at Thanksgiving' good-bye. It was a much longer good-bye; one that Gabriella feared more than anything and one that Taylor was unaccustomed to. So Gabriella's reaction to the realization shouldn't have come as a surprise. With watery eyes and a broken heart she shook her head. "I can't do this," Gabriella croaked before running out of the bedroom.

"Gabriella!" Taylor called. She chased her friend down the hall and to the closed bathroom door. "Gabs, open up," Taylor said knocking on the door.

"You should just go, I can't do this," Gabriella cried.

"You know you can't get rid of me that easily," she reminded her. "Gabriella, please come out. I don't want to say good-bye to your bathroom door."

Gabriella sniffled. "How can you make jokes at a time like this?"

"Because I spend most of my time with Chad. He does almost nothing but make jokes," Taylor pointed out. She paused and sighed. "Look…I know this is hard for you. Saying good-bye to you every semester never got any easier either. But we said it. We still talk, we hang out when you're home, we're still friends. Hell, we spent a year on opposite sides of the country and we still talked every week! This time isn't any different."

"How can you be so calm about this?" Gabriella shook her head.

The truth was, Taylor wasn't calm. Inside she was freaking out. It took a lot to get used to, not seeing or talking to her best friend everyday. But at least in college they knew they had holidays. Spring Break. Summer and extended weekends. Gabriella was off to a new life in California and there wasn't much that could bring her back to Albuquerque for maybe more than a week. And it kind of sucked. But Taylor had to put on a brave face for Gabriella. Even if this was something Taylor wasn't used to, she could handle it a lot better. Gabriella moved around so much growing up and had to say so many good-byes to people. It was something that affected her, her whole life. Taylor didn't want her to know how much it bothered her, too.

"Because we're more than best friends. We're sisters. And no amount of time or distance between us can change that," she finally answered.

There was a slight pause.

"Promise?" Gabriella asked.

"I promise," Taylor nodded.

"Cross your heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in your eye promise?" she asked.

Taylor raised an eyebrow. "What?"

Gabriella shook her head. "The twins have been watching My Little Pony. It's the Pinkie Pie promise."

Taylor giggled.

"Seriously Tay. Please?" Gabriella begged.

"I will Pinkie Pie promise and just plain pinky promise if I have to," Taylor responded. "We'll be friends and sisters no matter what."

Gabriella opened the door and engulfed Taylor in a tight hug. The girls stayed close together, keeping their arms tight around each other and not letting go. "I'm going to miss you, Taylor," Gabriella said softly.

"I'll miss you, too," Taylor replied. "And you know I'll be here no matter what."

"I know," Gabriella nodded. "But if it's ok…can I not walk you out? I kind of don't want to see you leave."

"Or you could just invite me to dinner and we can stall this longer," Taylor joked.

"Tried that. Immediate family only. You and Chad don't count," she sighed. "But when you and Chad visit, first meal is on me. Anywhere you guys want."

"I'll hold you to that," Taylor said. She slowly pulled out of the hug. "I'd better go. Don't want you to be late to get the girls."

Gabriella nodded. "Ok."

"Text me when you get there," Taylor said.

"I will," she said. "Bye Tay…"

Taylor shook her head. "Not good-bye. How about…. See you later? Would that be any better?"

"I don't know," Gabriella admitted. "They're kind of the same thing."

"Just give it a try. For me?" she asked.

Gabriella hesitated a minute before nodding. It took her another minute and a deep breath before she could actually allow herself to speak it. "See you later."

"See you later," Taylor said.

The girls hugged each other once more and then Gabriella turned around and shut her eyes tight while Taylor walked out. Taylor sat in the driver's seat of her car and leaned back, taking a few deep breaths herself. When she felt vulnerable or like she might cry, Taylor cleared her throat and tried to think about something else. Knowing she needed someone to talk to, Taylor dialed Chad's number and waited for him to answer.

"Hey Tay," he answered.

"Hi," she sighed.

"How are you holding up?" Chad asked.

"Just left. And it sucks," she admitted.

"I got home from Troy's about an hour ago," Chad told her. He paused to think of the right word to describe it. "It's…weird."

"Um…is there any way I can come over?" Taylor asked.

"Of course. I'll be waiting," Chad said.

"Ok. See you soon," Taylor said softly before hanging up.

It was more than weird. Taylor couldn't find the right words to describe it with. But if it was like this now, Taylor couldn't imagine what it would be like after Troy and Gabriella got married. It all seemed to be uncertain to her. But there was one thing for sure Taylor knew, and it was that she wasn't the only one going through this. Even though Taylor and Chad reacted differently to their best friends leaving it was the same underneath. They were both, in a matter of speaking, losing their best friend. And if there was one person who Taylor knew she could talk to about this and lean on someone for comfort and support, it was Chad.

Let me just start out by saying that i'm really beginning to think TV influences what i write sometimes. This must be what happens when i watch Degrassi and the Fosters back to back. o.0 Anyway i think this is the only Gabriella/Taylor friendship chapter i wrote in this story so far. It's a nice change from a few Chad friendship chapters with Troy and (spoiler). I thought it'd also be a good idea to show how Gabriella leaving affects both girls, because we already know how Gabriella feels about being away from her friends but i think it bothered Taylor more than she let on. I also wanted to give a little more background on Gabriella's family, in case they show up again later and it also shows a different family dynamic for her. As far as names for Gabriella's sisters go, i was trying to come up with names that weren't everywhere but Sofia and Ava kept popping in my brain and it sounded like something her family would pick so i just went with it. And as far as Chaylor yes, you'll be seeing a little more of them next chapter to really make up for it! ^^I think that's everything i have to say here, so everyone have a good weekend and i'll be back! :)