NORMAL POV

Troy arrived at Gabriella's house, like he said (5 minutes) and rang the doorbell.

Gabriella heard the doorbell ring and went downstairs to answer it (knowing that it was Troy waiting at the door).

She opened the door and let Troy in. "Is your mom asleep?" Troy asked Gabriella after she locked the front door.

She nodded and silently they both headed upstairs. "So Troy, what did your dad say about us?" she asked him.

"I talked to him and he said that he understood this thing called 'young love' and I told him that we weren't young.

He looked at me like I was crazy, but he asked how old I was and I told him that I was 21, still living with my parents.

Then he started talking to me about 'sexual' stuff. I mean, I'm old enough to know that already."

He explained to her. "Troy, your dad's just being protective. My mom was always protective; remember those years in high school.

She thought that you were going to leave me again like Nick, Alex, Mike, and Brad. But she realizes now that you're not like them.

You're different and she sees now that you will never leave me, unlike them (referring to Nick, Alex, Mike, and Brad)."

Gabriella smiled and headed into the bathroom. 20 minutes later, she was done and was ready to go to sleep.

Months had passed and Gabriella left to go to college in New York. Taylor went to Washington DC (along with Zeke), Sharpay and Ryan went to LA, finally, Troy and Chad went to the University of Albuquerque.

GABRIELLA'S POV

Life's hard in NY, but the people here are sort of friendly. It has been exactly 3 years since I left home and already I'm 24 years old.

It was Christmas break and I logged onto my computer. I had an IM invitation, but the name was unknown to me, but I had the urge to accept and so, I did.

Underline – Gabriella

Normal – Troy

Lovesnewyork: hi?

Albuquerquerocks: hi

Lovesnewyork: um…what's your name? I'm Gabriella

Albuquerquerocks: Bolton – Troy Bolton

Then it hit me! It was actually Troy, but I couldn't be too excited or else he would find out about me too.

Lovesnewyork: nice to meet you, Troy… um, where do you live? I live in New York

Albuquerquerocks: I can see that. I live in Albuquerque. What's it like in NY?

Lovesnewyork: it's getting pretty lonely up here. I'm probably going to visit Albuquerque coz I heard there's a NBA game there.



Albuquerquerocks: That's basically true… I played in the NBA for almost 4 years now and I've been working with my friend Chad. He's been sitting next to me while I'm talking to you the whole time coz we share the same dorms

Lovesnewyork: maybe I'll see you there

Albuquerquerocks: maybe you will…maybe you will

Albuquerquerocks: is your name Gabriella Montez? (Chad)

Lovesnewyork: yeah

Albuquerquerocks: I had a friend named Gabriella—wait, are you actually my friend?

Lovesnewyork: Yes Chad. I have to go. Bye! I'll see you there.

He logged off and I logged off as well. On Christmas Eve, I left to Albuquerque and arrived there just about 3 hours before the game even started.

I walked through the halls of the university and stopped by a person looking through his locker.

"What are you looking for?" I asked the person. He was startled coz he hit his head and closed the locker.

"Oh…nothing, just a ring that I lost and my best friend; he's supposed to be here 2 hours ago, but somehow he got lost."

The guy replied. "What's your name? I'm Gabriella." I held out my hand as the guy shook it. "Troy Bolton and you look familiar."

Troy said to me. I smiled. "Troy…it is you!" I hugged him as two guys passed by. "Yeah…it's me!" he said with enthusiast.

I pulled back. "Don't you remember me?" I asked him. "Uh…" he looked at his two friends. "I'm sorry, but I don't remember you."

"But…we talked to each other online and we—how could you do this to me Troy? How could you?" I glared at him.

He looked about my age, but he seriously need to grow up. "What are you talking about? I don't know you."

I knew he was being so sarcastic. His parents came out of nowhere.

"Troy…you know what I'm talking about! Don't act like you don't know… I know your game; you're just trying to forget about Gabriella Montez.

'Look, I'm Troy Bolton and I'm in love with Gabriella Montez.' Yeah, I know what you said and I know how you treated me years ago.

But Troy, this girl…isn't the same girl in high school. This girl will always stand up for herself and…this girl loves Troy Bolton.

The real one, but why did I come to your stupid game anyway? COZ I CARED ABOUT YOU!!"

I screamed in his face and walked away from the group. I didn't care that I was mad. Also, I didn't care if everyone was staring at me coz I didn't look back.

I never wanted to run into a guy with blue eyes and brown hair saying that he loves me. "GABRIELLA!!"

Suddenly, I stopped as I heard my name being called. I turned around and saw that it was Troy.

"What do you want?" I crossed my arms. "All those things that I've said about you, I didn't mean any of it.



I thought that you would come back to Albuquerque when you were done with college." He explained.

"What about that 'ring' you were looking for?" I asked him. "I…I kinda wanted it to be a surprise, but—"