One Last Time

summary: It wasn't the fact that he left that hurt her the most. It was the fact that he broke his promise that killed her. She didn't care if he doesn't love her anymore. As long as she gets to hold him one last time. For she thought he belongs to another girl.

AN: if y'all want it to be super emotional. I'd suggest reading this while listening to One Last Time or any other heartbreak songs. for Gabriel because he was the Troy I wished I could've kept.

disclaimer: I don't own anything but the plot.

Chapter 1

Gabriella didn't understand how a girl can be so vulnerable around a guy. To cry when they would break up. To be shocked when he would say those three words to her. To feel clingy when she misses him. To be emotional at even saying goodbyes. Gabriella Montez didn't understand anything about romantic love. She thought her dad can supply that love to her. She thought her family was enough. But how life was just waiting and piling all that pain up to just blow it up her face one day.

Growing up in Albuquerque, New Mexico was peaceful. Especially on the east side of the place. Gabriella was 2 years old when she took an interest in the local library down the street from her mom's workplace. She would spend 3 hours in the children's corner, reading a book she could grab her hands on. Not noticing Ms. Gracie, the 40-year-old librarian, watching her closely. The first book she read was the dictionary. Strange yet she thought it was best to learn the meaning of every word in the English lexicon before reading any books. It took her 3 days to finish the book. Another 3 days for the information to sink. Maria Montez found out a week later when she came to pick Gabriella up through Ms. Gracie. To say she was shocked was an understatement. Gabriella's mother was speechless. How often do you hear that the first book your 2-year-old daughter was the dictionary? Not every day. Or at all.

After that day, Gabriella's love for reading grew. Every day from 1-5 pm, Gabriella sits in the children's corner with a book on her lap. Ms. Gracie would often check her if she would need anything. A juice box, a pillow, or another book.

By the age of 5, Gabriella started reading novels. Well, novels suited her age ( Ms. Gracie made sure of it). Those novels would supply Gabriella's knowledge of how half the world would work. Although she wouldn't admit it, she likes reading books that didn't have happy endings. She preferred reading books with realistic endings by the age of 11.

At the age of 12, she avoided any romance novels. She already knew how the story would go. The main character would meet. They develop feelings. The problem appears. They solve the problem at a slow pace. In the end, they end up together and sealing the whole story with a kiss. At least that's how it normally goes.

Gabriella entered East High's library with her book bag on her shoulder. On her way to section A-J, she greeted the librarian out of respect. Scanning through the many books on the first bookshelf of section A-J, she finally saw the book she's been looking for. She took out Stephen Chbosky's The Perks of Being a Wallflower. With the book clutched in her hand, she went to the front desk with Mrs. Carmichael arranging the latest new book additions for the library.

"Good morning, Mrs. Carmichael."

"Isn't it too early for you to be here?" Mrs. Carmichael asked.

"I just thought recess would be the perfect time to borrow this," Gabriella showed her the book. She placed the book on top of the desk.

Mrs. Carmichael smiled at Gabriella while taking out the borrower's list and handing it to her. Mrs. Carmichael wasn't your typical librarian. One thing, she's 29 years old. She never told anyone why she chose the profession but she looks like she enjoys it. Another thing is that she isn't those snappy librarians that would give you those glares when you make a sound. She would just tap your shoulder and give you a stern look.

Gabriella wrote her name and the book she's borrowing on the list then handing it back to Mrs. Carmichael. She grabbed the book and bid the librarian a goodbye before leaving the library.

The fourth period was always Gabriella's favorite hour. Mythology. Everything about it was mesmerizing. The thing about Mythology is that everything about it is fascinating. Every story seems to be connected with the other at some point. Plus right after Mythology is Lunch then free period.

"Alright class," Mr. Smythe clapped his hands. "These next few months, I've decided that we should tackle Greek Mythology. We are going way back to ancient times. Why these stories are famous and why they're important to us in the present."

Gabriella could hear a few groans coming from the back. She turns around and saw Frances Rivers, the head cheerleader, rolling her eyes with Heather Anderson, her best friend. Turning her back to Mr. Smythe who was already discussing the rest of the course outline for the school year.

"We are starting with Greek because I think everyone at least knows a story or two. Like how the mountain's peak looks like it's touching the sky. We are to tackle every little detail of each story we can possibly learn."

A few more groans could be heard from the back while Mr. Smythe ignored them.

"Alright," Mr. Smythe clapped his hands.

'He sure likes to clap', Gabriella thought.

"Homework is to research anything about Cosmogony. I want a 2 paged essay that, fortunately, will not have to be back to back. Turn them in by my desk this Thursday."

The last 15 minutes were a blur to Gabriella. She looked down at her notebook, seeing the little notes she scribbled in. Finding it hard to read with her doctor handwriting, she looked up in time to hear the bell ring. Picking up her notebook and sliding her bag into her shoulder, she left the classroom with her best friend trailing behind her.

"Gabi!" Taylor Mckessie exclaimed.

Gabriella turned around when she felt Taylor's hand on her shoulder and said, "Hey Tay."

Walking side by side with her best friend, Gabriella noticed a familiar person walking up to them. Her eyebrows raised when she realized that the familiar person was, no other than, Troy Bolton. With his hands on his pockets, he grinned at the two ladies.

"Hey ladies," he greeted.

"Hey Troy," Taylor replied.

Gabriella just looked at him skeptically. Although Troy was considered to be East High's basketball captain, he wasn't those stereotypical jocks. Well, at least that's what she heard.

"Is there something you want, Troy?' Gabriella asked, crossing her arms.

"Nothing," he chuckled. "No. I was just stopping by to say hi to you."

"You're stopping by?" Troy nodded at Gabriella. "Didn't know that stopping by the hallway was your thing."

"Haha, Montez."

Troy left the two girls. Both Gabriella and Taylor made their way to the cafeteria.

"This is why you're single," Taylor remarked.

"Why?"

"The way you're talking to boys is like they stabbed you from your previous life," Gabriella giggled.

"Maybe they did."

The cafeteria was always full. Doesn't matter if the students were eating or not. It's always full. The jocks were seated on the bottom floor with a few cheerleaders standing beside their chairs. The math club was reading their Trigonometry books with their packed lunches beside them, barely touched. The decathlon team was seated on the third floor of the big room, discussing the newest set of lab tools that came in a week ago. Only two members of the team weren't sitting next to them. On the first floor of the cafeteria, only 2 tables away from the basketball team, Gabriella and Taylor were gossiping about the new coffee shop that just opened a block away.

"I'm telling you," Taylor took a bite out of her turkey sandwich then swallowing it. "The shop is everything. The coffee is like heaven. You should try it. Chad took me there last week."

"I'll go if it means I won't be stuck with you being lovely with your boyfriend,"

"Is there a rule where I can't cuddle my boyfriend in public?" Taylor playfully glared at her.

"n my book, yes."

Both girls giggled and ate the rest of their lunch. While Gabriella was peacefully enjoying one of the last bites to her sandwich, she felt Taylor's hands shaking her. She annoyingly looked at her and asked, "What?"

"I don't know if it's a trick of the sun or what," Taylor whispered. "But I swear that I saw Troy looking at you."

"Troy Bolton?" Gabriella asked.

"Yeah," Taylor replied.

'This day can't get any weird,' She thought. Taking the last bite of her sandwich, she quickly disposes of her trash with Taylor trailing behind her. They both left the cafeteria and headed towards Gabriella's locker.

"Didn't you like him before?" Taylor asked.

"When I was like 10 or something," she replied when they reached her locker.

"I say go for it."

Gabriella almost dropped her biology book. She looked at Taylor as if she just grew three additional heads.

"Go for what?"

"I mean," Taylor sighed. "Try to mingle with him."

"I'm an independent woman who needs no man,"

Taylor gave her those looks that said 'are you kidding me?' and said, "Does an independent woman mean you calling me at 2 a.m. because you can't find your laptop charger?"

"Oh shut up," Gabriella lightly hit Taylor's shoulder. "It was one time and my Friends reruns were waiting."

Taylor gave her a sarcastic nod.

"I better go. I told Chad I'd meet him before History starts."

And with that, Gabriella was left by her locker while her best friend ran towards her boyfriend, Chad Danforth.

"It sucks to see them kissing outside of school," a voice said that startled Gabriella.

"Don't do that," turning around to see Troy standing next to her.

"No," Troy whined. "Takes the fun of scaring the shit out of you away."

Gabriella rolled her eyes and closed her locker. She was about to walk away when Troy suddenly grabbed her wrist. Turning around, she saw Troy scratching the back of his neck.

"I don't know how to say the next few things without sounding like a jerk."

"Then you're failing miserably," Gabriella retorted.

"Can I asked for your number?" Troy asked.

"Why?" she asked with disbelief.

"Chad dared me last night to go around ask 10 people for their number. If I don't do it, he'll tell my dad that I broke his favorite mug."

Gabriella shook her head and grabbed a piece of paper with a pen to write her number on it. After a few scribbles, she handed him the paper and said, "I understand. Chad's always a dickhead when it comes to dares."

Troy laughed. Gabriella slowly turned around and walked towards the study hall, leaving Troy behind with her number on his hand. He stuffed it on his front pocket and shakes his head.

'I owe Chad a big one.'