Taylor stood up in shock, immediately transforming from her sensible self into a mess. Her mouth started moving, but she didn't make a sound. It was a mark of how surprised she was that she stayed quiet, as Taylor was seldom rendered speechless.

Suprisingly, Gabriella took control of the situation. "Taylor," she commanded in a firm but still, if it was possible, sweet voice. "Let's just go. Stay quiet and please, don't look at them."

Taylor nodded mutely and allowed Gabriella to lead her out of the coffee shop. Once they ended what had to be at least a two-mile journey out the door, Gabriella turned around to look at Taylor. One look verified that Taylor wasn't going to make it home all right by herself.

"Come on," Gabriella said to Taylor. "Come home with me. We'll watch Love, Actually, OK?" she promised, referring to the one movie that always picked them up.

The two friends got into Gabriella's car, and Gabriella automatically picked up her Ipod to turn on some music. After some thought, she turned on Wicked, a musical they both adored. Unfortunately, the song 'I'm Not That Girl" came on, and Gabriella hastily changed it. "Popular" was next on shuffle. Much better. Gabriella started singing along and even Taylor cracked a smile as Kristin Chenoweth's voice played through the speakers.

Gabriella pulled into the driveway of her one-story house and turned off her car. She looked at Taylor, who was determinedly not looking at Gabriella, clearly afraid she would start crying. Gabriella waited, knowing that Taylor would speak when she was ready to talk. Sure enough, after a few seconds, Taylor turned to Gabriella.

"Weren't you surprised to see them?"

This was not quite what Gabriella was expecting Taylor to say, and she took a moment answering. "Yes," she finally answered. "I was."

"You're not acting very surprised. Or upset. Which, by the way, makes me look a mess," Taylor said, smiling a little.

Gabriella hesitated. "Tay..." she started, then paused. "Tay, did you really think we'd never see them again?"

Taylor jerked her head noncommitally. "I dunno."

"Well, it just seemed like..." Gabriella was speaking very slowly, as though sorting out her thoughts. "It just seemed like it couldn't be the end, you know? I know Troy and Chad were jerks when they broke up with us, and for a while I didn't want to see either of them ever again. But...I don't know. It just felt like something. Like fate."

Taylor snorted. "Getting dumped the day after graduation and then seeing the guy again after five years does not seem like fate to me."

Gabriella gripped the steering wheel. "I guess you're right. Come on, let's go inside. You grab the movie and I'll get the ice cream."

Chad turned to Troy. "Looks like they saw us."

Troy grinned. "Finally."

A couple of winks and a high five were exchanged before the two friends left the building.

A/N: Thanks so much for the reviews! Just keep em coming, you know you want to...