Author's Note: I know that Derek wasn't himself in the last chapter, but that just goes to show you what alcohol can do to people. Thanks for all the nice reviews, especially wendy04 & The Confoozhing Nessia.


Gabriella felt a little nervous. She hadn't seen her friends since Chad and Taylor's wedding. She knew that they all probably looked the same, but couldn't help but wonder, anyway. She stepped into the restaurant, which seemed to be the place to meet people lately. Oh, well, at least it isn't a hotel. "Hey, guys," she cracked a smile, sliding into a stool in front of a bar, where everyone else was seated. "So… I still don't know what this 'reunion' is for."

"What, a bunch of guys and girls can't get together with their friends?" Chad said.

"We tried to call you last night, but I guess you forgot your cell phone," Sharpay shrugged. "We all flew in and were crashing at Taylor's place. I swear, it was just like high school. Except for you and Troy weren't there, whispering sweet nothings in some sort of secluded corner," she laughed.

Troy and Gabriella didn't find this very funny.

The usual back-and-forth banter went on as the group of friends grinned and drank soda floats, as if they didn't have to work, there were no problems, and they didn't have a care in the world. Gabriella and Troy zoned out for a little, one thinking of the other.

"Yeah, Gabriella and Troy should totally get married," Kelsi laughed.

That girl must be high. "What the heck?" Gabriella snapped out of her reverie.

"Yeah… remember that one time in college, when Gabbie saved Troy from getting arrested by pretending to be pregnant? That was hysterical, and pretty good acting, too," Sharpay chimed in.

Zeke chuckled. "She got her backpack and stuffed it underneath her shirt. Spandex, was it?'

"Cotton," Gabriella muttered. "It was cotton."

"Still… that was some stunt you pulled. And then the police drove you to the hospital!" Chad reminded.

Troy smiled and nodded.

"Hey, Gabs, want some Coke?" Taylor asked. She had a frosty can of it in one hand. She was all the way at the other end of the bar, and threw it to Gabriella. It was a little off-course and caused Gabriella to lean backwards to catch it before flailing in the air, eventually falling off her stool and landing with the top of her head against someone's abdomen.

Gabriella opened her eyes and covered her open mouth in horror. She was looking into the face of a stranger—a cute stranger with a kind face, but a stranger nonetheless. She returned to her sitting position and turned around to face him. "H-hi," she said, trying to be as friendly as possible. "Sorry about that."

The man's eyes were friendly and seemed to twinkle with amusement. "It's OK. My name's Jacob, by the way. Jacob Harrison." Jacob had curly blond hair and blue eyes. He was slightly tanned and looked like a surfer. "Who do I have the pleasure of running into on such a fine day?"

Gabriella giggled nervously and held out her hand. "Gabriella. Montez."

Troy turned away, sighing. How was he supposed to "compete" with a guy like Jacob Harrison? For all he knew, Gabriella worked for Jacob, too. And she obviously liked him, since she was giggling the giggle. The one that would light up her entire face and most likely yours, too. It seemed like there was no hope in hoping anymore. He'd have to take action, like the man his birth certificate told him he was. Just… not right then.

"Well, then, Miss Montez," Jacob grinned, his Hollywood-white teeth sparkling. "I hope we meet again."

"Me, too," Gabriella beamed. She didn't want to be "on the rebound," and there wasn't anything wrong with being cautious. Still, another part of her begged fate to let Jacob cross her way again. She turned back to the table, which had been silent, eavesdropping without shame. "You guys!" she scolded, but was unsuccessful in hiding a smile.

"Score one for Montez!" Sharpay laughed. "Good catch. Cute, polite, sweet, looks athletic but not the jockish jerk kind—" she eyed Chad accusingly.

"Yeah… wait, huh?... Hey!" Chad retorted. "And I believe it's 'jerkish jock.' "

"Whatever." Sharpay blew him off before continuing. "The important thing is, Gabriella, that this Jacob Harrison guy has potential. More than that Derek dork you were telling us about last night."

Gabriella merely nodded, looking for Jacob as inconspicuously as possible. She spotted him with two guys. He caught her gaze and winked. She looked away, blushing.

"Gabbie, Sharpay's right. If you and Jacob have enough in common, this could be the best relationship you've ever been in," Kelsi added.

"In fact, he could be the one!" Taylor squealed. The guys rolled their eyes, as if to say, "girl talk."

Troy felt his cheeks burning. Hello…? I'm right here!

But nobody else seemed to notice.

"Yeah, and if any guy breaks your heart, we'll beat 'im up for you," Ryan offered, pounding a clenched fist into his palm for effect.

"And we'll visit you every day when her ex knocks you out into a coma," Sharpay teased.

Troy smiled and went along with the conversation, his eyes or mind constantly wandering to a certain dark-eyed brunette.

---

Gabriella drove home, humming a familiar tune. What was that song called again? She tried to recall the lyrics. "It feels so right to be here with you—oh. And now, looking in your eyes, I feel in my heart the start of something new…"

The Start of Something New. Yes, that accurately described how she was feeling. Even though she had only met him that day and had talked to him for mere minutes… something was there. Something new and exciting. Like… like the way she'd felt on the night she had first met Troy. Montez, you're being simply ridiculous. Back to Jacob… for some reason, she was sure that he'd never hurt her like Troy and Derek had. And she promised herself she'd never make the same, stupid, guy-related mistakes again.

She entered her modest home, half-expecting Derek to be there, on his knees, groveling at her feet for forgiveness. She was pleasantly "disappointed." She passed by the island to put her house keys down, then saw the blinking signal on her kitchen phone, telling her she had one new message.

"Uh… hi… Gabriella? I… uh… kinda looked for your number in the phone book. Hope you don't mind," Jacob laughed nervously. "I know we just met and all, and I'd totally understand if you got creeped-out and never answered. But I was just wondering… would you like to spend a lunch break with me sometime? I work at Brown Industries & Co (A/N: XD, Who doesn't?), and I… could take you to a café, buffet… any sort of… 'fay'… whatever you want." He left his number before ending the call.


A/N: (gasp) Poor Troy… whenever he thinks Gabriella's available, another guy snags her heart. Don't worry, Jacob's cuter than Derek and much better for Gabbie, anyway. And he won't hurt her. So how is this going to end a Troyella? Teehee. I luff Jacob. He's the awesomeness.

♥♥♥ --- Christa (Sawk-Rawker)