DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL


I dropped my bags and sat on the steps, drooping my head in my hand as I waited. I felt like I wanted to cry until...

"Gabriella."

Ilifted my head up.The sun was in my eyes, but I didn't really care.Myfeet were floating asI stood up.I sawa hot pink polo and realizedit wasn't Troy. It was Geo. He moved around so that his shadow provided me shade. I forced a smile and said, "Hey, Geo." I felt fake.

"Hey, Gabi." Gabi and Geo. It had a sort of ring to it. WAIT! What was I thinking! I barely know the guy.

"So...what are you still doing out here? Changed your mind about your plans?" I struggled for words. I didn't know what to say. He was sweet and stunning.

"No. Just running a little behind schedule." C'mon Troy, where are you? We both satback down on the steps. Asudden breeze sent my hair flying everywhere.I was fighting for control,then Geo helped me out. I had afew strands of hairs stuck to my lip gloss. He reached over and eased them out. He leaned in slowly, starring at my lips. Iwas motionless. I didn't want a kiss , but I didn't want to blow him off.I just sat there as he stealthy made his way closer.He was inches away from my face. I felt his light breathing on my tip of my nose. I even smelt his mintyfresh gum he was chewing. He was getting closer...closer...closer...and then...BAM!I smashed right against his nose as I turned away to answer my phone. He was holding his face when I turned back around. He was shrieking with pain.Whoops. My bad.

I apologized half a dozen times. "No, no. It's ok." He shook his head as if to shake the pain away. He smiled and stepped back. And then he went tumbling down the stairs. I was laughing my head off on the inside, but my face showed concern. I was half way down the stairs when he said, "No no no! I'm ok!" He rose to his feet. "Just call me later, ok?" I nodded. He turned bright red then walked away. How embarrassing. Once he was out of earshot, I unleashed the bottled up laughter within me. I went back to my stop on the top of the stairs and sat down again.I watched a couple cars drive by andrecognized a black car with a hot pink shirt in the driver's seat. Geo. Itried to make it seem likeIwas text messaging me as he looked myway and waved. He kept driving when I didn't respond. Phew. I placed my elbow on my thigh and sank my chin in my palm.A couple more minutes passed.Jeez Troy,you're more than fashionably late.If you're not here within one minute, I'm taking off and ---.

My thoughts were interrupted with a "Gabriella." I recognized that smooth, mellow, teasing, irresistible voice. I got up and turned around.

Troy was wearing nice faded jeans, a black Lacostepolo, and sharp looking Aasics. His chrome watch shimmered.He looked more handsome than ever before. Maybe I'll refer him to Teen People ifI get the job.He waswalking towards me, gym bag in his hand and the other in his pocket. As I began to step up from the stairs, my knee had this jolt of pain, and I slipped backwards. Luckily, Troy was there in time to catch my waist and bring me up. I hadn't been this close to him in such a long time. I took in his scent. He just took a shower, too. When I looked up at him, his eyes were warm and welcoming

"You know, Gabi. You've taken a pretty big fall today. Didn't want to see another one too soon." He laughed. He had let go off my waist.

"Well hello to you, too." I giggled. I hoped this wasn't going to be awkward. I could tell he was examining me. I caught him in the act. He turned bright red.

I rolled my eyes at him and slowlystarted spinning around, having him look at me from all around. "Satisfied?" He turned a brighter red.

"So…you're a cheerleader now. That's great…" he picked up his bags that he dropped in order tocatch meand mine, and we started walking towards the parking lot. "You know you look really good in that uniform. I would never have expected Gabriella Montez to become a cheerleader." He laughed. I blushed.

"Well. I guess there's a lot you don't know about me since the last time we saw each other." He stopped smiling. Oops. Why the heck did I just say that. I turned to apologize, but he cut me off.

"No, no. It's true. Sorry about that." Awkward silence.

"You know your basketball skills have really got you something. Did I see no missed shot out there, Bolton?"

"Yeah...well. You sang really great. Better than what I remember. A little shaky in the beginning." I punched him on the arm.

"Hey, I haven't sung since..." I trailed off. He understood as he gave me a slight nod. The truth was I sang just this morning in the shower. I didn't let anyone hear me of course, not even Taylor.

He cleared his throat. "So how have you been? You wanted to be a...a.."He quickly turned red again.

"Neurologist," I completed.

"Neurologist, eh? That's the Gabi I know."He smiled that smile. I couldn't take my eyes off of him, but did he really know me? We haven't talked in forever,and yet he was still acting as though he were best friends.

We neared the parking lot entrance. Why was I following him? My car wasn't parked here. I remembered that I ran with Taylor.

"Oh, uhm. Actually, I didn't take my car," I tried to stay cool. He had put on his sunglasses. He looked sly and hot. It made me melt inside.

"Ohwell, thendoyouneedalift? I'vegotplentyoftimeonmyhandsforyou." I could tell he didn't want to sound eager, but the fact that he said that all in one breath made me laugh out loud.I politely accepted his offer. I directed where to go, and he dropped me off outside the apartment. He took my gym bag andgot out to walk me to the door.

"You know, Gabi," he finally broke the ice. "I know we haven't talked in a long time." He started to sweat. What? Do I make him nervous? "But, it'd like it if we got a chance to catch up. You got my letter didn't you?" Oh shoot. That's right. The letter. I didn't even open it yet. I nodded in agreement. "Good. Then I'll pick you up later." He handed me my bag. What was I supposed to do? Hug him? Kiss him? Give him a handshake? Oh god, I was freaking out on what to do until he started go back to his car and waved good-bye. I returned the wave and smiled.Then he drove off.

The letter. I need to read that letter.

Just as he left, I saw Jason and Kelsi pull up the drive way. I didn't mean to stare, but I saw them make out in the car before Kelsi got out. Jason turned and saw me, his face became stunned. He backed out and drove away. Kelsi saw him drive away until he disappeared and turned to see standing outside the door. This time, I turned red.

She folded her arms. "Gabriella Montez. Are you spying on me?"

My eyes bulged. "No, no, no, I..uh...well."

She let out a laugh. "Kidding. Come on, let's goin before the sprinklers turn on."


A/N: okee dokes. i tried to make this chapter a little interesting? did it work? i derno. oh btw, thanks for the awesome reviews guys! really means a lot to me:D