A/N: Hey guys! So, what's up? Thanks for the reviews! They really do make my day! Anyway, if you didn't ready my previous author's notes, then go back and check. I don't feel like writing it over again. Anyway, thanks for the reviews!

lol925 - I know, Troy is so sweet!

laguanabeachfreak442 - Thanks!

Do.You.Remember.Me - Oh, my bad! I didn't know!

Anyway, here's the last chapter. Although I'm going to be adding a thank you chapter after this. But I made this chapter extra long. It has over 3000 words!

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Something Has Changed

Chapter 18: Something Has Changed

During the next few weeks, Gabriella didn't look good. She didn't want to participate in class, and she didn't want to talk to her friends. All she did was sulk around. She still can't face the fact that Ryan was gone.

Even though the gang was speaking again, Gabriella wasn't. They wanted to get the old Gabriella back. They met at the big oak tree at the front of the school.

"So anybody got any ideas?" Taylor asked. No one responded.

"She's been out of it since Ryan left." Troy said.

"We know that already. What we're trying to do is get the old Gabriella back. You know, like the way she was before Ryan left." Kelsi said.

"What if she started dating again?" Zeke asked.

"That's a great idea!" Sharpay said.

"You're only saying that because you're his girlfriend!" Jason said.

"No, wait, it really is a great idea!" Chad said.

"Yeah! We can get another dude for Gabriella!" Troy said.

"Yeah! But this time, he's not gonna be a jock." Sharpay said, looking at Troy.

"Yeah, you're right." Troy said.

-----

The next day, the gang came to Gabriella's locker.

"What's going on?" Gabriella asked.

"Gabby, this is Justin, he's new here at school and he was wondering if you could show him around." Taylor said, showing Justin the new guy.

"Nice to meet you Justin." Gabriella said as she held out her hand.

"Nice to meet you too Gabriella." Justin replied. Then she showed him around the school.

A few minutes before school started, Gabriella went back with the gang. She looked terrible. Some of her hair was standing up and her face was ashy.

"So, how'd it go?" Troy asked.

"How'd what go?"

"The tour!" Zeke said.

"Oh, that. Not so well. We passed by the biology lab and then he started talking about how he operated on his own foot. He was trying to cure his own bunions."

"EW!" The gang said.

"Yeah, tell me about it." Gabriella continued. "Then we passed by the chemistry lab and he decided to do a little experiment."

"What'd he do?" Kelsi asked.

"Well, he put two substances together, that shouldn't be together, causing it to explode." Gabriella said. "That's why I look like this." Gabriella explained.

"Find another guy, quick!" Sharpay whispered to Zeke and Chad.

"We're on it." They whispered back.

During the whole day, the gang kept setting Gabriella up with different guys. None of them were her type and she always ends up in a bad situation.

That afternoon, after school, Sharpay was driving Ryan's car home. She was sure to be careful because it was Ryan's first car. Then her phone rang and she answered it.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Shar. It's Ry."

"Hey Ry! So how's New York?"

"Pretty good. It's seven-thirty over here so only thirty more minutes until show time."

"How many shows have you done?"

"This is going to be my third one. So, how's everybody doing?"

"Everybody's doing good. Mom and dad are fine, Terrell has some sort of retard condition, as always, and the guys are doing well. Except for Gabriella."

"Why, what's wrong with Gabriella?"

"Nothing, it's just that, she's down most of the time. She's so out of it. Oh, yeah, and she and Troy broke up."

"They WHAT?" Ryan said, not believing his ears. "They're like the most perfect couple!"

"Shut up Ryan, don't pretend that you're not happy. But I don't know why they broke up. Everybody else knows why they broke up but they won't tell me. Gabriella seems fine with it though."

Ryan was actually doing his own little happy dance in his dressing room.

"Hello? Ryan?" Sharpay said. She didn't hear anything from the other end of the line.

"Still here! Shar, I just want to tell you that I'm going to be visiting you guys next week." Ryan said.

BAM! Sharpay crashed the car into a light post. She was shocked at what Ryan said that she lost control of herself and the car causing her to crash. Fortunately Sharpay was saved because of the airbag but the car alarm went off.

"Shar, what was that? Was that the sound of my car crashing into something?"

"No! Why would you think that?" Sharpay said, putting on her best acting voice and trying to shield the phone from the noise.

"Because I heard a crash and I can hear my car's alarm! I had it custom made you know. You just crashed my car!"

"Ry, it's not as bad as it seems! Really!" Sharpay said. "Just a few scratches… and dents."

"That is it! I'm coming home tomorrow! Don't worry Chev, daddy's coming!"

"You named your car Chev?"

"Yeah. It's a Chevrolet so I think Chev is appropriate."

-----

The next day, Saturday, Sharpay went to the airport without telling anybody. She didn't tell anybody that Ryan was coming to visit, not even her parents. She wanted to surprise everybody.

Ryan and Sharpay met at the gate.

"So how's Chev?" Ryan asked as he took his bag from the carousel.

"He's fine, I took him to the repair shop this morning."

Half an hour later, they arrive home. Nobody was there. Their parents were at work and Terrell, who knows where he is.

But just an hour later, their parents came home with Terrell. Sharpay went downstairs to greet them.

"Hey mom! Dad! Booger. I have a surprise for you guys."

"What?" Summer asked.

"Close your eyes." Sharpay said, and they closed their eyes. Sharpay signaled Ryan to come down. Then Ryan hugged his parents and his brother. They then opened their eyes.

"RYAN!" Richard shouted and hugged back.

"MY BABY!" Summer shouted and hugged back.

"GET OFF OF ME!" Terrell shouted and backed away. Then Ryan, Richard and Summer broke away.

"Oh, my God! When did you get here?" Summer asked.

"About a couple of hours ago. Didn't Sharpay tell you?"

"No, I didn't tell them because I wanted it to be a surprise."

-----

On Monday, Ryan went with Sharpay to school. He also wanted to surprise the gang. So he wore an overcoat, big sunglasses, and a hat to cover him up.

He went with Sharpay to her locker. Soon, Taylor came to Sharpay's locker.

"Hey Shar! So, who's this? A new man for Gabriella?" Taylor asked.

New man? Wait, what? Is Gabriella looking for a new guy? Ryan thought.

"No. He's not." Sharpay said. Although he wishes he is. She thought.

"Then who is he?"

"I'll tell you later at lunch."

"Okay, but we'll meet you in class, okay?" Taylor said, and waved goodbye.

"Where are you going to go while we're having class?"

"Maybe at the library. Do some research, surf the net." Ryan said.

"Okay, but don't get into any trouble."

"Done." Ryan said as they parted.

-----

A few hours later, it was lunch and as Sharpay promised, she told everybody who the mystery guy is.

"So Shar, who's the mystery man?" Taylor asked.

"Well, if I just take off the overcoat…" Sharpay said as she took off Ryan's overcoat. "…The hat…" She then took off his hat. "And the sunglasses…" She took off Ryan's sunglasses. "We'll have… Ryan Evans."

"Oh… my… God!" Taylor shouted.

"Ryan, is that really you?" Kelsi asked. Then Ryan sang a few bars of "Bop to the Top". "Oh, my God, it is you."

"The one and only."

"What are you doing here, man?" Jason asked.

"Well, I just finished doing my third show and I figured that I should take a little break and visit you guys."

"How long are you staying?" Chad asked.

"Until this coming Saturday."

"Hey Shar, we found another guy for Gabriella, should I introduce him now?" Zeke whispered to Sharpay.

"I think we should stop with the blind dates. Seems like Gabriella's content right now." Sharpay whispered back as she looked at Gabriella and saw that she was smiling from ear to ear.

"Gabby, are you gonna tell him?" Troy whispered to Gabriella.

"Tell who what?"

"Tell Ryan that you love him."

"Oh… right… I think I'll just leave that unmentioned."

"What? Why?"

"Well, he's just visiting. He's probably so busy in New York now. And if I tell him, it's just going to interfere with his work. So, I don't think I'm going to tell him. It'll be better if we just stayed friends."

Troy just sighed and shook his head.

-----

For the rest of the week, Ryan spent his lunches hanging out with the gang, his evenings talking to Sharpay about what happened in New York, and his afternoons with Gabriella. Though he doesn't plan on telling her that he loves her.

Friday afternoon, Ryan and Gabriella were at the park eating their suckers while sitting on the side of the big fountain.

"So what's going on with you and Troy?"

"What do you mean?"

"Sharpay told me that you broke up but she said that you guys wouldn't tell her why."

"Oh, yeah. We broke up."

"Can you tell me why?"

"I could, but I won't. It's just… um…"

"Complicated?"

"Yeah… complicated. So how's Broadway?" Gabriella asked, trying to change the subject.

"Broadway's been good. I like what we're doing so far."

"Well, that's good to hear." Gabriella said. Then a few seconds of silence followed but Gabriella spoke again. "Ryan, this past week has been fun. Thanks for coming down and visiting us."

"I told you I'd visit. This week's gone by fast though. I can't believe I'm going back to New York tomorrow."

"Yeah, I know. It's been a blast."

Then, Ryan put his hand on Gabriella's. Gabriella blushed. Then they were both leaning in for a kiss. They had already closed their eyes, and their lips were only inches apart. But suddenly, BAM! A Frisbee hit Ryan on the side of the head causing him to fall in the fountain. Gabriella was laughing at him so Ryan had no choice but to pull her in too.

"Ryan, look what you did!" Gabriella said as she was getting out of the fountain.

"You laughed!" Ryan complained. Then he got out too. He took the Frisbee that hit him on the side of the head and read what was written on it.

Mom said it's time for dinner. Stop flirting already. If you like her then just kiss her. It's that simple!

Terrell

Terrell you are a dead guy. Ryan thought.

-----

The next day, Ryan was leaving for New York again but this time, the whole gang came with him to the airport to bid him goodbye. They were waiting at the terminal.

"So, are you planning on telling him?" Troy whispered to Gabriella.

"I told you, I'm not telling him. It's best if we just stayed friends."

"So Ryan, are you going to make me proud again?" Sharpay asked.

"Of course. Just promise not to crash any of my cars again. But feel free to crash yours."

"Ry, are you sure you're going to miss us? 'Cause you look like you're having too much fun over at New York." Taylor said.

"I'll try not to have too much fun. In fact, I miss you guys already."

"So, we'll see you again in a couple of weeks?" Chad asked.

"Yeah, a couple of weeks."

"Ry, can you show this to your music editor?" Kelsi said, handing Ryan few pages of sheet music.

"I just came up with it during the week, and I was hoping that if they like it, they could play it in the musical."

"Sure Kels. I'm sure they'll like it." Ryan said taking the sheet music and putting it in his special box.

"Yeah, and dude, put this on your dressing room dresser would you?" Troy asked, handing him a framed picture of Ryan and the whole gang.

"I sure will." Ryan said taking the picture and putting it in his special box too.

Troy nudged Gabriella. "Now's your chance!" He whispered.

"Not gonna happen!" Gabriella whispered back. Then the intercom came on.

"Flight number 271 to New York is now ready to board. Again, flight number 271 to New York is now ready to board."

"That's you." Jason said.

"Yeah, but I won't be boarding until a couple more minutes. They let the disabled go first and then parents with kids and then the adults."

"Ryan, Gabriella has something to tell you." Troy said, pushing Gabriella forward.

"Yeah?" Ryan said.

"Ry, I just wanted to say that this past week has been fun and I…" Gabriella stopped and looked at Troy. He just signaled her to go on.

"I…"

"Yes?"

"I… hope that you come visit us soon!" Gabriella said and then closed her eyes and went back to Troy's side. Troy just looked at her and shook his head.

"Oh. Yeah, I'll visit. I promise!" Ryan said. Then he looked at the line of people and realized that the adults were already boarding. "Well, I gotta go. I'll catch you guys soon." Ryan said and then they did a group hug. The gang watched Ryan give his ticket to the attendant and go through the tunnel (A/N: Or however you call it) and into the plane.

He's really going. Gabriella thought. The gang then got out of the front doors of the airport and sat at the curb for a while. Then a few seconds later, they saw a plane take off. The same plane that Ryan got into.

"He's gone." Zeke said. Then the whole gang sighed. Then the airport speakers caught a radio frequency and started playing some music. Then the DJ came on.

"Hey guys, this is DJ Pete on 92.8 (A/N: I don't know if that's a real radio station, I just made it up) doing a live phone interview with a newly discovered Broadway star, Ryan Evans."

The sound of Ryan's name caught the gang's attention and they started to listen intently.

"Yes thank you, Pete." They heard Ryan say.

"So, how are you doing today, Ryan?"

"I'm doing good thank you. I actually just took a break and visited my hometown this past week."

"Really? Where is your hometown?"

"Albuquerque, New Mexico."

"Albuquerque, New Mexico. I heard that's a great city."

"It is, Pete."

"So, are you going back to New York?"

"Actually, Pete I'm not."

"WHAT?" The whole gang exclaimed causing the people around them to look at them.

"I'm not going back to New York."

"Why not?"

"Well, sure in New York I was living my dream. Being in Broadway. But even though I was living my dream, I wasn't having fun. I had more fun at home in Albuquerque with my friends and family. I realized that without them, I don't enjoy my life." Ryan said. The gang just looked at each other, confused.

"So what does this mean? Does this mean that you're not going to do Broadway anymore? That you're quitting."

"I believe so. Hey, Pete. Can I just have one request?"

"Sure."

"Can I sing a song?"

"Of course! I mean, I watched the musical last Friday and I thought you were awesome. Go ahead!"

"Thank you. I'd like to dedicate this song to a special girl. She might not be listening to this because she's in a car driving home. That special girl is Gabriella." Ryan said and then Gabriella's eyes widened.

"Who's this Gabriella girl, your girlfriend?"

"No, no, she's a really close friend. We're tight. But no, she's not my girlfriend. Anyway, Gabs, I didn't have the courage to say this to your face, so I'm saying it right now. I love you. I want you to know that." Ryan said, and then he started singing.

If ever you wonder, if you touched my soul, yes you do

Since I met you I'm not the same, you bring life to everything that I do

Gabriella started to sing along.

Just the way you say "hello", with one touch, I can't let go

Never thought I'd fall in love with you.

Because of you, my life has changed

Thank you for the love and the joy you bring

Because of you, I feel no shame, I'll tell the world

It's because of you.

The gang smiled at Gabriella. Their voices were in perfect harmony. They didn't know Gabriella could sing that way. She sang with so much feeling.

Sometimes I get lonely, all I gotta do is think of you

You've captured something inside of me; you make all of my dreams come true

It's not enough that you love me for me; you reached inside and touched me eternally

"I love you" best explains how I feel for you

Gabriella didn't know what was happening. When she sings this song with Ryan, she just feels like she's in heaven. And now she thinks she's hearing things. Somehow Ryan's voice is getting louder.

Because of you, my life has changed

Thank you for the love and the joy you bring

Because of you, I feel no shame, I'll tell the world

It's because of you

Then Gabriella felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned around, and she was face to face with none other than Ryan Evans. They held each other's hands and continued to sing while the gang was all smiles.

I knew you'd come to your senses. Troy thought.

The magic in your eyes, true love I can't deny

When you hold me, I just lose control

I want you to know, that I'm never letting go

You mean so much to me, I want the world to see

It's because of you

The gang was swaying to their singing now. They were so happy for Ryan and Gabriella that they forgot they were still at the airport and people were staring at them.

Because of you, my life has changed

Thank you for the love and the joy you bring

Because of you, I feel no shame, I'll tell the world

It's because of you, my life has changed

Thank you for the love and the joy you bring

Because of you, I feel no shame, I'll tell the world

It's because of you.

Ryan and Gabriella finished singing. The gang applauded for them earning more stares from the people around them. Then, Ryan and Gabriella did what they've wanted to do for a long time now. They kissed. The gang whistled and cheered for them. Sharpay got Ryan's phone from his hands and put it on speakerphone so the whole gang can hear.

"Hello? Hello? Ryan? Are you still there? That was phenomenal!"

"Sorry, Pete. Ryan's… a little bit busy right now." Sharpay said.

"Who's this?"

"This is his twin sister, Sharpay and a couple of his friends." Sharpay said and the gang said "hi" to Pete.

"Where's Ryan?"

"Oh, he's here, but he's busy." Taylor said.

"Do you know why he's quitting Broadway?"

"Let's just say…" Sharpay started. "…Something has changed." The whole gang replied in unison as they looked at a happy Ryan and Gabriella kissing in front of the Albuquerque International Airport.

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THE END! Okay, so did you guys like it? Sorry if it was a little rushed. I just really had to get it in before I move on Friday. Or else you will be forced to wait! Anyway, review!

By the way, if you haven't heard of the song yet, or want to hear it again, go to my profile and click on the youtube link. The song's called "Because of You" by Keith Martin.

Anyway, I'll be posting my thank you chapter tomorrow. If you want to get mentioned but haven't reviewed yet, I suggest that you review before 6:00 pm tomorrow. Just a reminder!