The day after the reunion, Gabriella wakes up to a text from Ryan.

Look at what I just found!

Attached is a picture of the two of them at prom. The sight makes Gabriella smile. Ryan is in a purple tux and a ridiculous top hat – always over the top, in true Evans fashion –, while Gabriella is wearing a long white dress embroidered with black flowers. God, she has always loved that dress.

But what tugs at her heart the most is how happy she looks. Both she and Ryan are grinning at the camera, but that's not what reveals her joy – there's a mirth sparkling in her eyes that she hasn't been able to find there for a while.

She sighs wistfully as she quickly types a text back.

We were so young! I guess the reunion has made you feel nostalgic?

Oh, how simple those times were, she thinks as she opens the photo again and stares at her younger, happier self. It might sound cliché, but prom night truly was one of the best nights of her life. She and her friends had all agreed to let their fears and concerns for the future rest for one night, so that they could enjoy it to the fullest.

And, despite that one moment she let her wandering thoughts and her worries get the best of her, enjoy it, they did.

How could they have let it all go so horribly wrong? How could she not have held onto those precious moments and let it all slip through her fingers?

Oh, how she wishes she could do it all over again.

"Stop!" Gabriella giggles madly as she tries to push Troy off her, while he peppers a trail of ticklish kisses down her neck. "Your dad is here!"

"I don't care," Troy murmurs into her neck as he squeezes her waist. "I can't help myself. You're so beautiful. You should have been prom queen."

Gabriella giggles again as she finally manages to push Troy away. She gives him a cheeky wink as she pulls at his crown and makes it fall over his head. As Troy huffs and fixes the crown's position, she states, "You're just saying that because you didn't want to dance with Sharpay."

Troy grimaces guiltily as both their gazes trail to Sharpay on the other side of the room, gesticulating furiously as she screeches at Zeke incomprehensibly, probably for stepping on her toes.

"You're a much better dance partner, that's for sure," Troy admits, wincing slightly. "But that's not why I wanted you to be prom queen. I want you to be prom queen because of how amazing and beautiful you are."

Blushing slightly at the look in his eyes – his affection always takes her breath away –, she smiles at him gratefully for the compliment and reaches up to peck his lips.

"I love you."

She means it and he knows it, for his face lights up as he responds, without a second of hesitation, "I love you too."

She feels her words reverberate in every bone, her heart thumping against her ribcage and a warm feeling of fondness settling within her as she stares into his deep ocean blue eyes.

She loves him, she loves him, she loves him.

How did she get so lucky to be with him? What celestial being does she need to thank for sending her to Albuquerque and putting him on her path?

Maybe it's too early to thank the gods, though, a voice pops up in her mind and her face falls and she looks down as the doubts settle in.

She may not be leaving Albuquerque just yet, but she will eventually. And she doesn't know what will happen to her and Troy and that thought scares her.

Obviously noticing the change in her composure, Troy's finger comes below her chin and he raises an eyebrow as he lifts her face and makes her look him in the eyes again. "What are you thinking about?"

She can see in his eyes that he knows exactly what she's thinking about, his gaze revealing a mixture of concern and annoyance – and whether that second emotion is playful or serious, she doesn't know.

Knowing there's no point in lying, she sighs as she admits, "Next year."

"We said we wouldn't do that tonight. It was your idea," he says sternly and Gabriella bites her lip in response as she nods.

"I know, but I can't help myself. I'm not ready to say goodbye to this place yet."

"You're not saying goodbye, Gabriella," Troy says, and Gabriella swallows when she hears the desperation in his voice. "You're staying here for another year."

She almost feels bad about the decision she's made whenever he brings it up, because it's hard to miss the pain in his eyes. He doesn't agree with her choice, she knows that, and neither do her mom and Taylor or anyone else for that matter, but it's the decision she has made and she stands by it.

She's not ready to leave yet, so she has deferred Stanford for another year and she's taking classes at the University of Albuquerque. The classes they offer are not nearly as good as those at Stanford, but it's a sacrifice she's willing to make if it means staying in Albuquerque for a little while longer and keep her heart intact.

She knows there's more than just his disagreement with Gabriella over her choice that hides behind those eyes, and she feels guilt seep in as she thinks about it.

He's unsure if U of A is the right fit for him. And he doesn't know what he does want instead. And meanwhile, she has deferred her dream school.

She doesn't want to dwell on that thought for too long, because then she'll start doubting her choice to stay in Albuquerque and if there's something she doesn't want to do right now, it's that.

"I know. I'm sorry for being such a buzzkill," she says instead as she leans against Troy's chest and sighs at the immediate comfort of hearing his heartbeat.

"It's fine," Troy says gently as he strokes her back. "I know that you're scared, that's nothing to be ashamed of."

"Same goes for you," she murmurs as she leans back up and smiles at him genuinely, before pressing her lips against his.

He smiles into the kiss and raises his eyebrow as they pull away. "So, moment of doubt over?"

"Moment of doubt over," she agrees with a nod and they seal it with another kiss.

And it's true. The doubts don't seep back in all night. All she does this night is enjoy her time with her friends and cherishing these moments she's been gifted with.

Never once does the thought that it will eventually all fall apart cross her mind again.

Because right now, her heart is full.

Gabriella has found that exercise and fresh air are good ways to clear her mind. As such, the memories that she's been bombarded with because of Ryan's picture are best combatted by going on a morning run.

However, being back in Albuquerque means that every place she goes to is filled with memories of days when her life was easier, even if it didn't seem to be that way.

How many times has she run through this same park while contemplating whether to go to Stanford or stay in Albuquerque? How many times has she run through this park when she was worried about him?

The music blasting through her ears, the wind in her hair, she pants as her footsteps fall on the pavement rhythmically. Breathing in the morning air, she closes her eyes blissfully and she feels the relief flood her with every new step she takes.

Her eyes, however, open again quickly as she suddenly hears a loud bark right next to her. Stopping her tracks, she can't help but smile as she looks at the puppy jumping up and down at her feet. It's a golden retriever, probably only a few months old, its tail wagging excitedly as it turns its head to look at her.

Hunching, she pets the dog on its head and ruffles its fur as she coos, "Hi, baby. Where did you come from?"

Just then, a frustrated voice enters her ears and her body freezes immediately in recognition.

"Lola, there you are!"

Gulping, she looks up at Lola's owner and watches as his eyes widen as he recognizes her. Standing up and awkwardly wiping her hands on her pants, she offers him an awkward smile.

"Hey, Troy."

His hand immediately flies up to his neck and his face flushes a little as he gives her a look over, before offering her a meek smile. "I guess we meet again."

"We do," Gabriella says softly, and an awkward silence befalls her for a moment, before the puppy at her feet barks again.

Bending down to give the animal another rub over its head, Gabriella smiles and says, "I guess this is your dog?"

It's an appropriate ice breaker, for Troy breaks into a gentle grin too as he approaches them cautiously, without getting too close to Gabriella for comfort. "Yes! Meet Lola. I adopted her not too long ago."

"She's sweet," Gabriella comments, and she laughs to herself as she stares at the dog and a memory comes to mind.

Sharpay always used to call Troy a puppy dog. And looking at this dog, she can't help but think that the blonde diva had a point, even though she only said it to be dramatic.

As she looks back up, Troy looks curious, quirking his head just like Lola. "What?"

She can't help but shake her head fondly, her eyes twinkling with mirth as she says, "It's nothing."

Another awkward silence occurs, as neither knows what else to say or how to talk to each other. Gabriella tries her hardest not to dwell on the tragedy of not being able to talk to her former best friend, but instead, her mind decides to settle on the thought of the moment they shared on the rooftop last night. She must not be the only one freaked out about that and at that thought, guilt settles in her stomach.

Troy must have been thinking about it too, because all of a sudden, they simultaneously burst out, "I'm sorry about last night."

Both pairs of eyes widen and they blink in astonishment, before Troy shakes his head incredulously. "What are you sorry for? I was the one who invaded your personal space."

"Wasn't I the one who did that by fixing your tie?" Gabriella retorts, before throwing her hands up in the air in frustration. "And I did that after not even looking you in the eye!"

Troy's lips curl into a small smile at that, and he rubs his neck as he tells her, "Well, you're looking at me now, aren't you?"

She is.

She hasn't even realized it, but despite the awkward pauses, she doesn't feel nearly as uncomfortable being in his presence as she did the night before. And at the same time, she realizes she's enjoying this. There's a lot of history between them that never got resolved, but she can't help but admit she has missed being in his presence, and that she has missed drowning in those ocean blue eyes.

She doesn't vocalize that thought, still a bit fearful that she might freak him out – and herself even more –, so she just shrugs and tucks a curl behind her ear bashfully.

Troy narrows his eyes at her for a second, thoughtfully, continuing to rub his neck as he murmurs, "With the risk of making things weird again, would you mind if I gave you my number?"

Gabriella blinks. "Why?"

It may not be the most diplomatic response to a normal question – well, normal except for the fact that it's Troy Bolton asking it –, and Gabriella immediately feels guilty when she sees a flash of hurt in his eyes.

"I guess I kind of wanted to catch up," he says with a shrug. "We didn't really get a chance to last night."

Gabriella bites her lip as she stares down at the ground for a second, pondering his words. Why not? Having his number is not the end of the world and she did after all just admit to herself that she has missed him.

Therefore, she smiles at him nervously and grabs her phone. Her hand trembling a little, she hands it to him and tries not to gasp as their fingertips brush lightly as he takes the item from her.

Troy seems excited, grinning as he types in his number, and Gabriella can't help but find his joy infectious, smiling as well when he quickly lifts up Lola from the ground and takes a selfie on her phone.

He hands her back her phone and Gabriella giggles as she looks at the selfie, which he has put as his contact photo.

"Well, I guess I must be going," Troy says, laughing as Lola licks his face, before putting her down. He smiles gently as he adds, "I hope to hear from you soon."

Gabriella merely nods in response, and watches as Troy puts the leash back on Lola. Waving as he walks off, he says, "Bye, Gabriella."

"Bye, Troy!" she calls after him, and she can't help but break out in a grin as she looks down at her phone and takes another look at the picture of Troy and Lola.

Cute.

Maybe it wasn't the best idea for him to put the ball in her court.

She really was going to text him, she was. But then her thoughts got the best of her. She may be ten years older than she was when she was with him, but she's still prone to overthinking and overanalysing and running away when things get difficult or scary.

And although they haven't actually interacted in such a long time, she's quite sure that he knows this. How could he not after she wouldn't look him in the eye on the rooftop?

So, if he knows how scared she is, why didn't he just ask for her number instead? Why would he arrange for her to have to text or call him?

It must be intentional, so what's his aim? Is he trying to test her to see if she won't run away this time?

Because she might. As nice as it was to have a relatively normal encounter with him this morning, she just isn't sure whether this is a good idea. There's a reason why they broke up all those years ago and who is to say that it won't happen again?

She knows that they've both grown up and learned from their mistakes, but the fact that she's feeling that exact same fear settle in her stomach that she hasn't felt in so long isn't a good sign.

And then there's the fact that she just got out of a relationship, one where her trust was broken in such a horrific manner. She knows she's still attracted to Troy, so what if she starts developing feelings for him again? She's not ready for a new man in her life, especially not one she has such a complicated history with.

But on the other side, maybe she does need someone like Troy in her life. Because as small and fearful as she has felt during some parts of their relationship, he is also the person who lifted her off the ground and who is the reason why she managed to leave behind a life of complete solitude, a life of no home and no roots.

Maybe she needs that – she needs someone who will stand by her and who will offer her words of encouragement and who will make her feel alive.

But is he still that same Troy? Would he still make her feel that way? Too much has changed in those years they have spent apart.

As curious as she is and as much as she craves a positive influence in her life, she's just not sure if this is the right decision.

Therefore, she decides to wait to text him, sleep on it.

Hopefully, she'll find some clarity soon. And hopefully, she'll make the right decision this time.

Ryan doesn't seem to be the only one who caught the nostalgia bug – a day after running into Troy, Gabriella finds herself in the basement, helping her mother going through old belongings that have been stored there for years now.

It makes her happy to see that so much of her childhood is now stored neatly in one place – there's so much old photos and paraphernalia that bring back so many memories, some good and some bad.

Despite going through some painful memories – her dad, mostly –, she isn't prepared for when she finds the box. The last one that she packed before she went off to Stanford.

The one with all the memories from the two best years in her life, and one of the worst heartbreaks she has ever experienced.

She feels her breath shake a bit as she opens it and pulls out the first photograph. It's graduation, all of her friends in red gowns – even Sharpay, who was in one of her nicer and more forgiving moods that day, is included – hugging each other tightly, elated smiles on each of their faces.

She was so excited for the future then. If only she knew what was to come, she thinks with a sigh, how much she would both succeed and fail.

From the corner of her eye, she can see her mother giving her a knowing look and she looks up to raise her eyebrows at the older woman.

Maria just rolls her eyes and sits down next to her, a gentle smile on her face as she looks at the photograph.

"You look so happy," she comments as she traces Gabriella's face on the photograph, and Gabriella can't help but smile too.

Not just because of the photograph, but also because of her mother's reaction. A few years ago, they wouldn't even discuss that time of her life, much less with such fondness, but time surely does heal all wounds.

"I was," Gabriella admits with a small voice, and she offers her mother a small smile in response to the slight concern on her face.

Gently, she takes out another picture. It's another group photo, this time from the senior year spring musicale. Her chest aches when she looks at the way she and Troy are lost in their own world, staring at each other lovingly instead of at the camera. The sight makes a warmth spread through her body and a slow grin grow on her face.

It also makes her heart constrict with pain and longing as she remembers the words she sang to him that night – we're gonna be alright, because what we have is real. It was real, that much she knows from merely looking at that picture, but it kills her that Kelsi's lyrics have not turned out to be holding the truth.

Therefore, she quickly puts it back and grabs yet another photo. It's one of her and Taylor with the trophy from the scholastic decathlon in their junior year. What a day that was, and oh, how she misses that feeling of utter freedom that she experienced during that call back on the same day.

It still reminds her of him, though, and her dilemma concerning the newly added number in her phone, so she puts it back as well.

She goes on like this for a while, just going through the photos and reminiscing as her mother flurries around her quietly, giving her the privacy to be alone with her thoughts.

She doesn't even realize until she's almost gone through all the photos, but that feeling of dread and confusion that comes up every time Troy enters her thoughts – which is with nearly every picture – , ends up dissipating, and instead, she finds herself just enjoying recalling all those times when she was so happy.

She's looking at a picture of her and Troy making silly faces as they run down the East High corridor as her mother suddenly speaks up.

"He still makes you smile," she says, and Gabriella's eyes widen slightly as she drops the photo gently and turns around to face the woman standing behind her.

"No, he doesn't. It's just the memories," she counters and Maria shakes her head in response as she sits down next to her.

"I'm sure that plays a part in it, but honey, I've been watching you for half an hour now and every time I see you looking at a picture of Troy, your smile grows and your eyes… they sparkle."

Is that true? And if it is, what does it mean?

She will admit that she feels slightly warm, joyous on the inside whenever she sees her younger self so in love – in such a passionate way that she doesn't remember ever sharing with Henry –, but the memories still aren't all happy. They still leave a bittersweet taste in her mouth, the pain of their solemn ending haunting her to this day.

She wonders what would happen if she were to use his phone number. Would reconnecting with him make the bittersweet taste go away, give her a sense of closure, or would it only become worse and would her heart be broken again?

Staring at the picture again, she bites her lip and her voice is barely above a whisper as she says, "He gave me his number."

It's Maria's turn to be surprised now, but when Gabriella looks up at her, she can see some barely hidden joy in her eyes. Maria tries to keep her voice calm, but fails miserably, excitement galore as she asks, "At the reunion? Have you texted him yet?"

"You're awfully excited about this," Gabriella says, quirking an eyebrow in amusement. She knows that her mother has always preferred Troy to Henry, but she hasn't seen her mother so unsubtle about her affection for Troy since the break-up.

"I've always liked Troy," Maria admits sheepishly. "He always complimented my brownies and he always makes my baby smile. Even now."

Gabriella just shakes her head and laughs. "To answer your question, no, I ran into him yesterday at the park. And no, I haven't texted him."

Within a second, Maria is serious again. Softly, she asks, "And why haven't you?"

Gabriella bites her lip and averts her gaze, looking down at the picture once more. "Because I'm scared. I loved him so much, mom, and I was so hurt when we broke up. I don't want that to happen again."

Maria sighs and Gabriella feels a comforting hand run across her back. "I understand why you're scared, but do you know why you were so happy back then? It's because you didn't let those fears get the best of you."

Maria grabs Gabriella's face then and smiles tenderly as she brushes a curl out of her daughter's face. "You were so brave back then, but you're brave now too. I know you are. And you deserve to be happy too, whether that's with or without Troy Bolton. But you'll never know unless you open your heart."

Gabriella stares into her mother's eyes, dark and comforting, for a moment as she contemplates this. Her mother's right. She's faced her stage fright, she's faced Sharpay Evans, she's faced changing colleges and changing majors. She's opened her heart to new passions, new friends, new loves.

She can achieve happiness. She knows she can. And if she can't be happy with Troy – as a friend or more –, then maybe she can finally get over what happened ten years ago.

"I'll text him," she says, softly yet firmly, and Maria smiles broadly in response.

Kissing her daughter's forehead, she whispers proudly, "That's my girl."

Texting him is more difficult than it seems. Having made the decision, she still has to think of what to say. She knows a simple hello would suffice, but it feels incomplete, impersonal. On the other hand, more creative, funny opening lines don't feel right for the situation. Nothing feels right.

This is not just any new friend in her contacts. This is Troy Bolton, whom she once believed to be the love of her life in her young naivety. She knows she's overthinking it, but this text needs to be perfect.

Or maybe it doesn't have to be a text at all. She's brave and although it's brought her unimaginable pain as well, the reason why she found happiness is because she put her heart on the line. So putting it on the line, little by little, she will.

Hence she finds herself staring at the photo of Troy and Lola later that evening and then taking a deep breath and pushing the call button.

"Hello?"

He sounds a little breathless, anticipation in his voice, and briefly, she wonders if he has been waiting for her call or text as much as she has been pondering over it.

"Hey, it's Gabriella!" she exclaims nervously, feeling her heart beat louder and faster as she realizes what she's doing. Oh shit, she's really calling Troy Bolton.

"Gabriella!" he exclaims, and Gabriella feels a chill run down her spine at the husky timber of his voice as her name rolls of his tongue so smoothly, so perfectly. "I'm so glad you've called."

"I'm sorry for not calling or texting you sooner, I've been… busy."

Busy overanalysing this entire situation, that is, but she's pretty sure she doesn't have to voice her weakness for him to know that's the truth.

She hears Troy laugh at the other side of the line, and she quickly adds, "Am I calling at a good time?"

"Oh yeah, I just came out of the shower and I was going to grade some papers."

Gabriella gulps and blushes as thoughts evade her mind of Troy, shirtless, with wet hair, perhaps even still in a towel. They're thoughts that she has to push to the depths of her mind before she completely loses her focus.

"But any time you called would be a good time," he adds cheekily and she can practically hear the satisfied smile in his voice and see the flirtatious grin on his face. It makes the situation even more precarious, as her thoughts continue to wander.

"I see you haven't lost your charm," she teases in an effort to hide the unwelcome feelings of attraction and she can't help but grin as his tinkling laugh enters her ears.

"Only for you, Gabriella, only for you," he assures her and Gabriella bites her lip as she pushes a curl behind her ears.

"Good."

How she went from not wanting to look him in the eye only two days ago to now flirting with him, she doesn't know, and she's also not quite sure she likes the development on a general level, but she'd be lying if she said she didn't thoroughly enjoy the thrill.

Quickly ridding herself of that thought, she says, "So, grading, huh?"

"The most tedious part of the job," Troy laughs. He pauses, before adding, "But it's not too bad. Some of these kids have really interesting things to say."

Gabriella can't help but smile as she lets the familiar warmth come over her again. "I still can't believe you became a music teacher. Seems perfect for you. I bet the students love you."

In a lot of ways, she adds mentally. With his charm and his looks and his kind and caring personality, she's sure that he has the students hanging onto his every word and she can even imagine some school girl crushes. Just like back then.

"They do," Troy chuckles. "I have so many stories I could tell you."

He pauses for a few seconds, and Gabriella feels an overwhelming sense of anticipation overcome her as she listens to his nervous breathing. After a moment, he quietly asks, "Maybe we should meet up for coffee and I could tell you all about it."

Gabriella's breath hitches. Part of her doesn't know why, for she has seen him already – twice, even –, but this is different. This is not them running into each other, this is them actually meeting up. Is she ready for that?

As she doesn't answer for a second, Troy starts rambling. "It doesn't have to mean anything. We'll just be old friends having coffee. And I know you might not even have time before you go back, but like I said yesterday, I just want to catch up, and it feels more tangible when we meet than when we do it over the phone? I completely understand if you don't want to, but–"

"Let's meet tomorrow."

She's brave. If she can call him, she can talk to him in person too. And like he said, they're just old friends. And she likes his company. What has she got to lose?

She suppresses a giggle at his sigh of relief. "Great. 10am okay for you, at our old place?"

"That sounds great," she says softly. "Now I guess I'll let you get to your grading."

"But I don't want to!" Troy whines and she giggles in response.

"Didn't you just say that it's not too bad?" she counters, giggling again as Troy huffs at the other end of the line.

"I just prefer talking to you."

Oh.

She feels her face grow hot in response to his obvious flirting – he is apparently past the awkwardness – and bites her lip. "We have tomorrow. Now go!"

"Fine," Troy grunts in defeat, and another moment of silence befalls them. His voice turning serious, he says, "I can't wait to see you tomorrow."

She's pretty sure she's a tomato at this point, and her heart is beating out of her chest, but she keeps herself together, just a nervous giggle emitting from her throat as she replies, "Same."

They say their goodbyes and then Gabriella is left alone to process what just happened. She just agreed to meet up with Troy Bolton. And he prefers talking to her to grading papers.

Now, she's sure that anything would be better than grading papers, but she can't help but feel like his words of affection – whether they are about liking talking to her or the fact that he can't wait to see her – are more meaningful than he lets on.

And, despite all the heartbreak she's been through, that thought is exhilarating.

She is terrified of what might happen tomorrow, but that tiny part of her heart that still beats for him can't help it – she's excited.

A/N: Hope you enjoyed! Please leave a review if you can, they make me very happy!