Chapter 2: Like a Diamond

Tearing off the sheet of paper that held Troy's, his parents', and his girlfriend's orders and placing it on the counter that overlooked the kitchen, Gabriella felt herself choke back a sob.

It wasn't the fact that he had lied…but it was what he was lying about that brought tears to her eyes. What made it even harder was the way she had felt when she had seen him; it was like she had never even left high school…She had half expected for him to stand up and kiss her.

Gabriella shuddered. Why had she even felt that way? It wasn't like she still loved him…did she?

She tucked a stray lock of chocolate brown hair behind her ear and wandered off towards the bathroom, knowing that she didn't have to go…she just needed a quiet place to think. She locked herself in the women's bathroom which was simply a single room with a toilet and sink.

Sighing, she leaned up against a white wall, her arms crossed tightly over her chest and a frown on her lips. Gabriella slid down the plastered surface so as she sat on the ground. She looked at the dirty, tiled floor with disgust, but didn't bother to stand up again. Too many thoughts weighed her down.

The small brunette winced at the memory of the last time she had seen Troy. It was the last day of summer…the last day of their relationship, and their senior year had ended only three short moths before that day.

Gabriella had been at Troy's, watching him pack his suitcase and duffel bag with teary eyes and a heavy heart. She had been going to New York…him California. Being stressed to her wit's end about the strain the distance would put on their relationship, Gabriella had been extremely moody all day.

And the there was the question he had asked her, "What's gonna happen to us?" and Gabriella had broke down. She had blurted out words both herself, and Troy, would've never thought would escape her lips.

"Troy, you're leaving, what am I supposed to do? Follow you to California? Come on Troy…" She had broken down sobbing.

"Why not? You could go to school at USC! You got accepted there, didn't you?" he had blurted out.

"Troy! Uh…don't you want me to follow my dreams? I've wanted to go to NYU my whole life…" she had sobbed.

"Don't you love me?" he had questioned her. This is what tore Gabriella apart. It had then, and it still did.

"God Troy! I love you! Of course I love you! But don't you get?" Troy had been silent after her remarks, and Gabriella had had enough of his stubbornness.

"God Troy! Why do you have to be so selfish? You know what? Uh, good God…it…I'm not coming with you Troy…i-it hurts me to s-see you go…but…" she had paused, out of breath from crying, "We're t-th-through Troy…over…"

And then she had left. She had fled Troy's home, tears racing down her cheeks as she drove home, where she had told her mother that she wanted to leave for New York immediately. They had. The car had been previously packed and in what seemed like moments, Gabriella had left Albuquerque for NYU, leaving nothing behind…besides Troy.

In the bathroom of the restaurant, a single tear, as perfect as a diamond, glided down Gabriella's cheek. She hated having to think about it all…about him. But she couldn't help herself.

Deciding it was time to get back to work and forget about the past, she quickly wiped her tears and walked back out into the small hallway, only to find herself bumping into some customer.

"Oh my, I am sooooo sor-," she froze, not wanting to finish her sentence. "Hello, Troy," she spat. "Did you want something? A refill…"

"No…I, uh…listen, Gabi…" he looked distressed, and Gabriella could feel herself nearly crumble from the sadness in his eyes. But she forced herself to stay together. "I'm really sorry about what I said…you know, the friends thing…"

"It's fine Troy. Would you're parents like anything? Your girlfriend…?" she tried her best to change the subject.

"No," Troy recited once more, "I didn't want to tell my girlfriend about us…I was…scared…"

Gabriella felt her heart skip a beat. She remembered all those times in high school, when he had felt so helpless, and she had been the only one he could turn to. "Well," Gabriella did her best to sound expressionless, "Its good to know you can't confide in your girlfriend." She tried to pass him, but he stopped her.

"I was hoping…" he took a deep breath, "That maybe, we could, you know, catch up sometime…for coffee…say tomorrow morning, tenish?"

Gabriella closed her eyes and sighed. He always did this to her. They way his voice soothed her ears. She knew it would impossible to turn him down, but she thought the least she could was to try. "I have to get back to wo-."

"Gabi, please?"

She couldn't help herself, "Fine…" she gave him a glare before brushing past him. It was a good thing to, otherwise she would've noticed the silly grin on his face.

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Jeez, I need to write longer chapters!