A/N- I suck, I suck, I suck, I suck, I suck. I am so sorry. I really am. I meant to go into writing-mode over break but after all the school projects and never-ending line-up of english papers and spanish projects and all the school crap and drama, I just wanted to chill. And then I got a few reviews and realizd that I haven't updated anything in over a month. I so suck. Sorry again. :(

Seeing Red

"So what do you think about this one?" Gabriella asked as she twirled around, the skirt flaring above her knees.

"Oh sweetie, you look so cute!" Taylor gushed as Gabriella spun in front of the mirror. It was the first time she'd seen her friend like this in a long time. In fact, this was the first time she'd ever seen her get this excited about a guy. All during college she'd been too bummed about some high school boyfriend who'd ruined her life, the jerk. But then again, Taylor really couldn't judge the guy; Gabriella had never actually opened up and told her about him. But whoever he was, he'd been important and had broken Gabriella's heart.

Taylor took a deep breath and dismissed the feelings to hunt down that sorry excuse of a man and tear him limb from limb. It'd been seven years since then and apparently Gabriella had moved on, he probably had too. She turned her attention back to her friend. "Sweetie, you really do look beautiful. You're glowing!"

Gabriella flushed under the praise and twirled in the mirror again. She loved the dress, it was absolutely perfect. She'd searched every online shop for a dress like this, a dress like the one she'd worn her sophomore year. It'd been pretty conservative but even with it's one inch straps, zero cleavage- straight cut top, and skirt which ended just below the knees after flaring from the waist, it'd been the most revealing piece of clothing she'd owned during her high school career.

She smiled at the memory of the first, and last, time she'd worn that dress. She had been planning to wear it as a surprise for Troy, for winning the championship. She'd spent two weeks shopping for it and then two months' salary paying for it. Her mom had scolded her for being frugal and spending so much on a dress which might never get used if they lost, but she still spent four hours helping Gabriella with her hair and make-up. As a result of the obscenely long preparation period, Gabriella had missed the first half of the game and everyone's frantic calls asking where she was.

When she finally arrived at the game, the third quarter had just started and the Wildcats were down by ten! Troy'd looked awful and the coach, who happened to be his dad, was threatening to pull him out. She was trying to find a seat when someone shouted, "Gabriella's here!" A hundred eyes were suddenly on her and Gabriella was left paralyzed.

It wasn't that she didn't like people- people in general didn't bother her, she liked people, but when lots of them watched her at the same time, something in her brain would shut down and she'd turn to stone. It took several seconds for her realize that someone was pulling her to an empty seat. And when she did, she didn't have a chance to thank them because at that exact moment her eyes locked with Troy's. He'd completely lit up and then ran on the court, completely energized. He didn't miss a single pass or shot the rest of game.

With the final seconds of the game ticking by, the East High Wildcats were two points behind the West High Knights and, thanks to some crackpot ruling by the board which made ties and overtimes illegal in championship games, needed to get a three pointer in the next ten seconds to win. Wildcat defense was working overtime and the Knights were wasting time. A bad pass resulted in the ball being put in Troy's hands. Three seconds left and Troy shot the ball from half court. It went in with a swish.

When the final buzzer rang the crowd had gone wild and she'd run onto the court and leaped into his arms. His eyes had sparkled when he saw her in his arm. For the rest of the night, as they celebrated the win a various homes and restaurants, he'd never let her go or out of his sight. Even when his teammates joked about how "whipped" he was, he'd only pulled her closer and smiled. It'd been one of those nights where you pray that time will just forget to pass.

It was so strange for her to look back and think about how, after one hundred and nineteen days, they'd still been so happy together. Most of the student body had money on when they'd get married. No one had put money on them not even making it to their four month anniversary. But sure enough, that next Monday, he'd broken up with her.

Gabriella shook away the memory and rejoined reality. Not this time! He wouldn't be able to take his eyes off of her if she wore this dress now. She could just imagine herself standing in a crowded room, drink in hand. He'd walk up to her and ask her if they could talk and, of course, she'd say yes. Then they'd go outside and he'd say that he was so stupid for ever believing that he could live without her and beg for her forgiveness. He'd look into her eyes and her blood would rush and her heart would pound. An electric pull would bring them together and they'd kiss. Then fireworks would go off and the earth would move or something like that. Then he'd propose, they'd get married, they'd start a family, and live happily ever after. And it would all begin with this dress.

"I have to have it!" Gabriella squealed. "It's so incredibly perfect!"

"It really is," Taylor smiled. "Ryan will love it!"

Gabriella's face fell slightly. Ryan! How could she have forgotten about him? She was supposed to be dressing up for him wasn't she? She looked down at the dress. No this dress was for Troy, the reason she'd started dating Ryan. It was so easy to forget about him. Too easy. He was the only she'd ever loved and he was forgetting him for Ryan. Tears welled up in her eyes.

"Oh no, what's wrong?" Taylor fretted rushing to Gabriella's side as she sank to the ground. "Did something happen with Ryan?"

"Yes," Gabriella sobbed, "that's the problem. Nothing was supposed happen between us." She paused and caught her breath, "I love him," she whispered so quietly that Taylor wasn't sure if she was supposed have hear it. But when Gabriella didn't answer, Taylor responded.

"Gabs, being in love isn't a bad thing. Ryan is a great guy..." the quietness set-in so quickly that Taylor stopped abruptly to check on Gabriella. "Breathe, Gabriella breathe," Taylor panicked.

"Ryan!?!" Gabriella gasped. Suddenly her face fell and she inhaled deeply. "I wasn't talking about Ryan," Gabriella admitted nervously.

Taylor's jaw dropped at the news. "It's not Ryan?" she asked. Gabriella shook her head. "Ryan is..."

"...a big mistake. I thought I could handle it. I thought I could make it painless for both of us, but it's gone too far. I think that he's someone I could have learned to love. Maybe under different circumstances we could have grown to be happy together, but not now." Gabriella finished. She wiped the tears away and continued, "Now he's a constant reminder of the one I lost. Nothing was ever supposed happen with him," she repeated.

Taylor stood up silently and helped Gabriella to her feet. "I think we need to talk," Taylor stated.

"Agreed," Gabriella whispered brushing invisible wrinkles out of the dress. As she padded back towards the dressing room she heard a voice shout: "You're still buying that dress." and had to smile.

Gabriella tried to keep her mind blank as she slipped the dress off and dressed back into her t-shirt and jeans. She couldn't afford to breakdown in a boutique two times in the same day. And at the moment, she was dangerously close to doing just that. This was just too overwhelming. She was barely conscious of her actions as she walked to the register and paid for the red dress, a few skirts for work, and a new pair of black shoes that she'd had to have as soon she'd stepped through the doors and seen them on display.

Taylor followed silently behind as they exited and shop and turned in the direction that would lead them to Gabriella's car. A block away from the lot Gabriella felt an arm link with hers. "It's going to be okay," Taylor whispered in her ear.

Gabriella kept walking until she arrived at the trunk of the car and fumbled with the remote to unlock it. The security alarm went off several times, the car locked and unlocked itself, the engine started, and the car finder alarm sounded but the trunk stayed closed. Every second Gabriella became closer and closer to crying but refused to let Taylor help her. Finally the trunk popped open and Gabriella collapsed. People stopped to stare as the walked past but she didn't notice and Taylor waved them away.

When she regained her composure, she loaded the bags into the car and, after a gentle prodding, surrendered the keys to Taylor. On the way home, Taylor watched a semi-hysterical Gabriella twist and untwist an unfamiliar jacket. "Is that Ryan's," Taylor asked quietly.

"Yeah it's..." Taylor turned to see Gabriella holding a card in her hand. "It's a business card," Gabriella said full of wonder.

Taylor laughed trying to lighten the mood. "What's so great about a business card? Everyone has them. And he is a businessman if you think about. He's bound to have a few lying around." Gabriella continued to stare at the tiny piece of paper like it was from another world. "What's the big deal?" Taylor asked again. Gabriella handed her the card and she read:

The Date Doctor


For Your Prescription in Love, Call:
(505)639-3283 (505) NEW-DATE

"Someone's got some explaining to do," Taylor said handing the card back to Gabriella. "What are you going to do?"

Gabriella sat staring at the card for the remainder of the ride and when they pulled into Taylor's driveway she finally looked up and said, "Can I use your phone? My cell died."

"Course," Taylor said nervously. "Then we'll talk?"

Gabriella nodded and walked into the house as Taylor got her bags out the car. In the house Gabriella grabbed the cordless phone and dialed the number listed on the card. He heart raced as she listened to the dial tone on the line. What was she gong to say? How would talking to him, or her, help? Had Ryan called this person? Why would he call The Date Doctor? Then someone picked up the phone on the other line, she heart stopped and she knew that what she wanted were answers. Would The Date Doctor be able to answer them?

"Whatever you want Chad, I'm sure that you can come right outside and tell me what it is," the voice on the other end chuckled. Gabriella hung up and threw the phone across the room like it had just caught on fire. Had she dialed the wrong number? That had to be it, she reassured herself. This was all a mistake. It couldn't be... her mind refused to accept that possibility. But then again... Gabriella grabbed the phone and quickly redialed the number, triple checking it for accuracy. It was the right number, she was positive this time. She pressed send and sat down as it began to ring.

"Chad, where are you?" the voice said. There was a slight echo and Gabriella stood.

"Hello?" she squeaked.

There was silence on the other line. "Hello?" he answered. "Who is this?" Gabriella followed the echo to the kitchen and stared at the figure leaning against the island. She hung up and watched him glance at his cell in confusion. "Weird," he whispered as he turned to walk out the door. He stopped short when she appeared in his peripheral vision.

Gabriella's breath caught as he slowly turned towards her. "Troy?"

He blinked a few times, rubbed his eyes, and then blinked again. "You're still here," he whispered.

"So are you," she smiled.

Chad and Taylor rushed into the room. "Hey Gabriella I see you've met Troy."

"NOOOO!!!!" Chad cried. "I'm so sorry Troy, I tried." He collapsed into a chair and laid his head on the counter. "Fate's just too smart for me."

The scene finally seemed to sink in and the realization dawned on Troy. He groaned and buried his face in his fists. "Chad didn't call me, you did," he said out loud.

"No I didn't," Taylor answered confusedly.

"Not you," Troy said pointing at Taylor, "...you." he whispered turning towards Gabriella. She stared back at him trying to read the million emotions in his eyes. Trying to pick out which ones were because of her. But she didn't have a chance before Taylor pulled her aside.

"What's going on Gabs? How do you know Troy?" Taylor questioned.

"That's a long story, but the most recent addition is that Troy is The Date Doctor. Albuquerque's own Bolting Bolton is in charge of setting up people with their soul mates. Lord help us all. Especially considering his track record," she said bitterly.

Troy stepped forward to defend himself but Chad spoke first. "Hey Gabs, be nice. He's good at his job. I mean, Tay and I have been together for six years and we're..."

"WHAT!!!" Taylor screeched. Chad, suddenly realizing what he had just said, shut up and backed away. For once, he didn't even trying to fix what he'd just said.

The air in the room, which had been getting thinner and thinner since the discovery, seemed to have completely evaporated and no one uttered a word. A dropped pin would have been like a fog horn and when someone finally spoke, everyone jumped.

"I think you need to call Ryan, Gabriella. I think it's time we all get some things straightened out. I'm going to order a pizza and take Jamie over to his Aunt's. Nobody leave," Taylor whispered and walked out of the room.

Nobody followed.

A/N- Happy New Year!