DISCLAIMER: I don't own anything, except for the plot.

Flashback

"Where is he?" Gabriella whispered to herself.

It was the last day of freshman year and everybody was at Chris Fleeter's pool party. This was the night Gabriella had planned to confess her feelings to Troy.

She had planned it for months; she was going to lead him to a quiet corner of the backyard and just start reminiscing on the past. Then, when the time was right, she would tell him that she loved him.

It seemed like a good plan at the time. But now slowly, Gabriella started hesitating. She couldn't find him anywhere and besides, she didn't have the guts to tell him anyways.

She turned around to head back towards Taylor and Kelsi and that's when she saw it.

There he was, hiding behind a palm tree, making out with Melissa Clapton, captain of the volleyball team.

"Oh my gosh…"

She felt like an idiot. Why didn't she think of that? How could she not have realized that Troy could've found someone else by now?

Tears tried to escape but she forced them back into her eyes. And then she started running.

"Gabby! Wait up!" Kelsi waved at her best friend to slow down as she saw her speed across the lawn. But Gabriella didn't stop. She ran out the backyard and across the street. She ran past Tay's house, Kelsi's house, his house. She ran past the park and past her high school. She didn't stop running until she arrived home.

Collapsing on the front porch, she finally let the tears out. She was out of breath and her legs ached but she didn't care.

End of Flashback

"Hey Gabriella," He offered her his hand.

"Hi Troy. Sorry for bumping into you," She shook his hand. This was what they had become. No more hugs or kisses on the cheeks – just a handshake.

"It's not your fault; I wasn't really watching where I was going."

She started walking towards the auditorium. "Aren't you supposed to be in the gym?"

"I am. But…I was just thinking…if you don't mind…" The words didn't come out.

Gabriella faced him. "What?"

"Could I …watch you sing?"

Her heart fell to her stomach. "What?" she muttered in disbelief.

"I mean…I-I don't have to if you don't w-want me to."

He looked so cute there, shaking his head, looking down at his feet in a nervous kind of way. Why did he have to do this to her? Every time she tried to get over him, he always interfered like this.

"I don't really know." was all she could think of to say.

"I understand, its cool." He seemed to be regaining his composure. "Well, I'll catch you later."

"Wait – you can if you want to."

"Really?"

"Yeah, come on." She led him towards the auditorium, still amazed at her boldness. Regular Gabriella would've said 'I'm sorry, we're done rehearsing'. But this was Determined Gabriella. And she wasn't going to let another chance slip away.

Kelsi looked up from her music when she saw the 2 enter the theatre. Were her eyes deceiving her? Or did she really just see Troy and Gabriella enter the auditorium together? Just like old times…

"Hey guys," She smiled awkwardly, not sure of what else to say or do. She saw Troy take a seat towards the front. Gabriella walked up to her.
"He wanted to watch me," she whispered so only Kelsi could hear.

The composer nodded and sat down on the piano bench. She began to play the song they had practiced a few minutes ago.

Once in a lifetime
means there's no second chance
so I believe that you and me
should grab it while we can

It felt weird to Gabriella to sing a song like this in front of him. Especially when he was the only one in the audience. But why was he here anyways? And how did he know she had musical practice during free period? Who could've told him?

And just as she was getting to the chorus of the song, the bell rang. The piano abruptly stopped. Gabriella blushed.

"Umm…I guess you'll have to hear the rest later." She smiled meekly.

He stood up and gave her a smirk. "I'll hold you accountable to that."

She loved it when he flirted with her. It made her heart float to cloud 9.

He started exited the auditorium, but not without giving her a wink. She looked at her feet smiling and began to get ready to go.

"Oh, and Gabriella?"

She looked up. "Yeah Troy?"

"You're voice is still amazing."

Hey,

Okay so I only got 2 REVIEWS but luckily i got 3 on MiM so it was okay.
This was a hard chapter so go easy on me, please. :
If i get 5 more reviews, I'll update.
Thanks!

♥ Izzy