Chapter Two: Marry Me

Living in her dorm room, taking showers in the community bathroom, even Gwen's room were all tainted with memories of Gabriela's infidelity. She was glad that this summer program would be coming to an end. She would be able to go back home to New Mexico. Her life would go back to TroyandGabriela, and nothing else would matter.

"Knock. Knock." Gwen popped her head into Gabriela's room, which was a mess from trying to figure out a way to get all of this stuff back into her suitcases and boxes. "What the hell…"

"Help me get all this stuff together Gwennie. I have to have all this done before tomorrow!"

"Calm down. Are you freaked about going back since the-"

"Don't say it." Gabriela shock back emotionally. "And yes … I totally am." She hopped onto her bed, crossing her legs as Gwen joined her. "I just feel so guilty for doing this. Troy has never done anything wrong to me and I can't believe this happened."

"Maybe it just means you got bored. You've been with him since high school and you've never had another boyfriend."

"Does this make me a bad person?" Gabriela sighed. "I mean how am I ever going to be able to look at him and act normally? Do you think he'll figure it out?"

"My lips are sealed." Gwen hugged Gabriela tightly, her tresses spilling over her shoulders. "I'm really going to miss you. Please promise that we'll still be friends even though we won't live down the hall from each other."

"Of course. I want you to come visit before the summer ends." Gabriela demanded, feeling like she was really in this thing alone. She was just starting to realize that no one else knew about this but Gwen and the guy of course … whose name she never quite did get, which made the situation all the more sketchier.

"And whether or not you forgive yourself for 'he who shall not be named,' I'll always hold this image in my mind and will forever search for someone equally as gorgeous." Gwen joked, pulling out her camera, which still held a picture of him.

"You can keep it and tell everyone he was yours." Gabriela offered. She didn't need a photo, or any other evidence around when she could clearly still see every muscle and ripple of his body ingrained into her mind.

Being home was somehow weird now. Anyone who went away to college, but came back to visit, could attest for the fact that they essentially had two lives; and coming back home was like struggling not to fall back into what felt familiar.

And normally, this was what Gabriela struggled with, trying to b who she was now and not who she used to be. But thinking about her past now was completely different since hot, mysterious stranger and invaded it, taken some of her treasure and left her in complete guilt and wonderment.

So now, it felt good to know that she could leave the past behind, and the only indication of her betrayal, would be that eating, nagging thing inside of her called a conscious. Gabriela walked into the home, knowing that no one would be there, and that it would be quiet.

She headed up to her room, only to realize that her mom had converted it into a double room for the newer additions to the family, her 4 year old little sister and 2 year old brother. With a sigh, she made her way to the other side of the hallway to one of the guest bedrooms, which, at the very least, had a bathroom attached.

Gabriela started unpacking her things, stopping once she came upon a picture of herself and the guy who 'shall not be named.' She didn't even know when Gwen had taken the picture, but both of them were completely nude, laughing and looking like they couldn't be happier of they tried.

Ripping up the picture instinctively, she dumped the pieces into the trashcan and started to dial Troy's number. Immediately, one of his favorite bands started to play. Oasis.

"Hey … this is Troy. I'll get back to you when I can."

"Baby, it's me. I know you won't get in until Friday, but I just wanted to talk. Love you." Gabriela hung up the phone and then slid down on the bed until her head reached the pillow.

She couldn't remember when life had become so sad and boring until the doorbell rang.

"Coming!" She yelled, happy to have something to do besides think about how she was such as horrible person.

"Hey."

"Baby!" Gabriela wrapped her arms around the one she loved. "You're here early."

"Yeah. There's something that I've been wanting to ask you, but I couldn't wait to do it. I know you probably want to go to a fancy dinner and-"

"What is it?"

"I already talked to your mom."

"Troy."

"Gabriela Vanessa Montez, will you marry me?"

(A/N: This part was abrupt, but the next chapter is the turning point in the story … and let' s just say that there might be another Jacob encounter! Love and reviews. –NL)