Hey again! I am very happy to say that I can finally update Replay with such ease. This chapter alone took me over 3 hours to type which resulted in the finished product later-9 pages. I know this is a surprise, but I said I updated 2 stories so why not make it 3? So off to my very favorite part-giving shout outs to:
sweetchocolate26, Gifted-Hands05, Chinweoa, and AB for reviewing ^_^ I want you guys to know, I never get tired of hearing your thought on the story and even suggestions. So now that I am done I can let you guys read the finish product of the night :)

I gasped for air as I started to regain consciousness. It felt as if I'd held my breath for a century, my heart had stopped then it continued to beat again.

"Taylor!" Kelsi held me close with tears in her eyes and started to stroke my hair. Tay we thought you were dead."

"What happened?"

"Tay…you passed out and your pulse…it stopped for a few minutes and then it developed again weakly," Gabriella held me even closer and put her hands on my face. "My God your face is pale. Are you okay?"

"Yes you two I'm fine," I turned and saw Sharpay sitting across from me. It looked as if she'd been crying.

"Sharpie are you okay?"

"Me? I should be asking you the same thing," she held my hand. "I'm fine; you just gave me a serious scare."

I looked at the flowers one more time and started to cry uncontrollably.

Chad gave me a tissue, "What's wrong McKessie?"

I opted not to tell them why I was crying. I didn't want to worry them anymore than I already have been lately.

"Nothing…"

"Do you still wanna go to Sweetheart Sal's?"

"Yeah," I took the keys out of my pocketbook.

"Okay, but I'm driving," Gabriella took the keys from me and Zeke helped me up.

"Go ahead."

-Outside-

Once we got into the car (Gabriella sat in the driver's seat, Zeke in the passenger seat and they made me sit in the back), Gabi started the engine and Zeke turned on the car radio.

"Why do I have to sit in the back of my own truck?"

"You're not in any condition to drive, unless you wanna get us killed," she stopped the car and turned around to stare at me. "Oh my God, Taylor I'm…so…I'm so sorry…it just…slipped out."

"It's alright."

"No I'm sorry-"

"I said it's alright Gabriella, now drive please," she continued to drive.

"Tay she meant no harm ya know."

"Zeke I don't care! Zeke I…I don't care. I just want to drive to our destination so we can get to where we're going. That's not too much to ask, is it?"

Awkward Silence…

"Tell me something Taylor. Do you have to push away everyone who cares about you?"

"I'm not having this conversation with you right now, so drop it."

"No seriously answer the question, because it always seems like you do that when times get tough."

"I said drop it Gabriella! I am so damn tired of you and your imprudent chattering! You always insist on pushing me just like your incoherent boyfriend," she stopped the car.

"Or what?" She looked at me in the mirror and sucked her teeth. "You running around here acting like something's wrong throwing these little "episodes" all because you want sympathy. You want sympathy for something that happened 7-not 1, not 2, but 7 years ago."

"I do not need sympathy from any of you Gabriella!"

"Oh really? Is that the reason why you're throwing yourself into a deep depression every other day of the week?"

"What do you have against me?"

"I don't have a damned thing against you."

Zeke waved his hand in the air, "Stop it, the both of you! Gabriella you need to learn to keep your mouth shut! Taylor, stop it with the unnecessary comments please. Now Gabriella if you have a problem so much to the point where you can't drive, move over and let me drive."

She rolled her eyes and started the car, "Whatever."

Gabriella and I have always been the best of friends growing up, but lately it seems like all we've been doing is arguing. The reason being, I have no idea. It appears as if there is pent up anger on her side.

Awkward Silence…

It's amazing how much we've changed since Troy died, and I mean that behavioral wise. He was always the peace maker. I'm not saying that we never fought in our younger years, but as time passed, the fights grew to be more and more…intense. Unknowingly tension began to build up among us, and words purposely meant to hurt the other, were exchanged a lot more often.

"Oh wow it's so…gray," Zeke stated, scratching his head.

"What?"

"The diner…it's so…gray and pink."

"What'd you expect?"

"Maybe something a little less…girly?"

"Well…Zeke the name is Sweetheart Sal's so…it's only necessary you draw conclusions."

"I draw my own conclusions Taylor."

"I'll leave you alone Baylor."

"Here we are," Gabi smiled, pulling into the parking lot.

Once she stopped the car I got out and went into the diner.

"Oh…my…God."

"Taylor? Taylor McKessie?" I turned around but I couldn't believe my eyes.

"Noah…Noah Patterson? Baby boy look at you!"

He opened his arms and hugged me, "It's been a minute Taylor McKessie."

"Your hair…it's so long. Are you growing it?"

"I grew tired of cutting it so often."

"How long has it been?"

"To tell you the truth, I eventually lost track."

"Let's see, you moved to Arizona when we were…14 going on 15 and you're a few months older than me. Am I right?"

"Oh wow, it's been almost…8 years already."

"Time has really flown by."

"Everyone's fine, as a matter of fact Zeke and Gabriella should be coming as of…right now."

"Noah!" He rolled his eyes and started to laugh.

"I'm out here!"

"Hey have you seen the picture of…"

"Hey Winter," she squealed and ran towards me.

"Taylor," she smiled and hugged me very tightly.

"Angel…Angel…I can breathe…Angel…."

I met Noah Patterson and his sister Heaven "Angel" Winter Patterson through some very interesting circumstances in the 6th grade.

"Heaven…Heaven loosen your damn grip!"

"What?"

"Loosen your grip Heaven. Are you trying to kill Tay?"

"Oops sorry…"

We were all sent to detention after Chad "accidentally" started a food fight in the cafeteria. He threw an apple that was meant to hit Troy, but Troy ducked down and it hit Savannah. Savannah turned around and threw a handful of pasta towards Chad but it hit Sharpay in the face instead. Sharpay picked up a bowl of green jello throwing it towards Savannah but it hit Sonya (her cousin). Sonya then took her whole tray of spaghetti and meatloaf, throwing it in our direction.

Unfortunately the whole tray splattered hitting me, Troy, "LaLa" (behind us), Kelsi, and Heaven. Heaven in turn assisted in helping Kelsi mix up some sort of concoction consisting of strawberry and chocolate milk, ranch dressing, ketchup and mustard, baby carrots, and chocolate pudding, sending it souring through the air.

To my amusement, Savannah was hit right in the face. It splattered, hitting Sonya, Mitchell, Ericka, and Gabriella. C. Savannah and Ericka mixed up bologna, yogurt, bread crumbs, and potato chips in about 5 or 6 bowls then threw it one by one in our direction. Again, another bowl hit Sharpay in the face and another in Chad's. Jason, Noah, Ryan, Lucas, and James were all hit as well, sending the cafeteria into frenzy.

So the madness begun…

Somewhere in the crossfire between the chaos and confusion, Principal Matsui and Darbus were hit. We were blamed for it, although Chad tried to explain that it was merely an accident.

The outcome, Noah and Angel were stuck cleaning the cafeteria with us for the next 3 periods. They introduced themselves to us and we've been close friends ever since.

"Where is everyone?"

"We're here," Gabriella smiled, hugging Noah.

"Where are the Evans twins?"

"Everyone else is at school or had to go run errands. What are you guys doing here?"

"Our parents own the diner."

"Yeah and they put us in charge of hiring the employees. It looks like we just found them too."

"Really?"

"Thank you guys so much," I squealed.

They nodded in unison, "Tell everyone their hired too."

"Thank you!"

"We are open every day from 6 am to 11 pm on weekdays and we close early on the weekends."

"How much do you guys pay?"

"We pay $8.50 an hour, not to mention you get a 45 minute break. Before you calculate the total, if you work the whole day then you've made $144.05."

"Nice persuasion strategy Noah," Gabriella chimed in, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

"You guys can pick up your uniforms tomorrow morning. There seems to be a hold up with the order we put in for roller skates. They should be here within the next month or so. In the meanwhile you're always welcome to wear white sneakers or flats. When I say white, I mean white. I'm not talking about off white, dirty white, cream, or anything near that."

Noah signaled Zeke towards the back, "Can you come for your uniform? I think we have one in your size."

"Yeah." With that said, he disappeared into the back room.

"Hey Tay, how's Troy?"

"He passed away Angel." It was said quick, with no emotion intended.

"Oh my God, I had no idea Taylor. I'm so sorry."

"How's your daughter taking it? I heard you were pregnant a while back."

"My daughter passed as well." My voice cracked a bit, as I looked down. The question about my daughter almost always got to me.

"Taylor I'm so-"

I interrupted, "Please don't say it." I grew a bit agitated. I hated hearing those 3 words with a passion. I've been hearing it for 7 years. I think this was one time I opted not to hear it dragged on through so much sadness and pity.

"Tay relax-"

"Nah Gabi, she's right. I deserved that."

"Can I have my car keys please?"

Gabriella raised an eyebrow, "Why?"

I forced a smile, "Please? I'm not going to leave."

She dug deep in her pocket and gave me them with much, regret.

"I'll be in the car."

"Okay."

I stepped outside and started towards the car as fast as I could.

There are so many feelings I never expressed and I catch hell years later. I held back my tears as long as I could, but they overcame my body as soon as I hit the car door.

"Taylor? Taylor McKessie?" A familiar voice sounded behind me.

I turned around, "Aubrey? Aubrey, what are you doing here?"

He smiled, walking towards me, "I should be asking you the same question baby. What's wrong?"

I wiped my tears and forced a smile, "Nothing just…nothing I'm fine Aubrey, really."

He raised an eyebrow and held my waist, "Really baby? You're saying one thing but your eyes are saying something else. Tell me what's wrong."

"You remember Troy Bolton? He was the star of the basketball team."

"Didn't he have a tattoo of you name on his neck?"

"Yes, against my better wishes."

"I remember the day he died…that was the…saddest day in East High history."

I looked down, "I never forgave myself for that."

"Taylor it was not your fault. You have to let go some time. We all do. It may take years and years but once you do, forgiveness will come."

I smiled, "I know."

"Hello you guys," Gabriella smiled, walking towards us.

"Hey Gabriella! What's up, Zeke?"

I looked down to see, he was still holding my waist. "Um…Aubrey?"

"Yeah?"

"Your hands-they're still on my waist."

He turned as red as a cherry and let go, "Sorry Tay."

As Zeke and Aubrey got reacquainted with each other, Gabriella pulled me into the car. She looked at me, grinning from ear to ear as if she'd just won a million dollars. "Taylor Charlotte McKessie, what was that whole interaction between you and Aubrey?"

"What are you talking about?"

She shook her head, " You had that look in your eyes that seemed like your toes would curl every single time you hear his name."

"Taylor McKessie falls hard for no one Gabi."

"You are lying Tay."

"No, I'm not Gabi."

"Tay had a crush! Tay has a crush!"

I fought to hide my smile, hearing her taunt me like a little school girl. "Shut up Gabi!"

As the giggling died down, her voice became full of concern. "On a more serious note Tay, you have got to stop isolating yourself from everything."

"Don't you think that I know that Gabriella?"

"Go on a date with him then."

"Well…"

"Why don't we double date-better yet, quadruple date?"

"Okay."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah."

Aubrey knocked on the windshield, "Can we talk?"

I stepped out, "Sure."

He smiled, "You wanna have coffee some time? I know this really great spot downtown."

I suddenly froze up. My voice seemed to have gone with the wind and my throat…oh God was that sucker dry. My knees even grew a little weak. Taylor…don't panic.

Gabriella sensed my awkward response to his question and jumped in. "I'll tell you what Aubrey. Chad's parents are having their anniversary party tomorrow night. Are you free then?"

"I'm free then."

"You can be Taylor's date. How does that sound?"

"It sounds…perfect," he winked at me. "I'll call you Tay."

I couldn't form any words to speak. My mind was…blank. So instead, I just nodded and smiled like the jackass I currently felt like. I dunno why, but I still continued to nod even after he left.

Gabriella busted out laughing, "Oh God Taylor, you are blown away in the wind of love."

She had a point, as much as I'd hate to admit it. I've been out the dating scene for quite a while. I feel like Britney Spears before she made her comeback. It's been 7 years damn it and everyone deserves a second chance to be happy…even me.

Sad to say, this chapter has come to an end :( But you guys enjoyed it right? So Plz R&R A miilion and A chocolate bar, Jai