Two days after my forced vacation started, my family headed back to San Francisco. It wasn't as easy as I thought to say goodbye, but I was happy that I didn't have to deal with mom playing cupid. I did wish Braydon luck when mom whipped out her list of girls for him.

After my family left, my forced vacation was really starting to feel more like a cruel punishment. I was no longer practicing with the team, so most of my time was spent at home or the gym. Once I went out with Chad for a drink, but I came back within the hour.

I felt pathetic. I have no life outside of basketball and being in the NBA. More testimonies to my life's failures, I thought as I took a seat to watch the game on TV.

The team wasn't half bad. They held their own as they made crisp passes and worked together like a well-oiled machine. I held my breath, watching Chad make a three-pointer to pull the team ahead. It was the first time in a long while the Lakers had been ahead at half-time.

Part of me felt frustrated that I couldn't be on the bench even if I weren't playing. But it felt even worse that I wasn't just the team laughing stock or weakest link. I was the one holding the team back from being the best. I always knew I was probably holding the team back, but seeing precisely how well they were doing without me was a real wake-up call. Seeing enough of the game, I decided to put in some effort. Changing into some shorts, I decided to head to the park for some practice.

I let out another frustrated groan as another free throw hit the backboard and missed by a mile. When did I get so horrible at this, I thought, picking up the ball? Turning, I was facing the court again, and I sighed. I used to be good at this, and I love it too. Not a day went back when I was shooting or practicing. Being on the court now was different. It wasn't that I didn't have the same spark; I didn't even have the enjoyment for it anymore. The only thing that seemed to come from being on the court now was frustration and a feeling of failure.

Throwing in the towel, I headed back toward my apartment. Sharon texted me while I was grabbing a drink to let me know she was on her way over. I went to grab a shower without bothering to reply to the message.

I was digging in my closet for a clean change of clothes when I noticed my old box of mementos. The box was a project of mine when I attended a sleepaway camp with my friends when I was seven. It was meant for the campers to have someplace to keep their photos or special knick-knacks from camp.

I've been adding to it since, filling it with all sorts of memories. Mostly there were photos, but there was some other stuff I wanted to keep that weren't photos. Every so often, I would take it out to go through the memories for fun. But I hadn't since just after Gabriella and I broke up.

I brought the box over to the bed and traced my fingers over the drawings on the box I had made. Slowly I removed the box cover with shaky hands. I gasped, forgetting how much stuff I'd added to the box over the years.

Picking up the team picture I took with my team Sophomore year of high school, I recall being the first sophomore ever to start on the varsity team. My family was so happy for me. Memories of celebrating with my family and being on the varsity team sophomore year came flooding back.

Smiling at the memories, I picked up a postcard I had saved from a family vacation. I was 13, and the trip was to Aspen, Colorado. The mountain was breathtakingly beautiful, and we enjoyed every minute we spent there. It was the last annual vacation we took as a family of five. My parent shad Aspen a year later, and things were never the same. My heart warmed at the memories.

My breath hitched as the feeling of warmth turned to pain. I stopped flipping through the journal in my hand and set it aside. Carefully I lifted a red spherical ornament from the box. It was simply decorated with the letters G and T on it. A lump formed in my throat as more memories I hadn't thought of since Gabriella and I just broke up came rushing back. Slowly I pulled at the bottom of the ornament, and it opened, revealing a simple diamond ring nesting in the center.

My throat tightened as tears threatened to fall. The last Christmas we had together, Gabriella and I had talked about moving in together. We had even started looking into how much it would cost and envisioning how different our lives would be. One thing Gabriella looked forward to most was the traditions we could create and feeling like we were a family. I had wanted to surprise her on Christmas of our Junior year, but things ended before I could. Tracing my finger over the ring, I let a single tear roll down my cheek.

Wiping my cheek, I started putting everything back in the box. I recalled dad's suggestion to return to my roots as I put one of the photos back. Figuring I couldn't be any worse than where I am now, I decided to call Dad and let him know I was coming back to San Francisco. Knowing Chad had some vacation time he could use up, I decided to give Chad a call.

"Hey, Hoops." Chad greeted me with a cheery voice.

"You sound extra cheery; I take it the Lakers won," I answered, trying to hide the sadness in my voice.

Chad chuckled, "no. I mean, we won, but that's not why I'm laughing."

I raised my brow, trying to follow. "So, what's so exciting?"

"Tay didn't send you a picture of C.J.? Here I'll send you the picture." My phone pinged with a message from Chad. I couldn't help but chuckle at my Godson making flour angels in the kitchen. "I'm guessing Taylor wasn't too happy when she found out."

"No, she wasn't." Chad agreed. "According to Tay, C.J.'s hit the terrible two stage, giving her a run for her money every day. So, why did you call?"

I stared at a photo of my great-grandparents and zoned out for a moment. "So, speaking of my Godson, I think Taylor would love some help wrangling C.J. in. Who better than you?"

There was silence on the other end of the line. "Hoops, are you feeling OK? I can't exactly help Tay wrangle C.J. when I'm in L.A."

"So, road trip back to San Francisco with me," I suggested pacing the room. "We can both use some time to get back to our roots. Who knows, maybe when we come back, we can both play better."

"Back to our roots?" Chad repeated with confusion in his voice. "You think that could help?"

"Well, it can't hurt. Lord knows I can't do any worse. Plus, it worked for my dad in his college days." I reasoned and sighed, "I really need this, Chad. I can't fail at basketball. It's one thing for me to play this terribly, but I can't lose my passion for the game too. If I fail at basketball, I will fail at the one thing I know I can do."

"OK, so we get back to our roots," Chad agreed. "I'll tell coach I have a family emergency and pack a bag. We can hit the road first thing in the morning."

The corners of my mouth curved into a smile. I knew I could count on Chad. "Thanks, bro. I knew I could count on you." I heard the front door open. Only one person aside from Chad knew where the hideaway key was. "I got to go see you tomorrow, bright and early.

The morning sun woke me early the following morning. I was finishing some last-minute packing when Chad arrived with his bag in one hand and coffee in the other.

"Hoops, ready to go?" He asked, handing me one of the coffee. "Mocha Cappuccino extra whip cream."

"Thanks," I took the drink and took a sip. "I'm mostly packed. I just have some last-minute stuff to pack and double-check that everything is off and locked."

He shrugged. "Not a problem. I'll do the walk around, and you finish packing."

I grabbed my keys from my pocket and tossed them to him. "Here, why don't you load your bags first?"

He caught the keys and turned to leave. As I was zipping up my bag, I heard the front door again. There was no way it could have been Chad. I stepped out of my room with my bag to find Sharon hailing her suitcases inside.

"Hey, Troy." She huffed out as she struggled with one of her suitcases. "I hope you didn't have to wait for me. I didn't realize how much I packed."

I dropped my bag and gave her a hand with hers. "You really don't have to come with Sharon."

"But I want to." She replied, heading for the kitchen. "I want to see the place where my boyfriend grew up."

I rolled my eyes, wondering how I could get through to her. She reminded me of Sharpay back in high school. Why can't I keep the one I love around, yet I can attract all the crazies, I thought, hauling the giant suitcase inside.

"We're not together, Sharon," I huffed out as I gave the suitcase a final heave and parked it by the door.

She scrunched her nose, and for a brief moment, I thought for a brief moment I might have finally gotten through to her, "I'm going to make a quick bathroom run."

I heard Chad's voice outside. "Hoops, why is…." He didn't finish before his eyes landed on Sharon as she disappeared into the restroom. "You invited Sharon?"

"She invited herself," I corrected, "she insisted that it would be good for our relationship to see my hometown."

He gave me a confused, "we're from Albuquerque. How is San Francisco, your hometown? And what relationship?"

"Our romantic relationship." I dropped my head and placed my hand on my hip. "And I grew up spending summers and school breaks in Cali with my great-grandparents and grandparents. Which in her book still counts."

Chad rolled his eyes. "Hoop, how do you manage to attract all the crazies? First Sharpay in high school and now Sharon."

I blew out a raspberry. "I ask myself a version of that question all the time. When I get an answer, I'll let you know."

Chad shook his head in response. "I'll take your girlfriend's luggage down, and you can start the final walk around." He teased as he started hauling the suitcase outside down the hall. "Man, she even packs like Sharpay."

"Ha ha, sure, make your fun," I called after him.

I quickly did the walk around and helped Sharon haul her suitcase back downstairs. Ten minutes later, we were on the road grooving to music on the radio.

Eight hours later, I pulled up to my parent's place after dropping Chad off at his place in San Francisco. Just as we had predicted, Taylor was surprised yet happy to see us. I killed the engine and sat there staring at the house. A chill ran down my spine as I thought of Sharon in my family home. This could really send her the wrong message, not to mention my family. I feared that if she went in still believing she was my girlfriend, I'd end up engaged by the time we headed back to L.A. The idea made my stomach feel like I was dropping fifty feet to my doom.

Pushing the fear away best I could, I focused on seeing my family. That was why I was here in San Francisco. I got out, and Sharon was right behind me.

"This house is so cute," Sharon commented as she grabbed her bag in the back. "So, you grew up here in the summer."

I hauled Sharon's suitcase out of the trunk. "No, I stayed with my grandparents and great-grandparents."

"So they don't live here?" She wondered as she surprisingly started hauling her own suitcase.

I stood watching her for a moment. "No. They live more in the center of San Francisco. We live a little further north."

"Huh," She nodded, "Interesting; so did your parents buy this place after you started attending Berkley?"

"Yup," I answered, hauling her other suitcase past her. "After I attended Berkley, my parents decided to move out here with Aspen."

I was about to knock when the door swung open. "It's about time you two got here." Mom stated, wrapping me in a suffocating bear hug. "I was starting to worry."

"Sorry," I apologized as we pulled apart. "There was more traffic than we expected."

"Well, you're here now," Mom stated, shutting the door behind Sharon. "Anyway, Sharon, welcome to our home. I'm so glad Troy has finally brought you home; he's only ever brought like two other girls home."

Sharon's eyes brightened, letting me know I was in big trouble. "Well then, I'm honored to have made the cut. It gives me a chance to know even more about Troy."

I groaned, silently praying I could get out of this. "Mom, please," I pleaded for her to stop talking.

She waved me off. "Oh, don't be so worried, honey. The fact that you're willing to bring another girl home is a good thing; it's a reason to celebrate. I knew you'd like Sharon if you gave her a chance."

"Of course," I didn't bother to correct her. She wouldn't have heard me unless I had another girl to tell her about. "Let's not continue to block the hallways."

Mom found a new pep in her step and nodded. "Good point. You all need to unpack before dinner. Sharon, I made your favorite Chicken with rice."

Sharon grinned from ear to ear. "Thank you, Mrs. Bolton."

"Lucy, please," My mom told her. "You're here meeting the entire family, grandparents included; you're practically family."

My eyes widen in horror. "Mom! Please." I pleaded.

Mom sighed, "fine; I'll stop for now. Sharon, I prepared the guest room for you and Angel, you know where your room is. Unless you two would like to share a room, in which case, the PDA rules in this house still apply."

Sharon's cheeks turned a flushing pink, and I noticed she did look pretty cute. Could mom be right? Could there be something between Sharon and me if I gave her a chance? Was that why I didn't notice her before, and suddenly starting to now? "Mom."

Mom threw her hands up. "OK, separate rooms. Sharon, the guest room is up the stairs, second door on the left."

"I'll help you with your luggage." I offered, desperate for an escape.

Grabbing her suitcases, I made my way up the stairs. Once I parked Sharon in the guest room, I gave her time to unpack. I went to my room at the end of the hall to unpack and settle.

I had forgotten that my bedroom was memory central. The moment I stepped into my basketball-themed room, a flood of memories came rushing in. My movement was slow as I made my way through the room. Every item in the room had a story, and it was all starting to come back to me. I smiled, seeing my trophies and photos on the shelf. I picked up a picture of me on my dad's shoulders when I was about six.

The photo was taken after I had scored my first basket during a game. I had been so proud of myself, and that was when I knew I wanted to play in the NBA. The dream had never changed, and my entire had always supported me.

Placing the photo back down, I tossed my bag onto the bed. My breath slowed when my eyes fell on the picture of me with Gabriella on my nightstand. Memories of her came rushing back, and my heart ached.

I let out a shallow sigh picking up the picture fame. "Things sure have changed," I whispered, running a gentle finger over the picture.

Placing it back down, I saw the giant stuffed panda pillow I won for Gabriella at a mini carnival we went to on the bay window seat. Gabriella loved it and clung to it the entire time we were at the carnival after I'd given it to her. But she gave it to me at the end of the day, telling me if I missed her, I could hug it, and it would be like I was hugging her. I've kept it since and hugged it more times in the last two years than I've ever hugged any stuffed animal in my entire life.

Taking a seat in the bay window, I picked up the stuffed panda and hugged it. Staring out the window, I recalled the last time I saw Gabriella.

Two Years Earlier

I finished crossing my T and dotting my I's on my final. Sure that I was satisfied with all my answers, I quickly gathered my stuff. On my way out, I left my last final on the teacher's desk with the other finals. I felt a weight lift from my shoulders and didn't hesitate to let out my first relaxed breath in weeks. I texted Gabriella as soon as I was out the door.

Me: Finished last final. Meet you in fifteen minutes at our usual spot.

I swung my bag over my shoulders and headed for the parking lot. Gabriella and I had both been crazy lately. It felt like I hardly got to see her in the last week. I couldn't wait to see her and hold her in my arms again. I was already picturing the entire summer with Gabriella, doing all kinds of stuff, including apartment hunting so that we could move in together our Junior year. My phone pinged with an incoming message.

Firefly: Front parking lot. Crossroads.

I slowed as I read the message. Suddenly I remembered I hadn't handed in my English paper. I quickly headed back in the other direction. As I raced back towards my English professor's office, I returned Gabriella's text.

Me: 5 minutes. Handing in English paper. Love you.

Pocketing my phone, I hurried off. The Professor's office wasn't too far. If I could hurry, Gabriella wouldn't have to wait too long. I finally came to a stop and breathed out a heavy breath. Once I had a moment to catch my breath, I knocked on the door.

No answer.

I tried again, and another student came up. "He stepped out but should be back in a couple of minutes."

I blew out a raspberry and checked the time on my phone.

I was supposed to be meeting Gabriella now. I thanked the student and proceeded to play with my phone to keep me busy. Ten minutes later, my professor came back. I handed her the paper and raced off for Crossroads.

Crossroads wasn't too packed when I finally got there. It was way more than five minutes later. Knowing Gabriella would already be there, I scanned the place for a moment, but I finally spotted her in the back, where there weren't many people.

My heart skipped a beat seeing her lean back in a chair with her eyes closed. Air left my lungs, and I forgot how to breath. Gabriella always looked perfect, but lately, there was something different. Her beauty glowed every time I saw her, and I was reminded of how lucky I was.

Snapping myself out of my daze, I quickly headed for the table. I stared at her for a moment taking in her beauty. Placing a hand on her shoulders, I woke her smiling at her. She returned my smile, and I slipped my hand into hers.

"Sorry, that took longer than I thought." I apologized once I caught his breath, taking a seat across from her. "Did you have to wait long?"

She shook her head in response before pulling away. I narrowed my brow, trying to figure her out. She had never pulled away from me before. Is there something wrong? Did I forget something she told me between everything I had going on lately? Neither of us said anything for a long minute.

"Sorry." She finally apologized, turning away from me.

That makes even less sense. She didn't do anything; why is she apologizing?

"Why are you apologizing?" I didn't bother to hide the confusion in my voice.

Gabriella was still avoiding my gaze as she let out a shaky breath. Knots started forming in my stomach as she dropped her head to avoid looking at me together.

"I'm dropping out of school, and I'm moving," she whispered in a voice so low that I could barely hear her.

I was confident that shock had to be all over my face. There must be some mistake. I must have heard her wrong. Sure we had talked about moving in together, but that didn't require us to drop out of school.

There was silence between us again.

"What do you mean you're dropping out of school?" I asked when I found my voice again. "You can't just drop out of school, and where are you moving to?"

"I can, and I did," There was a hint of something in her voice. It was sadness or dread; I couldn't tell which.

"OK, then why did you drop out?" I tried again. "And again, where are you moving to?"

"None of that is your concern," She answered, staring out the window.

I ran a hand through my light brown hair that was nearly covering my brows. Frustrating was starting to really build in me. "What do you mean it's not my concern? I'm your boyfriend." I didn't bother to hide my frustration.

"Not anymore." she turned to me before continuing. "I no longer see a future for us."

I felt like my heart was ripped from my chest, and every vision I had for my future started disappearing. It took everything in me not to break down. She placed the T necklace I gave her in high school on the table before me and apologized again. I felt like I was slapped in the face, too stunned to realize what was happening.

Gabriella was already out the door when I realized what had happened. I scooped the neckless up and raced out the door after her. Figuring she wouldn't stay on campus, I ran for the parking lot, praying that I could fix this.

I had to fix this.

I only stopped when I came to the parking lot and saw Gabriella in the arms of another man. Neither of them knew I was there. I felt like I couldn't breath as fear stuck me hard. Millions of questions ran through my mind, and I couldn't will myself to go over there and get the answers.

The tears I was holding back started falling as I watched them leave. Something in me changed as I watched them drive away. I wasn't just hurt or sad. I felt empty, like a part of me was gone. My entire world shattered, and I, for the first time, didn't know how to fix it. I had genuinely failed at the one thing I didn't ever want to fail at.

Knock Knock Knock

"Angel, you OK?" My mom's voice snapped me out of my daydream.

I wiped the tears from my eyes as I invited her in. Sniffling, I pushed the feeling of sadness and heartache aside best I could. Mom made sure I was OK before asking me to pick Aspen up from basketball practice.

Sharon wandered into the kitchen as I was about to leave. I pushed a plate of my mom's cookie towards here. She brushed a loose strand of hair from her eyes, revealing the bracelet around her wrist. It was similar to the one I saw Gabriella wear when we were together. I hadn't noticed the bracelet on her before.

Why would they have the same bracelet, I thought to myself.

Sharon broke off a small piece of the cookie in her hand and popped it into her mouth. It was the same way Gabriella always ate a cookie. I blinked, reminding myself she wasn't Gabriella. She only reminded me of her.

"I was coming to find you to ask to borrow your car," Sharon spoke up as she popped another piece of cookie in her mouth.

"I'm actually about to head out to pick Aspen up from practice." I replied, "why don't I give you a lift? Where do you need to go?"

Sharon's eyes shifted as she fidgeted with a bracelet she was wearing. Gabriella had the same nervous habit. "I uuuhhh," She stuttered, no doubt hiding something.

What was she hiding? Did it have anything to do with why she reminded me of Gabriella? Staring into her eyes, I couldn't shake the feeling that she had a huge secret.