Gabriella pulled the zipper closed of her suitcase and heaved it off her bed, giggling a little as Chris rushed into the room with Paul as they heard the loud thump, both a bit confused as they saw Gabriella standing there in the middle of the room.

"What was that noise?" asked Chris, looking for the source of it while Paul sharpened his gaze on the suitcase next to Gabriella.

"Packed a bit much in there Gab?" teased Paul as he went over and lifted the suitcase up, letting out an exaggerated huff as he pretended to struggle with it. "God, this suitcase did not weigh close to this much on our way over. What did you pack?"

"Just some of my favorite things from the U.S. that I can't find in Copanvy and some things for my parents that they miss and some clothes," confessed Gabriella, a sheepish smile on her face. "Come on Paul, you were watching me the whole week and know exactly what I bought!"

Paul shrugged but grinned back at her. "I did but I didn't suspect it added up to be all this. Plus you have your carryon duffle and purse, which is really a bag. I'm starting to suspect the plane may be a bit too heavy."

Gabriella immediately put her hands on her waist as she looked at Paul in mock anger. "Was that you just calling me fat mister?"

Chris couldn't help but chuckle at the two as he stood a few feet behind Paul. "Better watch it Paul, Ella has you cornered there."

"Please, you think Gab has anything on my wife as far as that stuff is concerned?" returned Paul as he glanced back at the dancer. "Emma I think has been giving Gabriella secret lessons on how to make my life tough when Emma herself can't be here."

"Ooo, I am so telling her you said that too!" exclaimed Gabriella, laughing as Paul narrowed his eyes at her before chuckling himself. "Of course she wouldn't do anything because that's so true in some ways."

"Exactly!" pointed out Paul, grinning at Gabriella. "So what's on the agenda before we leave for the airport?"

Gabriella pulled out her cell phone and looked at her calendar. "We have a brunch with the high school gang in an hour and then some time to go shopping one last time with Tessa and Sharpay before heading to the airport for that way too long flight back."

"Ah, so that's why you wanted to rehearse early this morning," commented Chris, a knowing look on his face. "Wanted to reserve that free time after the brunch to drag me shopping with you girls, AGAIN. Honestly, what's with you girls and this constant shopping for things you already have?"

"Did you not hear me? I said Tessa would be there. I suspect after the hook up you two had last night that you'd be happy to see her again," replied Gabriella, a satisfied smirk on her face as she saw Chris suddenly look bashful. "Yes, I know you two made out in the coat room. I had a feeling you'd make a move on her but I just didn't take you to be the closet type of guy."

"Anyway, we better get going if we don't want to be late to that brunch of yours," said Chris, trying to get the attention off him and his "hook up" with Tessa the previous night.

Gabriella smiled back at him and nodded her head, ready to let her close friend off the hook for what she actually thought would make a nice couple. 'It's just too bad they have so much distance between them. Reminds me of me and a certain brown haired, blue eyed man.'

Pushing that thought aside, Gabriella reached down to pick up her duffle while Paul dragged her heavy suitcase out of the bedroom and into the living room of the suite. Once Chris grabbed his bags, the three left the suite while the security team formed around them as was routine here in New Mexico. Gabriella approached the front desk and checked out while Paul called for the car to be pulled around. Once the bill was settled, Gabriella and Chris walked out through the back entrance of the hotel as Curtis had reported a group of paparazzi lingering around the front and got into the car with only a few pictures being taken of them by two men with cameras there.

"Seems like the paparazzi are still interested in you here in the states Ella," commented Chris as he grinned back at his close friend. "They were even worse yesterday but I think your team did a good job in blocking them from a lot of the wedding and the reception. Did they follow at the park?"

Gabriella shrugged. "Probably, but there isn't much that can be done about that. Nothing really good for them to take pictures of anyway. I told you that Copanvy only has photographers and not paparazzi. Do you see the difference now?"

Chris chuckled as he nodded his head. "These guys here invade your privacy and hound you like a dog while the photographers as you call them back at home leave you alone or at least ask. I can now at least understand why some of these American celebrities go crazy with all this attention. At least you have me here though to keep your reputation intact."

Gabriella laughed as she saw the kidding smirk on Chris' face. "Oh yeah, you are such a saint that they'll never make up stories of me being a wild child here with you here by my side. I am definitely glad I savored the paparazzi free days earlier on in the week now."

"Sorry to interrupt you two but Emma wants to talk to you Gabriella," said Paul, handing her his cell phone. "Just wants to say a quick hello. Guess she misses you more than me."

She rolled her eyes at her bodyguard, hearing Chris' chuckle, as she took the cell phone from him. "Hey Emma," greeted Gabriella. "I promise Paul has been behaving so you don't have to hurt him for me when we come home tomorrow morning."

Emma laughed as she heard this. "Well I'm glad. Paul should be old enough now to behave without both of us having to scare him into behaving."

"You would think so right?" replied Gabriella, a smile on her lips. "How are things back at home?"

"Fine, nothing out of the ordinary. I've been to the teen center a few times this week to meet with Selena. She seems to be more open to talking now," reported Emma. "I think she has benefited the most with the time you have spent with her at the teen center on Saturdays and the other days you have met with her and her friend or sister."

"Well I'm just glad she is starting to feel better about the situation. I felt so bad and frustrated when we learned we couldn't do anything to prosecute her ex-best friend because there was not enough physical evidence," stated Gabriella. "I mean, I guess that was yet another place where I was lucky I am what I am to have Paul and the rest of the security team to intervene during the fight with Riley and Troy. Had I been by myself, I would have taken the scalding hot showers, rubbing my skin raw, as Selena did immediately after as soon as I could move and would have lost the evidence Riley left that helped seal his sentence. God, I really have been so lucky in so many ways Emma."

"You have been but you have also fought through everything just as Selena is starting to in order to heal yourself and to be stronger as a person. It wasn't easy what you did Gabriella and I think Selena admires you for that reason, and how much you have been willing to open up to her about your own experience, as hard as it is for you to talk about it with her. She really recognizes that Gabriella and I wanted to tell you that. I know her sister and her friend are very grateful to you too, they told me that this afternoon," replied Emma, a smile on her face as she recalled the actual words the three girls had spoken to Emma about Copanvy's young princess. "I think you spearheading this Big Brother and Sister type program was also brilliant. Of course we need to continue to grow the volunteer base from you, me, Chris, and Paul."

Gabriella let out a little laugh at this. "Yes, I would have to agree with you on that. I think once we really formalize that program and start maybe doing PR for it we'll get more attention to the center and more volunteers for the program. Thank you so much Emma for your support with this project and donating your expertise for free to help Selena. It really makes the world of difference."

"I just think we make a good team Gabriella, always have," replied Emma. "Uh oh, I hear the doorbell and I think that's the in-laws. Tell Paul he's in trouble for telling them that they could come over for a visit without him being here for me."

"Still fighting that battle huh? I'll be sure to slap Paul on the arm for that," promised Gabriella. "Have fun!"

Emma scoffed at this before she said goodbye and hung up the phone, leaving Gabriella to hand Paul the cell phone back before smacking him on the arm. "Ouch, what was that for?" asked Paul, rubbing his arm.

"For leaving your wife with your parents, ALONE," stressed Gabriella, giving Paul a glare before turning her attention back on Chris. "So, how did you like meshing lips with one of my best friends?"

"ELLA!" exclaimed Chris, turning a nice shade of pink.

"What? This is just a small taste of your own medicine Chris. All those times you've teased me about harboring feelings for Troy, for being taken with Patrick and somewhat with Toby back home. Payback sucks huh?" teased Gabriella with a laugh as Chris glared at her before turning his attention away from her so he could look at the scenery passing them by. "Oh come on, that's not even that bad."

Chris rolled his eyes. "All I'm going to say now is that if you don't watch it, you may just fall flat on your face the next time we have a lift," got out Chris while he turned his attention back on his close friend. "Oh, and I may have to tell Patrick one or two of these embarrassing stories I've heard about you. I'll have to leave Troy out of some of them or he'll really know you are just using him."

Gabriella narrowed her eyes at him. "Using Patrick? For what?"

"To get your grandparents off your back," replied Chris with a smirk. "Don't you think I'd be able to tell that you aren't fully into this guy? I know you probably the best out of everyone in Copanvy with a few exceptions. Your heart isn't fully into this guy Ella."

"Maybe so but that's not his fault and that doesn't mean that I'm using him either. I resent that actually," stated Gabriella before crossing her arms and looking at him, amusement completely gone from her brown eyes. "And for your information, my supposed close friend, I really do like Patrick."

Chris scoffed. "Maybe like but definitely not love. You want to know love? Take a picture of yourself when you are looking at Troy. That's what love looks like, what being in love does to your face, that soft smile and bright eyes. Honestly Ella, who are you trying to fool?"

"Myself," murmured Gabriella as she now turned herself away from him, ignoring also Paul's concerned look as she focused on what they were passing by and only that.

"Ella, come on, don't be mad," pleaded Chris. "I just want what's best for you and so does Tessa, and Sharpay, and all the rest of your friends."

When silence greeted him, without even a glance from his usually happy friend, Chris stuck his hand out and gently placed it on Gabriella's right shoulder, feeling a tremble beneath his hand. Worry filled him as he moved towards her, taking his seatbelt off to pull the now silently crying woman into his arms, relieved when she eased into his hold and just let herself go, one of the very few times Chris had ever seen her break down.

Paul looked back and let out a sigh as he watched the scene, somewhat relieved that Gabriella was finally letting go of her emotions that she had tried to keep harnessed for way too long. 'She still loves him and I think he still loves her but they both have something stopping them. How could fate be so cruel to bring them together when it's impossible for them to be together?' he wondered as Gabriella let out a quiet sob as Chris continued to hold her, letting Gabriella release everything she had been holding back for months, even years.

Twenty minutes later, the car pulled to a stop and parked at the back entrance of the small restaurant Taylor and Chad had chosen for this farewell brunch of theirs. Paul looked around and kept his earpiece in to listen to the initial report his security team was giving in regards to safety and paparazzi status before he turned his attention back to the backseat where Gabriella was currently wiping away the remaining tears. "You going to be okay?"

Gabriella turned her heard and gave Paul a watery smile. "As much as I just bawled like a baby, I'll be fine, honest Paul. I guess it all had to come out sometime huh?"

"Yes but it's not a sign of a weakness. Even the strongest person has to have her moments too," said Chris, smiling at her. "Come on, let's dry you up and get you ready to have a blast with your best friends in the world before we head back to duties and endless rehearsals in Copanvy."

"It's not so bad," returned Gabriella, laughing a little as Chris gave her a shocked look. "What? It really isn't. I've spent how many years now adjusting myself to this royal life of mine and I can finally say that I can roll with the punches with the best of them. There's a reason why Troy is engaged and it's to take away that temptation for me to disobey my family, my country, for my own selfish heart."

"But as much as you have adjusted Gabriella, I think your parents would agree too, you aren't expected as our Princess to give up your freedom just to keep up with some rather old tradition of being arranged if that means you'll be unhappy. The royal family doesn't rule Copanvy like it used to, that's why the council gets elected as to have the power it does. It is really balanced between the two, the monarchy and the advisory council when it comes to ruling the country," said Paul, feeling he had to say something to try to help her feel better about everything. "I've watched you grow quite a bit in the past several years and I can't help but say that I am proud of who you have become, regardless of what life has presented you. You've always handled it with maturity and class."

Chris nodded his agreement. "Even when everyone gave you trouble in the company when you first started, just for being of the royal blood. Instead of sinking to their level, you dealt with it but in a mature manner, making it hard for them to hate you out of jealousy. I know too many girls who would have ripped their hair out, Tessa probably being one of them I have a feeling."

A smile crept back onto her face at this comment. "Something like that. Honestly, if you two weren't here, I don't know where I'd be this weekend."

"You'd be fine," assured Paul. "Maybe a little bit bored but that's the extent of it, especially since Chris here and I are just so hilarious."

All three laughed together, giving Gabriella to calm down and allow the redness in her features to go away, making it look less obvious that Gabriella had just cried. When Tessa and Sharpay showed up and parked next to them in Sharpay's pink Mustang, Gabriella knew it was time to go and gave Paul the signal that she was ready to get out of the car.

Paul got out first and ran around to open her door, causing a roll of the eyes from both Sharpay and Tessa, who were now roommates in a luxury apartment as Tessa had vacated the apartment she and Taylor used to share officially yesterday morning before the preparations for the wedding. "Honestly, she's not going to get shot in a parking lot here in Albuquerque," complained Sharpay. "If anything you draw more attention to her."

"Maybe you're right but this place has too much history to let her just roam without protection," countered Paul, his face serious.

"Told you it was the history," said Gabriella as she hugged both girls. "Morning you two."

"Good morning sunshine," teased Tessa as she returned the hug. "Hey Chris."

"Hey Tessa," returned Chris, both exchanging a look that clearly spoke volumes as to what happened between the two.

Sharpay cocked her eyebrow at this and burst out, "I can't take this! Did you or did you not hook up last night and spend the night with him?"

Chris looked taken aback by Sharpay's bluntness in front of him but Gabriella gave him a look that told him this was scarily normal for the blonde. Tessa though just glared at Sharpay, fighting a deeper blush that was now on her cheeks. "What does it matter Sharpay? I don't go nosing into your love or sex life!"

"You do too!" countered Sharpay, giving her a satisfied smirk as Tessa seemed to realize in that instant the truth there. "So, out with it!"

Tessa gave Chris an apologetic look, grateful he now had an amused smile on his lips, before she replied, "Yes, we hooked up but I spent the night in our newly moved into apartment Shar! I was there when you woke up this morning if you remember."

"Well yeah but you could have easily have snuck in early this morning," returned Sharpay. "So did you really just sneak in?"

"No, I was there the entire night. I came home with you!" pointed out Tessa, letting out a sigh as Sharpay seemed to back down at this. "Happy now? You've just embarrassed me in front of said hookup guy."

Sharpay opened her mouth to speak but shut it immediately, opening and closing her mouth before she looked over at Gabriella and knew that she was definite going to be using one of her credit cards this afternoon on the shopping trip. She turned her attention back to Tessa and then Chris, giving them a soft smile. "Sorry you two, curiosity just got the better of me there. That's what happens when I don't have a current love life of my own."

Chris let out a chuckle. "That's quite all right Sharpay, you just made my morning even more amusing than Ella has already."

Gabriella smacked Chris on the arm, earning a yelp from him, before all four were ushered into the restaurant and into the backroom where the gang would have their brunch. As they took a seat, Gabriella saw a projector and a screen set up and wondered momentarily what it was for before waving at Kelsi, Tom, Martha, and Ryan, who were sitting somewhat across the round table from them. The happy newlywed couple entered shortly after that to a loud round of catcalls as they both blushed before taking two seats, Taylor sitting next to Sharpay with Chad to her left. As they knew it may be a little while for everyone to arrive, they continued to talk, catching up on things they still hadn't over the last few days while friends continued to trickle in until the last people arrived, Celeste and Troy.

Gabriella in particular took notice of their arrival, feeling a tug at her heart again as she watched the way Celeste naturally leaned into Troy's arm that was wrapped around her back, his hand fitting so naturally on her waist. She smiled at both of them as she realized they were looking back at her before they took the last two seats, Troy sitting next to Chucky, who had been invited especially despite this being just the old high school gang. Troy saw Gabriella's gaze linger on him so he gave her a smile that she returned before laughing at something Chris just whispered to her.

'If I didn't know they were just friends and hadn't seen Chris and Tessa kissing last night, I think I'd be jealous,' admitted Troy to himself before he picked up his menu and started looking for what he wanted to eat that morning. He nearly jumped as he felt a soft squeeze on his left knee, looking at Celeste as she gave him an innocent smile. Troy shook his head while he grinned, slipping his left hand down under the table to intertwine their fingers and rest their joined hands on his thigh.

Shortly after they all received their coffee, juice, or tea they had ordered, Chad stood up and cleared his throat, grinning at all of his high school friends. "Well, as you all know, Taylor and I are officially married and we both wanted to say a special thank you to all of you for making the trip back to old Albuquerque to share in our special day and the days or weeks before. It has been wonderful hanging out with the guys again as I know Taylor has savored each moment spent with her girlfriends again and, knowing that this may be the last time we all see each other like this for a while, until the next wedding even, we wanted to say cheers to our many friendships, relationships, and memories."

Everyone lifted their glasses and mugs up before clinking them against each other, smiling at each other as they drank to Chad's toast to the group of friends, remaining on his feet as Taylor joined him in standing. "And to properly toast these memories, we thought we'd share a DVD that Tessa and I worked on years ago the summer after graduation. They're full of pictures of all of us in our senior year and some random ones from before we all became a big group of friends. She and I never got to show everyone so Chad and I thought that now would be an excellent time. We hope you enjoy it as much as we have enjoyed having all of you here with us."

Applause and excitement filled the room as Chad popped the DVD into the laptop he brought in and started playing it, taking his seat once again next to Taylor as they all turned their attention to the screen, which started with a picture of the entire gang together, the same picture Gabriella had given them all before she left in the middle of senior year for Copanvy.

Chris felt Gabriella tremble a little next to him as the picture changed to one of her, Troy, Taylor, and Chad in a living room. He worriedly looked at her only to have her shake him off, giving him a small smile to try to communicate that she was okay. Not convinced, Chris just nodded but made sure to keep an eye on her and how she was feeling as the pictures continued to fly by, accompanied by music that seemed to tell the story of their bonds together that still held them to each other today.

As the picture show continued, Troy couldn't help but think back to the time when these were all taken, envisioning Gabriella sleeping in his arms the day after Alicia's attack, recalling the way they all laughed at Chad's retelling of his butter stick dare, remembering the way his heart sped up the day Sharpay learned that Gabriella and Troy were together, the day that they had all become friends across social cliques without even realizing it at the time. His blue eyes drifted from the screen to look at Gabriella, who looked almost as lost as he did down memory lane, noting how comfortable she looked with Chris' arm around her. Since Celeste arrived, he and Gabriella hadn't had much time to talk like they did after the bachelor/bachelorette party but Troy knew that Gabriella was happy now, for the most part, with her life, at least from what she had told him. Having Gabriella and Celeste talk and really spend time together with both Chris and himself around was intense at first but he was grateful that both women seemed to be able to have a pleasant conversation with each other, not causing any weird awkwardness he feared would be there.

Troy turned his attention back to the screen and felt his heart speed up as he saw a picture he hadn't brought himself to look at in quite a while. It was a picture that Tessa had taken during those final days before Gabriella left, with Troy's forehead against Gabriella's as they both stared into each other's eyes, love and a real connection being displayed for the world to see in that one captured moment. He heard a sigh and saw that its source was Gabriella as she continued to watch the screen, catching her wipe away a single tear quickly before anyone else saw. Troy rubbed the back of his neck as he took in the possible meanings behind that single water droplet from her eyes before he was reminded of the woman he was here with as she squeezed his hand from where their hands were resting on his thigh still. Looking down into her eyes, Troy saw that they were searching for his genuine thoughts and hoped that they weren't as apparent to her as clearly as he felt the emotions. Hoping to help soothe her worry, Troy squeezed her hand back before smiling and forcing his attention back to the screen that now started to show pictures of the gang in the spring of that year.

Taylor glanced over at Tessa, who in turn looked at Sharpay, who then looked back at Taylor after all three girls had half watched the show but were watching the couple that used to be exchange glances here and there. Their expressions though when they watched the memories on the screen spoke more to all three than either would ever admit. 'They are so in love still, despite having grown up and changed in so many ways. What is it that's really keeping them apart?' wondered Taylor as she heard a burst of laughter again as a picture of Jason singing into a banana along with Kelsi playing the piano appeared.

Chucky too couldn't help but notice the number of times Troy had reached up to rub the back of his neck, a clear indication that he was anxious or nervous about something, during the duration of the movie. During another time of seeing Troy do this, Chucky nudged Chad, who looked over and saw what had his brother's attention.

"Dude, he's still got something major going on with him. Have you talked to him anymore?" asked Chad, agreeing with his brother's attention on his best friend.

Chucky shook his head. "Haven't had a chance, fiancé is always with him. Maybe lil bro they really aren't meant to be together if neither of them can make the first move on their feelings."

"That's bull and you know it," whispered Chad. "Even I knew it back then in high school that they were connected even when I didn't realize I had such a great thing with Taylor. We have to get them to talk one last time as a last ditch effort before they leave this brunch. I know him and it'll kill him to not have one last talk or chance with her per se."

Chucky nodded his understanding as he let the quiet conversation drop when Celeste curiously looked over at the brothers. He gave her a fake smile and turned his attention back to the screen, focusing on prom pictures, showing a single Troy and Ryan among the group of friends during a group shot after all the couple pictures.

The slideshow finally ended with another group picture taken at what was then the Montez mansion. Applause broke out around the room again as everyone shared their appreciation for Tessa and Taylor's work in encapsulating their senior year so well with the chosen pictures and music both. Tessa and Taylor both stood up and curtsied before sitting back down just as the food came out.

"So you and Princess Gabriella dated in high school?" asked Celeste softly, catching Troy's attention.

He almost choked on his food at this question, realizing that having her next to him through such a slideshow would spell out his past relationship with Gabriella to her rather plainly. Troy swallowed before he nodded his head. "We did date in high school before she left for Copanvy. Are you upset about that?"

Celeste paused for a few moments before she shook her head as relief flooded Troy's body. "No, how can I be? It's in the past and she may be a princess but I have my knight in shining armor sitting with me now right?"

Despite what his heart was answering, his mind made a comforting string of words come out of his mouth as Celeste smiled back at him again, the light in her eyes returning. "You're right, this is now and you're here with me," said Troy as he looked back at her. He leaned over and kissed her forehead for emphasis, of what he wasn't sure, but he felt she was looking for it.

Ryan was half listening to the school boy banter Zeke and Jason were currently exchanging next to him as he watched Troy interact with his fiancé before swinging over to Gabriella to catch her uncomfortably tearing her gaze away from the same sight and launch herself into a conversation with Chris, Tessa, and Taylor.

"Do you still think they're going to miss the boat on this one?" asked Martha from her seat next to him. "To most of us, their connection is unmistakable but I can't understand why Gabriella hasn't said something to him."

"Because she wants what's best for him," supplied Kelsi, adding her two cents into the conversation. "Gabriella has always wanted what's best for him, even if it isn't her."

Ryan nodded his agreement. "Kelsi has a good point but I can't help but wonder if there's something else going on too, something that Gabriella hasn't told any of us. I mean, I feel like she's my sister just as much as Sharpay is after all this time we've spent still in touch and visiting her and I can sense that there's something she's holding back now."

"Like what?" prodded Martha.

"I'm not sure," admitted Ryan, shrugging his shoulders. "Could be anything at this point to be honest."

"Could be," agreed Kelsi. "We won't know though until she's ready. Gabriella has always had her own reasons for things and I'm sure this is no different."

"Whatever it is though, you have to admit, must be big for her to let him slip away from her as she is," stated Martha, looking again at Gabriella and Troy. "Do you think she'll go to their wedding?"

Kelsi shook her head. "I doubt it. Too painful. I mean, seeing Jason now after all this time is fine for me but I think we had more of a closure than Gabriella and Troy did back in high school."

"As always, good point Kels," returned Martha, realizing that the lack of closure did make their situation a bit more awkward than any of the other former couples of their group.

"Maybe that's the problem too, why they stopped talking all together," threw in Ryan, thinking about the situation further. "They couldn't very well have this closure they need over the phone and they hadn't seen each other until about a month ago and by that time, Troy already appeared to have moved on. Either way you look at this, it's a tough situation for both of them, even if they do feel the same way they used to."

Both women nodded their heads before the conversation was turned to a lighter topic, mostly due to Jason and Zeke, who joined the conversation, Jason having gotten over the weirdness of seeing Kelsi pregnant and with her husband. If anyone in the room knew what Gabriella felt at that moment it would be him, but he wasn't about to admit that to anyone as he knew that he still held a special place in his heart for Kelsi but wouldn't say anything now as she was already happy and settled into her new life with her husband. 'When you love someone, sometimes all you can do is let go,' thought Jason as he watched Kelsi blush as Tom kissed her cheeks before Zeke cracked a joke that got all of them laughing again.

After another two hours, the group looked at each other and decided it was time to leave, some having flights that same day while others planned on lingering for a little longer. They all walked out through the back entrance, Taylor and Chad both surprised by the limo waiting for them with their names written in white on one of the tinted windows.

Taylor immediately looked at Gabriella, who gave her a guilty look before smiling and shrugging her shoulders. "One last present from me to you both. A limo will also be waiting for you when you get back from Tahiti. I have to send off and receive my best friends in style as they start their new life together, right?" said Gabriella as she hugged Taylor back. "Have a wonderful honeymoon Taylor and thank you for letting me part of this huge event in your life."

"No, thank you for being here and doing so much Gab, from the wedding coordinator to this limo to just being here. You really are one of my best friends ever," replied Taylor, hugging Gabriella even closer if that was possible.

Gabriella gave her a watery smile as they pulled apart, letting Taylor go to say goodbye to the other friends around. Chad approached Gabriella soon after and hugged her too. "Thank you Gab, for everything. I may not know what's going on with you but know that no matter what happens, your first true love really does love you back."

She gave him a shocked look before she laughed a little, somehow not surprised really that Chad would get in a word or two about her situation with Troy. "Maybe so but he's with her now and he's happy. As I told everyone else, that's all I need to know."

Chad shook his head at her. "Maybe so but I can tell you, he was happier back in high school with you than I've ever seen him before or after. That has to mean something to you."

"It's complicated Chad, it honestly is. Now, enough worry about me and my somewhat love life. You have an amazing trip and treat Taylor like a queen all right?" returned Gabriella, giving him one last hug before stepping away.

"Like always," he replied, a grin on his face before he turned his attention onto Zeke.

Paul chose this time to approach Gabriella, who was watching the rest of her friends exchange goodbyes. "Gabriella, we should probably get going on this shopping trip you insist on if you want to make it back in time to the airport for our flight. You have a royal engagement the day after we land so we really do need to be on that plane."

Gabriella nodded her head. "I understand. Let me say goodbye to everyone and I'll get Sharpay, Tessa, and I think Ryan going."

With that Paul left, leaving Gabriella to start saying her goodbyes. She made sure to hug everyone tightly, not knowing when she would see any of them again. Gabriella made sure to hug Kelsi especially tight, whispering in the petite pregnant woman's ear her thanks for Kelsi's excellent advice and encouragement from three nights ago. Kelsi just gave her a knowing smile before the two parted.

Last of the group was Troy, who looked back at Gabriella, his blue eyes moving down and back up her body, causing Gabriella to let out a nervous giggle. "Checking me out Wildcat?" teased Gabriella, wanting there to be nothing but easy moments for her to think back on as her last time spent with Troy.

"Memorizing your beauty," flirted Troy, finding that the words easily slipped out of his mouth before he could censor himself.

Gabriella felt the blush on her cheeks as she reached into her purse and pulled out her phone. "So we're going to make good on this friends thing right? To start, I think I need your number. I'm sure it's changed."

Troy nodded as he took her phone and slipped out his own and gave it to her. Both punched in their information, posing for the ID picture together for each phone, before saving the information. Before Troy could give Gabriella back her phone, it started ringing, bringing up a picture of a man with brown eyes and black hair. "Umm, your phone is ringing," said Troy, handing the phone over to her.

"Oh, thanks," said Gabriella as she took the cell phone from him and looked to see who it was. "Hey Patrick!"

Troy slipped his cell back into the pocket of his khakis while he watched Gabriella's face light up at something this Patrick guy must have said. 'Who is this guy? Could she be actually dating him and hasn't said anything?'

"Listen, I'm actually leaving my friends now and will be heading to the airport in a couple of hours. Can I call you back when we get back to Copanvy?" returned Gabriella as she listened to Patrick's answer on the other side. "Great, yes, I'll see you Wednesday night for sure… Bye Patrick."

Gabriella pushed the end button and slipped her phone back into her purse, all of a sudden becoming self-conscious as she looked back up to see Troy intently gazing back at her. "What?"

Catching himself from asking what he really wanted to know, Troy shook his head. "Nothing, just thinking that it'll be a while until I can see you again probably."

"We'll see. Maybe we'll just have to do a yearly gang reunion. We all had a blast this past couple of days together. Something to think about," replied Gabriella with a smile. "Where's Celeste?"

"Oh, umm, I think the bathroom," offered Troy, looking around and seeing that Celeste still wasn't back in the parking lot with the rest of them.

Gabriella just gave him a smile before she hugged him, realizing that one of them had to make the first move. She smiled even more as she felt his arms snake around her waist, resting comfortably around her waist as they both allowed themselves the indulgence of lingering there for a few more moments than was necessary. Troy caught himself breathing in her scent and realized that it hadn't changed over the years, something that warmed his heart even more somehow. When they finally did pull apart, Gabriella reached up and laid a light kiss on his cheek while he returned it on her cheek a moment later. "Call me when you get back to Louvis?"

She nodded her head. "Of course. I'm impressed, you remembered what I told you the other night."

"I remember everything you tell me," he returned, grinning at her while his blue eyes clouded over with a few different emotions. "Take care of yourself okay Brie?"

"You too," she returned, squeezing his hand before she turned around and walked toward Sharpay, Tessa, Chris, and Ryan who were all waiting for her next to Sharpay's Mustang.

"Ready for me to buy you that purse?" asked Sharpay, knowing the brunette would need a distraction right now.

"Ready to go shopping. You really don't need to buy me that," replied Gabriella, looking over her shoulder in Troy's direction, seeing that Celeste had just walked out of the restaurant and was now holding Troy's hand while he talked to Zeke, Jason, and Chucky. When she looked back, all four of her friends were giving her a sympathetic look. "What? Guys, honestly, leave this alone. This is hard enough as it is."

"Well, I for one think that if Sharpay wants to buy you a purse, you should let her," said Ryan, wrapping a comforting arm around Gabriella. "It was, after all, part of the terms."

"The terms of what?" asked Tessa, somewhat upset that she wasn't involved in whatever bet that was going on.

"Bye guys!" called out Chad one last time as he and Taylor got into the waiting limo. Everyone turned their attention to the newlyweds and waved, sending them off with catcalls, laughter, and screams of goodbye and good luck. Once the limo was gone though, the group of high school friends started to disperse.

"All right, the mall?" asked Sharpay. "We can all fit in my car if that's okay with your team Gaby."

Paul gave Gabriella a nod of his head that signaled to Gabriella that this was their plan and that they should get going. "Sounds good. We don't have too much time though Shar so we can't go off on tangent shoe shopping too much."

"Me, shopping for unplanned items? Never!" returned Sharpay, which earned a severe cough from Ryan as he got into the backseat next to Tessa and Chris, Tessa more sitting on top of Chris due to the lack of space back there.

"That'll be the day you walk out of a mall with only the items you went to buy," teased Ryan as he settled in and buckled his seatbelt.

"I can do it, honest. Today we'll just go get Gabriella's purse I owe her and call it a day," returned Sharpay, starting the engine and slowly reversing out of the parking spot.

The five waved to the few remaining people in the parking lot, namely Zeke, Jason, Troy, Celeste, and Chucky, before Sharpay pulled out of the back and onto the streets of Albuquerque. "So what was this bet about?" asked Tessa, figuring in her mind that it had to be a bet that Sharpay lost to buy Gabriella a purse.

Sharpay and Gabriella both exchanged a look before silently agreeing it was better they not admit to their bet. Ryan though thought it would be amusing to tell Chris and Tessa. "It was actually about you and Chris here, whether you would spend the night with him. Gab won."

"YOU BET ON ME!" exclaimed Tessa, immediately scooting up so she her head was next to Sharpay and Gabriella in the front seat. "HOW COULD YOU!"

"Chill Tess, it was a harmless bet. Besides, you've done far worse betting if I remember correctly," replied Sharpay, glancing back to smile at her friend. "And anyway, I'm the one that should be complaining. You made me buy princess here a designer purse she probably could have gotten before it was even released!"

"Honestly Shar, you don't have to buy me the purse," replied Gabriella.

"No way, I would have made you buy me the purse had I won so it's only fair," said Sharpay. "Besides, my twin here has challenged my shopping control so I have to prove that he's not right. Think of the bag you want and don't go cheap on me."

Gabriella rolled her eyes at this and ventured a look at the backseat to see a not pleased Tessa, who smiled only when Chris whispered something in her ear, a grin on his own face. She felt a smile appear as she saw the cute blush appear on Tessa's face before Gabriella herself turned her face away to look out the window, seeing parts of Albuquerque she was pretty sure she'd not see again in a long time. Gabriella desperately wanted to focus on anything but the sadness she felt in her heart as they continued to drive further and further away from her first love, the same man who at the same time was thinking about her and their still existing love and connection as he pulled out of the parking lot with his fiancé by his side in the passenger seat.

Troy was finally being honest with himself as he examined all that had happened in the last few days between himself and Gabriella, taking advantage of the comfortable silence that filled the car. He glanced over at Celeste, who caught his gaze and smiled back at him, knowing she trusted him completely. A well placed grin on his face seemed to comfort Celeste enough for her to turn her gaze out the window while Troy concentrated on the road in front of him, images of both women floating across his mind. 'God, what am I going to do? What am I supposed to do?'

Back to the Dream Page