Gabriella parked her car in the parking lot next to the teen center she was volunteering at on her Saturdays and quickly got out, locking the car before walking towards the front doors of the center. She had only started last Saturday but already felt comfortable with the teenagers who went there for a solution to boredom as well as a place to help them just get away from their problems. Some acted a bit star struck around her while others welcomed her while others ignored her. 'That's typical behavior of teenagers, I remember that all too well courtesy of the kids back at East and West High both,' thought Gabriella as she waved quickly at Henry and Martin, who were snapping a few of her before she entered the building.

"Good morning Princess," greeted one of the teenage girls who volunteered at the receptionist/check in desk. "Claudia said for you to find her as soon as you are settled."

"Thanks Mina, come on back and join us after you're done all right?" invited Gabriella with a smile before she moved on through another set of doors that led to an open room where several different games were set up including air hockey and ping pong tables. Loud laughter filtered through the door of a side room where Gabriella knew there was a large TV, assuming from that there was a group watching maybe Saturday cartoons or a comedic DVD.

Gabriella put her purse in a locker and locked it before searching for Claudia, who she found in her office. "Morning Claudia," greeted Gabriella, leaning against the doorframe of the office.

Claudia Ortiz looked up from the paperwork in front of her and smiled as she saw the petite brunette standing in front of her. "Good morning Princess Gabriella. I'm glad to see you back, I was a bit afraid they scared you off last week."

Gabriella let out a laugh as she took one of the two offered seats and sat down. "Why, just because one of the overly hormonal teenage boys made a bit of an off colored remark to me, something about me being in his dreams accompanied by a bit of descriptive hip action? Nah, I've seen a lot worse."

"All I can say is thank God you are not quite of the same ilk as our Queen. I think she would have fainted at that lewd behavior. Oh, that was a form of treason wasn't it?" said Claudia, covering her mouth quickly, a horrified expression on her face.

"Relax, that's not going anywhere. Besides, it's not treason if it is the truth," replied Gabriella with a smile. "Trust me, she would have fainted and more, I know my grandmother. I actually really enjoyed my time here last week, playing some of the games with the teens and just talking to some of them. I was actually wondering about one girl in particular actually. I think her name was Selena Davies."

Claudia paused her writing to look up at Gabriella. "What exactly were you wondering about Selena?" asked Claudia a bit cautiously.

Gabriella noticed the hesitancy and knew her instincts were correct. "She just, Selena seemed very withdrawn, friendly and sweet but very, what's the word, hesitant. Selena also appeared very jumpy, especially around the opposite sex."

Claudia studied the young woman in front of her and slowly nodded her head. "I think your suspicions are correct. Selena just experienced something rather traumatic in the last month, which I think is what drove her here, even if she was coerced by her younger sister Iyana. Selena won't talk about it but Iyana has disclosed a little to me, not wanting to say more than she needed to."

"So nothing is really known? Is Selena getting some type of help?" asked Gabriella, feeling her heart sink more as she realized that her instincts were correct about the blonde that she had observed her last week. "Is there someone who is helping her through this?"

"To be honest, I'm not sure. I've talked to her so she knows that we have confidential sessions here if she wants to talk and also have a support group with a women's shelter but she didn't seem to be very keen on that. Selena pretty much has kept to herself these past few weeks, coming here only when Iyana drags her," responded Claudia, turning her attention back to her paperwork. "I'm sure they'll show up within the next hour, it's the usual time they come in."

"I have to say, I'm impressed," stated Gabriella, getting up from her chair. "You're so busy running this place yet you know these teenagers so well, even enough to know when to expect them."

Claudia shrugged while she lifted her head to return Gabriella's gaze. "It's my job and I really care about these teenagers."

Gabriella just nodded her head before she left the office, heading to the kitchen to help another two volunteers in setting up the morning snacks for the teenagers to feast on.

A few hours later, Gabriella had just finished getting her behind kicked by a thirteen year old girl at ping pong when she spotted Selena sitting off on her own again, sitting on a bean bag and reading a book with a glazed look on her face. Following her instinct, Gabriella surrendered the paddle over to a black haired boy before she walked over to Selena, quietly taking a seat on the bean bag next to Selena, careful not to surprise her.

After a few moments went by and Selena didn't acknowledge her, Gabriella decided she would need to take the first step. "Selena right?"

Selena slowly looked up and widened her eyes as she saw the brunette sitting next to her over the top of her book. "Yes," responded Selena, her voice a bit shaky.

Gabriella smiled at the young girl. "I'm Gabriella. It's nice to meet you. What are you reading?"

"Little Women," answered Selena, lowering her eyes but clearly not reading again.

"Ah, one of my favorites. How many times have you read it?" questioned Gabriella, hoping to get Selena to talk a little more to her.

"About twenty-three times," answered Selena without much time spent contemplating that number.

"Wow, you have me beat. I've only read it fourteen times," replied Gabriella, keeping her smile on her face. "Aren't interested in playing games or hanging out with your sister?"

Selena shook her head. "I'm only here so my parents think I'm normal, going out and having fun."

"Yet you're here and clearly aren't," observed Gabriella. "I don't blame you."

Selena's green eyes snapped back up as she looked back at Gabriella. "What do you mean?"

"I just mean that you look troubled and I know what that feels like, trust me I still am troubled by some things," confessed Gabriella, steadily looking Selena in the eyes. "I went through some hard things in my teen years."

"Like what guy to date or what designer shoes to wear?" scoffed Selena, shaking her head. "I don't think you understand what I'm going through, all due respect Princess. No one here knows what it's like."

"Oh yeah? Tell me about it," prodded Gabriella, knowing that Selena was showing signs of cracking. "What could be worse than not knowing what to wear?"

Selena's eyes flashed before she burst out, "Being raped, raped by someone you trusted, your best friend! How about that?"

Gabriella was a bit taken aback by this but didn't let it show, knowing that now was the only chance she had to really reach Selena while her defense was down. "I agree, that is a lot worse, a lot more than any teenage girl should go through, especially alone."

"What do you know about this, about true pain, physical and emotional? I bet you've never had a single bruise on your body given to you from someone else," bit out Selena, overwhelmed with emotions that finally began to pour out from her, breaking down all her defenses as well as her control. "You don't know what it's like…"

"To have someone roughly run his hands over your body, tearing at your clothes, making you feel so dirty that after twenty showers in a row you still don't feel clean? To know that although you said no, pleaded with him, cried, that he still hurt you, had his way with you, and that there wasn't anything you could do to stop him? To see everyone looking at you, wondering if they know and if they did, if they thought you were a dirty slut like you see yourself?" returned Gabriella, keeping her voice low but allowing the strength of her own feelings seep out with each word.

Selena stared at Gabriella in surprise as she realized that Gabriella just described a good deal of how she had been feeling. "How do you know all that?"

"That was me about seven years ago. I was seventeen and unlike you, it was a guy I wasn't even friends with. Him being your best friend probably makes it worse, I don't know, but I know what it feels like to be violated, to never know if the conscious nightmares as well as the ones at night would ever fade away. Selena, you don't have to talk about this, any of this with anyone here, but I hope you are talking to someone. I couldn't have done what I did back then without my friends, my family, and my therapist. It really does help," stated Gabriella, giving Selena a sad smile. "If you want to talk, I'm here but I don't expect you to spill just because I have. I just, I had this feeling about you and I wanted you to know you aren't alone."

"Thank you," murmured Selena, still shocked to find out that Gabriella shared what she did with her, not even really knowing who Selena was.

Gabriella just smiled as she got back up and looked back down at the blonde teenager. "Anytime you need Selena, let me know. Claudia also has my number so if you want to meet some other time and place, I can do that too."

Selena just nodded her understanding before Gabriella walked away, not seeing Iyana and a close friend of Selena's rush to Selena's side to make sure she was all right after her short outburst. Neither had heard any of the conversation after Selena yelled at the princess and were worried that Selena had gotten herself into trouble for disrespecting a royal family member but were relieved to see Selena actually giving them a small smile, quite a change from the weeks before.

Patrick cleared his throat as he nervously looked around the fancy restaurant he and Gabriella were in for a nice dinner date just as the main course was placed in front of both of them. He had ordered the filet mignon while Gabriella ordered the rosemary chicken. "It looks delicious," murmured Patrick, daring to look up to look at Gabriella's face.

She smiled back at him, relieved that he finally looked back at her. "It definitely does," agreed Gabriella before she picked up her utensils and started cutting into her chicken. Gabriella daintily placed a piece of the chicken in her mouth and closed her eyes to savor it. When she opened her eyes again, she blushed as she saw Patrick staring at her with an amused look on his face. "What?"

Patrick just chuckled and shook his head. "Nothing. I think I'm just simply amazed at how normal you are."

Gabriella arched an eyebrow at this. "Should I take offense to that? Need I remind you that you were quite intimidated by me just a few minutes ago."

"No, not intimidated exactly, just nervous. I mean, we're here at a fancy restaurant on our first real date without anyone else around. That's a normal feeling isn't it?" asked Patrick. "I know the circumstances are a bit different than a normal dating situation but I think we're both rather normal, wouldn't you say?"

She let out a little laugh at this. "Yes, I'd say so. I actually don't blame you about being nervous in this classy restaurant. I feel that way whenever I'm in places like this or at official royal events all the time. I'm so much more laid back."

Patrick studied Gabriella with a thoughtful look on his face. "You do pull off the very elegant and sophisticated look, I have to say, but I can see you much more comfortable in a pair of sweats and a favorite t-shirt, am I right?"

"On the nose, how do you figure all that?" asked Gabriella, impressed by this observation.

"Just observation and the fact that I'm that way myself. At least you had the luxury of not living this life all your existence. I think I was born into this world with a silver spoon and was never given the chance to be truly normal," said Patrick, looking intently at Gabriella, who seemed to genuinely smile back at him. " It's not all it's cracked up to be is it?"

"Can I trust you?" questioned Gabriella, a bit hesitant to be this free but felt in her gut that he could be trusted. After Patrick nodded his head right away, Gabriella proceeded. "It definitely is not. I'd give anything to have the life I had before being swept up into this life but I know that this is what I am now and I think for the most part I've accepted it. There're just moments sometimes where I find myself longing for an old memory, an old feeling."

"At least you know what to long for," replied Patrick with his own gentle smile. "I think that's why I turned to car racing. It's as normal as my father would allow me to be. Of course. he won't stand for me to fix them myself."

Gabriella paused from taking another bite of her chicken into her mouth and looked back at Patrick puzzled. "Then how is it that you told me just two days ago while we were with my parents at the palace that you work on your cars?"

Patrick grinned. "Because I do, just far, far away from the official garage within my father's control. Sometimes, I even dress up purposely in mechanic clothes and a baseball hat on so it's harder to spot me."

"Sneaky, I'll give you that," said Gabriella with a laugh. "I've tried that disguise thing every once in a while but it doesn't seem to work on my own family."

"Well, that's because you have lots of eyes on you all the time, even when you probably think you are alone," supplied Patrick, taking another bite of his baked potato.

Gabriella scoffed at this. "Right, me thinking I'm alone ever, that's a joke. I am perfectly aware that everyone in Louvis watches me, whether it is to report back to my family, to report to some tabloid or newspaper, or to report to their own friends and family. Not to sound conceited, because I don't think this really is, I am that aware of everyone watching my every move. It's hard not to when some people openly stare at you like the older couple to our right and the young couple on your left, diagonally behind you are now."

Patrick did a quick look around and realized that Gabriella was right, there were those stares plus a few more than flickered their way here and there. "Wow, you aren't joking. I don't think this is considered being conceited either since it is obviously true and not wanted. Why don't we finish dinner and get out of here so I don't make you feel any more like a circus main act than I am already."

Gabriella gave him a grateful smile before she continued to eat, silently thinking to herself how good of a guy Patrick was actually turning out to be. They had spent a few hours together every other day or so since they had been introduced but tonight was their first time alone, away from the palace and other supervision of sorts. Gabriella in no way felt an instant connection with him but found that if she had to spend the rest of her life with someone of her family's choosing that Patrick wouldn't be a bad choice. 'Can you really do that though Gabriella, choose a man and know he will be your husband for the rest of time?'

During the rest of dinner, Gabriella appreciated the fact that Patrick tried hard to keep Gabriella amused and at ease, blocking out the whispers that floated around the room about them every so often. When the bill arrived, Gabriella reached for it but found that Patrick was much faster, having slipped his credit card in the black portfolio before he handed it back to the waiter, who smiled at him before disappearing.

"Patrick, you didn't have to do that," said Gabriella, looking back into his brown eyes.

He grinned back at her and lifted her right hand that was resting on the table and brought it to his lips as Patrick softly kissed the back of her hand. "It wouldn't be a proper first date if I didn't and I will not have it be said that Patrick Diaz is without manners either. Believe me, this has been entirely my pleasure."

Gabriella eyed him carefully, wondering if he was being true or just a charmer at the moment. "Is that so?"

"It is. Look, I know you have a tough situation on your hands and you weren't exactly placed in the easiest position by your grandparents a few weeks ago when they announced to you that you would have to marry some eligible male they deemed appropriate. You have many more suitors to consider in the coming months and I, I guess this is me trying to make a lasting impression on you. I may not know you as well as your dance partner does or your bodyguard but I want to because you, Brie, have intrigued me at the very least," declared Patrick with a smile that Gabriella could only best describe as seductive. "Is that all right if I call you Brie?"

She nibbled on her lip for a moment before she actually shook her head. "I'd prefer not. You can call me Ella if you want for short."

Patrick nodded his head in understanding. "Then Ella it will be. Don't like the name Brie huh? I hate it when people call me Patty."

Gabriella scoffed at this. "Who in the world calls you Patty?"

"My older brothers," grumbled Patrick, maintaining the smile on his face. "What can I say? I'm the baby of the bunch, of course I get teased."

"Well I think that's adorable in that context," comforted Gabriella as the bill came back. She busied herself with her purse so Patrick wouldn't feel her staring although she found herself stealing looks at him. 'I don't feel strongly attracted to him but he is a really great guy. The more time I spend with him, the more comfortable I feel and the more I actually want to see Patrick. Maybe Mom is right, things all happen for a reason, when they are meant to.'

Once Patrick had signed his name and put away his receipt and his credit card, he looked up and saw Gabriella smiling at him. "Ready to go?"

"Yes," answered Gabriella, smiling up at him more as she took his offered hand to stand up while a waiter pulled out her chair for her. "Thank you."

The waiter just smiled back at her as she walked out with Patrick, not even feeling odd when Patrick slipped her hand in the crook of his arm as they continued to walk through the restaurant and then outside. They had just made it to Patrick's silver Porsche as Gabriella spotted Martin popping out of a car nearby, a smile on his face.

"Princess, can I get a picture of you two, please?" asked Martin. "I don't want to impose but this would really help with the hospital bills."

"That's right, your baby girl has just arrived in the last week! What are you doing out here when you could be home with her?" asked Gabriella, surprised that Martin would willingly leave his new addition to his family so soon.

"I have to work," answered Martin. "Although, I don't want to do so at the cost of your privacy either Princess. You know I would never do that to you."

"I know, don't worry Martin," answered Gabriella before she looked at Patrick, who shrugged his shoulders. "Do you mind?"

"A picture of me appearing with one of the most gorgeous girls in the world? Now why would I mind that?" teased Patrick, a cute little twinkle in his brown eyes.

Gabriella laughed at this before she nodded at Martin. "Just a few, okay?"

A relieved look washed over Martin's face as he approached the couple quickly. "I just want action shots, if that is okay and not too uncomfortable. I don't want you two looking all forced into a portrait sitting out here in the parking lot. Then everyone will know I guilted you into doing this for me."

"You didn't, don't worry," said Gabriella with a sweet smile before turning towards Patrick, knowing that Martin was now taking pictures by the flashes of light she saw in the darkness in her peripheral. "You sure you are okay with this?"

"I wouldn't have said okay otherwise," assured Patrick as he opened the door for her to get in. Just as Gabriella was about to duck down to get into the car, Patrick caught her right hand in his left and lifted it to his lips as he kissed her hand again, this time lingering a little more over her hand than he had in the restaurant. Gabriella looked back up at him and gave him a smile before sitting down on the passenger's seat, buckling herself in before Patrick closed the car door. Martin continued to take pictures until the sports car was out of the parking lot, waving at Gabriella with a grin on his face as she waved back at him, her arm outside of the window.

When the Porsche finally rolled to a stop on one of the side driveways at the palace, Gabriella waited until Patrick came around and helped her step out of his car. They walked together to the side door that led from this side driveway and into the East wing of the palace. When they were a few feet from the doorway, Gabriella turned and smiled at Patrick, actually finding herself truly happy at that moment.

"Thank you for everything tonight Patrick, from dinner to the great company to indulging Martin for those pictures. His family really does need the money," said Gabriella, looking Patrick in the eyes. "He wouldn't have asked otherwise, meaning he wouldn't have stepped in for that picture."

"You're amazing, you know that?" stated Patrick, returning her gaze. "Here you are, a true royal blooded princess yet you behave like an average, down to earth young woman who has a good heart. It simply amazes me Gabriella that you even have this bit of innocence in you that I just find charming. It's just so rare Ella, it really is to find these qualities in a woman in our class."

"Calling all the other women you know that you've been subjected to in your years as snobby are you?" kidded Gabriella, causing Patrick to chuckle.

"Not necessarily, but they don't have their priorities as set as you do," conceded Patrick, somewhat sobering as he looked down into Gabriella's open face. "I don't want this to come off weird, which I have a feeling it is going to, but will you, is it okay… never mind."

Confusion crossed Gabriella's face as Patrick stumbled over his words. "What is it Patrick?"

"Ella, this is going to sound so shy grade school boy of me but, may I kiss you?" asked Patrick, hating the blush he knew was on his cheeks, as he lowered his gaze to avoid looking her in the eyes just then.

Gabriella stared for a few moments at this man who stood in front of her, who came off so confident all the time, now appearing in front of her at his most vulnerable. "I'd like that," whispered Gabriella back, surprised she actually meant every word as she found this side of Patrick utterly sweet.

Patrick snapped his head back up and grinned at her. "Really?"

She answered with giving him one last smile before he moved closer to her, cupping her left cheek in his right hand before slowly pressing his lips against hers. Gabriella focused on the kiss, on the feelings she felt at the moment, and was surprised when something sparked in her that she never thought would come alive again, especially with someone else. When Patrick pulled away and smiled down at her, Gabriella knew she must be wearing a goofy grin but suddenly didn't really care. For the first time in years, Gabriella had finally seen what a full picture of her future in Copanvy could look like and it did have happiness in it, despite everything else that went with her responsibilities, but that was enough for Gabriella to know, at least at this very moment.

"Mmm, Troy, you need to surprise me more often," stated Celeste as she rested her head on Troy's naked chest as they laid in bed together on a sunny New York afternoon. "I really could do with more surprise visits like this."

Troy chuckled as he wrapped his arms more tightly around his fiancé's body as he pulled her closer to his side. "Well, Chad had a little lull in his schedule and list of things of me to do so I thought I'd sneak home to see you. I couldn't resist seeing you after our time apart already."

Celeste smiled back at him, brushing back some of his dark brown hair off his sweaty forehead. "And that's why I love you Troy Bolton. Wow, I'll be Mrs. Troy Bolton by this time next year. That's just, amazing. As soon as Chad and Taylor's wedding is over, you promise that we'll focus on our own, right?"

"Of course Celeste. This is just practice for me, trust me," assured Troy, kissing Celeste softly on the lips. "So what have you been doing while I've been gone?"

"Oh, work and work. Life is boring here in our apartment without you, especially in our bed," teased Celeste, mischief twinkling in her eyes.

Troy suppressed a groan as he shook his head at her. "Celeste, you are insatiable you know that? Then again, I wouldn't have you any other way."

Celeste let out a giggle as Troy started kissing down her neck and then across her bare left shoulder, only to groan in frustration as her cell phone went off, in a ringtone that meant it was the office. "Hold that thought Troy," said Celeste as she wrapped a blanket nearby around her body before she got out of bed and picked up the offending cell phone. "Hello?"

Troy gazed at Celeste as she slipped into her professional mode, discussing something serious. He looked over at the clock and knew that he should really get out of bed anyway if he was going to run some errands today before spending some more time with Celeste before his flight back to Albuquerque the next night. Seeing that Celeste was still occupied, Troy slipped out of bed and padded into the hallway of their apartment and jumped into the shower, finding the warm water soothing as he began to wash up.

By the time he came back into their bedroom with a towel wrapped around his waist, he saw the frown on Celeste's face. "What is it Celeste?"

"I have to go back in. My largest client came by the office wanting to meet with me and refuses to meet with any of my team. Something about her trusting only me with her financial decisions," complained Celeste.

"That's a good thing though, right? For your client to trust only you as their financial advisor?" questioned Troy, unsure of why Celeste was so unhappy about this.

"It is but not at the expense of our time together when we haven't really seen each other," whined Celeste, forcing herself to get up and start getting dressed in business attire. "I'd rather be here with you."

Troy slowly approached her and wrapped his muscular arms around her waist, looking at her face via the mirror. "Then go to work, take care of business, and come home. I have some errands to run anyway and then we can spend tonight together, however you want, promise."

Celeste's eyes lit up at this. "Really? So you'll be here when I get back?"

He chuckled at this. "Thought I was here for only a day? No way! My flight doesn't leave until tomorrow night and I do have to meet with Coach tomorrow morning but until then, I'm all yours."

"Well, I better get dressed and going then," said Celeste, kissing his cheek before slipping her skirt on and pulling the zipper back up.

Troy himself got changed during this time, finding some clean clothes he left behind in his drawers. As he was going through his drawers though for a t-shirt, his fingers brushed against a velvety box that he had completely forgotten about. Before he could pull it out, Celeste's voice called to him from inside the bedroom. Troy quickly closed the drawer and threw on the first t-shirt he found as he walked out of the small walk-in closet. "Leaving already?"

"I have to but that will only bring me home that much earlier. Give me a call when you're done with your errands all right?" asked Celeste as she slipped her arms around Troy's neck, pulling him down for a deep kiss, sighing as she pulled herself away. "I love you Troy."

"I love you too Celeste," returned Troy, kissing her one last time before he allowed her to slip away from his embrace. He waved as she left the apartment and then walked back into the bedroom, taking the time to fix the bed again. Troy grabbed his cell phone from the side table and his wallet as he slipped them into his pocket and turned to leave the room but found himself drawn back to his set of drawers.

Slowly, Troy opened the third drawer and put his hand back in the corner where he felt the velvet box moments before. He shakily picked it up and stared at it, debating on whether or not he really wanted to see its contents. Troy knew what it was without having to open it, a present for her that he was going to give to her on their one year anniversary. 'You were so hopeless back then, just in some ways as you are now. You and Brie never did see that day though did you? One year of actually being in a relationship together but man does it feel like so much longer, especially taking into account the feelings you shared with her.'

Troy let out a deep sigh before he slipped the box back into his drawer and covered it back up, not knowing what he would do with it now, as it seemed like it had lost all meaning. 'God Troy, stop doing this to yourself! You're marrying an amazing girl, someone you love! Get a grip! And yet you can't and you haven't ever since you laid eyes on Gabriella a few weeks ago. As much as you try to fool yourself Troy, will you ever succeed?'

"God, I really hope I can otherwise I don't want to see the consequences of failing," murmured Troy to himself as he left the apartment entirely, pulling out his cell phone, and dialing a familiar number as he took the elevator down to the busy streets of New York. "Chad? Man, I need to talk…"

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