Sorry for not updating, but I haven't been able to get to a computer to update this one until now. Hope you like!

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CHAPTER ONE

"Troy!"

Troy was staring into the empty air around him, his normally bright blue eyes clouded with memories.

"Troy!"

Troy turned around to find that it was Chad calling his name.

"Troy," Chad said, jogging over to him, "you thinking about it again?"

"Yea," Troy answered with a sigh.

Chad thrust the basketball into his hands. "Get'cha head in the game. Coach won't be happy." Chad jogged away.

"Coach," Troy thought, "Dad," he shifted in his seat on the bench, "I miss you." He glanced down the court, seeing his teammates and friends.

They were all wearing Knicks' jerseys.

Troy looked down at his reflection in the waxy gym floor. He wore an identical jersey except his had the number '8' on it and read 'Bolton' on the back. "I hope you're proud though."

"Come on Troy!"

Troy looked over to see the coach calling his name, but it wasn't his father. Jack Bolton was back home, still coaching at East High.

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Troy and Chad were both 21. They got drafted to play for the Knicks a year after they graduated East High. Troy's life was perfect…well, almost.

Troy jogged out of the locker room, his gym bag slung over his shoulder. He let out a sigh as he leaned against the wall, waiting for Chad to appear.

Digging deep into his thoughts, Troy remembered when he first heard the new about being drafted.

Flashback

"Yes?" Gabriella Montez, who was 19 at the moment, said into the receiver.

Troy walked out of the bathroom, drying his dirty blond hair. He watched the expression on Gabriella's face grow more and more excited.

Gabriella hung up and looked at Troy, who was pulling on his shirt. "Troy," she said, trying to hide her excitement, "That was the manager for the Kincks on the phone."

Troy turned his head at tentatively. "What did they say?"

"Well, they said you did great during try-outs and you…"

Troy held his breath, waiting for her to say it.

"…are drafted to play for the next season!"

Troy ran over, picked up Gabriella, and spun her around, saying, "I've been picked! I've been picked!"

Smiling, Gabriella said, "Troy, could you put me down?"

Also smiling, Troy gently placed Gabriella on her feet and kissed her.

"Looks like my little Wildcat isn't a Wildcat anymore," Gabriella said, looking deeply into Troy's eyes.

Brushing back a loose lock of her brown-black hair, Troy answered, "I guess so. This is almost a dream come true."

"Almost? This was what you always wanted," Gabriella asked, picking up a picture of them together, glancing at it for a second, and then placing it down.

The alarm on the desk screeched loudly, telling Gabriella that it was time to head to her classes.

"Ugh, I've got to go. See ya later Troy!" Gabriella shouted as she grabbed her books and ran out the door.

Troy went over to the drawer and after digging through all his clothers, pulled out a small box. He opened the box and inside was a…

End Flashback

"Troy!"

Troy looked up and saw that it was Chad yelling his name again.

"Thinking about that day again, aren't you?"

Troy nodded. "That was two years ago…"

"What's with all the memories?" Chad said, walking out the door into the New York City street.

Walking behind him, Troy thought about them again. The New Years at the ski lodge, where he found the love of his life. The Twinkle Towne Musical. The summer that he went to work at Big Stars Inn, where Gabriella's and his love was tested and grew stronger. The many years in-between. "I don't know," Troy finally answered.

"Well, just ask her already," Chad said, starting the car, "You've been wanting to do it for about 3 years now."

Troy instantly knew what Chad was talking about. "It's not that easy," Troy responded, getting in the car.

Chad pulled out on the busy street. "Yea, it is. You just get her attention, get on one knee, take out the ring, and say," Chad cleared his throat, "Gabriella, will you marr…"

Troy cut him off. "It's not so easy for me. You had the courage to ask Taylor to marry you."

Chad looked at the gold wedding band on his left hand.

"You had the courage, but I," Troy continued, "I'm afraid, Chad, afraid that she'll say…say…say…"

Chad, his eyes still on the road, reached over a consoling hand. "Troy. You know she wouldn't. It's not common for someone to find their true love by accident at a ski lodge."

"But Chad…"

"Troy, take the risk," Chad said, placing his hand back on the wheel.

Silent, Troy looked out the window and saw his home materialize in front of him.

"Here's your stop," Chad said, pulling in at the front door.

Troy opened the car door, stepped out and closed it. He slowly walked toward his home.

Chad pulled down the window. "Go get her!"

Still walking, Troy turned around and smiled at his best friend, who started to drive away.

"Go get her, Troy thought, reflection on Chad's words, "Go get her." He pulled open the door and walked into the capacious house. "Go get her…"

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Might be awhile for me to update so I'm hoping you liked this chapter!
With much love,
Kat