Wow. So, it's 2009 now, and I still haven't updated. My deepest and sincere apologies!!!!! I hope you all still read this story! Please enjoy, I know this update is LONG overdue! Forgive me!!

Disclaimer: I don't own HSM.

Tired. Dread. Confusion. Gabriella was incredibly nervous for her upcoming date. The whole day of shooting, she only thought about what to say to Ryan during dinner. She walked do the hall to get in a cab to go back to the hotel.

"Gabriella! Wait up!" Troy called after her. "Are you ok?" he said after getting her attention.

"Uh…yeah. I'm fine." She supposed.

"Are you sure? You seemed really distracted today. I mean, you didn't know your lines that well…you just didn't really seem like yourself, I guess."

"Troy, I'm fine. I'm just tired, that's all. I'll see you later…" Gabriella got in a cab, and rode off to the hotel, leaving Troy standing there.

She couldn't describe the feelings that she felt. She leaned her head against the window, and looked out without paying any attention.

"Having troubles?" The old cab driver asked.

"Huh?"

"You look like you have many problems. A pretty girl like you shouldn't have so many problems."

"You have no idea." Gabriella said. She could feel the tears start to well up. After what seemed to be an eternity, they pulled up to the hotel. It was 6:30, and Ryan was going to come in half an hour for their date. Gabriella slumped up to her hotel room as she thought of how the night's dialogue would go.

"Hi Gabriella!" Taylor said when she walked into the room.

"Hey. Ryan is coming over in about half an hour. Can you help me get ready?"

"Sure…what's wrong?"

"I've never had to do this before...you know, break up with someone. It's really hard, I don't like it and I feel terrible for doing it!"

"Yeah, but you leading both him and Troy along is worse." Taylor said as she brushed Gabriella's hair.

"I guess…what am I going to say?"

"Just break it to him easy…you still have another couple of weeks of filming with Ryan. A messy break-up could be extremely awkward."

"Yeah…you're right."

At the restaurant

"Thanks for coming with me to dinner, Ryan." Gabriella said as the waiter delivered their meal.

"Hey, no problem. We don't get to spend as much time together as I wish we could." Ryan said.

"Yeah…" Gabriella said as she picked at her food. She was too nervous to eat.

"Is something wrong? You've been really distracted all day."

Gabriella put down her fork. "There's something that I need to talk to you about." She said in a tense tone.

"Uh…ok. You can talk anything, you know that."

"Of course, but it doesn't make me any less nervous."

"Nervous? Gabriella, what's wrong?" Ryan pushed his plate to the side, and reached out to grab Gabriella's hand.

"You know what? We don't have to talk about this now. It can wait." She said reluctantly. Gabriella knew that she just chickened out. She just needed more time to think about what she was going to say to him.

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah. I want to finish dinner first."

"Ok, sure thing."

They kept eating, talking about the movie, and the other actors they worked with. It wasn't as awkward as Gabriella thought it was going to be.

"That was really good." Ryan said getting up from the table. He waited for Gabriella to stand, and they both headed for the door.

"Hey, look! No paparazzi this time!" Gabriella said as they exited the restaurant.

"Wow, I'm surprised."

"Me too." Gabriella agreed. "Do you want to go on a walk? We should go to that park we went to last time," she asked.

"Sure sounds like fun." They started down the street on the way to the park. Luckily it was close to the restaurant.

"So what was it that you wanted to talk to me about?" Ryan asked when they got to the park. Gabriella headed for the swings, and Ryan followed.

She opened her mouth to speak, but no works came out. After a few moments, she finally formed a sentence in her head.

"I'm so glad that we got to spend so much time together these past few weeks." She said staring straight into Ryan's eyes. "We've had so much fun laughing and hanging out, and you've made me so happy, and relaxed."

"I've had a lot of fun, too."

"You're such a great guy, Ryan. You're…you're…I don't know…" Gabriella got off the swing and walked over to a picnic table. She ran her hand through her hair, trying to figure out what to say. It was starting to get dark outside.

"I'm what? Just say it Gabriella. It's ok." Ryan said as he walked toward her.

"You're funny, you're smart, charming, confident, charismatic, talented, sensitive, you're a really good kisser, you have such a beautiful voice, and you have a way of making someone feel really important and wanted."

"Why are you telling me this?"

"Because you're practically the perfect man. And you're exactly the kind of guy that I could fall in love with." Ryan smiled a little. "That's the thing…"

The smile drifted from Ryan's face. "What do you mean?"

"I can't let myself fall in love with you."

"Why not? We could be so great together, Gabriella."

"Because…"Gabriella paused. This was it. This was the moment that would really hurt Ryan. "Because I think I'm already in love with someone else." There was a pause. Ryan had to sort through all of the thoughts that were rushing in his head.

"It's Troy, isn't it?"

"Yeah." She said, breaking eye contact. Ryan stared at the ground. There was another awkward pause between the two of them.

"Why?" Ryan clenched a fist.

"Why what?"

"Why do you love Troy?"

"I'm not sure. It's just a feeling I get when we're together..."

"This is the guy who left your heart broken seven years ago at your high school graduation. He just left without any explanation. This was your 'first love', and he completely ignored you for seven entire years. This is the same guy who was a complete jerk to you when you first met." Ryan stood up to try to control his budding anger.

"Ryan-"

"I'm the guy who stood by you when he, and every boyfriend since Troy broke up with you. I'm the guy who has always cared for you; from the very moment I first met you. I'm the one who wants the best for you. I'm the one who will go any distance to get the best for you. I've been waiting, and waiting for the chance to finally tell you how I really feel." Ryan took a deep breath. He reached his hand out towards Gabriella. She placed her hand in his, and stood up. The tone in his voice softened. "I get that same feeling each and every time I'm with you, Gabriella. I love you, a lot. I just never thought I would actually tell you when you were 'breaking up' with me."

"Wow." Ryan left Gabriella speechless.

"And it's because I love you so much, I will bow out with dignity. I won't bother the two of you. But, if he ever hurts you, ever, you can expect that I will step back in to the equation."

"Ryan, you really are the perfect man."

"I only have one last request." He said as he took both of her hands.

"What's that?"

"One more kiss…" Ryan leaned in and gave a very powerful and passionate kiss that surprised Gabriella. She closed her eyes, and returned the passion.

Suddenly there was a click, and flash of light. That's weird…I wonder what that was… Then there was another. Gabriella exactly what it was the second time. She opened her eyes and broke the kiss, and a flood of camera flashes erupted. Oh CRAP!!

Ok…that's it for this chapter! Don't hate me! I had to spice up the storyline somehow. I promise, everything will work out in the end…which is very soon.

Again, I'm really sorry for procrastinating and waiting months to update! On the bright side, tomorrow is my 2-year anniversary for this story! I know what you're thinking, and yes, I agree. I should have been done with the story a year and a half ago. Eh…as is life. Ok…I'll stop rambling.

Review please!!