Disclaimer: I own nothing! Really... not HSM, not Serendipity, not even any other movies I plan to borrow ideas from... like said movie listed below...

A/N: Thank you all for the lovely reviews! Some of them have truly given me a smile and definitely inspired me to give you more Ryella scenes than I had originally intended... Just Kiddin! Anyway, this chapter is a little... well, okay, let me put it to you this way; because it's a Future-Fic, don't be too shocked by how "mature" some of the characters have gotten over the years. This is especially true for a conversation that will happen in this chapter between Ryan and Sharpay. I hope I do not offend anyone by it... Anyway, if you wish, let me know what you think but most importantly Enjoy the Story!

"Nothing to tell. That was four years ago."
"So? Four years isn't very much, not when it comes to true love. That's what it was, wasn't it?"
"It was a long time ago, kiddo."
(Eloise at Christmastime, 2003)

PRESENT DAY -- NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK

He stood back, bracing himself for the upcoming explosion. His eyes followed her, watching as she began pacing back and forth in contemplation. He blinked, wondering yet again if the two Evans' siblings are aware of how similar they were to each other. Just like her brother had moments ago, just before he had stepped out to their balcony, overlooking the streets of New York, to make a phone call and she herself had just arrived home from rehearsals, Sharpay -- after having discovered what had taken place -- was now walking back and forth with a pensive look on her face.

"Babe," Chad started, not quite sure how things will go, "You're not going to kill him, or uh me, right? I mean… you can't exactly blame him for his recent break-down. If Fate was screwing with my head about Tay--"

That got her to stop pacing. She whipped her blonde head towards Chad and began staring him down with one of her infamous cold glares.

He mentally slapped himself upside the head, cringed, then began back-pedaling due to his stupidity. Normally he wouldn't put up with Sharpay's drama or bitchy attitudes (one of the many qualities that made her fall for him in the first place) because he had discovered that deep inside was an actual sweetheart with a somewhat overactive imagination and high aspirations for herself (which in turn made him fall for her as well). There are the exceptions, much like this, when he'll deal with her tantrums because he more or less deserved it.

"Shar, baby, what I meant about Taylor, I meant it as an example. You know I'm crazy about you and only you. I'm over her. Way, way, way over Taylor. Like-- like from the Earth to Pluto, far and away over. You believe me, right? Baby girl, I've only got eyes for you." He took her hands into his, "You're all I need and want. You're--"

Sharpay removed one of her hands from his grip and clasped his face. "Chad, I love you… but shut-up. I'm trying to think of ways to talk Ryan out of committing whatever Shakespearean folly he's got cooking up in that stupid head of his."

She dropped her hand and began pacing once more, allowing Chad to rub his sore cheeks, "So… about what I had said earlier?"

His girlfriend waved her hand absently, "Forgiven… Now, how the hell am I going to keep that doofus brother of mine from losing Dianna?" She stopped for a second and cupped her hand over her forehead, groaning, "Ugh! I thought that once I left high school I'd leave all of the schemes behind and its childish drama that came with the plotting and deceiving."

Chad crossed his arms and gave her a slight smirk, "Being with you for as long as I've been, I'm still stunned that you had. Baby, I love you but for a brief moment each morning I wake up half-expecting for the old Sharpay to return."

She turned to face him, a flash of hurt passed through her eyes, "You do?" Her voice was somber as she continued, "Chad, I was a really big bitch back then. I mean, when I think back as to how I was before we started dating… I wouldn't even want to be associated with that girl, much less related to her! God, poor Ryan…"

"Poor Ryan indeed!" came a voice from behind them. Ryan returned from his cross-country call, even more exhausted than before. He collapsed on their couch, "Lawyers…" With a glance heavenward, "Okay, I'll tell you what; give me a sign, any sign, indicating that she became a lawyer and I'll give up. You want me to make a choice, well you just let me know if she became a bona-fide selfish money-grubbing lawyer and then I'll give you a flippin' answer!"

"Melodramatic much, brother dear?" Sharpay bit her lower lip to hide her laughter.

Ryan eyed her wearily, "That's pot calling the kettle black." He gave her a small grin, "So how were rehearsals, sis?"

Sharpay shrugged before she escaped into the kitchen to grab a bottled water. "I can tell you this much; that new girl, Lucinda?, kisses like a fish." She walked back into the living room and sat on the arm of the recliner that Chad was currently occupied in. Running a hand through her short blonde bob, she sighed and leaned into Chad, "I can't wait for Coreen to get back from maternity leave, because her understudy is seriously getting on my last nerves." She took a swig of her water before continuing her rant, "In addition to kissing like Nemo, when she makes her 'pissed-off and annoyed' face, it looks like she's constipated! There is no way I can muster an ounce of attraction towards anyone that kisses like a fish while at the same time needs to use the toilet." Looking a bit forlorn, "I miss Coreen. Now that girl can kiss…"

Ryan started to squirm a little uncomfortably, which baffled his mind as to why Chad wasn't as bothered by the girl-on-girl talk. Not that Ryan had anything against Sharpay playing a lesbian on Broadway; and not just any said lesbian but the infamous Maureen from the musical sensation Rent. Maybe it had to do with the fact that lesbian or not, any intimate action regarding his sister just… well, frankly just grossed him out.

Recognizing the look of distaste on her brother's face, "Oh grow up, Ry." Sharpay tipped her water bottle in Ryan's direction, causing him to get sprinkled on. "You've seen me grinding against Coreen during 'La Vie Boheme' a couple of times, much less make-out with her."

"Yes, I have… and thank you for giving me an image that I'll need to have scorched from my mind's eye forever. Again." He looked over at Chad and saw him make his "Oh yeah" grin. Appalled, Ryan grabbed one of the pillows next to him and smacked his friend in the chest. "Dude, stop it."

"What? Sorry…" Chad replied sheepishly, "It's not everyday a guy gets to come home to his girlfriend and have her talk about this kind of stuff as part of her work day experience."

"She's my sister."

"But she's my girlfriend. My very hot girlfriend…" He said the last part as he cast a wink in Sharpay's direction, causing her to momentarily blush.

"Dude!" Ryan glared as he chucked another pillow, "I think I'm going to puke."

"Speaking of puking, once I tell you what mom and dad have planned up their sleeves for your wedding…" Sharpay looked worried as she toyed with the idea on whether or not she should tell him the news she had discovered this morning. A part of her was afraid to tell him; more so considering what Chad had told her. The last thing Ryan needed, days before his wedding, was to come upon what he'll see as another "sign" that he was meant to turn his life upside down for a possible pipe dream.

She felt a nudge to her side and saw Chad giving her a prompt look. Before Chad had filled her in on Ryan's dilemma, Sharpay had given him the heads up on her parents' surprise for their son and future daughter-in-law. At the time Sharpay had believed it to be a wonderful gift, an extraordinary gesture on their part, but after hearing the reason behind Chad's initial response, which was a stunned "Oh heck no! Ryan isn't going to like that at all!" groan… Sharpay herself cringed at what was to come.

However, no matter what, she knew she had to tell him. Sharpay just began to brace herself for Ryan's impending break-down.

"Hey, Ryan?, I uh, believe you should hold off on the nausea until I get through with what I have to tell you."

He looked up expectantly, a look similar to the puppy-dog look of old, which caused Sharpay to feel another pang of pity towards her brother. "What's up, sis?"

"Okay, well… I just want you to know that Chad had told me about what's been going on with you today…"

Chad braced himself for Ryan to start berating on him for tattling to his sister. However, Ryan glanced at Chad and shrugged. "Expected as much. You two haven't been able to keep a secret from each other for years now." He did, however, give his friend a brief glare as he added, "Which, by the way, there's a reason why I emphasized the phrase 'Swear on your Sosa card that you will not tell my sister.'"

Chad slightly grinned, "Hey, you eventually got over that rash…"

This time both Evans' siblings tackled Chad; with Ryan tossing a pillow and Sharpay whacking the back of his head with her hand as they both exclaimed "Not the point!"

"Anyway," Sharpay continued, "what I'm about to tell you, please promise me that you won't spazz out. That what I have to say has nothing to do with Fate, or Destiny, or anything of the sort. That it is merely just our parents wanting to do something very sweet for their only son. Okay?"

Partly dreading what she has to say, he carefully nodded, "Okay…"

"All right. I heard--"

Suddenly Ryan's pants started singing the show tune number "Great Big Stuff" from the musical Dirty Rotten Scoundrel. He gave her an apologetic grin, held up his hand, and proceeded to remove his cell phone. Instantly recognizing the number he answered; "Hey, Dianna, what's going on?"

Sharpay's eyes widened. "Uh-oh…" she murmured as she looked down at Chad, who was mirroring the exact same sentiment.

"Hey babe," Chad began as he started to slowly get out of his seat, "I know your brother's getting married and all… but considering what's about to happen, how does a last minute trip to Hawaii sound right about now?"

"Not far enough." she replied as she too got up from her seat.

They watched him anxiously, hoping that maybe with Dianna on the line that he wouldn't go into a mental and emotional break-down. His expression, throughout the entire phone conversation, started to undergo through an array of emotions. The look on his face almost mirrored his body's reaction as well.

Ryan had started listening with rapt attention as his body was casually draped on the seat. If Sharpay had to guess, around the time Ryan's jaw slightly slacked, his blue eyes narrowing a bit as they aimed themselves straight at her and Chad, and his body easing into the rigid stance it was now; Dianna had just revealed their parents' early wedding gift to them.

"You know," Sharpay started to grip Chad's arm, "Hawaii may not be far enough away, but it's a lot better than where we're standing."

"Agreed." Chad nodded as they both slowly turned to exit out of the room.

Ryan shot out of his seat and made a strangled "Don't!" sound as he caught sight of the pair leaving. Chad and Sharpay both winced at having been apprehended.

"No, Di, not you." His forced smile mirrored the fakeness in his voice. "I was just telling Chad not to get rid of my glass. I was going to get a refill just as you called… Of course it's water, babe… Yes, I know what alcohol can do to me…"

Chad whispered into Sharpay's ear, "Drunk Ryan is starting to sound a lot better, don't you think?"

"Normally I wouldn't, but considering the circumstances… I'll distract Ryan while you go and grab the Coronas from the fridge. We'll grab the hard stuff from the cabinet as a last resort."

While they had briefly distracted themselves in order to come up with a new game plan, they hadn't heard Ryan shut off his cell phone nor were they aware that he was currently channeling one of his breathing exercises in order to calm down.

"So…" Sharpay spun around, a cool smile on her face as she uneasily eyed her brother. She had shooed Chad away as she approached Ryan. "I, uh… I guess Dianna told you about the Plaza?"

Ryan had his eyes close as he was counting backwards and trying his best to steady his breathing. Upon Sharpay's words, especially the mere mention of the Plaza Hotel, caused Ryan to open his eyes and face the inevitable.

"Look, Ry, it's not a big thing." Sharpay heard the clinking of bottles coming from the kitchen. She restrained herself from barking at Chad to hurry up, especially as she caught sight of the calmness on her brother's face. "I mean, your wedding obviously is a big thing. And mom and dad had always talked about how they'd love to see their children getting married to the love of their lives in the one hotel where they themselves met and fell in love… And you cannot back out of it now because mom and dad have everything already set up-- hey! Where are you going? Ryan?!"

Without a word, nor an acknowledgment to both parties, Ryan silently (as if on auto-pilot) just grabbed his belongings and walked out of the apartment. He needed to take a walk. It was as simple as that. To take a walk, get some fresh air. Maybe even catch a movie? To do anything except listen, talk about, or even be remotely reminded of the Plaza Hotel; where his parents weren't the only couple to find themselves falling in love within its grand establishment.

YEARS AGO -- NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK

What happens when you place a butterfly, a creature delicate as such, in a corner?

What it does best; fly away. Or in this case, she runs.

"Gabriella, wait!"

She didn't know what possessed her to take flight. All she knew was what she felt; and quite frankly it scared her. The surge of feelings that swelled inside, the rush of thoughts that swirled through her mind; all were too much for her to take.

Gabriella knew -- hell, everyone, including those deaf, dumb and blind, under the sun knew! -- about Ryan's crush on her. Throughout Senior Year at East High, Gabriella practically felt like she had to fight just to keep her bond with Ryan. He never knew (or at least she hoped that he was unaware) that there would be arguments with Troy's insecurities, Sharpay's weariness, random teasing from Kelsi and Martha, and Taylor -- who knew her best -- was always warning her that while it's okay to be his friend, she shouldn't get too close to him.

His eyes gave it away. She saw the way he looked at her. His eyes not only held her up, but they cut right through her; as if trying to figure out what made the real Gabriella. She knew that his eyes would light up, even if he was talking to someone else at the time, the moment she would enter the room. How'd she know? Because it would be hard for herself to ignore the sparkling blue that seemed to zone in on her each time. Like a spotlight over center stage; the immediate attention would scare her, at first, but gradually she'd felt natural under its spell. Like she belonged front and center to him and only him. Gabriella couldn't deny the butterflies she would get each time.

Which is why, moments earlier, when he had stared at her with those exact blue eyes so full of kindness, warmth, and adoration; Gabriella couldn't breathe for she felt herself getting lost in them.

And it really didn't help that he had just professed to her his unrequited feelings towards her… Or was it really that unrequited?

"Oh God," her mind had started racing, "Why am I feeling this way? Why is he having this effect on me? I mean, he sort of did have this effect on me back in high school… but I loved Troy. No! Love, I meant LOVE. I love Troy… Not that I didn't love Ryan either but… I'm dating, well sort of dating, Troy… so why do I have this insane urge to kiss Ryan?!"

"String theories are easier to understand than this…" Gabriella found herself mumbling out loud, which somewhat baffled Ryan, for he wasn't really expecting a response quite like that one.

"What?" He scratched his head, confused. Gabriella, however, found it even more endearing and had to resist the sudden desire to run her hand through his hair, which she found he had slightly grown it a little.

She shook the urge out of her head and soon realized that she had to leave. Her emotions and her thoughts (most of which either stunned her or she felt were too out there to even consider!) were a little too much for her to bear.

"Or maybe it's just denial catching up with you, honey," her old friend, Taylor McKessie, suddenly popped into her subconscious. It was one of many warnings that Taylor liked to preach to Gabriella, more often when she would slightly disregard a brief moment of infatuation towards Ryan (which Gabriella, when properly looked back upon, found she had many of those moments).

"I'm sorry, Ryan, but I have to go." She quickly apologized and shot out of her seat. She managed to drop some change, enough for her half of the bill, and dash right out before Ryan could even come to terms as to what was happening.

It took Ryan a nano-second to realize a couple of things; one, if he didn't stop her now, he may never see her again until quite possibly their high school reunion (and frankly he didn't want to wait that long), and two, he had done the stupid thing of declaring his feelings for her and pretty much scared her off.

"Nice going, Evans." He mentally slapped himself as he attempted to get the waiter's attention so that he can pay the bill and catch up with Gabriella before she fled from him -- hopefully not for good.

PRESENT DAY -- SEATTLE, WASHINGTON

"How long until the movie starts?"

Gabriella checked her watch and then briefly glanced at the ticket stub in her other hand. "A good hour and… thirteen minutes? Why?"

"Sweet!" Jaime exclaimed as she shot her hand out and grabbed Gabriella before Conner could get a protest in edgewise. "Enough time for the best recreational activity known to mankind… Oh, wait, make that womankind."

Gabriella giggled, though she glanced behind her and managed to toss Conner an apologetic grin.

Conner and Josh, both dressed in a more casual attire as opposed to the business wear they had sported earlier, watched as the two females catch the escalators down to a couple of stores on the lower level of Pacific Place.

While Conner managed an annoyed groan, Josh continued to stare at Jaime, who just happened to be his ex-girlfriend, and mused, "Remind me again as to why I broke up with someone as hot and wild as that girl down there?"

Not liking where this was going, Conner eyed his friend wearily, "Because you couldn't handle her over-the-top personality. Not to mention her ego that makes yours look like the poster child for humility."

"Really?" He seemed surprised by the shallowness of that revelation. "Maybe we should try dating again. Though, remind me, Jaime was the only one of my exes that I didn't cheat on, right?"

Baffled by this, Conner replied, "And you base that as a reason to give her a second chance because…?"

While the boys were a few levels above, down below within the children's section of Barnes & Noble, Gabriella was assisting Jaime on finding a gift for Jaime's soon-to-be six-year old niece.

Gabriella had to suppress the urge to just grab a couple of kid's books and find a little corner to sit and read. She chuckled at the all the old literary characters she herself had grown up with. "Oh I remember this!" She picked up a yellow hardcover with its trademark monkey smiling on it, "Look, Jaime, it's Curious George! Oh, I used to love him when I was a kid!"

Jaime was about to reply that she always had a thing for the Man in the Yellow Hat, when an endcap caught her eye. With mild disgust, "Wow… Disney is really milking the cash cow, huh? Hey, Gabriella, you ever heard of that new children's phenomenon Private School Melodies? First of all, how lame of a title for a made-for-TV movie. And second, my God, look at all the merchandising crap that they're pumping out for this one-hit wonder."

Gabriella joined Jaime, who was currently eyeing its soundtrack. Jaime briefly glanced at Gabriella and held back a snigger, for her friend was now clutching not only a stuffed Curious George doll, but also a Thomas the Tank Engine and a furry Elmo doll.

Not realizing that at the moment she could pass herself off for a little kid, she looked over Jaime's shoulder and replied, "Conner and I had caught the movie one night. It's not that bad."

"Now, I'm as big a musical fan as any other… but even I think that the songs are the lamest ever, especially since they're making this out to be as this generation's answer to Grease." Jaime displayed the CD soundtrack back on the shelf. "C'mon, I can't buy for a second a bunch of vocally talented singers performing a number with lyrics like 'I can't sing (oh yes you can) oh no it's not my thing.'"

Jaime paused for a moment, waiting for Gabriella to patiently give her comments the likes of "You're too cynical, it's just a kid's movie" or "For someone who can't stand the movie, you sure do know the lyrics to the songs."

However, the silence that she was rewarded with caused Jaime to aptly turn her attention back towards her friend. "Hey, Gabs? Where you at, girl?"

She craned her neck and soon caught sight of her curly pony-tailed friend. Weaving her way around the shelves, Jaime came to a halt as she noticed the frozen state her best friend was in. Concerned, "Gabs? Sweetie, you okay?" She walked to her friend's side and saw that she was clutching a thick hardcover children's book. Forgotten were the stuffed money and furry red Muppet, for they were easily replaced by a beloved blonde-haired six-year child that was infamous for her exploits around a famous New York hotel.

"Oh," Jaime breathed as realization dawned on her. She placed a supporting hand on Gabriella's arm, coaxing her "It's just a book, Gabriella. Don't read too much into it…"

Gabriella's eyes started to glaze over, not just with tears but of memories long, lost, and quite sad. "I…" she began, "I didn't tell him…"

"Gabs, don't do this to yourself… at least not tonight. Not now with Conner a few floors away from us, where he can just walk in and find you here in distress." Jaime placed a protective arm around her friend's shoulders. "C'mon, let's go calm yourself down and then go meet up with the guys. I'll get my niece's gift later…"

She reached over to remove the book from Gabriella's grasp. The mere act itself seemed to cause the young woman a sense of awareness. Knowing that she would have fallen apart right there and then were it not for her best friend, Gabriella leaned in and exhaled a grateful apology.

"What're friends for if not to help each other out? Besides, I can't let my girl fall because she couldn't handle denial finally catching up with her, now can I?"

At the mention of those familiar words, Gabriella allowed a bitter laugh. "Fate's a grade-A Bitch."

"Yeah she is… more so when she allowed the producers of Private School Melodies to getaway with songs the likes of 'Grooving After Schooling'? Gag me, please!"