Stolen

A/N: Based on the song by Dashboard Conffessional. It's pretty Amazing!

Basically what i've decided to do is take every verse (at least i think that's what it's called), and make it into a chapter. The lyrics that have inspired the chapter will be written at the bottom in italics!... maybe the word is stanza...?

Enjoy!

Summer.

The epiphany of greatness to kids everywhere.

The only time you really get to slack off and be lazy, with no adult telling you to stop.

Summer.

The time you get to see all your friends, every day of the week.

Summer.

Your last chance to mend wounds, and fulfill, or break, promises.

Summer.

A time of sadness.

A time when goodbyes can never be too long.

Troy stood in the driveway, his hands interlaced with Gabriella's.

The late August breeze lightly tossed Gabriella's brown locks; the sunset creating a glow in both's eyes.

The silence had grown, as the pair stood, entranced by the other's eyes.

The crickets came out from their hiding places and began to sing, allowing all to know that the evening had arrived.

It was difficult to grasp, that in a few hours, the perfect summer would be only memories.

Gabriella sighed into the air as Troy squeezed her hand lightly. She looked up to him, and smiled softly.

"I can't believe it's over." She said, barely above a whisper.

Troy silently agreed, he nodded his head, "Tomorrow it's back to California."

Gabriella nodded into the new silence.

Whoever said that distance was hard, was clearly being nice.

Because the fact of the matter, was that distance killed.

For Troy and Gabriella, what killed them was mental distance. It wasn't that they didn't see each other, it was simply that when they did, their relationship hadn't progressed since high school. If anything, it had deflated.

College changes people, they say. But does it change one person so much internally that they become like a stranger?

That is how Gabriella felt about Troy.

Gabriella needed Troy in her life. She ached when he wasn't by her side, she felt butterflies when they kissed, she laughed, when he laughed.

She loved him.

But did Troy feel the same way?

Through their whole relationship, the "L" word hadn't come up once.

Not once.

And in a way, that was good. It meant that they were taking things slow, not rushing in to something that could very much be permanent.

But, did that justify Troy's behavior?

Simple kisses, and going on group-dates. Eating lunch with friends, instead of your girl.

Gabriella sighed as the wind blew once more.

"I'm going to miss this." She told him.

Troy grinned and pulled her to his chest.

Gabriella rested her head against his chest, she closed her eyes.

She would miss this.

The two of them, how it used to be. No college distractions, or job interviews.

The future was a scary place, and it wasn't getting any less-frightening.

"This year's been really hard..." Troy said aloud, to no one inparticular.

Gabriella hugged herself tighter to Troy.

"I can't tell you how many times I've wanted to wake up, and this all be a nightmare." He said truthfully.

Gabriella's eyes slowly opened, glancing at her luggage, piled by the car.

"I really should-"

"Get going." Troy completed, a small smile on his lips. "I know."

Gabriella smiled as she looked up to him one last time.

"I'll see you in a few days." Troy told her, pushing her hair behind her ear.

Gabriella nodded, trying desperatly not to let the tears fall.

They embraced in a hug, neither wanted to pull away.

As they did, Gabriella stepped away from Troy, and opened the driver's door.

She felt something tight on her hand; she turned into Troy. He gently cupped her face and kissed her lightly.

"Goodbye Troy." Gabriella whispered.

"Bye Gabby."

Gabriella slid into the car. She watched as Troy's shadow faded into the distance.

Troy stood alone in the driveway.

He couldn't stand being away from her, she still gave him butterflies.

He loved her.

He just didn't know how to tell her.

"We watch the season pull up it's own stakes

And catch the last weekend, of the last week

Before the gold and the glimmer have been replaced

Another sun soaked season fades away.

You have stolen my heart.

You have stolen my heart."