Today is a sad day *tear* I can't believe this little story is coming to an end *sigh* Though, I'm sure you are all dying to know how it ends... okay... maybe not dying, cause then you wouldn't able to read any more stories *wink* but you know what I mean...

It's hard to believe this is the 5th chapter story I've written since I started writing HSM stories on January 21st of last year... it's so crazy... as for what's next for me, I'm still not 100% sure. I've talked to a couple different people and found out which of my pending ideas they like the most and they both were excited about the same one...so I'm going to spend some time brainstorming for that new story while I continue to work on On the Rebound with my friend Cate and on my Mixed Up; Mashed Up Shorts collection.

So anyway, I want to get a BIG shout out to all of the lovely people who reviewed the story while I was writing it: anoddapple, chaylorlover101 (x 11), cornique chaylor girl (x 4), CuteANDSexxxy17 (x 11), general wildcat, girlpower8900 (x 2), Kikyz, lilmissmonique (x 3), MermaidRam85 (x 2), naughtycate, , xXMXx, XxXbRoWnIeBbZxXx (x 2) and Zialicious (x 2)

Epilogue

“KELSI!” Taylor and Gabriella yelled as soon as they saw their best friend step through the security check point.

Kelsi grinned and ran towards them. She gave Gabriella a hug then gave Taylor an extra long hug. A year, with just emails and a monthly phone call to keep in contact, was far too long to be away from her best friends.

“I missed you guys so much,” Kelsi stated as the trio walked to the baggage claim. “I’m never letting you two out of my sight again.”

“You’re going to have to,” Gabriella said, glancing down at the engagement ring on her finger. “I don’t think Troy will be willing to share me.”

“Well then he better buy you a nice house with an apartment over the garage or a guesthouse,” Kelsi stated. “Because Taylor and I are moving in.” Gabriella giggled. “Where is Mr. Bolton anyway?”

“He’s waiting outside,” Gabriella replied. “I’ll go call him and let him know we’re getting your bags.”

“How are you doing?” Kelsi asked Taylor once they were alone.

“I’m ok,” Taylor nodded. It had been nearly ten months since she had seen or talked to Chad. “It’s still hard, ya know?”

“Breaking up is supposed to be hard to do,” Kelsi stated. “Especially when you really love somebody.” She gave Taylor another hug. “So if I see him what do you want me to do? Ignore him? Kick him where the sun doesn’t shine? Kil-”

“Do whatever you feel is right,” Taylor said. “I’m sure he could use a friend.”

Kelsi smiled and they grabbed her bags off the baggage carousel. They met up with Gabriella and headed outside to find Troy, who was leaning against his car with the trunk open.

Kelsi smiled, ran over to him and slugged his shoulder.

“Hey!” He exclaimed. “What was that for?”

“For not waiting another week for me to get home before proposing to my best friend,” Kelsi stated. She grinned then gave him a hug. “Congrats, Troy Bolton, you’ve gotten yourself one amazing lady.”

Taylor busied herself loading Kelsi’s luggage into the trunk while Troy and Gabriella flirted and Kelsi talked to them. Finished she slammed the trunk closed and caught the other three off guard.

“Uh, thanks, Tay,” Troy smiled before opening Gabriella’s door.

Kelsi climbed into the backseat next to Taylor and squeezed her hand.

Taylor sighed and looked out the window. Ever since Gabriella and Troy had come home with the news that they were engaged she had felt heavy hearted. She wanted to be happy and in love with Chad, but she wasn’t sure her heart was up to it yet.

“So where is my surprise welcome home party going to be?” Kelsi asked, breaking the silence that had fallen over the car. “And don’t play dumb with me, Gabriella. You like to throw parties and I know there’s one.”

“Well, here’s the thing,” Gabriella said, turning in her seat. “Troy’s mom said we could throw your welcome home party at her house then we got engaged and she suggested that we have a welcome home Kelsi party and a Troy and Gabriella engagement party on the same night since we’d have the same people there.”

“I guess I can share my night,” Kelsi smiled. “Since you two are so in loooovee.”

They arrived a few minutes later at Troy’s parents’ house and Taylor felt claustrophobic with all the party guests swarming to greet the three main guests. She weaved in and out of people and finally made it outside to the empty back porch.

She took several deep calming breaths and fanned her face. Then she saw the figure sitting on the swings by Troy’s old tree house and she knew who it was. She looked inside and saw Troy, Gabriella and Kelsi basking in the attention they were being given and then back at the lone figure.

It’s now or never, the voice in her head said. Talk to him. Tell him you still love him.

Silently she made her way over to where he was and sat down on the swing next to him. She knew she would have to initiate the conversation, he had said everything he had needed to the last time she had seen him.

She opened her mouth to ask him how he was but instead the words I miss you tumbled out of her mouth before she could stop them.

He brought his swing to a stop and looked over at her. “I don’t deserve to have you miss me,” he stated.

“You’re right, you don’t deserve anything to do with me,” Taylor stated. “You don’t deserve my forgiveness or my love.” She reached over and grabbed the chain of his swing. “But you can’t stop me from giving them to you.”

“I ruined everything,” he said, standing up causing her swing to sway. “I ruined everything we had, Taylor.”

“So we’ll start over,” Taylor said, standing up. “We’ll start over completely. No lies, no extra partners and no ending fights with breakups that we don’t mean.”

“Why are you doing this?” Chad asked with tears collected in the corner of his eyes.

“Because, Chad Danforth, even against my better judgment, my tortured heart still beats for you and you alone,” Taylor stated as she dried the tears that escaped his eyes with her thumb. “You love me and I love you and I think we deserve a second chance.”

More tears rolled down his cheeks as he grabbed her face with both hands and kissed her lips, tasting the salty tears that had landed there.