It had been one week since the night at the cliff. When we had arrived home we called the police and the Twins' parents. The rest of the night Sharpay didn't say a single word. I too had lost the will to speak but I was able to let out a few short answers to the police. My mother had been contacted and so had Troy's parents. We all sat sadly in my living room as the police interrogated us. When Sharpay's parents arrived it took all my strength not to break down and start crying again when I saw Sharpay rush into her parent's arms crying. I watched as Sharpay and her mother fell to the floor crying as her father leaned down to hug them both. I had never seen people so torn. Troy tried to console me but even his words seemed false to me. He told me everything would be alright but even he was uncertain of his words.

That was a week ago. A whole week had gone by and Ryan Evans' body had not been found. Police had told us that his body had probably been dragged off by the current. Somewhere in all of us, there was a small spark of hope that Ryan had survived and that he was okay… But it was doused when we were told there was no way Ryan could have survived the jump. Yesterday was the day the police ended the search. Yesterday Ryan Evans was pronounced dead. When I was told I tried my very best not to break down. I knew that they would end the search eventually. We couldn't keep living with hope that Ryan was alive when all the evidence said he wasn't.

Today was my first day back at school since the cliff. Sharpay decided that she still needed time before she could go back but Troy promised to be there. He had picked me up and we drove to school in silence but he didn't once let go of my hand. When we arrived we sat in his car quietly for what seemed an eternity.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" He asked me. No, I wasn't. I nodded anyways. We both stepped out of the car and he held my hand tightly as we walked through the front doors.

Everything seemed to have stopped when we set foot inside the school. Students stopped what they were doing and looked at us. I tried to walk bravely through the halls but I could hear whispers behind my back

"I heard she cheated on Troy with Ryan Evans"

"Maybe that's why he killed himself"

"It's her fault Ryan's dead."

"I thought he was gay"

"They were there when he died. They saw it happen"

"Do you think maybe they pushed him?"

"Why would she cheat on Troy Bolton with Ryan?"

"Don't be mean. He's dead"

"Don't listen to them, Gabi." Troy whispered in my ear and held me closer. We got to our lockers and I got my books out.

"Gabriella," I heard a female voice say. I turned around and saw Taylor.

"Taylor." I said quietly and she hugged me tightly.

"I'm sorry, girl" She said. I laughed silently, a few tears spilling from my eyes.

"I'm sorry too." I said. We let go and she grasped my hand. The three of us walked to class and sat down. I could feels everyone's eyes focused on me. Even the teacher would continually glance my way. After a little while I couldn't take it anymore.

"Excuse me but I think I need some fresh air." I said walking past the teacher, not waiting for a response. I ran outside and sat on a bench. Suddenly I saw a flash of blonde hair in the parking lot. I looked up quickly and saw someone-a male someone- with blonde hair swerving between the cars. I stood up to get a better look.

"Gabriella?" a voice said, startling me. I jumped and turned around to see Troy. "Are you okay?"

" I thought I saw him…" I started. Troy gave me a confused look. I turned to face the parking lot but saw no one.

"Saw who?" Troy asked. I quickly glanced at the parking lot again and turned to face Troy again.

"Nevermind." I said quietly.

"Okay…" Troy said uncertainly. "Are you ready to go back inside?" I glanced at the parking lot again.

"Yeah. Yeah I am." I said. We walked to the front doors again and he asked me.

"Who did you think you saw?" He asked.

"Nobody," I said shrugging it off.

"Okay." He said. I took one final glance at the parking lot.

"It was just my imagination" I murmured quietly to myself and walked back inside.