Alright let's make this author's note quick. Oh. Number one, I'm sorry for the late update. Number two, I was busy last…well the last two weeks. Number three, you all do a horrible job of telling me of my errors…geez. Number four, enjoy.

Shout-out(s):

Jojo xoxo: Huh. I was trying to make Madi likeable and hateable at the same time. I guess I'll have to work on my writing skills. Egh. Glad you liked it and sorry for the long wait! Thanks for reviewing!

Zac is my life: Yeah…well I like writing because it looks more personal, you know, but eh, not for stories. I like writing feelings down on paper and then burning it. (Is that bad if I just said that?) Oh well. And me too! Fillers SUCK! Oh my gosh, I hate it. It makes me annoyed as a writer. Bleghity blegh, blegh, blegh! BLEGH! Is that enough bleghs? Anyways, I'm glad you liked that chapter. I re-read it just now and yikes, it needs some editing! There are a lot of errors. I need a beta or something…so yeah. But I am glad you enjoyed the more heartfelt, emotional chapter than anything else. It was nice getting back into the groove of things for this story. I was starting to get scared I lost it. Eek! Hahaha well enjoy this chapter!

independentHSMFAN23: I make sure Sam notices everything. Him and another boy, but that's all that seems to matter. The more I do something with one character the more I can put a big BANG later on in the story. You know? Glad you liked it though and thanks for reviewing!

MissEllaSalvatoreBieber18: You changed your username again? GEEZ! I'm getting confused now. And not only that, but it's long again. Oh my goodness… (not that it's a bad thing, but it confuses me.) And well since you got the answer right I kept it up at the top. Even though it looks kind of odd now. Anyways, …I hate that you think Zak is okay…but I'm not going to tell you why. That would spoil the ending. And everything that is to come for the story. Anyways, celebrating Thanksgiving isn't that big of a deal .You get to eat and…well…be thankful for everything that has happened to you. It doesn't need to be a day. It should be every day. Thanks for reviewing!

XxBabiiGurlxX: Thanks for reviewing!

Pumpkinking5: Eh. We'll see what happens later with Troy's weirdness and stuff. And I don't think Gabs is being wishy washy but it can be perceived that way I guess. Anyways, thanks for reviewing.

Aly: Woah! Language? No just kidding! I cuss sometimes too, but it was interesting to see stuff like that in a review because I've never seen stuff like that. Hahaha. Thanks for reviewing!

Shout-out(s) to those who got the trivia question right: MissEllaSalvatoreBieber18
The answers I was willing to consider right: The Cold War and World War II.

Riddle this time: (Lateral thinking…)
There was once a recluse who never left his home. The only anyone ever visited him was when his food and supplies were delivered but they never came inside. Then, one stormy winter night when an icy gale was blowing, he had a nervous breakdown. He went upstairs, turned off all the lights and went to bed. Next morning, he had caused the death of several hundred people. How?

This one is impossible and if you get it, I'll be shocked. I didn't even get it. ):

Okay…ONTO THE CHAPTER! I decided that it was best to bold it so people could figure out where the heck the chapter started if they wanted to skip my bantering. EGH.

Chapter 19-Thanksgiving Gone Wrong Part 2

I stared at the ground in front of me, still waiting for Zak. Where was he? Lucille said he was coming right after he was done shopping. How long did a boy ever shop? Sam hated shopping and he went shopping than the average boy in America.

"Seriously Gabi, if you get any tenser, you're going to go frigid, and I'll be able to snap off your arm and eat it."

I raised my eyebrows at him, "What?"

"I was making a joke. But seriously, calm down. I'm not really going to eat you. I'm not a cannibal." He said, laughing lightly.

"Lame joke." I said, trying to calm down as best as I could.

"Hey!" Zak smiled at me, "I was held up with my mom. We were baking."

I narrowed my eyes, "Lucille said you were shopping."

"Oh!" Zak said with a glint of worry in his eyes. If I had blinked, I wouldn't have seen it, it was gone so fast. "We went shopping for some food and stuff but my mom thought it would best if we started baking some cookies now, so if we couldn't do it later, they'd be done."

"I don't-"

"Great!" Sam said, trying to pull me up, giving me a look.

Like liars…

"Yeah, sorry for the hold up. But hey Sam! How are you?"

Sam gave him one of those man-hugs and smiled, "I'm good. You?"

"Couldn't be any better." He gave a smile as he enveloped me into a hug.

"I'm really sorry I haven't hung out with you that much Gabs." He whispered, "I'll make it up to you."

"It's okay." I said, relaxing a little bit. All I wanted to know was what was really going on with Zak. I knew he was lying. I didn't like liars. Who on earth does? I get it, sometimes the truth is hard to say and sometimes it's easier to tell a lie, but if nobody lied the world would be…not as bad in a way.

"So what are we doing?" Zak pulled away, draping an arm onto my shoulder.

"I have no idea to be honest." Sam said, "But let's go find out."

We walked into the entrance of the park and saw Troy and Madi clinging to each other like magnets underneath the tree I used to always go to when I was upset. And when I say 'used to' I mean, starting right now. I saw Kayla sitting on top of a wooden picnic table, picking at the wood.

"Hey, what are you guys up to?" Sam asked politely.

"Oh, nothing! Troy was just telling me how he's had so many great memories in this park! It's just so beautiful here in the fall! Isn't it Gabi?"

"Yeah." I said, plastering a smile on my face.

"Are you Troy's new girl?" Zak spoke up, puncturing the silence.

"I am indeed." She smiled, getting up, "I'm Madi. And you are?"

"I'm Zak." He said shaking her head, "It's great meeting you. I'm sure Troy will take good care of you."

"I would hope so. But Troy is so good to me and I'm sure he's really great to all of you." She smiled, looking at all of us.

Well…he was

Oh shut up.

I'm you. I can't shut-up.

Oh my freaking gosh I'm going insane! Somebody call the police!

Grow up.

You grow up.

"Gabs?"

"Yeah?"

"You okay?" Zak whispered.

"'Course."

"You look skinnier." He said, "You're eating right?" he whispered.

"Yup." I lied for the umpfmillionth time today. Man. Talking about not liking liars. I was starting to hate myself for lying to him.

"Gabi…"

"I am." I said.

"If you say so…"

"So what is it you guys do here?" Madi asked in a bright voice.

You know that feeling when you're in a droned out mood and everything look dull and then when there's one thing that's too bright, it hurts your eyes and gives you a small headache? Yeah…that's Madi.

"Um, everything." Zak said, "What do you want to do?"

"I don't know. I think this place is kind of dull if we can't do anything. It's pretty, but I think it would be more fun if we went bowling or something."

"We can do that." Troy finally spoke.

"Yeah, that would be fun." Luke mentioned, "Oh. By the way, Sam, Kayla, it's really nice meeting you both."

Kayla laughed, "You too. We've heard a lot about you."

"Really?" Luke beamed.

"Really." Sam smiled, "You seem to be taking good care of Gabs while Zak here is busy."

"Well, every girl deserves to be taken care of." He smiled, "Right Gabs?" he winked.

"Uh…right." I said, spacing out.

"Notice how he didn't say a word about Troy." Kayla whispered into my ear as we began walking towards the front of the park again.

"Yeah." I said, "Right."

"Gabi, are you even listening."

"Yeah, I am."

"Then what's the square root of pi?"

"1.7724538509055160272981674833-"

"Okay, I get it." Kayla laughed, "Just making sure you know what you're doing."

"'Course I do." I said, staring straight ahead.

"Can we drive?" Madi said, "I'm kind of tired of walking and I'm getting a little chilly."

"Try New York." Kayla said in a joking-matter, "It's much colder there."

"Well we're in New Mexico." She said harshly.

Kayla looked shocked. I rolled my eyes. There had to be something wrong with her. Troy was dating her. There was something wrong with Jessica and there was something wrong with me. Or maybe it was just me being with him. I don't know.

"Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry Kayla. I didn't mean it like that. I just mean, I'm cold."

"We can drive." Zak said, offered, trying to lighten the mood.

"Great!" Madi said.

"Yeah, we can jam out and stuff!" Sam said.

"Definitely." Kayla said.

"I want to walk." I said dryly, "So I'll meet you guys up there."

I know it sounded harsh, but I wanted to get my thoughts clear and cleansed so I wasn't such a bleak version of the Gabriella I once knew. I wanted to calm down and get away from the loud banter that Madi was.

"I'll walk with you." Luke offered.

"Can I walk alone?" I said, "It's only a half a block away. I'll probably beat you guys there because you guys have to walk back. I'll be there really soon." I shrugged, "It's the distance from the here to the house." I explained.

"Are you sure Gabi?" Luke said, looking worried, "I really don't think you should walk by yourself."

I smiled at his kindness, "Luke, I'll be fine. I have my phone on you and if anything goes wrong, I can call any of you."

Troy's number was still on speed dial.

"Right. Okay. So you're sure?"

"Yeah, I just kind of want to get all my excess energy out. You know?" I smiled.

"Yeah, I get it. I'll see you there. Be careful." He smiled.

Sam and Kayla gave me a wary look as I turned around to start walking in the opposite direction.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXO

I sighed, feeling a lot better. I was beginning to start liking the company of myself and only myself. What was that saying? Misery loves its company. Well, it does, but the only way to make sure you didn't spread the misery, was staying away and trying to fix yourself before anything else.

I looked at the dull sign that was missing the 'w' light in bowling so it looked like boling. I laughed slightly and smiled. It was amazing how something so boring could look so beautiful. Kind of like those black and white pictures.

I was right though, I had beaten all of them to the bowling alley. It was nice to sit outside though, by myself and enjoy the quiet. I didn't have to worry about getting distracted by Troy and Madi and I didn't have to think about what was really going on with Zak. All I had to do, was just sit and breathe and look good. Or as good as I could…

"I can't believe you beat us!" Madi jumped out of the car giggling, "I honestly didn't think you would! You're just as smart as they say you are!"

I looked at the rest of them while they got out of the car, "They?"

"Ummm…yeah. They. Everyone." She looked at everyone behind her and I nodded.

"Oh." I said, smiling curtly, "I guess I'm smart."

"She's a genius." Sam said, as he went over to me and gave me a big smile.

"I can be." I laughed.

There was a brief silence before I looked over at Kayla who was smiling. "Who's ready for some bowling?"

I smiled, "Me."

"And who's ready to get their butt whooped?" Kayla laughed as she opened up the door to bowling alley.

"You wish." Sam laughed as he took her hand and pulled her in.

XOXOXOXOXOXO

"You suck, you know?" Kayla huffed as she sat down, looking at the two pins that were still up.

"I know." Sam smiled smugly, "Or I'm just talented." He said.

I rolled my eyes, but smiled none the less. Sam was beating Kayla by a full strike, and she absolutely hated having somebody beat her, especially Sam of all people. I had gave up trying to beat anybody. I was in last place, right behind Madi, but I didn't really care anymore. Sam was in first place, Zak was in second, and Troy was in third, while Kayla was in fourth.

"Okay, Gabi, you're up!" Sam said, "You want some help?"

"Nah. I'm in dead last. I won't be able to catch up." I shrugged, "It's fine."

Zak got up and grabbed me, "You're going to catch up." He smiled as he grabbed my ball for me and handed it to me.

Zak, being the cheesy, gentleman that he was, grabbed me from behind and rested his right hand over mine and wrapped his other arm on my waist. "You're going to get this for once."

"I can do it myself you know, Zak." I said simply, as I stared down at the ground at the arrows and then down the lane to the pins.

"Well I want to see you make at least on strike." He said he started making me down the aisle, swinging my arm backwards and then lightly swinging it forward, "Let go." He whispered.

I let go of my arm and then watched the ball go straight down the middle of the lane and knock down all ten pins.

"Bingo." He said, as I felt him smile against my cheek.

I couldn't help but felt a huge smile come across my face as I turned to around to pull him into a hug. It was moment like these that made me feel like I wasn't totally lost. It was moment like these, when I didn't have to worry about what Troy was doing and how he made feel because I was 'distracted'. It didn't matter because I was happy for that moment.

"Thanks." I whispered.

But before I knew it, Zak was shaking violently. His arms began to flail around everywhere and was down on the ground.

"ZAK!" I screamed, panicking, not know what was going on or what I should be doing.

"Oh my god, he's having a seizure!" Madi screamed.

A…seizure?

"I'm calling 911." Kayla said calmly.

"I got his parents." Sam said.

And what did I do? I just cried.

Okay…you probably all want to kill me. Go ahead. I'm really sorry for the late update and the retarded cliff hanger. So, there's Zak secret. Or at least part of it. Enjoy and review!