A/N: So I lied, I didn't take the mini break I was intending to. I hate you Clone High's Extended theme by Abandoned Pools for making me write! I am so pathetic ;;.

Troy stood in front of Kelsi's house, attempting to figure out why he even decided to go to this dinner in the first place. The past month had sucked, Chad was wrapped up in wedding plans for himself, and Taylor. Kelsi and Jason had been non-existent and Gabriella hadn't answered her phone at all. Troy had casually mentioned Gabriella to Chad once, which got the big thumbs down when Chad mentioned Gabriella had seen Sharpay's pink Beetle and had gotten the wrong idea. Troy knew he came to see Gabriella who was also invited. Troy took a deep breath and walked up the driveway and knocked on the door.

The gang was seated in Kelsi and Jason's living room, talking about the upcoming nuptials between Chad and Taylor when Gabriella had arrived. Gabriella hadn't noticed the time when she was writing some music. Right in the middle of a song, she screamed when she noticed how late it was. Quickly showering, dressing and saying goodbye to Doofus, Gabriella had arrived a half hour late.

" I'm sorry I'm late" Gabriella apologized and sat down on an empty.

" It's cool Gabby, we were really shocked to see you come, you're looking really good even though whats going on" Taylor gave Gabriella a huge hug, and Gabriella looked confused.

" Whats going on?" Gabriella asked.

" You mean, You haven't heard the news?" Chad asked, Gabriella gulped and began to silently pray.

" Chris's suicide letter was published on an online fan blog, and, sweetie, it's not very pretty" Kelsi got up and started to rub Gabriella's back. Gabriella sat there in shock, words couldn't comprehend what Kelsi was saying, until Jason passed her the evening paper. Right on the front page, in big bold letter's was the headline " Chris's Reason" and inside was a photocopy of the note, with parts underlined and highlighted. Gabriella threw the paper away and got up and walked to Kelsi's bathroom. She sat down on the side of the tub and collected her thoughts. Gabriella reasoned with herself that this was bound to be found out, the letter was a ticking time bomb that had just exploded.

Gabriella walked out of the bathroom 10 minutes later and sighed.

" I'm sorry about that, I needed a minute so, Chad, Taylor, congratulations on your engagement, have you picked the date?" Gabriella asked.

" Uh, October 1st, our anniversary date" Chad answered, looking as confused as everyone else did. Gabriella was showing signs of not talking to about, and totally ignoring it was even happening. The rest of the night went off fine, everyone laughed, drank, ate and plans for Chad and Taylor's wedding were underway.

Gabriella was walking home, when she was about a block from her house, she could see a group of paparazzi and news crews surrounding her house. Gabriella stood stalk still, she'd be avoiding them since Chris had killed himself, knowing all to well how dangerous the media can be. Gabriella began to panic, Doofus was in the house and she needed to get him. Gabriella ran the other way, around the other block so when she got to the back of the house, she could quickly run to the back door, grab Doofus and find some another place to hide out in. As Gabriella followed her plan, she had easily grabbed Doofus,and the dog had mysteriously gone quiet.

Gabriella had quickly jogged along Doofus, looking for a hide away. She had decided she wanted to go Troy's but, she didn't know. As she knocked heavily on his door, she waited, praying silently she could hide away from everyone. Troy answered the door, in just his boxers. His face was beat red and he couldn't look Gabriella in the eye.

" Troy, I know this sounds forward but can I spend the night, the media has surrounded my house and I just want to avoid them. " Gabriella asked, her eyes were pleading.

" Of course, come on in" Troy stepped back and let Gabriella through the door into his house, the house was spotless, and Gabriella was very thankful.

" Thank you so much, I nearly died when I saw all those people surrounding my house , I had to run a whole another way to get to Doofus" Gabriella giggled.

" Oh so thats who this is " Troy bent down, forgetting he was just in his boxers and patted Doofus.

" This is Chris's and I's dog Doofus, she was Chris's and than she became mine when we got married and about a month ago, Chris's best friend Brad dropped her off" Gabriella smiled.

" I was so happy to have her, I missed her a lot " Gabriella was following Troy through out the house. Troy had gone and put some clothes on and the two were sitting in the kitchen, cups of coffee were placed in front of them. Doofus was laying down by Gabriella's feet.

" So how do you figure the letter got out?" Troy asked, fiddling with a pen.

" No idea, I wish I knew, I'm so mad" Gabriella sighed.
" I would be to, so, I don't even know how you manage, if someone I loved so much had killed themselves, I won't be able to get out of bed" Troy said looking off into space.

" Thats what it was like in the beginning, I mean the day after, I couldn't stay in our house because he'd done it in our bathroom and I stayed in a hotel. His mother wasn't to please with me but I don't care. Chris's mother believed he wasn't sick, she told Chris all he needed to do was find someone that loved him and he would be cured" Gabriella laughed bitterly.

" So, would you ever consider dating ever again" Troy ventured, deciding it was either a lose or win situation.

" I would, just not right now. I need time to just figure out things, my therapist tells me to stop blaming myself but you know it's hard. When you get married, you honor to protect, to love in sickness and in health. What bothers me the most is I didn't even know" Gabriella's eyes welled up with tears. Gabriella sniffled a bit and wiped her tears on the cloth napkin.

Troy got up from his place and gave Gabriella a hug.
" It isn't your fault, Gabby, Chris knew you loved him, and he was just lost thats all" Troy attempted to comfort her. They stayed in that position for a while, until Gabriella decided it was time for some sleep. The two parted ways, Gabriella dressed in some of Troy's old boxers and a t shirt. Doofus jumped up on the bed and laid close to Gabriella.

Troy laid in his bed, mentally congratulating himself on being brave but couldn't help but feel mad at himself. Poor Gabriella was still broken up over Chris and all Troy could think about was getting her back. He turned on his side and fell asleep.