Chapter 5:

Troy threw Gabriella and Sharpay to the ground, and covered them the best that he could with his body. People began to scream as they fell to the ground. The police immediately responded to the shots. They pulled out their guns, and began to fire at the shooter. A fatal bullet penetrated his chest, and he flew backwards.

"All clear!" one police officer called out. Troy got up, and helped Sharpay and Gabriella to their feet.

"You two alright?" he asked them. They both nodded. Sharpay noticed the body of the shooter a few yards away from where she was standing. She recognized him immediately.

Sharpay pushed her way through the crowd, and froze. Her hands flew to her mouth.

"Shar, are you-" Gabriella stopped. It was the young man Troy had been talking to when they had arrived.

"Gabi, he's the shooter form yesterday," she said quietly.

"Excuse me, ma'am, did I just hear you say that you recognize this young man?" a police officer asked Sharpay. Sharpay nodded. "Do you mind if I ask you a few questions then?"

"I, uh, I guess so. Would it take long? My boyfriend's in the hospital, and once he finds out about his, he'll get really worried."

"It won't take long at all. Please follow me."

Sharpay followed the officer to a secluded spot. The officer took out a small notebook and a pen from his pocket. His nametag read "C. Duffy".

"Could you please tell me your name and age?" he asked.

"Sharpay Evans, and I'm 18."

"So, you're a senior?"

"Yes sir."

"Okay, now what can you tell me about the suspect Miss Evans?" Sharpay began to tell Officer Duffy what had happened the day before. She made sure to tell him why she hadn't told the police earlier. She had gone to the hospital with Zeke, and didn't want to announce it to the whole world before the Memorial Service. "Have you ever seen the suspect before yesterday?" Sharpay shook her head.

"I normally hang out with the same group of people everyday. We've stayed tight for the past few years. It's always been us. My friend Troy was talking to him when we got here, but I don't think that he really knew him either."

"Could I possibly talk to your friend Troy?"

"Sure. I'd have to find him."

Sharpay led Officer Duffy through the crowds of people in search of Troy. She found him sitting on a bleacher in a white tank top undershirt. There appeared to be a cut on his upper arm.

"Oh my gosh, Troy! Are you alright?" exclaimed Sharpay. Troy looked up and nodded.

"I'm fine, Shar. A bullet just grazed my arm; nothing big," he replied.

"Umm, Troy, this is Officer Duffy," Sharpay said. "He'd like to talk to you. Meanwhile, I should go and find my brother."

As Sharpay slipped through the crowd, her cell phone began to ring. She fished it out of her purse, and answered it.

"I just saw the shooting on the news. Are you safe? Are you alright?" Zeke demanded.

"Baby, baby, slow down. We're all safe, only I can't find Ryan. Troy, Gabi, and I were about to perform; Troy covered us with his body. He got grazed by a bullet, but he's fine." Zeke let out a sigh of relief.

"Thank God. Did they catch the shooter? They won't tell anyone on the news."

"Yeah, he's dead, but you didn't hear it from me." Sharpay saw Ryan frantically looking for her. He saw her, and began to push through the crowd towards her. "Hey, honey, I've got to go. I found Ryan."

"Alright, I love you. Oh, and I should be going home in about two weeks."

"That's great!" Ryan was now standing in front of Sharpay. "I love you too." She hung up her phone, and put it back in her purse.

"Thank God you're alright!" Ryan said as he pulled his sister into a hug. Sharpay returned the hug. Ryan backed away, and looked at his sister suspiciously. "You were talking to Zeke weren't you?" he demanded.

A/N: Short, I know, but I'll make it up to you with some Zeke/Sharpay fluff in later chapters! Thanks to all my loyal reviewers, and you all should really check out that book ("She Said Yes"), GREAT book! Much love!

Tina101