Chapter 9:

Sharpay buried her face in Zeke's shoulder, and sobbed quietly. Zeke gently stroked her blonde hair, and muttered comforting words in her ear.

"Shar, Shar, listen to me," he said. "That police officer you've been talking to, do you have his badge number or something so we can contact him? Maybe he could help you out." Sharpay dug Officer Duffy's number out of her back pocket. Zeke took it, and read it over

"He said call him for anything at all," she said quietly.

"Here's what I'll do. I will call Officer Duffy, and talk to him. I want you to go home, and tell your parents everything." Sharpay whimpered slightly. Her Mom would most likely overreact, and once Ryan found out, he would blame Zeke for everything. "Do you promise me that you'll do that for me?" Sharpay nodded meekly. Before she stood up, Zeke kissed her tenderly on the lips. Sharpay grabbed her purse, leaving Zeke alone to his thoughts. Deciding that he should get back to his friends, he sat back down in her wheelchair, and went outside.

That gang was outside eating, and laughing. Zeke opened the glass door, with only a little trouble, and wheeled out. He left the door open just in case the phone rang.

"What's Sharpay?" asked Taylor. Zeke sighed.

Deciding to tell the truth, he replied, "She just had an emotional break-down, so I made her go home."

"An emotional break-down?" Gabriella repeated. "Is she alright?" Zeke bit his bottom lip, and shook his head. Slowly, he began to recount what Sharpay had told him.

"We should have caught this sooner," Chad said quietly after a few second of silence.

"I'm more worried about how Ryan will react. No offence Zeke, but he hasn't really been that fond of you ever since you and Sharpay started getting so serious," said Jason.

"None taken, Jason," replied Zeke.

Kelsi said, "Ryan can be nice and all, but he needs to give Sharpay some space. She's 18 years old!" After several more minutes of talking about Sharpay, the conversation changed to something happier, but everyone's minds was on their friend.

Sharpay parked her car in her driveway, and sat there for a few minutes with her head against the cool windowpane. Slowly, she climbed out of her car, and went inside. When she got inside, the house was dead silent.

"Hello?" Sharpay called out. "Anyone here? I'm home!" Sharpay slid off her shoes, and put her purse on the small table next to the door.

"We're in the kitchen, sweetie," her Mom replied. Sharpay went into the kitchen, and found both her parents sitting at the table. There, in the middle of the table was her razor, with a thin, but evident layer of blood on the blades. Crap! She had been in such a rush to get to Zeke's that she had forgotten to rinse of her razor. "We found this hwile I was looking for something in your bathroom. Sharpay, please tell me that this blodd is from a cut from when you were shaving." Sharpay leaned against the doorframe, and crossed her arms over her chest.

"I can't Mom. I honestly can't tell you that," she said failing to hold back tears.

"Then tell us why you would want to harm yourself I this manner," Mr. Evans replied calmly.

"That's what I came home to tell you. Zeke saw the cuts, and asked me about them. I gave him the phone number of that police officer I told you about, and he's going to call him to see if he can recommend somewhere I can go to get help."

Mrs. Evans asked, "Why did you go to Zeke for help instead of us? Did you feel like we wouldn't care?"

"I didn't choose to go to Zeke!" cried Sharpay. "That's why I didn't come to you for help. You just make assumptions. And you!" She pointed at Ryan who was lurking in a corner. "You hate Zeke, and I can't imagine why. I'm happy with Zeke, the happiest I've been in years, and all you care about is drama. Well, here's all I care about. All I care about is going off to college in August, and leaving this place behind!" Sharpay stormed out of the kitchen, and went up to her room; closing and locking the door behind her.

"She's right," Mrs. Evans said quietly as a tear slid down her cheek. "She's right. The two of us just come to conclusions without thinking, and you Ryan, blame Zeke for everything."

"But it is his fault!" Ryan retorted.

"No, no it's not his fault at all. Your Mother's right. We'll call Zeke tomorrow, and talk to him. We should be grateful that you sister's fallen in love with such a kind man," said Mr. Evans. Ryan sighed as a sudden understanding hit him. His detest for Zeke had pushed his sister over the edge, and had caused her to harm herself.

Sharpay threw herself onto her bed, sobbing. After half an hour, she finally fell into a very deep sleep. She didn't know how long she was asleep, but a soft knock on her door woke her up.

"Go away!" she ordered, but the person kept knocking. It was probably Ryan. Sighing, Sharpay unlocked the door. "I said, go away!" she exclaimed as she threw open the door. Her face fell when she saw Zeke standing there. Zeke wrapped his arms around her waist, and pulled her against his body.

"I talked to Officer Duffy for nearly an hour yesterday," he said into her hair. Sharpay looked at him confused.

"What day is it?" she asked.

"It's around noon on Wednesday. You've been asleep since 8 PM on Monday." Sharpay couldn't believe it! She had been asleep for 40 hours! Zeke kissed the top of her head, and she snuggled closer to him. It felt wonderful to Sharpay to feel her boyfriend's strong arms around her. "Don't you worry, baby; everythin'gs going to work out. Officer Duffy was pretty worried when I told him, and suggested some people for you to talk to. The gang's really worried about you too." Sharpay began to cry quietly. She never thought about how her actions would affect her friends. "Don't worry, Shar. I'm here. Don't you worry."

The End!

A/N: If you're a die-heart Renthead, then check out my new fic. which should be up in a few days. It's called Off-Camera, and it's behind-the-scenes on the movie Rent, so check it out! Oh, and it's completely song-fics. Much love, and thanks to my wonderful reviewers. Sorry that the ending sucks, I couldn't come up with anything better to write for it! Much love (again!)

Tina101