I don't own anything, let's leave it at that.

When they arrived at the hospital, Chad was taken into an operating room, and Troy wasn't allowed to go with him.

"What d' you mean I can't go!" Troy burst out, all that feelings from the past night-frustration, guilt, sadness-all going into the one outburst.

The doctor tried to be understanding. "I'm sorry son, but you'll have to stay in the lobby." He scrutinized his face. "You're not related to that young man, are you?"

Troy almost laughed out loud-almost, not quite. "No, I'm a friend." After the words got out of his mouth he immediately regretted them. What kind of friend put their best mate in the hospital?

"Doctor, you're needed in the OR." A nurse came over and handed the doctor a clipboard. "Apparently a teenager sustained a critical head wound." She looked at Troy with indifference. "You need to sit down. Now."

Troy knew that that wasn't going to happen. Instead of sitting down, he went over to a phone booth. Of course, this was the one night he forgets his cell phone-the time he needs it most.

He called Chad's parents first. They weren't home. Troy left a message, explaining as best he could. He couldn't believe he was starting to cry again; who ever heard of a sixteen-almost-seventeen-year-old crying?

Then again, who ever heard of a sixteen-year-old dying?

Next, Troy called Gabriella and Taylor. They were both at Garbriella's house, waiting for a call that they knew would eventually come, good or bad. She picked up on the first ring. "Troy?" he could hear the apprehension in her voice.

"Don't worry, Gabi." He tried to sooth his girl, but a wobble in his voice betrayed his own feelings. "He's in surgery right now. He should be fine." Troy didn't know whether he was trying to convince Gabriella or himself.

"Thank God." Troy could hear both girls sigh in relief. Then Taylor got on the phone. It was silent for a few seconds before she said, "you know that it wasn't your fault. None of it was." He was about to reply that yes, he did know, but then the line went dead. His time had expired.

When Troy got off the phone he realized how much he needed someone else to tell his that he wasn't guilty.

It felt good.


Thanks for all the reviews peoples, they really helped!

Now maybe you'll be kind enough to review yet again. Please?