Disclaimer: Not mine, don't sue.

A/N: To clear up any confusion, yes the last chapter was supposed to be funny. And yes, some parts of this one are, too. I wanted to lighten the mood before we get into the really heavy stuff.

Anyway, this chapter is like, half angst and half humor. I don't know. Take it however you like. Whatever floats your boat.

P.S.- I hate the first part, but I couldn't think of any other way to get out of that conversation. Sorry. :D Oh, and, Jason singing, I ran out of room, and it will be in the next chapter. Sorry :D

Enjoy!

"I-I have cancer."

A hush fell over the table, as Troy's friends stared unbelievingly at him.

"This is a joke, right?" Jason asked weakly, looking at Troy, who shook his head. "Oh, my God."

"How long have you known?" Sharpay asked quietly, her face betraying her concern for her friend, as well as her slight annoyance that he hadn't told them.

"A month. I found out when I passed out at basketball camp."

"Why haven't you told us?"

"I don't know," Troy whispered, looking away from his friends. "I just-I didn't want it to be real."

"Oh, Troy, I'm so sorry," Sharpay said, standing up and hugging him. "You know we'll be here for you."

Jason and Zeke nodded their agreement.

"What are friends for?"

The last bell had rung, and Troy and Gabriella were practically the only people in the hall. Troy leaned against the locker next to Gabriella's, waiting for her to finish putting her books away. She reached for the door, slowly closing it, before standing up to meet Troy's gaze.

"How are you feeling?" she asked quietly, wrapping her arms around his neck and reaching up to kiss him.

"Same as earlier. I can't believe I told them."

"Troy, they had to know. You won't be able to act like nothing's wrong for much longer."

Troy sighed, ducking under her arms to escape her grasp. He started to walk toward the exit, knowing she would follow. "I know, it just seems so real now."

"It is real, Troy. I know this is hard for you, but you have to face it."

They reached the door, and Troy held it open for Gabriella.

"Do you need a ride home?"

"Troy, please don't change the subject. We haven't talked about this since you were diagnosed. Please, talk to me."

Troy remained silent until they reached his car, where he opened the passenger door for Gabriella before getting into the driver's seat. She reached across the car for his hand, forcing him to look into her eyes.

"Please, Troy, talk to me."

"Gabi, I don't know if I can. I don't know if I can talk to anyone about how I feel."

"Troy, you can trust me. Please, open up to me. We've been together for almost two years. If you can talk to anyone, you can talk to me."

"Gabi, I know I can trust you. I just-I'm not sure what I'm feeling." He paused, turning the key in the ignition. He began to back out of the space, watching through the back window to make sure he didn't hit anything.

"Troy, just try me."

"Gabi, please, can we talk about this later? I'm not in the mood."

"Troy, you've been avoiding the subject for a month now. You're never in the mood," Gabriella complained, staring intently at Troy's profile.

"Gabi, please. I don't think I can talk about it."

"Why, Troy? You haven't done anything wrong. You have no reason to be ashamed, because you have nothing to hide from me."

"Gabi, please, can we drop the subject?"

"Fine." Gabriella sat staring stonily out the window until they reached her house. She opened her door and stepped out, leaning back in to kiss Troy goodbye.

"I'll see you tomorrow," he said, waving as she walked to her front door.

"See you."

Gabriella stood in her doorway, watching Troy drive away. She wiped angrily at the tears that filled her eyes. Turning on her hell, she walked into the house, going into the kitchen.

"I cannot believe him," she said angrily to herself, yanking a glass from the cabinet and filling it with water from the sink. She took a sip, leaning against the counter to collect herself. "All I asked was for him to tell me how he's feeling. He's like an ice man."

"Gabi? Who are you talking to?"

"No one, mom," Gabriella called, draining the rest of the glass of water.

"How was school?" Ms. Montez asked, walking into the kitchen.

"I don't feel like talking about it."

"Are you okay, sweetie?"

"Mom, please, just leave me alone."

"Gabi-"

"Mom, I'm sorry, I've just had a bad day."

"Alright. I'm going to the store for dinner, I'll be back in half an hour."

"Okay." Ms. Montez grabbed her keys from the counter, and headed out the door. Gabriella watched her leave, tightly gripping the glass in her hand. Her eyes sought the picture of her and Troy that she kept on the fridge. Fresh tears springing to her eyes, she turned and hurled the glass against the far wall, letting it shatter into thousands of glittering pieces.

"Troy, are you ready?"

"Yeah, mom," Troy sighed heavily, dragging his feet as he walked down the stairs. It was Saturday morning, and time for another chemo treatment.

"I'll go start the car, meet me outside."

"Sure. Whatever," Troy said sarcastically. He walked out the door as slowly as he could, clearly reluctant to go. Reaching the car, he opened the passenger door and sat in the seat. His mom backed out of the driveway, and Troy leaned forward, putting in the CD that he had brought. The piano intro to "Seasons of Love" filled the car, bringing him back to the trip with Chad.

Troy closed his eyes and leaned his head back against the seat, letting the music wrap around him. He found himself remembering all of the times he had spent with Gabriella, both good and bad. Cursing to himself, he dug in his pocket for his cell phone.

"Who are you calling?" his mom asked, taking her eyes off the road for a second.

"Gabi." Troy dialed her number and put the phone to his ear, letting it ring. On the third ring, Gabi picked up.

"Troy?"

"Gabi? Look, I'm sorry about yesterday. Really sorry. I don't know what came over me, but I want to make it up to you. Can you come over later?"

"Troy, I don't-"

"Gabi, please. Come over. I promise you won't regret it."

"Okay, I'll be at your house at 4."

"I love you."

"Love you, too, Troy."

Troy hung up the phone, smiling to himself.

"Troy, Gabi's here!" his mom called into the living room, letting her into the house.

"Okay," Troy said weakly, adjusting the blanket covering his legs. Gabriella walked into the living room, coming to sit by Troy on the couch.

"Hey," she said.

"Hey."

"Your mom told me you had chemo today. How are you?"

"Not too great. Listen, Gabi, about yesterday. I was out of line, I don't know what came over me."

"Troy, I just wanted you to talk to me."

Troy nodded, but the look on his face seemed off to Gabriella.

"Troy? Are you feeling okay?"

He shook his head, throwing the blanket off his legs. However, suddenly, he gagged, throwing up all over Gabriella's shirt.

"I'm sorry," he said sheepishly, looking supremely embarrassed.

"Um, Troy, it's not your fault," Gabriella said, looking as though she was about to throw up herself.

Troy stood up, trying to wipe her shirt with a towel that he found on the coffee table.

"No, Troy, leave it. I'm-I'm going to go wash up."

"Gabi, really, I feel horrible."

"Troy, it's not your fault. It's okay."

Gabriella started toward the bathroom, but Troy stopped her.

"I'm really sorry," he whispered, kissing her gently. "About everything."

A/N: I hated that chapter too. LOL Anyway, reviews greatly appreciated, as always!

Coming in Chapter 9: Jason sings! And I don't know what else yet.