I think this is the beginning of the end. But, I'm not sure.

Just read, and I'll think about it.

Also, could you guys PLEASE read Jordan's oneshots? They are very awesome if I do say so myself. And she would love me forever if I got people to review her oneshots!

Anways, let's move on with 18 shall we?

"Ready?" Troy turned to her.

"Nope," she replied. Troy's eyes widened and she laughed gently at him, "I'm kidding."

The two turned to face their father, the basketball team, Gabriella, some neighbors and their dad's close friends.

"Ok, Dad, we know you've been through a lot these past few weeks--"

"So, we wanted to make sure you knew how much we appreciate you," Emily finished Troy's sentence.

Jack Bolton looked on confused. Troy nodded to Gabriella and she turned on the stereo in the Bolton's living room.

((A/N: Bold is Emily's part, Italics is Troy, Bold/Italics is both))

Ooooo
Yeah
I didn't wanna listen to what you were sayin'
I thought that I knew all I need to know
I didn't realize that somewhere inside me
I knew you were right but I couldn't say so

I can take care of myself, yeah, you taught me well

I learned from you that I do not crumble
I learned that strength is something you choose
All of the reasons to keep on believin'
There's no question, that's a lesson, that I learned from you

We always don't agree on
What is the best way
To get to the place that we're going from here
But you could really trust me, and give me the distance,
to make my decisions without any fear

I'm grateful for all of the times,
You opened my eyes

I learned from you that I do not crumble
I learned that strength is something you choose
All of the reasons to keep on believin',
There's no question, that's a lesson
I learned from you

You taught me to stand on my own

and I thank you for that

You saved me,

you made me,

and now that I'm looking back

I can say

woooaaahhhh!

I learned from you that
I do not crumble
I learned that strength is something you choose

All of the reasons to keep on believin',

There's no question, that's a lesson that I learned from you

Woooaaahhhh!
I learned from yoooouuu

I learned that strength is something you choose

All of the reasons to keep on believin',
There's no question, that's a lesson that I learned from you
I learned from you

I learned from you

They ended the song glowing. They looked at their father who was smiling just as big as they were.

He got up from his seat and walked over to them, enveloping them in a huge hug.

"That was great, kids," he whispered.

"Gabriella, come on. What's wrong?" he looked at her.

"Nothing, I'm completely and totally fine," she replied primly.

Troy took her aside during the after-school practice for the musical.

"Come on, tell me what's up with you. You're angry," he looked in her eyes.

"Oh, are you telling me you care?" Gabriella retorted.

"What? Gabbi, of course I care about you!"

"Didn't seem like it when you wanted to leave me here while you ran away to Montana!"

"Gabriella, you know that wasn't my intention!"

"But you were going to do it," Gabriella looked at him.

"Gabriella, please-"

"I don't wanna hear it, Troy," Gabriella then turned and walked back to her original position.

"Gabriella, what's going on?" Emily looked at her friend as they sat in the library during free period.

"I'm just...rethinking Troy's and I relationship," Gabriella sighed.

"Why?! You two are so perfect! I mean, you guys haven't fought like hardly ever at all!" Emily shrieked.

"Well, it just seems like he doesn't love me the way I love him. He was ready to leave me all the way here and go to Montana, for crying out loud!"

"But he didn't," Emily pointed out.

"Yeah, because he would lose all his friends if he did!"

"So, what, are you gonna break up with him?"

"I don't know," Gabriella put her head on the table.

Emily was very distracted during lunch. She just couldn't help but be distracted by the thought that Gabriella and Troy were falling apart. She took our her new friend, her journal, and began to write.

Journal,

Troy and Gabriella? Over? It just doesn't fit! And honestly, it scares me. They were one of the strongest couples I've ever known.

If they can't make it, what hope does that leave for Chad and I? I mean, seriously, it's a good point! Sure, Chad and I have been through our rough points, and we're still together.

That has to mean something, right? Or does it just mean we're an even weaker couple? Honestly, it all confuses me to the point of a migraine.

But, I really need to figure this out. And I bet you're thinking 'Is she questioning her relationship with Chad?' and frankly, I don't know. Which you see, is where I get the headache.

I mean, yes, I do love Chad Danforth (even if his middle name is so dorky: Edgar) with all my heart, and would do anything for him, but, grr I don't know!

And I can't even talk to him about it, because well, he'll think I don't love him. WHICH I DO!

Stupid Troy! If he had just not even thought about going with Laura, then none of this would be happening! No, that's mean. This isn't Troy's fault. It's not his fault that I'm also rethinking my relationship. IT'S GABRIELLA'S! No, it's not hers either.

Gah, I wanna blame this on someone but myself, yet I can't. Because, it is my fault.

Until next time,
Em

"Emster? Whatcha writing?" Chad glanced over her shoulder.

"Nothing," she quickly shut her journal and tossed it into her messenger bag.

Chad gave her a questioning look as he sat beside her, "You okay, Emster?"

"Yeah, I'm fine," she gave him a wide smile.

Chad dropped the subject, but wasn't fully convinced. She was quiet during lunch and when Chad tried to kiss her goodbye, she just hugged him.

As he watched her retreating figure walk down the hallway, he couldn't help but think that Troy and Gabriella weren't the only couple ripping at the seams.

Troy stayed cooped up in his room, trying to call Gabriella, but she ignored his calls.

Emily was just even more distressed by this. She even tried writing her feelings in her journal, but she couldn't express anything, so it brought her no comfort.

She didn't want to purposely avoid Chad, but she didn't want to talk to him. Her solution was to turn her phone off and claim that it died.

The lie didn't hold up with Chad though, and this didn't comfort him, either.

"Emster, just tell me why you don't want to talk to me," Chad pleaded.

"I told you: My phone died. That's all," Emily picked at her food.

"Are you having nightmares again?" Chad asked her after a moment of silence.

"NO!"

"Then just tell me what's up with you!"

"NOTHING!" Emily stood and walked to the roof. She took out her journal and began to write again.

Journal,

He hates me. Or at least he's close. I just wish he wouldn't worry about every little thing. Although, I have been through some pretty scary stuff. Of course, he'd be a bad boyfriend if he didn't worry. I mean, he just cares about me.

Now I feel extra bad. I'm reconsidering our relationship and he's worrying about my mental well-being! And, truthfully, I don't know how mentally stable I am. I mean seriously! RECONSIDERING MY FEELINGS FOR CHAD! WHAT WAS I THINKING?!

Why didn't you call me an idiot, journal? Why didn't you tell me I was completely overreacting? Oh yeah, because you're a notebook.

SEE! Mentally unstable person! Notebooks talking, gah. I'm so out of it.

Maybe if I talk to Chad, things will be better. Right? I mean, they can't get worse. WAIT! Scratch that. When they say that in the horror movies, someone gets killed.

And I've almost died twice, and as they say 'Third time's the charm'.

...I'm such an idiot.

Until next time,
Em

"Hey," Chad walked up to Emily's locker.

"Hey," she smiled at him. She had felt loads better since she wrote in her journal at lunch.

"We need to talk. Want me to walk you home?"

"I'd like that," she closed her locker and took his hand as they began to walk to her house.

Chad felt somewhat better when he saw her smile, but he knew she could hide feelings.

"Emster, you gotta tell me what's wrong."

"It's kinda embarrassing," she said quietly.

"You're worrying me," he turned to her.

"Chad, I'm fine. I just, got a little shaky, that's all."

"About what?"

"Us."

Chad was somewhat taken aback by her comment. If she was getting shaky about them, could it lead to her ending things--again?

"Don't worry, I'm okay now. I don't even know why I thought it," she added, noticing his face.

"I can't tell you that makes me feel completely better," he replied.

"It's just, Troy and Gabriella ending? They were the strongest couple ever. If they can't make it--"

"Emster, they're just going through a rough spot. Like we did, but look at us. We're completely fine now, right?" he faced her, hoping the answer was yes.

"Of course we are," she put her arm around his waist. He put his arms around her waist, too, and kissed her forehead.

Troy slammed the door shut behind him as he came home from school. Emily and Chad looked up from watching TV as he stormed through the living room and up the stairs.

"Troy, what's wrong?" Emily called softly into his room.

"She broke up with me. It's over," Troy collapsed on his bed.

Emily looked at Chad with worry filling her eyes.

Her faith began slipping again.

Yup, it's the beginning of the end.

Wow, that's weird to say. Anyways, only one or two more chapters left.

I probably won't start the next one right away. I don't have a lot of ideas for it. (HINT, HINT) (Are you talking to me or the readers? -Jordan)

I may write a new one, or I might do some oneshots. I just don't know. (...I thought we went over this already. -Jordan)

But, alas, I will be writing. Besides, I still got to finish this one! Haha

Okay, done now!

PRESS THE GO BUTTON! I do believe it's periwinkle. (A dark shade of periwinkle, but periwinkle none the less. -Jordan)