Hey there everybody, I know its been a while since my last real update, but I've been busy lately. School has just been crazy the last few weeks, and on top of that, the whole piano thing is quite demanding. But, don't worry, cause here's an update, and in case you guys didn't know, I don't own anything.

Walking Home.

Its been about a week since Gabriella and Troy's little "incident," and quite frankly, the whole thing is making things harder for the whole gang. Gabriella's been spending most of her time with Sharpay, Ryan, Kelsi, and Taylor, avoiding Troy and Vanessa at all costs. Like she said, she wasn't really "angry" at either of them, but it just hurt to be around.

"Gabi, you really can't spend ALL of your time moping around about Troy." Sharpay told her friend from the computer.

"I know, its just, I got really used to way things were, and then now everything's just, different." Gabriella replied.

"Well, he DID come back and apologize, and if I remember correctly…" Sharpay started, before Gabriella cut her off.

"I know, I know, I said that I needed TIME." Gabriella said, "you've been telling me that all week now Shar."

"Well, its true." Sharpay said as she turned around and sat next to her friend. "You really do need to give him another chance Gabi."

"How can I?" asked Gabriella.

"How can you not?" Sharpay responded, "Look, Gabi, you HAVE to give him another chance."

Gabriella sighed, "I think I'll head home now Shar, catch you later." she said as she stood up and walked out of her friend's room.

"Bye Gabi." Sharpay replied simply.

Gabriella walked down the stairs, Ryan was in the living room, watching TV on the couch.

"Leaving so soon Gabi?" Ryan asked as he turned off the TV.

"Yeah, I really didn't want to listen to your sister lecture me on giving Troy another chance tonight." Gabriella replied.

Ryan looked upstairs, and saw his twin sister, nodding at him.

"Well, then I guess you'll just have to listen to me, come on, I'll walk you home." Ryan said with a smile.

Gabriella laughed, shaking her head, and the two walked out.

"So, what would be so wrong about giving Troy another chance?" Ryan asked.

"Kind of a stupid question don't you think Ryan?" Gabriella said, as she looked at the ground, "and what is it with you guys, did Troy like, pay you to try and get us back together?"

"No, but you guys are our friends, we DO actually care you know." Ryan replied.

"Whatever you say," Gabriella said, "Look, all I know is, Troy…" Gabriella was cut off.

"Went out with your sister while he thought she was you, and then found out she was her, and still went out with her, and then realized it was stupid and left her to try and get you." Ryan said.

"Uhhh, yeah, I guess that kinda sounds right, in a weird, mixed up, confusing way." Gabriella answered.

"Gabriella, Troy messed up, we get it, but no one's perfect." Ryan added.

"He used to be." Gabriella said simply. "I honestly don't know if I can give him another chance."

"Well, then, I honestly doubt that you're gonna be happy for a while." Ryan said with a smirk.

"You're supposed to be on my side remember?" Gabriella said.

"I'm on both of your sides, besides, you know its true." Ryan said.

"No it isn't, I don't need him. I'm smart, and nice to be around, great to talk to, and I'm fairly attractive, right?" Gabriella stated.

"Well, actually…" Ryan started.

"RYAN!" Gabriella screamed.

"Kidding, gosh, calm down." Ryan said as he put his arm around Gabriella.

Gabriella and Ryan walked in silence for the rest of the trip, his arm never leaving from its comfortable spot around Gabriella.

When they got closer to her house, they could see that someone was at the front door, talking to Gabriella's mom.

"Who's that?" Ryan asked.

"Can't tell." Gabriella replied, just as her front door closed.

The person seemed disappointed, and turned around to walk away. Ryan and Gabriella were pretty much at her house now, and the stranger saw them and stopped.

"Oh, hey Troy." Ryan said, shocked to see him there.

"Hey, Ryan." Troy said suspiciously.

Ryan removed his arm from around Gabriella.

"Hey Gabi." said a hopeful Troy, "How you been?"

"Fine, I guess." her emotionless tone really sinking in, "Thanks for walking me home Ryan, and wasn't I lucky to run in to you." she said starring straight into Troy's eyes.

Troy stood there in silence.

"I'll see you guys later." Gabriella said before walking into her house.

"Well, I guess I'll be leaving to then." Ryan said, turning around and walking away.

"Hey Ryan, hold up a minute." Troy said.

Ryan stopped, and turned around to walk back towards Troy, who was still standing in Gabriella's driveway.

"What's up?" Ryan asked, knowing exactly where this was going.

"What's going on with you and Gabriella?" asked a concerned Troy.

Ryan shook his head, "Look, Troy, there's nothing going on between me and her."

"You sure?" Troy asked.

"Yeah, I'm sure." Ryan replied.

"I take it you still have feelings for her?" Troy asked.

Ryan just nodded.

"Look, Ryan," Troy started.

"I know, don't worry about it. Besides, she still loves you man." Ryan said.

"Then why won't she talk to me?" Troy asked.

"Just give it time." Ryan said.

Troy nodded and started walking away.

"Hey Ryan?" he called back.

"Yeah?" Ryan answered.

"You're a good friend." Troy said.

"And we sound like girls talking like this." Ryan said with a laugh.

Troy laughed as well, "Catch you later man." Troy said, and walked away.

Ryan sat down on the sidewalk, but turned around when he heard the front door open.

"Ryan?" someone called.

"Oh, hey, Gabi, what are you doing back out here?" Ryan replied.

"Ummm, actually, I'm Vanessa." she said, walking over and having a seat next to Ryan on the sidewalk.

"Oh, sorry." Ryan answered.

"Don't worry about it," she said, "I think we need to do something."

"Kinda a vague suggestion don't you think?" Ryan answered.

"I think we need to do something about Troy and my sister." she answered.

Ryan shook his head, "She isn't listening to anything anyone has to say about that topic."

"I know, but I have a plan." Vanessa said, "If you'll go for it."

Ryan looked to her curiously, "I'm listening."

Vanessa smiled, "Well, the way I see it, if we can…"

Well, that ends that chapter, sorry to leave you guys hanging again, lol. I'm leaving for Vegas in a couple of days, and I won't be back until Sunday, so I'm not sure when the next chapter will be up. Hopefully, if I don't procrastinate on my homework, and that's a big IF btw, I can get one up on Sunday. I have the next chapter planned out already, for the most part, so it shouldn't take as long. Read and Review.