WARNING: This story contains themes of depression, SI (self-injury) and suicide.

This is dedicated to the sweet reviewers of the last chapter: loverly2467, andemarie16, kaybaby1127, itsi3, Southernbelleforever, LivexxLaughxxLovexx, Younmckee, eeyore197829, Angkeats, yogaluva, Bluebell140, ChasingGhosts, silvermist92, AfterTheStormSets, pumpkinking5, anoddapple, and aly. I'm sorry that I didn't reply, but I am so grateful for each of your reviews. They're the only reason I posted this chapter.

Yesterday was March 1st, National Self-Injury Awareness Day, and 3 years to the date that I posted this story. That also means that it has been three years since I began treatment for my depression. I'll be honest, I'm still not 100% better and I don't know if I ever will, but I'm proud to say: I'm still here and it's getting better.

To anyone that identifies with Gabriella (or myself): As much as you want to give up, just keep pushing through it.

Despite how mad he was at her, he couldn't stop the smile that crept onto his face as he thought about what happened a few short moments ago. He should be furious that she ditched him and he was. But his thoughts were filled with that amazing feeling you get when you get to hold someone special to you.

Gabriella Montez was not someone Troy Bolton could stay mad at.

He vaguely recognized the red car that he parked next to in her driveway. It's her mother's, if he remembered correctly. Taking a deep breath of courage, he knocks on the front door and silently prays that Gabriella opens it instead of her mother. Luck was most certainly not on is side as the door opened to reveal the Montez woman he did not desire.

"May I help you?" she asked, her voice anything but friendly.

"Good evening, Ms. Montez," he greeted, swallowing the bundle of nerves that had formed in his throat. "I don't know if you remember me but I'm Troy Bolton- a friend of Gabriella."

"Yes, you look somewhat familiar. Anyway, what can I help you with? Gabriella's not here at-"

"What do you mean she's not here?" he interrupted, not carrying if he sounded rude.

"Her car isn't in the garage so-"

"Her car was totaled, of course it's not here," he said bluntly.

"Totaled? What happened?"

"She was very upset as she drove around one evening and ran her car into a tree."

If Ms. Montez picked up on the true meaning of his words, she showed no signs of worry. She played the concerned parent role well; asking questions about the accident and Gabriella. However, she didn't ask about why her daughter was so upset and driving at night. She went as far as to label her daughter as irresponsible.

Not wanting to hear her comments of disapproval any longer, as politely as he could, he interrupted her small lecture. "Would it be okay if I wait in her room?" he asks.

"I don't think that's a good idea. I'll have a talk with her when she gets home and I'll tell her that you stopped by," she said as she took a step back to ease the door close. "Thank you for stopping by, though."

"Please Ms. Montez, I really need to talk to her. It's really important."

"Troy, whatever it is, I'm sure that it's not a life or death situation. I'm sure that you can talk in the morning."

He did his best to hide his frustration as he took a step backwards as well. "I understand, Ms. Montez. Have a good night."

"You too Troy." she called before she shuts the door.

He was beyond frustrated at this point. He needed to see her, talk to her and maybe even hold her in his arms once more. The memory of her taste on his lips sent another smile to his lips. In that split moment, he made his way towards the backyard that he was quickly growing fond of. With ease, he climbed the large tree by her balcony and hoisted himself of her railing.

The first thing that he noticed was that her balcony door was left wide open.

The lights in her room were on, but there was no sign of the beautiful brunette. Everything her room seemed just as he remembered it. She may have been a neat-freak at school but her room always seemed to be a mess. But something felt off to him. He went to sit on her as he thought about what he should do. But as he sat down, he noticed the crinkled plastic bag of the drugstore.

She couldn't be home. He told himself as he reached for the bag. At the bottom of the plastic laid a lone receipt. It didn't take but a minute for him to realize that this was the same plastic bag from earlier. He froze as pieces of the puzzle fell together. No sleeping pills. No Gabriella.

Troy's heart began to race as he began to search the room for any sign of where she could of gone. That's when he noticed the light pouring from the threshold of the bathroom.

"Gabriella?" he called with his ear pressed against the door. He heard nothing. No running water or sounds of shuffling. His hands began frantically turning at the door knob. "Are you in there? Open the door, baby."

No response.

"C'mon, we can talk things out. Please, open the door."

Nothing.

"Damn it, Gabriella! Open this door!"

He pushed himself off of the door and bangs at it with closed fist. Backing away from the door, he got a running start before ramming his shoulder into the door. It was painful but not as painful as the thought that he let her slip through his finger. With a final hit, the door budged and he stumbled into the bathroom. And just like that, everything happened so fast. One minute he's standing above the tub, taking in the sight of a drowning brunette with her hair in a tangled mess. The next, he's holding her in his arms with her bleeding wrists staining his shirt.

"What the hell is going on up here?!"

Troy looked up from the brunette for only a split second to see two confused adults standing in the doorway. He offered no explanation to them as his attention returned to the woman in his arms. He pressed two fingers to her neck, searching for a pulse. It was there, but it felt weak. He blocked out the screaming woman in the background as he brings himself closer to check if she's breathing.

"You need to lay her flat."

Troy felt a hand on his shoulder and looked up to see the stranger from earlier. He huged her tighter to his chest in a protective manner, and shifted her body in attempt to cover her bare legs.

"If she isn't breathing," the man continued and gestured to the brunette, "you need to do chest compressions immediately."

The young man nodded and gently laid her down on the cold tile. He looked down at her near-lifeless body, then back at the man. He felt at a lost on what to do and looked at this stranger for some much needed guidance. At that moment, he felt like he was the one that couldn't breath, let alone think for himself.

Time seemed to move in slow motion as he performed chest compressions to the best of his ability. Part of him was scared he'd hurt her, but he was more afraid of losing her.

He doesn't know how much time passes before Gabriella gasps for breath, but when she finally does, he took her into his arms with the intent of never letting go. He rubbed her back as she coughs against his chest. He feels the girl cling tighter to him and so he matches her grip. Pressing a kiss to her forehead, he says a silent prayer.

"I need an explanation and I need it now."

"Ms. Montez," he said with a shaky voice and looked up at the woman standing in the doorway, "I can explain."

She hadn't moved an inch since she first entered the bathroom. Ignoring him, she took a step forward. "Gabriella, what did we walk in on?"

"Please, just give her a moment," he said as he presses another kiss to her forehead.

She picked up the discarded pair of jeans on the floor and then looked back at the embracing teens. She placed a hand on her propped out hip and raised a pointed hand at Troy. "I don't know what went on here but let go of my daughter and get the hell out of my house."

"Ms. Montez, let me-"

Gabriella shifted in his arms to get a better look at the woman that was a mirror image of herself. Through her tears, she asks, "Now I'm your daughter?"

"Don't do this," he pleads.

"Of course you're my daughter. And as your mother, I think it's time you asked your friend to leave. He shouldn't be up here this late. Let alone in your bathroom with you."

"Please, Ms. Montez, I can explain."

"Troy, don't," she says firmly as she tried to stand. The room seemed to spin as she sat up, causing her to fall back against Troy for support.

"Not so fast." he whispers into her ear as he hugs her close once more. "Just take it easy." Without a second thought, he scoops her into his arms and stands. She stole a towel from the rack as they sidestepped her mother and her mother's friend. He lays her gently on her bed and helps her with the towel.

"One of you start explaining." Ms. Montez says once more as she blocks him from reentering the bathroom. "Now."

Troy let out a breath and looked back at the curled up figure on the bed. "She's sick," he said simply, his own heartbreaking as he said it.

"Sick with what?" she asked, irritation evident his tone. "Listen, Troy, I appreciate your help but let me take care of it from here."

"With all do respect, I don't think you can."

She scoffs and looks back at her daughter, who sat with her knees hugged to her chest. "Maybe she just needs something to eat. There was nothing in the fridge when I got home so maybe she just forgot to eat."

"Ms. Montez, that really isn't it."

"Then what is it?"

"No offense, but you wouldn't understand."

"What is there to understand?"

"She's really-"

"I tried killing myself."

As soon as the words left her lips, eeriness fell over the room. Three sets of eyes watched as Gabriella's whole body shook as her tears fell freely down her face.

"I tried to kill myself," she repeated through her her shaky breathing. "And I failed."

Ms. Montez watched in silence as Troy was at her daughter's side at once, pulling her into his arms and whispering sweet words of comfort to her. She took a step towards them, only to take two steps back. Her mouth opened several times but no sound came out, "I'm sorry," she whispers before fleeing the room with her friend close behind.

"Hey, it'll be okay," Troy whispered as he rubbed small circles on her back. "Stop your crying, baby. It'll all work out."

"No it won't."

"Yes it will. We'll fix this."

"Fix what?" she asked angrily as she pulled away slightly to look at him. "Me? I can't be fixed."

"You can't be fixed because there's nothing wrong with you," he said, locking his eyes with her. She looked away first, relaxing her body and burying her face into the crook of his neck. "You've just been through a lot, especially after tonight. I think you should try to sleep and we'll talk about it when you're ready."

"Are you leaving now?"

"Baby, I wouldn't dream of leaving you," he said, causing a faint smile to form on her lips from the pet name. She looked up at him with those big brown eyes and he could see every inch of sadness pulling him down. "I'm going to find first aid stuff in the bathroom. While I'm in there, I'll close the door so you can change into something dry. Just yell when you're ready." She nodded weekly in response but took her time letting go of him. He cupped her cheek in his hand and wiped away a stray tear with the pad of thumb. "It'll be okay," he whispered once more before pressing a kiss to her forehead and making his way to the bathroom.

-TWLOHA-

"Tell me your story," she whispered in the dark room.

"I thought you were sleeping already," he said as he shifted a bit on the bed. He laid on top of the bed cover as she snuggled beneath it and into his side with her head resting on his chest. She shrugged slightly and offered him no further explanation. "Where do you want me to start?"

Gabriella slowly brought her hand above the bed sheet and hesitantly touched his stomach. She traced the line that she knew laid beneath. "How old were you?" she finally asked as she repeats the motion another time.

He took a deep breath as he brought his hand from behind his head and laying her "I was 12 when I started. I don't really remember the exact event that drove me to do it or even the first time I did it. But I do remember that it became easier and easier to do."

She nodded, silently urging him on.

"It started maybe once a week and then every couple of days. Before I knew it, I was doing it one or two times a day. It was like this addiction that I couldn't shake. If I didn't do it, I'd feel anxious and couldn't sleep. It didn't matter if I was physically exhausted from the day because I still couldn't shut off my mind."

"Does the need ever go away?"

"That's the thing, I don't think it really does. The trick is to learn not need it."

"You make it sound so easy."

"Trust me, it's not at first, but it's something you just need to do."

"I don't think I can," she said more to herself than to him. "I'm done talking. My head is killing me."

Troy cradled her head against his chest, not caring that her hair is still soaked from earlier. "It's a side effect from the sleeping pills. The melatonin is technically safe when ingested in large quantities, but headaches can be one of the side-effects."

"How do you know about that stuff?"

"Because you're not the only one that has thought of it as their way out."

Her head moved up and down in sync with his breathing. She considered his words for a moment as she tried to imagine the man lying beside her going through the motions she had gone through today. "Have you ever tried?" she asked, not caring if she's being blunt or nosy.

"No, but I thought about it a lot and I think I would have done it."

"What stopped you?"

"My sister died," he said after a brief pause. "Remember when we were at the pharmacy earlier? And I said that I was having a heard time dealing with the pressure from my parents and all stuff with my sister being sick?"

She nodded against his chest, remembering the pained expression that had flashed across his features when he had shown her his scar. "So when she passed, you felt relieved?"

"You would think that I would because all my problems seemed to have revolved around her, but I didn't feel relieved at all. The summer before she passed, I was already having such a hard time and then all of sudden she got really sick. I started to feel so guilty that I hadn't been a better brother in those last few weeks,"

"I'm sure you were great with her. I've seen how you are with Chad's little sister."

"No," he snapped harshly. "If I wasn't stuck in my own messed up mind, I would have a decent last memory of her. In those weeks following her death, I felt so numb. I was so tired and just wanted it to end."

"Then why didn't you? End it, I mean."

"Like I said, my sister died. My parents had already lost one child and I didn't think they could take losing another one. Especially if I went willingly."

"But at least you would have been at peace."

"You think that now, but what if there is afterlife."

"I don't believe in an afterlife or heaven or whatever you want to call it. I believe that we simply stop being and, most importantly, feeling."

"But what if there is life after death? And then I would have watched my parents mourn another child." He cleared his throat, as if he's trying to stop himself from crying. "That's the thing about suicide," he practically whispered in the night air. "It seems like this amazing and freeing idea for the person committing it, but for the loved ones that get left behind, they'll always be wondering what went wrong."

A silence fell between them as the story comes to an end.

She pushed her self off him slightly and took in his appearance in the darkness of her room. He looked back at her, not expecting her sudden movement. He waited for her to speak, knowing that the last thing she needs is to be pushed. She continues to look at him, noting the exhaustion written on his face.

His story replays in her head as she tries to imagine a younger, innocent Troy. She sees it- that young boy that felt so much that it hurt. In that moment, she pictured him in that dark place, drifting in and out of reality. And her heart breaks for that boy who never had a chance to be just a boy.

His hand gently cups her cheek as the pad of his thumb swipes away at tear that managed to get away. "What are you thinking?" he asked gently, as if the world around them could shatter at any moment.

"You were just a boy," she repeated her thoughts to him out loud.

He nods, not entirely sure of what she meant.

"And I was just this girl," she said as she laid her head back down on his chest. "And we were just children. Why wasn't that enough? How did we end up here?" She presses herself closer to him and waits for his response.

"I don't know," he said with a heavy sigh as he runs his hand up and down her arm. "But we're still here. That's the important part."

She doesn't quite accept his answer, but she doesn't say any more. The exhaustion has finally caught up to her and her eyes drifts close. Her mind begins to wander as she thinks of what it would have been like if she met Troy earlier- before the restless nights and cuts to her skin. She imagines herself as just a girl and him as just a boy.

And she can picture it: a boy and a girl just simply being themselves. How it should have been in a perfect world without grief, expectations and stress.

-TWLOHA-

There was an insistent ringing in his ear that he couldn't quite place. He tried to flip over and bury his head under the pillow, but stopped by the dead weight on his arm. his eyes drift open slowly as his eyes adjust to the dark room. For a minute, he forgets where he was and lives in ignorant bliss as he looks down at the girl in his arms. The moment quickly is taken from as the ringing continues again.

Troy carefully pulled his arm out from under the young woman's sleeping form. He scrambled around the room, trying to locate the noise. He finally fiound his phone underneath the bed and grimaced at the five missed calls from his mother. The numbers on the screen notifying him that it was just after midnight. He took a deep breath to prepare himself as he steps out on to the balcony.

Before he could mutter a greeting, his mother's voice filtered through his phone at full blast. "Mom. Mo-. M-" he tried to say over her screening and but has no success. "Mom!" he finally yelled, capturing her attention. "Mom, I'm really sorry that i didn't call." His mother launched into another rant. "Gabriella really needed me," he managed to get out over his mother's yelling. She finally stopped and he sighed loudly as he switched his phone to the other ear. "I'll be home in less than 20," he finally said and muttered an 'I love you,' before hanging up.

He walked back into the bedroom, locking the balcony door behind him. He gingerly walked back to the bed and stares adoringly at the young woman before him. Sweeping her hair up and out of her face, he dropped a kiss on to her forehead.

As much as it pained him to walk away from her, he knew that he had to. Not only because he is expected home shortly, but also so she had some time to think. At first, she may feel alone and confused, but he had confidence in her that she wont hurt herself again.

Troy made his way down the stairs, keeping his ears open for any sound of moment. From the bottom of the staircase, he noticed the lone light of the kitchen. He considered walking right passed the kitchen and out the front door, but decided against it as he attempted to imagine what must be going through the older Montez's head.

He approached the kitchen slowly, silently hoping that it would be empty. Poking his head around the corner, he spied the older woman hunched over the kitchen table.

"Ms. Montez," he began gently, not wanting to startle her, "I'm going to get going,"

Her hands quickly swipe away at the tears running down her face. She looks up finally, revealing her red and puffy eyes. "Is she sleeping?" she asked quietly

"Yes ma'am," he said as he adverted his eyes to the floor, "She actually fell asleep a while ago, but I nodded off for a bit."

"Thank you for taking care of her."

He simply nodded as he took a step forward, but then two steps back and he noticed the glossiness in her eyes. "I have to get going, but-"

"Do you have a moment?" she asked, the hesitation evident in her voice as she gestured to the empty seat in front of her.

With a simple nod, he takes small steps towards her and finally plants himself across from her. He waits for her to speak, not sure what more there was for him to say.

"What happened while I was gone?"

For a moment, Troy wasn't entirely sure that the question was directed at him. He opens his mouth to speak, but Ms. Montez beats him to it.

"I was only gone for a week," she muttered more to herself. "She was fine when I left. How did this happen so quickly?"

He sighed deeply and fought the urge to roll his eyes at the woman's naivety. "With all do respect, Ms. Montez, this isn't something that came out of the blue. From experience and what little Gabriella has said to me, this was a long time coming. It always just a matter of when."

"But she was fine!" she screamed exasperatedly. "Maybe she'd act a little moody towards me, but isn't that what teenagers do?" She doesn't wait for answer as she continues on her rant. "If I knew something was wrong, I would have stayed! I just don't understand how this could happen. I always thought she felt comfortable to come to with anything."

"And I'm sure there was a part of her that knew that, but didn't want to believe it," he said in the most comforting tone he could muster. "I know that she said some cruel things to you earlier, but I think she just needs time to cool down. She's just really angry and upset at the moment."

"So what am I suppose to do? Wait until she tries again?"

Her words sounded harsh to his ears and he couldn't help but feel his heart break at the mere thought. He shook his head as he joined his hands together on the tabletop and leans a bit closer. "Be there for her," he said simply. "That's what she needs and wants right now."

She nodded and opened her mouth several times, as if she wanted to say something but nothing seemed to come out. "Should I bring her to the hospital?" she finally asked in a voice so quiet that he almost doesn't hear her.

"I can't stop you if you wanted to, but I think she's safe for now, " he said as he looks down at his hands. "In all honestly, I think that she's too scared of failing to try a third time."

"What do you mean a third time? What was the first?" Her brown eyes widened and began to look glassy.

Before he could explain, a shrilling ring breaks the tension in the room, reminding the young man that he had his own mother to take care off. Patting his front pocket, he blindly tried to silence the noise. "I'm sorry, Ms. Montez, but I should really get going. My mom called a few times already."

The older woman's head nodded in understanding and she wiped furiously at her eyes once more. "Of course, of course. Thank you again and please do apologize to your mother for me."

Troy stood there for a moment longer, unsure if he should leave the woman in front of him alone. In that moment, he noticed the striking resemblance to the sleeping form upstairs. His heart broke for this distraught family. An idea popped into his head as he stuffed his hands in his pockets. Withdrawing his hand with his pocket-sized notebook and pen. He jotted something down before cautiously approaching the woman.

Tearing the sheet of paper out of his notebook, he slid it across the wooden table to her. "I can only, imagine what's going through your head right now, Ms. Montez. If you're ever needing someone to talk to, I'm sure that my mother Lucy would be more than willing to listen."

"I, uh-" she paused as she slides the paper closer to her. "Thank you, Troy." She picks up the paper and slips it into her back pocket. With much effort, she finally pushes herself to a standing position. "Let me walk you out."

He nodded and allowed her to lead the way to the front door, even though he probably could walk there blindfolded.

"Thank you again," she said as she held the door open for him.

He nodded as he stood awkwardly under the front porch light. He thought all the times he stood in this very spot with the younger Montez woman. "Please just tell her to give me a call when she's ready," he said finally, before walking backwards from the house. He yells a goodnight over his shoulder before quickly getting into his truck. In the drivers seat, he looks back at the house and pictures Gabriella sleeping in her room. He remembers the look of content as she was getting some much needed rest.

Troy squeezed his eyes shut and rests his forehead against his steering wheels. By no means was he a religious man, but in that moment, he couldn't help but thank a higher power.

Despite all that happened that night, she was still alive and breathing. And in that moment, that was enough for now.

I know it has been years so I don't know if any of my original readers are still around. Personally, I was MIA from fanfic for a year or two but now I'm back. Thank you for reading and please review! I would love to know your thoughts! :) Next chapter should be up in a week. Message me constantly if I don't :P

Much Love,

Kae xx