Chapter 16-Secrets Eat People Alive (I realized I stopped doing these…hahaha.)

Quick Author's Note: I do not own HSM 1, 2, or 3 nor do I own any of the song rights to Wizard of Oz.

This was going to be a long lunch…

"So seriously Gabi, what's wrong?"

I couldn't really figure out how to word this. I was mad and upset and sad and just overall flustered. What was I supposed to do? Tell him I was upset because everyone was mad at me? I don't think so.

So I guess I added more silence to the previous silence…

"Gabs, please talk to me. I hated seeing you all closed up like that this morning. It kind…I felt that pang in my chest. You know how people say that stuff in books? Well I finally felt it. It was like your eyes were glass and nobody could actually see what was going on in your pretty little head of yours. When I tried to read you, I couldn't get anything, all that happened was my own emotion shooting straight back at me and it kind of sucked…"

"Sorry?" I said, not really sure what to say to that.

"I'm sorry Gabi. I didn't mean to freak out at you yesterday."

I didn't reply to that.

"I really am Gabs. I couldn't stand seeing you upset today."

I didn't reply to that either.

"C'mon, I just got you to talk, don't go all silent on me again."

"I don't know Zak…I don't really want to talk." I said, looking down at the grass, picking at it.

"Well I do."

"Well I wanted to talk yesterday and you're like twenty four hours late on that one." I muttered.

"I know and I just didn't want to talk yesterday…" Zak said, "And I know that's no excuse but I just…can we talk now?"

"Like I said Zak, I don't want to talk."

"But-"

"And I know it's not the time to be stubborn but-"

"Gabriella, I want to talk. Can we talk? It's either that or you end up being all depressed again and I can't stand seeing you like that and then I get even more depressed and-"

"Fine we can talk, Zak. I just want to make sure it's not going to just be me doing the talking."

"I promise you won't."

"Well then okay…"

"Okay…well do you want me to start talking or do you want to start?"

"I was just upset because you and Troy weren't talking to me and we're really angry with me and I couldn't take it…" I said softly, not really wanting to admit it at all, but I had to, to get out what was wrong with Zak.

"I'm sorry…" he said, using the same volume I had used, "I was just upset yesterday and stuff and I just didn't know what to do about it and I didn't want to tell you because it's not the right time and-"

"Tell me what?"

"I don't want to tell you right now…"

"But-"

"There's gotta be a good time for this."

"Is there ever a really good time, Zak?"

"Well…no…but I want it to be the best time it can possibly be…" Zak said softly.

"Why can't you just tell me now?"

"Because it's something important…"

"Then if it's so important then you should have to tell me now."

"I'm sorry Gabi, I just don't want to tell you right now. But I will. I promise." He said, looking at me with a serious look.

"I don't-"

"No you don't see why…but I do. Please just understand this is something I can't just say casually. This would be like the president saying casually on live news that he murdered somebody. It doesn't work that way." He chuckled, trying to lighten up the conversation.

"You murdered somebody?" I joked.

"Gabi…" he gave me a serious look.

"Yeah, yeah." I rolled my eyes, "But you know secrets eat people alive, right? I mean there are some people who can't stand keeping secrets and their conscious causes them to sleepwalk and talk in their sleep or lose sleep or they can't eat or-"

"Trust me Gabi. I already feel bad, but I feel like this is something I should tell you during a special time."

"Okay…"

I gave up. What was it that he was hiding from me that was so big that he actually needed a 'special' time to do so? I couldn't understand him. Actually, I don't understand the male species. They're a confusing bunch aren't they?

"Here…" Zak hopped up on his feet, "Class starts back up in ten minutes, we should probably start heading back." He grabbed my hand and pulled me up.

I nodded as I wiped the grass and dirt off of myself.

"Truce?"

"Truce…" I said, still upset that he wasn't going to tell me what was wrong. I told him what was wrong with me. Why can't he tell me?

And besides, how can I still not be upset when Troy's still angry with me?

XOXOXOXOXOXO

I closed my locker and sighed. Today was long and gruesome. Luke kept me company for most of it but I didn't really want company. I was tired, confused, and a little angry and the last thing I wanted to do was start yelling at him because of my horrible mood. I hate taking out my anger on somebody who doesn't deserve it and was only trying to help.

"Hey Gabi!" I turned to see Zak giving me a huge smile.

I wasn't sure whether or not to smile back. I was still a little…touchy on the subject of him not telling me what was going on in his life. So, I just waved and gave a slight smile.

"Do you want to walk home with me?"

"Do I have a choice."

"Nope!" he winked at me and held out his arm for me to grab, "Shall we?"

"We shall." I said, grabbing his arm.

"WE'RE OFF TO SEE THE WIZARD THE WONDERFUL WIZARD OF OZ!" he started dragging me as he was screaming this down the hall and skipping.

"Zak!" I shouted, trying to get his attention, by letting go of his arm and waving my arms in front of him frantically.

"We're off to see the wizard the wonderful Wizard of Oz! We hear he is a whiz of a wiz if ever a wiz there was! If ever, oh ever a wiz there was there was the Wizard of Oz is one because, because, because, because, because, because, because of the wonderful things he does! We're off to see the wizard the wonderful Wizard of Oz!" he smiled, skipping me around.

"Zak!" I giggled, "Please stop."

"WE'RE-"

"ZAK! People are starting to stare!" I hissed.

"So?"

"You can sing another Wizard of Oz song." I rolled my eyes, "Just please…not that one!"

"Okay fine…" he thought for a moment…"I….could wile away the hours, conferrin' with the flowers, consultin' with the rain. And my head I'd be scratchin', while my thoughts were busy hatchin'; If I only had a brain!" he wiggled his eyebrow at me, "I'd unravel every riddle. For any individ'le, in trouble or in pain." He smiled as he finished his line, "TAKE IT AWAY GABRIELLA MONTEZ!"

I giggled. Sadly yes, I did know the words. So I began to sing, "With the thoughts you'd be thinkin', you could be another Lincoln," I winked, "If you only had a brain," I thought and added a line of my own, "Which you don't."

"Hey now! Don't start changing words!" he took a deep breath and started singing again in a deep voice, "Oh, I could tell you why, the ocean's near the shore. I could think of things I never thunk before. And then I'd sit and think some more. I would not be just a nuffin', my head all full of stuffin'. My heart all full of pain. I would and be merry, life would be a ding-a-derry; If I only had a brain!" he finished off.

I laughed so hard after he sung the very last note. "Wow, Zak. Where the heck did you learn all the lyrics to all of that?"

"My mom." He chuckled.

"Well too bad you don't have a brain…" I giggled.

"Hey, I was just singing the song." Zak said in a fake grouchy tone, "It doesn't mean it really applies." He said.

"I'm kidding…" I scoffed.

"I know."

"Right, well c'mon, scarecrow." I said, grabbing his arm again.

XOXOXOXOXOXO

"See you Zak." I said, waving at him as I got to the front door.

"See you Gabs." He said, starting to open his door, "Wait Gabi!"

I stopped, before I entered the house, "Yeah?"

"Go talk to Troy. He was beating himself up all day."

I sighed, "What?"

"I heard from Chad that he kept telling himself he was crap today. I may not love the guy, but he's the closest thing to a brother to me, so go easy on him."

"He's mad at me…" I said, confused.

"Chad said that he was mad because you didn't eat at all today…" Zak said, "Did you eat at all?"

"Totally…" I lied.

"Gabi."

"Okay, so I didn't. I was with you at lunch and I didn't want to eat this morning 'cuz I felt like if I ate at all, I would have thrown it all up." I sighed, "Happy now?"

"Gabi, you need to eat. And talk to Troy."

"He wasn't talking to me, so I gave him his space. I didn't want to make him angrier…" I argued back.

"Well I think he's ready to talk to you."

As if right on cue, Troy was driving into the driveway at that very moment. I looked at Zak and he gave me the cue to go and talk to him.

I watched Troy as he got out of the car and he looked at me. I couldn't get myself to open my mouth. My mouth was glued shot. I couldn't even move. Then he rolled his eyes and walked straight past me and left me outside.

What the-

Hm so drama here and there. Right? What's up with Troy and his mood swings again? Hmmm… Oh and what's Zak hiding?

Shout-out(s):

independentHSMFAN23: Well I thought I lost you as a reviewer. Hah! And well…nobody likes a trouble maker. I wonder what his real motive is. Thanks for reviewing!

iHeartChannyZanessaCailey: I'm glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for reviewing!

Zac is my life: Hahahaha well that works I guess. Just make sure you don't feel obligated to review every chapter! And I like replying to my reviewers! I like to get down and personal! (; hahahaha. No, really I just like getting to know my reviewers and thanking them. It means a lot to me. And well you seem like a busy person! Geez! I can't even do all of that. I'm just music, writing, school, relax. I can't do more than that. Music takes most of my time and so does writing, but still. And I agree! Writing is a great way to vent! As always, thanks for reviewing!

XxBabiiGurlxX: Thanks for reviewing!

Pumpkinking5: Well I guess the truth wasn't really revealed was it? I'm waiting to hold it out and stuff and make it a little more…big because the secret is really really really big. But it will happen! Thanks for reviewing!

Crazy4BIEBER17MrsJustinBieber: I find it weird because it's hard to go back and forth. I can't spell Bieber ever. I always have to think, is it I before E or is it gonna break the rule and go BEIBER. I think Beiber looks better, but oh well. And I honestly don't remember how to do your last sn. I know it has a 1 and 2 and 5 and 7 and 8, I just don't know how many. Is it 125788? No…that doesn't look right. Oh well. And yeah… hahaha. Guys… anyways thanks for reviewing!

Yogaluva: Uh…thanks for reviewing?