Hey ya'll! I'm really sorry about not updating for almost a few months. Especially after a chapter that was as dramatic as that. I've been really busy with school. I thought after marching band I'd be open to do whatever I want to, but I really don't. I like to relax and even though writing is relaxing, I mean…I like to be able to sit down and watch TV or play guitar or listen to music. So I hope you guys understand. I really am sorry and I hope you enjoy the chapter!

Shout-out(s):

Fishing: No promises! Sorry. Hahahaha, but I hope you enjoy the update. Thanks for the review.

Santeelove: Aw, I'm sorry I made you cry. I did want to make it emotional though. For this story, I wanted it to mean a little more than just some simple love story between two of my favorite childhood characters. I'm sorry that you didn't come across this story sooner and I haven't updated it in… a long time, but I'd rather have a good chapter than one that was really bad and up sooner. Anyways, your review practically brightened up my day for saying that you love my writing. It means a lot and I just wanted to let you know, that people like you are the reason why I keep writing! So thank you so much! (: Thank you for such a sweet review! And hopefully, you read this chapter as well!

Zac is my life: Hahahahaha…well I tried to hint stuff as well as I could, but if you don't get it that's okay. I'm glad you like Zak though because a lot of people keep saying that they don't really like him. It might be because I had him do a lot of stuff in the last story, but oh well. I don't care. I love Zak. Hahahah. I'm glad you liked the chapter and everything. And I agree. Word and everything else that has to do with technology hates me. A lot. Haha. Thanks for reviewing, as always!

Kaybaby1127 (3x): Thanks for the reviews.

MissEllaSalvatoreBieber18: …no offense, but if you think that Gabi needs troy and not Zak then why would you care if Zak has cancer? …I know that sounds mean, but still, it shouldn't matter. The point is, is Zak has cancer and Gabriella needs her friend not her ex-boyfriend. As an author, especially of this story, that's just my opinion. Thanks for the review.

XxBabiiGurlxX: Well I'm sorry I made you cry, but I kind of take that as a compliment. Hahahaha. If it was sad, then I did what I wanted to! I hope you enjoy this chapter! Thanks for reviewing!

Pumkinking5: Well… people learn from their mistakes and sometimes, you have to make the same mistake to get it set in your head. It just has to sink in and be concrete. We'll find out what happens as the story progresses.

So, I don't get that many reviews as I wish I did, but I really want to thank everyone who still reviews. Thank you for being patient with me. I want to finish this story so I can go and edit my old ones. And I'll even get to go back and edit this one too! And don't forget that you can send me a message and let me know if you want me to update on a particular day PLEASE don't be afraid to tell me. Thanks guys!

Oh and….I'm going to be lame, but you all should check out my fictionpress stories! Enjoy the chapter!

Chapter 20-Coping and a Smack in the Face

"Gabi."

"Gabriella."

"Gabriella, come talk to me."

"I love you Gabriella."

"We care about you Gabs."

"Gabriella, you need to talk about it. That's the only way you're going to be able to get it out."

That's all I've been hearing for the past two or three days. It was getting old and to be honest, I didn't know if I could really make it all out any more. It became a blur and it started to become something that I couldn't believe.

I wasn't sure if I wanted to talk about it. I wasn't sure if I was upset about Zak not telling me or if I was sad because I only had such a limited time with him and I couldn't be mad at him. I wasn't even sure if I was angry with my friends for lying to me this whole time about Zak. It all hurt.

"Gabriella, can I come in?"

Lucille.

"Come in, the door's open."

I said staring at the paper I've been writing down my thoughts on and then looked up to see the door slowly open.

"I came in to see if you wanted any food or something."

I stared at the food she had for me and knew that I had to continue to work on my progress for Zak. It wasn't for me. It was for him. I knew that somewhere in my heart deep down, I thought that if I got better and stopped being so upset about everything that maybe Zak would get better too. It was a lousy excuse. But I had hope. And sometimes, that's what everyone needs.

I smiled at her, "Thanks Lucille."

I took the plate from her and took a bite of it slowly. I took my time chewing, not sure if I was going to throw this up or not. There were days when I did and then there were days when I didn't. I wasn't trying to do that. Well, actually, I didn't even understand why that kept happening.

"Gabriella, can I," Lucille paused for a moment, as if she almost regretted starting whatever this sentence was, "Uh…talk to you for a bit?"

I stared at her, wondering what it is that she was going to tell me. Normally, I didn't want to hear what she had to say. I just didn't want to talk anymore.

I thought hesitantly, "Um, yes."

"Are you still mad with everyone?" she asked softly.

"Sometimes."

She gave me a confused look.

"I'm only mad when I think about it, but really, I'm not as mad as I am hurt by it. I trusted everyone to tell me things that I would tell them but I had to find out my own. I understand that they were just listening to what Zak wanted but sometimes I forget that."

"So you're not angry?"

I shook my head.

"So then why are you still cooped up in this room all by yourself, still?"

"I just want to be alone for right now. Everyone wants to talk at their own time."

Lucille smiled, "I understand. Kayla and Sam are really worried about you. They gave up trying to come and talk to you but they want you to know that whenever you're ready to talk, they'll still be here. And…Troy, well, he's beaten himself up about this whole entire thing. He feels bad. I realize that things between you and my son aren't exactly great right now, but he still cares for you. I see it in eyes."

Her words sunk in to me slowly. I wasn't sure what to think of it. I really do care about Troy. He's that guy that even though he's hurt me and I'll admit, I've hurt him, I still can't change my opinion on him completely. He still has a piece of my heart with him that I won't let him return to me. I just don't know if I'm ready to admit that out loud.

"They all care about you. And Zak almost had me come in here and drag you out of your room. He wants you to enjoy your break. Be with your friends. Be with your mom. She feels upset that you're upset. She wants to know what she's missed in your life. And as a mom myself, I really don't want to hear it from someone else."

I nodded, "Okay."

"Okay?"

"I'll go and talk to people."

Lucille smiled and gave me a small nod as she left my room. She didn't need to say anything more than that. And she knew it.

XOXOXOXOXOXO

I felt brand new as I opened the door to my bedroom, wearing clothes that weren't sweats or shorts and a t-shirt. I felt refreshed. The only thing was, I wasn't sure how long that was going to last. I missed talking to everyone, but at the same time, I wasn't sure if I trusted everyone any more. I wasn't sure if I was ready to talk everyone again.

I went into the kitchen and saw Troy making a sandwich and then turned to see Kayla and Sam watching T.V on the couch in the living room.

All eyes were on me. I looked at Sam and Kayla and both of them gave me a small smile. I didn't smile back. I realize that sounds harsh, but I wasn't ready for that. Y'know…baby steps.

I nodded and went out back for a moment. I wasn't quite ready to talk. I was ready to face them, but I wasn't ready to talk about things with them. But before I knew it….I realized that I guess, they were ready to talk. Why? Because Sam and Kayla came right after me.

"Hey." Kayla said in a low tone, that I barely could here.

I responded with a nod.

"How are you?"

"Fine."

"Really?" Sam asked, "Are you really Gabi?"

"Better than I was."

"Gabi, I don't want you to lie to us." Kayla said, in a harsh tone.

"Kay, can I talk to Gabriella…alone for a few minutes? After I'm done, you can do whatever you want, but I think I want to just talk to her for a sec."

Kayla nodded and then went back inside and as my eyes followed her inside, I saw Troy staring at me with a sad look. Almost an empty look.

I followed Sam down into the basement and he seemed a little tense, but if he was tense, he was doing good job of making sure I wasn't noticing it very much.

He turned around as he finally headed to where he normally sleeps and took in a deep breath and looked at me. "So, how was being locked up in your room for a few days?"

"Good. Because nobody bothered me after a while." I said, almost harshly.

Sam nodded and tried not to look like he was offended but I knew that he was. I never talked to Sam like this. Not ever. But that was when I trusted him. I don't know if I can anymore.

"Well…we all are really glad that you've finally decided to come out of the room. But Troy-"

"I don't want to hear about Troy." I said. Not yet at least…

"Okay…" Sam trailed off, "Well Kayla isn't very happy with you. She thought that you would have listened to her a long time ago so when she talks to you she'll probably be a little snappy. She's not really angry with you, but she's kind of hurt that you wouldn't talk to her at all."

"She's upset because she lied to me?"

"Well…that's a little harsh-"

"Sam. You all lied to me about something as important as Zak's life. Why would you do that to me? And if anything, someone should have told me! I'm the closest to him!"

"Gabi-"

"Don't Gabi me!"

I turned out and ran up the stairs and slammed the basement door in Sam's face as I heard him calling my face. I felt Troy and Kayla's eyes on me as I turned the corner and ran towards the stairs and ran up to my room, hearing Sam's footsteps behind me.

I slammed the door and leaned against it, breathing hard. How could Sam think like that? How could Sam think that this was my fault? That I was being stubborn?

"Gabi!" I felt the vibrations of the door from his knocking beat through my body.

"I'm sorry Gabi, I'm just frustrated. Can we please talk?"

"No." I said.

"I really am sorry. I don't know what I'm saying half the time. You know that and I'm really sorry that I said that. You know what I meant. Kayla and I are both really sorry. Kayla is a little frustrated but I think you both have a right to be."

"Of course you'd say that. You are dating her." I said, realizing what I just said.

And before I knew it, Sam was twisting the doorknob and pushing with all his might to get through, knocking me over.

He stood over me, glaring. "You knowthat's not true Gabriella Montez. I would never choose over the two of you. You both mean a lot to me, but right now, you're being a stubborn…" he trailed off, "I hate to say it, but you're being a stubborn bitch! ZAK misses you right now. He's sick and you're not comforting him. You're here moping because some of your friends made some stupid , bad mistakes. We're all sorry. Most of all, TROY is sorry. I don't care if you don't want to hear it. You were the one who always told me to face my fears head on. And look at what you're doing? You're hiding, being a coward in your room not facing the facts." He breathed, trying to calm himself down and stared at me, his face softening.

"I love you Gab. I care about you. If you're mad about what I just said, then I'm sorry—no…I'm not sorry. I just want you to realize things now before it's too late. Before you lose your friends. And because I am your friend, I'll make sure Kayla stays downstairs."

And with that, he turned around and closed the door behind me.

I stared at that door for a long time.

What was I doing?

I was throwing away years of friendship and time with a new friend that was dying. I was losing the love of my life…

Okay so turns out, I had the majority of this chapter written but I just…forgot about it and didn't finish writing it so I hope you guys enjoy it and you aren't too mad at me for not updating for months. I'm sorry.