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I know I said that Runaway would be coming to an end, but I don't think so. I guess I just really don't know what I'm doing with this story, I'm just rolling with the punches, so we'll see. I'd like to thank: itsi3, TracyEvansLuvsHSM, vanilla902, Artemesia-Hime, ..Seraphina.x., yourangel0415, hsmhsm, Kro22, daddysprincess3488, Persephone Lemonade, and I-Fizzy for their reviews and help! It means a lot to me!

Chapter 26: A Little Help

The entire cafeteria was silent, watching the Wildcats. Troy took a deep breath, "It's good to know exactly how everyone feels and exactly who my friends are." And he turned around. Sharpay, Zeke, Ryan, and Jason were on his heels, leaving Taylor, Chad, Kelsi, and Martha to realize that they may have just ruined their friendships.

"He's not really going to side with Gabriella over us." Martha said indignantly.

"I really don't know." Taylor looked at her lap. "I guess I really put my foot in my mouth this time." She mumbled. "What was I thinking?" She sighed. "I guess I wasn't."

"You only spoke the truth baby." Chad picked up her hand and kissed the back of it, "Ever since she walked into the gym that day things have been spiraling out of control."

"Chad's right about that." Kelsi gave Taylor a smile. "We'll see what happens. Troy's a loyal person. And we've been his friends for forever." She paused, "Don't forget, you're his best friend Chad, he can't turn his back on you."

Troy led the way to the rooftop garden. His heart broke when he heard the sobs of his girlfriend. Her little body shaking as she sat on the bench, her hands helplessly sitting in her lap.

Troy nodded to Sharpay. They took seats on either side of her.

"Oh Pay, I'm so sorry I snapped at you. I guess it really doesn't matter, I just didn't want to burden anybody. Taylor's right, it's all I've been. A burden." Gabriella cried, looking tiredly at her best friend.

"You're far from a burden." Sharpay said quietly, wrapping her arms around Gabriella's tiny body, drawing her close, and rocking the crying girl back and forth.

When her sobs subsided, she wiped her eyes, "What are you guys doing here?" She asked.

"What do you mean Briella?" Jason asked, "We're your friends and you're upset. Where else would we be?"

"But Taylor?"

"Forget Taylor babe, they'll come around." Troy said, pulling her on his lap.

"Where are Chad, Martha, and Kelsi?" Gabriella asked quietly.

"With Taylor." Ryan whispered, kneeling between her legs, "But we're here and we're not going anywhere. I promise." Ryan kissed the back of her hand lightly.

"Thank you guys. And I'm so sorry, I just didn't want to burden you with my nightmares." Gabriella quietly admitted.

"It's far from a burden." Jason commented, "We're here for you, it'll help if you talk to us."

Gabriella nodded, "I've just been having nightmares about my dad and my brother."

"What was his name?" Ryan asked.

"Michael, he died four years ago from cancer. He was eight. It's stupid I know." Gabriella shook her head.

"It's not stupid El, it's never stupid." Zeke told her.

Gabriella smiled, "You guys are the best friends I could ever ask for." Everyone got quiet as the bell rang.

"Time for science." Sharpay stood up and offered her hand out to Gabriella, "We gotta face the devil sometime."

"Taylor is not a devil Sharpay Michelle Evans." Gabriella scolded her.

"Who said anything about Taylor. I was talking about Mrs. Zeiner." Sharpay shuddered at the thought of their A.P. Chem teacher. Giggling, Gabriella tossed a wink over her shoulder to Troy, signaling that she was okay.

As they walked into science, Zeke, Troy, Sharpay, Ryan, and Gabriella found Kelsi, Martha, and Taylor already in their seats. Taking in a deep gulp of air, Gabriella unlatched herself from Sharpay's grasp and went to sit in her seat.

Giving Taylor a small smile she muttered a greeting, "Hey guys."

Troy glanced over at them, the anger towards them evident in his glare, which was also echoing off of Sharpay, Ryan, and Zeke. No one in the room moved. They just watched the terrifying exchange before them. Taylor, Martha, and Kelsi said nothing.

As Jason walked into his Calculus classroom, he noted that Chad was already in his seat. Pasting a cold mask on his face, he took his seat next to one of his closest friends. "Danforth."

Chad looked at him, his own face mirroring the same rage, "Cross." Mr. Nash watched in fear as the two made the cold exchange.

Gabriella glanced at her open locker. The boys had free period work out. Would Taylor, Martha, and Kelsi watch? Chad had to be there, he was the Co-Captain of the team. Feeling a presence next to her, she smiled at Sharpay and Ryan, waiting at her locker. Troy, Jason, and Zeke had already left for the gym.

"We don't have to go Boo, Troy would completely understand." Sharpay gave her a big smile, a smile a best friend would give her upset friend.

"I'm fine." Gabriella nodded. As they reached the gym, Gabriella took a breath, "You guys go in, I'll be right back."

Before either Sharpay or Ryan could protest, Gabriella was out of sight. Walking towards the Boys' Locker Room she took a deep breath and opened the door quietly. She was greeted with an eerie silence.

She found a small crevice where she could watch the players exit from and stood quietly there. Just waiting. She watched as Zeke and Jason walked out talking quietly. She watched as Evan and Orlando exited confused as ever. She watched as player after player left. Then came the one she was looking for. Grabbing his arm, she pulled him around to face her. Placing a finger over her lips to silence him, until the final locker slammed shut and Captain Troy Bolton was gone, leaving them alone in the locker room.

"Look Chad." Gabriella took a deep breath. "I know you're siding with Taylor, Martha, and Kelsi. And I know you're upset cause I kept some stuff from you. And I'm sorry." Chad scoffed. She refrained from rolling her eyes, after all what did he know?

"Look, all I'm saying is don't push Troy away. He's your best friend. You're really going to give up 18 years just because you think I bring drama?" She ran a hand through her long locks and turned to leave. She stopped when she reached the door, "And did you ever think that maybe I didn't ask for all this drama? Did it ever occur to you how it may be affecting me? That just maybe I wished that it'd all go away and that I'd wake up and find myself in my bed in Jacksonville, with my mom still alive and my dad still being the adoring father. And maybe even my little brother asleep down the hall, cancer free?" She sighed again, "Did you ever think that maybe I didn't plan on ruining your life or making it difficult? This isn't exactly where I'd thought I'd be now, but reality check Chad, it is."

"Did you ever think that maybe we aren't used to all this drama?" Gabriella turned around to face Chad. "I mean what about us Gabriella? What about the fact that you're hurting us by hiding all this shit about your past? Maybe by doing that you're causing more unnecessary drama?"

"Maybe I'm trying to keep the burden off of your shoulders by not telling you." Gabriella's voice was becoming unsteady. "Maybe I'm not ready to tell you all yet. Maybe it's just too close to home."

"After all we've been through and you can't tell us stuff like this?" Chad's eyes were wide with incredulity.

"After all we've been through and you can't trust that in time I will tell you and that for now, I'm doing the best that I can? After all we've been through you can't stick by me and just be there when I need you? After all you and Troy have been through and you're just going to desert him when he needs you?"

Brushing off the couple of stray tears the walked through the doors of the gym and went to sit next to Sharpay and Ryan. Glancing over she saw Taylor, Martha, and Kelsi talking amongst themselves.

This separation was ridiculous. It was stupid. It was caddy. It was petty. It was high school. She thought the Wildcats were above the usual high school cliques and dramatics. They had such a mix. Jocks, nerds, theater geeks. Everything. They were accepting of everyone. And yet here they all sat, immersed in this high school drama.

All this pain, all this suffering. All this stupidity. Did any of them ever think that maybe she kept things to herself to protect them? To keep them from dealing with more of her family drama? Did it ever cross their minds that maybe she didn't ask to be here? That she wished things could be like they were?

Her eyes drifted out to the court. Chad had appeared and a scrimmage had started. But maybe it wasn't so bad. Maybe it was how it was supposed to be. And maybe they just had to figure it out for themselves. But how much would they be willing to risk to find that answer?

Her eyes drifted back to the girls sitting away from them. Maybe they just needed a little help. Maybe that's what everyone needs: a little help.

Review! I know it's short, I'm sorry, but at least it's something.

Mollie XOXO