"Keep Holding On"
Summary: Gabriella Montez was born with a congenital heart defect. Her and Troy Bolton have been best friends since they were three. When she's rushed to the hospital in a near-dying experience, will she go or will she keep holding on?
"You're not alone, together we stand
I'll be by your side, you know I'll take you hand
When it gets cold and it feels like the end
There's no place to go, you know I won't give in
No, I won't give in
Keep Holding On
'Cause you know we'll make it through, we'll make it through
Just stay strong
'Cause you know I'm here for you, I'm here for you
There's nothing you could say
Nothing you could do
There's no other way when it comes to the truth
So keep holding on
'Cause you know we'll make it through, we'll make it through"
"Hey, Troy," Gabriella Montez enveloped her best friend in a mirthful hug. She latched her hands together behind his back as he tumbled into the white hospital bed she was currently laying on. "Morning, Brie," he replied happily and kissed her head. Ever since that shocking-tear-jerking Saturday night, when Gabriella was rushed to the hospital, Troy had never wanted to leave her side. He was as attached to her as a limb attached to your body. But Gabriella wasn't even close to complaining. She knew this diagnosis could kill her, she knew she had a twenty-five out of one hundred percent of living. And if having Troy by her side made that wash away with one swipe like a wave washing away a sandcastle, then so be it.
Gabriella snuggled closer to Troy as her hand eased into his bigger one. If she were to die right here, right now, she would die happy because Troy is in her arms and she's in his. She loved Troy, but not as a big brother or just as a friend. She wanted more than that, but what will happen if she dies? It would be hard for him to cope now if she were to die, but if they were actually together? Wherever she went, she too wouldn't be able to look you straight in the eyes with a big smile plastered on her face and say, "I'm happy." She would never be happy if she could never see her Troy again. She would die twice.
"How are you doing?" He asked looking down at her. Gabriella let her lips twitch into a smile and she nodded slightly. "I'm fine. But I'm better since you're here now." Troy grinned down at her, his cobalt eyes shimmering. Gabriella loved his eyes. They were almost translucent and they shined down on her like a single star glowing in the sky. And then his smile. Every time he smiles his teeth show and they glint down at her. His soft pink lips part and they create a wavy pattern. She just wanted to melt in his arms and claim that he is all hers.
"Troy?" Gabriella asked, her breathing rising up. Troy looked down at her and immediately pulled her into a sweltering hug. She was shivering with each breath she took, her lips had a small blue twinge around them. "I'm cold," she chattered. Troy just moved her so she was flush against him. They were close, so close that their breath hit the others face. Gabriella swallowed sharply and held herself back from just leaning in and capturing his lips in a sweet, caring, heart-shattering kiss like she's always wanted to since she was thirteen-years-old.
"Hang in there, Brie," Troy whispered and shifted so he could place a lingering kiss to her temple. Gabriella shivered at the contact and looked back up into his crystal like eyes, her milky brown eyes melting as if they were really milk chocolate melting from heat. And in her description, his narrow eyes reflected heat and her brown ones were cold, icy, and just by taking one look at him, she immediately melted. Her stomach turned as she thought of this. Was she supposed to fall in love? What was the point when she could die?
"Troy," Gabriella breathed quietly. "If I die - "
"Don't say that," Troy responded densely. Gabriella looked up into his eyes, They were different, sapphire blue and they looked as if they were actually hard as the jewel. Gabriella's mouth went gape as she stared at him. "I'm sorry," she admitted and placed a cool hand to his cheek which made him shiver involuntarily. "But, if I were to die, but I'm not saying I am; What would you do?"
Troy's heart dropped and crumbled. His fist gripped hard at her floral hospital gown making his first turn white as the clouds floating aimlessly in the sky. Then, tears unexpectedly leaked form his eyes. "Don't say that," he begged. "Please. Gabriella you're not going to die. I won't let that happen. I'll give you my heart if I have to. You have to keep holding on, Brie. I'm by your side. You can't leave." Gabriella grasped at his begging. Then she looked sadly up into his eyes. "Unless they find me a new heart I can't promise that, Troy."
"Then I'll give you my heart."
"No. You're not sacrificing your life for mines," Gabriella told him. "Plus, even if you did, I would refuse. This is my problem. Not yours."
"I don't care," Troy said. "I'll do anything for you, because..." His voice trailed off and Gabriella tried to read his features. He ran his hand down his face and Gabriella grabbed his wrist in her hands. "Because what, Troy?"
"Because I love you, Brie," Troy responded. Gabriella shut her eyes closed and let her hand trail up to his hair. She raked her hand through in numerous times then shook her head, now pulling at the silky felt hair. Troy grabbed her forearms and pressed his sizzling lips to hers. Then he pulled back. "I love you, Brie. I love you more than anything and I know you love me, too."
"No, Troy, no," Gabriella sobbed and pulled out of his grasp. "You can't love someone who is going to die soon."
"You're not going to die," Troy yelled infuriated that she is still on that topic. "You can't or else I'll die, do you understand?" Troy grabbed her back and Gabriella gasped. She gripped his shoulders and rolled on top of him, her breath not at a normal rate and it scared both of them greatly. Her chest heaved and she clutched his red shirt in her small hands. "I love you, Troy," she admitted finally. "But you don't want me. You don't want this." She was using up a lot of oxygen and with the lack of oxygen her heart held, she felt like she was going to collapse any moment now and die. Troy let his hands ease around her petite wrist that were showing her popping veins. "I do want you, Brie. I'll always want you."
"I want you, too," she gushed and finally let her fist unwind around his shirt and let them run through his tussled hair. Troy's right hand smoothly run up her arm then to her shoulder and then finally to her neck. Gabriella breathed in a much needed breath and Troy pulled her down to him, their lips meeting on the way. Gabriella let go of the strands of hair that were slicing into her flesh and let them drop down to his neck as well. The two teenagers fell into a pit of love as the kiss continued. It was a slow kiss, both taking their time to cherish the taste of the person they love.
"I love you, Brie," Troy whispered once he pulled back from the kiss. Gabriella dropped from straddling him and they both turned so they were facing each other. Gabriella draped her arm over his muscular shoulder and smiled, her breathing fast as anything. "I love you, too," she panted between breaths. Troy's smile retreated and he pulled her close. "Breathe, Brie."
"I'm trying," she winded and gripped his shirt. Her heart started to burn increasingly and she let her arms fall, now flimsy as ever. Slowly her body regained its breath and she looked up at Troy. "I'll keep holding on, Troy," she whispered.
"I know you will," he whispered. "You have to."
What did you think? Do you mind reviewing? Please?
~~~Nessa Kiss
