Dear Lily…

Chapter One

I ran inside the LA hospital as the phones continue to ring and the building became crowded as patients and their families, as well as doctors and nurses running around like crazy people. I inhaled as I take in the first day of me being a doctor. Doctor Gabriella Montez. I can feel the rush through me as I passed by the board with my name on it. Already saying I have a patient. Walking in the locker room I spotted my best friend Taylor Mckessie as she is already making herself at home. She sat on the bench with her knees prop up and her black hair slick back into a high bun.

"Look at you Doctor Mckessie," I said as I open my locker that stood on the other side of her.

"Well, good morning Doctor Montez, can't you believe it… 8 years later and we are finally doctors." She said as she put her book in her locker. She is changing into her scrubs while I did to. Taylor Mckessie has been my best friend since we were roommate freshman year in college. It was fate. We both are so a like and she grown to be a sister that I never had.

"I know right? Do you have any surgeries today?"

"I actually have two patients… It's kind of heartbreaking to know how busy this hospital is right now."

Before I could say a word in, my pager went off. "Well, I got to run! See you later, Tay!" I close my locker and run out, not without a last wave to Taylor and wishing her luck on her first day. As soon as I get to the ICU room, I hear my name being called as a group of nurses are pushing a bed towards one of the surgical rooms.

"What do we have here?" I ask as I keep the same pace as the nurses.

"Lilian Williams, age 74, she was in a hit and run, her brain is having external bleeding." One of the nurses said as we finally made it to the room. I was already being prep to start my first surgery of the day. "Also, Captain said this is your patient, on your watch."

I nod as I look at the face that looked like in peace, "it's okay Mrs. Williams, you are in good hands. I will not give up on you." I said to the close eye face.

As I finish my last surgery of the day, I couldn't help but feel that rush where I save two lives today. My first thought was to check up on Lilian Williams due to the fact I haven't heard any news of her awakening since the surgery was successful. I walk to her room, smiling at the nurses that congratulated me on the surgeries. I knock softly on the door of my patient and see a young looking girl with glasses look at me from seat next to my patient.

"Hi, I'm Doctor Montez, are you a relative to Lilian Williams?" I ask as I check Lilian's pulse and chart.

"I'm Kelsi Nelson, I'm her granddaughter," she gets up smiling politely, "is she going to be okay? Nobody has told me anything yet, until you got out of your last surgery." She looked worried and she holds on to her grandmothers hand as she waits for the news.

I smile, "she is perfectly fine and she is stable. Your grandmother is a fighter, I hope you know." Kelsi smiled as she kiss her grandmothers forehead. I watch as Lilian stirs awake and looks at me.

"Joseph?" She asked as Kelsi frown.

"No, Gram, it's Kelsi, your granddaughter. This is Doctor Montez, she save your life."

Lilian eyes lost a sparkle but still put on a smile. "Oh, my dear, I am sorry." She tries to get up but coughs weakly.

I go up to Lilian and gave my smile, "you are a very strong lady, Mrs. Williams. How you feeling?"

"Lily, you may call me Lily. Kelsi, my dear you look tired. It seems like I am in good hands. Why don't you go home and get some sleep." She said as she picks up Kelsi hand planting a kiss.

"Are you sure? Gram, I am okay staying here." Kelsi ask worriedly

"I can stay here for a bit and keep an eye on her. I was planning to stay here anyways." I smiled politely. Even though I made plans with Taylor and Sharpay Evans (my current roommate) to celebrate our first day of our careers, I don't think they will mind if I am an hour late.

Kelsi smiles at me, "thank you, Doctor Montez, oh if she ask for her box, it is right here…" Kelsi said as she hands me a box that felt a bit heavy. The carvings had Lily's name on it. "She will want to read something out of it once in a while."

I look at the box and then to Lily's sleepy face. "Okay, I will call you if anything happens or even the nurses. Just leave your number and name at the Nurse desk."

She nods and thanks me again as she leaves. I take out my phone texting Taylor and Sharpay saying I will be an hour late. I receive a text from both of them saying they will wait for me at my apartment. I put Lily box down before I walk out to grab a snack and a bottle water. I walk back in and see Lily awake, staring out the window. She has tears in her eyes and I knock softly on the door letting her know I am in the room.

"Well, how was your nap Lily? You doing alright?" I say while sitting on the chair that Kelsi was sitting on.

She looks at me and smiles weakly, "I am in a hospital bed and having someone take care of me… I think I'm fantastic," she says sarcastically. It made me giggle as her eyes sparkle at me. "You, my child, have a beautiful smile and laugh. I bet you have a wonderful man at home."

I blush as she takes in my face features. "Oh, I don't have time for a boyfriend."

"How old are you?"

"I am 27, do I look very old to you?" I say jokingly.

"You look very young, my child. You are still young, why are you still here with me? Why don't you go enjoy your young life and find a handsome boy," she smiles.

I giggle, "Ah, but I want to hang out with you for a little bit, just to make sure you are still young and healthy as ever before I leave." I wink at her. I see her eyes lock on the box next to me, "do you want your box?"

Lily looks at the box, "Did you see what is inside the box?"

I never thought about opening it. But I was curious. It look like there was a lot of memories in the box as Lily lost a little bit spark in her eye that I thought I got back. "No, may I ask what's in it?" She finally looks at me again and she smiles.

"Open it… and will you read me the first letter?" She ask and I pick up the box opening it slowly. I was amazed how many letters was in this box. It look like about more than 200 letters. I look for the first letter being careful, the letters looked very old and fragile. I finally find the first letter and I grab it. Then open it slowly.

Dear Lilian Williams,

Or should I start off by saying 'Dear Lily Williams". I wouldn't want you to be hitting me with your book again by saying your name wrong. I couldn't believe that me, out of all people who didn't believe in love… fell in love at first sight. I can still hear your voice as you sang a Christmas coral walking through the park. You had your purse and held tightly to a book as you sang a skip through the park, ignoring every stare you got. Age 16, and you put a smile on my face. You sat down in your blue school uniform with her brown curly hair up in a high pony tail. I just knew, I had to get to know this strange girl.

I purposely through the baseball towards you, it laid right next to your foot. You didn't even notice, you were just so into a romance novel that I never heard of. When I got close to you to grab the ball. Your eyes still never left that book. You intrigued me more and when I finally said hello. You look at me frightened and hit me hard with your book. It made me laugh that your self-defense was hitting me with your book. You look angry as I continue to laugh and yelled at me saying, "How dare you disrespect Lilian Williams!"

I smile as you said your whole name. For a girl who was frighten easily, she was very open about her name. That was something we need to work on. Not having you scream your name out in the open, in front of a stranger. "Lilian Williams, huh?" She looks at me with shock eyes. "No, it is Lily Williams. Now shooo… Stop disturbing me." I can't forget how feisty you were and I knew… in that moment. You have my heart.

"Well, Lilian Williams… I'm Joseph Endress. I hope I will get to see you again." I knew the wink was a cocky attempt to get your feisty out. Soon I was hit again by your book. You screamed at me saying it was "Lily" not "Lilian". I grab my ball and wink again as I ran off. I will always remember that conversation. I will always remember the way you stood with one hand on her hip and your piercing blue eyes glaring right at me. I knew that no matter what, I was going to see you again. I knew that fate will bring us together.

Love,

Joseph Endress

I finish reading the letter as I got goosebumps and look into Lily's eyes who had tears in it.

"He did find me. Actually, that cocky boy follow me everywhere till I finally said I would go to the school carnival with him." She smiles a little.

I smile a little, curious about what happen next. I know Lily could tell as she continue her story about this mystery man. "He was my first love. Though he was from a family that my parents would never respect or accept. What could I say, my papa had money and his family didn't. Therefor we couldn't be together. But we made sure we stayed together. My child, don't waste your time here with me. Go enjoy your life. You are only young once."

I look at the letters in the box, "Lily, may I come back and read more of these letters with you?" I look at the time and I knew I should be heading home. But I was intrigue. It was a love story and I was pull into it.

Lily looks at me with another smile, she put her hand over mine, "You can continue reading the letters and when you come back on her next shift, you can read me some more. How about that?"

I nod eagerly. "Let me check everything to see if they are okay before I leave." Which I did. My mind was flooded with questions. I knew Lily was too exhausted to even explain to me. I guess I have to read the letters.

"and Doctor Montez, go make memories. When you are my age… these memories is more valuable than you think it is."

Like Sharpay and Taylor promise, they did wait for me. They were already having a glass of wine waiting for me to finish getting ready. Taylor and I met Sharpay Evans during freshman orientation of college. We weren't close to her till Senior Year and we were all studying for Grad school prep exams. She soon became my roommate with Taylor and I, until Taylor decide to live with her sister. It was just Sharpay and I, with many visits of Taylor. We are the three musketeers, though Taylor and I were doctors and Sharpay is a fashion designer.

I walk out of my room with my long Burnette curls lay on my chest, I threw on some dark skinny jeans with a purple low V top that hugged my curves. I did put on some make up and put on some flats. Soon we had a few shots in us and headed off to the club once the uber driver finally made it to the house.

"Ah, girls! We finally made it to the huge chapter of our lives!" Sharpay says as she screams over the music that was blasting in the club.

"Cheers ladies!" Taylor puts her drink up and clinked with ours.

We took a few more shots and had a few more drinks and the alcohol has hit our system as I felt buzz but didn't know about Taylor or Sharpay. We were on the dance floor, moving our bodies to the bass of the electronic music. As soon as our drinks were done we went back to the bar to grab some more. We were laughing and still dancing, until two boy's shows up giving interest in Taylor and Sharpay.

"Hello Ladies, up for any shots?" the one with an afro winks at Taylor, as she roll her eyes. "Or how about some body shots?"

"Oh please, if that's how you are going to pick me up, you will have to do a little bit better." Taylor says as the afro dark skinned boy frown. His friend laugh and order 6 shots. That made me a little bit confuse.

The afro man's friend, who had the same color skin smile at us and stuck out his hand towards Sharpay, "I am Zeke Baylor, this is my boy Chad Danforth."

Sharpay puts on her million dollar smile and gets closer to him, Taylor and I knew that she was completely interested. "I am Sharpay Evans."

The afro man name Chad looks at Taylor like a love sick puppy, "and you are?"

"Taylor Mckessie, not interested." I knew she was interested, she just wanted to keep this boy on his toes. I giggle at the game she was playing.

"Yo, guys, I thought you said you were going to wait for me on the other side of the bar." A blue eye boy came out of nowhere.

"Oh, we were until we saw these pretty ladies, and thought we should give them our wonderful presence." Chad said winking at Taylor who scoff. The blue eye boy eyes look at all of us and I gave him a small smile and wave when he caught my eye. He was breathtaking. His dirty blonde hair was cut and spike up, his piercing blue eyes were vibrant and his upper body was muscular. "This is Taylor, that's Sharpie…"

Sharpay scowled at him, "It's Sharpay!"

Chad swallowed and then look at me," Sorry I didn't catch your name…"

I giggled at how scare Chad was of Sharpay. "I'm Gabriella Montez."

"Troy Bolton." The blue eye hunk says still staring at me, hmm his name sounds familiar. "So what was your reason of going out tonight?"

"It was Taylor and I first day of the job, so we are celebrating." I say as I continue to dance to the music.

Zeke comes with the shots and we all took it at the same time. We follow them to a booth after getting another drink each. We all sat as we talked.

"What do you guys do?" Chad ask as he puts his arm on the seat behind Taylor.

"Taylor and Gabriella here are neurosurgeons at Los Angeles hospital. I am a fashion designer." Sharpay says like she is a proud parent. "What you guys do?"

Before Troy could speak, Chad jump in and did the honors, "Zeke here owns his own restaurant and is the best cook in the world, Troy boy and I play for the Lakers."

I knew his name sounded familiar, "Oh, so is that suppose to impress me?" Taylor says as Chad's cocky smile disappear. She isn't really taking it easy on him.

"wh-well uhh.." Chad stumbles on finding words. Troy, Sharpay, Zeke and I laugh quietly as Taylor smirks. "Well, I guess not." He says. We all talked and continue drinking. Zeke and Sharpay disappear on the dance floor. As Chad and Taylor drunkily got closer and had a conversation with themselves. Taylor still playing hard to get while Chad is not giving up.

I watch as them too got into a deep conversation, I didn't realize Troy staring right at me. I could feel his body move closer to mine as he whisper in my ear," Want to dance? Leave these two alone for a bit?" I felt shivers go down my spine and I turn to him not realizing how close our faces are. I nod my head and we both finish our drink with one gulp. He leads me to the dance floor as we dance face to face and then he twirled me around putting his hands on my hips and pulling me closer to him. My back was face to him as I started to close my eyes and grind on him to the beat of the song. I hear him moan a little bit as a he pull me even more closer. I felt his breath on my neck and his hands wondering around my body. I had butterflies in my stomach and I felt a little light headed. I cannot believe I am dancing with the one and only Troy Bolton. Well… I cant believe I am grinding on Troy Bolton. I look up to him over my right shoulder as his head got closer and closer.

Then the lights turn on. Meaning… the club was closing down. Everyone groan and Troy and I shot away from each other. He rubbed the back of his neck smiling at me. "Here let us walk you back to your place?" He grab my hand and we soon ran into everyone else. I blush as Troy gave me his coat and pulled me in closer to him.

"This was sooooo much fun! We all should get together again!" Sharpay said drunk. She was leaning onto Zeke and he seems like he was pretty drunk as well.

"Oh yeah! I'm having an opening with my restaurant on Saturday night. You guys should come! The opening will be so much better with this gorgeous girl right next to me." Zeke says as he puts his arm around Sharpay. She giggles as he kissed her cheek.

Troy and I stay quiet as we watch our friends make drunk fools of themselves. I can feel the alcohol in my system but having Troy next to me made me nervous.

"I had a great time," Troy said breaking the silence. "I'm guessing we will see more of each other." He winks at me and I couldn't help but blush again.

"I don't know, maybe…" I say as I walk backwards looking at him, teasing him a bit. The alcohol was helping me push the nervous feeling aside.

"Why maybe?" Troy raises his eyebrow in amuse. Keeping close to me watching my every move.

I smirk at him as I watch him check me out, "because I don't have your number and you don't have mine… and these guys… are too drunk to realize they don't have a way to contact each other." I wink at him and Troy picks up his pace and grabs my waist.

"Ah, you are such a tease. Maybe we should change that huh?" He gets closer to my face. Before he could kiss me. I threw his jacket back at him and ran through the sprinklers that was going off in the park. Taylor soon followed me as we started dancing like weirdos in the sprinklers. Sharpay was too caught up in Zeke to notice. I look at Troy and stuck my tongue at him. He drop his jacket and soon ran off towards me picking me up and spinning me around. "You are crazy…"

"Oh, I know… but can you handle it?" I ask in a whisper as he put me back on my feet. If he still didn't have a strong grip on me.. I knew just then I would probably fall over because my knees felt a bit weak.

I felt like he was going to kiss me the closer his face got to me. Instead he pushes me back towards the sprinkles making me even more soaking wet. I glared at him as he runs off and I ran after jumping on his back.

Oh Lily, here is to making memories.