DISCLAIMER:
I do not own High School Musical or any of it's characters, content, storylines, people, or places.
This disclaimer goes for all chapters of this story!
LEARNING TO BREATHE
Prologue:
Gabriella's eyes sparkled with tears as she stood in the doorway that led into her living room. There it was, the perfect Christmas tree. Or so Troy had said. The colored lights wrapped around the prickly green branches and nestled deep into the heart of the tree. Ornaments that both she and Troy had made when they were children decorated the tree along with some of their newer ones, filling Gabriella's head with unwanted memories. Sure she wanted to remember Troy, but she hated the ache that rested in her heart every time she did. She couldn't believe that it had only been three weeks ago that they stood in front of that same Christmas tree and admired their handiwork. It felt more like three years. But she could still remember the smile that had lit his face when he had carried the big, pine plant into their house and settled it in the corner of their living room.
She had imagined sitting in front of their tree and telling Troy the good news. There had been so many times when Gabriella guessed that her husband had wanted to hear that news, but she hadn't gotten the chance to give it to him.
Gabriella suddenly broke, her sobs shaking her small body as she laid her hand against her only slightly bulged stomach. She had no idea how she would ever survive life without her husband. They were supposed to have a big family together. She remembered how they had chuckled over the thought of them sitting in rocking chairs in front of their fireplace when they were in their eighties. How could things have turned to bad so quickly? She didn't understand why it had to be Troy that was killed. They were so happy together and Troy had been the perfect man. He didn't deserve to die the way that he had.
She sank to the floor, continuing to cry as memories of that awful day flooded her brain. They came in quick flashes and she felt trapped in the pain of each minute that led to the most tragic moment of her life. The moment when Ryan stood in her doorway and said, "There's something I have to tell you." She remembered the long pause, the way he couldn't seem to meet her gaze. Then she recalled the words that she feared would haunt her for the rest of her life. "Troy's dead, Gabriella."
Short, I know, but it was just a prologue. Anyway, this story first came into my mind as a songfic with the song "Not This Year" by Aly & AJ, but then I decided to make it a complete story. I hope that ya'll will enjoy it, cause I'm really excited about this one!!
PLEASE REVIEW!!!
-LanaLang79