3 months later

"Gabriella Montez" the doctor called out. Gabriella was sitting alone anxiously in an empty waiting room. She was the last appointment of the day and she was alone. Troy wanted to go with her but she knew this appointment would not be like the rest. It was the doctor that had called her in, she didn't make the appointment, and she knew any more bad news would tear Troy apart. She couldn't bare to see that happen so she knew the best thing would be to go alone. He didn't understand but she was stubborn.

Gabriella placed her magazine back in the stand and slowly walked towards the door. She sat on the white wooden chair worriedly and stared at the doctor, looking for any facial expression that may give away why she was there. She got nothing. And that made her even more restless. The doctor let out a loud sigh and pulled out a sheet of paper, holding all of Gabriella's details and progress. He stared at the young 16-year-old girl in sympathy.

"I'm afraid Gabriella I have called you in because I have some bad news." Gabriella's heart sank and her eyes began to water. 'What could be worse than the news she had already received just a few months before?' she thought. The doctor continued, "After getting the results back from the tests we did a few weeks ago it seems that the cancer has spread". The doctor saw the young girl tear up and he struggled to continue. "Your progress isn't as good as it was at the beginning of the treatment Gabriella and the doctor's are not sure how much longer she can continue with the treatment, it's not helping you anymore". Gabriella's heart broke and she suddenly felt like the whole world had fallen down on her. She struggled to keep the tears in but she had learnt to cope and that is all she could do.

"So what's going to happen Doctor?" She was dreading the answer that was to follow. The Doctor took a deep breath and carried on.

"Gabriella we think it would be best to stop the treatment and let things happen as they should. The cancer has spread too much to fully treat and the treatment has not helped you at all this past month, your progress has not improved and I think it would be best to end treatment now, I'm so sorry Gabriella" Gabriella tried to stay strong but she was done trying to act brave, she couldn't do it anymore. She felt numb from shock and her eyes filled up with tears. She could not hold them back any longer and water began tumbling down her pale colourless cheeks uncontrollably.

"How long Doctor?" she squeaked quietly. The Doctor shook his head; he did not want to give such terrible news to somebody so young. It was the part of being a Doctor he hated.

"Not long Gabriella, not long." That news was the last straw for Gabriella as crumbled to the floor, tears falling down her face, mascara smudged around her eyes. She did not know how she would cope. She was only 16, she had dreams and ambitions, and she had a family and a boyfriend. Her life could not be over; it had not even fully begun. Worst of all, she had to find a way to break the news to Troy; it was going to tear him apart.

"Anyone can give up; it's the easiest thing in the world to do. But to hold it together when everyone else would understand if you fell apart, that's true strength."