Author's Note-

I do not own anything related towards 'High School Musical'.

Chapter Eight-

Patience is a virtue. Troy hated that expression. Troy was a patient man, but today he couldn't bare it as time passed on waiting for her arrival. It was beginning to gnaw at him. How did he even get in this mess? He thought he had it planned out so well. He thought wrong. Today was going to be the worst day in his life all over again. He didn't want to go through the pain again. He didn't want to experience seeing her after so much lost time. But he had to do this. He thought everything was sorted when he left. But he was wrong again. His life, job and girlfriend had been going perfectly for the past 2 months. But he knew never expected after such a long time of happy bliss, that he world was going to be crumbling down again.

As the clock stroked 3pm, Troy shot out of his armchair and ran to the door. He stood in front of it and waited. And waited. This was it. This was what he was dreading for the past week. This was the reason why Gabriella and him had been a bit distant. Why they had had an argument. Why she was avoiding his texts and calls. Why she hadn't spoken to him since yesterday afternoon after their first fight. All because of what he was waiting for. His wife, Julie Bolton. Soon to be Mrs Kyle Hunter.

When Troy had left he didn't even consider the possibility that Julie wouldn't sign the divorce papers. He thought it was the first thing she would do. That her and Kyle would jump up and down in happiness. This was what they wanted. It had been 7 long months since he had seen her. And he was dreading it. He knew it was a mistake. He regretted picking up the phone last week to hear her voice. Her happy voice in knowing that she finally found him. He wanted to hang up immediately but the news about how their divorce wasn't really finalized, made him stop in his tracks.

So he stood there still. Waiting for her taxi to arrive to his house. Knowing it was going to be as awkward as hell. That there was a possibility of a blow-up. He was hoping that he wouldn't have to endure Kyle or any of his friends. That would be too much for him. All that pain would resurface. And the only thing that could help him cope with that pain was ignoring him.

Truth was he didn't know where Gabriella was. And he so desperately wanted her there. He needed her. And it was his fault that she wasn't.

"Hi Troy. It's Julie again. I was just calling to remind you that I will be there tomorrow around 3 o'clock. Can't wait to see you. Bye."

Her voice was ringing around the room like an echo. It was torturer. Pure torture. Their was enough tension in the room as it was, and her message just made it that much worse. He was going to kill her for bad timing.

Troy pulled his eyes away from the phone and looked at his girlfriend. She was shaking. He didn't know whether or not it was because it was late and cold or because she was angry. He'd prefer the first.

"Tomorrow?" Her voice was so small, but he could hear the disgust and pain in it. And it killed him to know that he was part of the reason why she was hurting. "Here?" He realized she wasn't just asking him, but saying the words out loud to digest them.

"Brie. I swear I tried everything for her to not come here. I mean she's 7 months pregnant! But she was very insistent on coming here." He took a brave step towards her, but felt disappointment wash over him as he saw her take a step back. "Brie. I'm sorry. It's not like I want her here, ok? I was she never found me, but she did. And the sooner we get this over with, and I sign those papers, she's gone and we can go back to normal. Back to being happy."

"Troy there has to be something more. Like you said, she's 7 months pregnant. I don't think she's even allowed to board the plane in her condition, but she is. Because she wants to see you. What if she wants to get back together with you? What if she was wrong and her kid is your kid." He saw the realization of her words ring through her and once again saw pain on her beautiful face. "Oh God. That's it isn't it? You're a Father?"

Troy never told Gabriella that it was impossible for him to be the Father, seeing as he wasn't even in the same state as the time the child was conceived. He never told her he was at his Aunt's arrival. And now he wished he had.

"Brie, I assure you that I am not that kid's Father."

"But I bet you wished you were." The words hit like a ton of bricks. Truth be told he wished he was. He wished he was. Wished, as in past tense. He thought he was for a brief moment. But then Julie had to open her big, lying, cheating mouth. And then he forgot all bout it. Forgot about her. Forgot about Kyle. Forgot about the baby that could have been his. But now, it was going to be showing up tomorrow.

"Brie…I can honestly tell you that I don't wish the kid was mine. Because if it had of been mine, then I wouldn't be here in Albuquerque. That if Julie hadn't told me the truth, then I wouldn't be with you. So I'm glad that kid isn't mine. I'm glad that I'm here." He realized his voice had risen with every word he spoke. He wanted Gabriella to understand that he was happy now with her. That he actually had to be happy about what happened between him and Julie. He was thankful.

"Do you still love her?" Ok, those words hit him like a ton of bricks. Why was she so determined to start something. Anger was starting to brew inside of him, he just wanted to settle this and go to bed. He was over having the same discussion all week.

"Gabriella. I do not love her. You have to stop this. Stop with the insecurities. Please!"

"Insecurities? Insecurities!?!" Oh boy. "You bet your ass I'm insecure about this. I'm scared, because my boyfriends wife is coming here. For God knows why? I mean you even said all you have to do is sign the new papers and that's all. She doesn't need to fly out here. And yet…she is!"

Troy pinched the bridge of his nose. He understood that she had reason to be upset, but he so did he. And this was just putting more stress on him.

"God. Stop acting like this. I don't want her back. I do not love her. But your acting and speaking like I do. Even after countless of times, I have said that it is you that I want. So stop acting like a child not getting your way."

By now both of their once peaceful voices were risen and being spoken between gritted teeth.

"A child?" Oh shit."Brie. I didn't mean it like that. I just meant…" he took a deep breath, trying to be careful with his words. "it's just, this is an adult matter…no…I mean…I know you're an adult, it's just…this doesn't concern you." If he wasn't so stunned by his words he would have smacked his head. Of course she was apart of this. She was his girlfriend. He had been relying on her for her comfort. Her gentle voice. Her calming words. And now, he just went and a huge mistake. "Brie-" .

"No Troy. I get it. I'm just some dumb kid to you right?" He tried to butt in and tell her 'no', but she spoke to soon. "Well I guess because this doesn't concern me and I'm clearly not wanted here I'll just leave." Before he could even try and stop her, she had grabbed her bag and run towards the front door and slammed her goodbye.

As soon as he realized that she wasn't going to pick up her phone or text him back, he gave up and crashed on his bed. Before he knew it, it was late morning and he was late for work/school. He had tried to talk to Gabriella in school, but he couldn't find her and he didn't have her in any of his classes. He waited by his car to try and approach her by her car, but she was talking and laughing with some of her friends, and then some Blonde-haired guy approached her and it looked like they were having some discussion. He remembered her speaking of her friends, and was hoping that it was the same guy she described as her friend Ryan. His assumption was correct after he heard Gabriella yell out his full name in irritation and anger, but then saw her ramble on about something and then hug him. He wondered what they were talking about. But first he wanted their problems to be sorted out. He thought he could talk to her once they both arrived home at the same time, but he saw her drive in the opposite direction of where they both lived, and followed Ryan's car. It was painfully clear, she was avoiding him. So he went home and did the only thing he could. Wait.

Troy looked down to his phone. He thought about messaging Gabriella and telling her that he was again, sorry. And that he really wanted her to be there with him. That he needed her strength. But he noticed the time and saw that it was 3.10pm. Julie was late. Maybe she missed her plane. Or maybe she wasn't allowed on after all. No, God wasn't that kind. But then he heard it. The 3 light taps on his door. It was after 30 seconds he realized he had stopped breathing. He quickly composed himself and did a double take in the hall mirror and took a deep breath and slowly let his hand open the door.



She had been crying all night. She wasn't even going to go to school. But as soon as she got the text from Jason, she knew she had to be at school today. She had to be there for her friend. She tried to push the pain and confusion of Troy to the back of her mind. But she couldn't help herself and she took a peek through her blind on her balcony door and could see Troy's sleeping figure sprawled across his bed, still in the clothes he was in yesterday. She turned around and walked to her bed side table and picked her phone up. During all her tears she turned her phone on silent so she couldn't hear his ring tone going off every 3 minutes. Her eyes bulged out of her head as she saw she had 9 text messages and 17 missed calls. All, of course from Troy. She didn't know whether or not he was trying to apologize or that he wanted to yell at her more and tell her that she was a mistake and they were over. She didn't want ever hear those words from him. She dropped her phone in shock as her phone started vibrating and the song 'Dammit' by the 'Blink 182' rang off of her walls. Forgetting about Troy, her lips curved up into a smile and answered the phone.

"Hey Ryan." "Hey Gabs. What's up?"

"Nothing much. Just woke up. Why you calling so early? Didn't think you would be up at this time of morning." She heard his sarcastic 'Ha Ha' ring in her ear. "You know why I'm calling. It's been 2 months since Sharpay's thing, now it's you know whose." She could hear the sad tone he spoke with. She knew what he was talking about, and wished it wasn't time for another heartache.

"Yeah I know. How's our solider doing this morning?" Ryan's heavy sigh confirmed her worst thoughts. "Not so good. It gets harder. But we'll get through."

"Yeah we will. Everything will be ok in the end, if it's not ok, it's not the end." "Do you really believe that Gabs?"

"Not sure. But…at least it's something to believe in.""Guess your right. Anyway I'll let you get ready or whatever it does that makes you girls take forever and late." She could practically hear his huge grin. "See you at school Gabs.""Bye Ryan." She heard the dial tone and then pressed the touch screen of her i-phone and placed it back on her side table. She then went to start her morning routine.

She was officially starting to be really good at being stealth. She had been practicing her skills of tree-climbing. She wasn't as graceful as Troy, but she could at least do it. She took in some slight pride that she had avoided Troy all day. She had seen him seeking her throughout the mass of students in the hallway before homeroom. She distanced herself from his classroom, if she had to go near it, she took the different longer way around to her rooms. None of her friends had noticed her weirdness, they were to busy on worrying about someone else, someone who hadn't shown up at all today. Another thing she had been stressing about as well. Her life was so hectic at the moment, so her avoiding Troy of getting into another fight or getting dumped, was Gabriella taking some control of her out of hand life. She would avoid him, to relieve some stress, but avoiding was harder than she thought. On two occasions she had nearly been caught out by him, he was determined. She thanked God when the last bell rang for the day and her friends were all walking towards their cars, which as always were parked near each other. She watched as the others made for their cars, and also saw that Ryan was pro-longing his departure. He obviously wanted to speak to her. In the back of her mind, she swore she could feel someone's burning into the back of her head. As her head whipped around to the call of her name, her eye caught Troy standing by his car and staring intently at her. As she came closer towards Ryan, she pushed Troy to the back of her mind again.

"What's up Ryan?" She immediately saw the sadness and worry on his face.

"She obviously couldn't stand seeing me today, she didn't show up. And that's got to mean something, I mean, when was the last time she never showed up for school? Huh?"

The thought of her friend not missing a day of school in years had crossed her mind numerous times. She was a hard-worker and dedicated student. Amazing grades. But she highly doubted it was because of Ryan. He was being way too hard on himself.

"Ryan, the reason she isn't here isn't because of you. You know why she isn't. I think she just needed some time. I mean this has got to be harder on someone else to, you know."

"Yeah I know. But it was still my fault, wasn't it? I can hardly look both of them in the eye. It's so hard Gabs. After what he went through, I go and do that to him. To both them. I'm a monster."

"RYAN JOHN EVANS! You are not a monster. How dare you even think that. It was a mistake. Neither of them blame you. And I didn't mean him. I meant this has to be hard on you too."

"Yeah I guess. But it's got to be hard on you too." She could hear the concern in his voice and was glad she had a friend like him to take care of her.

"Yeah it is. But it's me. I've been through all sorts of pain. This was another blow to me. This is something I-we all got passed, but unfortunately we all have the unwanted talent of going through that pain we try so hard to push aside come back to us around the same time every year. And unfortunately it's this time again. So let's go and see our friend in need and help each other out. Ok?"

"Ok Gabs. I'll lead the way?"

She smiled up at him and gave him a hug, which in return she got a giant bear hug from him.

"Lead the way good sir." They both laughed as they let go and made their way towards their cars. She reversed her car and followed Ryan towards their friends house.



There she was. There was the beginning of the end. There was Julie Bolton, soon-to-be, Julie Hunter. She hadn't changed one bit. Except the bulge in her stomach sticking out. Her hair was still as Blonde as ever. Her eyes were still a Green, but Troy noticed something in them shine. They never were like this when they were together. Maybe everything that had happened, happened for a reason. But he was still weary and annoyed about her arrival. And desperate to know why she would put herself in a unhealthy condition with her pregnancy on a plane.

"Julie."

"Nice to see you Troy."

"Wish I could say the same." They stood there for a while just staring at each other, both unsure what to say. Both nervous wrecks. Only Troy could positively say that he wanted this over and done with as quick as possible, so he could go back to fixing things with Gabriella. He moved to the side and gestured for to enter his house. As she walked by him, he could smell her scent. The same Chanel perfume. The same shampoo. Once a time, the smells coming off from her use to make him melt, but now they just made him sick.

Julie stood still waiting to be lead by Troy into whatever room they had to discuss things. She followed him as he lead her in the lounge room. She followed his instruction to sit down and made herself comfortable.

"I would have thought you would have signed the divorce papers straight away. What was with the hold up?" He was going to get this done quick. Like ripping off a band-aid. The sooner this was done, the sooner she was gone. He carefully watched as she tried to form some kind of excuse in her head. Obviously she didn't come prepared.

"About that. Sorry. I guess things just got way out of hand and I forgot to sign them."

"You and I both know that's bullshit Julie. I know Kyle. He gets whatever he wants. That's the type of man he is. And your pregnant with his child, so he would want to be married before it's born, to make it wasn't a bastard, so why wait. I'm sure he's been pestering you all this time, has he not?" He saw her face turn in annoyance that he was right about everything. He could always read her really well.

"Yes. Your right about it all. Kyle has been begging for me to sign them. To make it official. We're engaged." her face turned into guilt and happiness at the same time. Was he suppose to feel joy about their up-coming nuptials? Was he suppose to attend it? Was he suppose to hug her in congratulations? What the hell was she expecting from him?
"What do you want me to say? Best wishes? Good luck? Hope you don't screw this marriage over too, by screwing another guy and getting knocked up."

"Look Troy. I know you were mad, but time has passed, can't we talk about this like adults?" That's when it hit him. He was acting like a child. A stubborn, pissed off child. Now he knew how Gabriella felt. He was just letting out his anger. His frustration. Venting. But this didn't change things for him, he wanted to be mature about this, he wished he could be the bigger man, but he was hurting too much. Being around her was killing him. He'd rather have a certain Brunette by his side.

"Julie, just tell me why your so you can leave. Anymore time with you is just wasted time. So can you please sign the damn papers and get this over with." He saw the flash of sadness and guilt rush across her face. But he wouldn't have it. He would not be pulled into her game again.

"I want you to come back." Troy could feel his heart beat faster and faster. He could feel his eyes bulging out of his head. He could feel the blood of anger rushing through him.

"What?" He hissed back at her, shocking her with his ice tone.

"We all want you to come back. Come back home Troy. Please. We all miss you. We're sorry that we lied. We're sorry that we betrayed you, especially Kyle and I. But we're still your friends and we all miss you so much. Please come back home Troy. Please."

He couldn't believe it. He couldn't believe what she was saying. He was speaking through his teeth, the anger rising higher and higher.

"Let me get this straight. You want me to come back to a bunch of people who lied to me? Who betrayed my trust? Who cheated on me? Who I thought were my friends, but turned out to be a bunch of lying bastards? No thanks. I like my life here." He ran a hand through his Sandy-Brown hair. It felt good to let out some of his frustration. He took a deep calming breath and looked back up to Julie. She had tears in her eyes. "Let me ask you something? Why did everyone lie to me in the first place? How was it that everyone knew, except me?"

Julie looked up and saw how serious he was so she decided to answer him and not to make him any more angrier.

"I…they." She let out a heavy sigh and started her story. "Kyle and I had been caught out by Rick a few months into our relationship-" She was cut off by Troy scoffing aloud.
"Affair. What you had was an affair. Not a relationship. You built whatever you had on lies and distrust. It wasn't a relationship."

"Ok then, our affair. Rick caught us out. He wanted us to come clean. And so we were, but then you proposed and it was so romantic and beautiful. And I still loved you, that's why I said yes. Because I loved you. I know that was wrong of me, but I loved you Troy. So much. I couldn't let you go. And then Rick accidentally let it slip to Stacy. And then Stacy told Tiffany, Ryan, Jake, Henry and Carla. Soon everyone knew. They all told us to stop, but we didn't listen. They didn't support us Troy. They're still your friends. Who miss you so much."

"I don't care." He had taken everything in, and yet he still saw them as the friends who betrayed him. "I don't care if they want me back. I don't want to be friends with any of you ever again. Especially you." He saw he tilt back in shock. "Your were the worst out of all of them. I loved you so much Julie. So, so much. I would have done anything for you but you betrayed that. You broke our wedding vows. You lied to me everyday. You slept with my best friend for years! You are without a doubt the most selfish person I know. For wanting to be with and Kyle."

"Troy. I'm sorry. I don't know how many times I can say that for you to get it."

"That's it Julie. You can't apologize for this. It's to late for that. I have a good life here. I've moved on." He saw the hurt and anger flash on her face.

"Moved on? What?"

"Yes Julie. I've moved on. If it weren't for your despicable lies then I wouldn't have met her. She's the best thing that's ever happened to me. She made me feel again. She made me climb out of the angry bubble, without even knowing it. She completes me." And that's when Troy realized it. Yes they had been going out secretly for 2 or so months, but he was head over hells, completely, desperately in love with Gabriella. "Because of you, I love this girl." He let out a small laugh. "I love her. So thank you Julie. I guess that's the only thing I'll ever be thankful for from you."

An hour later, Julie finally signed the papers, but not without telling Troy how he should still move back. He saw how determined she was to have him back. He also saw her trying to find out about Gabriella. All he told her that her name was Brie. When he had gotten a glass of water for her, she was looking for some pictures of her, he told her he had none. Truth be told, he had one of them from their first date on his bed side table. It was the only picture in his house that didn't have Chase in it.

"So I guess your life here is pretty good." Julie asked as they made their way towards the front door.

"Yeah it is." They once again were standing at the door staring at each other, but this time they knew it was the last time they would ever see each other again.

"I know it doesn't make a difference Troy, but I am sorry. And I'm glad your happy. And I hope whatever you and Brie have, will last."

Troy's whole face lit up, once he thought about it. Him and Gabriella together. That's what he wanted. That's what would happen.

"It will. Goodbye Julie."

"Goodbye Troy."

He closed the door once he saw her get in her cab. She was gone. Forever. It was over. There was no more Mrs Bolton. Only Troy Bolton. Divorced Troy. But he wasn't single. He was far from it. He was in love with the girl next door and he was going to tell her. He was a 25 year old man, he wasn't going to be scared to tell her this. No matter how her reaction goes, he wasn't going to let this end. He was going to be happy with her. And he was going to tell her no matter what.



They stood in front of the white house with the white pciket fence. It was so suburban. So perfect. It was just like her. Small. Simple. Elegant in the discreet ways. The smell of the cut, clean grass was in the air. The light breeze in the air lifting small strands of her light Brown, shirt hair. She was in the backyard being stared at by her 6 friends. She could feel all 12 eyes on her, yet she still didn't look away from her notebook. She was scribbling a few words down. They just came to her more and more. She would write them down and then form them together later. She loved being able to mix anything together. Words. Notes. Instruments. Sounds. She loved how some things clashed well together. Kelsi finally looked up at her friends when she felt her boyfriends warm, large handscaress the sides of her arms.

"Hey guys. What's up guys?" She stood from the chair and laced hands with Jason, and stood on her tip-toes to give him a kiss on the cheek. A small blush fell on her face as she felt her friends eyeing her and could hear the small "Aww" from Sharpay.

"We were just wondering why you didn't come to school today." She turned her head towards Chad and saw the concern on his face. She could see it on all of their faces. She loved how she got the best friends in the world.

"I went to go visit their grave." She heard the gasp from Taylor and stood still. She knew it wasn't a great idea, but she wanted to.

"W…why?" She heard Ryan's small voice coming out slightly curious and angry.

"Because I wanted to. I felt like I had owed it to them." She felt her hand untwine from Jason's and then felt his arms wrap around her waist from behind her. She sighed in contentment as she lowered his head to her shoulder.

"You don't owe them anything Kelsi. It's been a year since it happened."

"I know Jason. It's just I thought about it really hard last night. After we talked, something you said bothered me 'That no one had showed up to say goodbye to them', it was like no one cared about them." She felt his arms tighten around her. "And so I thought I would go say goodbye to them."

She cringed once she heard Ryan's harsh voice talking to her. "You shouldn't have gone there. I cant believe you did."

"Ryan, dude. Calm down." Zeke patted him on the back trying to calm him a bit.

"How can I? It was their fault what happened and…mine. And you go there like it's the easiest thing to do. How can it be? Because for me it was too damn hard!"

Everyone watched as he fell to the ground and Sharpay knelt beside him, comforting him.

"It wasn't your fault Ryan." Gabriella decided it was time to speak up for herself, for Kelsi. For Ryan. "I was there to you know. So was Kelsi. And have we ever blamed you for what happened? No. So stop blaming yourself." Gabriella saw Kelsi peel away from Jason, but took his hand and lead them towards Ryan, and sat on the other side of him. She brought her last free hand towards his hand and laced it together.

"Gabi's right Ryan. We've never blamed you. So you shouldn't either. And to be honest I don't blame them." Kelsi took a deep breath and looked towards Jason and saw him nod, and then looked back to Ryan. "I'm here Ryan. I'm still alive. And it's because of you that I am. So never ever…fell bad about that. Because if you did…then that would be bad." Gabriella saw Ryan lightly laugh at Kelsi's humour. "This is my way of dealing. I'm not going to cry. I'm not going to shutdown. I'm just going to continue. Yes…I almost died. But I didn't. And I thank God everyday that I'm alive. I have the best friends in the world. I have a damn fine boyfriend." Gabriella watched as Jason's face broke out into a huge grin, and couldn't help, like her other friends, laugh at him. "So going to their graves today was my way of dealing through this. So thank you guys for worrying about me, but I am fine." Gabriella watched on as her friends continued on to talk abut happier topics. But in her mind she couldn't help but think back to why today was so bad in the first place.

She hung up her phone and ran to catch back up with Ryan and the two police officers. She had been in one of the worst situations. Not too long ago, Ryan, Kelsi and herself were involved in a major car accident. And the thing that scared her the most was that Kelsi hadn't woken up. She was in so much pain when the car continued to flip over and over again. The glass shattering into her porcelain skin.
The metal slicing up her arm, and the blood pouring out of the new open cut. For Gabriella to see one of her friends in that condition made her stomach queasy. She sat in her seat, upside down, watching on as Ryan desperately tried to wake her up. She saw the blood trickling down her on the ground, which was an overlapped car rooftop. She heard Ryan continuing to yell her name over and over again. She couldn't move. For the life of her she couldn't move. She tried with all her strength to try and unfasten the seatbelt but couldn't. Her hands were shaking too much. Her mind was in overdrive. What was she to do? She heard the sirens in the background. Good, help was coming. Soon her and her friends would be checked and told they were all ok and could go home in time for supper. But she had a feeling, that her tiny friend in the front seat was not going to be so lucky. Before anything else could happen, she heard a huge 'bang' and then caught eye of a fire rising in the air. The other car had blown up.

Gabriella sat in the very uncomfortable chair waiting for the nurse to leave her and Kelsi alone. Gabriella couldn't help but stare down at all the tubes that were connected to her small fragile friend. Kelsi had woken up half an hour ago, and asked for Gabriella to come in alone. She was scared and worried about what Kelsi could possibly say to her. Gabriella assumed she would want to see her Father or Jason first. Gabriella heard the click of the door closing and looked to Kelsi.

"How you doing hun?" She immediately regretted asking her that question. How stupid can you be Gabi? "I've been better." She heard Kelsi give out a dry forced laugh. She started coughing a bit, so Gabriella helped her with a glass of water. "Thanks."

"Kelsi? What is you wanted to talk to me about?" She saw Kelsi take a deep breath and relax more into the hospital bed.

"There's something really important that I need to tell you. The doctor just told me that I would need an operation. There's some more internal bleeding and they need to stop it, apparently it's gotten worse, but I had to talk to you first."
"Kelsi…you should be the ER right now, not talking. I'll call the doctor."

"NO!" Gabriella jumped back as she heard Kelsi yell for the first time. "Gabi, listen to me, please." Gabriella sat back on the chair and grasped her friends hand. "If I don't make it-let me finish. If I don't make it…I want them to save you." Gabriella's eyebrows narrowed together in confusion and started to regret coming in here.

"Kelsi-"

"No. I mean it. If they can't save me, then they can save you. I'll willingly give it to you Gabi. You're my best friend. I would do anything to save you, or any of the others."

Tears started to free fall from Gabriella's eyes. This was the part that she never wanted to say out loud, but she couldn't let her friend think like this, no matter how sweet or generous the offer was to save her life.

"Kelsi. You can't save me. You just can't. I love you for thinking you can, but I could never do that. I literally can't have any part of you to save me. I'm sorry. But thank you for offering." She wiped the tears from her face and sat up to hug her friend.

"I'm sorry Gabi, I thought…"

"It's ok Kelsi. Now let's go get you all fixed up and back out here so you can see Jason and your Dad. Who both, have been running holes all over the waiting room carpet." Both laughed and hugged again.

"I just thought something good could come from my death."

"Kelsi…you are not going to die. You have to many people who will miss you and love you way too much to see you go to early. Now get your butt in there. And when you get back out, we'll all be here to welcome you with open arms. I love you Kelsi. Be strong." Tears started to fall from both pairs of eyes.

"Love you too Gabi. But can you do one favour for me first?"
"Anything."

"Can you send Jason in. I'll talk to my Dad when I come back out." Gabriella let out a soft laugh and was glad to hear Kelsi say she was coming back out.

"I'll go get him now." Gabriella hugged her once again and kissed her on the forehead and then left to go find Jason.


"So have the police told you about the people in the other car yet and what happened?" Kelsi voice was still a little hoarse and was very rough. She told everyone it wasn't very pleasant to have a tube done her throat for hours. The operation went well, and they were able to stop all the bleeding. Kelsi's Father, Alan Neilson, was so happy he grabbed onto the closet person, Chad, and twirled him around. After that Chad didn't feel very well.

"Uhh, yeah. It's not good news." Jason was sitting beside his girlfriends bedside holding tightly onto her hand.

Gabriella watched as Jason carefully explained to her what happened. In all the chaos, Ryan, Kelsi nor Gabriella quite remembered what happened. All suffered light concussions and were to worried and stressed about each other than the people in the other car. Gabriella turned her head around and saw Ryan quietly leave the room. She knew he was blaming himself for what happened, so she decided to go after him.

"Ryan." Gabriella saw Ryan flinch and stopped in his tracks. She made her way up to him.

"How you doing?" She softly rubbed his arm in comfort.

"How do you think?" His tone wasn't harsh or cold, it was just sad.

"Ryan. You can't blame yourself for what happened."

"If I didn't provoke them, then it never would have happened."

"They started it. They were pushing the your buttons. They enforced it. Not you."

"It doesn't matter Gabs. I still crashed the car and nearly killed two of my best friends didn't I?" They reached the cafeteria and sat at an empty table away from some of the other visitors. Gabriella reached for his hand and rubbed it with her small soft fingers.

"Ryan the only reason the car crashed was because they rammed into us. They were the idiots. One: they were drinking and driving. Two: they were ramming both cars into an oncoming tree. I don't see any of that being your fault."

"Gabriella…you were there. You know what really happened. Please stop pretending that it wasn't my fault." He let out a sad sigh and sunk into his chair. "I led them to the tree. It was my fault Gabs. I saw it and I thought if we were to drive towards it more they would back up…but they didn't. They still drove towards it. And then…the whole sky went up in red and orange."

Gabriella knew he was talking about the car exploding. How the drunk people in the other car didn't make it. How, all that was left was just burnt metal and a steering wheel.

"Ryan. You thought they would do the right thing, but they didn't. And it unfortunately cost them their lives. They shouldn't have been drinking in the first place. I mean it was 5pm. A bit early if you ask me. Please, for the sake of me, Kelse, everyone and better yet, yourself, please don't keep on thinking this was your fault. At least your tried to stop it. If I was driving, I wouldn't have even thought about how to stop them, I would have been to scared or screaming too much. So thank you Ryan for saving us."

"I didn't save you Gabriella. And I definitely didn't save Kelsi. She nearly died. A piece of metal went straight through her shoulder blade. That scar will forever be there because of me. I've scared her for life."

"Ryan-"

"No. There's nothing else that has to be said. I should go apologize to Kelsi and her Father and Jason again." Before Gabriella could protest, Ryan had already pushed himself from his chair and walking back towards Kelsi's room. So she followed him, but let him walk ahead of her so he could have sometime to himself and think things over. Gabriella walked back into the room to have everyone turn to her and then turn back towards Kelsi. Ryan was standing the corner again and had his hands in his pockets looking so uncomfortable. Gabriella heard Kelsi's shy voice asking if she could be alone with Ryan and herself. Gabriella watched everyone nod a 'yes' and slowly walked out the door to leave the three friends some time alone. Jason was the last to leave, Gabriella smiled warmly as she saw him kiss Kelsi softly on the lips and whispered something into her ear and then waved goodbye to Ryan and herself before he left.

"So…the others didn't make it." Gabriella and Ryan both looked up from the interesting ground and stared at Kelsi. It was wasn't a question, it was a statement. "Do you think they deserved it?" Gabriella was taken aback by the question and gulped. She saw out of the corner of her Ryan making his way towards Kelsi's bedside. He sat on the chair Jason was sat at and fell back into it.

"Maybe." Gabriella stood there slightly shocked that he would say that. "They did a bad thing. Did they honestly expect that someone wouldn't get hurt? But then…instead of them, it should be me."

Gabriella and Kelsi let out a small gasp at the same time. Before she could say anything, Kelsi was already on it.

"How could you say that?" Kelsi's eyes were popping wide out.

"Easy." Ryan shrugged his shoulders and looked down to the ground.

"Well it shouldn't be. What happened wasn't your fault Ryan. I bet everyone's already told you that, but you being stubborn won't listen, will you?" Both girls stared at him and Kelsi continued, knowing she wouldn't get an answer from him. "Well I think that's stupid. It wasn't your fault Ryan. I was there. I might have blacked out after, but I remember during and before. And I remember you taking some control out from what they were doing and tried to stop it. But they kept going. Did you tell them to? No! Did you force them to continue ramming your car? No!" Kelsi pulled the down the hospital gown so she could show her scar on her shoulder. "This scar will be on me forever. And it will always remind me what happened-"

"I know. I'm sorry. I'm sorry that that scar is there because of me. I'm so sorry Kelsi." Ryan lowered his head into his hands and both girls could hear his silent sobs.

"Ryan…I wasn't going to blame you for it. I was going to say that this scar reminds me of you. It's ugly and permanent. And I'm glad its there. This will remind me that you saved my life. Gabriella told me that you tried to keep me awake. That you wouldn't leave my side. That you saved me with your donated blood. Thank you Ryan." Kelsi waited for Ryan to look up, and after some time he finally did. It was silent for a few moments until Ryan broke out into a smile.
"Do you really think I'm ugly?" Kelsi's soft laugh rung throughout the room and soon so was Ryan's and Gabriella's. Kelsi waved her hand at Gabriella, telling her to come closer. Soon all three were squished on the bed laughing and just being happy about being with each other. But secretly all three were thinking about the people who died a few hours ago.

"Gabriella?"

Gabriella was standing in her room shell-shocked. She didn't expect to see Troy fast asleep on her bed. She quickly ran out of the room and crashed into her Mother who was calling her. She didn't want her Mother to come into her room and to see the same thing.

"Hey Mum. You called for me?" She tried to make her breaths even again.

"Yes dear. I was just going to inform you that I'm going to be stepping out for a while. Ok hun?"

"Yes Mum. Is Dad back from work?" Gabriella saw her Mother tense up a bit and shrug her beautiful shoulders. "Not that I know of. He usually comes in late anyway. See you later darling." Maria placed a soft kiss on the top of Gabriella's head and flittered back down the stairs.

"Bye." The word came out of her mouth so discreet and quiet. It made no sense to say it out too loud, for her Mother wouldn't have heard it anyway. She was already racing towards the door and ignoring everything around her.

Gabriella turned on her hells and rushed to her room. She was shocked once again when she found no sign of Troy on her bed. She let out a small scream before she was twisted around and was being quieted by a pair of soft lips on hers. Troy. Before she could return the kiss or push away, it was stopped by Troy pulling away.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean what I said. Bt the thing I'm about to tell you means the world to me. And I don't care if you don't say it back. I just have to say it. You have to know how I feel." Gabriella saw a unfamiliar feeling in his eyes. She was about to ask him what he was going on about until her whole body tensed up and she forgot about everything around her and swallowed what she just heard Troy whisper to her. "I love you Gabriella Montez." There it was again. She wasn't dreaming. Troy was actually standing in front of her telling her he loved her. Was she happy? Was she angry? She didn't know what to do. So she did the only thing her mind and heart were screaming at her to do.

"I love you too Troy." Both lips came crashing into each other. The room was filled with so much heat and lust. Both bodies were making their way towards Gabriella's large bed and came crashing onto it. Troy tore his lips away from hers and glided them along her neck. Her soft moan edged him on more.

"Troy." Gabriella couldn't believe it was her soft voice moaning his name over and over again. They had never really gone further than either one of them wanted to. They had only been going out for 2 months and Troy didn't feel like he could take anything further, he was always the first to stop them before any clothes could be shed or before any hands to roam in certain places. But they way Troy was kissing her, Gabriella thought that tonight things could go further. And she wasn't scared or nervous. She was anticipating it. She was excited to feel Troy's large hands roam her bare skin. To have his lips touch every part of her body. To have him so close to her. But then all her wants and desires were snatched away when she felt Troy life himself off of the bed and heard his heavy breathing near her balcony doors.

"Troy?" Gabriella got off her bed and followed him. She walked up to him and hugged him from behind. "What did I do wrong?" She was taken aback when he turned sharply in her arms.

"Gabriella you did nothing wrong. It was me. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have pushed you. Sorry." She watched as he lowered his head in guilt and shame. Why would he be ashamed? Did he not want to take things further with her? Hell, she wanted to. Why didn't he?

"Troy…do you not want me?" Her voice was small and shy. She couldn't actually believe she asked him. She felt his arms hug around her small body and it felt like he never wanted to let go.

"Brie, never ever think that I don't want you. God, I want you more than I've wanted anything in my entire life. But I'm not going to put you in a position that's uncomfortable for you. I don't want to rush you." Her heart soured ten feet in the air. He wanted her. He wanted to be with her, like she wanted to be with him.

"Troy. I'm 18. I'm an adult and I know what I want. And that's you. I want to be with you too. I want you to be my first. Will you make love to me?"

Sorry if this chapter is wayyy too long. But i just kept writting and writting. I had to split this to make it another chapter. Anyway hope you guys enjoy this chapter. And just a heads up, there on't be any deatils about their sex life. I'm keeping 'Strength of a Heart' and 'Forever Bound' seperate from each other and I feel this stroy doesn't really need that in here. Cheers. xx