This Christmas

*Chapter 7

What comes around goes around

"Hello?'' A voice answered.

"Hey Taylor, it's Gabriella.'' Gabriella said.

"Oh hey, how are you?'' Taylor said.

"I'm good. How about you?''

"I'm great. Chad and I are leaving for our cruise on Monday.''

"Omg, you two are going to have so much fun!''

"I know, I'm so excited. Hey, what's up with you and Troy?''

"I don't know. I was going to call him but I'm afraid he won't remember me. It's been so long.''

" He'll come around soon. I'm sure he'll sure remember you.''

"Yea I guess. Should I call him?''

"Yes! Call him!''

"Ok, we'll see.''

"Ok, well I guess I'd better go. Call me after you call him, ok?''

"Ok, bye.''

"Bye.''

Gabriella hung up and waited a few minutes until she called Troy.

* * * *

Troy and his dad were shooting hoops outside in the backyard.

"Are you sure you want to go back to Albuquerque?'' Mr. Bolton asked.

"Yeah, I'm sure.'' Troy said.

The year that him and Gabriella broke up, the Bolton's moved to California so they could be close to Berkeley, the college that Troy was attending. Since Gabriella was attending Stanford, he was hoping to make up with her for breaking his promise but she gave up singing and transferred to U of A because she became so depressed and upset. Since then, he hasn't talked to her.

''Ok. How long do you plan on staying there?''

''Uh, I don't know. Maybe two weeks. It depends on if I see...nevermind.''

"Ever hear from Gabriella?''

"No.''

"Do you ever think you will?''

"Probably not.''

Just as Troy was about to say something else, his phone rang. He picked it up and the screen said 'Gabriella'. He looked at his dad and Mr. Bolton shrugged.

"It's Gabriella."

"Well answer it.''

Troy flipped his phone open and walked over to a private spot where he could talk.

"Hello?'' Troy said quietly.

"Troy? It's Gabriella."

"Hi, I didn't expect to hear fr-"

"I know. Look, I'm so sorry for what happened three years ago. It's my fault that we haven't seen each other in so long."

"No, no. It's not your fault. It's my fault. I'm sorry."

"I miss you a lot."

"I miss you too, Brie."

"Brie? I haven't heard anyone call me that for a long time."

"Yea. I guess that's a good thing then right?"

"Yea."

"Will you forgive me?"

"Yea but no more secrets okay?"

"Ok. I have to tell you something."

"What?"

"I'm coming home for Christmas."

"Really? When?"

"Next week."

"Yay! I can't wait!"

"Yea, me either."

Gabriella giggled.

"Well I guess I'd better go. I'll call you tomorrow okay?"

"Ok, bye."

Gabriella hung up and quickly texted Taylor the great news.

-Me & Troy r back 2gether.

-Really? See, I told u: what comes around goes around. Good luck! :)

-Thanks. :)

* * * *

Troy was riffling through books in his bookshelf, trying to find an old photo album that he and Gabriella made when they were juniors in high school. When he found it, he started flipping through the pages of his high school year and pulled out Gabriella's old 'T' necklace and put it in a box. He packed his clothes and other stuff into his suitcase.

Gabriella was listening to music in her room when the phone rang. Her mom answered it and Gabriella could hear her mumbling something.

"Hija, telephone!"

" One second!" Gabriella pulled her earphones out and ran down the stairs. She missed a step; tripping down the stairs, her world turning black.

* * * *

"Hello?" Mrs. Bolton said as she answered the phone and heard the shocking news.

The Boltons arrived at the hospital and checked in. They were shortly followed by Taylor, her sister; Tammy, and her mom.

"Hey, we came as soon as we got your message. Is Gabriella ok?" Taylor asked worried.

"We're not sure. We have to wait for her mom." Mrs. Bolton said.

"Oh, there's Mrs. Bolton." Taylor said.

"Hey, thank god you're all here." Mrs. Montez said.

"So what happened?" Troy asked.

"Well I'm not 100% sure but she fell down the stairs. The doctor said she's stable though." Mrs. Montez said.

"So does that mean...?" Troy said.

"Yes, she might have some trouble remembering things but no worries, I'm sure she'll be fine."

"Can we go see her?" Mrs. Mckessie asked.

I haven't asked yet. The nurse should be here shortly."

The group silently sighed and went to sit while they waited. A few minutes later, the nurse came out and told them that they could go see her now. Mrs. Montez went in and saw Gabriella hooked up to an IV that connected to her wrist and thumb. Mrs. Montez knelt down beside her and the door opened. It was Mr. Montez, who was in a wheelchair.

"Hey, sorry I'm late. I had to check my wheelchair out." Mr. Montez said.

"She's better. She hasn't been responding though."

Mr. Montez wheeled himself next to his wife and gently grabbed Gabriella's hand.

"She'll be ok." Mr. Montez said softly as he gently pushed a few curls away from her face. Gabriella started moving and; slowly, she opened her eyes.

"Hey hija, do you remember us?" Mr. Montez said softly.

"Yea, hi mom and dad." Gabriella said weakly.

"Why am I here? Where are we?" Gabriella said weakly, looking around the room.

"You're in the hospital. You fell down the stairs and hit your head." Mrs. Montez explained.

"I did? When? Why? How?"

"Shh, it's ok. You're fine now." Mr. Montez said.

"We're going to go now. Your friends are coming in to see you ok?" Mrs. Montez said.

Gabriella nodded weakly as her parents left the room and Taylor, her mom, and sister came in. After everyone had gone to see her, Troy came in and knelt down beside her and smiled.

"Hey, you remember me?" Troy asked.

Gabriella shook her head no.

"Who are you?" Gabriella asked.

"I'm Troy; your boyfriend, remember Brie?"

"Troy? Brie? I don't know who you are."

"Gabriella, it's me, Troy Bolton. You don't remember don't you?"

"No, I don't."

"Ok then. You should get some rest." Troy got up and quietly left the room.

"She doesn't remember me."

"She doesn't?" Taylor said.

"No, she doesn't know my name or anything. She said she doesn't know who I am. I even closed her Brie and she had no idea what I was talking about,"

"She probably doesn't even know her own name."

"Hey, it's ok. She just needs some rest. We'll come back tomorrow ok?" Mrs. Bolton said.

"Ok, I guess."

Mrs. Bolton smiled and they left.

There goes the best thing that's ever happened to me. Troy thought. He doesn't know how he'll get through this.

* * * *

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