AN-I haven't been getting a lot of reviews lately and I'm not sure what I need to be working on. I know this story is very different from what people usually like to read when they are reading about High School Musical or Zac Efron but I really wanted to write something other then a Zanessa so if you guys could review and give some constructive criticism that would help so much. I really just want to make everyone reading this story to be happy. So on with the story…
Zac, Corbin, and Trisha ran into the room and bent down. Trisha started crying hysterically. "Corbin, call 911!" Zac yelled and Corbin ran out of the room. "Angela, wake up. Please wake up." Zac said picking up her head and putting it in his lap. He was trying to hold back his tears and Trisha was holding her best friends hand and sobbing uncontrollably. Corbin ran back in the room with the phone.
"Is she breathing?" Corbin asked.
Zac checked her chest. "Yeah, but it's kind of shallow. And her pulse is very quick."
Corbin told this to the person on the other end of the line. He told them to hurry then hung up. "They are on there way. They said not to move her to much incase she hit her head when she fell."
Zac nodded still staring at the girl he was falling in love with. "Corbin, take Carly to Mrs. Johnson's house next door. Tell her that there's been an accident and we need her to watch Carly and we'll call her as soon as we know anything." Corbin nodded and tried to pick up Carly but she wouldn't move from her mom.
"No! I don't want to go!" Carly yelled and was crying.
"Carly, your mom is going to be ok. She is just really tired." Corbin said taking Carly's hand. Carly looked back at her mommy then left with Corbin. Zac looked at Trisha and took her hand. He knew she had to be hurting seeing her best friend like this. Silent tears started running down his face. He couldn't stop thinking that she might not be ok. What really hurt him the most was that Carly could loose her mom. Seeing Carly that hysterical almost made him loose it but he had to stay strong for Carly and for Trisha. The ambulance got to the house in 8 minutes but it was the longest 8 minutes of Zac, Trisha, and Corbin's life. Everything went by in a daze for them. Zac just stood there with tears in his eyes looking at Angela as they put an oxygen mask on her and put her on a gurney. Paparazzi had already gotten there and they were trying to take pictures of Angela and Zac. The police was trying to keep them all out of the way and give everyone there privacy. He was pulled out of the daze when a medic asked if anyone wanted to ride in the ambulance with Angela but only one person could fit. Zac turned to Trisha and saw her hugging Corbin and looking at Angela crying.
"That girl over there will." Zac said pointing to Trisha. Know matter how much he wanted to go he knew Trisha needed to. The medic nodded and went over to Trisha and told her. Trisha looked over at Zac and mouthed thank you. She got into the ambulance and they drove off with the sirens on. Zac stood there then looked down trying to hide the tears coming down his face.
Corbin went over to Zac and patted him on the back. "Come on. I'll drive." Corbin and Zac got into a car and drove off. All the paparazzi tried to push past the officers and get pictures of them. Zac looked over at Corbin and saw a tear run down his face. He knew Corbin was hurting too but was trying to be strong. They got to the hospital and asked what room Angela was in. The nurse behind the desk told them that she was on floor 3 room 100 but would have to wait in the waiting room on floor 3 right now. They went to the waiting room and found Trisha sitting in a chair crying softly. She looked up and saw them and ran over to Corbin and hugged him and started crying even more.
"All the medics were asking me these questions about her health and I didn't know a lot of them and then they were putting all these needles in her and she opened her eyes a little but this thing started beeping and she closed them again. I didn't know what to do so I just held her hand but she never responded and when we got here they rolled her to a room and just left me here. I'm so scared." Trisha held onto Corbin even tighter. Zac went over to a couch, sat down and put his head in his hand. A doctor came up to them and told them to go into a room with him.
"Hi I'm Doctor Kennedy and I'll be watching over Angela and I'm happy to say she is doing well and she should be fine." The doctor said smiling.
Everyone let out a side of relief.
"Now she is awake so you guys can go see her in about a half hour after we're done with all the tests."
They all nodded disappointed. "What happened to her?" Trisha asked confused.
"When she woke up she told me that she had a headache and tried to sleep it off but a sharp pain shot through her head. We are pretty sure she suffers from cluster headaches. A cluster headache is like a migraine but 5 times worse and they happen continuously. Some have them for one week a year and others have them every month. Sometimes the pain is so excruciating people pass out or faint. We don't think she passed out from the pain but from hitting her head on the table while she was going through this pain. She has a bump on the side of her head but there is no damage done to the brain."
"Will she ever be able to get rid of these headaches?" Corbin asked.
"There is so cure for them but she can make them less severe. I recommend she takes Sumatriptan which is usually injected to narrow blood vessels and reduce pressure and pain. This medication can also be taken as a nasal spray, although it may be less effective than the injection. I also recommend she takes an oxygen mask and tank with her. As soon as a headache starts she needs to breathe into the mask until the headache stops. This usually reduces the pain of the headache."
"So all this happened because of a very bad headache. What about the beeping in the ambulance?" Trisha asked concerned.
"Well the monitor picked up the headache and the pain Angela was going through. When you found her the headache was still in process. Now we are still going to do a CT scan just incase but I'm 99 that a cluster headache was the reason for this and the bump on her head will be sore but she should be fine. We want to keep her over night though just incase and so we can teach her how to use the oxygen mask and to prep her on the meds. Do you guys have any other questions?"
"Yeah, is it ok if we stay here over night?" Zac asked. He hadn't talked since the car ride there. He was just so scared.
The doctor smiled. "Of course, just be sure to give her rest. She is a little dizzy and tired." They all nodded and thanked them.
Once they were done with the test everyone went to see Angela. They walked in and saw her lying on a bed with an IV in her and some monitors.
Trisha ran over to her and hugged her tightly. Angela laughed. "I was so scared. Do you have any idea what you put me through?" Trisha said hugging her even tighter.
"Sorry. It won't happen again." Angela laughed a little.
"I love you Angela." Trisha said almost about to cry again.
"I love you too Trisha."
Corbin came up next. "You let a headache do this to you? After all you've been through? Come on now you're stronger then that." He said joking and messing up Angela's hair.
"Love you too Corbin." Angela smiled then looked over at Zac. Corbin and Trisha decided to give them some time and went to pick up Carly.
Once they were gone Zac walked over to her and smiled slightly. "You have no idea how scared we all were." He laughed a little trying to make light of the whole situation but then a silent tear ran down his face. Zac bent down and hugged her tightly. Angela started crying softly. "I was so scared Angela. The whole time I couldn't stop thinking about what would happen if I lose you and what would happen to Carly." Zac looked directly into her eyes. "Angela I love you. I'm not just saying this because of all this but I realized that anything can happen and I can't hold back my feeling because I'm scared of what might happen. I love you. I love being with you. I love being with Carly and I love making you happy. And you make me happy, so happy."
Angela smiled with tears running down her face. "Zac I love you too." Zac smiled brightly and pulled her into a passionate kiss then hugged her tightly. He just wanted to hold her forever. They held onto together like this until they herd a knock at the door. They pulled apart and saw Carly standing at the door nervously.
"Aren't you going to give mommy a big hug?" Angela said patting her bed. Carly smiled and ran over to her. Zac put her on the bed and smiled at them.
He walked over to Corbin, "Did you tell Mrs. Johnson what happened?"
"Yeah, she was really worried though. She views Angela and Carly as her own kids. And there are paparazzi there so we need to be prepared when we take Angela home tomorrow. " Zac nodded and looked over at Angela and Carly. They were talking and Trisha was laughing with them. Once it got late Zac and Corbin drove Carly back to Mrs. Johnson's house. They knew Trisha and Angela needed to be alone for awhile. They pulled up to the house and Zac carried a sleeping Carly up the steps. Corbin rang the door bell. Mrs. Johnson answered it and quickly let them in.
Corbin went to the kitchen to try and find some food while Zac put Carly on the guest bed and went over to Mrs. Johnson. "Thank you so much for watching Carly. I don't have any clothes for her but I can go get some if she needs them."
"No it'll be ok. Angela leaves pajamas and extra clothes here just incase. She knows I love to watch Carly. So how is Angela doing?"
"Her head hurts but she's going to be fine. The doctor gave her some medicine and an oxygen tank to help the pain of the headaches."
"I am so relieved to hear that. I'm just sad that Angela's going to have to go through pain. She doesn't deserve any of it. I have known her since she was 8. I used to babysit her and I watched her grow up and even though she went through a bad faze she never stopped being a good person. I was heart broken when I found out she was raped and pregnant but Angela is a perfect mother. I have always believed that some things happen for a reason. I'm not saying the rape was supposed to happen but I do think she was supposed to be a mother. God never gives us what we can't handle. She just doesn't need all this criticism and pain."
"I know exactly what you mean. Every time I see Angela with Carly her eyes light up."
"Carly isn't the only one who makes her light up." She said smirking and nudging Zac. He blushed and looked down at his feet. "Zac I am going to be completely honest with you. When I first saw you with Angela I didn't like it at all. I thought the only thing you were going to bring her was pain and take her into a world that she wasn't ready for and might hurt Carly. She has been hurt bye many guys and I just thought you were going to be another one. But I watched Angela get happier and I saw you two and the way you acted with each other. This made me a little bit more relieved but I wasn't fully convinced yet. Then I saw you with Carly. She just looked so happy to be with you and looked up to you. Angela never let anyone but Trisha or I to watch over Carly but when she let you I knew then that you were right for her. You have made her life so much more pleasurable. I know all this media attention has been hard but now Angela can help people with what she went through. Zac I just want you to know that I am so glad Angela met you."
"Thank you so much Mrs. Johnson. You have no idea how much that meant to me because you are like Angela's family. I really just want to make Angela and Carly happy."
"Trust me you are."
The two of them talked for a little bit longer and Corbin called Trisha to see if they wanted anything and if they were ready for them to come back.
"Come on Zac we should get heading back."
Zac said goodbye then they left. They walked into the hospital room and found the two girls laughing. "Did you two get all your girl talking done?" Corbin asked.
"We could girl talk forever but we thought you two were probably missing us so we let you guys come back." Trisha said laughing.
"Ha, Ha, very funny."
Midnight-
Corbin and Trisha were sleeping on the bed next to Angela and Zac was on Angela's bed. "You know what Trisha told me?" Angela asked as Zac ran his fingers through her hair lazily. They had been talking all night.
"What's that?"
"She told me that you told her to ride in the ambulance with me."
"Of course, I love you but I know how much friendship means to you two and she's like your sister anyway. I would never take that away from you guys."
"Why are you so perfect?"
"It's just a gift I was born with."
Angela laughed tiredly and put her head on his chest.
"I talked to Mrs. Johnson and she approves of me."
"That's good because I don't date anyone she doesn't approve of."
"So if she didn't approve of me you wouldn't date me? No matter how much you loved me?"
"Yep, I would of just said sorry my neighbor doesn't like you bye and then slam the door in your face."
"Well this is good to know." They both laughed. "You know Carly's birthday is in a month. We should give her a party."
Angela nodded sadly. "Yeah I'm just not looking forward to what the week before her birthday. They'll be gone for 3 years now."
Zac mentally kicked himself. He forgot that Angela's parents died a week before Carly's birthday. "I'm sorry Angela. I shouldn't have brought it up. I just wanted Carly to have a special birthday party."
"No it's ok. I like talking about my parents now. They were great parents and I want to remember them. I want to celebrate their lives. I will always miss them but I don't want to cry every time I think about them, I just want to think of all the good times and how wonderful they were. You know Carly and I visit their grave a lot. I go on their birthdays, marriage anniversary, mine and Carly's birthday, the anniversary of their death and whenever I feel like I need to be there. I like to keep them updated on everything because I believe in heaven and I'm positive they are here watching over Carly. "
Zac smiled and kissed Angela's forehead. "I'm positive they are watching over you too. I have never lost anyone that close to me but God doesn't give you anything you can't handle."
"Did you talk to Mrs. Johnson?"
Zac laughed. "What makes you think I didn't come up with that?"
Angela looked at him with a smirk.
"Ok, yes I talked to her but I could've thought of that after some deep concentration."
Angela patted Zac's head, "Sure you would of."
"You know it's not very funny when you make fun of me. It hurts my confidence." Zac said jokingly.
"But I thought God doesn't give you what you can't handle?" Angela said innocently. Zac shook his head and started tickling her. Angela started laughing.
"SH! It's like 12:30! Go to bed!" Corbin said in a whisper/yell. Angela and Zac laughed because they both knew Corbin gets cranky when he's tired.
"So now you said you wanted to throw Carly a birthday party. What did you have in mind?" Angela said sitting up a little.
"Maybe we can throw it at my parent's house. They have a huge backyard and I can get the whole cast of High School Musical to come and then we can get a jumper for all her friends .Maybe even a popcorn and cotton candy machine. Or we could-"
"Wait. Slow down Zac. I have never even met your parents. We can't just call and ask to throw a party at their house."
"Well I talk to my parents about you and Carly all the time and they really want to meet you guys. They have wanted to for awhile now but I thought it would be a bad time to ask because of everything that has been going on."
"So they know about the rape?"
"Yes but I didn't tell them. They read it in a magazine and then they called me and I helped them understand what happened."
"I'm really nervous about meeting them Zac. I mean I want to but not every parent is thrilled about their 19 year old son dating a girl with a kid."
"I know most parent wouldn't be happy but my parents understand. They didn't like it at first but once they learned the truth and they realized how much I loved being with you and Carly they slowly started warming up to it. I still don't think they think I'm responsible enough to care for Carly but they'll get used to it."
Angela sat there for a minute thinking about what Zac just said then she smiled. "I'll only meet your parents if you meet mine."
Zac looked at her confused.
"Come to visit my parent's grave with me and Carly in 3 weeks."
"Are you sure? I don't want to take your personal time with them away."
"I wouldn't ask you this unless I really wanted you to come."
"Then of course I'll come. It would be my honor." Zac said in a British accent. Angela laughed.
"Will you guys please shut up!?" Corbin threw a pillow at them. Angela and Zac tried to cover up their laughs but weren't very successful. Corbin grunted and put his pillow over his head.
"Maybe we should go to bed." Angela said giggling a little.
"I guess you're right. We have to wake up at 7:00 am" Angela put the covers over them and she rested her head on Zac's chest. Zac kissed her lightly and put his arm around her protectively. "Good night. I love you Angela."
Angela smiled. " I love you too Zac."
The next morning Angela got dressed and the doctor helped her understand how to work the oxygen tank. "So remember to breathe deeply into it. We are going to give you two tanks just incase. When you start running out of a tank call the number on it and they will deliver you another one in 2 days. Be careful not to use it unless you really need it though. Now are you sure you want the nasal spray. It won't work as well as the injections."
"I'm sure. I have a 3 year old running around and I don't want to risk it. Thank you so much Dr. Kennedy I really appreciate everything."
"Of course, just make sure to only take the spray once a day. Here's my number so call me if you need anything."
Angela shook his hand and walked to the main desk to check out. Zac came up to Dr. Kennedy. "Thank you for looking after her. I know she doesn't have anything to serious but I didn't know that when we saw her collapsed. You took good care of her and she means a lot to me."
Dr. Kennedy smiled and shook Zac's hand. "It was my pleasure. Now Angela will probably have these headaches for another week so try to help her get through them. Maybe watch over Carly or just hold her hand. You have no idea how painful these headaches can be."
"I will. And thank you again."
"Come on Zac lets go. I really want to see Carly." Angela said smiling.
Zac took Angela's oxygen tanks and put them in his car. They drove off and headed to Angela's house. They got there and found paparazzi already there. Zac tried to pull into the garage but they were all surrounding the car. He honked the horn and pushed the gas a little. Once they were inside the garage and the door was closed they sat in the car for a little bit.
"How long is it going to be like this? I can't even go and get Carly without being tackled my paparazzi."
"It'll die down once you tell them what happened."
"I just hate having to tell everyone what happens to me just so lies don't come out or so paparazzi don't fallow me."
"I know but you don't have to tell them everything. Keep everything you want private. It doesn't matter what they say as long as we know the truth."
Angela sighed. "I just wish they would disappear sometimes. Lets go inside then we can go and get Carly."
"I can go get her for you. Just stay here and rest."
"Zac I have headaches, I'm not dying."
"I know but you've had a long day. I'll be back in a sec." He left and went to get Carly. Angela shook her head and got her Oxygen tanks and went inside.
"Mommy you're home!" Carly ran and jumped on Angela.
"Yes I am and I missed you so much." Angela said hugging her daughter tightly.
"Be careful Carly your mom is really tired."
"No I'm not Zac. I haven't seen Carly all day." Angela turned to Carly, "Do you want to play in the backyard with mommy?" Carly shook her head yes and ran outside.
"Angela you just got back from the hospital you shouldn't be fooling around." Zac said concerned.
"I feel fine. And I'm not just going to stop playing with Carly because I get some headaches." Angela turned around and went to play with Carly. Zac gave a frustrated sigh and went outside with them.
"Mommy, come on the slide with me." Angela got on the slide and put Carly on her lap. They went down and before they hit the ground Angela grabbed her head.
"Angela, are you ok?" Zac rushed over to her. Angela was sitting on the ground with her head in her hands. "We need to get you inside."
Carly started crying. "No Carly don't cry. You're mommy's head just hurts." Zac said taking Angela to her room and giving her the oxygen mask. Angela took deep breaths and cringed as a pain shot through her head. She grabbed Zac's hand as another pain shot through. Carly stood there crying.
"Its ok Carly mommy's just taking her medicine. Why don't you go play in your room?" Zac said trying to calm Carly down. Carly sniffed a little then nodded her head. Before she left she gave Angela a kiss on the cheek. As soon as Carly was gone Angela started crying a little. The pain wasn't getting any better but Angela didn't want to cry in front Carly. Zac went into one of Angela's drawer and got the nasal spray. Angela took off her mask and took spray really quick then put the mask back on. After about 12 minutes the pains started to go away. She took off the mask and breathed deeply. She wiped her tears away and put her head in her hands.
"I can't do this. I can't even play with my own daughter. How am I supposed to take care of Carly when I get headaches? I know it usually only happens like a week a year but the doctor said some get them every month. I can't take care of a 3 year old when I have to run to my room and sit with an oxygen mask for 20 minutes." Angela started crying a little.
"You don't have to do this alone. I can help you take care of Carly and she can come over when you need her too. Mrs. Johnson will take her of too. I'm also positive Corbin and Trisha will help."
"That's not the point Zac. I don't want to have to depend on other people all the time. I'll never see Carly if I keep sending her away. I don't want to keep sending her to you. You're not Carly's dad. I can't keep sending her to Trisha's because Trisha's an 18 year old girl who doesn't need to be playing mom and Corbin, well he's Corbin. And Mrs. Johnson has work during the day and I am not sending Carly to daycare with all those stupid paparazzi out there."
"You're making this more difficult then it really is. None of us mined watching Carly. You need help and I know I'm not Carly's father but right now I'm the closest thing she has to that."
"I am her mother though. I should be able to take care of her! I can't go outside without being blinded by lights. I can't take my daughter to her favorite park. And yeah Zac you might be really close to Carly but you are not her father. You never really will be! You want to know why? Because some jackass decided to have some fun with me so now Carly has a jerk for a father! She doesn't deserve any of this! She doesn't have a dad but hey look on the bright side she has a nutcase for a mother!" Angela said laughing sarcastically. "Write now alls what I need to do is be alone with my daughter. MY daughter not anyone else's but MINE."
Zac stood there for a minute, Angela and never bursted like this before. "Angela you're really tired. Just take a nap and I'll watch Carly for you. Just for 45 minutes."
"I'm not tired! I don't need you doing all these things for me all the time. I'm not 8! Quit acting like my dad."
"I just want to help you! I know you're in pain right now and I'm doing everything I can think of! I'm sorry if you feel like you can't take care of Carly but what do you think you've been doing these past 3 years. You are a GREAT mom and you made it by yourself for one of those years. But Angela you're not alone anymore. Look, I know I'm not Carly's dad but I feel like it sometimes, when I see Carly I just light up. I love seeing her happy and I'm crushed when I see her sad. I don't want to take your role at all; I just want to fill in an empty spot. And when I see you sitting here with an oxygen mask crying because you're in excruciating pain I feel so helpless. I don't know what to do and I get so mad because all I can do is hold your hand and say everything will be ok. I love you Angela so of course I'm going to try and help with anything I can."
Angela calmed down. "I just feel like if I can't do it by myself then I'm not being a good mom."
Zac went up to her and took her hands in his. "That doesn't make you a bad mom it makes you human."
"I'm sorry Zac. I guess everything just kind of built up and I exploded. I know I need to ask for help sometimes I'm just used to doing things for myself, but there are some things I need to do for myself and I'm not going to let some headaches stop me."
"I know but I just get overprotective sometimes and I'm sorry for that. I've just been so scared since I saw you in that gurney."
"But you can't protect me from everything. Just because I get headaches doesn't mean I can't go pick up my daughter or play with her outside."
"You're right. But when I see you in pain I will come and help know matter what you say."
Angela laughed a little. "I guess that's a good deal. And that thing I said about you being Carly's dad isn't true. I love that Carly looks up to you. I just felt like Carly might end up loving you more then she loves me."
"Carly will never love me more then you. You're her mom and have been with her from the start. I just want to be there for her when she needs me."
Angela hugged Zac. "I don't know how you put up with me. I have taken you on such a crazy roller coaster. Thank you so much Zac. I love you."
Zac held Angela close and kissed forehead. "I love you too. Just know I'm always here when you need me or when you need someone to yell at."
Angela laughed. "I'll definitely remember that."