Chapter 11 – Shock

"We all have different reasons for forgetting to breathe."

The first time I ever lost my breath I was throw into a pool in the middle of April. The water was frigid and frightful; it was the young age of six when it had happened. I didn't dare touch a pool unless I slowly got in to avoid the massive shock that caused me to lose my breath in the first place. I remember hitting the bottom and my body went rigid from the ice-cold water in the medium temperature day in Southern California. I fought the water all the way back to the top trying to remind my heart to beat. Once I hit the surface my air tried to come into my chest but nothing would come. Gasping for air over and over again until finally my lungs inflated from the trauma they just went through.

Kissing Troy Bolton caused my lungs to spasm with shock and surge to find oxygen but when I walked away from him is when it caused my body to go rigid and my heart stammered inside my chest and I felt my body gasp for air to try to control what exactly my body was feeling. Nothing should cause a body to respond like that, nobody should cause a body to respond like that. My hands were sweaty and my eyes seemed scattered, as I wanted to kiss him more. Nothing felt so damn good against my lips, his hands sliding around my chin to bring me closer.

The kiss replayed a thousand of times inside my head, the breathlessness of the moment startling every time I felt his lips against mine. I had to retrain my lungs how to breathe again and how my body works.

Over my lifetime, many things began to take my breath away but nothing quite compared to the moment my lips touched Dr. Bolton's.

Gabi's POV

Monday, October 27th, 2014

Collin twisted in his bed and I quickly sprung up to grab him his yucky bucket as we had called it this week, as it had become his best friend. I rubbed his back gently as I was becoming worn from the past week in the hospital and today was the first day of scans which meant we weren't being released until tomorrow night now at the latest. Everything between Troy and I was high with tension. He wasn't staying longer than needed and when he saw Collin getting sick he cringed wanting to be in here.

I knew I should talk to him and he wanted to talk to me but I am the one who walked away. He was angry the first day but he must have realized what was going on in my mind because he let it go. Troy was actually standing just outside our room, he turned around at the commotion and he leaned over to talk to a nurse. A nurse quickly moved over to us and I sighed, this was getting ridiculous. The first day he walked in here and he was angry. I understood why he would be angry because I was angry. It wasn't fair that I found somebody and I couldn't have them because he was my son's oncology doctor.

Nothing was fair.

The next day he came in, he didn't speak and he also didn't look at me but the anger seemed to have dissolved slightly. Over the next couple of days he would say small things, nothing drastic, just a simple hello or a good night if his rounds of Collin were later in the evening. Collin was struggling through this round of chemo and my stomach was rock hard. I felt so bad that he was struggling but I was hoping that maybe, this was the end and he would be ready for surgery.

The nurse was stripping the bed clean as Troy turned to look my direction but his eyes quickly diverted elsewhere when he realized I was looking at him. I wanted to kiss him again. I never told anybody that I kissed him. I never told Sam or Mariah. I wanted too but something about that kiss I wanted to cling that to my chest and never allow anybody else to understand that kiss. I don't think anybody would understand that kiss unless they felt it themselves.

Troy started to talk to somebody, a woman that was standing at the counter. He looked agitated by her presence right now; she smiled as her eyes turned into our room before snapping back to the Bolton male. My eyes scanned her features, dark chestnut hair, her skin was tanned like Troy's and when her eyes flashed over here again, I realized that she was Sammy Bolton. It doesn't take long to connect the two with both of them having the same damn eyes.

I rolled my eyes as I had no clue how Troy, Marcus, and Sammy all got the same color of intense blue eyes. It was like staring in a mirror, you could see your reflection because they were so clear. Troy whispered yelled something at her as she took a step backwards and he ran his fingers through his hair. Sammy smirked and then walked off into a room. Troy went behind his desk and seemed to be gathering his things. He was off Saturday and was here for all of yesterday so he must already be done for the day.

He came back out and gave a warning glance to his laughing sister and then he disappeared to the elevators with a very worn out expression. Normally, he would have stopped in here to bid a good-bye. Today…he just left. I wish he would have.

Not but five minutes after Troy disappeared onto the elevator, his sister bounced into our room. She had a grin on her face, "So you are the famous girl," I raised an eyebrow in her direction, "Me?" I asked, she laughed, "Gabi right?" I nodded my head, Collin looked at the lady and he hid under his blanket. "I'm so sorry, you have no idea who I am."

"You're his sister," I answered, she smirked, "The eyes?" I laughed and nodded, "The eyes and the way he was yelling at you," she waved her hand, "I come up to volunteer when I have time in my oh so busy schedule of bartending and waiting on tables,"

"He mentioned you all had college degrees,"

"I do." She answered, "I just…don't know what I want to do when I grow up." I smiled at her response as she sat down, "Let me introduce myself, I am Sammy,"

"Gabi," I replied, she smiled and she looked over at Collin then back to me, "He must really like you if he talks about Marcus and I." I felt my cheeks turn red, "He really likes you guys,"

"Not enough to talk about us to a client," I looked out the window as she smiled, "He talks about you frequently as well, did you know, he called me asking me which shirt he should wear one day. Mind you, I had a killer hangover. For some ungodly reason, when I am not bartending I find myself at a bar with some awful man I don't even want to be with in the first place and I get hammered,"

"What's hammered?"

Sammy and I both looked over at Collin as she laughed, "Hi little man, you must be Collin," he squirmed around in the bed and I got up to comfort him. "Hammered is when you take a hammer and hit your head by accident. I would not advise doing it." Collin scrunched his face in a funny why, "Why would you do that?"

"Because I made a bad choice," she replied, "You don't make bad choices do you?" he shook his head, "I don't."

"Good! Then you wont ever have that issue!" he looked over at me as I tried not to laugh, "Co, how about you take a nap,"

"Actually, we are coming to get him for scans," I turned around as it was that time already, Sammy looked at the clock as well. "I'll keep you company Gabi," I turned to tell her that she didn't have too but she was already talking Collin's ear off as I was pulled out to sign papers. I seemed to always be signing papers.

I signed my name several times while Collin was being prepped for his day of testing that he was about to undergo. I went over to kiss his forehead gently, "I'll be here when you wake up, okay?" he nodded and I kissed him again, "I love you."

"I love you too momma,"

They took him off and Sammy was still standing there. "You don't have to stay," I told her, she giggled, "I want to stay. All my brother does is try to impress you and this last week he has gone mute over you." I raised my eyebrow, as he must have been pretty close with his sister. "Its just not good timing," I confessed, "What better timing really?" she turned around, "You are stuck in the hospital a lot, he lives in the hospital a lot and I mean, he already knows the worst thing about your life right now."

My eyes squinted at her and she shrugged her shoulders, "I have been told before that I am very forward."

"Ya think?" I shot back, she laughed, "I do like you!"

"So what happened?" she asked me, I sighed, "We kissed," I replied, "and we haven't talked since." She frowned, "Was it bad?"

I laughed, "No," I replied, "It wasn't at all. Just not the right time," I told her again, "Why?" she asked me, I looked at her, "If Troy hasn't told you then I don't know if I should." I replied, "Girl, he threatened me if I came in here that he would hurt me. He has never once told me a room was off limits. He knows what I ask to many different people."

"I bet you don't ask them this."

"I ask them about their lives." She countered, "What about your life?" I recoiled slightly and she smiled, "I might have majored in Psychology," I raised an eyebrow and she smiled, "Normal look but it's a long story."

"What does Marcus do?"

"Marcus beat me up here?" she cursed, "He is a teacher," I nodded, vaguely remember him telling me all about that one day. Rolling my lips together, I looked at her, "So what was Troy doing when you were hammered,"

"Oh!" she forgot how she had gotten interrupted in the middle of her story, "He calls me at the ass crack of dawn asking me if he should wear blue or green,"

"Blue," I answered automatically, my lips snapping shut after the words leave my mouth, her smiled turned into a tight smirk, "You are just as into him as he is into you." I kept my lips tight and she smiled because she had a lot of answers. "Look, I don't know what your reasons are but don't let your brain win out here. It isn't fair to you or to Troy." My eyes lifted to hers, "If something happens you request a change of doctors and sure as hell I'll make him change doctors for you."

I smiled at her and she smiled at me, "I have never seen him so into a girl before and you have barely said five words to me. I get that he is attracted to you. He protects you from me because he knows the stupid things I ask. Your son is adorable and you love him."

I sighed and she reached over to pat my leg, "You know what is best but if you are holding out because it might ruin what you have now, how has this past week been with Troy not talking to you and being stuck here."

"Miserable,"

"So miserable either way right?"

I let my chest contract and I nodded, "Let him take you out on that date. He is good with those and Collin deserves a happy mom and to have Troy around…"

I smiled, "Are you married?" she waved her hand around, "Hell no, men and I rumble more than we kiss. You would think after having two brothers that I would actually understand the male species but I don't. I have good brothers with manners and good jobs. They support their women, not that either of them have any, and they are nice. Every man I find is just rude."

I laughed, "Collin's dad is…mhm," I shake my head as I looked over at her, "I was the one that walked away, I was also the one that took the first kiss. I was so used to our kisses being interrupted and then they never happened but it did happen and I freaked out. I don't want to ruin this for Collin."

"Collin would probably love having Dr. Troy around," she teased, "I am really glad that I got to meet you. Troy will be pissed when he finds out but eh," she shrugged her shoulders, "I don't normally give a damn." I laughed aloud and I nodded, "I was glad to meet you too Sammy,"

"Just…give him a chance to let him make this work because I have never heard him this way over a girl. He never calls me at the crack of dawn to ask me what he should wear to work to impress a mom who is sleep deprived."

"I'll see."

"Don't think about it. Feel."

Sammy looked at her watch and then jumped up, "I have to go but it was really nice meeting you." She ran out of the room faster than she appeared, I looked down at my phone and decided I was going to take a hell of a nap. I lay down in the chair and curled up. Sam was with Ryan today as he was recovering and Mariah was recovering with Kale. I was left alone with my thoughts and I pulled a blanket up and over me.

Tuesday, October 28th, 2014

My eyes drifted to Troy who was signing our discharge papers, he walked into the room with them as he handed them over to me, he made sure our hands were far apart while my eyes looked over to Collin who was not feeling well today.

Standing up, I walked out of the room and Troy followed, "I'm glad your sister chose the blue shirt,"

"Jesus Christ, I ask her not to do one fucking thing." I raised my eyebrows at him, "Thank her," I replied, I leaned closer to him and I snaked my fingers over his wrist like he did to me that one day, as I tilted my head back to look at him. "You busy Friday night?" It was his turn to raise his eyebrow, "What did she say to you?"

"Enough for me to give you that date," I replied, "So are you busy on Friday night?"

"No," he stammered, "I am free, are uh you free?"

"Would I ask you out on Friday night if I wasn't?" he laughed and stumbled over his lips to find words as he smiled, "Really?" I nodded my head; I pulled my hand away from his wrist and plucked at his collar. "Make sure you wear that blue shirt alright? Or are you going to call your sister for more advice?" His cheeks turned red as I backed away from him, the shock on his face glowing and I went back into Collin's room.

He was sitting up in his bed but he was exhausted. He had a very tough week when it came to the chemo and then a full day of testing. "Gabi," I looked to see Troy leaning in the doorway, the embarrassment clean from his features. "We need to talk about his MRI," I felt my face fall slightly, "Will you come with me?" I nodded my head as he pulled me back into his office. I walked back into the office where Collin's scans were.

My stomach shrank, as I wanted to vomit into a trashcan. I had just gone from flirting to looking at my son's small body full of cancer. "This is the first scan," he pointed to the one on the left and I looked at the one on the right, "Do you see the problem I see?"

"There isn't much of a difference," I muttered, I sat down on the edge of Troy's desk as he sat down next to me, "They are smaller," he said, "Not by much, but they are. His main tumor in his belly is definitely smaller and no new ones popped up so that is outstanding." I looked over at him and he was looking at me, "I know, it doesn't look like much but it is good. It also means three more months of chemo before we can even think about a surgery."

Turning my eyes to focus on him he sighed, "I know, it's not the best of news in the world but it is something. It isn't getting worse by these tests, okay? I know you wanted to be done with chemo but maybe we can make a compromise here, we will do two more chemos. I just need that main tumor to shrink about seven more inches to get a clean cut on that tumor and some of the others didn't really move to remove those. I am concerned with the one near his shoulder, has he been complaining of shoulder pain?" I tried to think back but this past week he has been drugged up with drugs and at home he normally complained about his belly more than anything.

"No, he hasn't complained about his shoulder. He has complained about his belly though,"

"That tumor is still huge," he muttered, "I bet he does complain about it but it is getting better. I promise." I looked at him and he nodded, "He's doing good," he rubbed my knee and then got up, "I'll call you Friday," he said, I looked at him, "Troy," he turned around to face me and he shut his door again, "Yes?"

"It's really hard to go from flirty to cancer, can we uh…not do it again?" Troy laughed, "I'm not used to letting you flirt with me."

"You did seem pretty shocked out there."

Troy smirked, "Okay, I have to go before things look weird. You okay?" I nodded my head and I got up to go over and brush my fingers over the scans. I saw the insides of my little boy but it caught my breath to see foreign objects stuck around, dirty cells attacking each other and forming a massive ball. I walked back out and Collin was curled up in a ball. I rubbed his back as a nurse brought in the final discharge papers. Collin whimpered and I cringed as I packed up the final list of things.

"You ready big guy?"

They brought in a wagon and a helper to take things downstairs. I picked him up and I made sure he had his jacket on up and tight with a beanie over his head. It had gotten cold outside since we had last been outside. We had been stuck confined inside the hospital all week and when I went to take the first load to the car and move it closer, I was taken back by the strong northern winds hailing down on us.

He buried his face into my neck but quickly pulled away gagging as he puked over my shoulder and all down my back. I cringed and he started to cry, "It's okay," I soothed, he pushed away from me, clearly angry by the actions that had just occurred. "Collin," he started to hit me, "Co," I breathed but my own eyes were battling back tears as I felt him slip from my grasp. My hands looked down at my chest as his hand marks were left from the small beating I had received. His sobs were angry as I looked up to see Troy holding him, trying to calm him down.

A nurse came over and offered me several things but I could only focus on his screaming. My head was buzzing as I decided that I needed a minute. I grabbed a cleanish shirt from our bags and I went into the bathroom and I sank into the ground. I took off the puke shirt and I pulled on the clean one and then I stood up to examine my face. I let out a breath because he was angry because he had been sick the entire week. He had to go to sleep yesterday and he didn't wake up from it well like normal.

This wasn't my fault he just had nobody else to take his anger out on.

Getting up, I opened the bathroom door as Troy flashed me a look of concern as he looked at me, I went over to take Collin from his grasp and Collin pushed away from me, "Collin," I shushed, he whimpered, "We are leaving," I promised. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," I said shortly, "He is just upset and angry and frankly, I don't blame him," Troy just nodded as I started to walk out, "I'll call you Friday morning to make sure he is still okay for you to leave?" I nodded my head gently and I made a beeline for the elevator as my cheeks were hot with embarrassment and Collin was sobbing from being in pain.

Thursday, October 30th, 2014

Collin puked into a trash bucket as my body cringed as nothing was helping. Troy for some goddamn reason took the whole rest of the week off and I was stuck with an on-call doctor. Frustrated with all of the options that he had provided for me to use, Collin was still getting sick and I wouldn't be able to go out with Troy Bolton on Friday night.

It had slipped my mind that it would also be Halloween night but Collin wasn't going out anyways, he didn't even have a costume. Ryan came running into our room with Sam close behind as he was running around in his Superman costume. Collin looked at him funny, "Momma, I want a superman costume," I cringed, as we were not talking about Halloween with Collin. "Mommy," he said, I looked at him and he already had tears in his eyes.

"Ryan told me Halloween was coming," I sighed, "Co, you aren't healthy enough to go trick or treating." He started to cry and he ran out of the room and slammed a door shut. I lowered myself onto a bed and Sam sat down next to me as Ryan ran off to follow Collin. I lowered my head into my hands while I pulled back, "I have a spider-man costume in hiding just in case this happened." Sam's face fell, "What about this date with Troy?"

"It can wait,"

"Gabi,"

I looked up at her, "It can wait," I told her again, "I don't know how many Halloween's that I will have with Collin. I don't know how much longer that I may or may not have with him and if he wants to go around one block with me carrying him up to the doors with one bucket full of candy and the other gathering puke I will do it. My date with Troy Bolton can wait." My voice seemed to rise and expand with every sentence but tears also came flooding out of my eyes.

Sam stood up and wrapped her arms around my shoulders in a hug, "I understand," Sam paused, "Have you guys like set a time?" I shook my head and she smiled, "How about we do an early trick or treating and then Ryan and I will come back with Collin because honestly, he doesn't need to be out that much either, and they can watch a movie while you go get a beer with Troy and maybe you would get that first kiss with him," I shook my head, "We already had that first kiss."

Her eyes went wide, "What?"

I nodded my head as I wiped away tears, "Yea, he came in with pizza and wine in the hospital. All of my judgment got fuzzy and we went on a walk, I got sick of him talking and I kissed him." She looked at me and I could tell what she wanted to ask. "Have you ever jumped into a pool and completely lost your breath?"

She nodded her head, "That is what kissing Troy Bolton is like."

Her lips turned into an O and she smirked, "That good?"

"Fucking fantastic."

"Call him."

I nodded my head and I hugged her, "Thank you,"

"You're welcome,"

She went out as I decided that I would first coax Collin back into my good graces as I went for the spider-man costume and I went into the living room. Collin was curled onto the couch and I walked over to sit in front of him. "We can go trick-or-treating tomorrow," I told him, he nodded his head and I pulled out the spider-man costume. "I bought you this just in case but if you don't want too tomorrow then we can stay inside and watch scary movies,"

A smile spread over his face and I pulled him into my lap, "I want you to have a good day tomorrow okay? We can't over do it and you'll have to wear a mask outside," he frowned and his bottom lip trembled because he hated that the most out of anything. He hated wearing his mask when his counts were low. "But, since you'll be spider-man, he comes with an extra cool mask to wear over the other mask."

He smiled again and I kissed his forehead gently, "I love you sweet boy, how are you feeling?"

"Tired,"

"How about you watch TV with Ryan for a couple of minutes before bedtime okay? I have to make a phone call."

"The sun is still out,"

"And you have a big day tomorrow," I reminded him, "We will cuddle and watch a movie if you want instead,"

He nodded as I got up and I went into the bedroom, I settled on the bed and I picked up my cell phone. I dialed Troy's phone number and it rang a couple of times until he answered, his voice was rich with laughter. "Gabriella," he was drunk.

"Oh boy," I announced, "Have you had too many drinks?"

"Mmm…possibly."

I laughed, "I'll call you tomorrow afternoon then instead,"

"I like hearing your voice."

"I appreciate that but," I hesitated, "I'll call you tomorrow."

"Oh no, don't go," he advised, "Actually, you should come down to the bar and hang out with me,"

"With you?"

"Yes, yes,"

"Our date isn't until tomorrow and Collin is very sick tonight, okay? I'll call you tomorrow."

"Oh…Collin is sick?"

"Very, I have to go," I didn't want to be on the phone any longer with him. I barely knew Troy Bolton sober and I didn't want to know him drunk…not yet. Maybe one day but I wasn't ready yet. Licking my lower lip, I stood up and paced the room. "I'll talk to you tomorrow,"

"Goodbye Briella," I raised an eyebrow at the nickname he had pegged on me, "Oh Ella? Or Brie? I really can't decide what I should call you." I laughed, "I'm hanging up now." I hung up the cell phone and an eager Sam was standing in the doorway, "He was drunk," I announced, "I really didn't want to get into it." I waved my hand, "I'll call him tomorrow morning," Sam nodded, "Good choice, did you say he didn't work the rest of the week?" I shook my head, "No, he didn't."

"Huh, interesting."

I got up as Collin was lying on his back; he was crying but not making much of a sound. He turned his head to look at me and he got up whimpering from pain. "What's wrong big guy?" he sniffled into my shoulder, "What's wrong big guy?"

"I don't feel good," his voice broke apart and I felt my stomach sink, "I'm sorry baby, I'm sorry," I picked him up and I went over to grab some of his pain medication that would most likely knock him out for the evening. I grabbed his anti-nausea meds that he was being prescribed because he was vomiting so much. I also grabbed a bolus for him for overnight to get food. Going into the room, I coaxed the pills down his throat and I hooked him up to his machine.

"What movie do you want?" I asked him, he shrugged so I grabbed three different movies and let him choose from those. He pointed to The Amazing Spider-man and I popped it into the DVD player as I went into the bathroom to change into a pair of shorts and a long sleeve shirt. I also brushed my teeth and pulled my hair up and out of my face. I plugged my phone into the charger as I shut off the lights and tugged the curtains shut with a tight pull. Crawling into the bed with Collin, I pressed my face into his baldhead as I kissed him and he clinged to me.

"I know bud, I know,"

Troy's POV

Friday, October 31st, 2014

I rolled over onto my stomach as I felt the pulsing continue in my head. It wasn't stopping no matter how hard I shut my eyes, my head just continued to pulse away. Pushing off the bed, I rubbed my face as I heard my house door open and shut. My eyes wondered to the spot next to me, wondering what the hell happened last night. My brain seemed fuzzy but I never actually remember a girl coming into my house last night.

I went to the bar to hang out with Sammy and some how ended up a little too drunk. Looking over at the clock, I saw it was a little past eleven and normally by this point I had a thousand emails and twenty different calls from the on-call doctor or Daniel. I pulled my phone out as my door opened, I looked over my shoulder to see Sammy looking at me, "You're alive," she said, her voice flat.

My fingers rubbed my forehead, "Seemingly," she snorted as she settled a Starbucks coffee next to me. "Bless you," I muttered as I picked up the coffee and took a bitter sip. I grabbed my cell phone as I unlocked it and went to my calls when I noticed Gabi's name in the box. I frowned, "Did Gabi call me last night?"

"You were on the phone last night." She confirmed, "Why?"

"Shit," I swore, "Gabi must have called me last night."

"You don't even remember? Did I really give you that much alcohol?" I laughed, "Somebody gave me too much," I declared, I sat up as I called Gabi back. It rang a couple of times when she answered, breathless, "Hello?"

"Hey, I uh…this is embarrassing because I don't remember talking to you last night and you called me last night and I answered the phone."

"Mmm…you did." She confirmed, "I'm glad my kid wasn't in dying need." She teased, "Good thing I wasn't on-call last night," I countered, "I am hoping you aren't cancelling this date that I have been counting down the days too."

She laughed, "Did your sister pick out your shirt from you?" I rolled my eyes, "No, she didn't." Sammy looked at me confused as I waved my hand as I took another drink of my coffee. "Today is Halloween," she started, "And I wasn't going to let Collin trick-or-treat, making it a non-issue until he found out and freaked out. So we are going for a short trick-or-treating route with all of the right protection so that he can do it."

My mouth went dry and I couldn't decide if it was because I may not get that date tonight or because I was hung-over. "I understand," I muttered, "I didn't say I was cancelling the date." She spoke, a sense of sassiness disguised in her voice. I perked up, "We just have to go later and I'll drive myself. I don't need you coming to the apartment or anything."

"I'm hurt," I claimed, "I can't pick a girl up for our first date?"

"Technically, I think the pizza dates should count in the hospital room." I laughed, "Sorry, it doesn't." she laughed from the other end, "I am glad to hear you sober this morning."

"Yea, I'm really sorry about last night. I don't get many of those anymore."

"Neither do I. I can understand the need for a break."

"Can I please pick you up tonight?"

She sighed from the other end, "Can I know your plans for the night?"

"I figured some dinner and maybe drinks later, I promise to stay sober,"

"Fine, I'll text you the address but you cannot come up to the door. Collin can't know about this, not yet," she stressed, I smiled, "Fine, I'll call you when I am there. What time do you think?"

"We are going trick-or-treating around 7 and won't be gone longer than thirty minutes. How about eight?"

"Eight works for me,"

"I'll see you then Troy,"

"For sure Gabi,"

I hung up the phone and Sammy smiled, "I can't believe you talked to her," I said standing up, Sammy smirked, "You got that date right?" I eyed her and she smiled, "Wear the blue shirt tonight, she likes that one the most."

"As she has told me once before,"

Sammy patted my chest, "Don't fuck this up. I like her."

"Thanks," I responded drily.

Gabi's POV

My eyes looked over at Collin who was dressed up as Spider-man and was slowly running up the street. He was trying to keep up with Ryan and Kale but he was slow and still didn't feel so hot. Mariah came up behind me with a smile on her face. "He looks alright,"

I struggled because he threw up right before we left but he was a trooper and still wanted to go. "He is sick," I confirmed, "So is Kale and Ryan," she spoke, "He is going to be okay,"

"I just don't want him getting an infection or something."

"He is okay, relax, and enjoy this. You look like you could use a drink."

"There is a reason I asked Troy to joy me for a drink tonight." I mumbled, Mariah smirked, "I am so fucking happy that you decided to finally just go out with him."

"They kissed!" Sam said coming up from behind us, Mariah dropped her jaw as she looked at me, "No," I shrugged my shoulders as I paid attention to Collin as he climbed another set of stairs, his breathing labored as I felt pain in my chest watching him. "When did you kiss him?"

"Uh…you guys were still in the hospital." I said, they both stared at me, "What? I didn't want to share it yet. I was in shock,"

"That was why he didn't spend that much time in your room the following couple of days. He looked mad," Mariah, said, I nodded my head, "He was mad. I am the one who kissed him and then I was the one to walk away."

"So why does he want to date you?"

"Because that kiss was…." I stopped and left them hanging as Collin slowly made his way down a driveway, he sat down on the curb as I moved forward, "Co," he looked up as I saw the tears in his eyes even with the mask blocking most of his face. I bent down in front of him, "I'm okay," he whispered, he stood back up and he was determined to keep going forward. "Can mommy carry you for a little bit?" I asked he nodded his head as I picked him up as I walked with him up and down a couple of driveways.

We turned on the street as we were keeping the boys at Mariah's tonight for a sleepover, which made me extremely nervous for how he feels right now but they convinced me. I then text Troy telling him my apartment number and that he could come up and get me when he got here. I got a sympathetic look at a couple of doors for carrying him and some nasty looks on our way back down the street. Once we got back to Mariah's house, Collin was basically asleep on my shoulder.

"Has Troy talked about changing his chemo routine?" I shook my head, "No,"

"You might ask him about it at your clinic appointment, not your d-a-t-e but at your clinic appointment." I sent her a glare and she laughed as I took Collin downstairs. I laid him on a mattress and I slipped his spider-man costume off his body. I had to take his second layer of clothes off to show the final layer of clothing underneath of him. I kissed on his face as I pulled a blanket to his chin, "Mommy will see you tomorrow morning."

He nodded his head and I kissed it again, I went upstairs where Sam and Mariah were talking. Ryan had slipped onto the floor, just as exhausted as Collin. Kale was shifting through his candy but kept rubbing his eyes. "I'm leaving,"

"Have fun," Mariah said with a smile, I nodded, "I'll try,"

"Just push Collin to the back of your mind for a little bit." Mariah came over to hug me, "I have him and I know what to do, I have all of his meds we will be okay, I promise. You deserve a night off," I felt the tears in my eyes and I nodded my head, "Thank you,"

"You're welcome, I expect to hear all about it," I nodded wiping a tear away as I picked up my keys to race home. I still needed to change my clothes and finish my make-up but my hair was already done. I had curled it as it lay on my shoulders and hung off my back. I parked my car and I rushed inside as I only had thirty minutes. I picked up a pair of dark skinny jeans as I slipped them on; I looked at them and then decided I wanted the blank ones instead.

I looped my belt through as I grabbed a white sweater that hung on me. I reached for my blue scarf and I wrapped it around my neck. It gave it a pop of color as I slipped on a pair of tan boots that went up to the middle of my calf. I went in to apply my make-up to my face as a knock came at the door. My face paled as I still had foundation everywhere. "One minute!" I yelled, I quickly rubbed my foundation in, masked my eyelashes with mascara and a little bit of eyeliner.

I then moved to the door as I opened it up, Troy stood on the other side, ten minutes early, as he kind of took my breath away. He had on a pair of dark jeans with a blue button up shirt that was not buttoned. A grey t-shirt underneath and his hair was styled in a different way than he did it for work and he was wearing a pair of converse. "Hi," I echoed, he was looking at me, his face red, "I'm not quite ready," I announced, "But come in and make yourself comfortable," I told him.

He nodded coming into the apartment, "Sam is with Mariah who has my child,"

Troy nodded as I went back into my bedroom to finish putting my make-up on. I then put on a gold watch with diamonds glistening around and I added a long necklace with a couple of bracelets on my wrist to match my watch. Quickly, I attached a pair of diamond earrings to my ears and sprayed a bit of spray on me. I released a breath as I looked at me and for the first time in months I felt pretty and put together. This brought a smile to my face that I had not seen in quite a long time.

I picked up my purse and slung it over my shoulder as I went out to see Troy leaning back against the counter. He looked up, "You are quiet," I mentioned, his eyes snapped up to look at me and his mouth faltered, "You are…beautiful," he seemed to be lacking words as those were the only things he could come up with. I smiled, "Thank you, this is the first time I have like gotten ready for something in so long. It actually felt good."

"You look…wow," he murmured, I laughed, "I think we need to get some drinks in you," Troy smirked, "That might just do the trick," I opened the apartment door and Troy let me out first but I turned to lock it tightly. "Do you need to be back at a certain point tonight?"

"No," I answered, "Collin is staying the night with Mariah,"

"That's nice of her,"

"She is about the only person I would let him stay the night with," Troy smiled, "Mama bear," we walked down the stairs together as I felt his eyes linger on me. "How is he doing?"

"You really don't remember our conversation last night do you?" Troy laughed shaking his head, "Sammy was the manager at the bar last night, I normally get free beer or cheaper beer and I had the night off which is rare," I nodded, "Sammy is really nice," I offered, Troy smiled, "Sammy is something else."

"As soon as I saw her I knew she was a Bolton sibling," Troy opened his car door for me and I slipped into the seat. It was a nice car, clean, professional, and something that was also practical. He slipped into the other side and stepped on his brake to start the car. I buckled my seatbelt in and he looked over at me, "I told her not to go talk to you,"

"As soon as you stepped on the elevator she was in our room," Troy rolled his eyes, "I can't believe her."

"She was nice," I said, "Don't and really, she got you this date because I was on the edge,"

Troy glanced over at me, "Why?"

I sighed, "I don't know. I figured maybe we could just remain friends and be just as happy with that but I knew that the tension between us would grow."

"Why did you change your mind?"

My eyes drifted out the window and I turned to look at him, "Not talking to you all week was horrible and I hated the hospital and I had nothing to look forward too. I guess no matter what you not being there sucks." Troy glanced over at me and then back over to the road, "I'm sorry, I was kind of being a jerk about the whole situation."

"You had the right. I kissed you and I walked away,"

"Yea well…you are here now on a date with me and that's all that matters." I smiled as he looked over at me, what I really liked about this whole thing, as it wasn't awkward. First dates can be so awkward and this wasn't awkward. "I'm glad this isn't awkward." I stated Troy smiled as he kept his eyes on the road. "It is normally nice to know the girl before taking her out on a date because then it is easier to get to know them."

"Agreed, that is why I hate blind dates. They are so awkward."

Troy laughed with a nod, "Agreed,"

Troy's POV

She. Was. Gorgeous.

There was no other way to put it, I knew she was beautiful in a puke stained shirt with her hair frazzled and a pair of sweat pants but holy hell, she was fucking gorgeous when she is put together and with a beautiful smile on her face. Her brown eyes seemed even softer today and she was just…wow.

I couldn't believe it when I opened the door and she was only half done. We had ordered dinner, ate dinner, and we were walking down the street to get ice cream. We both had a couple glasses of wine and all I wanted to do was pin her against the concrete wall and kiss her. I wanted to slip my hand into hers and guide her down the street and I wanted to touch her but I was refraining and now it was getting awkward as I was trying not to touch her.

Keeping my distance from her and trying to make sure that she was comfortable. We talked through dinner and I seemed to get to know her a little bit better but she was guarded. I knew she was guarded and she had a son to protect but I knew him pretty well already. "Troy,"

"Hm?"

"You got quiet," I sighed as I stuffed my hands deep into my pockets, "I was just thinking,"

"About?"

I smirked, "I probably should keep them to myself." Gabi smiled and she looped her arm through my arm, her skin vibrated against mine as I clinched my teeth together. She stopped on the sidewalk and she leaned up on the tiptoes. "I can see you trying to be a perfect gentleman," my jaw relaxed slightly, "I am a little tipsy right now but I wouldn't mind holding your hand." I stopped as I looked down at her.

"You are testing me," I blubbered, she smiled, "It's a first date step and I mean…we already had that first kiss so we might as well hold hands and I don't know, I would like to kiss you again tonight." I tilted my head backwards to look at the moon as I slipped my hands out of my pockets and I finally, finally, collapsed my fingers with hers. Her palms were smooth against mine, her fingers were small and cold but some how they fit perfectly with mine.

Her hand buzzed through mine and I tried to breath, "Thank you," I muttered, "This was hard,"

"Sometimes this girl makes the first move,"

"You seem to be constantly making the first move,"

"You are the one with the job of taking care of my son. You are nervous and I understand but maybe I just need a little bit more right now."

"Why is that?"

"I haven't felt this…alive since I was in a courtroom three months ago. I haven't felt this happy since a while before that. I want and love this feeling and I don't want it to go." She leaned into me, as she was intoxicating. She smelled so good and I wanted to hug her and kiss her and do so many other things with her but it was only our first date…after three months of seeing her constantly. I felt like I knew so much about her already.

We walked into the ice cream shop and her palm left mine and I was left with the sting cold. She walked up to the counter as the guy behind the counter smiled at her. "Where is Mr. Collin?" he asked, she smiled back as I watched her, "Sleeping over with some friends tonight."

"Is he feeling better?"

"No, sadly, this chemo took a tool on him. He is struggling but we are shrinking those ugly tumors."

"Who did you bring with me tonight," Gabi spun around on her heel with a silly smile on her face, "This is my date, Troy Bolton," I smiled as I reached forward to shake the mans hand, "Gabi, would you like the normal?" she nodded but then turned to me, "Do you want to share a banana split? I really shouldn't eat all of it. Co and I normally split."

I just nodded my head, completely drugged underneath her spell. I bet she was brilliant in the courtroom because I watched her march around this center and know exactly what she wants. She is never unsure of herself. My eyes filled with hers as she then laughed and talked with the owner again. I shrugged off my jacket as I placed it on the back of a chair; I took a seat while Gabi got the ice cream. It was close to eleven at night as she settled across from me.

She gave me a spoon and she dug in, "You must have been a sight in the courtroom," her eyes lifted to look into mine, "Why do you say that?" Ice cream bubbled out of her mouth and I couldn't help but laugh as I reached for a napkin to hand it to her. She laughed embarrassed to the notion that she just squirted ice cream out of her mouth. "Why do you say that?" she asked again, her voice firm and no ice cream leaking out from the corners. It took all control not to wipe it myself.

"You have my full attention," I told her, "I can't take my eyes off of you as you are just so…sure of yourself. It's amazing what I see outside of a hospital room sometimes. I see a mom in a hospital room who is worn and concerned about everything with her son and you are just as beautiful then as you are now but right now I literally can not take my eyes off of you. You are so sure of everything you do, everything you say is perfect. You are just so easy to follow and your eyes sparkle."

She blushed, "Gabi, you make all of the moves and you some how you let go every horrible thing that is going on right now. I admire that." I mused; she looked at me and then turned away as I could see that struck a cord through her. I reached over for her hand, "I'm sorry,"

"No, don't be. It was it is a nice break from the cancer world. Even if you are directly related. You made me forget."

"Good,"

She took another bite of ice cream and the sadness disappeared, "Do you work tomorrow?"

"No," I answered, "I'm off till Monday,"

"We have clinics on Monday,"

"Morning or afternoon?"

"Mid-morning," she said, "What's with the long weekend off?"

"Time for a break." I told her with a shrug, "I needed to clear my mind a little bit. See my mom and dad,"

"Momma's boy," she pegged, I grinned, "Guilty,"

I took a bite of the ice cream and I couldn't deny that it was very good. I looked up at her and she smiled at me, I smiled back at her as we then both broke out into laughter. Her cheeks turned red ands she had thing of syrup just below her lip. There was no resisting myself as I leaned forward to swipe my finger under her lip, she froze as I scrubbed the small amount of chocolate off her tanned skin as my finger burned with heat and her breathing was slow as it exited from her beautiful mouth.

I pulled my hand away as I wasn't sure what to do next because if I licked my finger, it seemed too much for one night but wiping it on a napkin seemed insulting. Instead, she was being forward Gabi for the evening and pulled my hand and she licked my finger. I sat still as her tongue wrapped around my finger to make sure all of the chocolate had disappeared before releasing. My breath seemed to falter in my chest as I eased my finger back. She smirked, "You know when you grabbed my wrist that day in the hospital room? That was pay back."

Releasing the built up pressure of air inside my chest I laughed, "Wow,"

"Exactly,"

"You are something else."

"I'll take that as a compliment."

Gabi's POV

Troy eased into my apartment complex a couple minutes past midnight on Halloween night. Teenagers were still looting around in the cold air as Troy glanced over to me, I kind of didn't want this night to end but I also didn't want him in my apartment yet. I wasn't ready.

He looked over at me, "I'll walk you to the door," he mentioned softly, Troy Bolton turned into somebody who took control in the hospital to passive tonight and I knew how I could be. I knew that I took control and lot and that I was different from the girl he knew. "I'm sorry if I am not who you expected me to be." I told him as I slipped out of the car, he stopped to look at me, he tilted his head backwards, and "You definitely are not what I expected you to be." He pegged, his breath came out as cold pockets in the wind.

"I guess,"

"No, no," he advised waving his hand, he reached forward to grab my hand gently, his hand pulled me in, "You are not the women I found crying in the hallway because her son was sick, you are not the women that couldn't hold herself together in the wake of a nightmare. You are the women that screamed at me for not waking her up when I took her son for a simple MRI. You are the women that put up a fight for what she believes in. You are so much more than I was expecting and I enjoy it."

His fingers tilted my chin back to look into my eyes, "I had a lot of fun tonight Gabi, and I loved seeing how you really are."

I breathed as I closed my eyes, "Are you going to fucking kiss me or not?" Troy laughed, "You are very forward," he whispered, I opened my eyes to look at him and he smiled, I finally pulled my hand around his neck to make him come closer to me. His lips meet mine and I splashed into the pool all over again.

The shock went from my lips to my pinky toe, his arms wrapped around my waist to pull me in and I wrapped my arms around his neck. I could barely breath, as my lungs wouldn't reflate, his lips were full and warm against mine. I gripped the back of his shirt as his tongue ran over my lips and I pulled away to breath. Troy sucked in air rapidly as I struggled to get my lungs to work again. My heart pulsing faster than it did went I went diving into the pool.

"Holy shit," he whispered, I leaned my head into his chest, "If every kiss was like that then we may never be able to stop." He whispered into my ear, I grinned as I pulled back and I kissed him again. "This won't be our last date right?"

"After that kiss Gabi, you may never get rid of me." I brushed my fingers through the back of his hair while he nodded, "I better go before I make a mistake or something," I laughed as he kissed him once more and he took a step back. The bitter winds suddenly making me cold, I didn't even know that it was cold until his grip released me. "I'll see you Monday Dr. Bolton," he chuckled, "Can I take you to an empty room?"

I giggled as he winked at me, "Thanks for tonight Gabi,"

"No…thank you," I said quietly, he smiled and I went into the apartment, as I couldn't wipe a smile from my face. I entered the apartment; Grant and Sam were sitting on the couch watching TV. I pressed the door shut and I fell back against it as I breathed. A big smile overcoming my face again, I wasn't sure if it was ever leaving. "Holy hell, you had a great date." Sam jumped up and I couldn't take away the smile, I just bit my lip and nodded my head.

She laughed, "Did he have fun?"

"We basically just made out downstairs and it's not the last date we are going on,"

"Lawyer Montez finally found a boy?" I shot Grant a look, "Easy now, he likes my commanding personality," Grant snorted, "I'll say,"

"Did Mariah call or anything?"

Sam pressed her lips together; my face drained, "Sam,"

"He had a rough night," Sam admitted, "Why didn't you guys call me? I could have left, we didn't have to go to get ice cream, I could have gotten him or I,"

"I have been taking care of him, we knew you would want him but we were not ruining your date tonight. Look at you, you are glowing right now and Collin is still breathing and sleeping peacefully in your bed right now okay? I don't want you to throw this away," she pointed to this look, this me, the person that has been hiding by the ugliness of cancer. "You told me that you felt like you dived into a pool head first on a fifty degree pool when you are with him."

"You needed that," I felt my chest breathe, "You deserve some happiness and he gives you that. Collin is still here and Collin is still breathing. If it were serious then we would have called you. Trust us Gabi, please," I looked at Sam and I nodded my head as she wrapped her arms around me, "Thank you," I breathed, "Just promise me that I get to see this girl who looks like she is sixteen and found the love of her life."

I smiled, "I promise."

I let go, waved good-bye to Grant, and then I disappeared into the room. My eyes filtered Collin in the bed as he was snuggled up and hooked up to a feeding. I smiled as I took off my clothes; I put on a pair of shorts and a tank top. I scrubbed my face free of the make-up that I pressed on my face earlier. I wiped clean a girl that had fun tonight and forgot about the world of cancer. I pulled my hair into a sloppy bun on the top of my head.

I looked in the mirror and I recognized a girl who was tired of staying up all night with her toddler but I also saw a girl who couldn't wait for the next opportunity to go out and be that girl, the girl who was happy. We all have different reasons for losing our breath and I am pretty sure I found the only person who could ever make me feel like I dove head first into a pool full of ice cubes.

Yekkkkk.

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