A/N: I just decided to try something completely different. This story is LOOSELY based off the book "Someone Dies, Someone Lives" by Lurlene McDaniel.

Thanks to polopopiinprepxx for her idea that appears in this chapter!

Disclaimer: I don't own and/or am affiliated with any of the characters, the movie, music, etc.


January 16th, 2006 4:15 pm

Like in the past, Troy and Gabriella spent their afternoons hanging out, either at his house or hers. Their parents had grown used to having another child in the house and were used to hearing the loud laughter from Troy tickling Gabi.

But the afternoon of the 16th was very different from the afternoons of the past. Gabriella's eyes drifted to the clock and frowned when she saw it was fifteen after 4. Troy usually came in the door no later than 3:30 and now he was 45 minutes late.

"Gabi . . . why don't you finish some of your homework before Troy comes over?" Her mom saw her sitting in front of the big bay window staring out.

"He's not coming mom . . ." Putting her hand in her open palm, Gabriella sighed loudly.

"Gabi you don't know that . . . maybe practice ran late. I'm sure there's a logical explanation for him not being here."

Shaking her head, Gabi stared sadly out the window not knowing what was going on. Troy hadn't mentioned not coming over to the house that day so she assumed he would be there.

Elena walked back to the kitchen not knowing what to do with Gabi. She had never gotten so hooked on someone so quickly before and truthfully it worried her. Looking out into the backyard, she mumbled something under her breath.

"Please God don't let Troy hurt my little girl's heart."

And with that, she turned back to the soapy water and the dishes she had abandoned a few minutes ago.

5:00 pm

An hour passed with Gabi still staring straight out the window. The tears had been cried an hour ago but she never turned from the window. She knew he would come. Sure she would be mad but the disappointment had left an hour ago; now that disappointment was replaced with worry.

"Gabi, come eat dinner please?" Her mom's quiet pleads caused her to turn from the window.

Elena smiled sympathetically as she looked at her daughter. "I wanna wait here for Troy."

"He'll come, Gabi. But you need to eat. Troy wouldn't want you not eating due to him being late."

"You're right . . . but I'll come back here."

Elena nodded before leading her daughter into the kitchen. Just as they took their seats, the shrill ring of the phone caused the mother and daughter pair to look at one another.

"Go ahead and get it Gabi."

Pushing back from table, Gabriella walked over to where the phone sat and picked it gingerly up. Holding the receiver to her ear, she spoke softly.

"Gabi?"

"Yeah Chad it's me. What's up?"

"It's Troy. He's hurt." His voice conveyed the fear she had been feeling all afternoon.

"What do you mean?" Her voice had dropped dangerously low that it caught the attention of Elena immediately.

"It's his knee. We're at the hospital and he's asking for you. Will you come?"

Looking at her mom, Gabriella nodded. "We're on our way. Thanks Chad."

Hanging up the phone, Elena stood up and looked at Gabi. "What's wrong?"

"Troy's at the hospital. Will you take me?"

Elena nodded before grabbing her purse and slipping on her shoes. "Sure; let's go."

Ushering her out of the house, Elena looked over at her daughter carefully. "Gabi, he's going to be fine."

"How do you know that? I'm so worried about him." Gabriella stared out the window watching the scene pass by in a hurry.

"Gabi . . . you're not going to be able to help Troy if you don't calm down. Take a deep breath."

Letting the breath calm her nerves and worry, Gabriella waited for her mom to park the car before rushing into the hospital. Not waiting for her mom to catch up to her, Gabriella walked over to the nurse's station.

"Miss . . . miss I need some information." Gabriella banged the countertop before a nurse came over and looked at her.

"What can I help you with?" The nurse gave Gabriella a look which she threw wholeheartedly back.

"My boyfriend was brought in . . . Troy Bolton." The nurse looked at the computer before typing the name in.

Gabriella tapped her fingertips impatiently against the countertop while letting her eyes scan the waiting room. She cursed not seeing Chad anywhere.

"He's in room 2134 but he's not allowed any visitors at this time." Gabriella didn't hear the last part and started walking down the halls.

"Miss . . . you can't go back there. You're not family." The nurse stopped Gabriella from moving.

"Gabi come on; we'll wait out here." Her mom showed up and grabbed her wrist gently.

Tears threatened to fall as Gabriella was helplessly drug back to the waiting room. Elena sat down giving her daughter a look to do the same. She pulled her knees close to her chest before placing her chin on them. Tears fell as her tired and sad eyes looked around the waiting room.

Elena sat there helplessly as she watched Gabi cope with the fact that she couldn't see Troy. Standing up, she gave Gabi a smile before walking over to the nurse's station.

"Excuse me." She got the nurse's attention before smiling politely.

"Yes how can I help you?"

"I was wondering if there was a phone I could use." The nurse nodded before pointing towards the corner.

"That one you can get to patient's room numbers and the pay phones are around the corner."

"Thank you." And with another turn, Elena Montez disappeared over to the corner.

Picking up the phone, she dialed a number before hearing a voice come over the line.

"Hi Isabella . . . yes . . . I have a lonely girl who's crying because the nurse won't let us back there. Uh huh. Ok see you in a bit." Hanging up the phone, she walked back over to where Gabi sat.

"Where did you go?" Picking her head up, she looked at her mom with curiosity.

Shaking her head, she quickly kissed her daughter's forehead before smiling. "I had to go make a phone call."

Knowing the next few minutes would cheer Gabi up, Elena waited patiently until she saw Jack Bolton standing in front of them.

"Jack!" Elena smiled standing up greeting them.

"Thank you so much for coming, Elena. Gabriella would you like to see Troy?" Jack smiled at the young lady that had cheered his son up so many days.

Nodding her head, Jack smiled before leading the two back to the back and down a hallway. "He's in there. Go ahead and see him."

Gabi smiled bravely at her mom before pushing open the door. Her shoes squeaked as they made their way across the floor. Taking a seat, Gabi let her eyes trail over her boyfriend's body before looking at his face.

His eyes were closed but a hint of a smile played against his lips. Picking up his hand, she kissed the back of it before holding it close to her cheek.

"I didn't think I'd ever see the day that our roles were reversed. Usually I'm in the bed and you're in this chair . . . I was so worried about you Troy. I thought you were mad at me . . ."

"I could never be mad at you, sweet girl." His smooth voice caused her eyes to look up into his.

"Troy . . ." Once again tears flooded her eyes as she heard his voice.

"Come here." Patting the bed, Troy beckoned her to sit beside him.

Once they were situated, Troy leaned over and kissed her forehead. "I love you my sweetheart."

"What hurts, Troy?" Kissing him back, she stared straight into his cobalt blue eyes.

"Everything . . . but especially my knee." Groaning, his face scrunched up as he tried sitting up.

Smiling, she ran her hand through his messy hair before laying her head on his shoulder. "Just relax Troy. Everything is going to be fine."

Troy smiled before giving her a look. "How did this happen anyways? What were you doing?"

Giving Gabi his handsome smile, she shook her head waiting for his answer. "You're stalling Troy Bolton. What did you do to hurt yourself?"

"Chad and I were goofing off in the gym after school and we started playing pick up basketball. We were running back and forth across the gym floor when I put my foot down and it twisted funny. The doctors are looking at my knee right now trying to figure out what's wrong with it."

Gabi frowned before kissing him. "I'm sorry babe. Looks like you're going to become a couch potato and get to sit around and work on homework."

"Or I could hang out at your house day in and day out while both of my parents are at work . . ."

Gabi laughed before shaking her head. "Nope!"

His mouth dropped open after hearing his girlfriend's response. "Why not?"

"Because you will be distracting me while I'm trying to get my work done . . . and trust me, if you're around, nothing will get done."

"Is that so?" His voice grew huskier as he kissed her passionately.

"That's the truth Mr. Bolton."

His wiggling fingers found her side as he started his tickle war. Her shrill giggles were loudly heard as she moved back and forth.

"Troy stop!" Troy laughed hearing his girlfriend continue on with her giggles.

"Sorry sweetheart . . ." Trying to break free from his tickles, Gabriella pushed him away before sitting up straight.

With a quick motion, she covered his lips with her own and they sat there making out. The clearing of the throat brought the two teenagers apart. The pair sported matching crimson blushes.

"The patient seems to be doing better." Pausing the doctor in the white lab coat, nodded and smiled brightly. "Troy we have your results."

"What's wrong with me?"

Holding out his hand, Gabriella took his hand in hers before squeezing it softly.

"I'm sorry to say but . . ."


I'm evil I know . . . I figured I hadn't done a good cliff hanger in a while so why not throw one out now. What do you guys think is gonna happen with Troy? Ideas and suggestions are always welcomed. Feedback would be amazing. The more feedback I get, the fast I'll update (there's a little motivation for you guys!!!) Thank you to everyone who has submitted ideas, suggestions, or just how much you've loved chapters. Every single feedback means the world to me!!!!