Chapter 17

My stomach sank and my heart came up my throat. Did something happen to Gabi? I see this on TV all the time. They call the person closest to the patient's name and tell him terrible news. I stood up, my legs shaking the whole time.

"Yes?" I said to her. I think that she sensed the worry in my voice, because she put her hand on my shoulder. From the corner of my eye, I saw my mom rise. My dad grabbed her hand and whispered something to her. My dad's been getting more and more pale lately. It might be just me but, I also think that his right eye seems a bit bigger. I told my mom that, but she said that I was just imaging things, and that the doctors didn't think that his face would start to deform for another month or so.

"You're Gabriella Montez's boyfriend, right?" The nurse asked me. Emma her name tag flashed.

"Yes." I told her. I clenched my fists, tight.

"There was a complication in her surgery–" Emma began, but I cut her off.

"Is she OK?" I swallowed the lump in my throat. I could feel my nails cutting into the skin of my palm.

"Well, the doctors say that they nicked a nerve in her wrist, and she may have minimal paralyzation in that area. You can't tell for sure, though, until she wakes up."

"Paralyzed?" I blinked.

"Minimal, if any." Emma said back to me. "And only in that area."

"Well, is she done with surgery yet? I thought they said it took longer." I stared back at her.

"Yeah, the doctors expected a longer surgery too." she smiled.

"Can I see her?"

"She's still in affects of the anesthesia."

"Huh?" I said. What does that mean?

"She's sleeping." Emma laughed.

"Well, can I see her anyway?" I pleaded.

"Yeah, only one person at a time, though," she glanced over at my parents and Ryan and Sharpay, "until she wakes up." I smiled a true smile. I couldn't wait to see my girlfriend.

"Ok, lets go!" I said. I turned and waved to my parents and Ryan and Shar. They stared back with questioning looks on their faces. I smiled at them and they immediately looked relieved.

"This way." Emma led me through the halls to Gabi's room. She was hooked up to all kinds monitors. I fought the tears from coming. She just looked so pale and lifeless.

"I'll leave you two alone." Emma said and turned away. I sat down next to Gabi and held her hand. I prayed for both of us. Even though she was sleeping, I knew she could hear me. I told her about Shar and Zeke. I talked to her about basketball, the musical, the gang, and my parents. A few hours had passed and I found myself with nothing more to say. I sat looking at Gabriella and listened to the beeping of the machine pounding out her heartbeat. Nice and even. Perfect. All of the sudden, her eyes fluttered open.

"Troy?" her voice sounded hoarse.

"Yeah babe. I'm here." I smiled at her.

"Good." She used her 'good' arm and pushed herself into a sitting position. I took her 'bad' hand and cradled it in mine. I ran my fingers down her's.

"Can you feel that?" I asked her. She looked at me quizzically.

"Yeah." she said, "Why wouldn't I be able to?" A huge wave of relieve swept over me.

"That's great." I said, my voice cracking with every syllable. I blinked back the tears. Not tears of sadness, tears of joy, happiness and relief.

"Troy, what's wrong?" A concerned Gabriella asked her boyfriend, me.

"Nothing's wrong, Gabi. I'm just so happy that you're alright. The surgery's over. You can feel your hand. Everything is just amazing." I smiled at her, through clouded eyes.

"Uhh, Troy. I get that you're happy and all, but why wouldn't I be able to feel my hand?" Gabriella questioned me.

"It's just that the doctor's hit a nerve during the surgery and they thought that there would be minimal paralyzation in your wrist." I stared at her. She was perfect, beautiful, and mine. She just blinked back at me.

"So.."she ventured, "I'm supposed to be paralyzed?"

"Not exactly. They said that they wouldn't be able to tell until you woke up. See, you are all right now. There's nothing to worry about."

"But– " I cut her off.

"There are no buts. You're fine now." I leaned closer to her and kissed her lips softy.

"Thanks." She said quietly.

"Thanks? Thanks for what?" I asked. Now I was the one who was puzzled.

"Thanks for saving my life." Gabriella whispered. I leaned down to kiss her when a nurse broke the perfect moment.

"Oh good, you're up." she said to Gabriella. "I just need to run a few tests."

"Ok," Gabi whimpered.

"Do you want me to leave?" I said, turning to my girlfriend.

"You can if you want." I could tell she didn't want me to though.

"Well," I said, "I've been in here for almost three hours and I think my parents will be worried. I'll come back though."

"Ok, just don't leave without saying goodbye." She smiled.

"I wont. Promise." I turned to tell my parents the good news.

I was surprised to see Ryan sitting with my parents when I got down there. I thought for sure he and Sharpay would have gone home by now. Where is Shar anyway?

"Hey, Troy. Everything alright?" My dad asked me.

"Yeah everything's going great." I returned.

"Can I see her?" Ryan spoke.

"Yeah," I said, "the nurse is running some tests right now, but I'm sure she'll be done soon."

"Ok." he said back.

"Can we go too?" my mom asked.

"Yeah, she's awake now, so more than one person can go in there."

"Good."

"Where is Sharpay?" I asked.

"Oh," my dad said, "she went to the bathroom."

"I think I'll do the same." I smiled.

"Well, I'm going to go visit Gabriella now." Ryan got up.

"I guess we will too." Mom said. She got up and took Dad's hand. They walked quick to catch up with Ryan.

I turned and headed away from the bathrooms and upstairs to see Zeke. When I got there, I was surprised to find Sharpay. She was singing. Singing a beautiful song.

I have a maker
Before my heart,
before even time began
My life was in his hands

He knows my name
He knows my every thought,
He sees each tear that falls
and hears me when I call

I have a father,
he calls me his own
He'll never leave me,
no matter where I go

He knows my name
He knows my every thought
He sees each tear that falls
and hears me when I call
He knows my name
He knows my every thought
He sees each tear that falls
and hears me when I call

He knows my name
He knows my every thought
He sees each tear that falls
And hears me when I call
He hears me when I call

She was crying, holding Zeke's hand. "God," she said, "Help me. Help Zeke. I need you now. Make him well. I can't handle this all on my own. I don't want to bring a baby into this world without a father. Please...Please..." I couldn't understand what else she said for her choking sobs made it impossible to decipher. I turned as quiet as I could and returned to the waiting room feeling guilty for intruding.

A/N: How'd you like it? Review please! Sorry it took so long to post. Fanfiction wouldn't let me upload the document.