Disclaimer: Not mine, they belong to Disney.

A/N: I have to say, I'm glad you all love the story. Although, I'm not too keen on all the death threats… Well, this is chapter 4, and you shall find out Troy's fate…

I think this is my weakest chapter, but I really wanted to post it soon because I might not update for a few days. Oh yes, in this chapter I use the ever popular tool called...THE FLASHBACK! Yay!

To my reviewers: Thanks, you guys!
Oh, and guys: please don't hunt me down and murder me! I value my life! LOL

Chad watched the flat line for a moment, before turning away and slamming his fist into the wall. The others continued to watch as the on-call resident examined Troy, checking his breathing and taking his pulse. A few minutes after he had walked in, he walked back out, leaving a nurse to take down Troy's vitals.

"What's going on?" Kellie asked, her voice filled with worry.

"False alarm," the doctor told her, pausing outside the room. "One of the EKG leads failed, he's fine."

"He didn't go into cardiac arrest?" Kellie confirmed, her muscles relaxing as the tension left her.

The doctor nodded. "If you'll excuse me, I have other patients to look after." He nodded at the group and turned on his heel, headed into the room adjacent to Troy's. Everyone present let out a collective breath, relieved that Troy was okay. His parents went into the room to sit with Troy, leaving the three teens out in the hall.

Chad slid down the wall, putting his head in his hands as he breathed heavily. Taylor walked over to him, sitting next to him, as Gabriella sank into the chair opposite.

"He's okay," Taylor whispered, rubbing Chad's back gently. "Nothing's wrong, he's fine."

Chad looked up at his girlfriend, tears shining in his eyes. "I know, it's just-I saw the flat line and I just lost it. This is my fault, if Troy dies-" Gabriella made a small squeaking noise from her chair, fresh tears springing into her eyes. "I'm sorry," Chad whispered, leaning his head heavily against the wall.

"Troy's not going to die," Taylor said assertively, feeling like she was the only sane person in the group. "He's strong, and he's going to make it through this. We'll help him." She looked at Chad when she spoke, but the words were also directed at Gabriella, who had wrapped her arms around her knees and was struggling to fight back more tears.

"How can you say that?" Chad asked angrily, his voice growing louder. "You don't know if he's going to die, or if-" Again, Gabriella sobbed, burying her face in her hands. Chad cursed under his breath, standing up slowly and walking over to her, leaving Taylor to follow him. He sat next to her, wrapping his arms around her and letting her rest her head on his shoulder.

"I am so, so sorry, Gabi," he whispered, letting her cry onto his shirt. "I shouldn't be thinking like this, Troy will be fine." Taylor stood back slightly, watching her best friend and boyfriend comfort each other. "We have to be strong, for Troy."

Gabriella sobbed, her words distorted by her cries. "It's just so hard to see him like that," she cried, using her shirt sleeve to wipe her eyes as she broke the hug. "He looks so weak, so vulnerable. He doesn't even look like himself."

Chad sighed. "I know it's hard, Gabi, but we have to believe he's going to be okay. Taylor and me are here for you, and for him. Don't forget that."

Gabriella sat alone in the hospital cafeteria, absently stirring her hot chocolate with a straw, her mind still with Troy. His parents had suggested she get something to eat, but the mere thought of food made her want to throw up. Taylor and Chad had gone home an hour previous, promising Gabriella they'd return the following day.

Now, however, she couldn't shake the pervading sense of loneliness that seemed to sit heavily in her stomach, choking her very soul. The thought of Troy lying helpless in the bed upstairs filled her mind, followed by images of Troy stuck in a wheelchair for the rest of his life, Troy in coma for the rest of his life…Troy lying lifeless in a coffin. This final image brought new tears into her eyes, disproving her theory that she had cried all her tears before.

A salty drop splashed into the silky brown surface of the chocolate, barely disturbing the flat surface of the liquid. Gabriella groaned, pushing the drink away from her and swiping blindly at her eyes with a napkin.

"Get a hold of yourself," she whispered aloud, shaking her head. Standing quickly, she tossed her Styrofoam cup in the trash, hiding her tear-stained face behind a shirt sleeve as she walked briskly out of the cafeteria, attracting the stares of several people. She reached a women's restroom, where she slipped in and stood in front of a mirror.

Her appearance was disheveled, her hair tangled and messy, her eyes puffy and bloodshot. There were tracks of mascara running down her cheeks from all of the crying. Sighing, Gabriella grabbed several paper towels and turned the water in the sink on, washing her face. Looking up again, her eyes sought out the necklace around her neck, the necklace Troy had given her on their one-month anniversary.

FLASHBACK

"Come on, people, show time is in two weeks!" Darbus was shouting, watching exasperatedly as the cast of Twinkle Town bungled their way through a production number. "From the top!"

A collective groan went around the room, echoed by Troy and Gabriella. This was their most challenging number, and even though half of the cast had it down perfectly, the other half looked like they were lost in space. The music started, and Troy began to sing, leading off the song. Gabriella joined him, and the dancing started, the rest of the cast finally moving in perfect sync. The two leads stood in the middle of the stage, leading the routine with perfect accuracy.

The song ended, and Darbus began clapping. "Finally!" she shouted, smiling at the cast. "That's what I like to see. We're finished for today, be here at 3:30 sharp tomorrow, we'll work on the opening number." The cast cheered, jumping off the stage to grab their stuff as they left. Troy stopped Gabriella, grabbing her arm as she moved toward the exit.

"Do you know what today is?" he asked, his voice low and flirtatious.

Gabriella frowned, pretending to think. "I have no idea," she replied, wrapping her arms around Troy's shoulders as they stood in the now empty theater. "Why don't you tell me?" She pulled Troy into a kiss, breaking apart and smiling at him.

Troy frowned in mock disappointment. "I'm hurt," he said, putting a hand over his heart dramatically. "You can't even remember our anniversary?"

Gabriella smiled. "Of course I did," she said, kissing him again. "One month."

Troy beamed, bending down and rummaging in his backpack. "I got you something," he said, pulling out a small jewelry box. He opened it and took out a small silver heart dangling from a delicate chain. Gabriella gasped.

"Oh, Troy, it's beautiful," she whispered, taking the charm in her hand. Troy smiled.

"Turn around," he instructed, unhooking the clasp. Gabriella complied and he fastened the necklace around her neck. "Happy anniversary," he whispered, turning her around and kissing her again.

FLASHBACK

Gabriella let out a choked sob at the memory, sinking to the floor and burying her head in her hands as she cried.

Taylor sat in Chad's kitchen, inattentively flipping a quarter between her fingers. Chad had left the room ten minutes prior, and she was starting to worry that he was doing something dangerous. Sighing deeply, she stood up and walked down the hall.

"Chad? Where are you sweetie?" she called, peeking her head into the rooms she passed. She reached his room and pushed on the slightly ajar door, seeing Chad sitting on the side of the bed, hunched over something. "Chad? Are you-"

He turned, startled, and Taylor caught a glimpse of silver in his hand. He stood quickly, hiding his hand behind his back.

"Chad?" Taylor asked apprehensively. "What are you doing?"

"Nothing," he replied quickly, his hand clenched around the silver object.

"Chad, is that a razor?"

He shook his head, reaching to shove the thing under his pillow. Taylor moved quickly, grabbing his hand and prying apart the fingers. A small disposable razor blade fell out of Chad's hand. He looked away from Taylor, his eyes filled with shame.

Taylor picked up the blade, her hands shaking. "Chad, were you trying to kill yourself?" she asked, her voice trembling.

He looked back at her, tears slipping down his cheeks.

"Yes," he whispered, burying his head in Taylor's arms.

Troy's parents sat in his room, his mother gripping his hand and his father standing at the window. He was still showing no signs of improvement, but Dr. Andrews had said that he could be in a coma for awhile; they couldn't know how long. He could wake up tomorrow, or in a month, or even several months, she had said.

The sun had just gone down outside, leaving the sky a dark blue. Troy had been in the hospital for over 24 hours, and neither his parents nor his girlfriend had slept a wink in those hours. Suddenly, Gabriella appeared at the door, her face free of any trace of tears, but her eyes betraying her deep sadness.

"How is he?" she whispered, looking up at the coach and his wife.

Jack shook his head. "Same."

"At least he's not getting worse," Kellie interjected, reaching forward to brush Troy's hair from his face.

Gabriella nodded. "I just wanted to tell him goodbye before my mom comes to pick me up."

Kellie nodded, kissing Troy's forehead as she stood. Gabriella slid into the chair, taking Troy's hand and kissing it.

"I love you, Troy," she whispered, aware that his parents were standing inside the door, watching. "Please come back to me soon, I miss you." Kissing his forehead, she stood up again, walking to the door. "I'll be back tomorrow," she told his parents. Kellie nodded, pulling Gabriella into a hug.

"We'll call you if anything changes," she said, as Jack smiled at Gabriella.

A/N: And you thought I'd kill him? Ha! But never fear, there's still a few tricks up my sleeve. :D

Well, that was a little lamer than normal, but I wanted to get this one up ASAP. My school swim team has county championships tomorrow, so I probably won't post again until Monday, maybe Sunday.

Coming in Chapter 5: Is Chad really suicidal? Will Gabriella hold herself together? And finally, at the end of the chapter: A week later…the long awaited awakening of Troy! Maybe. If I don't get anymore death threats. Just kidding.

Please review!