Chapter 4:

Ryan rushed into the hospital waiting room with Gabriella right behind him. He was terrified of what could have happened to his mom when he wasn't there. He knew his dad could get bad, but he never hurt her too seriously. He also was hoping Sharpay was okay. He knew they haven't been talking in awhile and that would only make matters worse for her.

He sighed in relief when he saw Sharpay rest on Troy's shoulder crying softly as they talked. He was just happy to see she had calmed down. She was really connected to her mother. Their mom was both of their idols.

"Tell me about her?" Troy asked not realizing that Ryan and Gabriella were right behind him. He finally got Sharpay to stop her hysteria. She was at least crying and breathing at the same time.

"She was the most beautiful women I have ever seen. She looks just like Marilyn Monroe. She's so talented too. She has the voice of and angels and when her hands touch the piano… Be prepared to be amazed."

"She sounds a lot like you." He said rubbing her forehead. He had really seen a new side of Sharpay tonight. He was almost attracted to her right now. He would have laughed at himself if he knew it would be an appropriate time.

"I'm no where as beautiful as she is…"

"Who told you that?"

"Everyone. Who don't have to pretend to care troy? I can make it on my own; I'm a big girl."

"Nobody wants to be lonely…"

"It's better that way. You don't get hurt as much."

"Because you're already hurt." Try lifted her chin so she was looking at him. He didn't want to see such beautiful brown eyes crying. She deserved so much more in life and she didn't think she did. He didn't know what to say.

"What's it matter? No one cares…" Sharpay said standing up and walking over to the nurse's station. She had to find out if her mother was okay. She had to her mama.

"Is she okay?" Ryan asked as he came up to Troy. He knew he shouldn't interrupt. Sharpay always did like Troy, but he didn't want to see Gabriella destroyed. She loved Troy at least that is what she kept telling Ryan when he tried hitting on her.

"Yeah I think so. She will be. She's just scared to lose your mom, you know?" Troy said standing up and greeting Ryan in a hug. Normally he wouldn't hug another guy but Ryan needed support during this time too. He was more friends with Ryan then he was with Sharpay, so couldn't he stop thinking about her now?

"That's good. I'd hate for her to do something drastic. She's a time bomb. I swear that woman would kill herself if she knew she wouldn't miss the musical." Ryan said with a smile as he saw Sharpay turn around nodding. He opened his arms as she came running to him.

"Oh Ryan! It was terrible. I wish you were there."

"I do too. You should have called me. I would have done something." He said kissing her forehead in a nonromantic way. He hated the thought of losing his sister or his mother. They were his family and he'd be lost without them.

"He would have only beaten you too. I'd be waiting to hear that both of you were alright instead of just mother." Sharpay said as she stepped back and looked at him. It was then that she noticed Gabriella had showed up as well. Of all the people to be there, she had to walk in. She rolled her eyes and walked over to the corner to distance herself from everyone else.

"Well, that went well," Ryan said sarcastically when his sister walked away. How could she fight these feelings on her own? Who cared if Troy and Gabriella were here? She needed a good friend as much as she needed him. He only wished that she would see that.

"I think we should be going Troy. This is a family thing. I don't think that we are wanted," Gabriella said as she walked over to Troy. She put her arm around his waste and smiled at Ryan. She wished there was more that they could do, but for now he needed to be with Sharpay.

"I'm not leaving!"

"But I have curfew and its already getting late." Gabriella whined as she looked up at Troy. How could he not want to leave with her? He didn't belong at the hospital. They could always be there for Ryan another day.

"Sharpay needs me. I can't leave her." Troy said moving away from Gabriella and looking her in the eye. He didn't know what he was saying. He couldn't stop himself before the words came out of his mouth. He didn't want to stay with Sharpay because she needed him…

"You'd rather be with Sharpay?" Gabriella looked at him with her hand s on her hips. How could he even say that to her with a straight face. It was like him saying she wasn't that bad. Sharpay Evans was the meanest of the mean. She didn't need anyone.

"You know that's not true. It's just. I'm worried about her." Troy said trying to sound convincing. She made it sound like he had a crush on Sharpay. Did he? He looked over at Sharpay sitting in the corner. Seeing her in so much pain made him ache. What the hell was happening?

"Well I need someone to take me home. It's too far to walk in the dark." Gabriella said softly. She tried to hide the pain in her voice, but it still came through. She looked over at Ryan and then back at Troy.

"I'll take you!" Ryan almost exclaimed. He knew his mother was alright when he saw the doctor come out. This may be his one shot with Gabriella. If he could show her how stupid troy was acting. She'd have to come crying to him.

"I don't want to take you from your family… I'll call a cab." Gabriella said as she walked away slowly.

"I don't think so!" Ryan exclaimed. "My family will still be here when I get back. I'm sure that they will understand." Ryan looked at her and he wasn't taking no for an answer. She sighed as the two of them left.

Troy walked over by Sharpay just as the doctor started to talk to her. He could tell she was anxious by the way she grabbed the doctor by the collar. He almost laughed at the sight.

"Miss Evans? I have good news for you. Your mother will be fine. She was beat pretty badly… But she definitely will live… She has a few broken rib cages though, so you will have to take special care of her. I would also like for her to stay over night."

Sharpay just nodded as she started to wipe her tears. Her mother was perfectly fine. She sighed except for the fact they didn't have a place to live. She supposed they could live in her studio, but it was just a flat wooden floor with a mirrored wall. She would have to get a job so they could pay bills and have something to eat.

Troy put his arms around her for comfort as he saw her stare into space thinking about something. He wished there was something he could do. He had to think to himself. What was Gabriella saying before? Did he want to be with Sharpay more then he wanted to be with her? Of course not, he loved Gabriella. Sharpay just needed a friend.