A/N: Thanks for all the great reviews. They mean a lot! I hope you all continue to read this story!

Chapter 11

The next day was Taylor's vigil visitation service at the mortuary. Gabriella wasn't sure what to do or wear, because she had only been to two vigil services before and that was her father's and her great uncle's. She didn't really remember her father's because he died when she was only 4 years old, and her great uncle's wasn't really a big deal because she really didn't know him. Taylor's was different. Taylor was Gabriella's best friend, and she was being remembered that night.

That Tuesday night, Maria and Gabriella got ready silently. Gabriella wasn't sure what to wear so she was tearing her room apart trying to find the perfect outfit. Finally she settled on a pair of tan slacks and a dark blue blouse. She swiped on some waterproof mascara, grabbed her crutches, and carefully went downstairs to the kitchen. Her mother was already down there, reading the newspaper silently. Gabriella saw that Taylor, Troy, Sharpay, Chad, and herself were on the front page. The headline said, "Teen Dies in Car Accident" the sub headline stated that a boy, Troy, was in a coma and a girl, Sharpay, was paralyzed.

Gabriella asked her mother if she could read the front page. Her mother looked at her silently and gave her a look. "I'm not sure if you should Gabi."

"Mom," Gabriella said firmly. "I need to see it. If I see it, then it will help me deal with this."

Maria just shook her head, but she silently put the paper down and carefully folded it. She gave it to Gabriella silently.

The page said:

Teen Dies in Car Accident

One boy remains comatose and another girl is paralyzed.

ALBUQUERQUE- Five teenagers from East High were involved in a single car accident Friday night. One teenager is dead, two critically injured, and two others are being treated at Albuquerque General Hospital.

Taylor McKessie was fatally injured after she was thrown from the passenger seat of the car. McKessie's boyfriend, Chad Danforth, was driving the vehicle at the time of the accident.

Cara Bolton, mother of Troy Bolton, reported the status of the four other teenagers. Bolton, 18, received a concussion when he was ejected from the vehicle. He is currently comatose and it is uncertain whether he will fully recover. Sharpay Evans, 18, is paralyzed from the waist down as a result of damage to her spinal cord when she was ejected from the car. Gabriella Montez, 17, was treated and released Saturday for a minor concussion, a fractured leg, and imbedded glass in her face.

All, except for Danforth did not have their seat belts on at the time of impact and were thrown from the vehicle. The police are still investigating whether or not Danforth was driving recluse. Danforth and his family were unavailable for comments, but McKessie's mother spoke of her daughter as "ambitious" and "smart." She and her husband will allow any student of East High that was close to Taylor to come to her daughter's funeral. "I would like my daughter to be sent out surrounded by those who loved and appreciated her."

The principal will allow students to be excused from his or her classes Wednesday to attend the funeral.

That was it. Gabriella quickly turned to Taylor's obituary and looked at it. It said:

McKessie, Taylor-17, Went to be with her Lord and Savior Friday, February 3, 2006. Her vigil service will be tonight at 8:00 at All Faiths' Mortuary. Her funeral will be tomorrow at 11:00 AM at the First Christian Church of the Nazarene. Taylor was born on June 4, 1988 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She attended East High School and was on the Science Decathlon Team. She had many friends and was deeply loved. She is survived by her parents, Frank and Cecilia McKessie of Albuquerque. Her grandparents, Michael and Lisa Jones of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Her grandfather, George McKessie of Los Vegas, Nevada, and numerous loving uncles, aunts, cousins, and friends. She was preceded in death by her grandmother, Natasha McKessie, and her aunt, Irene Moore.

Gabriella looked up at her mother when she was done reading. Her mother signaled that it was time to go. She looked at the digital clock on the stove. It was already 7:36 and it'd take about 10 minutes to get there, so they had to hurry. Gabriella quickly folded up the newspaper and put it on the counter. She grabbed her abandoned crutches and followed her mother to their SUV.

When they got to the mortuary, all the parking spaces were filled. She didn't realize that there would be that many people there. Maria asked if she wanted to be dropped off at the front while she parked but Gabriella didn't want that. She wanted her mother with her for support. They parked at a near by general store and went towards the mortuary.

When they got there, many people were gathered into small groups. Gabriella looked around and saw Sharpay, Ryan, their parents, and Taylor's parents talking. Ryan looked up and gave her a small hand wave. Gabriella maneuvered herself over towards the group with her mother following behind. When Gabriella got there Taylor's mother gave her a huge hug. Taylor's dad also gave her a warm embrace. Gabriella had always liked Taylor's parents. Whenever she went over to Taylor's house, her mother always greeted Gabriella with a warm smile and made them a snack to share. It was usually something healthy, like carrots with ranch dip. Why am I thinking of what we snacked on? She asked herself abruptly.

"Would you like to see Taylor?" Mrs. McKessie asked Gabriella warmly.

Gabriella gave her a small nod, and Mrs. McKessie motioned for her to follow her.

The casket was in the front of the room. There were lights on the open casket, and as they drew nearer Gabriella could see the outline of Taylor. When they arrived at the side of the casket, Gabriella looked in at her friend. She was motionless and she wasn't breathing. Gabriella somehow expected her to be breathing normally, but she wasn't. Instead she just lay there silently. Her lips were positioned in a slight smile, but not a full smile.

"She's beautiful," Gabriella whispered. Mrs. McKessie nodded in reply. Both had tears in their eyes. Taylor was wearing a short-sleeved blue dress, which Gabriella recognized as the dress she wore to Chad's older sister's wedding. Her hair was silky, and smooth, just like she had worn it the night of the accident.

"You can touch her if you'd like," Mrs. McKessie told her gently. She demonstrated by stroking Taylor's hand. Gabriella reached out, uncertainly, and touched Taylor's cheek. She felt cold. Gabriella broke down then. She bent over and kissed Taylor's forehead and gave her an awkward hug. Taylor was her best friend. She didn't want to let go of her. She felt like she'd fall if she let go of her. Luckily, Mrs. McKessie put her hand on Gabriella's back and patted it. With her other hand she reached for her arm and held her up. She forced her to turn and, she gave her a hug. Mrs. McKessie then led her to her mother. Maria held Gabriella and led her to the back of the room and towards the door to get some air. Gabriella felt the gentle breeze on her refreshing. She went to sit on the bench beside the door. She took a deep breath and then let it out slowly. Her mother silently sat beside her and stroked her daughter's hair. She was grateful to her mother. She had been so understanding through this whole ordeal. Gabriella turned sideways and embraced her mother. They stayed that way for a few minutes until her mother broke the embrace.

"It's probably time to get back inside," she said to her daughter. "Are you ready?"

Gabriella looked away from her mother. She looked around and felt so at peace out here. She just wasn't ready to go back in yet. "I think I will stay outside for a few more minutes," she said quietly.

Her mother gave her a silent nod and turned and went back into the mortuary.

Gabriella looked around and watched the birds fly and she listened to the chirping of the crickets outside. Suddenly she heard a slight noise and turned around to see what it was. It was Chad.

"Chad, what are you doing?" Gabriella asked still stunned.

"I came to pay my respects," he said in a timid manner.

"Oh," Gabriella responded.

"My parents told me that I shouldn't go, because of all that happened. They don't want people to gossip about me," he said almost tiredly. "I have to be here though, Gabi. She was my girlfriend. I loved her. I can't just not be here and not be able to see her one last time."

Gabriella felt for him. She gave him a comforting look. "I understand. You do deserve to see her. You loved her."

Chad nodded and gave her a thankful look.

Just then Taylor's dad walked out the door and started, "Gabriella the service is—"

He stopped when he saw Chad. His face turned from tired and painful, to angry. "What the hell are you doing here? You murdered my daughter! You are the reason she is dead. Haven't we suffered enough, without you coming here and ruining everything? Leave! Now, before my wife sees you and becomes even more upset than she already is!"

With that Chad turned around and walked quickly to his car. He gave Gabriella a weak glance before he got into his dad's old truck.

"That oaf shouldn't even be driving!" He turned towards Gabriella and saw her horrified face. He then started, "Gabriella, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that in front of you. Please forgive me. I'm just so tired and grief has taken over me. Will you forgive me?"

Gabriella gave him a nod and quickly got up, grabbed her crutches and went nervously past Mr. McKessie. She had never seen him like that before. She was so scared when he said that to Chad, but yet she agreed with him. Chad didn't think about how his presence would affect Taylor's family, and he shouldn't be driving. Not after everything that has happened. She took her seat silently and listened to what was being said about Taylor. The minister asked if any friend would like to speak. Maria nudged Gabriella, but she didn't want to speak. Not after what had just happened outside. Maria nudged Gabriella again after the minister asked again if any friend would like to speak. Suddenly Gabriella felt compelled to speak out about her friend. Slowly she got up and maneuvered herself up the aisle. Stopping only when she saw her friend's casket. She slowly went past it and went towards the microphone. She took a big breath and looked out at all the people there. She then started.

"My name is Gabriella Montez. I was one of Taylor's friends. We have been best friends ever since I moved here my sophomore year," she paused and looked out at all the people. She knew what she had to say. She then looked down again.

"I was in the car with Taylor the night of the accident. I was one of the luckier ones and escaped with only minor injuries. When I started thinking about how I got so lucky, I couldn't answer it. Why was I lucky enough to live while my best friend didn't? I'm sure Sharpay, another one of Taylor's friends who was in the car that night, is asking the same question. If Troy was awake, then I'm sure he'd be asking himself why this happened also. But the one person who is suffering the most," Gabriella paused for a second before she said this. She knew that she would be upsetting Taylor's parents but it had to be said. She then finished, "is Chad Danforth." She watched Taylor's parents wince at the name. Kelsi gasped and Sharpay looked discussed.

Gabriella looked down again. "I know what you all are thinking. I don't mean to be scratching old wounds, but I bet that Chad Danforth is suffering so much right now. He killed his girlfriend by his own recklessness. He will have to live with that fact for the rest of his life." She looked out at all the faces in the room. She paused for a second and then continued.

"I remember that night, Taylor and Chad were fighting. It kills me to know that in her last moments, Taylor was upset over some pointless fight. Even at that moment, though, I know she was thinking how much Chad meant to her. She loved him with all her heart, even if they fought." Gabriella paused again. She felt like she was just talking to herself half the time. She spoke how she really felt. She wanted everyone to know the reality of the whole situation.

"I know that some of you feel that her life was short and uneventful, but in truth, it wasn't. She may have not been able to do many things like, vote, go to college, get married, or have children, but she lived a full life with loving parents and many friends. She was so in love with life. Every day was a great day for Taylor, even when she was in a bad mood, she'd be over it in a few minutes. Her life was very fulfilling and loving, no matter what anyone says, she lived her life to the fullest without looking back and that's what I loved about her. Just remember her life, not her death. Dwell on the life that she lived rather the way she died. Just remember that as you all are grieving."

She looked away and grabbed her crutches. She silently maneuvered herself back down the isle and went back to her seat. She felt everyone staring at her, but she didn't dare look up. The rest of the service was a blur. When it was over with, Gabriella went up to the casket and kissed her friend goodbye. She stepped back and looked at her friend for the last time. It truly hit her at that point. Her friend would never come back.

A/N: I know a long chapter, finally. It seemed sort of wordy, and rushed to me. Reviews would be nice. The next chapter will be the funeral.