The rest of the day went by in a blur of sleep and daytime television shows. Troy stayed by my side all day, smiling at me through drowsy eyes. In all of this anticipation, I hope with all my heart that Carlos would wake up today, because if he didn't, Troy and I sacrificed our first night starring in the musical for no reason. I felt selfish again, but I believed Carlos would wake up in time; after all, he was my biggest fan.
I was watching Troy mindlessly changing the channels on the waiting room television, when someone came into the room.
"Gabriella?"
I looked up and was surprised to see who was standing in the doorway, and so was Troy by the shocked look on his face.
Ryan Evans.
The concerned look on Ryan's face shocked me. When I normally see Ryan, he is in a cunning and mysterious mode that shows through onto his facial features. It made me realize that he had feelings too, and I had disregarded them without a second thought, and for that I felt selfish.
"I'm sorry about your brother," Ryan said, handing me a bouquet of pink flowers.
"Thanks Ryan . . . really, I mean it I'm sorry I-"
"No. Don't apologize for anything Gabriella," he said, "It's me who should be apologizing for before. I was insensitive, and I didn't even realize what I was doing."
"It's okay, I really forgive you," I admitted, smiling.
He smiled back, "And I'm sorry I caused you any trouble as well Troy."
"Don't worry about it," he said, holding out his hand and shaking Ryan's.
"I'm glad we're starting over . . . but Ryan!" I exclaimed, "Shouldn't you be getting ready for tonight?"
"Well, I couldn't perform until I got this messed up situation off my conscience," he explained, "Thanks Gabriella. I still wish you two were the ones going onstage tonight, you deserve it."
"Its fine, hopefully we'll make tomorrow night's show," Troy added.
"I'd better be going," Ryan decided, "I just think . . . well, I tried to get Sharpay to come with me but she refused. She always has to be a . . . diva."
We laughed.
When Ryan left, there was a sense of awkwardness in the room. It seemed like we were both equally surprised that 'creepy stalker Ryan' turned out not to be such a creepy stalker after all.
I started to get drowsy a few minutes later. My thoughts were drifting to random places and I just couldn't seem to stay awake. I awoke with a start when commotion came to the room.
"Gabriella Montez?" a nurse asked, rushing into the room.
"Yes?" I replied, shooting up out of my chair.
"Come with me," the nurse beckoned.
I followed behind the nurse, who was rushing down the hallway while trying not to run. Troy was behind me, and I barely realized what was happening, where I was going, and where I was at.
We reached Carlos's room, and I woke up from my barely-there stage. My mother was at his bedside crying. Questions raced through my mind as I expected the worst.
But my thoughts and feelings changed even more on this rollercoaster as I realized my mother was smiling . . . and that Carlos was blinking.
I rushed to his side, and grabbed his hand, looking into the eyes that I see each morning in the mirror. Carlos was awake.
"Gabi," he barely whispered to me, a voice that I had almost forgotten after all this time.
"Carlos . . . I love you," I said, saying the words I so repeatedly wanted to have the chance to say just one more time to my brother.
I felt an arm on my shoulder and a breath on my ear. Troy.
I was crying and laughing at once, a feeling that doesn't occur so often. A feeling of relief, happiness, and euphoria flashed through my body.
"Don't cry," he said, crying himself.
I learned later that he had woken up about five minutes before the nurse found me, and was informed of his condition. He had been asking for 'Gabi' repeatedly, and had seemed to be delirious until I came.
"This is Troy," I said, introducing him, "Since we're in Albuquerque now, you guys can be friends."
"Nice to finally meet you," Troy said.
Carlos just smiled back. The nurses left us alone so we could talk to him for awhile. It was great having him back, and to have both my favorite guys finally meet.
I told him everything he missed, about our new house and school, about the musical and the people in it. He listened carefully, I could tell. Though weaken by his condition. I loved having him back . . . my other half.
I glanced at the clock, a half an hour until the musical.
It was then that I realized that Sharpay got to be the Minnie I thought she deserved to be after all. I got the brother that I wanted back. Everything was perfect, or would be after the musical tomorrow night.
I pictured Troy and I, singing and dancing and enjoying ourselves. There was my mom and Carlos, staring up at us from the audience . . . my family.
