DISCLAIMER: I OWN NOTHING BUT THE PLOT!
ok everyone. this chapter CONCLUDES With A Hopeful Heart. it's been great writing after reading everyone's encouraging and positive reviews! oh and if you liked this story, check out my work in progress story: HAPPY BIRTHDAY, VANESSA. it can be found on my page.
Going up the stairs to the apartment was brutal. I just learned how to walk with crutches, and now my newest challenges, climbing a flight of stairs because the stupid elevator was out of service, was totally slowing every tenant down. I felt rather bad that I was in the way of at least ten people, so I stood aside as they passed by me, Taylor, and Kelsi without any sympathetic looks or smiles.
"Watch it!" a brute man yelled as he bumped into one of my crutches.
"Excuse me, sir, but you ran into her," Kelsi snapped defensively. He glared at her then started up again.
"Damn, handicaps," he retorted sharply. Jerk! You are horrible neighbors anyways. As soon as everyone passed us, I started again, refusing Taylor and Kelsi's offer to help me out.
"Guys, I'm fine. I got to learn how to do this on my own anyways," I said as they placed an arm around mine. They backed off and waited for me to walk up a few steps. I was so anxious to open up the letter that I became distracted, and before you know it, I lost my balance and…
"Whoa, whoa, whoa. I got you," Taylor said as she caught me before I fell.
"Gabriella, even though you're on the cheerleading squad, no offence or anything, but you have horrible balance," Kelsi said with a slight laugh. I glared at her as I recentered myself and took another step. "Ok…too soon for jokes," she murmured under her breath.
CLICK! CLICK! THUD! CLICK! CLICK! THUD! were the only and repeating sounds of the crutches and my foot I heard as I finally reached the door. Taylor pulled it open, and we walked into the hallway. We reached our door. Kelsi fumbled for her keys and opened it. I walked in and saw a "WELCOME HOME GABI!" banner hung across the living room wall. I heard muffled music coming from Gena's and Sydney's closed bedroom door, and I smelled the most amazing roasted garlic chicken that I knew Brylee could only make.
"YO! EVERYONE! GABZ IS HOME!" Taylor yelled through her cupped hands. Instantly, Gena's door flew open and out came Gena and Sydney, who flew their arms around my neck.
"Welcome home, Gabi!" Gena said as she let go of my neck.
"Yeah, girl. The past few days hasn't been the same without you here," Sydney said. Brylee emerged from the kitchen with an apron and oven mitts on. She walked up and careful hugged me. She smelled like garlic.
"Hungry?" she asked. "Hospital food, I hear, isn't the greatest." Everyone laughed.
"Duh," I answered sarcastically.
"Well come on, let's go eat! We still haven't heard about the incident with…ahem, Geo at that party," Sydney said sarcastically as she started walking towards the kitchen. Even though the girls had visited me at the hospital, I refused to tell them the story there. I mean, come on, tell them my story in a HOSPITAL? No, I'll wait til I'm home, thanks.
I started to follow them when I remembered my main mission. Letter TWO. "Uhm, I think I'll go try to change first. I smell like the hospital," I said as I stopped abruptly. "Tay, Kels, could you help me out?" I winked at them at nudged my head in the direction of my room. They caught on and followed me. Kelsi hurriedly shut the door once we all got in the room.
"Taylor, Troy sent me a text message to open up letter number two," I explained. Without a word, Taylor fumbled through her desk and drawers in search of the letters. She pulled out two more large white envelopes labeled 'TWO' and 'FOREVER'. I grabbed the letter labeled TWO and ripped it open. I played with my locket as I read over the short letter Troy had written:
Gabriella,
You're amazing.
And I'm so lucky.
I'm always there when you need me.
Just flip open that locket, and BAM! I'm looking at you.
Love you always,
Troy
A beaming smile filled my face as I flipped open the locket. I stared into the bluest eyes ever captured by a camera and already I was feeling warm and great. I handed the letter to Taylor and Kelsi, and they let out a cute "AWWWW!"
I struggled over to my closet and pulled on a clean shirt. I really did smell like the hospital. I came back over to the two and took the envelope that was labeled 'FOREVER'. I carefully sat down on Taylor's bed and ran my fingers over the edge. I wonder. I turned the envelope around and carefully started tearing at the sealed flap.
Out of curiosity, Taylor and Kelsi came and sat on my sides to see what was in the last letter. I pulled out three 5 x 7 inch photos. The first one was the picture I had taken five years ago when I first met Troy, and we exchanged numbers at the New Years Eve party. The picture was captured from Troy's phone. On the back read:
The very second I fell in love.
Happy New Years, Gabriella.
The second picture was Troy and I backstage East High's theater on opening night for Twinkle Towne as Arnold and Minnie. I remembered the night perfectly. Ms. Darbus for some reason was wearing a wet suit that didn't suit her curves, if you ask me. Ryan and Sharpay helping Troy and I get ready. Sharpay was still a little mad that she didn't get the lead, but she was still pretty supportive. Then in the middle of the performance, Ryan came running on to the stage flapping his arms, screaming, "I'M WINNING! I'M WINING!" He quickly ran off stage as Sharpay chased after him with a flashlight in her hands. I never really knew what happened, but the audience thought it was part of the show and laughed. That night, Troy had asked me to be his girlfriend, and I gladly accepted.
The final picture was a snapshot of us at graduation, me in a white cap and gown, Troy in a red one, our tassels turned, diplomas in hand, black tears from my mascara running down my cheeks, smiling like there was no tomorrow. We posed in front of the big banner that said, "CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF '02!" (remember, this story currently takes place in the present.) Awards were handed out during the ceremony. I was class valedictorian, and Troy was awarded with the All-Star Athlete award. We couldn't have been any happier. On the back read:
I've been meaning to give you this picture.
We did it.
He drew a heart next to 'it', and I knew that he meant more than just graduate. All this time, Taylor and Kelsi were looking at the pictures, too, with silent, joyful tears streaming down their cheeks.
"Gabriella, we couldn't be happier for you and Troy," Taylor sniffled.
I ran my finger along the outline of the heart locket and softly said, "Me, too."
THE END!
Alright, you awesome reviewers. I trust that you will review my conclusion to my story. And I hope that you guys caught on with the title…With a hopeful HEART…the heart locket…the heart Troy drew next to the 'it' in the letter.
Oh and check out the next page. I just wanted to acknowledge my loyal and AWESOME REVIEWERS FOR BEING SUCH AWESOME PEOPLE!
THANK YOU EVERYONE AND I HOPE YOU LIKED IT!
:D
Ohh and I'm still debating on whether I should create a SEQUEL because aren't you just dying to know what happened to GEO, RYAN, AND SHARPAY! HAHA.Tell me what you honestly thought of this story, and if all goes ok, then I might make another story. It's up to you guys. I'm just happy I finished the way I wanted it.
DON'T FORGET TO CHECK OUT HAPPY BIRTHDAY, VANESSA ON MY PAGE.
