Here it is!

Gabriella woke up to the sound of sirens outside her house. She quickly pulled on her robe and opened her bedroom and opened her bedroom door to see her father standing there, about to knock.

"Gabriella, get dressed. We're going to the hospital."

Gabriella looked at her father in confusion and glanced at her alarm clock. The numbers 1:47 glared back at her in red.

"Hurry, Gabriella. Meet me downstairs."

Gabriella nodded and closed her door on her father's retreating back. She ran to her dresser and pulled out a pair of baby blue sweatpants and the jacket to match. She threw it on and flung her door open, running down the stairs. She met up with her father at the bottom and pulled on a pair of running shoes. She grabbed a jacket off its hook and ran out the door, following her distressed father to the car.

Mr. Montez drove in silence to the hospital, glancing over at Gabriella once or twice. He noted the confusion and worry in her eyes.

"Gabriella, your mother woke up with a large headache and got up to get some Tylenol. She... she had a seizure. We're meeting her at the hospital.

Gabriella sat silently, in shock. Her mother was in the hospital and it scared her to death. They had no idea what was going on, and like most, they feared the unknown.

The car pulled into the hospital parking lot and Gabriella and her father ran to the doors that led to the Emergency Room.

"We're here for Gina Montez. She was brought here in an ambulance a few minutes ago."

The lady at the front counter tapped on the keyboard of her computer.

"Mrs. Montez is currently being checked by a doctor. She will be located in room... 473. She should be transferred there in about fifteen minutes."

Mr. Montez nodded and took Gabriella's hand.

"Thank you."

Gabriella allowed her father to hold her hand and lead her to the waiting room. She was unsure about whether it was for her benefit or his. She glanced up at her father and noticed his disheveled state. He looked tired and stressed. This was odd for Gabriella because he was always collected. It came with being a pastor.

"Daddy? Is she gonna be okay?"

Greg looked down at his seventeen year old daughter, seeing her as his eight year old that went to him for everything.

"I don't know, honey. I really don't know."

♪

Troy sat in his music class, wondering where Gabriella was.

"Is she sick? No, she was fine yesterday. Maybe something just came up."

Chad and Taylor walked over to Troy's desk, hand in hand, seeing him deep in thought. Troy gave them a small smile before looking at them with shock and confusion.

"Are you two... together?"

Taylor blushed and sheepishly let go of Chad's hand.

"No, I was just leading him over here. You looked kinda lonely."

Troy looked at Chad and noticed his disappointed look.

"Chad likes Taylor? No way!"

"So are you okay, Troy?"

Troy looked up at Taylor.

"I'm fine. Have you seen Gabriella?"

Taylor shook her head.

"I haven't seen her all day."

Troy nodded.

"'Kay, thanks."

Chad and Taylor exchanged knowing glances.

♪

After school, Troy parked outside Gabriella's house. He quickly got out of his car, feeling something was off. He jogged up to the porch and rang the door bell. He stood with his hands in his pockets, rocking on his feet. He stood up straight when Mr. Montez opened the door.

"Hello, Mr. Montez. Is, uh, Gabriella home?"

Greg looked at the teenage boy in front of him.

"Come in, Mr. Bolton."

Troy followed Mr. Montez into the living room, where Mr. Montez sat on a rocking chair. He motioned for Troy to take a seat on the couch. Troy sat and waited nervously as Mr. Montez looked him over.

"Gabriella isn't home, Mr. Bolton. But we need to discuss some things."

Troy gulped and nodded. He was never nervous like this in front of other adults. Mr. Montez was just intimidating.

"And he's Gabriella's father. Mess up with him, mess up with Gabi."

"Troy, Gabriella's at the hospital..."

Troy head snapped up, worry clouding his blue eyes.

"...with her mother. Her mother had a seizure last night and was taken to the ER."

Troy breathed out a sigh of relief, but was still worried about Mrs. Montez.

"Is Mrs. Montez going to be okay?"

Greg sighed and shook his head.

"They found a tumor in her brain. It's pretty small, now, but it's growing by the hour."

Troy nodded, trying to digest it all.

"Is there anything I can do? Can I help you out in any way?"

Greg gave Troy a small smile. His wife had been right. Troy wasn't a bad guy.

"Thank you, Mr. Bolton. It means a lot to us that you care, especially Gabriella. She is not taking it very well."

Troy nodded understandingly.

"Can I do something to help her?"

Mr. Montez looked hard at Troy, as if looking for a flaw. Finding none, he sighed.

"I admit, Mr. Bolton, I disapproved of you at first. I still don't approve. But... Gabriella seems to see something in you. She trusts you, Troy. Take care of her. Don't hurt her."

Troy nodded again.

"Thank you, Sir. I'll look out for Gabriella."

Mr. Montez nodded and looked at a photo of four year old Gabriella that hung on the wall.

"I am warning you, Troy, she will be very distressed. She is not handling it well. I am almost positive she will go to you. Be there for her."

"I will, Sir."

Mr. Montez nodded and stood, Troy doing the same. They shook hands and Troy walked towards the door.

"Just be there for her, Troy. That's all she needs right now."

Troy looked back and nodded.

"You can count on me, Sir."

♪

Okay, if you want to kill me, do it now. I'm sorry about Mrs. Montez.

Jay