Don't hurt me!

The week went by fast for Troy and Gabriella. It was filled with movies and dinners. They also spent a lot of time with their friends. Sharpay still couldn't get over how cute they were and one day, she was shut up by Zeke's lips on hers. Chad had gotten down on his knees and bowed to him, thanking him for shutting her up.

"You are my hero! Thank you. Thank you."

The whole group had laughed except for Sharpay, who glared at Chad. She pouted and turned to Zeke, who gave her another kiss. She smiled and quickly got over being upset. Gabriella had giggled, thinking Sharpay and Zeke made a cute couple as well. She just wasn't as verbal about it as the blonde.

Troy and Gabriella stood on her porch, saying their goodbyes after a night of watching movies at Troy's. The whole gang had been there, laughing and eating popcorn, but had left around eight, allowing Troy and Gabriella to have an hour to themselves. Gabriella had helped Troy clean up and just talked about random things, like how cute Kelsi and Jason would be together, while sitting on the couch. Troy had offered to drive Gabriella home and she gratefully accepted.

"So I guess I'll see you tomorrow?"

Gabriella smiled and nodded, giving Troy a quick kiss on the cheek.

"Yup. Are you coming to pick me up?"

"You bet. And this is a real kiss..."

Troy leaned forward and held Gabriella's waist, pulling her closer until their lips met. They pulled apart and Troy lazily grinned at Gabriella.

"Bye, Gabi. Good night."

"Good night, Troy."

Gabriella turned around and unlocked the door, gently pushing it open. She turned back and gave Troy a wave as he pulled out of the driveway. He waved back and took off down the street. Gabriella sighed with happiness and went inside. She walked through the kitchen and grabbed a bottle of water to drink with her pills. She felt guilty about keeping her sickness from Troy, but felt it was best that he didn't know. Gabriella walked into the living room, hoping to find her mom reading on the couch, but gasped at the sight in front of her.

"Mama!"

Gabriella dropped her water bottle and ran over to her mother, who was lying on the floor. Gabriella dropped to her knees beside her mother and gently shook her.

"Mama! Wake up!"

When Gabriella got no response, she panicked and picked up the phone, quickly dialing 911.

"Hello? My mother has a brain tumor and I just found her on the floor... Yes, she has been to the doctor's... My dad isn't home right now... Gabriella Montez... Okay. Please Hurry!"

Gabriella rolled her mother onto her side and quickly dialed the church.

"Daddy? You have to come home quick. Mama collapsed and an ambulance is coming. Can you meet us at the hospital? I hear sirens... I love you, too, Daddy. Hurry!

Gabriella went to open the door, surprised that the ambulance had made it so quickly. Two men carrying a stretcher came in.

"Where is she?"

Gabriella pointed towards the living room.

"In there."

One of the guys nodded and they went into the living room, Gabriella trailing at a distance behind. She didn't want to get in their way. Gabriella felt tears well up in her eyes as her mother was strapped onto the gurney. One of the men rolled her mother out as the other came up to her.

"I'm Nathan. That is Jake. What's your name?"

"Gabriella."

"Okay, Gabriella. We need to get your mom to the hospital fast, okay? Do you want to ride in the back or the front?"

"In the back, please."

Nathan nodded and led Gabriella to the ambulance, climbing in after her and closing the door. Jake sat behind the wheel and quickly drove through the traffic to get to the hospital. Gabriella took her mother's hand and squeezed it, praying that she would be fine. She watched as Nathan hooked her mother up to a whole bunch of machines, not really seeing what he was doing. Gabriella looked at Mrs. Montez's pale face and cried.

"It'll be okay, Gabriella. You need to be calm for your mom."

Gabriella nodded and tried to dry her tears, but new ones replaced those that had been wiped away.

♪

Greg drove as quickly as he could to the hospital, and pulled into the parking lot. He rushed into the ER and walked straight up to the front desk.

"Excuse me, but could you tell me where my wife and daughter are? The name's Montez."

The young redhead typed on the keyboard and stared at the screen.

"Room 275, Sir."

"Thank you."

Greg rushed to the elevator, tapping his foot impatiently as he began to rise slowly. When he finally heard the "ding", he ran down the hall, looking for the right room. When he came to room 275, he walked in and saw his wife lying in the uncomfortable hospital bed. She was still unconscious but he could hear the steady beep of the machines she was currently hooked up to.

"Gabriella?"

Gabriella had been sitting on her mother's left side, clutching onto her hand. She looked up and saw her father rush over and wrapped her in a warm and desperate embrace. He let go of her and wiped the tears that were still on her pale cheeks.

"Shh. It'll be okay, sweetie."

Gabriella nodded and turned back to her mother, swaying a little.

"Gabriella, dear, are you okay? Did you take your medication yet?"

Gabriella's eyes widened as she remembered dropping her water bottle and never taking her pills.

"I forgot because I walked into the living room and found Mama on the floor."

She burst into tears again as her father pulled her close to him.

"Shh. I'm going to find a doctor to get you some medicine, okay? I'll be right back."

Gabriella nodded and sat back in her chair, still holding onto Mrs. Montez's hand tightly.

"You've got to be okay, Mama."

Gabriella felt herself nodding off but woke instantly when she heard her mother cough.

"Mama?"

Mrs. Montez opened her eyes and saw her daughter standing over her, worry written on her face. She gave Gabriella a small smile and Gabriella pulled her into a hug.

"I'm so glad you're okay. You had me and Dad really scared."

Mr. Montez came back into the room holding a little cup and a bottle of water.

"I got your pills, Gabriella."

"Daddy! Mom's up."

Mr. Montez quickly set the cup on the table and went to take his wife's hand.

"Gabriella, you should call Troy. Tell him what's going on."

Gabriella looked at her father confused. He handed her his cell phone.

"He called after he went by the house and to drop off your sweater. He found the door unlocked and nobody home. He called me."

"Oh. I'll be right back."

Gabriella gave both her parents a kiss on the cheek and chugged down her pills before she walked out the door. She took the elevator to the ground floor and walked outside. The cool breeze felt good against her skin and she sighed, happy her mother had woken up. She quickly dialed Troy's number.

"Hello?"

"Hi, Troy. My dad said you called."

"Yeah. You left your sweater so I went over to give it to you. The door was unlocked and nobody was home so I got worried. Where are you?"

"I'm at the hospital."

"Are you alright? Is everything okay?"

Gabriella smiled at his caring tone.
"I'm fine, Troy. My mother just gave us a bit of a scare. I don't know how's she's doing."

"Okay, hang on, Gabi. I'll be right there."

"No, you don't ha..."

Troy cut her off.

"I'm coming, Gabi. That's final. I'm almost there anyways."

"What? How?"

"I move fast."

Gabriella giggled.

"Fine. I'm waiting outside."

"Okay, see you in a few. I love you."
"I love you, too."

Gabriella smiled as she hung up the phone. She loved when Troy told her he loved her. She sat on a bench outside the door and waited for Troy. Ten minutes later, Troy walked over to her, a couple things in his hands. She stood and met him part way.

"Hey. You didn't have to come but I appreciate it. Thank you, Troy."

Troy leaned down and gave her a quick peck on the lips.

"No problem. Anything for my gorgeous girlfriend."

Gabriella giggled but stopped when a gust of wind blew through her thin shirt. Troy noticed and handed her one of the things he was holding.

"Here, you left this at my place."

Gabriella gratefully took the sweater and put it on.

"What else do you got there?"

Troy handed her a book.

"I thought you might get bored so I brought you something to read. It's from my own personal collection."

Gabriella looked at him with shock.

"You read? Who knew?"

"Hey! I have my smart moments."

Troy looked at his watch.

"Visiting hours are over at eight so I can't come in, but here... These are for your mom. Tell her to get well soon."

Troy handed Gabriella the flowers he had been holding. She smiled thankfully at him and gave him a quick kiss.

"Thank you, Troy. She'll love them."

Troy nodded and wrapped Gabriella in a hug, gently kissing her temple.

"I love you. Call me if you need anything, okay?"

Gabriella nodded into his chest.

"I love you, too, Troy. Thank you for everything."

"No problem. I have to go. My uncle wants me home by eleven."

Gabriella nodded again and pulled away. She watched as Troy walked down the path to the parking lot. She smiled and turned, walking back into the hospital.

♪

I just want you all to know I really appreciate you reading this. It's my first post so it means a lot. Thankies.

Jay