Troy's eyes grew slightly with worry. "This doesn't sound good."
Gabriella shook her head. "It's not."
"Then, what's the matter?" Troy asked, concern filling his voice.
"I…I'm sick…" Gabriella whispered, looking down at her feet.
"Okay, then let's go inside," Troy said, confused, starting to pull her inside.
"No!" She cried out. "You don't understand! I'm sick. I have leukemia."
"What?" Troy asked, in disbelief. "Well, are you getting treated?!"
Gabriella shook her head, tears slipping down her cheeks. "I'm not responding to the treatments anymore."
"How long have you known!?" He demanded.
"About four years." Gabriella replied quietly.
"Why didn't you tell me before?!" Troy exclaimed.
"I didn't know how much longer I had left to live and I just wanted to live a normal life…"Gabriella whispered.
"Gabriella, this is kind of a thing you tell the boyfriend before you start going out!"
"You don't understand," Gabriella shook her head furiously. "I knew you wouldn't! You're the same old Troy I used to know!" And with those last words, she took off and left him standing, waiting, wondering.
Gabriella ran through the door and slammed it shut. "How'd it-" Maria had started to ask, before Gabriella ran up the stairs and into her bedroom. "He knows, now." She told herself.
Gabriella let out a cry and fell back on her bed. She ran her hands through her hair. She hadn't ever wanted this. All she'd ever wanted was a normal life like all those other girls. She hadn't bargained for all of this…pain. She turned over and sobbed into her pillows. Not only was her life slipping away, but so was the love of her life…
She heard his engine start up. She knew that he was leaving. Of course he would. She had just left him standing. She had left him there alone and he didn't know what to do now. But, did any of them, really? Sooner or later, she would have to tell Sharpay and Taylor. She could see their reactions now. The same as Troy.
Soon enough, she cried herself to sleep. It was only Friday. And that meant she didn't have to tell Tay and Shar for two more glorious days. If only she actually knew what pain would come in those glorious days of hers.
________________________________________________________________________________
The tears didn't start coming until he was halfway to his house. There was only one person who he knew could make him feel better. He pulled out his cell phone and dialed his mother's number. "Hey, mom? Yeah, I have been crying. No, nothing's wrong. Well, okay, everything's wrong."
He launched into his story about Gabriella. He just had to get it out in the open, so he could figure out how he was supposed to deal with thus. How had she handled it so well all this time? I mean, she was the one that had the cancer.
Cancer. Ouch, it hurt to say that. It ate at Troy's inside as his mother tried to calm him down with the soothing words only a mother could produce. Troy sighed and wiped away some of his tears. "Mom, your not helping. I know, I asked for your help, but…ugh, never mind." He flipped the phone shut and threw it into the passenger's seat.
He drove to the only place in his life that was peaceful. Where his dad was buried. The Albuquerque Cemetery. "Dad, I really wish you were here right now. I really need you, bad." Troy whispered, stuffing his hands in his pockets and staring at his father's tombstone.
He felt a light hand on his shoulder. He turned around. It was Chad. "Hey," Troy said, awkwardly.
"Hey, dude, your mom told me about Gabriella," Chad said, an apologetic tone in his voice. "I'm really sorry."
"It's not your fault." Troy said, turning back to the grave.
"Hey, Mr. Bolton," he heard Chad's voice greet, toward the grave. "I know, I haven't visited in like forever, but my man, Troy, he really needs you right now. If you're up there," Chad looked toward the sky. "Could you please tell God to bless Gabriella?"
"Thanks, man," Troy said, clapping Chad on the back.
"Are we…you know, cool?" Chad asked.
"Yeah, we're cool," Troy grinned, but that didn't stop the sparkly tears from prickling his eyes.
"It's gonna be okay," Chad said, giving Troy a 'manly' hug.
"I don't know. I mean, Gabriella--"
"She's strong, Troy. You and I both know how much she's been through. She's made it this far, what's to say she won't make it 'til eighty or ninety?" Chad asked, smiling.
"I just hope you're right," Troy nodded. "I should probably talk to her tomorrow."
"Do her friends know?" Chad asked.
"No, I don't think so," Troy shook his head. "I think I'm the only one she's told, well, besides her mom." Chad nodded. "I think she'll tell them when she's ready, though."
"Yeah," Chad agreed.
"There's something I need to do for her," Troy said.
"What's that?" Chad questioned, as Troy turned back toward his car.
"You'll see. C'mon, I could use your help."