Hey, thank you SO much for the reviews! I don't know what to say… I've been told I'm great with words, but now… whew, I'm lost. Seriously, I cant believe that last chapter had such an affect on you guys, but it's still amazing that I made some of you cry with only words, though I don't want you to be sad… Anyway, thanks a lot! And uh, I hope you wont hate me too much after this chapter.

Disclaimer; I don't own High School Musical.

Her Heartbeat

Chapter 14.

--

Laugh when nothing's funny, Dance when there's no music,
Sing like you've never sung before, Love till it hurts,
Cry when you're sad, Smile when you're happy,
And always live each day like its your LAST

--

"Attention, attention!" Principal Matsui's voice hollered through the filled cafeteria, getting everybody's attention. The cafeteria immediately got silent, as every each of the students turned their heads towards their principle. He hardly ever spoke to them, so when he did, they knew it was something serious.

5 people were seated near the door, looking at Principle Matsui. They expected big words from him, and they knew he wouldn't disappoint them. Sharpay deserved a few good words from his mouth, after all the time she's putted into the Drama Club as President for it. Principle Matsui knew that as well as them.

Gabriella had Ryan's hand safely tucked in her own, keeping it there for support. Her nails were making marks in his flesh, but they didn't notice, they were too rapped up in their thoughts, and looking at the Principle. Troy sat alone, starring into space. The rest of them knew they had to support him, because the person that would have been the only one to console him, was the one he was grieving for.

Taylor and Chad sat by the end of the table, pressed against each other, needing each other. Taylor had her head in her hands, shaking rapidly. Chad was trying to console her, while taking care of his own thoughts and emotions.

Becca had gotten a call from doctor Gellar before Ryan left home this morning. Sharpay's heart rate had hit minimum and they gave her two days – max. Becca had headed to the hospital immediately, and she promised to come get all 5 of them if things suddenly got out of hand. If she was sure it was goodbye.

So mainly they were sad because of what Principle Matsui was gonna say, but also because of the horrible news.

"I'm afraid…" he began, swallowing hard, "That I have some sad news for all of you." he shot a knowing look to their table, and wasn't surprised to find tears steaming down their cheeks, "One of our dear students, will leave us soon. I'm not talking about going off to a new school or moving to a new city. I'm talking about Sharpay Evans. She got hospitalized again last Friday, and I just got off the phone with her sister. It's soon." He paused, to let it all sink in.

The student body were silent. No-one dared to speak a word. They all shot glances against the gang's table, and wasn't surprised to find tears streaming from their eyes rapidly. Gabriella' make-up was running, Taylor was angrily whipping the tears away with a napkin. Chad had tears in the corner of his eyes, but most of all, he looked shell-shocked. Ryan's head was buried in his hand on the table, but you could hear loud sobs coming from him.

And Troy was… He was doing nothing. He was looking at their Principle. He looked… dead. There were no emotions whatsoever in his features, and he didn't even blink.

"As most you of might now, Sharpay had a heart condition." Their Principle continued, "I don't exactly know what it was, but it's positive that she'll be leaving us soon because of it. Sharpay was… She was a very good student. A very liked student, especially between the Drama Club members. She was President for the Drama Club, and we've been honoured to see her in many school productions. We expect all of you to treat her memory well, after all, she was…"

"Stop it!" Troy suddenly yelled, standing up from his seat, "Stop it!"

"Troy!" Gabriella hissed, snapping out of her tears, "Troy, what are you doing?"

"I'm making him stop!" Troy yelled, wildly gesturing to Principle Matsui, "Stop saying ´was´! She's not dead! She's still alive, and she can still survive, so don't say ´was´! She's still a person!"

"Troy, calm down, man!" Chad said, trying to get his friend to cool off, "He's just trying to-"

"Well, make him stop!" Troy yelled, "Sharpay's still here! She's still alive! So don't use ´was´. She's a person! She's alive!"

"But not much longer, Troy!"

They all turned around to find Becca standing in the door, tears streaming down her cheeks. Ryan quickly shot out of his seat, and ran to his sister, enveloping her in a big hug.

"What happened!?" Taylor exclaimed, fearing the worst.

"Doctor Gellar told me to come and get you right now." Becca said, "It's happening. He has given her an hour. He thought you guys might want to be there."

A loud wail was heard from Gabriella as she started to cry even more. She quickly grabbed her things and ran to Becca, the other's right in tow. They didn't care that they were being watched, and that they would miss most of their school day. All they cared about was a last goodbye to Sharpay.

"I'll borrow them for the rest of the day." Becca said, before heading out of the cafeteria.

Principle Matsui turned to the students again, wanting to continue his speech, "Yes, where was I…? Hmm, yes; Sharpay was indeed going somewhere in her life, and…"

--

"Paypay…" Brooke whispered, lightly kissing her aunt's eyelids, "Paypay, wake up for me now. I need to talk to you."

"I…" Sharpay let out a short breath, "I am awake, Brookey." She coughed, "But I'm too tired to open my eyes. What did you want to say?"

"Everybody is here, Paypay." Brooke said, "I am here. Ben is here. Mom and dad. Gabby, Ryan, Taylor and Chad. Troy is here too, Paypay. We're all here with you."

Sharpay let out a small smile, and slowly opened her eyes, to find everybody standing around her bed. "Hi…" she whispered, her voice was hoarse. "Wow, you're all… you're all here."

"Of course we're here, Sharpay." Taylor said, "We couldn't not be here."

Chad shook his head, agreeing with her, "Never. We need to be here."

Troy grabbed her hand and kissed it lightly, "We love you, Pay. We're here for you until the end."

Sharpay had the urge to laugh, but it came out as more of a cough than anything else, and the other's had to watch, as she fought for her breath again, calming down. She closed her eyes, and placed her free hand on her heart, taking a couple of deep breaths, "Thank you." she smiled, opening her eyes a little again.

"Are you going to be an angel now?" Ben asked. He was sitting on her bed, between her feet. His little face was pouty. He didn't understand exactly what was happening. All his mom had told him was that Sharpay wouldn't be there anymore. That she was going to Heaven. And if she went to Heaven, then she'd have to be an angel, right?

"Yeah…" she whispered, "I'm going to be an angel."

"Will you leave us forever, then?" Ben asked.

Sharpay nodded.

"No!" Brooke said, her little face angry, "You cant leave! You promised me! You promised…"

"She promised what, Brooke?" Matt asked, taking his daughter's hand in his.

Brooke began to cry and hugged her fathers legs, "She promised me she'd turned 250!"

"I'm sorry I lied Brookey." Sharpay managed to say, "But please don't be mad at me. I cant go to Heaven if you're mad at me. Please? Forgive me?"

"I love you, Paypay!" Brooke cried and threw herself onto the bed, kissing Sharpay's face all over.

"I love you too." Sharpay said, "All of you." she took a deep breath and they all got a worried look in their eyes as they saw her struggle to take in another one.

"Before I go, I want to thank you all." She said.

"Thank us?" Gabriella whined, "No! We should thank you. You've taught us so many things! Life is short, you've taught me to enjoy it and live the moment!"

"And I just want to thank you for everything, Shar." Ryan said, kissing her cheek, "I'll love you forever. Always be in here, right?" he pointed at his chest and smiled softly at her.

"And I want to thank you, Sharpay." Troy whispered.

"For what?"

Troy let a tear slip and continued; "For teaching me how to believe."

Two soft tears rolled down Sharpay's pale cheeks, and she squeezed Troy's hand hard. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes. They could hear the heart monitor's beep going slower and slower and they all knew what was happening.

They let their tears roll. Brooke was at her father's arm, hugging him tightly. Becca had picked up Ben, who was crying. Ryan and Gabriella cried into each other's chests and Chad and Taylor had their hands linked, taking in Sharpay's features.

And as she took her last breath, the heart monitor's beep faded completely.

She was gone.

Troy bit his lip as they all whipped their tears to look at her again. He looked down at his hand, still tucked in hers. Her grip slowly loosened, as her hand lost it's strength. And then it fell from his, and landed beside her body on the white bed.

They kissed her cheek one by one and left the room.

Silence.

Sharpay Evans was gone.

Forever.

Yeah right, depressing chapter. Sorry folks, but that's just it. Leave me a review, and yeah… I'll be back with the last chapter soon. Thanks ;o And I hope you don't hate me too much, now?

(I'll be skipping my friends quote today, because I don't think it fits the mood. Friends is way too funny)