Could what they were saying be true? Was this how it would eventually end for me? Am I doing the right thing?
All these thoughts went through my head as I sat in the hospital waiting room, hoping they would say it was something like cancer of a family disease. Something, which would prove not only to all my friends, but also to me…that I was doing the right thing.
Troy had been talking with a doctor, actually they all had. I remember her coming up to me and asking to have a little chat. She said I could bring as many of my friends as I liked. I chose to go alone.
"Ok Gabriella, my name is Doctor Anderson, but feel free to call me Lizzie. Now would you like to be known as Gabriella or do you have some hip nickname?" she giggled and smiled at me warmly. Trying her best to keep me interested and comfortable. It wasn't working.
"Some people call me Gabs, or Gabby or sometimes Ella because they like to be different. I guess you can call me Ella if you want to." I replied quietly.
She nodded her head in understanding. Then suddenly those dreaded questions began.
"Are you feeling ok? How is your regular diet? Are you worried about anything? Would you like to talk to someone? We can offer councilors and clinics for this type of thing Ella sweetheart." They came at me so quickly I wasn't sure about how to respond. Part of me wanted to scream as loud as possible and tell her exactly what she could do with her "help" but I was far too polite to do so. Or was it that, deep down, I knew I wanted everything she had offered me? I didn't want to listen to what everyone was saying, because I thought that I knew all I needed to know. I didn't realize that somewhere inside me, I knew every single person was right, but I couldn't say so. It's not like I had my mum to talk to. She had been away working in London and she had to stay there for two months if we wanted to stay in Albuquerque. It was a sacrifice I was willing to make. I suddenly remembered that Lizzie was still talking.
"-So if you ever want anyone to talk to or need any help you know where to find me ok?"
I smiled and politely thanked her as I made my way to the door. Little did I know I would be back in this very room shortly, to hear some news that would change my life forever.
Troy's POVIt had been about a week since Melissa's death and Gabs had barely uttered a word to anyone. No body knew how to handle the situation. Everyday when she came into school she looked worse. I was terrified of anyone bumping into her think that one slight touch could break every fragile bone in her body. She had at least let me start hugging her again. To be honest I hated it. She barely had enough energy to hug me back and when she did it just made me able to feel every bone in her body more than I already could. It brought tears to my eyes. One day she had fourth period free and said she was going to catch up on some homework and then meet me in Chemistry class. I hated to be away from her but I couldn't watch her 24/7, even though I wish I could.
Gabriella's DiaryDear Diary,
I still can't believe that Melissa isn't here anymore. I can almost hear her talking to me sometimes and it kills me inside when I think about how I couldn't do anything to stop it. I knew I couldn't but I wish I could have tried. I've done my best to keep on top of things…for her.
Love AlwaysGabby
Xxx
Day 30 Start Weight: 119lbsLast Weighing: 90lbs
Current Weight: 76lbs
Weight loss: 14lbsTotal Weight loss: 43lbs
Troy's POVWhen Gabriella came into Chemistry I knew what she'd been doing. She had her diary clutched to her chest as if it was something that she couldn't bear to live without. She'd been recording all of weights and things again. Like she had done the night I climbed onto the balcony. She walked up to her desk and just as she was about to sit down. She collapsed into a lifeless heap on the floor.
I ran over panic stricken. This is what happened to Melissa. But she was breathing which settled me slightly. An ambulance arrived within minutes. I was so caught up in trying to wake my sleeping angel that I didn't even notice anyone take out a cell phone. Then her lips turned blue.
No one's POVGabriella ended up in hospital being fed through a tube. Troy was by her side for three days. It's not like he really had much choice though. As Gabby's lips had turned blue he had started flapping about and slipped on the hard floor and knocked himself clean out by hitting his head on the table. He was unconscious and they wanted to keep him in because he had severely cracked his head open but he didn't mind.
They were both awake within a few days and Lizzie wanted to talk to Gabriella…she suggested she bring a friend as her mother was out of town (the Bolton's had stayed by her and Troy's sides). Troy and Gabriella seated themselves at her desk. Gabriella was in a wheelchair as she was too weak to walk.
"Now Gabriella, what you have been doing to yourself has caused some damage. You can still sit there and see your fine but you need to know this now. Gabriella, you may have noticed that your periods have stopped, or become less frequent. Am I right?" Lizzie questioned.
Troy turned a deep crimson as did Gabriella and she gave a very small nod.
"I'm so sorry to have to tell you this but…you may find it almost impossible to conceive a child in the future. Your body has endured so much that it simply wouldn't be able to cope so it won't allow it to happen. There is about a one in a million chance you will be able to have children. I'm very sorry Ella."
Gabriella burst into tears as Troy held her best he could to try and comfort her. But what can you say when someone's whole life plane comes crashing down at their feet?
Gabriella slowly but surely made a recovery. However, she had to be forced into rehab and Troy had to stay with her otherwise she would try and runaway. They guys alternated nights to stay in the clinic with her because she sunk into depression and they were terrified about what she might try and do. She had started to come to terms with the difference between health and illness and had found away of releasing anger without abusing her body. She threw out all her stupid magazines that ruined her life and burned the diary of the worst times that she's ever had. All that mattered now was the future. Gabriella was one of the lucky ones, who made it and came to their senses. Melissa wasn't. Thousands of young men and women go through this and more often than not, the endings are far from happy.
