Disclaimer – I only own the plot and any original characters.
Chapter 20 – The Way Things Are
'One more time!' The doctor commanded when they were charging up the electricity to shock Gabriella with to make her heart beat again.
'No!' Anna cried, 'No! Don't give up!'
Troy hugged her tighter, 'Just believe, Anna.' He said, but he was already beginning to give up himself.
They shocked Gabriella and the monitor began to beep just like all of the other times. But this time, it continued to beep. The doctors all sighed in relief, along with Troy and Anna. 'Thank God for that,' Anna whispered, and Troy lightly chuckled.
Troy heard some shouting outside and he left the room so Anna could have a few moments and checked on what was happening. Sure enough, he found Taylor shouting at a nurse to let her into her best friend's room because she is dying and she needs to be there for her. Chad caught sight of Troy and interrupted Taylor's rant to point him out to her. The whole gang rushed up to him and bombarded him with questions on what the hell happened. They still didn't know if Gabriella was alive or not.
'Calm down, guys! I can only answer one question at a time. Firstly, yes Chad, she is alive. Secondly, she had a heart attack and she had to be shocked with electricity to revive her. Thirdly, she has a 50-50 chance to live. And finally, a maximum of four people are allowed in the room. So, Zeke, Chad and Shar can go in first. Tay can come in with me after. Anna is inside at the moment.' Troy explained.
Everyone did as they were told and Troy and Taylor flopped down on the seats outside the rooms. 'I can't believe everything that has happened. After such a perfect summer…' Taylor sighed.
'I know. I was with Anna when Brie's heart was failing, and I seriously thought she wasn't going to make it. I don't know what I would do if she never wakes up.' Troy admitted.
'Everyone would take it harshly, but we would have to pull through it together.' Taylor said and took hold of Troy's hand.
'Hi, Mrs Montez.' Chad said as they walked into the room. Anna looked up and smiled at the teenagers.
'Hi guys. Erm…I'll leave you to it. I'm going to go and eat something. I don't want to faint!' Anna tried to laugh, but failed, and left the room.
Sharpay started to cry and Zeke held her as Chad walked up to Gabriella. He noticed the necklace and the ring and smiled. 'I see Troy doesn't want to give up! Gabs, please wake up. He's a wreck without you.' Chad pushed the hair away from Gabi's face and sighed.
Once Chad, Zeke and Sharpay returned, Troy and Taylor entered the room. Troy stood back to let Taylor see Gabi. She cried quietly and whispered things to Gabriella which Troy couldn't hear. After a while Taylor stood up and walked over to Troy. 'I'm gonna go see Chad for a while. This has hit him quite badly too.' Troy nodded and Taylor left. Troy sat back down next to the bed again and took hold of Gabriella's hand. 'See how much you mean to everybody? We care for you so much, Brie.' He felt his hand be squeezed slightly. He looked up at Gabriella's face and saw her eyes flutter open. 'Oh my God! Brie!' He stood up and kissed her lips lightly. She looked at him, slightly scared about waking up in a hospital and looked at the table and saw a cup of water. Troy followed her gaze and realized that she wanted a drink. He grabbed the cup and held out the straw for her to take and drink from. She took massive gulps from the cup and pulled back, never breaking eye contact from Troy. 'I'm sorry,' she croaked in a raspy voice, 'I'm sorry.'
Troy hushed her. 'I love you, Brie. Nothing will change that, okay? Promise me you will never forget that.'
Gabriella nodded and Troy leaned down and kissed her again. He pulled back but Gabi put her hand round the back of his neck and kissed him back. She pulled back with a grin. She looked at her hand and noticed the ring. She looked up at Troy, confused.
'I put it back on…it belongs to you.' Troy said. He then pulled away and said, 'I'm just going to tell the nurse and everyone that you are awake, alright?' Gabi nodded at him and smiled. 'Stay awake.' Troy ordered and left the room.
Gabi sighed. Maybe I won't regret choosing to live she thought.
Troy walked out into the waiting area and scanned the area for a nurse. 'Excuse me,' Troy said to the nearby nurse, 'Gabriella Montez in room 306 has woken up.' The nurse immediately understood and called for a doctor. The gang heard what Troy said and called him over.
'She's awake?' Chad asked. Troy grinned in response. He was too happy and relieved for words.
'Can someone get Anna and tell her Brie is awake?' Troy asked and Sharpay stood up and went to the cafeteria to fetch Anna. Troy followed the doctor into the room.
'Well then, Miss Montez. Let's see how you are,' the doctor smiled and did some tests on her. Anna walked in halfway through and kissed her daughter out of relief and let the doctor carry on with his tests.
Once he had finished he said, 'Well, I think you need some rest. But I think I will need you to see a councillor in the next day or so to discuss what happened with them. Mr Bolton and your mother explained the events and the police will also be coming to visit you for a statement.'
Gabi seized with nerves and everybody noticed. 'Calm down, dear,' Anna soothed, 'this is the only way that boy will get what he deserves.' Troy walked over to Gabriella and held her hand.
'I'll come check on you in a few hours,' the doctor said and left the room, leaving Gabriella with her mom and boyfriend.
'I'm really sorry for doing that. It was really stupid.' Gabi muttered.
'I'm going to admit it was, sweetheart,' Anna said bluntly, 'but the most important thing is that you are alive and recovering. But don't do anything like that again, please. I can't handle anymore drama!'
Gabi nodded and a few tears slipped down her face. 'I thought I had no one. I thought I was alone.'
'You're never alone, Brie!' Troy said softly, wiping away her tears. 'I will always be here for you. Your mom will always be here for you. And so will Chad, Tay, Shar and Zeke. I'm sorry I left you last night without saying anything, I was too angry…but it wasn't your fault, it was mine.'
'I know that now,' Gabi smiled and Anna and Troy both hugged her. She hugged back, knowing that everything will be alright. Everything was worth living for.
AN: She's awake and well! Yay! I'm going to start rounding this story off now. I think about 3 more chapters. If you have any story ideas, please tell me about them, and I may write about it.
