Chapter 11 – Hero
Hey guys… as I have said in my other notices I have been really busy with school. Especially because I am taking two AP courses, which are loading on more homework that other courses. And seeing as I go to a very homework heavy school, it is really hard to find enough time to write an entire chapter in one sitting. I usually have to find 10 minutes in between assignments or while waiting for dinner to write little bits. I appreciate that all of you are patient with me.
On the other hand, the Toronto International Film Festival took place. And, ever though I unfortunately didn't get to see Zac Efron himself, I did manage to get tickets to one of the showings of 'Me and Orson Welles'. I went with my mom, and we both had the same opinion. It was amazing, and this was by far the best acting he has done yet. I was honored that I got to see it, and I really hope it comes to theaters so that people all over the world can see it.
Anyway, here is the anticipated chapter of the story. Thanks to everyone for sticking by me. I'll really try to update my other stories really soon.
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Troy's P.O.V
My hand holding a firm grip on the door handle, I braced myself for what I was about to see. Lying behind the unusually white door was the love of my life… lying in a condition that I hoped I never had to see her in. I knew it would be hard to even stay in that room with her, but I had to.
For Gabriella.
I had to believe that Gabriella would make it out of this. That I would see those brunette eyes again, her smile that lights up my world, and the small mannerisms that I knew I couldn't live without. I knew that I would make it through, and Gabriella would as well.
Fully understanding what I had to do, my hand slowly began turning the door handle. Pushing the door forward, I walked into the room. The sight that caught my eyes made my breath hitch.
It was far worse than I had imagined.
There, lying underneath the crisp white sheets was Gabriella. A small pink blanket was resting lightly on top of her, and the steady beat of the heart monitor filled the room.
But that was not what had broken my heart. It was the physical appearance of Gabriella herself.
Surrounding her body were wires, attached to almost every inch of her body. These wires were then attached to the many machines that were helping keep her alive. Her tanned face pale white… a complete opposite to what it was normally. The gash on her forehead had been stitched up and bandaged, but bruises still adorned her face, making now a white and purple blend. Bruised were on her arms, as well as IV wires extending from them. There was a white cast and sling on her right arm, and her knee was elevated off the ground on a pillow. Where her stomach was, there was a large lump that you could tell was a thick bandage.
And, as if to make her look even deader, a breathing mask had been placed over her still face. Looking at her was like staring right at the face of death, but instead of turning and running out of the room while he had a chance, Troy instead walked towards the girl. He came onto her left side and sat down on the chair that had been provided.
Grabbing her delicate hand in his, he began gentle stroking it, and talking to her.
"Hey Brie. It's Troy. I'm not sure if you can hear what I am saying to you, but I am hoping you can. Brie, I honestly can't believe that this happened to you. It's my entire fault. If I hadn't upset Daniel all of those years ago, then this would not have happened to you. You would be fine, not lying here in the hospital with wires and bandaged covering you." I sat in silence with her for a couple of minutes, just looking her over. Tears slowly began streaming down my cheeks.
"I really hope that you open those beautiful eyes of yours soon. I can't wait to see that smile of yours, and hear that angelic voice of yours. You have no idea how much it kills me that you are lying here while I'm sitting out here. It's not fair. You never deserved this…" Tears were not falling faster. My eyes were beginning to blur from the liquid that was stinging my eyes.
"Gabriella, I love you so much. I don't know what I would do without you. Before you came to East High, I was a popular jock who was too obsessed with having his ego stroked and being pampered. You could say I was naïve when it came to true relationships. Sure I had some flings, but I never really had anything that was serious." I paused for a moment.
"When I first met you at the ski club, my world was turned upside down. I never knew that such feelings even existed. Sure I'd read about it in class, or I had seen friends who claimed to be 'in love', but I didn't think that it would ever happen to me. When I first looked into those eyes, first saw that beautiful smile of yours and first heard your voice, I was hooked. I knew that I had to see you again. You don't know how much of a bother I was to my parents, moping around and thinking about never being able to have a chance to see you again. Then, fait was on my side, and you were transferred to East High. Gabriella, I was overjoyed when I first saw you in that classroom. My heart skipped a beat; something it had never done before. I would have even been content at just looking at you once more."
"When we finished the callbacks, it was then that I realized something important. Something that would influence the rest of my life…"
"Gabriella Montez, I am completely head-over-heels in love with you. I always have been and I always will be. So now, I need you to get better and wake up, because I don't know if I will be able to survive without you. You are like breathing to me, without you I'm dead." Finishing my speech, I continued to stroke her hand and sit by her side.
I vowed, that I would not leave it until she was out of the hospital, and healthy again.
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A couple of days passed by, and it seemed that Gabriella was not getting any better. The doctors said that they were tracking a small problem with her kidney, suspecting the internal bleeding as the reason, but they said it was not serious enough to do anything about it yet. The said they were worried that her kidney would start to fail, but I was hopeful that it wouldn't come to that.
I hadn't left Gabriella's side in a week, my parents bringing meals to me. I showered in the small shower in Gabriella's hospital room bathroom, and slept on either the chair beside her bed, or the small reclining chair that was at the end of the room. Thankfully there was no school to be missed, and my parents were very supportive and understanding that this was something that I needed to do.
The rest of the gang visited occasionally, and thankfully the doctor allowed now two visitors in the room. Most of the time it was Mrs. Montez and I, but sometimes she would leave to rest or eat, at which point the gang was let in. As I said, I hadn't left Gabriella's side.
Currently, I was sitting in her room, my mother sitting in the recliner behind me. She had insisted that Mrs. Montez go home and get some sleep, because she had already been here for almost 18 hours without rest. I was still holding onto Gabriella's hand with one of mine, the other one slowly stroking Gabriella's head, careful of the bandage covering the stitches in her head. I had gotten my mother to buy her three-dozen pink roses (her favorite), two-dozen placed in two vases on the windowsill, and one dozen placed on her night table. I had also placed some pictures in the room to make it homier, including one of the two of us at prom.
The bruises on her face slowly started to heal, but her arm and knee were still in casts, where they would remain for at least 4 months. Sitting deep in thought, it was my mother's voice that brought me out.
"Troy, honey, do you want me to get you anything?" I didn't look up from my angel's face.
"No thanks mom. I'm okay."
"You sure?" She insisted.
"Yup." Silence surrounded us. I enjoyed sitting in silence with Gabriella, and every once making little gestures to her letting her know I was still there. Either rubbing her hand, stroking her head (which I did anyway), or planting light kisses to her forehead, check and palm.
"You know Troy, you're being really brave." At this, I turned my head up towards my mother.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean that I never would have been able to be able to do what you are doing. Seeing the person you love the most in such a vulnerable state, it would kill me. But you, you have not left her side since this happened. You are being so strong Troy, I'm really proud. Not anybody would be able to do this." She commented. Her words brought tears to my eyes.
"I just can't loose her mom. She means so much to me. If I sit here at least I feel like I am doing something for her. I'm waiting for her to wake up. And I'm positive that she will make it through. Even if it takes another couple of days, weeks or even months, I will be here every day until she opens those beautiful eyes of hers again. I can't just leave her, it's not right." My mom smiled at me. I turned back and looked at my sleeping beauty.
Gabriella is so lucky to have you. Troy, I honestly don't know what I would do if I had to go through the same thing. I think I would end up cracking. You Troy are a hero. Gabriella is so blessed that you are in her life."
Hero. I never considered myself a Hero. Wasn't a hero someone who was powerful, who saved endangered damsels in fairy tales. What was the true definition of a hero? Someone who saves people, or someone who is strong? Either way, it doesn't matter. If my mom said I was Gabriella's hero, then I was. That was when it reminded me of a song that Gabriella loved. I softly began to sing to her.
Would you dance, if I asked you to dance?
Would you run, and never look back?
Would you cry, if you saw me crying?
Would you save my soul tonight?
I looked at my mother, and she was smiling through her tears. She motioned to me to continue, understanding exactly what this song meant to Gabriella and me.
Would you tremble, if I touched your lips?
Would you laugh, oh please tell me this
Now would you die, for the one you love?
Hole me in your arms tonight?
I can be your hero baby
I can kiss away the pain
I will stand by you forever
You can take, my breath away
Would you swear, that you'll always be mine?
Would you lie, would you run away?
A mind to be, have you lost your mind?
I don't care; you're here, tonight
I began stroking Gabriella's head again, and planted a gentle kiss to her forehead. Tears began to form in my eyes as I sang the heartfelt lyrics to Gabriella.
I can be your hero baby
I can kiss away the pain
I will stand by you forever
You can take, my breath away
Oh, I just wanna hold you
I just wanna hold you
Learn to be
Have I lost my mind?
Well I don't care; you're here, tonight
I can be your hero baby
I can kiss away the pain
I will stand by you forever
You can take, my breath away
I can be your hero
I can kiss away the pain
And I will stand by you, forever
You can take my breath away
You can take my breath away
I can be, your hero.
As I finished the song, I knew that she was getting better. I leaned and gave Gabriella a quick kiss on the lips, some of my tears managing to fall onto her face. I sat down of the bed beside her, wrapping my arms around her and holding her close to my body. Close to my heart.
Where I knew she would remain, for the rest of our lives.
AN: I decided to be nice and not make this ending a cliffhanger (I know I have been doing that a lot). Anyways, just because I did that, I really would appreciate if you reviewed and told me what you thought of this chapter. The song i used is called 'Hero' by Enrique Iglasias (i don't think i spelt it right)
I promise I will try to update again real soon, it's just hard to find time.
Please remember to Review if you want to find out what happens next.
Xoxo,
Vfanforlife