Chapter 30 - Starting Over With No Secrets.
Gabriella's nose twitched, and she gradually opened her eyes. The bright lights blinded her, and she whimpered slightly. Troy heard this and rushed to the side of her bed. She attempted to open her eyes again. Looking around she saw white, and she started to panic. But she soon relaxed, as soon as she saw Troy's face beside her.
He reached up and swept away a stray surl from her head, and kissed her cheek lightly. She smiled.
"Where...am I?"
He swallowed, "You crashed baby."
Her eyes opened wide and she started to shake. Troy saw this and took her hand, squeezing it for reasurance. He smiled caringly.
"But it's ok, your well now, you've just been sleeping."
It wasn't really a lie. She had been sleeping, sort of. But if he told her she'd been in a acoma she would panic more, and panicing was not what she needed right now. Doctor's orders.
Her eyes relaxed at this, and she again took in her room. Over at her side, there were various plants and greenery, and beside that was a large bay window. From her hospital bed, she could see the hills of Albuquerue just peeking, and it was a beautiful sight.
He rubbed his thumb over her knuckles, and she turned smiling up at him.
"How long have I been here for?" She asked, whispering.
"A few days. Not too long."
She sighed. She longed to get out of bed, but she knew she couldn't. Looking around herself, she saw various wires which were connected to her. But she'd couldn't panic anymore. She had no energy to.
She shuffled her back, trying to get comfy against the hard pillows. Troy helped and sat her up, so she could see him properly. Her hand moved to his face and cupped it gently. Her fingers moved over his jaw line, the touch so gentle, but needy, it was like she'd not touched him for years.
He moved forward to kiss her, his breath so close to her lips, but -
"I called our parents", Chad burst through the door, and proceeded to close it, "and they weren't over the border yet so they are just making their way to the...house."
His eyes caught Gabriella's and her grip in Troy's hand tightened. In Chad's eyes she could see sadness, guilt, and caring. All for her, and her grip eventually softened.
"You're awake." He said, almost chirpily.
"Yes." She said, averting her gaze.
She felt Troy move always, and she sharply turned to see him swap places with Chad. Chad sat down, got himself comfy, and looked at her fragile self.
"I'm so sorry Gabriella." He said, almost unheard.
She turned to him, her eyes quite teary. She touched his arm gently. "It's ok, I realise it must have been a shock."
Chad shook his head, "It was, but if I hadn't acted in the stupid way I did, you'd never have been here, you wouldn't be in this state." His eyes got teary also.
She moved her hand, and fluffed his hair, giggling. "It's no-ones fault I'm here. And, Troy says I'm ok, and I believe him, so everything's fine."
"Yeah, about him, eh... you relationship...it's ok, I'm fine with it, I mean"
Gabriella smiled wide, "Really?" Troy laughed at the sight. She had reacted in the same way he had; surprised.
"Really." Chad replied, and was soon in a 'death hug' from Gabi. He laughed and hugged her back. Gabriella then lay back onto her pillow and sighed in pleasure.
Chad looked up to Troy and smiled. Sometimes a best friend was just what you needed.
A FEW DAYS LATER.
"So, ready to go home?" Troy asked Gabriella.
She nodded her head excitedly, "Very, I can't wait."
It had been almost a week since Gabriella had been admitted to hospital after the crash. Apart from the little cut above her eyebrow, and the twisted ankle she had recieved, she looked quite normal. This pleased Gabriella. So, after a few consultations with the doctors, and check-ups, it was time for Gabriella to finally go home. She couldn't wait.
Troy smiled at his girlfriend. He'd never seen her smile so much. She took is arm and started hobbling out of the hospital. She waved at the nurses and said her goodbyes as she went, and Troy laughed.
"What?" Gabriella laughed looking at him expectantly.
"You. You're just so... cute."
Gabriella giggled again, "Well, thanks. I'll take that as a compliment!"
----------
Troy waved as soon as he saw Chad, and Gabriella speeded up her hobbling as she saw him too. He was engulfed in two hugs, then both boys helped Gabriella into the car. Once the car door was shut, they started talking.
"Everything ready?" Troy quizzed Chad.
He nodded, "Yep. Sorted, everyone's there now."
"Great. I'll just text them before we get there."
They shook hands, laughed it off, then got into the car themselves. Gabriella already had the radio on, and was blurting out another tune both of the guys didn't know. When Chad entered the driving seat, he imediately turned it down.
"CHAD!" Gabriella screamed.
"Sorry princess, no music right now." He started the car, and Gabriella huffed im her seat.
All Troy could is laugh, but a cold stare from Gabriella stopped him.
"What took you so long anyway?" She asked huffily.
"Guy talk." They said at the same time. Looking at each other they smirked. Gabriella thought this was awfully rehearsed, but didn't push it.
Soon enough the car went into the driveway of her and Chad's house, and Troy ran round to the other side of the car to help Gabriella out. She pushed him aside, gave him a cold stare and tried to hobble up the steps. Troy looked at Chad who'd been watching, and he just shrugged. Running up to her again, he hugged her from behind, stopping her from moving.
He gently nipped her neck, and kissed up it. Her breathing became uneven, and it was easy to see she was trying not to give in. But, she did, much to her annoyonce, (sp?)
"URGH! Your horrible!" She shouted as she turned around sharply and started to roughly kiss her boyfriend. She grabbed the nape of his neck, pulling him forward and started playing teasfully with the baby hairs at the back of his neck. She felt him smile into the kiss, as she thrust her tongue inside his mouth. He groaned and pulled her closer, filling the gap between them. His hands moved up her sides, but eventually settled in her waist, as he enjoyed the kiss between them.
Chad made yucky noises, "No PDA thank you. I'll never get used to that!" He shouted at them.
Gabriella stopped, and wiped her mouth, winking at Troy. "Sorry!" She called back to her brother, before turning back around and walking, well, trying to walk back up the steps.
Troy went to help her and whispered in her ear, "I can't be that bad, or you wouldn't have kissed me... like that!"
"Whatever." She replied lazily.
Troy chuckled and kissed her cheek affectionately.
Chad turned open the front door. "Anyone in?!" He shouted.
Gabriella released herself from Troy's hold, and walked inside the living room. What Gabriella couldn't see was Troy and Chad smirking. But why?
"SURPRISE!"
Gabriella jumped out her skin, nearly falling over but Troy caught her. From behind the sofas and chairs jumped everyone she had missed over the last few days. Apart from all her friends, including Sharpay and Taylor, were her Mom and David. They came rushing over to her and hugged her imediately.
"Oh, we've missed you so much!" Her mother shouted.
"You visited me yesterday, Mom" Gabriella joked.
Her mother playfully slapped her arm. "You know what I mean!"
She smiled up at David, "Welcome home Gabi, it's not been the same without you" He said sweetly.
Gabriella smiled again and hugged him. "Thanks."
She let go and went over to her friends. They all hugged her, and both Troy and Chad were welcomed back too. They'd been spending a lot of time at the hospital too.
After saying all their hello's, suddenly a shout was heard...
"LET'S GET THIS PARTY STARTED!"
Everyone turned around to see Chad carrying lots of snacks from the snack table, and everyone laughed at him.
"What?" He said cautiously.
Gabriella laughed, "He's right everyone! Let's party!"
----------
The celebrations continued well into the evening, with dancing and games, and lots of fun. Everyone was high on happiness and for Gabriella, she thought it was a great homecoming.
After a couple of hours, everyone was ushered out the house, with them all saying it was great to have Gabi back. She was delighted all her friends were happy, and she had had a great time at the party, but she did enjoy the peace and quiet once they had left.
Gabriella and Troy were currently cuddled up on Gabriella's bed, just enjoying each other's company. Troy kissed her forehead as he noticed she was falling asleep.
She let go of him and he slid off the bed, leaning beside it.
"It's been a long day, hasn't it?" Troy said.
Gabriella nodded sleepily, "Yep, but it was fun though."
Troy laughed slightly and kissed her forehead again.
"You'd better get some rest, then tomorrow i've got some things to tell you" He breathed, "about...your dad."
"Oh, that, I know that already silly."
He looked shocked, "What...eh, What?"
Gabriella rolled her eyes, "You think I didn't hear that from in there? Well, I did, and I understand. It's kinda cool." She nodded her head again, and Troy breathed a sigh of relief at both not having to tell the story again and that she understood.
For him, Gabriella was like a angel, the perfect person. She understood him perfectly, and no-one had ever been like that before, or maybe he'd not let anyone in the way he had let her before. They were very close, but had had such similar difficluties in life, it was like they knew each other like the back of their hands. And he felt blessed she'd been given to him, because he now felt he had a purpose for living.
"Good. After everything that's happened...I think we should start over."
Gabriella smiled, "Me too. No secrets."
He agreed. "No secrets, from anyone."
He kissed her again, then left the room, letting her fall to sleep.
They were starting over.
They were starting something new.
And Troy couldn't be happier,
because he was finally home with the person he loved.
The second last chapter!
I really hope you enjoyed it, and I know it had lota of action, but not much drama, but I just want to end this story on a good note. After a while, when writing this, I thought it was getting quite long, so that's why it seems quite quickly finished.
Anyways, lets try and hit 600 reviews before this story ends :) It only has one chapter left, and then thats the end. But not for me writing, I have other things up my sleeve :P
R&R, and thanks for reading :)