You.

My…

When people go into shock, their whole system slows down, unable to take so much information. The phrase 'in one ear and out the other' suddenly makes sense. Everything gets too much, so anything extra that is said doesn't get recognised. It just doesn't get acknowledged.

Waters…

Some people press their hands into their ears to make sure they can't hear anything else. So that they only have to concentrate on the one thing that has made them so shocked in the first place. Everything else doesn't go into the filter called the Brain. The Brain has a blockage, one that you have put in place, and it prevents unwanted ideas to flow through. Some people squeeze their eyes closed to hard that they can see stars. Anything to only listen to the thing that has shocked them. So they can finally figure how they are meant to react.

Have…

You can feel your mind ticking, whirring, slowly but surely. You may get frustrated that your brain doesn't seem to be working as quick and efficiently as it had before. But then you remember the shocking memory, the thing you have been told, and you shove anything that doesn't let you fully concentrate right out of your head. Focus, you tell yourself, focus.

Broken…

And once you've gone through all the steps, the initial shock, the unwanted thoughts, the blockage, and the concentrating, you feel everything piece together. Like pieces of a jigsaw. You suddenly see the piece you had been looking so hard for, and then you feel satisfied as you slot it into place. You connect the dots. You connect the words. And they become a sentence.

My Waters Have Broken.

And once you have realised what you had been trying to get to all along, there is a moment when you think, 'why didn't I just connect all the words together in the first place?'. Some people shake their head in annoyance, and others actually try and figure out an answer to that question. And then it hits you. Full force. It's like you've never really seen the sentence, it's just been words that have fitted nicely together. The grammar correct, so you just left it like that. But then you see it. You really see it. And whatever reaction you're supposed to make, you make. Eventually.

"Oh. My. God."

Sharpay whispered. She let her eyes travel from the distressed look on Gabriella's pale face, to her clothing, and then to the little puddle on the floor, directly under her legs. Running her eyes up again, she realised she needed to go into action, take control because it was clear how scared Gabriella had become, but the shock was getting to her. Thoughts of how many months Gabriella has been pregnant for, and had they packed the hospital bag or not filtered through her brain, messing about with every control switch she had there. Sharpay just stood stalk still, unable to move, looking at her friend.

Gabriella's face suddenly contorted in pain and she groaned, clutching her stomach, bending unable to stand straight with the pain. Something in Sharpay switches, like a light being flicked on, and she runs into action. She ran to her friend, gathering her up in her arms. "Breath through the contraction, Gabriella. It'll be fine, lets get you to the hospital."

She rushed to the other end of the room, collecting a wooden chair which had been flung over to the wall. She ignored the large dent in the wall, and rushed back to her friend, letting her sit on the chair, while she ran out of the room.

"Oh Gosh, what the hell am I supposed to do?! I don't know what's going to happen. This shouldn't have happened now. Not the right time. Never the right time. Got to be strong, for Gabriella." She murmured endlessly to herself, knowing she wasn't really making any sense, but miraculously it made sense to her. She forced herself to keep it together, for Gabriella's sake, and she reached Gabriella's bedroom, collecting the hospital bag they had made together the week before.

She returned to the room, to see Gabriella with her head between her knees breathing heavily. In. Out. In. Out. After putting her bag onto her shoulder, hoisting into place, she snuck her arm around Gabriella's waist, helping her up from the chair, and nearing the door.

Gabriella winced loudly. "God, this hurts so much!"

Sharpay kissed her cheek. "I know, Gabriella, I know. But in a few hours, it'll all be over and you'll have your baby. It'll go fine."

Sharpay had heard about the hormones, the raging hormones. How pregnant womans mood swings could get very dramatic during the pregnancy and when about to give birth. She'd thought herself lucky, Gabriella's mood swings weren't as severe as some sounded. But she was about to be proved wrong.

"You don't know! You're not the one going through with this! You're not the one who'll be pushing a child out of her vagina!' Sharpay almost lost her hold on Gabriella when she screamed into her ears. She shuddered, all the while nearing her to the door. This was not the time to get upset because she was being shouted at, or be surprised at the force of Gabriella's voice. What she was saying was true, too. She heard Gabriella continue to rant. "And as for 'a couple of hours' labour can go on for more than a day! Sharpay, you have no idea what you are talking about! It might not go fine!' Gabriella's eyes sunk, fear shooting through them. She clung to Sharpay like her life depended on it. 'What if it doesn't go right? What if something's wrong? With the baby? What if--"

Sharpay cut her off, silencing her by putting her hand over Gabriella's mouth, while fumbling about trying to get Gabriella's seated comfortably in her car. "Gabriella, stop shouting and stop fretting. Things don't go wrong in labour all the time. Your pregnancy has been a good one, so look on the positive side."

Gabriella nodded, her eyes sparkling with unshed tears. "I guess your-- OWWWW!"

Another contraction hit Gabriella hard, making her scream out in pain. It felt like someone was kicking her directly in the stomach, but much harder than anyone could imagine. The pain shot through her, going all over her body, but focussing on her stomach and below. The pain was near unbearable.

Sharpay desperately wanted to comfort her friend, wanted to hold her and tell her that everything would be okay. But she knew that if she didn't get Gabriella's to the hospital in time, they'd have to deliver in the car, and she didn't want her car all stained. All that new upholstery and just to get blood and guts on it - no thanks! She whipped around to the drivers side of the car, hearing Gabriella's screams of pain with every step she took. Sharpay winced for her. She couldn't imagine the pain.

After buckling in, Sharpay put the keys in and drove out of the drive way. Gabriella kept a hold of her stomach like it would fall off any minute. Her eyes scrunched in pain, then it would subside and then hit again. Another screech of pain, and Sharpay would try and go faster in the car.

Whilst the pain had momentarily gone away, she looked over to Sharpay. She seemed so calm and collected. She felt a surge of gratitude go through her. Without Sharpay, she wasn't sure how she'd have got through the last nine months, let alone what she was going through now. She reached over, patting Sharpay's hand on the steering wheel. "Sharpay, thank you so much. I don't know what I'd do without y--OUCH!"

Sharpay shuddered at Gabriella's screams. She didn't know how to help. All those classes they'd gone to together seemed to fly out of the window. In this situation, she'd forgotten every lesson she'd vowed to remember. That's what happens when you're under pressure, she reminded herself. All she could think to do was speed up.

Gabriella wriggled around in pain in the seat. She couldn't get comfortable. It was the pain and the large bump put together which made her so uncomfortable. Pregnancy wasn't supposed to be a comfortable experience, she had learned. She desperately wanted to take her seat belt off and was about to when Sharpay slammed on the brakes, making Gabriella fly forward, and she was so surprised it made her forget the pain she was going through for a few seconds.

"For God's Sake! A traffic jam! Do they not think about people trying to get to places quickly?!" Gabriella felt her hand edge away from the seatbelt. It was probably safer to have it on. She'd forgotten Sharpay's road rage. "I mean really, they think of nothing but themselves! They don't think that maybe I've got a pregnant woman in here who needs to get to hospital. No! They just wanna make holes in the road. Well, if they don't hurry up I'll put holes in their skulls!"

Gabriella was so shocked with Sharpay's outburst, that the pain of the next contraction wasn't as bad when it started. Then the pain started to build and she let out another scream. Next thing she knew, Sharpay was winding down her window and leaning out the side.

"HURRY UP! I'VE GOT A PREGNANT WOMAN IN HERE, AND IF WE DON'T GET MOVING SHE'LL BE DELIVERING IN MY CAR! AND YOU CAN ALL PAY FOR MY NEW UPHOLSTERY!" Sharpay put herself back in her car, winding the window back up and ignoring all the funny looks which were directed her way. Gabriella stared back at her.

"What?" Sharpay seemed to be calmer now.

Gabriella looked at her incredulously. "Just tell the whole world I'm in labour then!"

Sharpay rolled her eyes. "Well, we need to get moving. And then you'd just moan if we were in here to long, and if you actually had to give birth in here."

Gabriella sat up. "All for your stupid upholstery." She mumbled.

Sharpay shrugged. "I don't want it ruined, which is what would happen."

"No it wouldn't."

"Yes it would."

Gabriela pointed her finger at her friend, who's hands were gripping the steering wheel and making the car trail slowly towards the hospital. "Don't argue with me. I'm pregnan--OWWW!"

Another contraction it and Gabriella struggled in her seat with the pain. Sharpay looked at her worriedly. "Are you counting between contractions?"

Gabriella shrugged while wrestling with the thumping in her stomach. "Yes, sort of. I'd say they're coming every three to four minutes, but I can't be sure." It was hard to make out Gabriella's words as they were so muffled by her moans and groans.

Eventually the road started to move and they were speeding towards the hospital. Sharpay swerved into a parking space, nearly knocking over an elderly man trying to get to his car. After shouting an apology out of the window, she parked. Shoving her seatbelt off, she grabbed the bags and ran around to the other side of there car, opening Gabriella's door. Gabriella's face was contorted in pain, but Sharpay managed to get her out of the car, and they shuffled together along to reception.

As the hospital doors opened, Gabriella, rather appropriately, screamed as another contraction started. People stared in awe and sorrow for her pain, but Gabriella didn't notice, she was too hurt to. The room went silent as they watched her struggle, and a teenage girl whispered to her mother quietly that she'd never ever have children if that's what happened. Sharpay, meanwhile, glared at everyone who stared and urged Gabriella forward to the reception desk.

"She'd gonna give birth." Sharpay breathed, slight out of breath from practically carrying Gabriella and her baby's weight.

The receptionist smiled. "Yes, I gathered that. Now, are you the fat--, her partner?"

Sharpay wasn't particularly taken back by this statement. The receptionist thought they were a couple, but really they weren't. They'd had to explain that numerous times, because people just jumped to conclusions. Therefore, Sharpay rolled her eyes at the question. "No, we're just friends, flatmates. The father isn't here."

Gabriella winced in pain. "Can I just push this thing out please? If you could arrange that, it would be great!" Even in the circumstances, Gabriella still managed to insert sarcasm into her voice. Sharpay even stifled a giggle.

The receptionist smiled patiently. "First, you'll need to fill out these forms."

She put them in front of Gabriella, who picked them up and flung them over her shoulder, with them landing in an unorganised heap on the floor. Gabriella smiled the same patronising smile right back at her. "I'm sorry, but if you haven't noticed, I'm in labour. And I don't really feel like filling in forms, I'd rather have my baby thank you. So, I'll fill them in later for you, and you can get me a wheelchair and a ward and a doctor!"

Sharpay was secretly proud. Even though her friend was suffering from contractions and a lot of pain, she could still hold her own. She had the sudden urge to give Gabriella a high five, but shrugged it off. She watched as the receptionist tried not to glare at Gabriella, but got her the things she needed anyway.

Soon she was whisked off to a ward.

Gabriella puffed loudly, Sharpay rubbing her back but it not really helping. It was the thought that counts she remembered. She was getting quite angry, and very tired. She wasn't sure how many more contractions she could take, and to make that worse, she wasn't dilated enough and they didn't think she needed the drugs yet. A few minutes ago she'd been seen by the nurse, but had been told that so many babies were being born this afternoon, that her baby wouldn't be delivered by a nurse, one that was really trained in delivery, but a doctor instead. Just great. Things were bound to go wrong.

She flopped back onto her pillow, the pain subsiding. She breathed in relief. These few seconds she wasn't in pain, she enjoyed. She took Sharpay's hand. "Thank you for being here with me."

Sharpay smiled down at her while sitting down on the chair beside the bed. "Of course, it's fine. You're very welcome, I couldn't not have helped." She reasoned.

A small pain started at the small of her back, and she groaned. She knew what came next. The pain. The hurt. She really could do without this. Right as she expected, she pain shot through her, and she was brought up, screaming and grinding her teeth. She breathed in ragged breaths, like she'd been taught to do, but they weren't really helping.

A nurse came through the door. Gabriella grabbed onto her hand with such force it brought the nurse stumbling beside her. The nurse was shocked and listened carefully to what Gabriella had to say. "Please, please, I really need to drugs now. It must be time."

The nurses eyes widened, nodding quickly and scurrying away, no doubt thinking that Gabriella was mad.

The next ten minutes were very long. She'd asked for the drugs, but they hadn't been brought o her yet. She'd gone through more contractions, none becoming any easier.

Gabriella puffed. "Owww! Where are the damn drugs!"

"They're right here." A voice from behind the curtain claimed.

Gabriella forgot the pain. She gasped. She must have fainted. She must be dreaming. Her hands clenched into fists, grabbing the bedding material. Her eyes glued to the curtain opening, and the next ten seconds were the longest in her life. It was slow motion.

His fingers.

His hand.

His arm.

His white coat.

His leg.

His other leg.

His bottom half.

His white coated chest.

His neck.

And then his head.

They're eyes connected, and all movement in the entire world stopped. No-one breathed. They were too scared to move, breath, talk, just in case it was all a dream.

"You!" Gabriella choked.

Troy nodded, stunned. "Me."

A/N; So, I don't know if I'd consider that a cliffhanger, but it was a good exciting ending, right? You were all so nervous about her meeting Troy again that I had to update quickly just to put you out your misery. And so you see, Troy is a doctor. Many of you asked what he worked as, so there is your answer. Clever, huh?

Anyways, Chapter Countdown: 4 more chapters to go.

But for this chapter... Please review!

Also, read the Harry Potter story I've been telling you about. Link on my profile.