READ: So I didn't get the reviews I wanted, SO why? I got 28 on the chapter before the last one within 1 day and 14 on the last one within 5? What happened? Is the story getting boring? I want 15 reviews since 18 is too much it seems. But I expect those reveiws please. I'm writing for fun, but I can't write on if I don't know if you like it.
So please review and enjoy now.
Mitchi

However, the nurse already had his arm and kept it in position, trying not to increase the pressure Troy already felt on his arm. "It'll be over soon…" I strained a bit so I had a better view of his arm. Somehow, I knew what was awaiting me, but on the other hand, maybe he didn't want Chad and I to find out.

Gabriella

Troy didn't try fighting against the nurse, there was no use – she'd change his bandage anyway. She held Troy's arm in place and slowly began cutting the bandage, beginning at the palm of his hand, moving up his arm until she reached his elbow, until the bandage fell on the bed, revealing the cuts along his arm. He closed his eyes and turned his head toward the door to his left. I gasped and my eyes widened when I saw the extremely long cut down his arm. The older ones were still visible, as were the scars. It looked terrible, but it seemed that fear and desperation made Troy do what he'd been doing this entire time.

Chad

I watched as Troy turned his head away and closed his eyes, as if he was ashamed of what he did. But I didn't blame him. Who knows I'd been able to cope with what he did for such a long period of time. The cut was down the entire length of his forearm, the blue synthetic shining on the bloody skin. The stitched skin was a bit upraised and swollen. Just as the nurse put some sanitizing liquid on a piece of bandage, there was a knock on the door and before anyone could say anything, the door opened and the gang stepped in!

They stopped dead in their tracks as they witnessed what was happening. Troy had opened his eyes in shock and starred at them, saying, "no, don't look at me." I could tell by the look on their faces that they hadn't expected to walk in during a bandage change.

Taylor

Chad told me that the police found Troy, and how his dad treated him. But he didn't mention anything about Troy cutting himself! My eyes were fixed to his forearm, which looked dreadful, all red and swollen.

I couldn't believe he really did it, even though I knew he had a good reason. I didn't want to judge him, but deep inside I thought he should have known better. But still, I felt sorry for him… I darted my eyes away from Troy and looked at Gabby. She looked at Troy, whose eyes were closed. Gabby turned to face me. She sniffed her tears back, stood up, and walked towards us. "Get out here…we have to talk," she whispered and pushed us out the room.

Once we were out of the room, she closed the door and slid down it, her eyes closed. "Gabby?" I knelt down to her, still trying to process what I just witnessed. By the looks of the rest of the gang, I knew they were doing the same thing. She sniffed and wiped a few tears away.

She looked up, anger visible in her eyes. "Why couldn't you wait until someone said something!?"

"Chad told me to come in," I mumbled. Maybe she was right – we should have waited, and then we wouldn't have run into them, into Troy. "Look, we're sorry," I whispered.

Gabby sniffed and looked up at us. "You better be." She turned around and ordered, "wait here a second."

Gabriella

I knew I was rude to Taylor. Maybe I was just overreacting, but since Troy was so scared and shy about people just walking and doing things without asking him, I was hesitant to let the gang in to come visit.

I sighed as I entered the room again and looked at Troy. The nurse was getting her things together again. His arm was bandaged and the oxygen mask that had been on his face had been removed. Troy opened his eyes and turned his head towards me. "Where are they?" he said, barely above a whisper.

"They're waiting outside – they'll come if you want them to." He watched as the nurse left and closed his eyes again, sighing. "They know," he whispered. "They want to come, so get them in please." He kept his eyes shut. I nodded and walked to the door again.

"Get in," I said, my eyes on the ground. They didn't say a word and followed me. Jason closed the door. I sat down in my chair again, while the rest of the gang occupied the other chairs – since there weren't enough, Taylor placed herself in Chad's lap and Sharpay did so in Zeke's.

Troy looked at them intently and smiled a bit. "Hey guys." They all mumbled their hellos and then it was silent again.

"Well, we're sorry we just walked in," Sharpay said and smiled slightly at Troy. "We just…didn't expect what we saw, we…" She searched for words and her eyes darted to his bandaged forearm, the one that they saw without a bandage a few minutes ago. Troy noticed this and slowly pulled his arm out of sight under his blanket, trying not to move too much, since he could still feel the pain washing over him each time he did. I looked at Sharpay, biting her lower lip, unsure of what to do.

"Well, we all want to know one thing. Why?" Zeke asked. I brought my hand up to my head, mentally cursing and slapping Zeke for asking that question. I glanced at Troy and he reacted exactly the way I thought he would.

Troy

Just as Zeke finished his question and looked at me expectantly, I felt my body stiffen, and my face pale. I gulped and looked away. I met Gabby's eyes and closed mine, turning my head to the other side, totally ignoring the diverse attempts of my friends to get me to tell them why I did this.

Why didn't they get it? Two years ago, my mom left me with the dad who beat me at every possible moment, and his new wife, my stepmom, did the exact same thing. Every time my mom came around, I faked my happy life, I faked my relationship with my dad and Sarah, faked my smile, faked myself… I tried my best to keep them blocked out as I heard Chad and Gabriella telling them to drop it after a few minutes. I pressed my eyes shut as they began to tell the gang what they knew to prevent me from crying. Although they didn't know much, I didn't want the gang to know everything. Chad and Gabby told them what injuries I had the first time I was admitted to the hospital, but they left out the reason for the second time, which was a small, lightening thought. They didn't tell them anything about the few days I'd been locked in my dad's house, because no one knew what actually happened… and no one was going to know what this soon.

I kept my eyes shut the rest of the time the gang was at the hospital, pretending to sleep, but eavesdropping their conversation at the same time. Their most interesting topic seemed to be me – what a coincidence! I overheard them talk about my cuts, how "stupid I was to do that" and "that I could have died", as if I didn't know that already.

Just before a sob escaped my lips, I heard Gabriella finally speak up. "Don't you know what you're saying right now? He isn't stupid! I think he knew exactly what he was doing, and if you judge him for wanting to get rid of his dad, you can't call yourselves his friends!" I could hear her breathing deeply, but I didn't dare open my eyes – everyone would've known I'd listened.

"Gabby, you – "

"Don't 'Gabby' me!" She sounded very angry, and the gang didn't say another word after that.

"Maybe we should leave now… we're sorry," Taylor said and I heard them moving some chairs around and mumbling, "goodbye" and "tell him to get better soon".

The door closed and they were gone – finally. It wasn't a very pleasant visit – maybe they weren't ready, but I couldn't change that. Someone grabbed my hand, slowly stroking it. I opened my eyes, knowing everyone was gone except for the ones I wanted here with me.

Gabriella

Chad accompanied the gang to the exit, so I was alone with Troy. I tried to remain calm as I grabbed Troy's hand, softly moving my finger over his skin.

I heard him whisper in a raspy voice, "they weren't ready to come yet."

I nodded my head. "They thought you were like 'happy go lucky' and that you'd be coming home soon. They said mean things about you."

He squeezed my hand. "I know." His smile fell as he looked down on our joined hands. "I heard them."

I tightened my grip on his hand. "They don't know what they're talking about."

He shook his head and said, "no, and I don't care. I have you and you won't judge me."

I smiled slightly and nodded. "And I have you…"

"You know, I've been thinking about you often during those few weeks we've known each other."

I nodded. "I did so as well."

He smiled, pleased with my answer. "Well, there's one thing that I've been thinking of in particular."

He smirked and I raised an eyebrow. "That is?"

He pulled on my hand and I had to bend down over him. I looked into his sparkling blue eyes. They weren't grey and lifeless anymore – they regained their piecing blue color. My lips were centimeters above his and I could feel his hot breath on my chin.

"Remember the kiss?" he whispered.

"Of course," I said and thought back to it… and then it hit me. "Did you do it back then?" I asked seriously, taking his chin with my fingers so he had to look at me. He tried to move his head, but gave in and slowly nodded. "I'm sorry." I didn't know what to say, but it didn't matter to me that he cut himself back then. I knew he'd stop, and it didn't seem to have affected the passion he put into our kiss.

"I love you," I whispered as I let go of his chin and slowly bent down further.

"I love you too, so much…" He captured my lips in a sweet kiss – it wasn't passionate like the last one was. It was about saying thank you, and knowing I wouldn't leave him – ever.

I kissed him back, with the same intention as Troy, staying together, and wanting it to last forever, but…

"Hey guys -?"

We broke apart and I rolled my eyes, I could tell Troy did the same – Chad was back.

"Why'd he have to ruin the moment?" I whispered to Troy. He chuckled, but it turned to a raging coughing fit. The nurses had told us that his throat was still sore from the tube of the breathing machine and that his lungs needed some time to heal. I sat down again, smiling. Chad sat down on the opposite side and grinned at me. When I looked up from staring at Troy, whose eyes were closed again and his breathing steady after the coughing fit, Chad didn't stop grinning at me.

I shook my head and returned my attention to Troy as he opened his eyes again, just as the door opened…

So, please remember 15 reviews and I'll update and I PROMISE you that I can keep my chapters as long as I want! So please review.
Mitchi