Ok so I suck...this chapter has taken me a week to write! Well, more specifically, the ENDING has taken me a week to write! The first 95 percent of it came easily, the last section took me FOREVER! I just couldn't get my brain in gear. But whatevs, I'm gonna stop trying to change it and just post, otherwise I'll never move on with this story! So please excuse this chapter – it's kinda all over the place and not really that great...but it will get interesting again soon, I proooomise

This chapter is dedicated to the lovely Sim for being such a sweetheart :) I'm sorry it's not a better chapter to dedicate!

Charli xox

PS. Thanks so much for the amazing reviews. Especially the one from that creator of Aunt Gladys, my god I wonder who THAT genius was...

PPS. Jessa, I'll pass on your number, shall I... tehehe


Chapter 16

Monday morning dawned bright and sunny. Gabriella looked at herself in the mirror nervously, straightening her clothes – the seventh outfit she had put on this morning - and making sure her hair sat in a way that hid the fact it was continuing to thin.

Dr Zamitt had given her the all clear on Friday to attend school today if he felt like she was up to it. Her counts were good – a little on the low side still (that was good, it meant the chemo was doing its job), but high enough to be out in public.

After the great time she had had on the weekend with her friends, she was looking forward to seeing them again. She smiled to herself as she remembered the look on Troy's face when he had arrived at her house Friday night to find Sharpay finishing up dinner with Gabriella and Maria. Sharpay had spent the afternoon with Gabi after explaining to her why she had avoided seeing her for so long, and the two had spent a fantastic couple of hours catching up. Saturday's movie marathon had been a great success. The gang – including Sharpay - had arrived at 11.30am, and had stayed until Gabriella fell asleep on Troy's lap sometime around 4pm.

Deciding her current outfit would do, Gabriella picked up her bag and headed out of her room. Halfway down the stairs, Gabriella froze as she was hit by a sudden frightening thought. In an instant, her excitement about school was gone as those dreaded insecurities and doubts began to creep into her head. Yeah, her friends were supportive and loved her no matter what...but what about the rest of the school? How would they react to her and her illness? Would she be teased? She knew she looked a lot different than she had when she was last at school. She was pale, thinner, had shorter hair, dark circles under her eyes, several scars visible on her neck, and she couldn't get around as fast as she used to be able to.

Gabriella sat down on the stairs with a thump, tears filling her eyes, her hands shaking. She hated feeling so insecure about herself – the past year at East High had boosted her confidence so much – but since her diagnosis, she felt like her body was betraying her.

The doorbell rang, followed a moment later by a knock. Gabriella didn't budge. She knew it was Troy, and she knew he would let himself in anyway if no one answered the door.

"Gabi honey," her mother called from the study. "I think Troy is at the door."

Gabriella didn't answer. As predicted, the front door opened a few seconds later, and Troy poked his head in.

"Hello?" Troy called softly. "Hello? Gabi? Anyone ho..." it was then he spotted her on the staircase. "Oh Gabi – what's wrong?"

"I can't go, Troy," she cried, hugging her knees to her chest.

Troy climbed to halfway up the staircase and plonked himself next to her. "Go where, Gabs? What's happened?"

"To school," she sobbed. "So much has changed Troy...I'm not the same anymore, my hair's falling out and I just look...different."

Troy sighed and wrapped an arm around her, pulling her head onto his shoulder. "Gab, where is all this coming from? Did someone say something to you, coz whoever it w..."

"No," Gabriella replied. "It's just me, I'm so stupid and insecure lately, I just..."

Troy silenced her by placing a finger over her lips. "Shh. You're not stupid, Gabi, but we're gonna put a stop to all these bad thoughts right now, ok? Everyone is so excited for you to come back to school – they aren't concerned about anything except making sure that you have the best day possible. And yeah – I know you've changed. But not how you think: you're stronger. You're stronger for what you are dealing with and how you're dealing with it. So I don't wanna hear you putting yourself down again, right? Gabi, you have so many people that love you. That's who is important. Anyone who says anything to hurt you is not worth your time. Plus, if they do they'll have me to deal with," he gave her shoulder a squeeze, pulling her up with him. "Now, if we don't get going, we'll be late for school – you don't want to have to deal with Darbus on your first day back, do you?" he winked and grinned at her, a smile which she returned. "You're looking extra beautiful today, by the way. I really love your hair like that."

It took all of Gabriella's effort not to melt right there on the spot. Her boyfriend was amazing – no doubt about it. Her smile widened as he leaned down and kissed her gently on the nose and slipped an arm around her waist.

"Let's say bye to your mom and then we'll head off."

They found Maria around the corner, wiping tears from her eyes.

"Mom..." Gabriella said warily, a hint of a smile on her face. "Were you listening to all that?"

"Oh honey," Maria replied, pulling her daughter into a hug. "I'm sorry, but I couldn't hel...everything Troy said is true, you know. Your life might have changed in a huge way, but you are still Gabriella and we love you more than anything."

"Thanks, Mom," Gabriella pulled back from her mother and picked up her bag.

"Now, at the risk of sounding like an overprotective mother – Gabi, please take it easy today. If you are too tired to stay until lunch time, call me and I'll pick you up earlier. Make sure you drink enough water to keep you hydrated, and remember – no sports or games. Try not to bump into anyone or let anyone bump into you – if that central line gets pulled too hard it could shift or come out completely. And..."

"Mom..." Gabi raised an eyebrow. "I'll be careful, I promise."

Maria placed her hands on Gabriella's shoulders and kissed her forehead. "Have a wonderful morning sweetheart. I'll see you at lunch."

"Bye Mom," Gabriella kissed her mother on the cheek and headed out to Troy's truck. Troy turned to follow her, but Maria held him back.

"Troy, please look after her," Maria looked up at him pleadingly.

Troy nodded. "I will. You have my word."

HSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSM

"You ok?" Troy stopped Gabriella at the bottom of the stairs that marked the entrance to East High.

"Uh huh," Gabriella nodded bravely as Troy gave her hand a supportive squeeze, and together they climbed the stairs and walked through the doors.

"Gabriella!" Hannah Ellerson and Natasha Jacobs – two of the Wildcats Cheerleaders called out to her as she made her way towards her locker, Troy by her side. "It's really great to see you!"

"Hey Gabriella, we missed you heaps!" Laura Handley, Ethan Hawkin and Olivia Tamsorin from the Scholastic Decathlon team said as they all hugged her.

"Gabi! Good to see you! How are you doing?" Jessica Martins - who was in her Chemistry class – smiled.

Gabriella's confidence rose with every smile or greeting sent her way. When she and Troy reached her locker, the whole gang was there waiting to engulf her in a huge group hug.

"Welcome back, Gabs!" they all yelled as they surrounded her.

Gabriella giggled. "Thanks guys – it's good to be back. So...to homeroom?"

"TO HOMEROOM!" the gang cheered as they rushed off to class, followed more slowly by Gabriella and Troy.

"Ms. Darbus isn't going to know what hit her when that lot burst through the door," Troy shook his head.

"I think we can count down to the explosion," Gabriella agreed. "5...4...3...2...1..."

"CHAD DANFORTH, TAYLOR MCKESSIE, JASON CROSS, ZEKE BAYLOR, KELSI NIELSON, MR & MISS EVANS – SIT DOWN IN YOUR SEATS. RIGHT. NOW!"

Gabriella and Troy exchanged a glance. "Right on cue," Troy laughed as they heard the gang's protests.

"But Ms. Darbus, your Royal Highness...Gabriella's here!" Chad exclaimed.

"I DON'T CARE IF THE PRESIDENT IS HERE, YOU WILL..."

"But Ms, Darbus – it's..." Taylor cut in.

"I DON'T CARE IF IT'S THAT ZACHARY...TEFLON OR WHATEVER HIS NAME IS – THE ONE ALL YOU YOUNGSTERS SCREAM ABOUT THESE DAYS – EITHER! SIT! NOW! Ahh, Miss Montez," Ms. Darbus' tone switched to eerily calm as Gabriella and Troy appeared in the doorway. "Welcome back."

Gabriella returned her teacher's meaningful smile as she moved towards her desk and eased herself into the chair. Troy turned around and winked at her from his seat, which made her grin again.

For the first time in weeks, Gabriella felt like a normal teenager.

HSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSM

When the bell rang to signal the conclusion of class for lunch, Troy was waiting for Gabriella outside her classroom. His heart swelled when he saw her emerge with a huge smile on her face. He took her books and her bag from her and kissed her softly on the top of the head.

"Good morning princess?"

Gabriella nodded. "But I would be lying if I said I wasn't ready to go home – I'm pretty worn out."

"Come on then, let's go find your mom."

Together, they headed towards the office, where they saw Maria sitting waiting for them. She looked up and smiled as they approached.

"Hey baby, how did you go?" she asked, standing up and kissing Gabriella on the forehead.

"I had a really great morning, but I'm so tired now," she replied.

Maria took her things from Troy. "Come on then, let's get you home for a rest. Thanks Troy," she smiled at him meaningfully.

"Hey, it's my job," Troy winked, turning to Gabriella. "I'll see you tomorrow, Bella."

"Speaking Italian now, Troy?" Maria joked as he kissed her daughter goodbye.

"Aaah, what can I say – I'm a man of many talents," Troy laughed as Maria signed Gabriella out and they left the office. He waved goodbye until they were out of sight, then turned with a sigh and headed towards the cafeteria.

HSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSM

Gabriella yawned and swayed a little as she followed her mother into the kitchen.

"What do you feel like for lunch?"

Gabriella groaned softly as she rubbed a hand across her stomach. "Nothing, I don't really feel well."

"Do you feel sick in the stomach?" Maria asked, placing a hand on Gabriella's forehead.

"Uh huh," Gabriella replied.

"Like you might throw up?"

"A little," Gabriella nodded. "I might just go lie down."

"Ok sweetheart. Just call me if you need anything."

"I wi...uh oh!"

Maria rushed after Gabriella as she bolted down the hallway. Unfortunately - only metres from the bathroom – the wave of nausea which had been threatening overtook her and she doubled over, throwing up all over herself and the floor.

"Oh, honey..."

Gabriella burst into tears. "I'm so sorry, Mom," she cried. "I tried to get to the bathroom!"

"Don't apologise, sweetheart – it's not your fault," Maria soothed. "Do you need to be sick again?"

"No – I feel a lot better now," she sobbed, she was more embarrassed than anything.

"Ok," Maria rubbed her back. "Let's get this cleaned up then. You jump in the shower and I'll deal with the floor. Just leave your clothes in the bathroom – I'll fix them up when I'm done."

Gabriella HAD had a really good morning, but it seemed that all the excitement had caught up with her. She slept the rest of the afternoon and night away, only waking twice to use the bathroom. Troy called when he got home from basketball, trying the home phone when he got the voicemail on her cell.

"Oh, hi Troy," Maria answered, sounding tired.

"Hey Maria, is Gabi around?"

"She's actually asleep, sorry Troy. She wasn't well this afternoon."

"Oh..." Troy said quietly.

"I think she overdid it a little today, to be honest. She pushes herself so hard, trying to get along with things as normal as possible, but – even though I want her to have as much normality as possible – she still needs to take it easy and the easier she takes it now, the faster she will bounce back in the long run. It's just hard when she feels so good to remember that she's so sick."

Troy was quiet on the other end.

"Troy? You ok?"

"Yeah..." he replied quietly. "I'm just so sad for Gabi, y'know? This freakin' disease is robbing her of everything she loves and it's just not fair – it's bad enough she has to suffer through the sickness and the treatments as it is..."

"I know, honey..." Maria replied, tears in her eyes. "But just knowing that you and her friends are there for her means so much to Gabriella, Troy. Everyday when she wakes up she knows she has something to fight for because you are in her life. You've stuck by her when so many wouldn't, Troy, and to Gabriella...that means the world."


Sooo, that was the all-over-the-place chapter! Hopefully it wasn't too boring. Coming up: More chemo and some friendly new faces!

Please review, it makes my day!!! Ya, I'm sad I know hehe!

Charli xox