I'm baaaa-aaack
Well, technically I've been back since yesterday but it's taken me until now to catch up on everything and get this part finished! It's a bit choppy and changey, I think I left my writing brain on the beach somewhere lol. Either that or it got burnt alive by the sun like the rest of me hahaha.
Anywayz, here is the chapter. Shoutouts to Christie for her amazing and flattering review, to Jessa because we haven't been on MSN at the same time in like a billion years and we need a serious catch up - hope you've been enjoying your Troyella playlist hehe, and to Aunt Gladys because she is wicked sweet.
Enjoy,
Charli xox
Chapter 22
"The look on his face, Kenz...my god, I feel so guilty. All he has ever done is be the biggest sweetheart in the world and I've just thrown it all back in his face," Gabriella was crying again now.
Mackenzie had listened to the entire story in silence, letting Gabriella get it all out whilst rubbing her back supportively.
"I can't believe I just sent him home like that...my god I must have sounded like such a cow!" she exclaimed in frustration. "Troy probably hates me," she concluded sadly.
"You mustn't think too highly of him to say that," Mackenzie said matter-of-factly.
"What?" Gabriella said, looking up in shock.
"One look at Troy and anyone can see how much he loves and respects you. He understands what you're going through right now and he knows how overwhelming it might seem. That's why he left when you asked him. If he didn't understand, he would have pushed you to let him stay, and not respected your wishes to be alone. He would never hate you, Gabi."
"You're right," Gabriella moaned. "I can't believe I even said that. Argh, what did I do to deserve him?" she groaned. "And you! You're the wake-up call I needed, Kenz," she said sincerely, pulling her frail friend into a hug. "Thank you."
"Anytime," Mackenzie grinned, pushing the phone towards Gabriella as she straightened up. "Now, I gotta go get admitted. I believe you have a phone call to make?"
Gabriella grinned as Mackenzie winked at her and left the room. Turning her attention to the phone, Gabriella picked it up with a shaking hand, dialling the number she could have recited in her sleep...
HSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSM
Maria was reading her book and Gabriella was just finishing up re-listening to her CD when the door of her room opened. Her head snapped up as she sensed the movement, pulling the earphones from her ears. Maria just smiled knowingly.
"Troy..." Gabriella breathed as he stood in the doorway. He picked up his foot to step forward, over to her bed, but she stopped him. "No!" she said quickly. Sensing his confusion she elaborated. "Just wait there one sec."
Troy's brow furrowed but soon his confusion turned to joy and pride as Gabriella threw back the bed sheets and swung her legs over the side of the bed, determinedly pulling herself to her feet. Maria opened her mouth to warn her daughter to be careful, but spying the steely determination in her eyes, she closed her mouth again. Jaw set in concentration and eyes focused on the young man in front of her, Gabriella took a step forward. When she realised she was still upright, the corners of Gabriella's mouth twitched slightly as she slid the other foot forward.
Another step.
Another.
One more...
Shoulders shaking as tears of happiness streamed down her face, Gabriella let herself fall into Troy's outstretched arms, a feeling of bliss washing over her as she relaxed into his embrace. Troy held her close and breathed deeply, taking in the sweet scent that was so uniquely her. In that moment, he didn't think he could possibly be any prouder of her.
A sniffle from against his chest drew Troy's attention back to the present.
"Troy...I'm so sorry..." Gabriella whispered into his shirt.
Troy wrapped his arms tighter – if that was possible – around her and kissed the top of her head. "Shhh...It's ok Gabi, you don't need to say anything. I'm here now, everything's fine."
Gabriella pulled back a little, keeping their arms wrapped firmly around each other, and looked up at him with tear filled eyes. "No, I have to say it. I was horrible to you and you don't deserve that. I'm sorry Troy. I just need you to know that I love you."
Troy rested his forehead against hers, looked deep into her eyes and smiled. "I know you do," he replied, dipping his head to kiss her softly on the lips. "And I love you right back."
HSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSM
As the days continued to pass, Gabriella worked harder than ever in her physio sessions with Aryanna and continued to regain her strength. She made it through her third round of chemo with some nausea and some nasty mouth ulcers, but she was soon on the upswing and more focused than ever on returning home. Christmas was not far off and Gabriella was determined not to spend it in hospital.
On days when she was feeling up to it, Gabriella would catch up on some of her school work with her homebound tutor. Amazingly – despite everything – Gabriella was still managing to maintain her straight-A average. But as much as she loved working with her tutor, Gabriella was desperate to get back to school and be with her friends again. Short visiting hours with them were not the same as being around them in class and at lunch – Gabriella knew she was missing out on a lot being cooped up in bed.
So she set herself a goal and pushed herself to reach it.
And reach it she did.
Not only did Gabriella make it home in time for Christmas, she made it back to school for the last day before winter vacation. And the best part was that none of her friends knew she was coming – not even Troy.
Since she had been home from hospital, Troy had spent as much time as he possibly could with her, as well as juggling his studies for the exams they had been subjected to the past couple of weeks. Gabriella was exempt from exams, but her averages were so good for every single subject that her marks were beyond exceptional, regardless. The pair had spent many an afternoon curled up in the Montez's lounge room - Troy pouring over his study notes and Gabriella quizzing him while Maria kept them going with her world famous brownies and steaming mugs of hot cocoa.
But now exams were behind them and winter vacation was only hours away. Before that final bell could signal their freedom later that afternoon, Gabriella had a surprise to pull off. She arrived at East High with her mother right as the final bell rang, so there was barely a student in sight as they made their way towards the office where they were greeted by Principal Matsui who talked to the both of them for a few minutes before excusing Gabriella for homeroom.
Gabriella kissed her mother goodbye, picked up her bag and headed out of the office and towards Ms. Darbus' classroom. As she got closer she could hear Ms. Darbus lecturing the class on something almost positively cell phone use, and quivered slightly with excitement as she anticipated her friends' reaction to her appearance at school – in particular, Troy's reaction. Nervously adjusting the white hat that hid her bald head, Gabriella placed a frail hand on the door knob and turned it.
As the door opened to reveal her standing at the entrance to the classroom, her peers looked up and most of their faces split into wide grins. An excited murmur rippled throughout the room, but no one's reaction was as priceless as Troy's.
"MWAGRUWHAAA??!!" he shrieked incoherently and Gabriella began to giggle. Before anyone could say anything, Troy was up out of his seat and Gabriella felt her feet leave the ground as he scooped her up and hugged her tight.
"Mr Bolton, if you don't put Miss Montez down THIS INSTANT, you will find yourself in detention for the ENTIRETY of next semester faster than you can say 'PDA', do I make myself clear?" Ms Darbus tried her best to sound annoyed as she desperately swallowed the grin that threatened to creep across her face. Troy sheepishly set Gabriella back on the ground and slid into his seat, his sparkling eyes never once leaving her gaze. "Miss Montez," Gabriella turned to face her teacher."It's lovely to see you. That hat looks simply marvellous, by the way. Perhaps you could give Mr Evans some tips on style..."
Gabriella giggled as Ryan scoffed jokingly. "Thankyou Ms. Darbus."
Ms. Darbus simply nodded. "I think you'll find your usual seat is free," she said meaningfully. Gabriella felt like she could have skipped down the middle of the room to her desk she was so happy to be back at school and with her friends. Today, cancer would take a back seat while she lived like a 'normal' teenager.
HSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSM
"I can't believe you're here!" Troy exclaimed for the thousandth time that day as the gang made their way towards the cafeteria for lunch. His arm was draped comfortably around Gabriella's shoulders and the grin he had been unable to remove from his face since homeroom was still there.
"It took everything I had not to tell you," Gabriella explained. "But the look on your face was so worth it," she smiled up at him.
Taylor linked her arm through Gabriella's and let out a small excited squeal. "It just feels like old times again," she exclaimed giddily and Gabriella nodded her agreement. "Aaah I missed you being in school so much Gabs!"
"Ok ok, no need to go all sappy on us!" Sharpay teased. "It's the last day of school, Gabriella's here and feeling good, Christmas is almost here...we have so much to celebrate!"
"Yeah!" the entire gang cheered.
"You know, if you're feeling up to it Gabriella, we could all hang out at my place later on tonight. I'll call Daddy and ask him to have Rafael prepare snacks and set up the mov..."
"Sharpay," Gabriella cut her off before a smile spread across her face. "That sounds great."
"Great! Ok, well there's so much to do!" she gushed. "I'll make sure that..."
Sharpay was cut off again, this time by the sound of sniggering coming from a group of students hanging around the water fountains. As the gang got closer to them, the ringleaders looked up at them before turning back to their little group and breaking down into laughter once again.
"Oi Hutchinson," Chad called out, recognising the leader of the group as Riley Hutchinson, someone Chad and the guys didn't have a lot of time for. "What's so funny?"
"Oh, nothing'..." came the reply.
"Then why are you laughing?" Chad shot back, his patience thinning.
Riley Hutchinson just shrugged. "I dunno. You're the one hanging around with Little Miss Baldy," he gestured at Gabriella. "Why don't you tell me?"
Taylor, Ryan and Kelsi's jaws hit the ground, Jason and Zeke let out low growls of annoyance, Troy and Chad cracked their knuckles and Sharpay looked like she was ready to gauge someone's eyes out.
"Oh you did NOT just say that," she glowered.
"What?" Riley challenged. "That the nerdy little freak just got a whole lot freakier?"
"That's IT!" Sharpay screeched, launching herself at Riley and his gang of cronies, claws out.
The next few seconds were a flurry of arms and yells as Jason and Zeke grabbed Sharpay and held her - kicking and screaming - back from Riley. Troy and Chad continued to advance towards him, seething with anger, until a soft but confident voice spoke up.
"Guys...guys stop. Guys! STOP!" Gabriella pleaded.
They all turned to look at her.
"But Gabriella – he sa..."
"I heard what he said," Gabriella replied, sending a look Riley's way. "But – as much as I appreciate it – I'm not gonna let you guys get into trouble defending me. That's exactly what HE wants. We've got more important things to worry about without wasting our time on pathetic lowlifes like Riley Hutchinson. Now, are we gonna go get lunch or what?"
The gang quickly picked their jaws up off the ground and hurried after Gabriella. Troy caught up first and grabbed her hand in shock.
"Gabriella...? Did you just call Riley Hutchinson a...pathetic lowlife?"
HSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSM
As the final bell for the day rang the students of East High cheered and hurried off eager to begin their vacations. Gabriella and Troy walked towards her mother's car at a slower pace – Gabriella tired but happy.
"You know what?" Troy asked out of the blue.
"Hmm?"
"I'm really proud of the way you dealt with Riley Hutchinson and his evil little...minions...earlier."
"Minions?" Gabriella laughed.
"Yeah, well..." Troy rubbed the back of his neck. "You handled them so well. I...I was ready to punch the living daylights out of them but you...you were amazing," he finished softly.
Gabriella shrugged. "What they said...it did hurt," she said honestly, looking up at Troy. "I won't deny that. But I've learnt that you have to rise above it – there are so many more important things in life. Gosh...if people like Riley could spend a single hour on the oncology ward with people like Mackenzie, Peyton, Savannah...a single hour and they would know what really matters in life."
"Well - I know what matters in my life," Troy said in a matter-of-fact way.
"Oh yeah?"
"Mmhmm – you," he replied simply, tapping her softly on the nose to make his point.
"Troy Bolton," Gabriella giggled as he brushed his nose against hers . "I don't know what I did to deserve you, but whatever it was...I'm really glad I did it..."
Ok so that's chapter 22! Again, excuse the beach brain and I promise the next chapter will be better.
I hope.
Eep
Next up: Gabriella, Troy and the gang gear up for Christmas, and Gabriella gets a special visit...
Please review!!
Charli xox
