MAMMOTH CHAPTER ALEEEEERT!!! Once I started writing it I couldn't stop bahaha. And I couldn't have planned it if I tried, but the chapter – excluding authors notes – is 4444 words ahaha – how's that for clever lol.
A bit of a jam-packed chapter here, hope you all enjoy! I'm not quite sure I'm happy with the somewhat rushed ending, but whatevs. Thanks once again for the brilliant reviews. Especially...
Conny – welcome aboard, your reviews were awesome! I was so flattered :) And to all my other new readers – WELCOME! Hope you like the rest of the story!
I have heaps of questions asked in reviews I WILL get around to answering, but in the next chapters a/n prolly...I really need to go to sleep now but I wanted to post before I go!
As usual, this chapter comes with extreme gratefulness and lots of chocolate and hugs to Em for her twin-sisterness and help with anything and everything I throw at her. And to Jessie for all her enthusiastic-ness ... and an apology for keeping her hanging on for this chapter, especially after all the little sneak peek lines I kept throwing at her hehe!
So without further ado...
Charli xox
Chapter 31
Maria rubbed Gabriella's back sadly as she listened to her breaking her heart, salty tears soaking the front of her jacket.
"Shhh, Gabi...oh baby, it's ok. I know you're upset, but Troy will understand..."
"That's not the point," Gabriella sobbed. "Troy has done everything for me since I got sick and this was one time where I was actually going to be able to the one cheering him on. I want to be there for him so badly. But stupid cancer dictates my LIFE!"
Maria did not know what to say to make her daughter feel better. She sat there rocking Gabriella gently, letting her cry out all her frustrations and upset. After about 10 minutes, just as Gabriella's tears began to subside a little, her cell phone began to ring. She picked it up and a fresh wave of tears began to fall silently as she read the caller ID: Troy.
"Hello?" she sniffled through her tears, so softly Maria doubted Troy even heard.
"Hey beautiful! Sorry I'm so late calling you, Dad kept us back – you know how he is right before a game, especially the biggest game of the whole season. I swear he'd be better suited to the name 'Coach Nazi' sometimes. Anyway, I've gotta duck home to shower, but I can be at yours in like, half an hour if you're not too tired for a visit from your weary basketball star of a boyfriend?"
Gabriella burst into tears.
"Hey...hey Gabi? Gabs, what's wrong?" a panicked Troy's voice sounded through the phone.
"T...Tr...Tro...oy, I'm in the hos...hosp...pital," she sobbed in reply.
"Wha...? Why? What happened?"
"Mom brought me in for blood but then I spiked a fever during the transfusion and they had to admit me in case it's an infection," Gabriella explained tearfully.
"I'll be right there," Troy said quickly. "I love you."
He had hung up before Gabriella even had a chance to reply. She pressed the 'call end' button and put her phone back on the bedside cabinet, wiping her eyes.
"He's coming here," she whispered, and Maria nodded. "I hate that he has to always put himself out for me...he's exhausted from basketball and I'm...I'm such an inconvenience."
"Oh honey," Maria sighed. "I don't think Troy sees it that way – he just adores you. I don't think it would ever even cross his mind not to be by your side when you need him."
"I know and that's why it upsets me so much that I can't be there for him tomorrow. I know I'm saying the same thing over and over but... Urgh - it's just so frustrating!"
"I know, baby – I know. And I'm upset and frustrated for you. I would do anything to take this all away from you and see you having fun going out with your friends and just worrying about normal teenage things. I would give anything in the world."
Careful not to disturb any of her lines, Gabriella crawled into her mother's lap, hooking her arms around her neck and burying her head in her shoulder. "I'm sorry, Mom. I'm sorry for complaining. I know this is how it has to be."
"Gabriella Montez, you have every right to complain – gosh, if I was in your position for even half an hour...I wouldn't survive. Everyone needs to have a vent every now and then, and you go through alot more unfairness than most people. You whinge away, my girl."
Gabriella clung even tighter to her mother. "Thanks, Mom."
Troy arrived a short while later, all previous thoughts of exhaustion forgotten and eager to wait on Gabriella hand and foot. As soon as Gabriella saw him, the brave face she had built up over the previous ten minutes crumpled, and she started to cry again. He reached her in a heartbeat, cradling her in his arms and kissing her head softly.
"Don't cry, Gabi, it's ok – it's a stupid fever, and it'll be gone before you know it. You'll kick butt like you always do. Dr Zamitt and Kirsten and everyone else will take care of it and you'll be home in no time."
"But not in time for tomorrow," Gabi said miserably.
"Tomorrow?" Troy was genuinely confused.
"The game Troy – I'm going to miss your senior year championship game! The game that could decide your future!"
"Oh Gabi," Troy laughed good-naturedly and Gabriella stared at him. The game had honestly been the last thing on his mind till she mentioned it. "Watching me play basketball is the least of your worries right now. There will be plenty more opportunities for that in the future. Don't even worry about it - right now your health has to be your focus," he cuddled her tightly, kissing her forehead.
"But I wanted to be there for you more than anything..."
"I know you did, baby girl – and that's the most important thing to me. Of course I would love for you to be there, but just knowing that you are cheering me on wherever you are will get me through that game tomorrow. I'll be playing for you."
Gabriella could hardly talk through her tears, although now she wasn't sure where the sad ones finished and the happy ones began. Her shoulders shook as she clung to Troy's shirt.
"I...I...lo...love you s...s...so m...much," she managed to stutter out.
Troy kissed her forehead lightly. "Heeey," he said with a smile, prising her off his shirt so he could see her face. Wiping her tears with his thumbs, he tilted her chin so she was looking him in the eye. "Hey, what's with all the tears still? Where's my sunshine gone?"
Gabriella's lip quivered a little, her eyes glistening with tears she struggled to hold back as she sniffled bravely. "I'm sorry," she laughed a little and sniffled again. "I'm a little bit emotional today..."
Troy laughed as he wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her back to him. "Really? I never noticed..." he grinned as she slapped him lightly on the chest.
Maria sighed with relief and sank back into her chair. She should have known Troy would be able to make everything better.
"So," Troy said suddenly. "A little birdie told me that there were back to back Family Guy re-runs on telly tonight..."
Gabriella giggled. She had never even heard of the show before moving to Albuquerque. Troy had described this as a 'punishable offence' when he found out, and it turned out the 'punishment' was to cuddle up with him in the Bolton's lounge room and watch season after season on DVD. She was soon hooked and Troy had told her his sole aim in life had been fulfilled.
Troy lay back against Gabriella's pillows, pulling her into his side, his fingers running up and down her arm as he located the correct channel. The two were soon engrossed in the TV show and barely noticed when Angela – Gabriella's case worker from Make A Wish - came into the room and began chatting to Maria.
"Gabi?" Gabriella snapped to attention when she realised her mother was talking to her.
"Oh! Hi Angela – I'm so sorry, I was a million miles away!"
Angela laughed. "That's ok honey – the Jesus Dance is pretty amusing," she commented, gesturing at the cartoon character on the TV screen.
Gabriella laughed. "Yeah, it is. Although Troy's impersonation of it is even more hilarious..."
Maria, Gabriella and Angela all burst out laughing as Troy's face glowed red and he threw his hands up in surrender.
"I'll just leave, shall I?" he joked, and Gabriella looped her arm through his.
"You're not going anywhere, Wildcat – I promise we'll be nice," she smiled sweetly and Troy rolled his eyes, laughing.
"Ok you two – behave," Maria laughed, and Angela smiled. "Gabi, I think Angela might have something she wants to talk to you about."
Angela nodded, opening her folder. "I sure do. I just finished a meeting with little Jenessa and her family, and noticed your name up so I thought I'd drop in for a chat and see if you had thought anymore about your Wish?"
"Actually, I have," Gabriella nodded. "I've come up with my Wish and my two back-up wishes as well."
"Wonderful!" Angela clapped her hands together. "I was going to see when would be a good time to schedule a meeting to record your Wishes, but it seems like you are good to go – are you 100 percent certain you have decided? Do you need more time?"
"Nope," Gabriella shook her head. "I'm 100 percent certain," she said determinedly.
"Ok then!" Angela smiled brightly as she took a form out of her folder and snapped the cap off her pen. "We'll start with your back-up wishes. Now as you know, these will only come into play if for some reason we can't fulfil your first wish. So – what is your first back up wish?"
Troy gave her hand a squeeze as she answered confidently. "To visit COSI in Columbus and attend one of their mentoring programs."
COSI was an enormous Science Centre in Columbus that Troy knew Gabriella had always wanted to visit. Even though the idea of participating in science and math programs wasn't Troy's idea of a good time, he knew that Gabriella would be in her absolute element; immersed in science, exploring and discovering with some of the state's top researcher's, using some of the highest tech equipment around.
"Wow, great choice," Angela commented earnestly, scribbling words on the form in front of her. "Right, that's back-up number one. Now for back-up number two."
Gabriella looked at Troy. She had had a hard time deciding what to list as her third choice. Troy had suggested something to her a couple of weeks earlier, and it had kind of stuck. Although now it came down to it, Gabriella wasn't so sure.
Troy squeezed her hand again and nodded encouragingly. Gabriella bit her lip. "Do you really think I would be good at...what we talked about, Troy?"
"Gabs, you have the most amazing voice I have ever heard. You would be awesome. And besides – how many girls your age could say they have recorded a song?"
Gabriella giggled. "Well it would definitely show shy-Gabriella how far she has come from the nervous wreck who fainted in front of the entire congregation before she even got a note out, at her first ever solo performance."
"You know it," Troy winked.
"Are you sure it's not too...well, too Sharpay?"
Troy shook his head. "If you were asking for lights, props, and a cast of backup dancers...then I'd be worried. But we're talking hanging out in a proper recording studio, getting to do something you love for the day, and proving to yourself that you can."
"Ok," Gabriella nodded with a grin. "My second back-up wish is to record a song in real studio."
"Recording Artist for a day! Sounds like a lot of fun to me!" Angela exclaimed. "And from what I hear, you are a very talented young performer..."
"She's amazing," Troy cut in enthusiastically. "She's better than...well, anyone else I've ever listened to. You should hear her – she just brightens up anyone's day..." Troy stopped his gush-fest when he realised Gabriella was laughing. "Don't tell Chad..."
"Don't worry Mr Jesus-Dancer, your secret is safe with me," Gabriella replied cheekily.
"Oh you two are brilliant entertainment value," Angela laughed as she finished writing down Gabriella's back-up wishes. "Alright Miss Gabriella Montez, of Albuquerque, New Mexico...the million dollar question is...what is your number one Wish?"
Gabriella took a deep breath, quivering a little with excitement. "Well," she began. "It took me a pretty long time to figure out what to wish for. I knew that I wanted it to be something meaningful and not predictable. Then I thought 'well, why not take the opportunity to start fresh – to try something new'?" Angela nodded and Gabriella continued with her explanation. "Since I was diagnosed, I've felt like everything was out of my hands, but making this wish is giving some of that freedom back to me. Cancer might have taken away my control over most of the things in my life right now, but one thing I am in control of still is my fears...so – having said that – I wish to take back some control in my life, and try something I've never had the courage to do."
"You're a remarkable young woman, Gabriella Montez," Angela commented. Troy and Maria exchanged a proud grin. "So – being in control and fear-conquering it is. Is there anything in particular you had in mind?"
Gabriella looked at her mother before turning back to Angela. "There are lots of things, but there is one thing my Dad always wanted to teach me before he died, and that was to snowboard. He loved it and always aimed for me to share that passion. I think he'd be so proud for that to be the way I get back up on my feet and show the world that cancer can't stop me."
Gabriella grinned, satisfied, and Troy kissed her on the cheek. "I'm so proud of you, Brie," he whispered.
Maria had tears in her eyes. "I am too, baby. Your Daddy would be as well. And I have no doubt you can achieve anything you put your mind to."
"Thank you – both of you. It means a lot."
Angela finished writing. "So that's the final answer? No phoning a friend or asking the audience?" she joked.
Gabriella shook her head. "Nope," she grinned at Troy and her mother, taking their hands in hers. "I have the support of the two most important people in the world to me. And that's really all I need."
"Congratulations," Angela said with a grin as she signed the Wish form, and passed it over for Gabriella to do the same. "You're officially a Wish Maker."
HSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSM
Gabriella awoke the following morning, confused for a moment until she realised where she was and groaned. No matter how much Troy assured her that it was ok, she would have given anything to be sharing today with him. Still, she couldn't help but smile when she thought back to last night as he was leaving. Maria had had to duck home to grab some clothes, pyjamas and toiletries for herself and Gabriella seeing as they hadn't expected to have to stay in the hospital. She had left Troy with Gabriella, but now she was back with a bag of things they needed, Troy was leaving to go home – Gabriella insisted he needed a good nights' sleep if he was going to play his best the following afternoon.
Flashback
"Ok, you should really get going Troy – I don't want to be the reason your Dad kicks your butt the night before a big game," Gabriella giggled.
"Ok, ok," Troy sighed. He knew she was right, but he still hated leaving her. He gently moved her off his chest where she had been laying, and kissed her forehead. "You try and have a good sleep and get rid of that fever," he wrapped both arms around her in a bear hug, kissing the side of her head over and over. "I love you lots and lots and lots and lots and..."
"Tro-oy," Gabriella giggled. "You're crazy...but I love you too," she took a deep breath, her lip trembling a little as she bit down on it hard, trying to be brave. She placed a hand either side of his face, her expression serious. "Good luck tomorrow. You know how much I wish I could be there, but I know you'll be brilliant either way - I believe in you. I'll be thinking about you all day and waiting for a call to find out the score! Just remember, though - no matter what the outcome, I'm so, so proud of you. You'll always be my Wildcat."
"Aaah, Gabs – you don't know how much that means to me," her hands were still on his face, and now his were on hers, his thumbs caressing soft strokes up and down her cheeks. He pulled her face forward gently, his lips meeting hers and lingering for a moment – until Maria coughed loudly.
"Ok you pair – mother in the room," she joked, raising her eyebrows.
"Sorry Mom," Gabriella said sheepishly.
Maria smiled. "Good luck tomorrow, Troy. Let us know how you go, huh?" she said kindly as she stood up and hugged him.
"I will," Troy nodded. "And thanks."
"Alright Bella – I'm off," Troy leaned over and kissed her one last time. "Sweet dreams."
"Bye my hunk of a basketball star," Gabriella called out boldly, blowing kisses as he made his way towards the door. "I love you, I love you, I loooove yooou!" she giggled. "Go show those tall people from U of A that you are exactly what they want! You're the best!"
"Goodnight, Gabriella," Troy laughed, disappearing around the corner before poking his head back around the doorway. "PS – I love you too," he blew her a kiss before leaving once more.
End flashback
Gabriella yawned and stretched, glancing at the clock on the wall. 8.57am. Troy and the gang would be in class by now. She sighed, wriggling down under the covers as Maria came out of the small bathroom.
"Morning sweetheart," she said. "How are you feeling?"
"Fine," Gabriella replied.
"Your colour is a lot better since yesterday," Maria remarked. "Thank god for blood donors, huh? You don't feel as warm either," she commented, brushing her hand over her daughter's forehead.
"I agree," Kirsten smiled as she appeared beside Gabriella's bed. She had been in to monitor Gabriella's temperature during the night, and had noted its downward trend.
"Kiiiirsten...?" Gabriella started with a sweet smile.
"Gabrieeeeeella...?" Kirsten imitated.
"I really feel fine and seeing as my fever is going away and I'm just taking up a bed here and...canIpleasepleasepleasepleasepleasegotothebasketballgameatschoolthisafternoon?"
Kirsten smiled sympathetically. "Dr Zamitt is going to come in to see you soon. We'll see what he has to say, huh? But you know the protocol, sweetie, so I wouldn't get my hopes up if I were you."
"I know," Gabriella murmured. She was well aware of the 48-hour minimum admission for a fever in an Oncology patient. She knew her chances of making the game were slim to none. But it had been worth a shot.
Dr Zamitt finally did his rounds at half past 12. When he reached Gabriella's bed, he sat himself down on the edge, looked her in the eyes and sighed.
"Young Gabriella Montez," he began, shaking his head. "I really didn't want to see you in here this week."
"Weeeell, I didn't want to see you this week either," she shot back cheekily, before adding "...no offense."
"None taken," Dr Zamitt laughed. "So I hear you have something pretty big you're missing out on this afternoon?"
"Uh huh," Gabriella nodded sadly. "It's the Wildcats' championship basketball game this afternoon – the last one before we graduate.
"Well," Dr Zamitt began, and Gabriella's heart stopped for a second as she held her breath in anticipation. "I have good news, bad news and great news."
Gabriella nodded wordlessly.
"The good news is, you're temperature has gone for now, and your blood cultures are showing no sign of infection thus far. The bad news is, I can't let you go home until tomorrow at the earliest."
Gabriella's heart dropped. She shouldn't have let herself get excited.
"The great news, however, is that I know how much you were looking forward to that game. And even though I wouldn't usually allow it, I'm going to make you a deal."
Gabriella nodded her head again, desperate to hear what the doctor had to say.
"If you promise that you will take it completely easy, not do anything that is strenuous on your body, and come straight back here afterwards, I'm willing to grant you two hours gate leave so that you can go and watch the game."
Gabriella had to hold herself back from squealing with delight. She jumped forward and hugged her doctor.
"Thankyou, thankyou, thankyou, thankyou, THANKYOU!" she gasped as Dr Zamitt laughed.
"Hey hey – what happened to taking it easy?"
"Sorry," Gabriella sat back against her pillows, not moving a muscle. She couldn't keep the grin off her face, though, as hard as she tried.
"So...who's the best doctor in the world?"
"YOU ARE!"
"Thought so," Dr Zamitt replied with a grin, satisfied in the knowledge he had just made a sick young lady's year.
HSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSM
Gabriella clasped her hands excitedly in her lap as she tried to take some deep breaths and remain calm as her mother drove them towards East High School, where she guessed Troy and his team would be on the receiving end of a pep talk from a pumped up Jack Bolton.
As Maria pulled into the school car park, the school looked deserted. Gabriella knew the entire student body would already be assembled in the gym. She climbed out of the car and glanced quickly at her reflection in the window, taking in her knee-length white sundress - red belt tied just under the bust-line, red heeled sandals on her feet, strings of ruby-red beads hanging around her neck.
"You look great, sweetheart."
"Thanks Mom," Gabriella grinned.
She hugged her mother and the pair headed towards the Gym. When they reached the entry, they scanned the crowd for Taylor, Sharpay, Kelsi and Ryan. Spotting them without too much difficulty, Maria headed over to explain what was going on, and save herself and Gabriella a seat, whilst Gabriella kissed her cheek and headed towards the locker rooms.
She was a few feet away when she heard voices, and the Wildcats emerged from the change room, minus Troy.
"Gabriella!" Chad exclaimed, scooping her into a hug. "What are you doing here?"
"I'll explain later," Gabriella grinned. "Where's Troy?"
"In there," Chad replied, jerking his head towards the change room. "He's still tying his shoes. Brother's movin' real slow today."
"Thanks Chad – good luck out there, huh? Go Wildcats!"
Chad kissed her on the cheek. "Thanks sis. Now – go get that guy of yours."
Chad and the rest of the team continued out into the corridor as Gabriella moved past them, into the doorway of the change room.
She smiled. Troy had his back to her, hunched over his basketball shoes, pulling the laces tight.
"You'll cut the circulation to your feet off if you pull any harder, you know..." Gabriella smiled softly to herself as Troy jumped, still facing away from her.
Slowly he got to his feet and turned to face her, the look of shock on his face rapidly morphing into one of utter joy and happiness.
"Gabi..." he breathed, rushing forward and hugging her so tightly she felt her feet leave the ground. He spun her around a couple of times before setting her back down and pulling back to look at her, his hands still gripping her shoulders. "You look beautiful..."
"Thank you," Gabriella replied demurely. "You're looking pretty spunky yourself."
Suddenly, it hit Troy. "You're...you're here...!" he said aloud, touching her face and her arms as if trying to convince himself.
Gabriella giggled and nodded. "Yeah. I am."
"But how...?"
"Let's just say Dr Zamitt is the coolest doctor in the world. Aaaand, I don't think he could have put up with me moping around the ward all afternoon either."
Troy grinned and hugged her again. "I'm so glad you're here. Knowing you are in the crowd cheering me on...nothing could motivate me more."
"Not even a full scholarship to U of A?" Gabriella teased.
Troy shook his head. "Not even a full scholarship to U of A. You're my everything."
Gabriella smiled and placed a kiss on his shoulder. "I'm your number one fan. Everything I said last night still stands – I have faith in you Troy – I know you will be great today. Now get out there and knock 'em dead, deal?"
Troy nodded. "Deal."
Gabriella stood on tip-toes and kissed him gently on the lips. "I love you. See you after the game."
"I love you too Gab. I'll see you later."
After sharing one last kiss, Gabriella left Troy to finish getting ready. She reached the entrance to the change room and turned around, blowing him a kiss just as he had done to her last night.
"Break a leg, Wildcat."
HSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSM
The clock on the giant overhead scoreboard was ticking down rapidly as the Wildcats desperately tried to regain control of the ball. The score was currently 82 to 83, in favour of West High, and the game was in its final thirty seconds.
Just as it seemed all hope was lost, Troy happened to glance up into the stands, right to where Gabriella was seated, her hands cupped around her mouth like a megaphone, her eyes sparkling as she yelled her encouragement.
Suddenly Troy realised the ball was in his hands. Spurred on by the sound of Gabriella's cheers in the crowd, Troy was moving faster than he ever had before. Without even thinking what the best move would be, Troy jumped into the air and launched the ball in the direction of the hoop.
A distinct and satisfying swish was heard at the very moment the final buzzer sounded through the gym, and Troy looked up to see the electronic scoreboard change from 82 : 83 to 84 : 83.
As his team mates crowded around him, jumping up and down, Troy stood - rooted to the spot. He could not believe his luck – a fluke shot on the buzzer had won them the championship game for the second year running.
Adrenalin coursing through him, Troy was suddenly running – across the court, off the polished floor, and into the stands he went, seeking out the one who meant more to him than any trophy.
No sooner had she spotted Troy heading for her, Gabriella was on her feet and in his arms.
"You did it!" she whispered excitedly.
"For you," he whispered back, still wrapped around her. "I did it for you."
"I'm so proud of you, Troy."
"Thank you...thank you for being you...thank you for believing in me...thank you for being here..."
Gabriella looked up at him - her arms firmly around his waist – and grinned. "I wouldn't have missed it for the world...buuut, unfortunately your Cinderella must now return to that evil prison before her fairy-god-doctor hunts her down and turns her into a pumpkin."
"Well," Troy replied with a grin. "We can't have that, can we? Although...just between you and me...I think you'd make a pretty cute pumpkin..."
Wow, I hope you could all keep up with the tidal wave of 101 emotions that were in that chapter lol – happy, sad, happy, sad, happy, sad...hehe. And I hope you all understood Gabriella's Wish and why she chose what she did...even though it might not have been what you were expecting. I have my reasons for her choosing that ;) They will be revealed later -whistles innocently-
Kudos to those of you who got the 'Jesus Dance' reference from Family Guy. It's on YouTube if you didn't hehe.
Up next: A desperate bid to help Gabriella 'fatten up'...but will it be enough?
Please review! You all rock!
Charli xox
PS – I didn't realise anonymous reviews were disabled...they are enabled now if you are reading this and don't have an ff account :)
