Chapter 7- Friends

Gabi's POV

"Oh my gosh, Brie, I-I love you." Troy said into my ear, I felt my tears quicken.

"I love you too Troy." I said gripping onto him, my arms hugging his neck. He pulled back and kissed my forehead. "I was so scared, Brie." He said to me, I smiled as he used the nickname Brie.

"Troy, I was scared. I didn't even think you knew." I told him, I grabbed his hand and let our hands enlaced with one another. He sat down on the edge of the bed and he let his thumb wipe away a few of my tears. "I know everything," he whispered, I smiled up at him, "How did they let you in? They are making one of my parents go home." I whispered, I scooted over and he sat down next to me.

"My mom works here, I have connections." He grinned and I smiled, "Oh really?" I teased, he shrugged and then he hugged me tight. "I think you should get some sleep baby doll." He said into my ear, I felt my eyes shutting again, "They are going to come in here hourly." I whispered, "Troy we need to go," Lucille, said, I grabbed his hand and squeezed it tight.

"Okay mom, give me one minute." He said, "I will be here in the morning early okay?" he kissed my temple, "I am sorry I wasn't here for you, I have been a horrible boyfriend lately, I promise, I will make that up to you." Troy leaned down and kissed me again, "I know you will Troy," I said

He kissed my lips and then he hovered over them, "I love you,"

"I love you too Troy, I really do." I said, he smiled and then he let go of my hand and the disappeared around the corner. I sighed and my dad stood next to me, "I love that kid," he said, I smiled and giggled, "Me too dad, me too."

He looked at me before he sat down in the chair next to me, "Is mom going home?" I asked, he shook his head, "Nope, I am in about twenty minutes. She went to go and grab something to eat; she said she was feeling faint." He rubbed my hand, "Okay," I said as I started to drift off to sleep.

I was up every hour on the hour she poked my finger. I winced with pain and I felt tears brush my eyes every time. My mom had taken place next to me and my dad went home. I watched as she rubbed her blood shot eyes. The bags under her eyes dipped down into her cheeks.

"Mom" I croaked my voice tired and crackly from my crying, "Yes sweetie?" I glanced at the clock to see it was four in the morning, "When can Troy come back?" I asked softly, tears washing over my eyes again.

She brushed back a piece of my hair, "Not till eight sweethearts, why don't you get some sleep?"

I nodded my head slowly, "I just want Troy," I whispered wanting to break down in tears, that is all I wanted I wanted Troy. She took a small breath and looked up at the nurse who was standing in the room. "I will be right back sweetie." She said she brushed her hand with my forehead. Once she left the room, I felt the tears gliding down my cheeks.

I tried rubbing them away but it was no use, I knew I should be grateful that all this was, was this but what about everybody else out there that didn't have anything?

I flipped over onto my side and I buried my head into the pillow, I drifted off to sleep again and I then felt them poking me yet again. I winced and felt the tears wash up all over again, it did not hurt yet it did. There was the reminder that I was not okay anymore and that I was going to be normal.

I glanced over to the clock to see it was five, only a few more hours. I turned to see my mom not there still. I sighed softly and I grabbed the blanket that was lying at the end of the bed. I slipped it over my body and I fell into another sleep.

It repeated itself. It was six now, we were on spring break, I was not missing anything, I will be fine. The nurses had changed and I watched her poke my finger and she patted my leg.

"Honey, I need you to go to the restroom for me okay?"

I weakly sat up and nodded my head, I turned to look for my mom yet she was not there. "Where is my mom?" I whispered softly, the nurse looked over and then nodded her head. "She is out talking to somebody, do you need her?"

I bit my lip, "No," I said softly; I got up and shakily walked to the bathroom. The nurse held my hand as I walked over since I was unstable on my feet. I slowly went to the bathroom and I got up holding the bar next to my bed. My head felt fuzzy and my stomach still hurt. I looked at my pee to see it almost black I tried not to puke.

I went back out, I lay in bed, I told the nurse, and she went to do the rest of her duties. I fell asleep and I woke up to someone shaking me, not a poke. "Troy," I whispered softly, "No honey it's the nurse," I opened my eyes and there she was, right above me.

I closed my eyes and it took all control not to cry, once she was done, I shook with tears. I rubbed my eyes until the tears had stopped and I lay back in my bed.

My eyes shut softly and not five minutes later, I felt a hand land on my waist. I gently opened my eyes to see the blue eyes I have dying to see staring right back at me. I reached up and he smiled. Her grabbed me into a hug and I cried into his shoulder, "Hey, hey don't cry." He whispered softly

I scooted over and he sat down next to me, I buried my head into his chest and he held me tightly. "You okay baby?" he asked kissing the top of my head. I nodded my head, "I am really tired Troy," I whispered, "Then sleep"

"They keep checking my blood sugar," I said softly, he kissed my forehead again, "I know babe; your mom filled us in on everything. I think they are going to move you upstairs in a few hours."

I let my headrest against him, "Will you stay with me?" I whispered he kissed the top of my head, "Of course."

"Go to all the classes?"

"Yes,"

"How did you get in here early?"

"Your mom and my mom pulled some strings,"

I smiled and he smiled back, "Hey you smiled!" I giggled at him and he chuckled, his voice soft and tender.

My eyes began to shut again and Troy let his chin drop on the top of my head, he kissed me and then I fell into some of the best sleep then I have all week.

Maria's POV

"Your son is a lifesaver," I told Lucille who sat in front of me with a steaming cup of coffee; I rubbed my brown eyes and took a breath. She chuckled, "He didn't sleep all night, he tossed and turned, I heard him get out of bed at least seven times. Music on, lights on, he was going stir crazy."

I smiled softly, "She is happy; when we left she had smiled and laughed all in the same minute. Every hour the nurse would come in and check her blood sugar. She would break down in tears every time, at five she wanted Troy and that is when I called you. That's all she wanted was Troy."

"Did you hear him last night?" Lucille asked me, I cocked my head, "What do you mean?"

"He said I love you to her, I know for a fact that was the first time." I gasped, "Oh my! That had to be so cute," she put a hand over her heart.

"Ahmazing." She said, I smiled again and took a sip of my coffee, "So how are we going to inform everybody?" I asked softly rubbing my temples.

"Relax first, who is everybody?"

"Her family, the gang, everybody."

"I can do the gang; you take the family slowly okay?" Lucille said putting a comforting hand on my shoulder, I nodded my head and she whipped out her iPhone.

She glanced at her watch and then dialed a number, I watched her as she did it easily. I took my phone out with my shaky hands and I looked at the first number.

"Sharpay! Hey it's Lucille, gosh I don't know how to tell you this," Her voice slightly breaking, real tears forming in her eyes, "Gabi is in the hospital." She said I felt the tears overwhelm my eyes. "She was diagnosed with Type One Diabetes late last night. Troy and us all got a rush plane home."

There were murmurs on the other end of the phone, "She would probably love for you to come back," Lucille said softly, "But she would also understand." She pushed a piece of hair behide her ear.

"She will be excited, see you then." She wiped a tear off her cheek, "Gosh, this is so much harder than when working in the hospital." She murmured softly, "So Sharpay's coming back up?"

Lucille nodded her head, "Yea, she said she was packing and boarding the jet." She said rolling her eyes, I laughed softly and brought the phone up to my ear. I was going to start with my brother.

It rang a few times before he answered, "Hey Maria," he said as he answered, "Mike," I said

"Are you okay?"

I shook my head even though he could not see me, "Its Gabi,"

"Is she okay?" I waved my hand in front of my face to stop the tears that were coming, "She was diagnosed with Type One Diabetes." I said trying to bite the words back.

"Oh my God," he said, "Is she okay?"

"I don't know to be honest; they said they caught it really close to something bad." I told him, I saw Lucille on the phone again and this time it was Chad, more like filling them in.

"I can come by later tonight," he said, "I think she is going to have a bunch of friends over tonight. How about you wait until tomorrow or the day after that?" I asked, "Sounds good, I don't want to overwhelm her, do you want me to bring mom out?"

"Can you call her for me please?" I asked, "I will call Eric," I said, "Sounds good, I will see you later and keep me updated okay?"

"Thank you," I whispered, "I will see you later, alright?"

We both hung up and I took a deep shaky breath, I was going to call Cindy and have her talk to Dave's side of the family.

"Taylor, how is family?" Lucille asked, I smiled as she made a little small talk, "I don't know how to tell you this without ruining your perfect spring break,"

I could see Taylor frown already, "Gabi is in the hospital, with Type One Diabetes." I heard the scream through the phone, I heard the 'I will be the shortly.' Then Lucille talked to her, I would set this up, Dave's family tomorrow night, her friends tonight and my family can straggle in whenever.

I heard the three rings and then the answer, "Hello?" Cindy asked I heard a whistle blow from where ever, Volleyball season.

"How is Volleyball going?" I asked softly, "Oh good! We saw Gabs team but we didn't see her, where she at?" she asked, I took a small breath, "Gabi is in the hospital," I said to her softly; Cindy gasped lightly, "Is she okay? Did she get hurt?" I got up from my chair and I went to the doors outside the hospital.

"Cindy, its worse than ever." I said trying to stop the tears, "Gabi was diagnosed with type one diabetes late last night," I said, I leaned against the back wall. Tears dripped down my face, "Oh Maria," she said quietly; I then heard the whistles fade and the wind whistle through the phone.

"How is she holding up?" she asked me softly, "I don't know right now, Troy is with her at the moment. She has been on and off with tears." I said I brushed a few tears away from my eyes, "How are you doing?"

I shifted, "Okay, I mean since Dave and I are fighting its been hard."

"You two need to put aside whatever you guys are pissed over and focus on Gabs, is there a certain time we should come up?" she asked

"Tomorrow would be the best, her friends are all coming over tonight I think and Courtney is playing." I said to her, "Is there anything I could help with?"

"Could you please call Kelly, Mike, and gosh, I guess I can call Anthony." I mumbled, "Breathe honey, I can take care of the rest of our family alright?" I nodded my head softly and then we said bye and hung up.

I looked at my phone trying to figure out how to call my stepson, he would be hurt and he was in the middle of baseball season. I picked up the phone, I called it, and I got his voice mail.

"Hey this is AC you know what to do!" The beep sounded, "Anthony, I need you to call me okay? Or your dad. Gabi…Gabi is in the hospital. Don't be stupid just call us before you do anything."

I snapped my phone shut and I walked back into the hospital, Lucille stood there with a tiny smile on her face, "Troy texted me saying Gabi has been out since he got there. The nurse even came in and did her thing, Gabi didn't even stir."

I took a deep breath, "I really love your son, I might just have to steal him for a little while," I said winking, we both laughed, "Hey, he doesn't want to be anywhere else."

Gabi's POV

I stirred at the noise of people at the room; I felt an arm wrapped around my waist and my hand behide his back. I took a deep breath and smelled in his scent.

"Oh that's perfect, thank you!" I opened my eyes and I looked up at Troy's still face. He was looking at his phone, I nudged him slightly and he saw I was awake. "Hey sleepy," he said smiling; he shoved his phone into his jacket pocket and helped me sit up a little.

"You slept for two hours, record?" I giggled at him and leaned against his chest, my eyes drifting close again. Troy did not say anything but stroke my hair. "Troy you are going to need to get up, they are going to transfer her upstairs." I heard Lucille's voice, I opened my eyes groggily again and Troy was looking at his mom.

"How mom? I don't want to disturb her, she is finally sleeping." He said, I patted his knee, "I am awake," I whispered softly; he kissed my ear and then my cheek. He slides out from under me, "Don't leave," I whispered to him, he shook his head, "I am not going anywhere." He said, he gripped my hand and I heard a nurse come in.

"Is she sleeping?" I heard her say, "No, just resting." Lucille said to her, "Alright, well we are going to take her up to the fifth floor. This is where all the diabetics are, where for three days she will have meetings. One day she will meet with her doctors briefly and the other two are everything she will need to know. Do you know who will all be attending?" I opened my eyes to see my mom in here.

"I believe there will only be us and Gabi," my mom said, I sat up weakly, "Troy too," I said, my mom looked at Troy and nodded her head. "Troy will be in there too," she said, Troy squeezed my hand and I slowly smiled. I lay back down and then I felt the bed-starting move.

"Miss us?"

I glanced up to see Eric and Carter standing above me, I giggled and I nodded my head, "Terribly." They both smiled and nodded there heads, "I think we did our jobs," Eric said looking up at Carter; I smiled and rolled my head to look at Troy, "Is this your job to poke me with needles and transport me to different rooms."

"Nah, we requested you this time." Eric said winking at me, I laughed softly, "We are going to be your nurses for today and then again on Wednesday," Carter said, we got onto the elevator and Troy's hand was still with mine.

"You work on the fifth floor?" I asked quietly as I felt my body starting to fall asleep, "Yup, and who is this tall guy?" Eric asked, I heard a thump and then Eric yell ouch. "Don't be rude," Carter, warned, "I'm Troy, her boyfriend." He said stiffly, was I flirting?

Troy squeezed my hand and I smiled softly, "Oh that's awesome," I heard the elevator ding and they rolled my bed onto the floor. "Hey Ash, you got her tomorrow!" Carter yelled as we walked by the table, Ashley had her bag slung over her shoulder and nodded her head, "Alright, see you guys tomorrow!" she yelled holding a water bottle, "Troy do you think you could move her quickly into the bed in here?" Eric asked as we stopped, I opened my eyes slowly and looked in the room.

It had a fridge, a TV, a bed, bathroom, window seat, bedside table, and it was pretty big. I had it all to myself. "Yup," Troy said, he looked down at me as Carter removed my IV, Troy then got his arms under me and picked me up. I snuggled my head into his neck and he held me tight.

He then put me down on the bed but I did not want to let go, "Brie," he said laughing as he tried to pull back, I whined softly and he chuckled. "Come on babe," he said, I took a deep breath and let go of him. He pulled back but not before giving me a kiss. Eric rehooked my IV and then he pulled out a blood sugar thing.

I held out my sore fingers and he poked it and squeezed blood out of it, it sucked onto the blue thing and my blood sugar popped up. "What is it?" Carter asked with a clipboard in hands, "275." He said, he then tossed the strip and ripped off his glove, I scrunched my eyebrows together, "Is that good or bad?" I asked them, "Bad,"

I made an O shape with my lips, "I promise you will learn everything tomorrow," Carter said, "We will be back in an hour or so," he said starting to step out of the room. My mom and Lucille both walked in the door, Jack and my dad followed them. Jack saw me and he came over and gave me a hug.

"How you holding up?"

"Tired and sluggish," I said to him, he chuckled softly and kissed the top of my head. My dad came over and hugged me too, "Did you sleep okay?" he asked

I shrugged, "When Troy got here that's when I got my best sleep," I said, Troy smiled at me and kissed my forehead. My dad watched us Troy and nodded at Troy. Troy nodded back, what was this some code?

My dad went over to talk to Eric and Carter while my mom and Lucille talked with Jack, I looked up at Troy, I then scooted over and Troy sat down and pulled me onto his lap. I rolled onto my side and he held me tightly against his stomach.

"I love you," he whispered into my ear, I giggled and he kissed my temple. "I love you too," I said back to him, he held me tightly and snuggled into my hair. Troy then grabbed the remote off the TV, "What do you want to watch?"

I thought about it for a minute, "Basketball," he glanced at me for a moment, "I would be totally touched right now…if it wasn't Monday." He said laughing, I blushed, "Oh yeah," He scanned through the channels before he talked to me.

"Nothing is really on,"

"Mom did you bring those movies?" I asked her, she nodded her head and pulled out the four movies I requested. I smiled thankfully and I grabbed them from my mom. "Choose from these," I told Troy, he glanced at the titles The Hangover, Grown-ups, Titanic, and The Notebook.

"The Hangover!" Troy said tossing it to his dad who was waiting at the DVD player, I giggled softly and Troy smiled. I glanced at the clock to see it was one thirty in the afternoon. Troy hit the play button and held me tightly.

"So when do classes start?" Troy asked letting his headrest against the top of my head. "Thursday. Gabi is the only new one right now," My dad said from the corner, I let my head snuggle into Troy's neck and I pulled the blanket my mom brought up closer around me. Troy held me tight and I heard him laugh every two minutes from the movie.

He quoted a few parts and he stroked the back of my neck with his thumb.

"GABI!" I heard two voices yelling and then somebody collided onto the bed. My eyes opened wide with fear and I hugged tighter to Troy. Troy laughed; I turned over to see Sharpay's blonde hair and Taylor dark hair. I laughed and I hugged them, "Guys what you are doing here?" I asked, they both laughed, "Well long story we ran into each other at the airport, our planes landed at the same time." Sharpay said sitting at the end of my bed. I looked around and I saw flowers and a few balloons. I saw a thing of Sunflowers, red flowers of some sort, and purple lilacs.

I hugged them both tightly and they hugged me back, "Sit guys, let's hang out."

They glanced around and looked at me, "I am not going to break guys," I said, they all glanced at each other and Troy held my hand tightly.

"So how was Mexico Shar?" I asked she nodded her head, "Amazing, like always." I felt my eyes begin to grow heavy, "And you Taylor?" I asked quietly, she stroked my hand, "Texas was wonderful, and my family was amazing."

I smiled weakly and Troy leaned over kissing my temple, "Sleep baby," he said, I shook my head, "Friends,"

"I am here babe," he kissed my forehead and I lay in his arms. I slept on and off for about ten minutes before I sat up.

"So Gabi can you still eat everything you normally do?" Taylor asked her feet were dangled over the side of the chair, Sharpay lying at the end of the bed. Grey's Anatomy playing on the screen. "I don't know. I am having all of these classes like starting Thursday."

"Oh so Troy Boy is getting out of school?" Sharpay said kicking his leg; Troy grinned and nodded his head, "Even though I wasn't going to be back anyways."

"Is Chad coming back?" She asked, "I don't know, I didn't even know you guys were coming." They both gave me a warm smile and I looked up at the screen. I played with Troy's hand and he played with my hair. I giggled when he touched my ear and rubbed his fingers against them.

"Gabster!" I turned my head to see Chad standing in the doorway with flowers and a balloon. "Chado!" I cried, he laughed and came over to give me a hug. He set down the flowers and balloon next to each other before plopping down on Taylor's lap. Taylor laughed and pushed him off. "Fine, be that way." He said sitting on the floor, the whole room laughed and giggled.

"So who are we missing?" I asked tapping my fingers against my chin, "Zeke, Kelsi,"

"Ryan who stayed back in Mexico, he thought you could use some girl time or some time alone. I think he just wanted to stay in Mexico." I laughed and nodded my head, "That's fine," They sat around the room talking and chatting about everything.

"So do you even know what's going on?" I shook my head, "No, they really won't tell me anything. I do not know if it is to protect me or they are just waiting for classes. Hell I barely know what diabetes is…I know we have to like give shots which I hate needles." I said my eyes tearing up, Troy who was standing next to Taylor across the room. "Babe," he said looking at me, I swiped a few tears away. He came over quickly and held me to his chest. "Nothing to be worried about baby," he whispered into my ear, "I just don't like needles or blood, or any of that." Troy kissed my forehead lightly, Sharpay and Taylor stood right next to each other concerned.

"Gabster!"

Chad crashed through the door and burst into the room, I turned my head to see him panting, "I made it back as soon as I knew! God Troy, you couldn't have told me yesterday?" he asked looking at Troy, Troy shrugged his shoulders and kissed the top of my head.

"Yeah, whatever."

"Hey guys, lets play something."

"How about we play BS?"

I smiled and I nodded my head, "Yea! Come on lets play!"

"Bullshit!" Chad yelled standing up and dancing around, Troy had laid down his last card, and I busted out into laughter, "Oh Chad,"

"And Chad, you can have all my cards but it doesn't matter!" Troy said shoving all the cards towards him, Chad pouted and I giggled some more. "How is everybody in here?" my dad walked in with his hands crossed over his chest, "Great Daddy," I said, he smiled at me, "You are looking better baby girl," he said sweeping some of my bangs back.

"Did I hear my favorite patient is feeling better?" Carter asked as he walked on slipping on a pair of gloves, I rolled my eyes, "My dad said that, not me." I said to them, "But yes I am feeling a little bit better," Carter shook his head and laughed, "Well arent you something else…" he came over and he stuck his hand out, "Finger," I handed him the same finger that I did earlier, "Eghh! Wrong finger," I narrowed my eyes and stuck out another finger, my middle one. He squinted his eyes and shook his head, Troy, Chad, Taylor, and Sharpay all started cracking up.

"Ha-ha very funny." He said as he poked my finger, Troy squeezed my other hand and brushed his lips against my temple. Tears brushed my eyes and I winced from the poke. "That's payback," he said, I glared at him and he threw his one hand up. "You started it…"

He held the thing up to his face and when it beeped his face narrowed, "Alright, I will be right back." He said rushing out of the room ripping his gloves off. The blood in my face drained, "Come on let's start another round of BS…"

Maria's POV

I sat and watched the group of kid's playing cards, laughing, and joking around. "Thank God for friends," I mumbled, "They are having fun Lucille,"

I looked up to see Dave in front of me, "Yeah, they are." He smiled and rested his hand on mine, I played with his wedding band and I looked up at him, "I'll be right back," he walked into the room crossing his arm over his chest, I sighed and Lucille sat down next to me. "She is doing great," I looked at her and smiled softly, I saw Carter walk in; he talked to Gabi for a moment. Then the group began to laugh. I laughed as he shook his head and pulled up the meter.

He said something and rushed out of the room, I panicked and I got up quickly, "Carter! Is everything okay?" I asked him quietly, he looked at me and then turned towards Gabi. "Her blood sugar is too high for our liking. Way too high." I swallowed hard and looked at him. "She will be okay right?"

"Yes, we are having more issues dropping her blood sugar and I don't know why. I am going to talk to Eric and see if we can come up with something else to help it drop. We were attentive about starting her on insulin shots until tomorrow night after a group of doctors come in but I am feeling that is what it is going to come soon. We can't get it down." I buried my head into my hands, "She hates needles,"

"Trust me, I know." Carter said smiling, "I am going to consult some doctors and see if they have any other ideas." I nodded my head and my phone began to vibrate in my pocket. I sighed and I pulled it out to see Anthony's name come across the screen. I rushed towards the waiting area to get some quietness. "Hey," I said answering the phone.

"What the hell is wrong with Gabs?" He screamed into the phone, "Anthony, calm down." I said to him, "Maria, how the hell can I calm down when my sister is in the hospital," I took a deep breath, "Anthony it's the middle of baseball season, you can't leave to come back."

"Maria!"

"She is diagnosed with Type One Diabetes last night," it was silent on the other end of the phone, "I have to come back," I bit down on my lip, "Let me talk to your dad," I started, and he interrupted me, "Maria, I am coming home! I need to see my sister!" I took a deep breath, "Troy is here with her,"

"She texted me saying that they might break up, I want to kill that kid," I saw Dave walk around the corner, I waved him over and he walked up to me. "Anthony, once she is better we will make a trip down there, Troy and Gabs are doing much butter. He is the only one to get her to sleep and stop crying right now."

"She is crying?"

Dave looked at me, "Here please talk to your dad," I said handing the phone over, having a stepson was hard sometimes. "Anthony what is it?"

He was quiet for several minutes, "Talk to your coach and see, if he won't let you go I promise we will be down soon to see you."

I heard Anthony talking and Dave interrupted him, "Anthony you are in college and I know she wants to see you but she has Troy." Dave took a deep breath and I laid my head on his shoulder. He smiled at me and I leaned against him, "Call me later alright? If you can make it up that will be great if not she will be happy to take a few days off school to go see you."

"Bye," they hung up and then he handed my phone back to me, "So what's the deal?" I asked him

"He is going to talk to his coach and see what he can do, he pitched the last time we were up there, which was about a week ago."

I wrapped my arms around his waist and broke down into tears, "I don't know if I can do it anymore Dave," I said crying, he pulled me into a quick hug. "Mar, I promise you we will get through all of this as a family." He whispered into my ear, "What part?" I questioned as I wiped a few tears away. He pursed his lips together and kissed the top of my head, "All of it,"

Alright I promised I would atleast get this chapter out but I can't get My Laker Baby out before I leave for Diabetes camp, I am leaving for a week and will be back on Friday. Friday night you SHOULD get a chapter to My Laker Baby, I promise! :D But I am running late for diabetes camp so I gotta go! Sorry for any grammar mistakes!