A/N: I just decided to try something completely different. This story is LOOSELY based off the book “Someone Dies, Someone Lives” by Lurlene McDaniel.

And for the final time, thank you so much for reading and reviewing this. You guys are the greatest fans a writer could ever ask for!!

Disclaimer: I don’t own and/or am affiliated with any of the characters, the movie, music, etc.

May 24th, 2007 9:00 am

Walking somberly through the halls, Gabi kept the tears in check but smiled sadly. This would be one of the last times she would walk through the halls of East High.

“And I thought I was the only one going through this . . .”

Turning to the voice, Gabi smiled. “Hey stranger; what brings you around here? I didn’t think you’d be here.”

“I’m going to miss this place just as much as you are. I mean I’m like a legend here.” Troy teased as he walked closer to her.

“But what’s going to happen when we get out of here?” Burying her face in his chest, Gabi fought for the security of his warm embrace as she broke down. “What lies in store for us?”

“Well tonight, we graduate, Saturday is our joint graduation party, and come fall, we’ll start at UCLA; me studying engineering and you studying Chemistry. And most importantly, we’ll be together facing the future together.”

Looking up into his blue eyes, she smiled faintly. “How can you be so calm about this?”

“Because I know with you by my side, I can accomplish anything I set my mind to.” Kissing her forehead, Troy smiled. “Besides, I think it’s all right to leave behind high school due to us being so close with our friends. They are going to help us through.”

Gabi smiled. Taylor and Chad were going to USC; Kelsi and Jason to Arizona State; Ryan, Zeke, and Sharpay were going cross country to New York. But the nine of them had promised to keep in touch and the summer was dedicated to a huge road trip in which each college would be visited.

“Besides, we need to be happy; not weepy. The weepy stuff will come later when we actually all leave.” Troy tried to reason with her.

“I guess.” Shrugging her shoulders, she looked into Troy’s eyes. “But be honest with me . . . aren’t you at least a little scared to be leaving behind East High?”

Sighing, he knew he could not answer her question. “To be honest, I’m completely scared but I’m putting up a front in order to help you out. I mean I’m the jock basketball player but once I leave here, I’m just a guy.”

“It’s a chance to renew the person you want to become. If you don’t want to be a basketball jock, college is a place where you can reinvent you, Troy. You don’t have to be who you were in high school starting college.” Gabi squeezed his hand. “But for your information, you are so much more than a basketball jock.”

“Let’s get out of here . . . I want to spend the day with you not thinking about tonight.” Troy said after a moment of silence.

Smiling, Gabi agreed. “Your wish is my command.”

Walking hand in hand, the two left the school behind. The two left the school grounds and started walking towards Troy’s house.

“So what is the next item of celebration?” Troy asked breaking the comfortable silence.

“What ever do you mean, Mr. Bolton?” Gabi asked in a horrible British accent which caused Troy to chuckle.

“I mean you’ve made it 19 months without a relapse . . . that’s gotta be some kind of record or something.”

Grinning, Gabi nodded. “Gabriella’s record.”

“But everything fine? I know you had that doctor’s appointment the other day.”

Crossing Main Street, Gabi stopped walking. “Actually, I wanted to talk to you about that.”

“What about?” His grip on her hand grew tighter as the fear rose in his stomach.

“First off, it’s nothing bad.” She smiled seeing him visibly relax. “And second of all, Dr. Ramos was the one who called the meeting.”

“And what did your dear old cardiologist want?”

Giving Troy a pointed look, she dismissed the sarcasm that came out of his mouth. “He wants to start a teen board about ways to improve communication when teens get checked in to have a transplant. He wants kids who have been through it to help head it.”

“Are you serious? That’s awesome, Gabi.” Smiling, he took her in his arms before lifting her up and spinning around.

“I turned it down, Troy.” Her voice was steady as she broke the news.

“What? Why?”

“We’re going away to college and I don’t want to get involved then uproot in August.” Gabi frowned as Troy hugged her close to his chest.

“Aw Gabi I’m sorry.”

Shrugging, Gabi looked up at him. “It’s all right. Dr. Ramos is contacting a hospital out in California and seeing if there’s a group like that out there. If not, then he’s got a friend out there that wants to start a group and he’s giving them my name.”

“My little hospital changer . . .” Troy sung as Gabi rolled her chocolate eyes.

“Shut up. I know what it’s like to go into the great unknown of transplants and I want kids to know that it’s all right.”

“You’re going to inspire and change people’s lives. I’m so proud of you, Gabriella Montez.” Troy kissed her forehead again.

“I’m pretty proud of you too Troy.”

7:00 pm

Standing in her white robe, Gabi ran a hand through her hair nervously while clicking her heels on the hardwood floor. Breathing easily, she tried to ease her nerves.

“Gabriella, you’re going to be fine.” Her mother grinned giving her a quick hug.

“I know but that doesn’t help the nerves.”

Kissing her forehead, Elena looked in her daughter’s forehead. “I’m so proud of you, Gabi. You have overcome obstacles that most kids haven’t and you did it with such grace. You are an amazing girl and I’m so happy you’re my daughter. You are going to be fine up there and I’ll be rooting for you in the stands.”

“We’ll both be in the stands rooting for you . . .” A familiar voice from behind Gabi said. Turning, she smiled seeing the man standing there.

Bob, her mom’s boyfriend, was standing there with a red rose in his hand. Elena and Bob had met randomly at the diner in town and had been dating for the past nine months.

“Thank you for being here.” Gabi gave him a quick hug before stepping back.

“Ok we’ll let you get ready; go get them girl.” With one more hug, Elena and Bob headed into the gym to find their seats.

Watching them go, Gabi quickly looked at the piece of pink paper that was clutched in her hand. The words that were typed were second nature to Gabi.

“What are you doing pretty girl?”

Looking up, Gabi smiled. “Trying to calm down; I can’t believe I’m so nervous.”

“You’re going to do amazing.” Looking over Troy, she smiled seeing him look so dashing in his red robe.

“Thanks.” Accepting a kiss, she melted in it. “Did you see who showed up?”

“Yeah . . . your mom seems really happy with him.” Troy mused as Gabi smiled.

“She is and I’m happy he makes her happy.”

“What is it Gabi?” Troy looked down at her before titling her head up to look into his eyes.

“It’s just sentimental thoughts . . . I can’t believe our four years here are all ready over. I guess I don’t really want to let the past go.” Gabi quietly said as Troy smiled.

“Baby . . . it’s not really leaving the past behind. You have all the great memories to hold onto.” Pulling her in his arms, he kissed her head. “I wish I could get you to let this go.”

“I’m working on it.”

“You’re going to be amazing tonight and everyone is going to be so proud of you after you give this speech.”

“Thanks Troy.”

Before the two knew it, the graduation march had started. The two walked hand in hand to their seats. And then, much sooner than she anticipated, it was time for Gabi’s speech.

“Good evening, my name is Gabriella Montez and these past four years have taught me so much. From holding onto every moment to loving everyone around you, each day holds a new lesson to learn.” Smiling out into the crowd, Gabi found Troy before continuing her speech.

“A year ago October, I received a heart transplant. That right there helped me see life in a much clearer prospective. That transplant taught me that life is precious and everyday should be lived to the fullest.”

“To my fellow classmates, I have a couple of challenges for you. Number one, live each day to the fullest. Tell your friends and family you love them and thank them for the joy and happiness they bring to your days.”

“The second challenge is make a list of every thing you’ve ever wanted to do. I always wanted to bungee jump and last year, I accomplished that. The feeling you get when you accomplish it is the absolute best feeling in the world.”

“And finally, never forget the time we spent here at East High. The memories we created in the past four years will remain with us for a lifetime. Never forget what we’ve learned here . . . we can only build on that knowledge and experience from here on out. Congratulations, class of 2007; here’s to moving our individual mountains.”

Applause erupted as Gabi finished up her speech before making her way back to her seat. Troy kissed her quickly in congratulations before the rest of graduation passed.

“Troy Connor Bolton.” Was heard over the loud speaker as Troy accepted his diploma.

“Gabriella Alena Montez.” With a grin on her face, Gabi walked towards the principal to accept the diploma.

“Congratulations.” Was heard among the screams and shrieks coming from the audience.

Walking back to her seat, the smile was bright and happy. Finally she had accomplished the one thing that she wasn’t sure if she’d ever accomplish. With her friends, family, and a special boyfriend by her side, she could accomplish anything and everything in the world.

October 2nd, 2014

“The support system I had around me truly got me through some of the darkest days. From the nurses and doctors to my family and friends, everyone was there with encouraging words and smiles to help me through the toughest of times.”

Staring out into the crowd of 200 spectators, Gabi smiled letting her eyes settled on the people who still stood by her.

“Thank you for your time.” And among the claps and cheers, Gabi smiled brightly.

Walking off the podium, Gabi headed towards the back. Smiling brightly, she stopped and talked to the local news station before continuing to the previously discussed meeting location.

“That was one of the best speeches yet, Gabs.” Taylor exclaimed before giving her best friend a hug.

“You say that about every one of them, Tay.” Gabi rolled her eyes before being scooped up into a hug by Taylor’s husband.

“Chad I’m a pregnant woman; will you put me on my feet?”

Laughing, Chad set her on her feet before kissing her cheek. “Congratulations Gabi. That was remarkable.”

Her Chemistry major had quickly turned to one of Writing. Gabriella Bolton was now world famous writer. Her biography had been a New York Times best seller and her second book entitled, “Beating the Odds” would make its debut in three months. And since the book came out, she had become a very well known public speaker on transplants, usually traveling around the country to hospitals to encourage patients dealing with the same illness she dealt with eight years ago.

But before the book tour started up again, Gabi would give birth to hers and Troy’s second child, a girl, they intended on naming Jade Ella Bolton. Their first child was a boy and the two named him Micah Ayden Bolton.

“Congratulations babe.” Troy came up holding Micah before giving her a quick kiss.

“Thanks.” Taking her son from Troy’s arms, she quickly kissed him. “Hi baby. How are you?”

“Momma momma.” He mumbled in his fourteen month old language as Gabi smiled.

“Yes I’m momma.” She laughed kissing his forehead.

“You ready to go home and we’ll continue this party?” Troy asked putting his hand on her back before taking Micah from her arms.

“Yeah let’s go.”

The two walked hand in hand out to their SUV before driving towards their decently sized house in California. The two have grown to love the atmosphere in California and decided to settle down there after graduating college.

Sighing happily, Gabi watched the scenes fly by as they drove home. “You did really great today, babe.”

“Thanks . . . I love giving speeches. But I think I love you more.”

Smirking, Troy shook his head. “Way to make me feel loved. At least Micah loves me.”

“I love you too goober.”

Pulling into the driveway, Gabi shook her head at the amount of cars that were parked in the space. She noticed her mom’s as well as Troy’s parents cars. Their friends’ cars were also parked there.

“Let’s go see the crowds.” Troy mumbled before getting out and grabbing Micah from the backseat.

The level of sound increased as the family of three made their way into the backyard. Gabi laughed before being pulled into a hug by the moms then Jack.

“Hi you guys. Thanks for coming out.”

“Like we’d miss your final speech before you deliver.” Isabella laughed.

Hugging her mom, Gabi felt herself relax. “Are you ready for your daughter to be born?”

“I think Troy and I are. The nursery is done; I’ll have to show it to you later. We finally agreed on a name so all we have to do is wait for her to make her appearance.”

Excusing herself from the mothers chatter, Gabi walked over to where her friends were standing discussing her latest project.

“And the star of the moment finally comes up to us to talk.” Sharpay teased as she sat on her husband Zeke’s lap.

“Shut it . . . I had to go greet the parents first.” Taking a seat, Gabi smiled. “What are we talking about?”

“How you’re going to a mom for the second time while most of us are working on the first time.” Kelsi smiled with a roll of her eyes.

“I can’t help it if Troy and I started on the ball early.”

“Well it also helped that you two got married at 21 and had your first baby at 23.”

Sticking her tongue out, Gabi felt oddly like her 14 month old son. “Wow that’s where Micah gets it from.”

Laughing, Gabi shook her head at her husband. “I guess he learns from the best.”

Hearing the chatter around her, gave Gabi some time to think. Ryan had met a nice girl named Chelsea while in college and the two were still dating. Somehow, she had managed to fit into our crazy little family.

Sharpay and Zeke married a year and a half ago and were expecting their first child, a daughter, at any moment. Somehow or another, the two made it work.

Kelsi and Jason had married about two years ago and were also expecting their first born. They didn’t know what they were having due to being surprised but I had my bets on a son. They were the only ones who didn’t live in California but instead in our hometown of Albuquerque.

Chad and Taylor got married at 22; the second ones in our little group. Taylor was also pregnant but wasn’t due until January. The guys all joked that it must have been something in the water due to four out of the five couples being pregnant at once.

Gabi’s mom had married Bob and the two were still happy as can be in Albuquerque. They had been married six years and Gabi was excited her mom had settled down once again.

Abby had married her high school sweetheart much to Troy’s amusement. They were living in North Carolina and they had twins, one of each. Troy and Gabi loved being aunt and uncle to them.

“Gabi?” Snapping her fingers in front of her friend’s face, Kelsi grinned. “She’s in lala land and we can get her back.”

Leaning over his wife, Troy kissed her. That managed to knock her out of her senses. “What was that for?”

“You were in lala land.”

“I was thinking.” Gabi grinned as everyone rolled their eyes.

“Or otherwise known as being in Troy Bolton land.” Chad joked as everyone laughed.

“What were you thinking about?”

“How our lives have turned out for the better . . .”

Troy smiled before grabbing her hand. “I told you it would all work out for the better.”

“That you did.”

And Gabi had something truly to be thankful for. She had moved on from her illness and was making the most of her life with friends and family standing by her side the entire way.

The End . . .

There you guys go. Thank you for traveling this journey with me. You guys are the best reviewers/readers a writer could ever ask for. I am greatly thankful for your love and support during this story. I could have never gotten this far without all of you. So thank you from the bottom of my heart. Please leave me some feedback and let me know what you liked or didn't like about this story. Thanks again!!