here was a knock at the hospital room door and a young nurse walked in.

"Dr. Lloyd, Mrs. Evans is here." she informed the doctor, moving to the side to allow Sharpay to walk in.

Sharpay's eyes widened as she saw Ryan, wide awake, sitting up on his bed.

"Ryan!" she exclaimed, running towards him, wrapping her arms around him tightly.

"Ow." Ryan mouthed, despite knowing that Sharpay couldn't hear him.

Sharpay clutched his cheeks between the palms of her hands and kissed him on the forehead, the nose, and then his chin, pulling away, smiling.

"I was scared you'd never wake up." she said tearfully.

Ryan reached up and squeezed her hands together, smiling back at her.

When he didn't say anything, Sharpay looked down at him, a frown on her face.

"What's wrong? Ryan?" she asked.

Ryan opened his mouth, but didn't say anything.

"He can't talk, Mrs. Evans." Dr. Lloyd spoke up.

Sharpay slowly turned her head to face the doctor, feeling Ryan wrap his arms around her, as if holding her back.

"He lost the use of his voice in the accident." Dr. Lloyd stated with a sympathetic smile.

Sharpay turned back to Ryan, her eyes wide again.

"Your beautiful voice. Oh my God, Ryan." she said, leaning into his chest, pulling him close.

At that moment, the nurse who had brought Sharpay in, brought Troy in.

"Mr. Bolton." Dr. Lloyd said, taking his leave, leaving Troy, Sharpay, and Ryan to themselves.

"Hey, man. How you doin'?" Troy asked, smiling as Ryan opened his arms and let Troy walk into them, surprised at the affection Ryan was able to share.

"He can't talk, Troy." Sharpay croaked.

Troy looked down at Sharpay, frowning.

"He lost his voice in the accident." Sharpay mimicked the doctor.

Troy looked at Ryan and shook his head.

"Man, that blows. I'm so sorry." he said.

Ryan shrugged, blowing it off.

"Where's Chad?" he mouthed.

Troy took a second to understand what he was mouthing, and when he did, he remained silent.

"He hasn't been to see you." Troy replied.

Ryan looked at him, his posture saying, "Really? Duh."

"He and I lost touch with each other, Ryan. After the accident, after he found out, he was gone. He hasn't been the same Chad. He's been quiet, and somber, and, every once and a while, he has one of his fits, and has to be taken from the courts to the nurses office. He hasn't hurt anyone. Yet." Troy continued on.

Ryan swallowed, gripping at Sharpay's hands.

"I wish he had come to see you, Ryan. He misses you." Troy said softly.

Ryan rolled his eyes.

"Yeah, right." he mouthed.

"He does, Ryan. I could see it in his eyes. When he broke up with you, that was the last thing he wanted to do. And when I told him about your accident, he went straight from knowledge to denial. Anytime we talk about it, anytime your name is brought up, he shuts himself out. He needs you, Ryan. Which is why I don't understand why he hasn't come to be with you." Troy said, sliding on the opposite side of Sharpay, who was now lying against Ryan, her arm wrapped around his waist, and rested his head on the palm of his right hand.

"I'm really sorry about your voice, Ryan." he said tenderly, clasping his hand around Sharpays, which rested on Ryan's chest.

He then cautiously lay his head next to Sharpay's on Ryan's chest, letting out a breath that warmed Ryan's skin.

Ryan didn't question anything. He only let Sharpay and Troy be there for him, almost using them as a crutch, a replacement for Chad's nonarrival.