Summary: She never found the courage to stand up to him, so he would beat her. Hurt her and she knew...she would just be another statistic..another victim. Until "He" walked into her life Troyella

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Gabriella Montez was an average girl, average in the sense she was pretty, smart, talented and like the other children around her was an orphan or had no caregiver of any kind. From what she had been told by her mother, before she died from a heart attack, had been a drunk and died in a car crash. He hadn't seen the tractor trailer coming at him head on. Gabriella swore from that day on, she wouldn't go down the same path no matter how bad things got, she would be strong and focus on life, on school work on making herself better.

"Gabbi, come on sweetie we have a nice man for you to meet." Nessa, the social worker was a nice lady, she had always been sweet to Gabi and even gave her a teddy bear when she first arrived. Telling her the bear, Angel as Gabi dubbed her was her guardian angel sent by her mommy to protect her. Gabi stayed there only a few months before Nixon A. Wilcox picked her up. He had charisma, he was charming, he was handsome...he was a monster in a business suit, had Gabi, Nessa or America known....Gabi was sure she wouldn't have been sent with him.

That was seven years ago, he had relocated now to New Mexico due to a business deal, they would be here for at least three years he told her casually. She knew what that meant, she better not cause trouble in this city or she would regret it. She nodded, what did she care about where they lived? Sure she had met a few nice people here and there to hang out with but never anyone she would call a true friend.

"You're attending East High, you should do good there." He added knowingly, she was intelligent, a genius perhaps in her own right. It suited her, Nixon had forced her into studying often, making her learn four languages by age sixteen. By eighteen he expected her to know six. She was pretty, she knew she was pretty though she wasn't vain. Nixon never let her wear baggy clothes, instead he resorted to make up and stylish clothes to hide the bruises he put on her body when he lost his temper or had a bad day, or just wanted a punching bag. Any reason what so ever was good enough in his mind to beat on his teenage daughter.

"Go get dressed and be careful." He added as she took the plates and placed them in the dishwasher, she turned it on before walking up stairs quietly. The last thing she needed was to tick him off right before she went to a new school with a black eye and lie about it, she was good at that. Lying, in an odd way it made her proud, it made her strong in a sense. She could go through this and still be standing, still smile and make everyone think she was all right as they went about their merry little lives, oblivious to her pain, to her suffering...her own personal hell she called home. She logged onto her laptop, her one piece of sanity. It had been a gift from Nixon at age 14 and after going over the rules Gabriella used it as much as she could. She didn't keep a diary, that would be to risky, but she did blog to herself often, reading over her thoughts, her little moments of sadness or loneliness.

She had tried...desperately to convince herself she didn't need anyone, didn't need friends...but there were times, when she would hear girls laughing. See groups of people playing and she had to wonder...would she ever...be like that? Would she ever...be happy? Her dark hair swished as she shook her head, stopping her train of thought. Wondering, what if? That question brought her nothing but head aches, going through her closet she picked out a long sleeved white top. It would show off her figure well enough but hide the dark bruised on her arm. Adding a pair of designer jeans and flats Gabriella brushed her hair a few times before rushing back downstairs where Nixon was looking, he made the turn around motion with his finger and she obeyed before he nodded.

"That'll do." He admitted before she walked out the door him trailing behind her as she climbed in the shiny new benz, they drove to the restaurant and she already knew the drill, smile and look pretty. That was her job, to be his trophy daughter in a sense. The men shook hands smiling and laughing as they sat down and began talking, Gabriella looked around and blinked as she caught sight of a brown or maybe it was red? Hair girl throwing her plate at a waiter before she walked out, Gabriella gaped. What was wrong with people these days? She sighed but continued to focus on the conversation smiling and replying to questions under Nixons dangerous and careful eye.

The meal came and went, Nixon drove her home and reminded her not to wait up for him, she knew what that meant. He was bringing some girl home, some random woman to sleep with. Gabriella was disgusted by the idea but grateful he had willing woman instead of her, though she knew...some of his associates, his "other" friends as she had dubbed them expressed interest in her. Nixon never let them near her, she was his little girl and no one else's...

The next day came quickly and she woke up yawning as the alarm clock chimed, it was 5:30 meaning she had 15 minutes to get ready and make it to school by 6am, lovely. A quick dip in the shower and Gabriella found a note for her from Nixon, he must have dropped in while she was sleeping.

"Do good in school-love daddy..."

She scoffed, daddy? He wasn't a father in any sense of the word, slipping on a shirt and skirt Gabriella put her hair back behind her ears and turned around in the mirror, she didn't want anyone to ask her questions. Her reflection gave her an approving nod as she walked down the steps and headed out the door, with in ten minutes she was there, outside the doors of East high. She inhaled deeply and walked inside, the students were rushing past her and all around, some yawning. Some meeting friends and others just wandering around.

"Um excuse me?" She sighed as the student dashed past her either ignoring her or she hadn't spoken loud enough, either way she was still lost. She looked around a few more times, she had always been slightly shy, trying to avoid the spot light without avoiding socializing all together. Pushing past a few more people Gabriella tried to follow the instructions on her paper when she collided with someone, slamming her on her back

"Oh!" She let out before covering her mouth as she winced from hitting her arm, immediately she heard voices as she felt someone brush against her arm.

"I am so sorry!" A male voice said sincerely as the others snickered

"Smooth Bolton is that how you great all the girls?" Another asked as Gabriella opened her eyes to stare, hanging over her was what had to be, one of the cutest boys she had ever seen. She half expected cheesy music to start playing in the background, he had bright blue eyes. Silky brown hair and muscles to go for miles, he stared at her concerned...was that the word she was looking for?

"Are you okay? Shut up Chad." He added annoyed helping Gabriella up as she brushed herself off and offered him a small smile

"Yeah I'm fine just...lost." She admitted as he smiled back, visibly relieved he hadn't done any serious damage to her. It was a bit...odd, in her opinion Nixon had done far worse and never even seemed sorry. This...stranger this one person was showing her more kindness in the past few moments then her "father" had...her entire life...

"New? I can help...Chad meet you in the cafeteria in a few?" He asked as the brown skinned boy, who also seemed to have a face ripped straight out of a magazine she decided nodded.

"See you, have fun." He added with a quick wave before running off as Gabriella began to walk off when she heard footsteps behind her

"Hey! I didn't get your name, I'm Troy." He added as she blinked, was he trying to make small talk with her?

"...Gabriella Montez." She replied slowly as he smiled

"Here, let me see where your first class is..." He offered as she handed him her list timidly suddenly feeling the need to run as fast as she could the other way from the friendly boy. He read it over thoughtfully before smiling

"Cool, we have the same classes...." He said as she felt her stomach fly into her throat, they had the same classes? ALL the same classes? She swallowed the lump and flashed what she hoped was a convincing smile before nodding

"Sounds...great!" She replied as the bell rang and Troy rolled his eyes amused

"Breakfast, come one I'll show you to the cafeteria." He added as she nodded and followed him, though he did make her a bit uneasy, Gabriella had to admit...the boy was pretty darn cute. She chose pancakes for her meal as she sat off to the side. Her mind trailing back to her mother...she often made Gabriella pancakes in the morning. The bittersweet memory was enough to make her throat dry up as she noticed two blond twins sitting by a nearby table. The one had long hair, and bubbly personality from the way she flounced around and chatted away with the boy sitting at the table, there was a girl with long black hair and brown skin sitting with a girl with her hair up in a messy bun and glasses. She watched the blond boy with an expression Gabi could only assume was admiration or maybe it was love...she wasn't sure which.

"Hey, I'm Troy remember?" He asked walking over to her as she jumped slightly but nodded though her mind was racing, her eyes stayed wide for a moment as she shook her head abruptly. The images of Nixon staring her down angrily as he dragged her across a room or slammed her into a wall. Yelling at her, telling her how worthless she was or how bad she was.

"Sorry I didn't mean to scare you." Troy said sincerely as she just gave him a re assuring smile before he motioned to Chad who was standing beside of him grinning, she wondered if he always looked like that or if he was just trying too hard to be friendly...

"This is my best friend Chad, Chad this is Gabriella she's new here." Troy explained as Chad made an O face before nodding as Gabriella smiled back politely

"Nice to meet you." She said as Chad just nodded before the bell rang again and all three began to move, as she walked to class Gabriella watched the two boys joke around and shove each other play fully as they took their seats with a slight longing...friendship. What was that like? To have a true best friend that cared for you and stood by you no matter what?

"And may I add. Welcome to East High Miss Montez." Ms. Darbus said as Gabriella just shrunk in her seat slightly as everyone turned to stare at her, she cleared her throat and gave a short nod before the class continued. She focused on the class, writing down her notes quickly through out the class as she heard the next bell ring.

Her day was remotely normal. Other then being knocked on to the floor but who she soon discovered was the most popular guy in school she got through her classes easily, Troy had been more then willing to help and while it did strike her as odd it was appreciated. She dashed into her house and blinked when a woman pulled her robe around her gasping, Nixon walked down...his muscular chest covered in fresh hot water. Gabriella felt sick, grateful she hadn't run in a few moments earlier

"Gabi this is Candy, Candy this is Gabi.." He said calmly as Gabriella just nodded trying to hide her discomfort as Candy nodded before running in the bathroom as Nixon winked at her before narrowing his eyes at Gabi who could only prepare herself as his wet hand smacked her cheek harshly. It wasn't the worst he had done but it certainly didn't feel good.

"Don't you ever knock?" He asked annoyed as Candy walked out fully dressed and Nixon slided her to over, wrapping an arm around her waist and kissing her fully on the mouth while Gabriella held her sore cheek before he whispered something in her ear causing Candy to blush as he winked and she walked out the house.

"How was school?" He asked calmly as Gabriella set her things down

"School...was good." She replied as he nodded before she began dashing up the steps

"Gabriella...I'm going away...so I'm sending one of the boys to watch you." He added as her heart stopped. He was leaving her alone with them! Had he lost, no clearly he had lost his mind! She gave him a pleading look

"Dad..."

"You'll be fine." He said cutting her off as she ran down

"But dad!" Her face flew into the wall as he slapped her again and she knew the conversation was over and done with, she slid down the wall and into a heap, tears stinging her eyes as she heard the door slam. Her bruised cheek burning against the cool surface of her white wall. Sighing she picked herself up and walked up the stairs and too her room. Grabbing the teddy bear she hugged it in an effort to comfort herself to some extent as tears slipped from her eyes and onto the fur of her bear. She would avoid coming home too much while Nixon was away, less something happen to her and he find out, she wasn't sure where she would go or what she would do but somehow she was going to avoid coming home.

She opened the laptop and began typing, writing anything that came to mind and within the next half hour had filled 4 pages with poems, rants and blogs. Things she would read over later, in these fiery moments of her solitude she found herself sometimes impressed with the things she created and other times she just wondered what she had been thinking when she wrote down the things she did. Placing Angel back on the stand she cut off the light, saved her files and shut off the laptop.

"Gabriella...come make a wish!" Theresa smiled at her daughter, she was a pretty woman. A well curved figure, bright smile and face of an angel, she was proud of her child and always done what she could for the little girl. On occasions such as this, it was worth the extra job she pulled to see her smile when she had an extra treat here or a new dress there

"Okay!" The small six year old blew out the candles eagerly and clapped her hands happily as her mother laughed before she cut the cake and slipped her daughter a piece before sitting down and giving herself a slice. Gabriella never seemed to mind that it was just the two of them on these days. But they had each other and the older women supposed, for now...that was enough

"Sing Mama. SING!" Gabriella chanted as her mother laughed before obliging her daughter, singing her lullaby. Gabriella laid her head down watching her mother lovingly as Theresa picked her up and rocked her to sleep still singing before she kissed her daughters cheek tenderly and placed her in the bed, cutting off the light....

Gabriella woke up panting and looking around the room, her mama was gone...and she wasn't coming back...ever. Gabriella whimpered and buried her face into the pillow sobbing quietly as she ran a frustrated hand through her hair sniffling her mothers name in the pillow.

She wasn't sure when she had fallen asleep but the clock was flashing 3AM at her, she looked around the room half expecting someone to jump out at her before she relaxed and fell back asleep. Hopefully into a peaceful and dreamless one this time...

Theresa was holding her throat, struggling to breathe as she dropped the dinner plate on the floor. The warm food scattered all over as the white plate crashed into tiny pieces, Theresa dropped to the floor and a panicked Gabriella ran over to her and began shaking her mother frantically.

"Mama! Mama! What's wrong?" She asked shaking her again before she ran to grab the phone and call 9-1-1 she watched and waited. Hoping, praying they would be able to do something for her beloved mother. Theresa was rushed to ER and Gabriella sat in the children's room, playing with toys as she waited for them to come back and tell her when she could see her mother again.

"Mama is gonna be all right." She thought re assuringly bringing a smile to her own face as she hummed the lullaby until she was singing it softly. When her mom got better maybe she could sing it to her! That would cheer her up, Gabriella colored a card as she continued to wait patiently for someone to tell her when she could see her mommy.

Half an hour and a painted mug later someone walked in and gently took the little girls hand, as if in slow motion the mug fell and shattered on the ground just as her world had a mere few seconds before. Tears poured down the small girls face and she shook her head, trying to rid her mind of the awful truth. It was a lie it had to be a LIE! But deep down, she knew...it wasn't knew the harsh reality was that her mother wasn't waking up...her mother wasn't coming back....her mother...was gone...

She had cried at the funeral, sniffling as she watched them throw dirt, that was terrible in her mind. Throwing dirt on her sweet mother, she left flowers like everyone else but she couldn't help but feel they weren't truly sad. It hadn't been their mama that died...and if they were sad why were they eating and laughing? She didn't want to eat...she didn't want to laugh. With in one week she had been placed in the children's home and was waiting to be adopted though she swore for the first two weeks her mama was still alive and wanted her back. After all she had haunted Gabis dreams every night...but as time dragged on Theresa did not return...and Gabi knew...deep down...she was all alone....

A/N I hope this got your attention without being too depressing. Anyway leave a review please? Happy reading Princess Starfire!