Disclaimer: I own nothing except for storyline.
Chapter One
Introduction
Stomp! Stomp!
She packed her night bag quickly with school clothes, her raggedy, old bear and her toothbrush essentials.
"Gabriella!"
The small girl opened her balcony doors, tossing her bag over the fake, white gold railing. She heard the light thud as it hit the newly mowed grass.
STOMP! STOMP!
She heard the footsteps grow closer and closer. In a second, she jumped over the balcony and landed gracefully on the ground. Down below, she heard a loud thud upon her carpet. Her door must have been kicked down again. She heard her name being called for the second time.
"Gabriella, where the hell are you?!"
She heard a crash and knew that he threw his beer bottle against her wall. Not wanting to be on this property any longer, she ran to the one place that she only wanted to go to. Looking up at the worn down tree house, she saw a familiar light shining bright. Walking up swiftly to the ladder, she tossed her bag inside.
Inside sat a boy of a young teen age, looking out the window sullenly. He was interrupted when a pink bag landed by his feet. The next thing he saw nearly broke his heart. Gabriella rushed into his tree house, falling apart with her tears. She collapsed in his arms, shaking with fright.
"I can't stay there anymore. You have to help me. Please!" Gabriella clung to him desperately, trembling as she spoke.
He held her close, rocking her gently back and forth. "Ssh. I'm here, Gabby."
He whispered softly as if he was afraid anyone within 100 feet would hear them. "I'm here."
"I love you, Troy," whispered Gabriella.