When I got woken up at four the next morning, I felt happy. Even my when my dad hit me, it wasn't that bad. I couldn't wait for Gabriella's and I mini date. I was later than normal for homeroom so I could get a few things set up on the roof. When I walked into the room I felt people staring at me. They've never seen me give the faintest hint of a smile, so my face probably did shock them.

As I went to sit down, Gabriella turned towards me and said, "Hey Troy."

Thankfully the teacher chose that moment to start talking. I didn't want her to get in trouble with my dad for talking to me. I knew I needed to tell her at least the part about my dad getting everyone I talk to in trouble, but I didn't want to.

Homeroom dragged on. When the bell rang, I ran out of the room knowing I'll have to make up an excuse for that. I all but ran to the top of the roof. Thanks to my speed, and knowledge of shortcuts, I had about five minutes before Gabriella arrived.

"Troy" She said awed looking at the table I set up. I told the cafeteria ladies I was hungry so I could set up a breakfast without my dad getting suspicious. I cut a few of the flowers around in the garden and put them as a center piece. It was simple, but it was the best I could do without my dad's attention. He's going to hear from the cafeteria workers about my appetite and get suspicious but the look on Gabriella's face was worth it.

"Thank you." She said, and then sat down at one end of the table.

Today we talked more about our lives. Our hobbies, favorite colors, bands, TV shows. I tried to keep the inevitable conversation of our parents off for as long as possible, but with fifteen minutes to the bell, she brought it up.

"What do you're parents do?"
I cleared my throat deciding on telling as close to the truth as possible. "My mom died when I was younger, she had a weak heart and it couldn't handle the birth of a second child. My little sister died the day after my mom had her. My mom died within the hour after having her. My dad, as you know is the head coach here."

"I'm sorry," she told me, then put her hand on top of mind. That was, I realized, the first sign of physical comfort anyone has given me since I was four.

"Why do you wear jackets all the time?" She asked out of no where.

"I like them, they're comfortable." I said.
"In one hundred degree heat?" She asked not believing my lie. "Can you take it off?"

"Why?" I asked truly confused.

"I don't know, I guess I want to see if you have arms." She told me jokingly.

The bell rang. I used that as a distraction and helped her up and told her I'd see her in class. When she asked why I didn't walk with her, I shrugged and said I had to clean up. She accepted my lie and left promising me we'd continue talking at lunch.

I sighed, thinking how long I could avoid the inevitable.

Not long, I found out at lunch that day. She 'accidently' spilt water on my jacket. I didn't want to, but I thought it would be strange sitting with a wet jacket on. So I took it off, making sure my sleeves of my shirt hid the bruises on the upper part of my arms. Those, I knew where the worst.

As soon as she saw my lower arms she gasped. Most of the bruising was faded, but there were one or two recent bruises, unfortunately they had to be huge.

"What happened?"

"A trip over my feet playing basketball and fall on my arms, I fell on a bike recently." I lied, hoping she'd buy it.

She moved her hands over the worse of the two arms. Without me realizing it she lifted up the sleeve of my shirt. I heard her gasp and knew what she saw, a huge, red, angry welt where my dad hit me with his belt he hand in his hands this morning.

Before I could stop her she lifted up the sleeve on my other arm and saw the hand print mark where my dad beat me yesterday afternoon.

She grabbed my face and made me look at her.

"Troy, who did this to you?" She asked calmly.

A/N: I know it's short, next chapter will be longer and the story will start picking up speed.

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