A/N: I liked this chapter. If you don't understand something, all will be revealed later. I promise.

I don't own:

HSM

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Storyline

Chapter 2 – One visit and too many secrets

I stirred the spaghetti in the pan and tasted a bit, nodding with satisfaction. I turned the hob off and poured the contents into my bowl, my mother being at work…again. I do love her. A lot. But, I miss my mother from when I was six. It's not her fault. Money is tight, I know that. And I'm paying for tennis lessons with two jobs but, I still miss her.

I wiped my tears with the palm of my hand and took my fork, sitting down at the kitchen table with my food. I stared at the bowl in front of me, tears stinging my eyes. I suddenly grabbed my fork and threw it angrily at a photo of me, my Mom and…my Dad. I watched as the picture fell off of the wall and smash as it hit the floor.

Life was so much simpler back then. There was no cliques, no populars…no East High. There was no conflict in my life. Sure, my life wasn't perfect but, it was to me. To me, my life was great. And I didn't realise until I had to grow up. Growing up is the hardest thing a person has to do. It involves moving forward and changing…even if you don't want to.

I walked out into my back yard and sat on the old tire wing that hung from the tree by my window. My Dad built it when I was three years old and me and Chad played with it ever since. Even now.

I wiped my eyes and closed my eyes and sobbed harder. People think that I've moved on from my father but…I haven't.

Oh, wait, let me explain. This isn't one of those 'hit by a drunk driver' stories. This one's different. It was more complicated than people think.

I screamed violently as my Dad left our house. I sobbed loudly and ran after him, ignoring my mother's protests. After all, she didn't know the details.

I quickly looked around but couldn't see a trace of my Dad. Even though I was only twelve, I knew what was going to happen. I didn't know where he'd go but I knew that I'd have to try.

I ran as fast as I could, not really knowing where I was going, turning my head every so often to see if he was there…no such look.

But, then I heard it. BANG! And then a flock of geese flew over the neighbourhood, scared from the sudden bang. I couldn't blame them. I'd be scared if I man just shot himself.

Yes, it's true. My father had clinical depression and shot himself. I knew he was depressed and I tried so hard to cheer him up. I guess it didn't work.

I gently swung myself back and fore, letting my hair flit around my face in the evening summer breeze. Its nights like these when I feel like nothing ever happened. Nothing at all. Like it's just me.

There are days that roll by when I feel like it's always been me against the world. I know I've got Chad but he doesn't understand how hard it is for me. He's rich. It sounds weird but he is. Hence his father owning the best known sports centre in Albuquerque.

"Gabriella?"

Great. Now I'm hearing Troy's voice in my head.

"Gabriella!" I jumped at the loudness of the voice.

"What? Troy? How did you get into my yard?" I asked, not really having the energy to yell at someone.

Troy waved behind him vaguely at the fence. "I hopped over while I was jogging past."

"Wait." I whispered. I glanced at my watch and frowned. I slowly looked up at Troy. "It's you? You're the guy who jogs by my house everyday?"

Troy nodded. "I guess I am. You must be stalking me." He grinned.

I pushed him away slightly, blushing and looking down at the ground. "Troy, I'm not in the mood." I continued swinging back and fore, avoiding eye contact.

"Why?" He asked softly.

"Why are you so persistent?" I shot back, looking up at him.

Troy shrugged. "I just asked a question. Now, what's wrong?"

I swallowed hard, trying hard not to cry. I had known this guy a day and he had already said something that makes me want to cry. I bowed my head slightly as I fiddled with my hands. I sniffed and looked up. "I feel so horrible all the time." I whispered.

"Why?" He replied, grabbing a garden chair and sitting on it.

"It's always like nothing's good enough. It's never okay to just be happy. Someone always asks for something more from you everyday." I whispered.

Troy nodded in what seemed a knowing way. "Like wanting something different is wrong. Even if it's something you'd die to have."

I nodded slightly. "Yeah. Exactly."

He smiled slightly. "So, what do you want?"

I breathed out deeply, thinking of my answer. "I want…I don't know anymore. I thought I did. I wanted to be an international tennis player. Be known all over America. Travel the world." My smile faded slightly as I continued. "But, I don't care anymore. Now, all I want is to be happy."

"Why aren't you happy?" Troy asked.

"What is this? Twenty questions?" I snap, standing up and walking back into my house. I walk through the kitchen to the freezer and pulling it open and grabbing the tub of Ben and Jerry's fudge brownie ice cream. I closed the door and jumped when I saw Troy standing there. "We've known each other one day!"

Troy shrugged. "I just want to know you."

I opened a drawer and took out two spoons, handing one to Troy. I sighed and glanced at the broken glass, picture and fork on the floor. "I've never met anyone like you."

Troy followed my eyes and he furrowed his brow when I glanced up. "What happened?"

"I got angry and threw a fork at a wall." I shrugged slightly.

He looked towards the kitchen table and he saw my uneaten spaghetti. "Why didn't you eat your dinner?"

I shrugged. "Stop asking questions." I ordered.

"Why not? Why are you scared to let anyone in?" He challenged, stepping closer to me.

I stepped further back and I felt my back collide with the kitchen counter. "I'm not scared." I tried and I frowned at how much I suck at lying.

Troy raised his eyebrows. "Please tell me something." He pleaded.

I set the ice cream on the counter and knelt on the floor, picking up the picture. I put it on the freezer door with a magnet and concentrated on the glass. I sniffed slightly and started picking it up. "Troy, please go home."

"Where's your Mom?" He asked.

"At work." I said simply.

He knelt next to me and started to help me. He sighed and looked at me. "I'm sorry."

"For what?" I whispered.

"For being nosy. I shouldn't have asked all of that. I'll help you with this and then go home." He promised.

I frowned and shook my head as tears came to my eyes. I put all of the broken glass into the bin and sat back on the floor and rested my head in my hands as I cried. "I'm sorry, Troy. But, my life isn't simple anymore."

I heard Troy put some more glass into the bin and then he gasped. "Gabriella! You're bleeding."

I removed my hands from my face and laughed slightly. "So I am."

"Let me help you." He looked around quickly but saw nothing to use so he took his shirt off and I stared at his muscular chest. I felt my breath hitch in my throat. I bit lip slightly and sniffed. He stood up and ran off some warm water and came back with the bowl and some scissors. He cut his shirt into two pieces and soaked one piece in the water. "Okay, this might sting a bit."

I nodded my head numbly as he took my hand and softly cleaned it out. I gasped in pain and I felt tears roll down my cheeks.

Troy cringed and sighed, sitting there, holding my hand. "I'm sorry."

I sighed. "It's not your fault."

He started to wrap the second part of his shirt tightly around my hand. "It feels like it."

"Well, don't. I've just always learnt to keep things bottled up." I explained softly.

"Why?" Troy asked, tying one final knot in my 'bandage'.

I shrugged slightly. "I guess it started when I was twelve when everything changed. And then money grew tight and so my Mom worked a lot so, I just kept things inside."

"How is that working out for you?" Troy asked.

I lifted my head to look at him. "Not easy. But, it's complicated."

"I'm not asking you to tell me. I'm offering to listen." He replied.

"And that's different because…" I motioned for him to explain.

"I'm giving you the choice." He said softly.

My cell phone rang and I flipped it up, answering it. "Hello?"

"Hola, mija." My mother's voice greeted. "How was your evening?"

I smiled at Troy and he stood up to tip the rest of the water down the drain. "It was fine."

"Have you eaten?" She asked.

I contemplated lying but, Troy was in the room and he'd figure something out. "No. Not yet."

"Mija, you have to." She scolded.

I nodded from my place still on the floor. "Yes, Mom, I know. I'll have cold spaghetti. Yum."

My mother chuckled. "Bye." She hung up before I could reply.

I shut my phone and slowly got to my feet. "Thank you Troy. For this." I held my hand up.

He smiled softly at me. "No worries. I guess I better go. Early morning practice."

"Fun." I grinned at him.

He rolled his eyes. "I suppose it'll be worth it in the end."

I nodded. "Oh it will be." I smiled at him. I didn't even know this guy. But, I wanted him to know me. And that was the hardest decision I ever had to make.