A week later, Gabriella's Mother Veronica was home from her business trip and they were just sitting on the couch eating spaghetti, having mother daughter time. Gabriella slurped up her noddles, "Momma, you need to make more food like this."

Veronica smiled, "Well, how about I make a dish for you and Troy. next month is you're 3 year anniversary, right?" Gabriella sighed, "Yeah..but..mom, me and Troy.. aren't together anymore."

Veronica gasped, "What happened?" Gabriella bit her lip, "Mom, I..I don't wanna talk about it.." Veronica sighed but nodded, "Okay sweetie, we don't have to talk about it."

Troy layed in his bed, tossing a basketball in the air. he just layed in the bed where him and Gabriella made love twice in. he missed her so much, all he wanted was her. she was all that made him happy.

His father walked in, "Son, Mrs Montez is on the phone, she wants to talk to you." Troy sighed sitting up, and his father reached the phone to him.

He placed it on his ear, "Hello." "Hi Troy, this is Veronica." Troy sighed, "Oh Hi Veronica, how was the trip?" Veronica smiled, "It was fine. but I just want to know what happened between you and Gabriella...I just need to know what's going on so I can help her.."

Troy sighed, but before he can stop the words from pouring from his lips he said them. "Why don't you ask that fucking bastard of a husband of yours? He's the one to blame for everything-" "Troy-" Mrs Montez started, but Troy cut her off.

"While your at it, check Gabriella's body for bruises and then ask him about it. And if he doens't answer, keep hassling him about it...oh and ask him what he thinks of your daughter; or maybe you've noticed him staring at her ass!" With that he hung up the phone and tossed it on the other side of the room.

Sam sighed, "Okay, what's bothering you?" Troy lifted his head; his dad was doing better. Much better. "I forgot you were here-" "It happens." Sam said, taking a seat on his bed. "What happened? What's going on-" "Nothing.."

"Nothing. I don't want to talk about it." Sam sighed, "what's wrong with Gabriella?" Troy looked at him, "Gabriella isn't my girlfriend anymore, she's none of my concern anymore-" "Yeah but you can't tell me you still don't care about her or love her."

Troy looked away, "Yeah.. I do love her. I will always love her. but that bastard just wants to keep us apart, and she doesn't want to be with me because she wants me safe from him.. I don't need her looking out for me, I need to be looking out for her."

Sam sighed, "How about me and you both go to Gabriella's house tomorrow, and we'll talk about everything with Veronica, Gabriella, and Jason?"

Troy scoffed, "Dad, the only thing I'd do with Jason is turn his head around and shove it up his own ass." Sam sighed, "I'll let you sleep on it then." he stood up, picking up the phone as he left and shut the door.

Troy sighed, running a hand down his face and turning on his side; burying his face in his pillow as he let out a great scream.

Veronica walked up the stairs and walked into Gabriella's room since her door was open. she found Gabriella studying. "Hey baby." Gabriella looked up, "Hi Momma.. what's up?" she smiled, "I made you a plate of chocolate chip cookies?" Gabriella smiled, "Thanks, but I'm not really hungry." Veronica sighed, "Can I ask you something?"

Gabriella nodded, "Sure." "Do you like Jason?" that question made Gabriella's stomach twist and clench. "umm..his okay." "Gabi-" "Mom, Jason makes you happy, if you're happy, I'm happy-" "But I want you to be happy."

Gabriella looked at her, "I am happy Momma.. I promise." Veronica sighed picking up the plate of cookies, "You'll tell me if something is really bothering you?" Gabriella nodded, "Yes momma, I will." Veronica smiled kissing her daughter's forehead, "Goodnight baby girl." "Goodnight Momma."

Gabriella walked into history class with her friend Hanna, and saw Troy. their eyes made contact, but Gabriella turned away, pressing her folder closer to her walking to her seat, but Shawn, stopped her, "Hey Beautiful." they caught Troy's attention.

Shawn smirked, "I heard that you're single now, and was wanting to know if you wanted to, I don't know, go on a date with a hot guy like me." Gabriella looked at him, and then as his Ice coffee on the desk, "are you drinking that?"

He shook his head, giving it to her, "Not anymore gorgeous." she smiled, then dumped the whole Ice coffee all over him. the whole class gasped, and she looked at him, "And the answer is no if you haven't figured out my answer already, and by the way, get you're head out of you're ass, it's not a hat."

Shawn looked at her, closing his eyes and opening them again when the ice coffee dripped into his eyes. Gabriella rolled her eyes, walking to her seat which was two seats behind Troy; she just took the long way so she could avoid talking to him.

Hanna sighed, writing a quick note and tossing it on Troy's desk. He opened it slowly, 'Meet me at lunch in the gym; we need to discuss your's and Gabriella's miserable lives right now, if you don't show I will sneak into the boys locker room and steal every bit of your clothes'

Troy sighs, rolling his eyes and tossing the note in his backpack as he pulls out his notes and begins to listen to the teacher as he starts the class lecture.

At lunch, Troy walked into the gym wiith his hands stuffed in his pockets. Hanna stood up, letting her bag hang off her shoulder. "Hey. you made it." he sighed, "What is this about-" "You and Gabriella."

Troy sighed, "Me and Gabriella are not together anymore Hanna." he turned to walk away but she grabbed his arm, "Please.. don't forget, that I'm not just Gabriella's friend, I'm yours too.. come on, please, she loves you very much.. just.. just talk to her, tonight at her house. Her mom is home, Jason won't say anything.."

Troy rolled his eyes, "I'm not going over there." Hanna sighed, "you are a stubborn ass." She grabbed hold of his arm and dug her nails into his skin, "Just. Talk. To. Her." He didn't mean to, his mom always said that he had to watch his temper.

"Do you think that I won't?!" He pushed her so hard that she stumbled, "She doesn't want to see me! She doesn't want to talk to me! So...just bug out! My life and her life are not yours! Here!"

He dug in his jeans pocket, pulling out the necklace Gabriella had given back to him. "I don't want it. She doesn't want it. It's all yours!" with that he stormed out of the gym.

Veronica hugged her daughter, "Sweetie, it will only be for a couple of months-" "But mom! please, you just got back home." Veronica sighed, "Sweetie I know, but it's my job, I promise, as soon as I get home, we will have more mother daughter time.." she kissed her forehead, "I love you." Gabriella sighed, "I love you too."

Veronica picked up her rolling suitcase, "I'll see you in a couple months, take care of yourself, there's lasagna in the microwave." Gabriella sighed shutting the door after her mother left.

Jason came into the kitchen, "Well, since mommy is gone, why won't daddy and Gabi have fun." he smirked. Gabriella looked at him, "No! leave me alone Jason!" she tried to walk pass him but he grabbed her arm. "You won't disrespect me Gabriella!" Gabriella shook her head, "No!"

He slapped her, Gabriella held her sting cheek, and looked at him, "Bastard." she muttered. he glared at her, grabbing her by the wrist and twisting it around. she whimpered.

He began kicking her in the stomach, sides, and back. he lifted her up by her throat, throwing her against the wall. then walking towards her and throwing her through the glass door.

Gabriella landed on her hands, blood trickled down her forehead, more cuts and bruises all over her body. she got up quickly, running and limping towards the street, but as soon as she was in the middle of the street, a car swerved, hitting her.

Troy had just got done doing the dishes, he sighed wiping his hands about to go upstairs until his cell phone rang. he looked at the phone, and answered it, "Hello." "Troy! you have to get to the hospital! please! I don't know what to do! she's hurt really badly and-"

Hanna was hysteric, and was talking to fast, "Hanna, slow down, what's wrong?" Hanna cried, "Gabriella. she was hit by car, and was beaten up pretty bad, and..and they said they don't know if she's going to make it, she's hurt really bad.."

Troy dropped the phone, not bothering to hang it up as he grabbed his black hoodie, running out the door. His dad was asleep.

His footsteps echoed loudly on the pavement as he ran to the hospital, he didn't bother to take his truck, the one and only thing on his mind was Gabriella.

As soon as he got to the hospital, and through the doors, Hanna ran to him, "Troy-" "Where is she?" he walked passed her going to the front, "She's in back." Troy looked at her, "What happened?" Hanna bit her lip, "She was beaten up, and..and she was running and a car hit her, the guy is over there talking to a cop."

Troy turned to find the guy, about in his mid 20's talking to a cop, looking really scared and full of panic. Troy walked over to the guy, "What happened to her." he said.

The guy looked at him nervously, "It was an accident I swear, I was driving home, and out of nowhere she runs in the middle of the street, and I couldn't stop in time, but when I got to her, she was already beaten black and blue."

"You swear?" Troy said, grabbing the guy by the front of the shirt. The guy nodded vigourously, "Yea-yeah man, I swear it, it was an accident." Troy's eyes narrowed, his lips twitching. "Jason.." he muttered, letting go of the man's shirt.

"Sorry dude...just...sorry.." he turned, going to Hanna. "What is it?" She asked, Troy looked at her, "i'm going to kill him. I don't care what he does to me...but he is going to pay for this..."

Hanna sighed, "Troy, I think you should see Gabriella first." Troy bit his lip, "I..I don't think I can handle seeing her like this..where is her mom?" Hanna sighed, "Her mom went out of town for a couple months." Troy's eyes went wide, "She left for a couple months?!"

Hanna nodded, and the nurse came over to them, "Hey guys." Hanna looked at her, "How is she?" the nurse smiled, "Gabriella is going to be just fine.. she has a few cuts and bruises, she has a broken rib, and a spranged wrist, but she will be okay."

Hanna sighed of relief, "That's great. can we see her." "Yes. one at a time." Hanna looked at Troy, "You should go first.." Troy nodded following the nurse to her room. He walked into the room and saw Gabriella with a bandage on her right arm, and some white band aids to her forehead.

Gabriella looked up at him, "Troy?" he sighed, coming closer, "Hey.." she spoke weakly, "Hi..what are you doing here?" he sighed, "Brie, that is the most stupidest thing you've ever asked me, I'm here fro you." Gabriella sighed, the nurse coming in to give her water, "Here you go Gabriella.. make sure to get plenty of fluids."

Gabriella nodded, "thank you." the nurse left and Gabriella looked at Troy, "Troy-" "I'm going to kill Jason." her eyes went wide, "Troy! no please! please! I'm okay! I'm alive aren't I?"

"Barely!" Troy said, "Brie...you practically died, and most of it was from him!" Gabriella sighed, but she winced when her ribs expanded to the point of pain. "You okay?" Gabriella shook her head slightly, "He...I hate him Troy, I can't stand living under the same roof as him anymore-ow..."

"Sh," he said, "It'll be fine. You can stay with me." "No!" Gabriella yelled, only to wince, "He'll hurt you-" "He can try!" Troy yelled, "but he hurt you. And therefore, he's already hurt me. I'm going to put a world of hurt on him that's far worse."

Gabriella sighed, leaning back, "Troy please-" "Gabriella don't even say it, don't! you've already killed me by not being with me.." Gabriella looked at him, "what?" "I want you back, I love you." he said.

Gabriella looked down at her hands, "Troy-" he came over, leaning forward, and tilting her chin, "Do you love me?" Gabriella looked at him, and nodded, "So much." Troy nodded, "I want you to be with me forever." Gabriella sniffled, "Troy I don't want to lose my mommy..."

Troy stroked her cheek, "You won't. I promise." Gabriella looked at him, running her fingers through the side of his hair, "I've missed you." he smiled, "I've missed you too."

Gabriella sniffled, "I..I don't ever want to lose you, I am so sorry, I don't care anymore, I don't care if Jason ends up killing me, I want to be with you."

Troy shook his head, "Don't even think like that, Cause I won't let him hurt you again, I was stupid for letting him do that..I won't let him put his hands on you ever again.." Gabriella looked at him cupping his cheek, "Troy, stop talking and kiss me." she smiled.

Troy smiled, leaning his lips on hers. Gently. Warmly. All too soon, he pulled away, "I love you...but I got to do something. I'm sorry." Gabriella sighed, "Don't go-" "I have to. Jason's going to meet his maker tonight. And its me."

Gabriella looked at him, but before she could say anything against it. He walked out of the room, he stopped by Hanna. "Take care of her."

Troy walked up on the porch to Gabriella's house. he knocked on the door until Jason came and opened it, "Well, look who it is, I'm just going to say it's not really that great to see you-" Troy grabbed him by the throat, pushing him inside against the staircase, "You asshole! you could of killed her!" he yelled.

Jason punched him in the stomach, Troy held onto his stomach, "You don't know who in the hell you are messing with Bolton!" He punched him more in the stomach.

Troy caught his fist, and twisted it, "She is in the hospital thanks to you!" Jason glared at him, "She deserves whatever I gave to her!"

Jason tried to take his fist away, but Troy held on tight, so he went with other fist and Troy caught that one too, twisting it hard. Jason winced, swearing worse than a sailor on a ship. "You don't deserve anything!"

Troy yelled, "Veronica is a good woman! I don't know how you hide WHAT you are from her! But it will be exposed! You will be! And I will not hesitate to kill you even then!" Jason pulled his hands back, as painful as it was, he got them and then wrapped his arms around Troy's neck; squeezing hard and not letting go no matter how he fought.

Troy pawed and clawed at his arms. Jason growled his ear. "I grew up knowing what respect is..and I don't like your tone and your attitude toward me right now, Bolton...so, I guess this is your punishment. I'm going to keep squeezing until you can no longer feel breath. And you can't stop me, cause you ain't strong enough-"

Troy pushed him off of him, and grabbed a vase off the table and slammed it on his head making Jason pass out. Troy breath heavily, wiping his mouth that had blood coming out. He then walked out of the house like nothing had happen.

Troy walked into the hospital, and walked into Gabriella's room. when he first walked in, he heard Gabriella gasped, "Troy! what happened?!" He came over to her, grabbing her hand, and sitting down next to her, "I took care of everything-" "You didn't kill him did you?"

Troy shook his head, "No. I didn't." Gabriella sighed, laying back, and looking at him, "You're crazy, you know that right? what made you want to go and fight him Troy? he could of killed you."

Troy shook his head, closing his eyes and then opening them again. "Brie..you...you're blurry.." "Troy," Gabriella said, "What's wrong?" "I...I feel...I need to sit down."

He went to the nearest chair, but he didn't make it that far; instead he fainted, hitting his head on the soft cushioned corner of the chair. "Troy!" Gabriella yelled, "Troy!"

The nurse rushed in because of Gabriella yelling. "Sweetie what's wrong?" "Troy! he fainted!" the nurse went over and helped him up, and other nurses rushed in to help him up and bring him into another room. "what's going on?" Gabriella asked.

The nurse sighed, "He'll be fine. don't worry. we will let you know something as soon as we can." "Take care of him, please!" she nodded, "We will."