Chapter 3

I woke up in the same spot when I got beaten. I felt so much pain, more pain then I have ever felt. Normally my dad just slaps me, or kicks me once or twice, but last night was the worst it has ever been. I have never been unconscious before, just a few bruises here and there. My whole body hurt, but nothing hurt as much as my stomach. I pulled my shirt up and gasped at what I saw. My stomach is cover in dark blue, purple and black bruises. I glanced at the time and realized I was already late for school, so I forced myself off the floor, ignoring the pain and did my best to get dressed. I didn't spend a lot of time on my outfit, I settled on an old pair of jeans, and pink top. I quickly put make-up on to cover my bruises and headed to school. When I got there, there were very few people in the hallways. I was surprised when I saw Taylor at her locker.

"Hey Tay," I greeted her.

"Gabs!! I thought you were sick or something, where were you?" She asked.

"I umm….I sleep in by accident," I told her, not completely being honest, but close enough.

"Oh, well were already late for class, so let's go before we get in even more trouble."

"Yeah, I'm sure we already have detention." Taylor laughed and we headed to homeroom with Mrs. Darbus. When we walked into class, I felt all eyes on us.

"Where have you been?" Mrs. Darbus yelled at us.

"I over slept," I told her, hoping she wouldn't give me detention.

"How sad, but irrelevant!! Detention," she yelled at me as I sat down, "And you're excuse?" she asked referring to Taylor.

"I actually have a note," she told as she gave her the note then found her set. I opened my mouth in shock and she just smiled. During are normal talk about musicals, you might think it's fun, but try spending twenty minutes every day talking about it by an old women, not fun. Anyway, I almost fell asleep listing to her, so after class I went to the bathroom and to splash water in my face in attempt to wake me up. I walked out only to be pulled into an empty hall way by none other than Troy Bolton.

"What do you want?" I asked harshly.

"To just talk to you," he said. He started eyeing me and I couldn't figure out what he was thinking. It was a new look for him.

"What? Do I have something on my face?"

"No, how did you get that bruise?" Shoot, I can't believe I didn't put more make-up on.

"Umm…I ran into someone's locker this morning," I lied.

"But you didn't have that bruise in homeroom," he pointed out. Shoot!!

"Umm…must not have shown up till now," I said and started to walk away.

"Wait!!" he yelled and grabbed my arm, right where I had a hugged bruise. I winced in pain. Troy noticed and pulled up my sleeve. He gasped when he saw that bruise.

"Gabby what happened?"

"Nothing!!" I yelled and ran away. Troy ran after me but I just ignored his calls, until he caught up.

"Just leave me alone!!"

"No Gabby, not until we talk!! Why are you so bruised!!" He yelled, making me jump. I started to tear up a bit. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to yell, I just want to help?"

"Why do you care?!?!"

"I don't know, I just….I really want to help, and maybe we can be friends."

"No, you'll just make fun f me!!" I said as I started to cry harder.

"Look, Gabby I'm so-''

"Don't call me Gabby!!!" I screamed through tears.

"Sorry, Gabriella, just tell me what happened, I really do care, and I just want to help you!!"

"How can you expect me to believe that? All you do is yell at me, and hurt my feelings, and all of a sudden you care about me?" I snap at him.

"I know I have been a jerk to you, and I don't deserve forgiveness, but I really do want to help you, can you just believe that I care?"

"You really do care, don't you?"

"Yes!! Now can you please tell me what happened?" He desperately asked me.

"I'm sorry, but he will kill me!!" I yelled. As soon as those words left my mouth, I put my hand over it and mentally kicked myself.

"He? Tell me what son of a bitch did this and I'll kick his sorry ass!!!"

"No!! It isn't someone from here." I kick myself again in my head, and had more tears falling from my face.

"Who is it then?" He asked so sweetly, I wanted to tell him so badly, but I can't, I just can't.

"I…I can't…" I burst into tears and he did the most shocking thing to me, he hugged me, and just let me cry into his shirt.

"Shhh…its okay Brie, I mean Gabriella, everything we'll be okay." He said comforting me.

"Thank you."

"For what?" he asked, completely confused.

"Just holding me….I guess you have changed." I smiled.

"I told you," he said with a smile, "now I know you don't want me to know what's going on, but if you ever need help or anything, even just to talk, then call and I'll be there. He handed me his number and started to walk away. I thought for a minute before I called after him.

"Troy wait up!"

"Yeah?"

"Here's my number," I handed him my number with a smile, and he smiled back. We both walked off are separate ways. At the end of the day I walked home, taking my time. Today is Friday, so I knew my dad wouldn't be home until about 3 a.m. The party was tonight, and I did not feel like going. But Troy was going to be there, so I guess that's a plus.

Here you guys go. I hope you liked it. I only got one review last time, and that was really disappointing. 10 reviews until I update, or at least close!! SO please, please, please update!!