A/N: Hey there! Sorry for the delay! I've had a lot of things going on and I've been working on this chapter whenever I've had some free time, which has been a weird occurrence that week, but I hope the wait will be worthy :D

I'd like to know your opinions, though…

Anyway, thank you SO MUCH for your support, your reviews and for adding the story or myself to your alerts; those emails are and make me feel incredible! THANKS! :hug:

Here is chapter 6; enjoy! :)

"No please, don't hurt me…"

Gabriella's whimper woke up Troy, who turned around and embraced her trembling and sobbing body tightly with his arms, kissing her forehead softly and whispering comforting words into her ear. "Shh baby, it's okay…"

Her tossing stopped after a minute, and he felt Gabriella pulling herself closer to him in her sleep; he held her tightly until her shaking stopped, sighing in frustration when finally Gabriella's sleep became peaceful again.

Even though they'd been joking and laughing all the evening, when Gabriella had fallen slept things had gotten worse; she'd been having continuous nightmares, tossing around, crying in her sleep, whimpering in fear and murmuring pleas, which tortured Troy with no end. He couldn't help but feel an uncontrollable rage each time another nightmare attacked Gabriella; the fact that he knew his friends were the ones to blame for Gabriella's fear and discomfort only made things worse.

His blood had boiled when Gabriella had asked him, just before they went to bed, if he could put some ointment in the huge bruise she had in her back and he'd seen it fully; the purple stain in her olive skin was only a proof that things were getting out of hand, that things only could get worse instead of better – because once the physical bully started, it was easier to continue it, and with him not being able to be with Gabriella always, the chances of Gabriella getting hurt again by his friends were too high for his liking.

Troy rubbed Gabriella's back softly, turning his head to look at her; he couldn't understand how someone so beautiful, inwardly and outwardly, could be so attacked without reason. Her gorgeousness, her sweet and shy nature were enough for everyone to be drawn to her in his opinion; if his friends were so stupid to not see her perfect qualities, if his friends couldn't see pass the "social barriers" they had imposed themselves, it was not her problem, and that was the reason because of Troy couldn't help but feel useless when it came to protect her.

He knew what he should do – face them and admit his feelings for her publicly – but he knew that was impossible if he wanted to protect Gabriella; though the truth was that the secret wasn't protecting her, either. He didn't know what to do; it was a lost-lost situation, and he was aware of that, but still that wasn't enough for him to make a firm decision. Plus, it wasn't only his "friends" who worried him but also the girls – one thing, though it was awful, was to be insulted by guys, but he knew that if their relationship became public, the girls should be the ones also attacking Gabriella, and that would mean for Gabriella to not be able to have the peace he wanted for her to have.

The moonlight was washing Gabriella's face and he couldn't help but feel lucky, the luckiest guy in the world; the desire, the feelings, the emotions and everything she made him feel were incredible and something he'd never thought possible for someone to feel. No problems existed when she kissed him, when he won over one of her barriers, when he put a sparkle in her eyes, when she pressed herself closer to him…there was nothing more but them when Gabriella was with him, and he knew he wouldn't be able to feel that way with anyone but her.

That made him wonder which were his real feelings for her – he knew he'd fallen for her, strongly and badly, but he didn't know if he loved her in the whole meaning of the word. Gabriella had become the most important person for him, and he knew his heartbeat was faster every time he thought about her, but still there was something off…something he couldn't put his finger on; maybe it was fear, because to admit that he loved her would mean to be with all his fears and weaknesses in the open, making him vulnerable in front of her and the rest of the world, but on the other hand…was he really so affected by the others' opinion? Were the others' opinions so important for him? Even more important than what Gabriella and his parents could think about him?

He didn't think so.

But then again, he wasn't ready to face and admit his real feelings.

Though that didn't mean that he didn't care about Gabriella – because her wellbeing and her happiness were the most important things for him.

Everything was a mess, a huge and horrible mess…and he wasn't able to see the solution, the light at the end of the tunnel he was in.

At least at the moment.

Gabriella woke up when the dryness of her throat became unbearable. Opening her eyes slowly, she felt disoriented when she realized Troy was sleeping with her; even though they'd shared a bed while taking naps, he'd never spent the night at her house…the same way she'd never spent the night at his, so at first she couldn't understand what was happening. However, she only needed a minute to remember everything that happened the day before…and then she understood why he was there with her.

The realization was like a cold shower and immediately images of the bully came to her head; the fury she'd seen in Chad's eyes when he'd pushed her to the cold and hard material of the lockers had been immense, and the strength he'd used to hurt her had been more than the one she received while living in New York – thing she never thought could be possible.

But it had been.

And Gabriella still didn't understand why.

She wasn't conscious about she doing something to provoke the others' rage; she only went to school, studied, passed her exams and talked with her friends – nothing more and nothing less, but still it seemed she'd done something really huge for people treat her like that. She couldn't understand why someone had to pick on her when she avoided contact with them; she never spoke to them if not because they asked her something, she never had laughed of them or insult them, but still they seemed to find funny to destroy her, to humiliate her, to bring her down.

Cuddling closer to Troy's bare chest, Gabriella couldn't help but turn her head a little and kiss his warm skin when she realized how lucky she was to have him; the feeling of safety always came when Troy was near her was something completely new but also incredible – he would always make sure that only insults were said and that no one touched her, and also he was the one stopping those same insults with a cold order no one dared to disobey. Even though she would have liked to have him with her all the time they were at school, Gabriella was aware that things only would be worse if they made public their relationship; so far, they'd been successful hiding it for more than six months, but things were beginning to be too much.

He would pull away the girls that threw themselves at him, he would send a death glare to the boys when they mocked her…but still the unease feeling was there. She trusted Troy, and she knew he was with her because he wanted to be with her, but she still was having a hard time processing Troy had chosen her; of all the girls that were in their school, Troy had picked the most normal girl, the one who didn't dress as if she was going to a disco, the one who barely used make up, the one that usually wore her hair in her natural curls because didn't know how to do something sophisticated with them, the one that usually wore jeans and flats, the one that probably was the less popular…the one that probable was the most invisible, if not because someone wanted to insult or mock her.

And that didn't make sense.

However, Gabriella saw the sparkle in his eyes when they were alone and together, when they could be themselves freely; that sparkle, as Lucille had explained to her, hadn't been ever but when they began their relationship, and that made her feel proud of what they'd reached in the months they'd been together. She knew that Troy was happy with her, and only for that she wanted to be strong…so he was proud of her; it was difficult, but she only wanted to return to him the huge help he'd provided. She'd learned to trust in someone because Troy had been that someone, and only for that, her gratitude was infinite.

Neither of them had talked about love, but Gabriella knew what she was feeling for Troy; the powerful attraction she felt when they met only had increased day by day, and now she was sure that Troy was the one who owned her heart completely. She was sure she loved him, but knowing his issues with "love" Gabriella didn't want to force the machine more than what was necessary; both she and Troy were at the edge of breaking down – and the last events hadn't help, either – so to force a talk about what they felt was probably the less smartest move she could do…and so she had to keep it to herself.

Lifting her head from his chest, Gabriella looked at her alarm-clock, knowing it was about to sound, and sighed when she saw they still could be together for thirty minutes before he had to go to his home and change his clothes. Slowly, she disentangled from him and stood up carefully, trying to not wake him up, stretching her body when she did so, and went to the bathroom to drink some water; when she saw her reflection in the mirror she couldn't help but gasp – her cheeks were stained with dry tears, her eyes were bloated and all her face was a mess…and then all the nightmares she'd had during the night came to her again.

Sliding down the door, Gabriella curled in a ball sitting on the ground and hugging her knees to her chest; she wanted to cry, but she also wanted to remain strong. She wasn't conscious about all the crying she seemed to have done during the night, but the proof was there, in her face, and so she knew that even though her will was one, her body had another one.

She couldn't let this afraid part of her win; she had to work harder in order for the fears to disappear, and she knew she could lean on Troy when her strength wasn't with her anymore because he would help her and he would be her rock, the same way he'd been all this time they'd been together.

For that, and also because she trusted him with everything she was, Gabriella stood up with a look of determination in her face; the bully would continue, she was sure of that, but as long as she had Troy, as long as she had her friends with her, as long as she had her family with her, Gabriella knew she wasn't alone and that life could throw at her all the fucking shit it wanted because she was worthy, because her life mattered to some people, because her persona was appreciated by some people…and she couldn't let them down.

Turning on the cold water, Gabriella washed her face, feeling relief when the coldness touched her warm skin; she felt her body tired and restless, and she knew she probably looked like a mess, but she pushed those thoughts aside – if she wanted to keep herself strong, she had to ban those ugly thoughts and think only in positive and about the things she had – friends and family who loved her and a boyfriend that meant everything in this world to her.

Turning to the bed, Gabriella arranged the pillows and laid there, again trying to not wake Troy up; she didn't know why, but she knew his night had been as restless as his. Call them connection, instinct or whatever you want, but she only knew he'd waken up each time a nightmare had invaded her peaceful sleep, and so she wanted for him to really rest as much as he could those last minutes.

However, just when her body settled on the mattress Troy rolled over, leaning his head in her chest. "Where were you?" He muttered sleepy.

Gabriella tangled her fingers in his hair, trying to sooth him back to sleep. "I needed to go to the bathroom…go back to sleep, you still have some minutes…"

Wrapping an arm tightly around her, Troy shook his head. "If you're awake, I'm awake too…"

"Shhh," Gabriella cooed again. "Try to sleep…"

Troy closed his eyes too tired to argue with her, feeling how his body became relaxed again after the initial shock of not having Gabriella's warmness curled into him; her heartbeat was his lullaby, and the soothing rhythm of her fingers tangling in his hair was the last thing he needed to go back to sleep. However, his instincts kicked in when he remembered why he was in her house; lifting his head, startling Gabriella in the process, Troy looked at her face intently.

Lifting a hand, Troy rubbed her cheeks and tried to read her real feelings in her eyes; pain and sorrow were there, along with another thing, a thing he'd never seen there. A new light was present in Gabriella's eyes, and he tilted his head, trying to decipher what it meant. "You okay?" He whispered.

Gabriella stilled his hand, intertwining her fingers with his. "Yeah…"

"Come here," Troy said after a minute only looking at her, leaning onto his back and reaching out his arm for Gabriella to cuddle with him again. Gabriella obliged and smiled when she felt his lips touching her hair. "Are you really okay, baby?"

"Yeah," Gabriella shrugged. "I mean…it still hurts, but it's different now…"

"Why?" Troy asked using his fingers to lift her chin so he could see her features, knowing that would be what would tell him if she lied or not.

She sighed and closed her eyes, trying to think in the best words to explain to him what she was feeling. "I don't know," she said lowly and uncertainly. "I can't let them win…I mean…if I survived New York that means I'm stronger than I think and…well, now I have you," she closed her eyes again when Troy kissed her temple again at her words, "so…I have to remain strong. I want to make you proud of me…"

Wrapping his other arm around her and pulling her on him, Troy grabbed her face until their eyes couldn't help but lock together. "I'm proud of you."

The firmness in his voice was unmistakable and Gabriella smiled. "But I don't want you worrying about me every time we're not together; I have to be strong, not only for you but also, and mainly, for me, and I can't let the people that trust me down, Troy…"

"Who talks about letting them down?" Troy asked narrowing his eyes, still rubbing her cheeks softly with his fingertips.

"I mean," Gabriella swallowed aloud – her nerves were about to make her speak the words she knew neither of them were ready to hear. "I can't always be the victim, and I need to be able to defend myself, to keep my confidence in myself untouched, you know? That's what my dad taught me…though I was too blind to see it when we were in New York, and my mom also needs some happiness, Troy, not a daughter who always have problems…and you…"

"What about me?" Troy asked in a petite voice amazed by what she was saying and her selflessness.

Gabriella was about to lose the battle against herself; she needed to say aloud her feelings for him, she needed for him to know how important he was, she needed for him to know the real significance of their relationship for her…she needed, simply, to share with him the fireworks her heart felt each time she thought about him.

The only one thing that stopped her was the fear she had for his reaction; the fact that Troy had avoided, always, to talk about their feelings spoke louder than anything, and she knew that maybe she would be pushing him confessing her love for him, but she couldn't help it – what he had taught her, what he made her feel, what he reached destroying all her barriers in so less time were more important than her own fears, and so she knew that it was now or never.

"I love you," Gabriella whispered looking directly into his eyes, "so much, and I want you to know that if not because of you, I'm not sure where I would be now…or which would be my state…you've given me what I needed to break my shell Troy, and…"

Her throat constricted then, not letting her continue. Of course, his statuesque state didn't help, either. He was frozen in his spot, with a blank look in his eyes and with an unreadable expression in his face, that didn't let her to know what he was thinking.

Troy, on the other hand, was speechless; he'd feared the moment when he would have to admit his real feelings for her…but he hadn't expected, not even once, for this moment to be so soon. His eyes remained locked with hers and he only could see trust, sincerity, care…but also love; he knew, only looking into her eyes, that her feelings for him were so deep, the same way his for her were, and then all his fears vanished – if Gabriella had admit her love for him, that meant she'd let him in completely, and only for that, the pride for her increased infinitely…making him spoke without further thinking.

"I love you too," he whispered with a tentatively voice, once he lifted her face placing two fingers under her chin when he realized she'd lowered her eyes in something that seemed to be shame, shyness…or fear of his reaction.

She gasped and soon her eyes filled with unleashed tears. "What?"

"I love you too," he repeated louder this time. "I love you, I love you, I love you…" He repeated with a wide smile that only was reflect of hers pulling her body down and hugging her tightly, chuckling when Gabriella's giggles floated through the room.

"Troy!" She shrieked when his hold was too tight. "Can't breathe…"

Laughing freely, Troy loosened his hold. "Sorry…" He muttered shyly but still with a soft smile. "I love you," he whispered calmly now, with his eyes boring holes into hers.

"I love you too," Gabriella whispered as well, leaning down softly connecting her lips with his in a perfect, soft, tender and sweet kiss, sealing with it their feelings.

Neither of them wanted to break the bubble they were in where their feelings were doing the talking and so they pulled away before the kiss turned out into something more "physical", but still they kept their faces millimetres apart, their noses rubbing together and their lips joining randomly in the most tender caresses, with each centimetre of their bodies touching the others.

That was what both wanted; this was the perfect situation they could think of, where both were free, where neither of them had to put barriers to what they wanted to say, do or feel and where no one but them existed – their hearts were about to explode overcame with the spiral of warm, happy and perfect feelings and emotions both were feeling, and both were sure that, if they were about to die, death couldn't find them in a best place: embraced tightly with each other.

After some more kisses, sweet words and romantic caresses, their bubble broke when the alarm of their phones went on. He groaned, hugging her tightly for some seconds. "Don't want to go to school…" He whined.

She smiled softly kissing his neck. "Neither do I, baby, but we have to go there…we'll be fine…"

Troy pulled away and smiled tenderly at her. "Shouldn't be I the one consoling and cheering you up?" He teased jokingly.

"Well," Gabriella grinned, "probably that's true, but we both know that the drama queen here is you, not me…"

Her teasing tone wasn't missed by Troy, who glared at her. "Drama queen? Me? Please!" He scoffed.

"Oh right," Gabriella nodded, "you're not a drama queen but a baby…how can I got that wrong?"

He gasped. "Take it back…" He threatened with a serious face…but with a special twinkle in his eyes put there by the happiness he felt, which Gabriella picked up at one.

"No," she giggled.

"I'm not going to repeat it," he continued darkly moving his hands until they were at her waist. "Take it back…"

Gabriella widened her eyes when she realized what he was about to do. Wriggling to free herself from his grasp, and groaning when he only tightened his hands around her waist, Gabriella pouted. "Don't you dare, Troy," He only chuckled darkly. "I'm serious…"

"Oh I know you are," he said tickling her sides laughing hard when her laughs and gasped pleas for him to stop echoed in the room. "Take it back," he said once he rolled them over and he was over him, straddling her legs.

"No!" Gabriella said between fits of laugher, trying to push him away from her with no luck.

"Ok then," Troy said nonchalantly amused at her efforts so she could be free again, tickling her sides quicker.

The new speed made Gabriella wriggle violently and soon both rolled over again…until they fell off the bed, with Troy landing on Gabriella's body, who received the new weight gasping in pain. Troy realized and rolled off her, wrapping his strong arms around her and sitting her on his lap, all remains of laughter vanished from his face. "Baby, are you okay?"

Gabriella rubbed her head. "Ouch…"

"Baby," he whispered worriedly.

"I'm fine," Gabriella giggled. "But you need to lose some weight, Mister…" She teased. "You're awfully heavy…" She added poking his chest.

Troy rolled his eyes at her remark. "Are you sure you're okay?"

The teasing smile whipped off her face and was replaced with a soft smile at his concern. "I'm okay baby, really…"

When the pet name escaped from her mouth Troy couldn't help but pull her head down so he was able to connect his lips with hers briefly and softly…but with an intimate edge neither of them missed. When they pulled apart, both pairs of eyes connected uncontrollably and the couple shared a smile that spoke more than what either of them could say.

"Come on," Gabriella said standing up. "We have a school to face!"

Troy joined his chuckle to her giggle. "Promise me one thing, though," he said slowly wrapping his arms around her waist, hugging her body closer to his. When he felt her nod, he sighed. "Promise me that if they bother you somehow you'll go and find my dad or me, okay? I'll try and be with them all the time so I can stop them but you know how school works…"

"No worries," Gabriella promised.

"I'm serious Gabi," Troy said firmly. "My dad already knows about what happened yesterday and he told me he would be watching them too, so go and find him if you can't find me or I can't escape from them…"

Touched by his deep concern for her wellbeing, Gabriella smiled. "I promise," she pecked his lips. "And now come on or we'll be late; you still have to go to your house and get ready…"

She disentangled from him and let him get dressed, while she waited patiently leaning into the doorframe of her bedroom's door; when he was dressed and went to stand beside her, she reached her hand and he took it eagerly, intertwining their fingers together. "Let's go…"

Arriving at the garage, the couple joined their lips once last time before their pretending began; the kiss was urgent – too much had happened and their feelings and emotions were still too fresh for them to be able to separate without "drama" – and passionate, where their tongues danced sensually together and their bodies pressed together, as closer as they could, knowing that this touch would have to last at least for the day.

"Love you, baby," Troy whispered against her lips just before he entered in the car.

Gabriella gave him a smile while he waited for him to turn on the engine so she could press the button and open the door for him to be able to drive to his house. "I love you too…"

"I'm home!"

Lucille and Jack went to the hall of their house with worry written all over their faces. "How is she?"

"Better," Troy sighed. "I mean yesterday was awful but…she's better now; she's so brave…gosh, I can't even explain it…"

Lucille and Jack interchanged a look and Jack spoke carefully. "What do you mean?"

"She's told me that she doesn't want for them to win, dad," Troy answered lowly but also passionately. "That she wants for her to be okay and trust in herself, you know? That she doesn't want for then to bring her down and that she wants to be able to defend herself…"

"Wow," Jack whispered.

Troy looked at him. "I know…"

Lucille cleared her throat. "Troy," she began tentatively, "I don't want Gabriella being alone in her house all this week while Marie is away. Why don't you tell her to come here for this time her mom is away? I'd feel better with her here rather than having her alone…"

"Mom," Troy sighed. "You know one thing is for her to come here to spend an afternoon or some hours, but another one, and a very different one, is for Gabriella to be sleeping here all this week. The guys come whenever they want, and I don't want them finding Gabriella here…it'd be worse for her…"

"But Troy," Jack interceded. "Your mom is right; Gabriella shouldn't be alone all this week. She's having a hard time while she's at school, and with her mom away…the loneliness will be more intense…"

"And what about if I sleep there?" Troy asked in a petite voice not daring to look into his parents' eyes.

"Has Gabriella asked that to you?" Lucille continued.

Troy shook his head before she had ended her sentence. "She doesn't know that; I've been thinking about it while I was coming here…"

"I don't see why not," Jack shrugged his shoulders. "But first we need to talk with Marie and know what she thinks…"

"Let me talk with Gabi first," Troy interceded. "I'm not sure about how much of this Gabriella wants for her mom to know, and I don't want to betray her trust. If Gabriella is okay with that, then you can talk with Marie but if not, then…well, I'll think about something…"

Lucille sighed – she was okay with Troy sleeping at Gabriella's because she knew that their relationship was way deeper than something purely physical and that she hadn't to be worried about "funny business" between them – and even if they were physical active, she knew both would be responsible with it - but she didn't want to impose her opinion over Marie's, who was the mother of the girl and the owner of the house. She only hoped that, in case Marie refused Troy's solution, Troy would accept having Gabriella with them.

Because she knew he didn't want for Gabriella to be alone; she just knew that the petite brunette was one of the most important people for Troy, and that he cared for her a lot – she even thought that he loved her though she'd never heard him talk about that before – so she knew he was worried. She didn't think any less about him because of his refuse to the fact of Gabriella sleeping in their house because she knew that the reasons he'd exposed were the truth – his friends were there almost everyday and the risk of an unwanted meeting was high, too high for her liking.

"Okay," the woman nodded finally, "but after school you and Gabriella are coming here so we all can talk about it and can call Marie to explain to her what's happening at school if Gabriella accepts to explain it to her mom. If not, well, then we'll call Marie anyway and ask her if you can go to her house so Gabriella is not alone so many days, is that clear?"

"Yes," Troy nodded and looked at his watch, widening his eyes when he saw what time it was. "Shit, I'll be late!"

With that, he passed in a blur in front of his parents and disappeared through the corridor to his room where, Jack and Lucille guessed, he would take a shower and get dressed for school.

"Do you think she'll be okay at school, dear?" Lucille asked in a petite voice wrapping her arms around her husband's torso.

Jack sighed. "I hope so; I'll be watching out those idiots and also Gabriella…but I'm afraid I can't be with her all the time, and neither can Troy. There are a lot of moments where she'll be alone, well, with Taylor and her friends, and Chad and the guys…"

"Poor girl," Lucille whispered painfully – because she already loved Gabriella as if she was her daughter; only because of the huge and important change for the better Gabriella had provoked in Troy, the girl had all her respect, admiration and love. Since the day Troy became a team with Gabriella, Troy was happier, more content, more real, more himself…he was…more human, and both Jack and Lucille knew that the artifice of that was only Gabriella. Jack nodded his head…but suddenly pushed Lucille away from him, who looked at her startled. "What are you doing?"

"I've just had an idea," Jack smiled. "Gabi needs a break, at least today, and so I'm going to give her that break…"

Lucille looked at her husband as if he was an alien. "What are you going to do?"

"Make the guys busy," Jack winked at her and rolled his eyes when he realized Lucille had no idea about what he was saying. "Today each free period they have will be occupied with basketball…I can tell them that the team needs more training or something like that and that this is the reason because of I'm scheduling more trainings these days…I'm sure Troy will agree with me…"

"With what?" Troy asked from the bottom of the staircase already dressed and ready for school, looking at his parents confusedly.

"Each free period the team have will be dedicated to a practice," Jack smiled. "The guys won't be able to do anything to Gabriella simply because they will have to be in the gym with you and me…" The wide and mischievous smile that appeared on Troy's face was enough for his parents to chuckle. "I get you like my plan?"

"Absolutely," Troy nodded. "I hope Gabriella will be able to handle them when they are in her class and I'm not, but I'm sure she was more afraid about what will happen while we're on free period. I should warn her some way…"

Instinctively, Lucille turned her head to the right and widened her eyes when she saw how late it was. "I'll call her now, you two should go or you'll be late!" She said in a rush pushing both men towards the door.

"Shit, I wanted to be there before Gabriella arrived…" Troy muttered grabbing the lunch her mother was handing him. "Call her now and tell her to wait for me before she goes in…"

And with that he was in his car, turning on the engine and pressing the accelerator imprudently when the car was in the street again, leaving his parents without a greeting.

"I'll keep an eye on things," Jack rubbed Lucille's back softly, "and I'll call you later with the update, ok? Now call Gabi before she can arrive to her friends…"

"Will do," Lucille nodded and stood up on her tiptoes, pressing her lips softly to his. "Love you…"

"I love you too!"

Gabriella awaited patiently in her car following Lucille's orders; she couldn't help but smile at how concerned all the Bolton's were for her – she knew Jack was always with an eye on her, checking if she was okay or not and providing some furtive moments with Troy when things were too much; Lucille was like another mom, and more if her own mom was in a trip and Troy…well, Troy was Troy.

A soft giggle escaped from her mouth when she remembered the conversation she'd just had with Lucille…

When Gabriella was about to kill the engine of her car, already parked in her usual spot – in the farthest part of the parking lot – her phone rang crazily, and so she reached for the item in her bag. "Luce cell" she read looking at the bright screen, and then she couldn't help but think that maybe something was wrong with Troy, which made her to press the answer button and speak frantically.

"Hello?"

"Hey Gabi," Lucille's voice was calm and Gabriella allowed herself to calm down. "I'm calling you to tell you that you have to wait for Troy to arrive to the school before you go in."

"What?" Gabriella asked confusedly. "Why?"

"He wants to make sure he's already there so he can stop them if they do something…" Gabriella didn't know more to know who were those "them" and "they".

Sighing, Gabriella closed her eyes. "How much do you know?"

"Everything sweetie," Lucille answered honestly and softly. "Troy called us when you were sleeping…"

"I should have imagined," Gabriella answered.

"Don't get mad at him now," Lucille pleaded. "He was worried, and also were we; look sweetie," Gabriella heard how Lucille swallowed loudly and couldn't help but be curious about what she had to say, "Troy cares for you a lot and…the way you've changed him for good…well, we care for you too and he knows that; we want your wellbeing the same way he does and…please, let him help you…trust him on that…"

Gabriella narrowed her eyes; she couldn't understand what Lucille was saying, implying or referring to. "What do you mean?"

Lucille sighed. "I only want you to know that, even though he can seem the tough guy…he's not; deeply…he's been so many years refraining his feelings…he doesn't know, now, how to put them into words or actions…"

Again, Gabriella was confused – Troy with her had always been caring, soft, sweet and tender. "Luce, seriously, I hope you won't get offended but…what do you want to say? Say it straight, please…"

"I only want you to know that even though he still insists on your relationship being a secret…he doesn't do that because some shit paranoid but because he cares about you a lot." Lucille took a deep breathe. "He's not ashamed of you or what you two have…on the contrary, he treasures it a lot and that's the reason because of he's so careful when it comes to you. He doesn't want anyone but people who really care about him – and people he cared about too – knowing about what you two have simply because…for him…what happens between you two is sacred…"

Gabriella smiled at that; she hadn't thought, not even for a second, that Troy wanted to keep their relationship as a secret because of fear of what people could say – she knew that their relationship, and especially Gabriella, were super important for him…and the proof was in the fact that he'd admitted her love for her loudly for the very first time, letting his heart feel and letting his soul live. "I know that, Luce…"

"I'm sorry I'm intruding that way, Gabi," Lucille sighed, "but I guess I can understand that…at some point, the whole situation can be frustrating…"

"And it is," Gabriella giggled, "but not because of Troy or what he says or does but because people here are so focused on the looks, popularity and shit like that…I don't know…is like…we can't be together because that's not the way it should be and…well, we're more than good together, and I know he cares for me a lot, Luce, so don't worry about it. The situation can crisp my nerves…but I swear I haven't doubt, ever, about Troy's intentions with me."

"You don' know how glad I am you feel that way, Gabi," Lucille's voice sounded relieved.

"It's only the truth," Gabriella giggled. "Don't worry okay?"

"Sure dear," Lucille giggled as well. "I should go to work now…but oh, you and Troy are coming over after school; we need to discuss something about this week…"

Even though Gabriella didn't know what was going on, she could understand the meaning behind Lucille's words. "Sure Luce, I have my cell with me as you can see, so we will be able to call my mom…"

Lucille laughed at Gabriella's accurate perception. "You are really one of a kind, Gabi…" Gabriella giggled and soon Lucille joined her. "I'll see you later, sweetie, have a good day…"

"You too…"

A loud honk startled Gabriella just for a second, snapping her out of her daydreaming state, and she recognized it as Troy's – knowing he'd done that because he knew where she always parked her car, and also to warn her that she could go to the school. Shaking her head at his silliness when the honk sounded three just when he passed in front of her – his special way to greet her – Gabriella giggled softly and stepped out of her car, grabbing Chad and the others guys' bags with their homework done. She hadn't said anything to Troy about it, and she hoped she would be able to give them the bags without Troy knowing…

Maybe she hoped too much.

Because the first thing she found when she stepped inside of the school were Chad and his friends with a menacing pose…waiting for her.

"Well look who's decided to appear!" Chad exclaimed sarcastically. "Have you ended everything, nerd?"

She cringed when the word left his mouth, but filled her mind with Troy and the amazing morning they had had together and shook her head – she needed to be able to stand up for herself. "Everything is done," she answered in a flat voice. "Here," she said leaving the bags at their feet.

"I hope everything is okay," Chad hissed leaning down until his face touched hers. "If not…prepare yourself for your life to become hell, is that clear?"

Just when Gabriella was about to answer, although not in the way she would have liked because she didn't have the guts, a cold voice sounded from behind her.

"Morn…"

The voice stopped itself at the middle of the word and Gabriella cringed, realizing Troy probably would have a flip when he saw which position they were in; she only hoped Chad would keep his mouth shut, not even commenting anything about him ordering her to do his homework.

"Troy, my man!" Chad steeped away from Gabriella and went to pat Troy's back. "How's your knee?"

"Better," Troy directed his eyes to Gabriella for a second – brief moment but enough for her to know he was mad. "What were you doing?" He asked in what pretended to be a nonchalantly tone.

"Oh nothing, just making sure," Chad shrugged looking at his friends and snickering cruelly.

"About what?" Troy asked closing his hands in fists.

"The nerd here," Chad pointed at Gabriella, "had to do our homework, and we were telling her that it'd be better for her if everything was correctly done…"

Troy moved his eyes and locked them with Gabriella's taking advantage of the fact that Chad and his friends were distracted laughing like idiots; okay, he wasn't mad, he was furious.

Gabriella swallowed aloud and pleaded him, with her eyes, to drop the subject…at least until they were alone…but Troy didn't seem to understand her because he walked towards her, glaring her, and stopped just in front of her. "What the fuck Gabriella?" He hissed lowly so no one but them hear anything.

She shrugged her shoulders in defeat and lowered her face, looking at he ground. "Not now…"

She heard him sigh and soon his fingertips touched her hand – the only thing he could do to show her some affection without putting attention to them. "Go."

Gabriella scurried down the corridor just the same moment Chad chose to go back to Troy. "Where is the nerd?"

"She's gone," Troy answered flatly. "I'm going to homeroom, see you later."

The boys hurried to follow him and he sighed inwardly, but always trying to keep his face straight, serious, cold and furious. The girls were winking at him, waving at him, greeting him…but he ignored them all; he couldn't care less about them and the new information he'd learned from Chad was the only thing he could think about at that moment.

He knew he shouldn't be mad at Gabriella for keeping that bit of information from him, but he couldn't help it; he understood why she'd done that, but that didn't mean it hurt any less…or that it bothered him any less, because that was only one more thing to add to the things that were killing him inwardly. She not only had to hear insults and mockery, now she had to suffer violence towards her and also be treated as a slave…how could he not get mad?

Maybe he needed some private lessons or something because the ball was getting bigger and bigger…and he knew he was about to explode; the result would be bad because the bullying would increase, but at least Gabriella wouldn't be alone because he would be in every step of the way.

----------

Jack Bolton stepped from the teachers' lounge and the first thing he saw was a very furious Troy, accompanied by Chad and some members of the team – something bad had happened, it was obvious.

"Troy," Jack called him. "Guys, come here…"

"I have a copy of your schedules for this week," Jack explained flatly, "and we'll be practicing each one of your free periods…"

"What?" Chad whined. "Come on Coach…"

"Are you complaining?" Jack stiffened his body – he also had to show some authority and coldness to keep the guys on line.

Chad shook his head. "But we have practice scheduled two afternoons this week…"

"It's not like you need the time to do your homework, either," Troy hissed – Jack turned to look at him surprised with the venom Troy spat the words, and the boy shook his head discretely.

"She's looked for it," Chad shrugged, clueless about what his words were doing to Troy, who gritted his teeth together and closed his hands in fists until his knuckles were white.

And then Jack understood.

"Go to class," he hissed madly at Chad. "Bolton, as the captain of the team, can I have a word, please?"

Troy sighed and nodded.

If he couldn't be with Gabriella at the moment to calm himself down and breathe in relief with her body pressed closer to his, at least he had his father there…because he knew that what Troy wanted to talk about had nothing to do with basketball, the school or the team…but about what his son was feeling.

And right there and then, Troy realized that he'd never been gladder because of being that son.