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You're Deaf; I'm Mute

Chapter 7

Gabriella's POV

My feet pounded on the pavement hard as I ran to my house. My breaths came out short and ragged, a pain shot through my legs as I ran faster. I can't believe that he saw a bruise! I can't believe it. I just hope that's all he saw...

But, regardless, I can't believe that he...and the look on his face...I can't let him in. I can't, well...Maybe..NO! I can't! Lucas would kill me-or worse-if I told anyone and I mean anyone.

The many cars on the street were now parked in their driveways, and the few cars that were on the streets were immobile and only held the possession of two bodies that were causing the vehicle to shake.I steered clear of those as I slowed to a walk as I neared my house. I know that it was really rude of me to run out of Troy's house the way I did, but I didn't have a choice. He was seconds away from asking questions about it!

TGTGTGTGTG

My hand was shaking as I twisted the doorknob and opened, so far everything was quietly. Maybe Lucas was at his girlfriends place; I could only hope, but knowing my luck; that would never happen. At least not to me. I pulled off my boots and put down my book bag, then I crept up the stairs, if Lucas is home, then I don't want to be on the recieving end of his temper. Hell, I'm always on the recieving end of it.

So far, so good. I reached my door with no run-ins; so he must not be home. Feeling a lot calmer, I put my hand on my door knob, turned it and heaved it open. That was when I saw him sitting on my bed with his hands behind his head and a scornful glare fixed in his eye. Okay, so he was home...and he got better at not making any sound. I gulped as he got up slowly from my bed, "Hey, where have you been, it's late?" he signed. I felt my legs shake as I moved back towards the door, but his legs are longer than mine; so, he got me by the shoulders when he saw that I was making a getaway. "I said, 'where have you been?'!" he hollered, forgetting that I couldn't hear completely, I brought my shaking hands up to sign to him, but he threw me against the wall and caged me in with both his arms- I cowered as far back as I could, I felt the heat of his breath on my skin. And, it reeked of alcohol and cigarettes, so that only meant two things. He was drunk and high, he's been drunk and high before, but not at the same time. So, I was more scared now than ever, because I didn't know what the out come would be.

He moved his face closer to mine, and said in a husky voice-I couldn't hear it, but don't all drunk and high guys try to sound 'husky'? That, and I read his lips as he spoke. "Now, where were you?" he rubbed my cheek slowly in a way that made me feel uncomfortable. I shook it off, but he grabbed my face gruffly and squeezed my jaw and dug his nails into my skin. "You don't do that you little slut!" he yelled, it's not hard for me to tell when someone is yelling, as he threw me on to the floor and kicked me in the sides, I winced as his kicks grew more fierce and painful. Tears threatened to fall, but I willed them not to; I couldn't break my promise to myself to give Lucas the satisfaction of seeing me hurt; but, his kicks never ceased, in fact, they grew more painful. Where was dad? He couldn't be at work..where was he?

"I asked you a question!" he kicked me again. I screamed and screamed as more tears threatened to fall. After a few more minutes of this, he grabbed me by my hair and tossed me against my wall mirror. Causing the glass to break and my head to make a not-so-nice cracking sound, also, more warm blood mixing itself in my hair. That's when I thought it was over, but then he grabbed my hair again and began thrashing my head into the broken mirror. Over and over again. Suddenly, the pain became to much and I couldn't hold in the tears and I just let them fall; so much for my promise. But, my tears must've not mattered because he didn't stop. He kept doing it, and when the thrashing got to it's worst, I couldn't feel anything. The tears had stopped and my eyes felt heavy and swollen, I had nothing to do but to oblige and let my lids drop. And when I did, I saw Blake, my cousin. He looked the same as I last saw him; but, this time he was looking at me worried. His eyes were full of fear, like the night he d..di...died.

'Blake?' I signed, wondering where I was, or if I was dead. He just looked at me, then at the side of my head. I felt confused more than ever, 'why are you staring at me like that?' he didn't answer, he walked closer to me and held out his hand. He brushed it against my temple and then took it away; his fingers were tinged with red. His eyes grew dark and his brows knit together as his face lit into a furious red; almost as red as the blood that was on his fingers. He looked at me as if to say, 'I can't believe it...he's still doing this? Hurting you?' I nodded, understanding what he was saying. That only made his fists clench and his jaw set, but, before anything else happened that's when the scene changed...along with Blake. Everything changed.

XxGabriella'sDreamxX

The grass was a pure green, and it was soft against my bare feet. The smell of flower's perfume filled the air and instantly my muscles relaxed, I didn't know where I was, but I knew that I loved it here. It was peaceful and I felt like nothing could hurt me. I lifted my hand to arm to make sure if this is real or a dream, but stopped in shock at the sight of what I was wearing. I was wearing a tickle-me-powder-pink sun dress with a sweater around my shoulders. Okay, this had to be a dream, I don't own anything like this. I mean, I used to but not anymore. Not since my mom.

I moved my feet as I started running down the grassy hill, the grass felt so good on my bare soles. I laughed at the tickling feeling as I ran, I couldn't help but laugh as I ran faster and faster down the hill, my eyes closed as I picked up speed; my arms spread out wide from my body as if to grab what was before me. As I got closer to the bottom the wind hit my face with a cold force, I didn't mind. It felt better than what I normally got everyday, hot breath down my neck and warm blood running in my eyes. Yeah, this felt tons better. But, when I got to the bottom I felt myself run into something; it was hard and soft and warm. For a second I thought it was Lucas, what was he doing here? Everytime I have a peace in me, it's ruined by him...

When I stumbled, I fell on to the grass. My palms landed on the soft needles, and my legs landed with a thud! I looked up to see what-or who- I bumped into, but I saw nothing. I pushed myself off the grass and looked around confusedly, I felt myself bump into something! What was it? I went to turn, but that's when I felt two strong hands on my shoulders; I instantly began to feel panic and adrenaline course through my veins, I started to struggle and wriggle; but the hands held me in place. Then, I felt lips on my neck...then my shoulder...the kisses were warm; not intrusive, but inviting...and protective. The hands turned to arms and they wrapped around my shoulders and fingers started to trace patterns over the thin material of my tank-top. I closed my eyes lightly and marveled in the feel of them, then the kisses on my neck ceased as the lips moved to my ear and then I felt heavy breathing on my ear. My legs felt like they were turning to jelly-as if there were no bones inside me.

The person behind me chuckled lightly, and slowly turned me around. I felt euphoria rush through me. I was going to see his face, I couldn't contain the excitement I felt. When I was fully facing him, my smile faded, his face was shrouded in shadows; the only thing I was able to see were his full lips. Those themselves were curved up into a smirk, it seemed very familiar, but I couldn't place it. Where have I seen that smirk before? I went to bring my hands up to sign to him, but he beat me to the punch and signed, 'Don't worry, I'll protect you...you just need to rest...' he'll protect me? What the hell does that mean?

He leaned down, so our lips were almost touching and foreheads themselves were touching. His was warm and soft, damn! where have I seen this guy before? I wrapped my arms around his neck and went to kiss him again, but he put his hands on my waist and kissed my nose before pulling away. My lids began to droop and my vision turned blurry. The last thing I felt was his warm hand on my cheek and his arm wrapped around my waist and his chest flat against my body. I felt his body heat protrude through my clothes as I let the soft, welcome light of darkness take me. I actually felt safe as I slept in his arms; as I long as I woke up in his arms.

XxEndOfGabriella'sDreamxX

[The next day: Gym class; Troy's POV]

I couldn't get last night out of my head. Why would Gabriella run off like that? Who would hurt her like that? I slumped against the bleachers as I pondered this and also, I was hiding from Chad. He's been trying to get my attention all morning and all through homeroom with the never ending notes. Geez, you'd think he was my 'girlfriend' Ugh! that is disgusting to think about, I will now go soak my head in ice cold water...I can't believe I ran that thought through my head. You want to know the worst part of my morning? Gabriella hasn't shown up yet...I hope she's okay...I wonder if she's okay...I can only hope.

The loud blowing of my dad's whistle cut through my thoughts and steamed up my sight. It's really muggy in the gym and we have no air conditioning in this part of the school. According to principal Matsui, 'if it gets too hot, then just thrust open the many windows.' by 'many' he of course means, only five. Yeesh!

"Okay, boys, we are still on the basketball unit. So, go grab yourself a ball and get yourself a hoop to play under." said my dad. Yay, basketball. I used to play, it used to be fun, but that's when I could talk and when I was captain, but I quit. I went to the crate of basketballs, grabbed one and walked over to an empty hoop; I started enjoying the joy of playing alone when two caramel colored hands grabbed the ball from me and started to twirl it on his index finger. Chad, figures. "Hey, man." he said, I reached for the ball and started to dribble it-hoping that he'll take the hint and leave. No such luck for me.

"Look, I know that I've been...avoiding you...but, look you and I have been like brother's since preschool. I would like to start hanging again, and the team isn't the same with out you man." Avoiding me? He calls him stabbing me in the back and then not apologizing for it 'avoiding me'? That is jacked up. I continued dribbling, take the hint Chad, just take the hint.

"So, you want to hang out after school?" Nope. I ignored him, "Hoops?"

"Danforth!" saved by the dad. The one time I am happy he's the coach and PE teacher. "Unless you and Troy are playing one on one, go to a different hoop!" Chad left immediately, knowing that I was by myself. Huh, smart lad.

What cha think? Questions to answer:

1) Do you hate Lucas even more?

2) Who do you think was the boy in Gabi's dream?

3) Is Troy and Chad going to ever be like 'brother's' again?

4) Do you have any ideas for the next chapter?

The blue button calls out to you...click it...do it...DO IT...DO IT!