Here it is, chapter nine. Enjoy! :)
Now back in California, Troy and Gabriella's spring break was coming to an end. They had spent the week together, staying at Gabriella's mother's house. They hadn't done much in that time apart from lounge around the house; doing college work, and walking along the local beach. Although Gabriella was relieved that she was now safe from Mark, his trial was looming and she was terrified. She would have to testify against him, and see his face in court. Troy continued to reassure her – reminding her that he would be right by her side throughout.
It was now Friday, and the trial was just a few weeks away. The couple were sitting in the lounge, while Maria was at work. Gabriella had fallen silent, and was lying across the couch, her head resting on Troy's lap. "Hey," he said, leaning down to kiss her forehead. "What are you thinking about?" Gabriella sat up and looked at him.
"The trial. I can't seem to think about anything else," she replied distantly. Troy reached up and brushed her hair away from her eyes. "I know it's going to be hard, sweetheart. But it's all going to be worth it when Mark is finally punished for what he put you through." Gabriella smiled weakly at him. He could tell that something else was on her mind, though.
"Gabi, talk to me. What else is bothering you?" he asked gently. Tears began to form in her eyes as she broke down. "I just...sometimes it feels like I'll never be able to shake off the old me. I don't want to be the freaky genius girl anymore, Troy." By now she was openly crying. Without a word, he wrapped her in his arms, as he saw just how much his girlfriend had been affected by recent events. Not just physically. But mentally; emotionally.
After a few minutes, Troy spoke. "Gabriella Montez, listen to me. A genius you may be – and that is a part of you that I am very proud of. But you are not a freak. No one has the power to make you feel any less than who you are. Which is smart, beautiful, talented; and the most kind and thoughtful person I know." When he had finished this speech, Gabriella was still crying. But now her tears had turned into ones of gratitude and love.
She had already been certain that Troy would always be there for her. That fact was what was getting her through this. But he had just managed to reaffirm her faith in herself, too. Gabriella moved even closer to him, so that their foreheads were touching. "Troy Bolton," she said softly, trying to sum up just how lucky she felt. "I don't know how you always know what to say. But I want you to know that you are amazing."
"I know," he replied, grinning cheekily. Gabriella rolled her eyes at his typical response, then leaned over to grab the phone when it started ringing. "Hello?" she greeted the caller, before listening silently for the next couple of minutes. "Okay. Thank you for calling." As she hung up, she let out a breath – but Troy couldn't tell whether it was a sigh of relief, or a form of preparation for some bad news.
"That was the police...Mark has changed his plea. He's pleading guilty," she said, still taking in this piece of news herself. "To everything?" Troy asked disbelievingly. Gabriella nodded slowly, staring straight ahead of her. Neither of them had any idea whether Mark's plea was due to a sudden attack of conscience; or because he had been advised that pleading guilty might get him a shorter sentence. "It means I don't have to testify. But I can still attend the trial, if I want to."
"Do you want to?" he asked. "I'll be behind you whatever you decide." She thought about it for a minute, then gave her reply. "You know what? I want to go. Even though it's going to be horrible, I need to see it for myself." Troy reached for Gabriella's hand and gave it a supportive squeeze. "Okay. Then that's what we're going to do. You're so brave, and I'm so proud of you, Gabi," he told her.
The day they had been waiting for finally came. When Troy, Gabriella and Maria arrived, they went to sit in the front row of the courtroom. As Mark was led in, his face showed no emotion, no feelings and no remorse. As far as Gabriella was concerned, that answered one question: he had changed his plea for his own benefit.
They all listened as the evidence was described, and the charges read out. Then, it was time for the verdicts. On the charge of attempted murder: guilty. On the charges of two counts of violent assaults: guilty. Mark was then sentenced to eight years imprisonment. Maria hugged her daughter in relief; before Gabriella turned to Troy and allowed herself to relax in his embrace. This time, it really was over for good.
Only one more chapter left! Thank you for all the amazing feedback on this story :)
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