A/N I DO NOT OWN ANYTHING! I ONLY OWN THIS PLOT!


Gabriella nodded and took his hand as they headed back downstairs and into the gym. Being around Troy always made her smile, but deep down she knew once she got home the smile would once again be gone.

Practice went well, all the guys were happy to see Gabriella again and were nice to her. Gabriella even found herself getting more into the game watching them. Troy scored a basketball and before she could think stood up and cheered. "Yay! Go Troy!"

Everyone stopped to stare at her. She turned into a tomato and sat down covering her face with her hands. Troy chuckled and went back to the game. It was nice to see this side of her.

When practice was over Troy went over to Gabriella. Before he could speak she started to speak a mile a minute.

"Troy, I'm sorry! I didn't mean to do that! It was a accident! Did any of your friends tease you? Please don't be angry with me! I swear I'll never do it again!"

Troy smiled softly. "Why are you sorry? I liked it. I have my own personal cheerleader."

Gabriella turned into a tomato again.

He chuckled. "Brie, Sweetie, that's a good thing. None of the guys teased me, well they did but it was playful sort of teasing nothing that hurt my feelings or made me feel bad."

Gabriella didn't speak.

Troy sighed. "Brie, I'm proud of what you did. It was cute. Why are you so scared?"

"I just don't want you to be mad at me. Then you won't be my friend anymore…" Gabriella mumbled hoping he didn't hear her.

"Gabriella I'm always going to be your friend. Nothing and no one is going to change that."

"Promise?"

"Yes."

"Ok." Gabriella smiled.

"Don't be worried about it. I like having my own personal cheerleader."

"Troy don't!" Gabriella blushed again.

Troy chuckled. "Sorry, but you're so adorable when you blush."

"Troy stop it!" Gabriella whined when she blushed brighter.

Troy chuckled and smiled. "I'm done, I promise. Come on, let's get to math class."

Troy and Gabriella headed to their next class.


Math Class was going well for the most part. Then Mr. Thompson wrote something on the board and turned back to the class. "Who wants to come solve this problem for me?"

Gabriella looked to the problem on the board. (x - 1)2 - (y - 2)2. She raised her hand. Kelsi did too.

"Ms. Montez and Ms. Nelson, are the only two, why does that not surprise me?"

Gabriella blushed and pulled her hand down feeling like she had done something wrong.

"It's a good thing, don't be embarrassed. But before you two have a chance I'm going to call someone else up and see if they can do it." Mr. Thompson said.

Kelsi lowered her hand and nodded. She smiled at Gabriella. "It's ok. You did fine."

"She's right. You did nothing wrong." Troy said rubbing her back.

Gabriella nodded softly, thankful to have such encouraging friends like that.

"Ms. Stevens, why don't you come up and solve this for us." Mr. Thompson said.

Gabriella recognized her as the kid of got angry yesterday for losing the contest. She walked over to the board and grabbed the chalk. She was pretty tall for a girl in high school. She was about 5'8 with long blond hair. She started to write the problem down on the board.

Gabriella followed along in her notebook. She was doing the problem all wrong and she never going to get an answer this way.

Kelsi groaned to herself. "She's doing it all wrong."

Gabriella just nodded softly.

Once the girl was done she put down her chalk. "There, can I go sit back down now?"

"Well let's see, class is the problem on the board correct?" Mr. Thompson

Everyone just looked to each other cluelessly.

Mr. Thompson shook his head. "Ms. Nelson is her work correct?"

"No Sir." Kelsi answered.

"I see. Ms. Stevens you may go sit back down."

The girl went back to her seat and sat down.

"Ms. Montez, why don't you come up and solve this for us."

Gabriella turned whiter than snow. If she went up there and corrected this girls work she would be dead before her next class. She frantically shook her head as her breathing increased. Her heart was beating so quickly she hoped nobody could see it.

"Go, Sweetie, it's ok." Troy encouraged rubbing her back.

Gabriella shook her head. She felt sick to her stomach.

"Mr. Thompson may I do it?" Kelsi asked rubbing Gabriella's back as she started to shake.

"I would prefer for Ms. Montez to do it. But if she really isn't comfortable…"

"She's… going to… kill me." Gabriella gasped out literally petrified in that moment.

"You'd only be helping her learn, Ms. Montez. This is not to prove you're better than her or anything like that, just a way to help another student." Mr. Thompson told her.

When he put it like that…if she was just helping the girl couldn't get mad at her right? Gabriella inhaled and exhaled a deep breath. She calmed down and nodded her head. She was a nice person…she'd help this girl.

She went over to the board and grabbed the chalk. She started to write the problem down on the board. When she was finished she put the chalk down and looked to her teacher. He looked at her answer. (x - 1)2 - (y - 2)2. = [(x - 1)- (y - 2)][(x - 1)+ (y - 2)] = (x - y + 1)(x + y - 3)

"Very good, Ms. Montez. Does everyone see how that happen?"

The class nodded and Gabriella smiled softly. It felt good to help them learn. She went back to her seat and sat down. Troy and Kelsi patted her back and smiled proudly at her.

"That's our girl." Troy said.

Gabriella blushed but smiled.


After class was over everyone went to their locker to get their books for their next class. Gabriella was alone at her locker but didn't mind. Suddenly someone slammed her locker door shut on her hand.

"Ouch! Hey!" she cried out shaking her hand to make the pain stop. Then she was shoved up against the locker. She was lifted off the ground, to the point her feet were dangling. It was then Gabriella realized it was Ms. Stevens. She gulped and just closed her eyes waiting and preparing for the impact of the girls fist. She knew what was coming she deserved it.

"You listen here, you disgusting piece of trash, you may think you're smarter than me and know more than me but you don't! You're stupid and don't know anything! If you dare ever correct me in front of the class again I swear you won't live to tell about it!"

"I understand! Please don't hurt me, please!" Gabriella whimpered.

"Oh I'm going to do more than hurt you…"

"Get your disgusting hands off her!"

Suddenly the girl was pulled off and Gabriella dropped to the floor, shaking, hyperventilating, crying hysterically. She didn't see what happen after that, all she knew was that her teacher lied to her. She brought up her hands to cover her face.

She cried and shook in fear until she heard voices.

"Wait, don't touch her. That will only make it worse."

That was Troy's voice.

"Troy?" Gabriella whimpered.

"I'm right here, Sweetie. How can I help you?" he asked sweetly.

"Garden."

"Garden, what is she talking about?" Kelsi asked.

"I think I know. Can you go to our next class and fill the teacher in on what happen? I'll take care of Gabriella."

"Are you sure?" Kelsi asked.

Troy nodded softly. Kelsi reluctantly left. Troy knelt down in front of Gabriella and gently placed his hand on her knee. She flinched and whimpered but quickly relaxed and calmed down.

"Brie, Sweetie, do you want to go up to the roof top, our secret spot?" Troy asked as gently as possible.

"Yes."

"Ok, wrap your arms around my neck."

Gabriella did as he asked. She buried her face into his chest. He lifted her up and carried her bridal style up to the roof top. He sat down on the bench and kept Gabriella close.

A breeze blew through and it seemed to help Gabriella calm down.

"Sweetie what did she do to you, physically, are you hurt?" Troy asked her.

Gabriella shook her head and looked up at him. "Just held me against the wall." She choked out.

"But she didn't hit you or anything like that?"

Gabriella shook her head, then nodded, and shook her head again.

Troy chuckled softly. "Baby, you need to answer me with a yes or no."

"My hand…" she held up her hand so Troy could see it.

He took it and kissed it gently making Gabriella blush. Troy smiled softly. "What did she do to your hand?"

"…My locker…on my hand…"

"She slammed your locker on your hand?"

Gabriella nodded.

"Does it need another kiss?"

Gabriella blushed brighter and shook her head.

Troy smiled and hugged her gently to his chest and stroked her hair. She rested her head on his chest no longer looking at him.

"Now for the harder questions. Are you ok mentally?"

Gabriella shrugged. "She scared me. I thought she was going to beat me up."

"But she didn't?"

Gabriella shook her head. "I'm scared still."

"It's ok. You're allowed to be. Oh Sweetie, I'm sorry. Jackie is normally a nice girl. I don't know why she attacked you like that."

"Jackie?"

"Ms. Steven is Jackie."

"Oh…well I guess she doesn't like me."

"Oh Angel, that's not possible."

"Nobody likes me." Gabriella shrugged.

"I know for a fact that isn't true." Troy said. "I like you, Kelsi likes you, my friends like you."

Gabriella shrugged. "They could have reasoning behind that, reasons that will end up hurting me in the end."

"I doubt they will."

"I don't know them, I don't trust them."

"Do you trust me?"

"To a point…"

"Then trust me when I say you can trust them. They won't hurt you."

Gabriella just sighed but nodded.

"Are you ready to go back down? We can skip the next class if you want to." Troy said gently. "I'll skip with you."

"No."

Troy chuckled. "No to which question?"

"I don't want to skip. But um…can you…" Gabriella blushed softly. "Can you stay with me the rest of today? I don't want to be alone."

Troy smiled softly and nodded. "Of course."

They both stood up and went downstairs to their next class.


Kelsi was waiting for them.

"You ok?" she asked Gabriella.

"Better now. Is the teacher angry?"

"No, he understands. He says that if you want to skip this class he'll give you the homework and assignments so you don't fall behind."

"I don't want to skip. I'm fine." Gabriella said. "I'm used to it."

"You shouldn't be." Troy mumbled and shook his head. He looked to Gabriella. "Go on into class with Kelsi, she'll stay with you until I get back. There is something important I need to take care of."

"Troy, leave Jackie alone." Gabriella said.

"Don't worry, I'm not going near Jackie."

"Where are you going?"

"I'm not going to touch Jackie, The Principal will do it for me."

"Troy no!" Gabriella cried out in a panic. "That only makes it worse! Then they get angry!"

"Gabriella, I didn't help all those people, and change this school by sitting back and keeping quiet about bullying. I'm not about to start now."

"But…"

"No, no buts. You'll be fine. Something has to be done about Jackie. I know you don't feel comfortable talking about it so I'm doing it for you."

"I can't change your mind, can I?" Gabriella asked.

"Nope, just stay with Kelsi. I'll be back before class is over."

Gabriella went and sat down at her seat. Troy looked to Kelsi. "She says she's fine but she's still really scared and skittish, so keep a close eye on her. I'll be back soon."

"I'll take care of her Troy."

Kelsi went and sat down next to Gabriella and Troy left.

"Don't worry, Gabriella. Troy will take care of everything. Jackie will never mess with you again."

Gabriella didn't answer she just focused on the assignment written on the board in front of her. Her teacher lied to her. She thought she could trust him and he lied to her. What would stop Kelsi and Troy from lying to her as well? How did she know she could really trust them?

"Who was the eleventh president? What was the most notable thing he did?" their history teacher asked.

Gabriella's hands shot up as did Kelsi's. Jackie turned around to glare at Gabriella and she quickly pulled her hand down.

"Ms. Montez." Her teacher called.

"Um…" Gabriella looked to Jackie and gulped. "Teddy Roosevelt and he saved a bear or something like that…I don't know."

Yes, she just lied, but it was better than Jackie beating her up again.

Her teacher sighed. She knew Gabriella knew the answer and just wished she had been brave enough to speak up. "Ms. Nelson, can you answer the question?"

Kelsi nodded. "James K. Polk. He annexed the entire Southwest and California from Mexico by force of arms."

"Very good. Now…"

Kelsi looked to Gabriella and rubbed her back. "You could have answered that one. I know you knew it."

"Not at the risk of my life." Gabriella answered.

Kelsi just sighed and glared on Jackie.

The rest of class was uneventful. Gabriella didn't speak at all. She didn't raise her hand even if she knew the answer. She stayed silent as a mouse. Kelsi got worried. Troy arrived later and could easily tell something had happen.


After class was over he asked them about it. Gabriella told him it was nothing. Kelsi, knowing it was for the best, told him what happen. Troy sighed. "I'll talk to her."

Kelsi just nodded and headed to their next class.

Troy went over to Gabriella at her locker.

"Brie, Sweetie, Kelsi told me what happen in class today. I don't want what happen to scare you into never speaking during class again. You're smart, it's nothing to be ashamed of or something you need to try and hide. It's who you are, you have to try and embrace it and show it off."

"When I did that I got attacked."

"Because Jackie is jealous she isn't as smart as you. I'm not saying she is dumb or anything like that, but she just doesn't know as much as you do. So she's trying to stop you from showing how smart you are. You can't let her win like that."

"But she'll just come after me again."

"I talked to the Principal, he's going to handle it. Don't worry about what other people think, Gabriella. Only your opinion of yourself matters. Do you like answering questions during class?"

"I know they give extra points towards grades when you do. I was good grades so I can go to college and get away from home but…"

"So don't let one bully change that for you. Continue being who you are and that's how you really stand up to the bullies. Act like what they do and say doesn't hurt you."

Gabriella inhaled and exhaled a deep breath and nodded. "I can't make any promises but I'll try."

"That's all I can ask. But why would you want to get away from home?"

"We need to get back to our next class or we will be late." Gabriella said tensing and quickly changing the subject.

Troy sighed and nodded. If only he knew the truth, he could help her. But when was she finally going to open up and tell him the truth?

The rest of school went well. Jackie left Gabriella alone for the rest of the day. Gabriella once again left the school in a good happy mood. Troy was happy, but knew come tomorrow, the smile would be gone and she'd be sad all over again.


The thought alone kept Troy up all night. He tossed and turned and couldn't sleep. He finally sighed and sat up, leaning against his head board. Deciding he didn't want to keep trying he got up and headed to the kitchen.

Once there he made himself some hot chocolate and sat down at the kitchen table and sighed softly to himself. All he wanted was to help Gabriella. He wanted her to be happy all the time, not just when leaving school. But there was something going on at home that was stopping that, something was going on to prevent Gabriella from being happy all the time. There were no physical signs of abuse and from what he knew so signs of mentally abuse, so what could it be? He sighed once more and groaned softly. "Gabriella is are you hiding?"

"Troy, what are you doing up so late?"

Troy jumped out of his skin and looked up to see his father.

"Sorry Dad, couldn't sleep." Troy sighed.

"Girl problems?" Jack asked once more.

"Yeah." Troy nodded.

"Is it Gabriella?"

Troy nodded. He was very close to his father and told him everything so his father knew all about Gabriella.

His father took a seat next to him. "What's going on?"

"Dad, Mom was shy when you first met her right?"

"Yep. If fact if it wasn't for Mrs. Danforth, Chad's Mom, your mother wouldn't have even tried to talk to me."

"How did you get her to open up and trust you?"

"It took time. Your mother had a rough time as a kid and had a lot of trust issues. I knew that so I never pushed her into opening up. I pushed enough so she knew I was there when she needed me or if she ever wanted to talk but not enough to scare her away."

"Did she ever open up to you?"

"Of course she did but it took years."

"Years?"

"Yep. I met your mother my first year in high school. She finally opened up to me our last year in college."

"Wow."

"Troy, if you care about Gabriella the way you say you do you cannot push her. Pushing her will only make it worse."

"But, it's so hard. I can tell something is going on at home, something that is making her unhappy I just don't know what it is and I don't know how to help her. I want to help her be happy."

"I know you do, but it takes time for women like that to open up. Just be yourself Bud. If you do that Gabriella will trust you."

"Thanks Dad. Good night."

"Good night son."

Troy went back into him room and fell into a deep sleep. When the time was right, Gabriella would open up to him. He just had to wait and be patient.


A/N so what do you think of this chapter? Who likes Jackie? ;) Leave me your thoughts in a review.

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