Hey guys this chapter isn't as long as I wished it to be but I guess it will do. Thanks to those who reviewed! It really helps a lot to get feed back the more feed back the better I can make the story. Here's Chapter 7 YAY!!

Chapter 7- Memories

Gabriella woke up on her bathroom floor, in a puddle of her own blood. Last night's beating had been one of the worst she had ever endured. She wanted nothing but to be back in Troy's loving arms, holding her tight, and telling her everything would be alright.

She couldn't help but to seem to be in love with the boy. He just seemed to care so much more then anyone else ever would. He seemed to always be helping her up and helping her get on with her day.

'I mean he must have some decency for helping me yesterday. I mean other guys would have even joined in.' she thought. She sighed and tried to get up but, the second she moved she winced and flopped back down on the floor. She groaned in pain, "I'm never going to be able to get up." she whispered in distress.

After many attempts, and a lot of pain, she got up and looked at the damage. There was blood on the floor and some splattered on the walls. Then she looked at herself in the cracked mirror. She looked like she had been mauled by a wild animal. Well, metaphorically speaking she had. There were bruises all over her body and her face was almost unrecognizable.

It was just them when Gabriella felt a very sharp pain in her head. She moved her hand to head. She then removed it quickly, due to the fact that she was in more pain once pressure was put on it. She looked at her hand to see that it had some crusts and scraps of dried blood.

She sighed, and looked in the mirror again. She decided she needed to take a shower and stripped what was left of her clothing. She turned the water on hot and waited for it to warm up. She got a full look at herself in the mirror.

Her body was covered in covered in bruises and cuts. She looked at herself in disgust. She hated herself; she was ugly and mangled beyond belief. With the constant yelling's at her, telling her how worthless, and meaningless she was, she began to believe it. Being told that she killed her father, she tried not to believe that for so long. But, the constant beatings and yelling's, it was like she had no choice but to believe.

Between the kids at school and her step dad, it seemed as though everyone would be happy if she just left this world. Though she was never really happy, all she wanted for anyone else was to be happy. To live the life she wished she had. Though she believed she deserved what she got.

Gabriella sighed again, and traced her scar that started at her mid-stomach, and curved to her hipbone. She remembers too well how she got that scar.

Flashback:

A 10 year old Gabriella walked into her kitchen very timidly after being yelled at to get down there.

"Y-yes, Dav-ve?" the terrified girl stuttered out.

Dave, obviously drunk and angry turned around with an evil smile on his face. "Do you know where your mother is?" he questioned already knowing the answer.

"N-no" she answered back.

"Oh well then I guess I should inform you!" he yelled sarcastically. He grabbed her collar, "She is in her room crying her eyes out!" he yelled. "Do you know why?!" he asked accusingly his words slurring together.

Gabriella shook her head too scared to speak.

"Because you bloody KILLED her husband! You KILLED my best friend!" Dave bellowed shaking the small child in his grip.

Gabriella had tears gliding down her cheeks.

Dave, red with anger and drunk grabbed the knife on the kitchen counter and pointed at the trembling girl. "Stop crying!" he ordered.

Gabriella tried to stifle her sobs but they just kept coming. Dave slapped her across the face. Gabriella whimpered in pain. Dave continued to push her around the kitchen yelling and screaming at her. Gabriella cried and cried for him to stop but he wouldn't.

Dave brought Gabriella against the wall and punched her dragging the knife along her stomach.

Gabriella screamed in pain as that happed, she was in excruciating pain. Dave threw her to the ground spat at her and said,

"Worthless piece of shit", and walked upstairs, leaving Gabriella alone in the dark.

End of Flashback

Gabriella stepped in the shower trying to stop crying; something she hated. It seemed that once she started to cry she couldn't stop, and she hated looking vulnerable. She took a very painful shower and got dressed in loose tank top and baggy sweatpants.

She walked into her room and looked around. Not too much damage was done, a few things were moved and her pictures were crooked on her walls. She sighed and grabbed her book and walked over to her bed. She sat on the edge and opened her book to her marked page.

She was reading, Message in a Bottle by Nicholas Sparks. It seemed as though her romance novels were the only thing that made her believe in love. 'No one could make up a feeling that strong' she thought. She read until she got hungry.

She got off her bed and walked downstairs as painless as possible, which was very difficult. She walked into the kitchen and saw a note on the refrigerator.

Gabriella,

I will be home by 7:30, you better be here.

Dave

Gabriella sighed when she saw the note, 'Not like I am going anywhere' she thought.

She grabbed an apple from the bowl on the counter and sat down at the table with a can of Coke. She left herself to her thoughts. She thought about her father, and how he would always call her 'Princess'. She smiled at this memory. It seemed to be the only time she was happy. When her father was there. After his death, 'I guess you would call it that' everything seemed to go downhill for her.

Dave who was an old family friend, him and Miguel (Gabriella's dad) had been best friends since childhood. He had always been like family, and when Gabriella little she called him 'Uncle Dave'. He had always been kind to her, though he always was overly affectionate with Mrs. Montez. He always looked at her with desire.

Ever since Miguel and Maria got married Dave seemed to be a bit colder towards Miguel. He was even more so when they had Gabriella. Even though Dave was immensely jealous of Miguel, he still cared for him deeply (friendship wise, like a brother). When Miguel died, the police filed it as murder. Saying that the car crash couldn't have happened with out someone not stopping on purpose.

Ever since Dave found out that information he called Gabriella the murderer.

The night of his death it was Gabriella's 9th birthday. The young 9 year old wanted her birthday dinner at home instead of at the restaurant. Her mother tried to reason with her but Gabriella's father had a sot spot for her. He offered to go get the food from the restaurant. Mrs. Montez agreed and called Dave telling him the plan, and to come over the their house. That night about an hour later they got a call saying that Mr. Montez was murdered/ died in a car accident.

Gabriella lets tears fall freely from her eyes remembering that day. She was interrupted form her memory by the phone ringing.

"Hello?" Gabriella spoke into the receiver.

"Gabriella?" the voice asked.

"Troy?"

OoOoOoOoOoOo!!! Ok I would like at least 8 reviews and I promise to update in the next 3 days. Lol well I hope you liked it tell me what you think!