College Struggles

Summary: The gang go through tough times at university with family illnesses to secrets as to two members accused of cheating. They are all attending UCLA and all the girls will be sharing an apartment just as the boys will. Someone's dad gets ill and causes them to withdraw from the gang and hurt the ones they love the most. One person's mom is killed just weeks into starting. How will they cope? Two people are helping each other out but with the amount of time they are spending together their other half's start to question them. Will they all still be friends by the time they've finished? Who will suffer heartache and will the pressures of being so different finally get too much?

Sequel to School Trip & School Chaos

A/N: Thanks for the great reviews for the last chapter. Please stick with this story even if you don't like what I have done but I have come up with a good point to stay with it. Read it at the end. Anyway here's the next chapter.

Disclaimer: I own absolutely nothing except the plot, Annabelle and Aaron.

Chapter 10

Troy quickly ran over to her with Taylor and the other girls right behind him.

"Gabi, what's the matter? What's happened?" Troy asked as he started to rock her back and forth rubbing his hand up and down her back trying to calm her down. Knowing that she probably wasn't going to say anything he noticed she was still holding the phone.

"Gabi do you want to your room?" Taylor asked as Troy spoke to the person on the phone.

(Troy… Mrs Bolton)

"Hello?"

"Troy its mom, is Gabriella ok?"

"I don't know she fell to the floor crying. What's going on mom?"

"Troy Gabi's mom died in an accident a few hours ago." Troy tightened his grip around Gabriella.

"What should we do?"

"Just be there for Gabi. I'll try and find out some more information and call you back." Troy hung up picking Gabriella up and taking her to her room. He placed her down on her bed before motioning for Taylor to come to the door.

"Troy what's happening?" Taylor was worried.

"Gabi's moms died. I'm gonna try and comfort her in anyway I can," Taylor raised her eyebrows, "not that way. Can you keep the others out the way and explain to them what's going on?" Taylor smiled as she nodded her head slightly.

"Do you need me to do anything else?" Troy shook his head before calling her back.

"Actually my mom said she would ring when she knows more so can you talk to her." Taylor nodded as Troy closed Gabriella's door. He turned and saw her curled up hugging her favourite teddy bear she had brought with her as the tears flowed down her face. Troy slowly walked to the bed and spooned her from behind just letting her cry while he whispered soothing things in her ear. She eventually turned to face Troy holding on tightly to him.

"Troy what am I going to do? My mom was the only family I had." Gabriella said with her head still buried in his chest.

"I don't know but what I can tell you is that I am going to be here for you no matter what day or night and I am going to help you get through this. You don't have to do this alone you know that?" Gabriella nodded. " I love you Gabriella and I will never let you go."

"I love you too Troy. I'm so scared of what's going to happen but I know with you and the gang by my side I can get through this." Gabriella leaned back and smiled at him as he gave her a soft kiss. They just lay there holding each other tight before both falling asleep.

With the gang

They were all talking quietly after Taylor had told them everything. Mrs Bolton had called back and said she couldn't get any more details today so she would ring again tomorrow unless they needed her.

"Shar how long have they been in there?" Annabelle asked as she sat on Ryan's lap.

"I think its been about an hour." Sharpay answered. "What do you think they're doing?" Chad smiled at her.

"I wouldn't be surprised if Troy was using his Bolton charm to make her feel better." Chad smirked as Taylor threw her pillow at him.

"Chad can you be serious ever. I know they aren't doing that because Troy said they wouldn't." The others rolled their eyes at Chad who was about to protest before Kelsi stepped in.

"How do you think Gabi's doing?" Kelsi asked from her position against Jason.

"I don't know but she is going to be devastated because her mom was the only real family she had." Taylor told them.

"Well at least she has Troy and his family. It wouldn't surprise me if coach flew up here to see how she was because he thinks of her as his daughter." Chad said, as there was a knock on the door. "Told ya." Sharpay walked over to answer it and of course there stood Jack Bolton.

"Where are they?" he instantly asked as Chad pointed to the bedroom door. He walked over to it knocking lightly before the gang watched him disappear.

"How did you know he would come?" Jason asked surprised that Chad actually got something right.

"Whenever I was round Troy's and we were talking about Gabriella he would always jump in and tell Troy he better treat her right or he will have hell to pay. Also he never not even me call him Jack. Gabriella is the only one who is allowed to out of all of Troy's friends." Chad explained to them.

With Jack

Jack opened the door quietly stepping in as he smiled to himself at the sight in front of him. Gabriella was cuddled into Troy's side with her face still tear stained while Troy had his arm wrapped around her waist. Troy stirred slightly opening his eyes and seeing his dad standing there.

"Hey dad." Troy said groggily trying not to move too much and wake up Gabriella.

"How is she?" He nodded his head towards Gabriella.

"She's ok I think. She fell asleep crying. She's scared of what's going to happen now." Troy told his dad as Gabriella's eyes flickered open.

"Hi Jack." She said as she sat up slightly so they were both leaning against the headboard. Troy still kept his arm around her as she rested her head back on his chest. Jack sat on the end of the bed.

"How you doing Gabi?" she shrugged slightly.

"I am so confused right now. Everything feels so surreal." Jack leaned forward to hug her. Troy watched his dad and girlfriend interact giving him a warm feeling inside knowing that the people he cared about most got on so well.

"Well if you need anything Gabi you can call me or Lisa (Troy's mom's) or get Troy to and we will be here as soon as we can. Promise me you will let Troy and the others be there for you." Jack asked.

"I promise. Troy's not going to be able to leave me for long periods of time." Gabriella answered smiling at Troy.

"Well I'll leave you to it. I have to catch a flight back tonight but I wanted to see you and make sure you were ok." Jack told them.

"I'll be fine and so will Troy." Gabriella hugged him, as did Troy before he left. Gabriella leaned back against Troy.

"Will you stay with me tonight?" Gabriella asked not looking at him.

"I'll stay as long as you want me to." Troy kissed her head before he went to tell the others what was happening. Troy walked back in the room and locked the door before climbing into the bed and just holding Gabriella.

A/N: I know you hate me for killing Gabi's mom right now but I needed to. Anyway think of it like this: Gabriella is sad so there will be more Troyella moments with the other couples having more of the drama for a bit :P Please review. Thanks!

Happy Valentines Day!