Hey, I know it took long and I'm really sorry for it. But my beat-reader and me have been very busy with exams. - I hope you understand. I'll try to get the next one faster.

15 reviews to the next one!

LY Mitchi

Disclaimer: I don't owe anything.

"You – want – to – be – my – girlfriend?" he blurted. It took me a few seconds to understand what he'd just said.

"Of course," I whispered while brushing some of his hair back and slowly leaning in, placing a soft kiss on his lips.

Gabriella

Troy and I stayed like that for a few more minutes, my head resting against his boney chest with our arms wrapped around each other. After a while, his grip loosened and his breath evened out. He fell asleep, which he needed so desperately. I carefully untangled myself from him and climbed off the bed, covering him with the blanket. I walked to the door and opened it, motioning Lucille and Chad to come in again.

We all sat on our chairs. Lucille looked at Troy narrowing her eyes worriedly. Chad and I looked at Troy, and saw that he was shivering. He couldn't have another nightmare! The door opened again and the doctor slipped in, smiling at us slightly. Then he noticed that Troy was sleeping. "Well, once he's asleep at a good time again –"

"He's shaking," I remarked loudly. "You're all wearing long sleeves – if you were wearing short ones, you'd be shaking too. It's normal…" I trailed off. "Where did we stop?"

"Talking about him sleeping," Lucille said while she pulled Troy's blanket up higher.

"Ah, yes. I'm sorry, but you have to wake him up – it's important… I don't he can wait until tomorrow…"

Lucille narrowed her eyes as she looked at her sleeping son, asking, "Can't it wait until tomorrow morning? It's Sunday and these two have to go as well."

"I'm sorry, but it really can't. Please just wake him up – and if you want to give him a sedative afterwards..."

Lucille sighed and gently shook her son's shoulder. "Troy, baby, wake up…" He began stirring and groaned, trying to turn away. "Troy." She held him in place, still shaking him.

He opened his eyes groggily and asked, "What?" His voice was sleepy and I giggled at how funny he looked, with his eyes half shut, looking at the ceiling and turning his head from side to side.

"Troy?"

He opened his eyes at the doctor's voice.

"What?" He was obviously frustrated at being woken up, and I tried hard not to laugh at my new boyfriend's actions.

"I came to tell you that you have to eat dinner –" Troy groaned at buried his head sideways into his pillow, "And no, you won't get out of it, and second, you can go home Tuesday evening."

His head shot up and a smile broke out on his lips. "Finally home again?"

The doctor nodded. "Yes, indeed. Enjoy your dinner, and I'll be back to check on you tomorrow morning." He smiled as he turned around and left, while the nurse walked in and brought a large plate of spaghetti for Troy. His smile fell as he saw the plate and glared at the nurse after she left the room. He continued staring at the plate, almost asking, "Do I have to eat it all?" He was like a child at times, but I couldn't blame him.

"Come on, I know you're hungry," I said, picking up the fork. It reminded me of the last time he'd eaten spaghetti. I smiled as I began twirling the noodles on the fork, remembering how I had to persuade Troy in finishing his plate. I guess he didn't want to upset me back then, but now I was his girlfriend, and that meant having extra power.

"Come on, I'll feed you," I said as I picked up the fork and guided it toward his face, my other hand hovering underneath in case anything dropped off the fork. He just stared at the fork for a moment before his eyes met mine – soft and begging, but mine remained hard. He had to eat.

He sighed and opened his mouth just enough to get the fork into his mouth. I slipped it out his mouth without spaghetti and watched him as he began chewing, the expression on his face still saying, "No, I don't want to." I giggled as I continued feeding him, realizing that his expression changed after some time. After half the noodles were gone, he seemed to be enjoying it.

I stopped after he swallowed his last spoonful. He looked at Chad, his mom, and I and said shyly, "Actually, it's not that bad." I giggled as I began twisting noodles on his fork again. Chad was laughing and Lucille smiled as well.

"Just wait until you get home again, you'll actually get good spaghetti."

Troy grinned at his mom and said, "I'm not sure if you can cook better food than what's served here." She laughed with Chad as I continued feeding Troy. He didn't protest anymore and willingly ate the entire plate of spaghetti. After he finished, I put the fork down and planned on carrying the plate out of the room when Chad got up to do it instead. Troy leaned back and closed his eyes again, sighing, "One more day."

I took his hand, gently while moving my finger up and down his hand. Then his mom spoke up and said, "Well, I don't want to ruin the fun, but tomorrow is Monday – that means school for Chad and Gabby." I smiled sadly – it was already late and Chad and I had to leave soon. Luckily, no one had asked us about Troy since Coach Bolton wasn't in school either, but I guessed that the questions would come soon…

"Can't they wait until I'm sleeping? I won't notice them leaving," Troy said hopefully as Chad re –entered the room. Lucille sighed, noticing that Troy's eyes were already shutting from exhaustion. She nodded and Troy soon fell asleep. Chad and I said our good – byes and left. Only one more day until Troy would be home again, and then on Wednesday, he'd have to return to East High.

Tuesday at East High

Chad and I met up that morning in front of the school. Today, Troy would come home, and tomorrow he'd come back here. I shivered at the thought as Chad and I walked through the hallways. After we both stopped at our lockers, we all walked over to the gang, who greeted us.

"Guess what?" I whispered to them, smiling, "Troy's coming home today, and back here tomorrow."

"That's great!" Taylor hugged me, and everyone else cheered. I turned my head, making sure no one else had heard. I didn't know what people were thinking, but I was glad Coach Bolton wasn't at school. There weren't any questions about Troy from him, because they stopped coming ever since Chad confronted him at practice the other day. Deep down inside, though, I knew that people were curious about what was happening, but had and I wouldn't tell unless Troy did himself, or wanted us to.

Later: Lunch in the Cafeteria

Chad and I explained to the gang everything they need to know about Troy, since they'd see him tomorrow. While the boys were talking about basketball (as usual), and the girls were gossiping and eating their lunch, my attention drew to the football team, who were sitting one table away from us.

"Seriously man, one bump and he's out for what? Like three and a half weeks? And his dad has to look after him with his mom?" The captain laughed along with the rest of the team as I felt anger boil up inside of me. They had no idea what Troy had been through – NO idea!

Chad took my hand and made me look at him. After looking into his eyes, I knew he'd noticed as well. "Ignore them. They'll find out sooner or later how wrong they were." I nodded and turned back to our table, but I could still hear the football team shouting, "Bolton, the pathetic, weak, baby!" It was hard to control my temper, but I survived lunchtime without setting the members of the football team straight. Even in my classes, I ignored the football team and their stupid comments.

Troy

Later at His House

I stayed home all day, lying on my bed, thinking about how I'd cope at my first day back at school tomorrow – if I should tell or not, whether or not I should show everyone my bandage. I closed my eyes as I heard the door open. "Mom, I'm not hungry," I groaned.

"Well, I hope you are later, your mom and I told us to tell you that dinner's ready in ten minutes."

I sat up and opened my eyes. "Gabby!" I smiled at the sight of her, and she smiled back. Chad stood behind her and scrunched up his nose as the two of us shared a quick kiss.

"So you guys are finally together?" he asked as he sat in the computer chair, his face showing his disgust at our greeting. I smirked and Gabby sat down next to me. "Seems like…" Chad shook his head, grinning. "I knew it, I totally knew it."

I rolled my eyes. "I know you did…"

"So how was your day?" Gabby asked me, smiling shyly.

"It was great, lying around and thinking that the two of you were in school, having fun without me," I fake-pouted, seeing Gabby frown and frown at the comment, while turning to Chad.

I narrowed my eyes when Chad shook his head frantically. Gabby turned back to me. "Aw, well tomorrow, you'll be with me, so we'll both have a good time…"

"What's up?" I asked her taking her hand. "You don't want me to know anything, right?" I watched her as she sighed and began moving her hand over mine.

"Troy, its nothing, really. We're just thinking if we should tell you…"

I narrowed my eyes again. "What?"

"That Darbus would ask you about the stuff you missed," Chad said, putting on a smile. I couldn't tell if it was real or fake – I never could, but I decided to shake it off.

"Apart from that, nobody asked what was wrong or why Dad and I weren't at school?" I asked quietly, looking at my hand joined with Gabby's.

"No, nobody did… so be prepared tomorrow, since there'll be a lot of questions."I looked up and saw Chad smiling slightly at me. I smiled as well but soon frowned again. "Should I show everyone the bandage?" I asked.

Gabby squeezed my hand. "It's your choice, but sooner or later, people will have to know."

Gabby squeezed my hand. "Your choice, sooner or later they have to know." I nodded. I'd be able to practice for a little while – I already had a confirmation from the doctor telling me what I could and couldn't do while at practice. Everyone would find out then.

"I… I don't think I'll – I'll make the bandage a secret… just…" I looked away. "About the rest…" I smiled at Gabby. She really knew the things I couldn't say. I felt her lifting my chin up with her finger, making me look at her.

"Just take your time, you know Chad and I won't say anything, and the gang won't either, especially if you're not ready for other people to know."

I nodded. "Thank you…" We smiled at each other, ignoring the gagging sounds coming from Chad's direction.

Lucille

I was just about to call Troy, Chad and Gabriella downstairs for dinner when Nick came into the kitchen with a letter in his hands. "Mom, it's for you… from Mr. Doer." I nodded and took the envelope.

"Nick, can you get the three of them for dinner? I'll just read through it." He nodded and I went to the living room to open the letter, so the four of them wouldn't see what was written – especially Troy, since he didn't know I had a copy of what he said to Mr. Doer. I heard the four of them walk into the kitchen. I knew Nick would cover for me, so I started scanning the letter.

Dear Ms. Bolton:

I'm please to tell you that everything seems normal and that there isn't any damage. However, some things aren't what they should be. Please read the attending protocol.

Regards,
Mr. Doer

I skipped most of the letter, only getting the information I needed. I had no time to read the protocol, but I would later – now, I needed to get the kids something to eat.

I entered the kitchen and found the four of them sitting at the table, awaiting their dinner.

"What's for dinner, Ms. B?" Gabriella asked as she walked over, ready to take the plates with her.

"Troy asked for spaghetti," I grinned, as Gabriella turned around and looked at Troy, who grinned mischievously.

"What? Mom says her spaghetti's better so she has to prove it!" Gabriella giggled and turned to me again, taking a plate with her, and placed it in the middle of the table.

Immediately, the three guys began hovering over the plate, staring at each other. "It's mine," Chad said, while Nick shook his head.

"Wrong, dude, mine!"

I watched as Troy took the plate and placed it in front of him. He began eating and said, "You're both wrong – it's mine." I smiled and turned around, filling the remaining plates and seating myself at the table with the four of them. This time, nobody needed to persuade Troy to eat all his spaghetti. He even asked for second and third helpings. I smiled at him, too busy watching him eat his dinner. I forgot about my own plate. Twenty minutes later, I still hadn't finished my plate, but I continued eating.

After a while, I sighed, "Who's going to wash the dishes since I'm busy doing something else? Do it now, kids!" I ginned, and Chad, Gabby and Nick realized the sarcasm in my voice and grinned along.

Troy, however, didn't detect the sarcasm, because he jumped up from his seat, taking the plates with him.

My smile fell as I realize what I just said. Although it was soaked with sarcasm, I shouldn't have said it. I looked at the other three and saw that they were thinking the exact same thing.

I stood up from my chair and walked over to Troy, who was frantically washing the dishes. I lay my hand on his shoulder, and he flinched and mumbled, "I'm hurrying!" I shook my head at his reaction and pulled him back. "Come here," I said, and dragged him out of the kitchen into the living room, away from the others. I looked into his eyes, which were filled with fear. He was trembling. "Troy, I'm sorry. My choice of words wasn't very… adequate." His eyes softened a bit as I lay my hand onto his shoulder. "I didn't mean it that way, it was more of a joke than an order. If I don't mention your name, you don't have to do anything… you shouldn't have to do anything." He looked into my eyes, his blue ones were now a shade darker, showing that he thought I had been serious.

Troy nodded. "Okay, I'm just… used to it. He never mentioned my name if I had to do something…" He was still trembling, his hands in particular shook.

I enveloped him in my arms and held him close. "It's okay, hunny." I felt him nod slightly. I pulled back and looked at him. "Come on, get upstairs, and I'll send Gabriella and Chad up." He nodded, his eyes now restored to their usual bright color. I watched him as he went upstairs and heard his door close. I returned to the kitchen just as Nick sat back down. I narrowed my eyes and saw that my plate was empty. I rolled my eyes and said, "You could've asked for more."

He grinned. "I didn't want to." I smiled and put the plate in the sink next to the ones Troy had started washing. I sighed as I turned around, my eyes meeting Chad and Gabriella's glances.

"Make sure he comes along tomorrow," I said, and watched them nod in reply.

"We won't let him out of our sight."

"Does he have practice tomorrow?"

Chad shook his head. "No, it starts next week since the new coach isn't here yet." I nodded and dismissed them from the kitchen up to Troy's room.

So, the end again. Well like I said: 15 reviews please and I try not to let you guys wait too long.

LY Mitchi