A/N: Next chappie :) tell me what you think ;)

Chapter 20 – Two friends

Troy and Gabriella sat on the couch and Britney sat in the armchair. Gabriella had Troy's hand tightly grasped in her own. Their hands were resting in his lap and they glanced at each other briefly. "Well, Britney," Troy started cautiously. "I'm going to cut to the chase. Is the baby mine?"

Britney sniffed slightly and wiped her eyes. "You want the truth?"

Gabriella nodded. "That would be nice."

"I don't know, alright?" Britney exclaimed.

"What?" Troy whispered. "How can you not know?" He yelled.

"Troy, calm down." Gabriella ordered. "Now, Britney, I'm learning all about medicine, so I know how this works. Do you trust me?"

Britney nodded slightly.

Gabriella stood up and knelt in front of Britney. "When was your last period?"

Britney started counting on her fingers, clearly thinking hard. "It started on June the sixth. About a month before I came here."

"Brie, where are you going with this?" Troy snapped.

"Troy, if you're not going to cooperate, you can just leave." Gabriella replied in the same tone. She turned back to Britney and her face softened. "Are your periods regular?"

Britney nodded. "I can usually predict when they start."

"Right. Well, the date of fertilisation should be the fourth of July. Or there about." Gabriella explained. "Did you sleep together around then?"

Britney nodded. "Well, sure. We did it practically every night."

Gabriella sighed and raised her eyebrows.

"Sorry. You didn't need to know that." Britney flushed slightly and thought back. "Well, yeah, we did sleep together. But, we always used protection. The only time we didn't was the first time and that was a week before. I think."

Gabriella nodded. "Troy?"

"Yeah?" He replied.

"Could you go outside for a minute?" She asked.

"But, Brie-"

"I'm asking nicely." She said through gritted teeth.

Troy held his hands up as he got to his feet. "Fine." He sighed as he left the room.

Gabriella stood up and sat on the couch. "Come here, Britney."

Britney cautiously stood up and sat next to Gabriella. "What's up?"

"Troy's not the father is he?" Gabriella asked.

Britney shook her head. "No. He's not. I'm sorry."

"It's not me you should apologise to." Gabriella said softly.

"Yes. You are. None of this would've happened if I wasn't a spoilt brat. So, I'm sorry. It's taken this" – She pointed to her stomach – "for me to figure out that I really want us to be friends, you know? I mean, you've got such great friends and Jase who's a fabulous to you. And Troy. You're lucky. There's not many like him. But, he's luckier. He's found himself a smart, intelligent and a really sexy girlfriend."

Gabriella looked up and saw the honesty in Britney's eyes. "You…You really mean that?"

Britney nodded. "I know you hate me and you want me out of your life but I'm sorry."

Gabriella nodded. "I know. But, it's going to take time. And, as long as you're this honest with me from now on, we can be friends."

Britney's eyes brightened. "Really?"

"Yeah. I think you need one right now."

Britney nodded. "Yeah. I could."

"So, if you don't mind me asking, who's the father?" Gabriella whispered.

Britney fiddled with her hands. "Drake Fields."

"The West High captain?" Gabriella exclaimed.

"Sssh…I want to tell Troy. It wasn't my fault, I swear. It was at the after party of the game and I had only had one drink and then he pulled me into a room against my will. I might've been a bitch but I'd cheat on anyone, especially Troy." Britney cried.

Gabriella reached across to the coffee table and handed her the box of tissues. "He…" She swallowed before continuing. "He raped you." She whispered.

Britney nodded slightly. "Yeah. He did. I didn't have the heart to get an abortion."

Gabriella smiled softly. "I think you losing Troy knocked a lot of sense into you."

Britney nodded. "Yeah. Me too."

"Brie, have you forgotten about me?" Troy yelled from the hallway.

"Just a second." She yelled back. She lowered her voice to a whisper. "You need to tell him what happened without me being here. But, just for you to know, if Troy's the guy I think he is, he'll stick by you and I will too."

Britney nodded as Gabriella stood up. "And, I want to thank you. I wasn't expecting for you to be my friend."

Gabriella smiled softly before turning around and leaving the room, soon replaced by Troy. He sat down awkwardly next to Britney and she blew her nose. His face softened at the sight of her and he sighed. "Are you okay?"

Britney nodded. "I think I will be." She lifted her head to look at him. "But, I don't want you to worry. You're not the father."

Troy breathed a visible sigh of relief. "That feels so good to know. So, who is?"

"It wasn't meant to happen." She whispered. "Drake Fields raped me at the after party. I'm sorry."

"Really?" Troy exclaimed, shock lacing his voice.

Britney nodded. "Yeah."

"Gabriella said she's your friend now." Troy said softly.

Britney nodded. "Yeah. She doesn't know how much I appreciate it."

"Listen, Brit, I know Drake Fields and I know he won't care. So, I'll help you. I'm not talking complete father for the baby to call 'Daddy'. But, definitely a father-like figure." Troy said sincerely.

Britney smiled gratefully and burst into more tears. "Thank you so much Troy. I know we've had a rough start but is it alright if we start over?"

"Brit, because of you, I admitted that I was in love with Brie. Yes, we both got hurt but I think this is the start of a happy ending." Troy smiled at her.

"Why would you want this to end?" Britney asked.

"Is it alright if we hug or will it be awkward?" Troy asked.

"Only one way to find out." Britney replied, pulling Troy towards her. "Any awkwardness for you?"

Troy shook his head. "No. What about you?"

"Just two friends." Britney whispered.

"Now that's the kind of Britney I want to see." A voice said from the doorway.

Britney and Troy looked up to see Gabriella stood there, grinning. Britney giggled. "You guys don't know how happy I am that you gave me a second chance."

Gabriella smiled and sat next to her. "It's not a second chance. It's your last chance."

Britney nodded. "I know. I just want a friend."

"You've got more than that." Troy said. "You've got a family."

"Yeah. Jason will beat off any boys, I'll go shopping with you. I don't think we'll be good at cousins. I think we're sisters." Gabriella smiled.

Britney hugged both of them tightly. "I'm glad you two are together. You're meant for each other."