Beautiful Disaster

by: LunarEclipse360

Disclaimer: I'm going to hypnotize the president of the Disney company and make him give me the rights.

Chapter 21

After Gabriella took her shower and dressed, the two of them made their way to Troy's house. He motioned for Gabriella to stay quiet and she nodded.

"Okay. My room is towards the back. You'll be able to know which one it is since it has my name on it. If you hear any voices, then make a run for my room and I'll be with you in a few. Okay?" She nodded and they walked into his house, quietly.

Troy took Gabriella's hand and led her through his house. There was not a single soul around which was weird. They made it to Troy's room and went inside.

"Watch your step," he told her as he led her down the short stairs.

"You have stairs in your room? Wow."

"Yeah. I think this used to be a den or something." He grabbed clean clothes and kissed her cheek. "Be right back." She nodded and he left the room. She looked around at all the different trophies he had and the pictures that adorned his room. She heard the door open and smiled.

"That was quick," she said turning around. She quickly froze when she saw a man standing in the doorway. His six foot build intimidating her. "Um...hi."

"Who are you and why are you in my step son's bedroom?"

"I-I'm a friend of his."

"Really," he said with a smirk.

"Yeah."

"I didn't know my step son had a pretty friend like you. Wish we would have met before." He closed the door and stepped towards her. She stepped back but found herself being stopped by the wall. She backed against the wall as much as she could and he came closer to her. He finally had her cornered and he placed a hand on her waist, running it up and down her side. "I know you would be a lot of fun in bed."

"What the hell are you doing in my room?" Dennis turned around and smirked when he saw Troy standing in the doorway.

"Just introducing myself to your little friend." Troy's eyes darkened when he saw Gabriella backed against the wall with fear in her eyes.

"Get away from her." Dennis chuckled and moved so Gabriella could get out the corner. She ran over to Troy and hid behind him. "Are you okay?" he whispered to her and she nodded.

"Yeah. I'm just glad you came when you did."

"So, Troy. Where were you last night? I was missing my punching bag." Gabriella froze at his words. She looked up at Troy and saw a flash of fear cross his eyes. "I bet you were too busy fucking your little bitch over there." Troy's eyes darkened even more and before Gabriella could blink, Troy had his step father against the wall.

"Don't you ever call her that," he growled and Dennis smirked.

"Aww. Is Troy protecting his plaything?"

"I'm not fucking playing. Don't fucking talk about her like she's an object."

"You know you can't win against me. So why don't you just let me go and I'll go easy on you in front of your little girlfriend." Troy just glared at him. Dennis' smirk dropped and he shrugged. "Fine. Don't listen to me. But don't say I didn't warn you." Dennis quickly punched Troy in the stomach and Troy let go. He then connected his fist to the side of Troy's head and Gabriella watched in horror as Troy was sent to the ground.

"Troy," she whispered and stared as Troy was beaten by his step father.

Soon it was all over. Dennis was tired of it. He kicked Troy one more time before leaving the room. Gabriella sat with her back against the wall until finally finding the strength to move. She crawled over to him and touched his cheek.

"Troy," she said and he groaned. "Troy open your eyes. Please?" he slowly opened his eyes, blue connecting with brown.

"Ga-Gabriel..."

"Shh. It's okay. I'm here," she said and moved his head into her lap.

"Yo-You need to get...to get out of here."

"I'm not leaving you."

"If he...comes back, I-I don't know if I...can protect you."

"I don't care. I'm not leaving you here." She leaned down and kissed his lips, softly. She stroked his cheek and kept him close.

Dennis never did come back into the room. Gabriella didn't know why but she was glad. Troy was eventually strong enough to climb onto his bed and she helped him. She still sat beside him, not daring to leave his side. She lied down next to him after he drifted to sleep and stared at him. He was different when he slept. He was peaceful. Gabriella slipped into a deep sleep shortly after.

"No. No. Leave me alone," he said in his sleep and woke Gabriella up. She opened her eyes and sat up, watching as he had a nightmare. "Please. Leave me alone." She was so worried about him that she didn't know what to do. So she did the only thing she could think of: she held him. She wrapped her arms around him and ran her hand through his hair.

"It's okay, Troy. I'm here. No one's gonna hurt you."

In the midst of her whispering comforting words in his ear, he awoke and wrapped his arms around her, crying against her. This was one side Gabriella had never seen before. She didn't even know this side of him existed.

"Don't leave me," he whispered.

"I won't. I promise I won't," she said and he tightened his grip on her. He eventually fell back into a dreamless sleep. Gabriella lied there, propped up against Troy's headboard with him wrapped around her midriff. She stroked his hair and hummed a soft tune.

He awoke some time later and looked up at her. His soft blue eyes met her chocolate brown ones and she smiled.

"Hey," she said softly.

"Hi," he said and sat up. His face contorted as a sharp pain shot through his body.

"Don't move so fast," she said and touched his arm. "You're hurt pretty badly. Where's your first aid kit?"

"Under the bed." She went under and pulled out the small white box.

"Lift your shirt." He looked at her with uncertainty. "I have to see how bad the bruises are." He lifted his shirt and she gasped at the multitude of bruises on his back. "This...wasn't the first time, was it?" He shook his head and she touched one bruise. She heard him give a sharp intake of breath and she removed her hand. "Sorry."

"It's okay," he said and relaxed. "Did he ever come back?"

"No."

"There's a surprise." She maneuvered her way around him and knelt down in front of him. She softly put pressure on parts of his abdomen and he cringed.

"I think he might have broken your rib."

"Wouldn't be the first time." She grabbed the ace bandage and began wrapping it around his stomach. "What's this for?"

"To help the rib heal. It might take longer than if you were to go to a hospital but it'll help."

"I've got a cook and a nurse. Can my life get any better?" She smiled and he took her into his arms. "Thanks for staying with me," he whispered.

"I told you I wouldn't leave."

"I'm glad you didn't." She pulled away and sighed.

"I think it might be too late to go to school, so I should head back to my house before my father gets home."

"Want me to walk you?"

"I'd like that." He grabbed her hand and they left his house. "I guess we really do have a lot in common," she said as they walked down the sidewalk.

"Yeah. Seems like we do," he said and smiled at her.

"Troy, promise me something," she said and stopped in front of him.

"Anything."

"Promise me that we won't hesitate to come to each other if we need to."

"Promise."

"I mean it, Troy," she said, looking into his eyes. "I want to know that you won't be afraid to show your true self around me."

"I haven't been fake around you since that day I showed you the garden." She smiled and kissed his lips. "Now what brought all that on?" She bit her lip and shrugged.

"It's just that...back there, you were really vulnerable. I've never seen that side of you before. You were like a child. I just want to know that you won't be afraid to be like that around me. I know guys don't like showing their emotions, but...I want you to."

"Only for you though. No one else. Just you." She nodded and they continued to walk to her house. When they reached her doorstep, she turned around and he pinned her against the door.

"Troy," she said with a smile on her face. He leaned down and placed his lips on hers. She wrapped her arms around his neck and he wrapped his around her waist. They pulled away seconds later and he leaned his forehead against hers.

"I'm so glad you came into my life, Brie." She smiled and nodded.

"So am I. I don't think I'd be this happy if I hadn't have met you." He smiled and kissed her lips again.

"I should go before my step father sees I'm gone again."

"Okay. If you need something, you know where I'll be." He nodded.

"And if you ever need me, just call and I'll be climbing that tree faster than you can say 'Albuquerque.'" He kissed her one more time before letting her go. "Bye."

"Bye Troy." She watched him head back into the direction they came from and she went inside.