A/N High School Musical Settings and Characters all belong to Kenny Ortega and Disney. Any original characters and this story are copyright © 2011-2018 to Hopelessromanticgurl, all rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the author.

A/N Camp Rock Settings and Characters all belong to Matthew Diamond and the Disney. Any original characters and this story are copyright © 2011-2018 to Hopelessromanticgurl, all rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the author.

"What is May 30th?" Taylor asked. "I know there is something going on that day, I just don't remember what it is."

"May 30th, that's the same day Gabriella has to stand trial against Axel, Maria, and Wolfie."

Everyone else gasped and looked to each other. What were they going to do now?

"It's not even a questions. I never wanted to do this musical that badly anyway." Chad said. "We promised Gabriella we'd go to the trial and that's where I'm going."

"Me too. Nothing can keep me away from helping my best friend." Taylor said.

"I think we can all agree that the musical is the least of our concerns right now. Gabriella is our best friend, and we're going to do what's best for her." Kelsi said.

"I agree," Martha said.

Gabriella relaxed and smiled softly as she heard all the other Wildcats agree. She and Troy stood up. Gabriella stayed tucked in Troy's arms.

"You guys are all amazing friends for picking Gabriella over the musicals. I give you guys a lot of credit. However, you can't all quit. We only have understudies for the main characters." Ryan said. "Without you, there is no show."

"Sharpay can have the entire spotlight to herself she'll be thrilled," Kelsi said.

"Kelsi, you're the composer. You have to be there to direct the band."

"Kelsi." Gabriella whimpered.

"Mrs. Darbus can direct the band. Gabriella is my best friend. I'm not leaving her."

"Kelsi…"

"Mrs. Darbus is the one who changed the date. Now she has to deal with the consequences. She has to learn to say no to Sharpay. Until she does things like this are going to happen. Now, I don't care what anyone says or does. I am going to the trial with Gabriella. Who is with me?"

"We're what team?" Chad asked.

"Wildcats!" they all cheered.

"What team?"

"Wildcats!"

"What team?"

"Wildcats!?"

"Wildcats!"

"Getcha' head in the game!"

Chad walked over to Gabriella and made eye contact with her. "We're wildcats, and we stick together no matter what."

"I love you guys," Gabriella said.

"Group hug!" Mitchie said.

Everyone shared a big hug. Sharpay was wrong, she wasn't going to be alone at the trial. But she still couldn't shake the feeling that something terrible was going to happen. She just wished she knew what it was.

They broke apart, but Gabriella stayed in Troy's arms. "All right Guys, let's go," Troy said.

"Where?" Gabriella asked.

"We're going to talk to Mrs. Darbus. We at least owe it to her to tell her the truth."

"Can't we just not show up?" Chad asked. "I'd love to see the look on Sharpay's face."

"I would too. But Mrs. Darbus doesn't deserve that."

Chad sighed. "You're right. Let's go."

They all made their way to the auditorium.

They went inside and saw Mrs. Darbus at her desk.

"Mrs. Darbus, we need to talk," Troy said as they all gathered around the desk.

"Mr. Bolton, I'm always surprised to see you here. What is going on?" Mrs. Darbus answered.

"None of us are going to be in the musical for opening night."

"Why not?"

"You changed the date. We already have plans that date and we're not missing them."

Mrs. Darbus sighed. "What plans do you have that could be more important than the wonderful art of a musical?"

"The Trial for Axel and Maria," Troy said. "Myself, as well as the Wildcats, promised Gabriella we'd be there to support her, and we're not breaking that promise."

Mrs. Darbus sighed. "I see what's going on here. Ms. Evans wanted it this way. She wanted a one woman show."

"Not exactly, but she wanted Gabriella to be unable to make it so she and I could perform together," Troy explained.

"All right, well it's too late to change the date again. So what time is the trial?"

"5pm."

"The musical starts at 5:30. How long will this trial last?"

Troy shrugged. "An hour, maybe an hour and a half."

"So you might be able to make it for the second half of the show. You'd be just in time for your scenes."

"I don't know if Gabriella will be up to it. This trial is going to be really hard on her."

"Look, I understand the situation you're all in. You're all wonderful friends, but I can't have half my cast gone. I will make other arrangements if I have to. But I'm going to ask first that you all, minus Troy come for the first act. Then maybe Troy and Gabriella, with Mitchie can join us for act 2."

"I'm sorry, Ms. D. We can't," Chad said. "We made a promise."

"Do it," Gabriella said.

"What?"

"Do. it." Gabriella repeated.

"Brie, you just almost had a panic attack at the thought of us not showing up to support you. Now you're telling us to leave you?" Chad asked.

"Troy, Mitchie, and my mom and dad will be there. If you guys don't show up, you're giving Sharpay exactly what she wants. She can't win." Gabriella said.

"But the trial…"

"You guys will be there with me in Spirit. Mom, Dad, Troy, and Mitchie will all be there, and I can lean on them. Please don't let Sharpay win. If you don't do with for Mrs. Darbus, do it for me. I will be a lot more upset if I know Sharpay got what she wanted by messing up our lives. Please, don't let her win."

"Are you sure, Gabby?" Taylor asked. "You know we will do anything for you."

"I know, and I appreciate that. But it's really going to bother me if Sharpay wins and gets what she wants. She already won't get what she wants because Troy won't be there. However, she'll be happy if the rest of you don't show up because then she gets a one woman show."

"Gabriella is right. I know my sister. She'll find a way to get rid of the rest of the cast, I included, and have a one woman show. But if we are all there we can have Troy's understudy go on with her, and the rest of us get to perform as we planned." Ryan said.

Chad started to laugh. "Ok, I'll do it. But only because I really want to see Sharpay's face when Rocketman comes out on stage instead of Troy."

Everyone else laughed at that too.

"Try and get a picture for me." Troy laughed.

"I will."

"So you're all going to stay?" Mrs. Darbus asked.

They all looked at each other and then to Gabriella. She nodded. They looked back to Mrs. Darbus and nodded. "We're in," Chad said.

"Good. Thank you. Gabriella, thank you most of all. You're very brave to be willing to let your friends do this and face the trial without them."

"Let's just stop talking about it before I change my mind," Gabriella muttered.

"Don't worry, Gabriella. You're going to do great." Chad smiled. "I wish I could be there to watch you completely destroy them."

Gabriella nodded. She wasn't sure if she was going to destroy them or they were going to destroy her. She was hoping for the first one…but she wasn't too confident.

May 30th, came faster than anyone would have liked. Gabriella was prepared as she could be for the trial and even more prepared for the musical. But she wasn't sure if she was going to go to either.

They all arrived at the Court House, and Ashley met them out front.

"Ok, Gabriella, I know you're scared. I don't blame you. I want you to tell me right here and right now what I can do to help lessen that fear?" Ashley said to Gabriela.

Gabriella just hid her face in Troy's side.

"She hasn't spoken a word to anyone all morning," Troy said. "She had a panic attack at breakfast."

Ashley sighed. "I've been in touch with Amber. She's ready to have Wolfie removed as soon as the trial starts."

"She already said she couldn't do that until Gabriella has another panic attack." Troy sighed. "She wants everyone to see how Gabriella reacts to this man to help our case."

Ashley sighed. "Gabriella's reaction to not only Wolfie but Axel and Maria as well is going to play a big part in this trial."

"They saw her reaction at the other trial. Why are they still tormenting her?"

"That was about who was the abusive parent. This is about her being taken at the gym and Axel and Maria breaking into your house. They just want her to give another statement, that's all."

"I still think they are trying to kill her," Troy muttered. "Or drive her insane, whichever comes first."

"I know you're upset. But I'm going to do whatever I can to make sure Gabriella is as comfortable as possible."

Troy sighed but nodded.

"Let's go into the room."

Everyone went inside the room and took a seat. Gabriella sat in between Troy and Steve. She was holding both of their hands in a tight grip.

"I have a signal set up with Amber so that I'll know before they bring in Wolfie so we can have Gabriella look away," Ashley said.

"Good idea," Steve said.

"It should start right after that."

Troy just nodded.

It was quiet after that. Troy tried to make small talk with Gabriella, but she wasn't having any of it.

"Wolfie is coming in," Ashley said suddenly.

Gabriella whimpered. She turned and hid her face in Troy's chest. She brought her hands up to cover her ear as she squeezed her eyes shut. She didn't want to hear or see this guy unless she had to.

Troy rubbed her back, helping her calm down a little That's how she stayed during the opening of the trial and through all the other witnesses that had to go up and speak.

She jumped when she felt a second hand on her back. She looked up to see it was Steve. She uncovered her ears.

"It's your turn," Steve said. "I know you can do this."

Gabriella inhaled and exhaled a deep, shaky breath. She stood up and walked over to the stand. She was sworn in and took a seat.

Ashley stood up and walked over to her. "Ms. Montez, are you ok you look pale?"

Gabriella just nodded. She couldn't stop herself from turning her head just enough to see him. Long beard and all. She whimpered and pulled her knees up to her chest.

"Hey, hey, look at me," Troy said from his seat. "Right at me, right at me. Like the first time, we sang together, remember?"

Gabriella looked at Troy and felt herself relax. She let her legs go back down. "I'm ready."

"Now Gabriella before we begin, please just clarify something for me. When you are speaking, and you say 'mom' and 'dad' who are you talking about?"

"Connie and Steve Torres, they are my mom and dad," Gabriella answered.

"OK, Thank you. I just wanted that to be clear. Now, I want you to start from the beginning for me. As far back as you can remember. What age did the abuse first start?"

Gabriella inhaled and exhaled a deep breath. She shrugged. "I don't really remember. I never considered it abuse. I thought that's how all father treated their daughters. It wasn't until I was 5 or 6 that I realized how wrong I was."

As she spoke, she never broke eye contact with Troy. As fast as she was concerned, she was talking to him, nobody else.

"What happened?" Ashley asked.

"I went to my friend's house for a playdate. Her mother had passed away during childbirth, so it was just her and her dad. I was terrified. I thought he was going to treat us the way Axel treated me."

"And did he?"

"No. He treated us like royalty. He gave us a snack when we first got out of school. Helped us with our homework if we needed it. Then when we were done, he played with us. He wasn't embarrassed to play dress up or tea parties with us. He even played dolls with us and talked in a really high pitched girly voice. I had so much fun and laughed more than I ever had in my life. It wasn't until I had to leave that I started to cry. I didn't want to go home to Axel. I told my friend's dad what was going on and he promised he'd talk to Maria about it and do his best to make sure it stopped. So he did. He spoke to Maria that night. She acted surprised promised to handle it. In the car on the way home, I was told to stop telling lies and being over dramatic. When we got home, she told Axel, and we moved away the next day. I never saw that man again."

"Did the abuse at least stop?" Ashley asked.

"No, if anything it got worse. It was after that I met…I met…" Gabriella groaned as she felt her breakfast rising up. She shook her head.

"Take some deep breaths, for me Gabriella. You're doing really good. Just take some deep breaths for me." Ashley said gently.

Gabriella inhaled and exhaled a deep breath. She looked out and saw Connie and Steve. They both smiled at her and nodded encouragingly at her. She locked eyes with Troy again and felt her stomach settle too.

"I met Wolfie." She continued. "He was the person Axel would call when I was being bad and needed to be punished."

"By Wolfie, do you mean Mr. Charlie Gray?"

"Yes."

"So what happened? How did you get away?" Ashley asked.

"Axel tuned the tables, and he hit Maria. She got angry at him and took me away."

"So Maria knew about the abuse, but she only took you away after it turned on it?"

"Yes."

"Continue."

"Life was ok after that. Maria threw herself into work and left me alone most of the time." Gabriella said softly. "I met the most amazing man ever." She smiled at Troy who smiled back. "Troy Bolton, he became my boyfriend and best friend."

"When you say 'left me alone, most of the time' do you mean she neglected you?"

"Yes. I didn't know it at the time though. I figured she wasn't hitting me, so she wasn't abusing me."

"So what happened there? How and when did you realize what Maria was doing to you?"

"It wasn't easy. Even after I realized it, I didn't want to admit it. I was scared of admitting the truth. Troy helped me with that."

"I see. How did he help you?"

"Maria told me she had to travel for work and instead of taking me with her or allowing me to stay with a friend she dumped me off at this Camp. Ever since Axel, I've been terrified of meeting new people, especially males. But I've also been terrified of new places alone. Maria knew that and dumped me off at this Camp place. She didn't even come in to help me get settle. She dropped me off at the curb and drove away. I almost had a panic attack from the fear."

"And what happened?"

"I met my sister, Mitchie." Gabriella looked to Mitchie and smiled at each other. "She was really nice to me and took me to her cabin and introduced me to her friends and helped me get settled. I was still scared though. Troy ended up coming to keep me company and I wasn't scared anymore. We were invited to a Camp Fire at the camp across the lake that same night. I didn't realize it at the time, but Axel was the owner of that Camp."

"Would that be, Camp Star?"

"Yes. When I realized who he was, I left instantly. I told Troy about my past with me. When we got back to the other side, I called Maria right away. Of course, she didn't answer. She didn't answer any of the calls I made to her the entire time I was there. I later found out that she wasn't even traveling for work. It had all been a setup. She knew about Axel and planned for him to take me home with him after Camp was over."

"She knew about the past abuse, and she still wanted to send you back to him?"

Gabriella nodded. "Yes. It was then I started to put the pieces together and realized she was neglecting me. Mitchie and Troy helped me call the police and talk to Child services, and I was promised I would be sent to a good home near my friends."

"I see and what happened?"

"I stayed at the Camp in the meantime. Axel would sometimes come over just to taunt me and scare me. But I always had someone came defend me. That's how I met my mom, Connie." Gabriella looked to Connie and smiled at each other. "She protected me from Axel and always took me back to Troy to help calm me down. It was her idea to take me in in the first place."

"And were you placed with a good family?"

"The best family." Gabriella smiled at Connie, Mitchie, and Steve.

"It wasn't easy at first. When I first met Steve, my dad, he had a really long beard. Because of Wolfie, I had learned to be terrified of men with long beards. But I was too terrified of telling anyone the story of the Wolfie because I didn't want to remember it. Troy helped me get my confidence and tell Mom and Dad the truth. Even before then though they were all so supportive and caring. Steve kept his distance and let me come to him. They allowed Troy to stay with me as long as I needed him. When I finally told them the truth my dad not only cut his beard but his hair as well. He's never grown it out since. After that, I learned to trust him, and I quickly realized he was nothing like Axel. He was just like my friend's dad that I had met when I was six. Now I have the best family in the world. Connie, my mom. Mitchie, my sister, and Steve, my dad." Gabriella smiled.

"That sounds wonderful, Gabriella. You are very brave to have overcome so much and still be here strong and fighting ."

"It's because of Troy, and my dad…but mostly Troy."

Gabriella looked back at Troy and smiled.

"But it didn't stay that way forever, did it?" Ashley asked.

Gabriella shook her head. "No."

"What happened?"

"They came back….Axel and Maria came back, they wanted me back."

"Did they say why? They gave you up so easily, why would they come back? Were they getting help, promising to change and wanting to try again with you?"

"No. They just wanted me away from my family." Gabriella whimpered.

"Why, weren't you happy there?"

"I was." Tears filled her eyes. "I was happy there." She sniffed softly took a deep breath. "I am happy there."

"So what happened?"

"We had heard about their escape and their desire to get me back. We took the right precautions. I wasn't allowed to go anywhere alone. I didn't want to be left alone. The school was informed so they couldn't get me at school. I stayed close to Troy and my dad, and it wasn't really that bad."

"And what changed?"

Gabriella started shaking. She pulled her legs up to her chest and wrapped her arms around her legs. "They found me," she said. She buried her face in her knees as the memories attacked her like a speeding train.

"Gabriella, I understand this is hard for you, but you've got to look up and try to keep talking. Can you do that?" Ashley asked.

"Look at me, Baby girl, look right at me. I'm right here." Troy said. "You're safe. Nobody is going to hurt you."

When Gabriella looked up, she had tears in her eyes. "Daddy, pulled me behind him to protect me. He warned them to go away, or he'd call the police. They didn't listen." Gabriella started to cry. "Someone grabbed me from behind and when I screamed Daddy turned around to help me and then they….and then they… they hurt him!" she cried harder. "They hurt daddy on the head and knocked him out. They told me he was dead!" Gabriella was crying hysterically now.

Everyone gasped. They had never known that.

"Baby, I'm not dead. I'm right here. I'm safe. I'm not hurt. I'm right here. You're safe. You're safe. I'm right here." Steve said gently. "I'm right here."

Gabriella looked at Steve, and then to Troy and inhaled and exhaled a deep breath. She sniffed softly calming down and then she continued. "I was able to keep in touch with Troy by texting. Axel and Maria didn't know anything. When they found out, Axel sent a breakup message to Troy and then smashed my phone."

"Did Troy believe the text message?"

"No. He sent one back with a special code that only I would understand, so I knew he didn't believe it."

"What was it like for you back with Axel and Maria?"

"Horrible. It was like I was a little girl again. Only this time I kept trying to get away. I always got caught. So they chained me to the bed and…and they called Wolfie. This time there were no rules, no limitation, he could do whatever he wanted to me, and Maria and Axel would never stop him."

"Did he ever sexually hurt you?" Ashley asked.

Gabriella shook her head. "Not exactly. He'd stroke my arm and my hair and face. He would talk about it, but he never acted on it." Gabriella inhaled and exhaled a deep breath. "He kept promising he would. I just never knew when."

Gabriella pulled her legs closer to her chest and hugged her legs tighter to her body.

"Gabriella, you're doing so good. Just hang in there a little longer ok. I just have a few more questions for you."

"No." Gabriella whimpered. She buried her face in her knees and shook her head. "No more Wolfie. No more Wolfie."

"We're done talking about Wolfie. It's ok."

Gabriella looked finding Troy's eyes again. He smiled and blew her kiss, winking at her. She smiled softly and inhaled and exhaled a deep breath.

"So once you were found I'm sure you were relieved and had the support of your friends and family to help you feel better?"

Gabriella nodded. "Troy knew exactly what I needed, and I didn't even need to speak it. I wasn't speaking when I first got home. Troy was my voice until I could find mine again."

"Were things ok after that?"

Gabriella shrugged. "Axel, Maria, and…and Wolfie were caught, but they blamed the abuse on my mom and dad. So Mitchie and I were both taken away from them. It was really hard, but Troy was amazing and helped me get through every day without them."

"Both sets of parents were allowed visitation rights until the day of the trial, is that right?"

"Yes."

"So you saw Axel, Maria, and Wolfie again all the time?"

"No. They never showed up I didn't care I was happy just seeing mom and dad again."

"But they did show up one night."

"Yes. They broke into my house."

"What happened?"

"I was hidden away to keep me safe in one of the bedrooms. The three of them stood outside the door banging and yelling at me until they broke into that room too. I don't really remember what happened from there. I shut down out of fear. I just know there was a lot of arguing and fighting over which one was my real mom and dad. They threatened me to tell the truth at the trial otherwise Wolfie would….Wolfie would…" Gabriella gulped and inhaled and exhaled a deep breath. "Wolfie would follow through on his promises. They left before any more could be said. The rest of that night was kind of a blur for me."

"That must have been terrifying for you. I am very proud of you, Gabriella. You did very well up here on the stand. You're very brave and very strong."

"May I get down now?" Gabriella asked. She wasn't sure she had any energy left.

"Absolutely not! Now it's my turn." A man's voice ordered.

Gabriella looked at the voice to see Axel, Maria, Wolfie, and their lawyer. Their lawyer just happened to have a long beard as well. Troy was right…they were trying to kill her.

Gabriella felt all the color leave her body. She started shaking. She curled herself up even tighter and buried her face into her knees. She shook her head and muttered. "No more, no more, no more."

"I am calling a 15-minute recess for Ms. Montez to calm down," Amber said. "Next time, Mr. Barns do not speak out of turn."

Amber hit the gravel on the pad and stood up leaving the room. Troy and the other ran over to Gabriella and hugged her close. Troy worked his magic like he always did when Gabriella went into her protective stance.

Gabriella calm down and uncurled.

"You did amazing. I am so proud of you." Steve said.

"You're almost done. I promise." Ashley said.

"I need Troy." Gabriella whimpered. "I need him to stay with me."

"I'm right here, Brie. I am with you."

Gabriella nodded.

"Listen, this is what we're going to do," Steve said. "You're going to go back on that stand, you're going to be just as strong and brave and have been. You're going to stand up to Axel and Maria and even Wolfie once and for all and then when you're done you get to come down, and Troy and I will hold you the rest of the time until this is over. Deal?"

Gabriella shook her head. "His beard."

"They did it on purpose," Ashley said. "They knew the long beard would throw you off. But it's good. It means they're desperate. They know they don't have a chance to win, so they are using every trick in the book. If you can just look past the beard at either Troy or your dad, you can win this, and they can never bother you again."

Gabriella inhaled and exhaled a deep breath. She nodded. "You're right. I can do this." She stood up and looked to Troy. "Just like kindergarten?"

"Like Kindergarten." Troy smiled.

He kissed her forehead and went back to his seat. Gabriella took her seat and watched as her family went back to their seats. Beard or no beard she was going to do this.

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