Hello everyone! Thank you so much for being so patient with me. School has kept me quite busy with several analyses of text, from Norse mythology, in a relatively short time frame. Plus, now I have until Thursday to read myself up on the conflict in Yemen and how France would handle the situation because our class is participating in a fake UN security council meeting. So exciting but quite a bit to grasp!

Shout-out to pumkinking5 and Grace for your encouraging reviews. So touching that you're sharing your own personal experience and I feel like this chapter focuses more on the people around the loved one who are struggling. Your reviews are as always greatly appreciated! Sorry in advance for any mistake since this has in no way been proof read, he he.


"I really hope things work out. Alex and Amelia, Troy's grandparents, loved her me and Jack included," Lucille told Maria who smiled. "Please know that you both are welcomed at any time," she continued and Maria smiled.

"Thank you. That means a lot and I am certain Gabriella will take you up on that offer," Maria told Lucille who laughed.


"So what plans does Gabriella have for next year?" Lucille questioned as they were sitting in the cafeteria talking.

"She have applied to several colleges across America. Unfortunately, I think there are only a handful of them she really wants to attend. I believe she applied to many of them because of the uncertainty about where my job will transfer me. We only moved to Albuquerque about a year ago and I made the company promise me that we wouldn't move until she graduate," Maria told Lucille.

"I imagine it's hard to stay in touch with her friends," Lucille mentioned and Maria nodded. "She tried before we moved here but she told me she never went there long enough to get any real friends. I have never seen her as happy as she is with Troy. I believe that is part of why she choose to apply to a college in Etrea," Maria told a surprised Lucille.

"Really?" she questioned raisin her eyebrows. "You know the name of the college?" Lucille questioned and Maria thought.

"She did mention it…" Maria said thinking for a minute. "Something about College of Etrea," Maria told and Lucille had a smile on her face. "Royal college of Etrea," she stated and Maria nodded. "That's it."

"Troy also applied there or rather accepted at once. What everyone is waiting on is to see what he chooses to major in," Lucille explained. "Do you know what Gabriella wants to study?" she questioned.

"She have been talking about law but that was here in America. I don't think she mentioned what she wanted to study in Etrea but I have a feeling it might be law," Maria told Lucille thoughtfully.

"That is exciting. Do you think she will move to Etrea if she is going to study law?" Lucille questioned and Maria nodded.

"I have a feeling she will. I don't see it likely that they offer American law," Maria reasoned before continuing, "Of course I hope she enjoy herself if she ends up getting accepted but it will be thought in the start knowing she is so far away," Maria explained her eyes getting teary.

"Oh they always go their own ways whether we like to or not. To be honest I was missing Troy terribly for the first couple of weeks but it got better over time and I knew that he would come back home for Christmas," Lucille shared with Maria.

"Hopefully she would want to come back home for Christmas," Maria told Lucille whom nodded. "Nothing is more important than family during the holidays," Lucille agreed.

"So I have to ask. How did you and Jack meet. I mean it must have been quite a shock," Maria mentioned and Lucille laughed quietly.

"Oh I never anticipated it. Jack went to Royal College of Etrea while I went to a different school close by in Saint Germains. We could not have studied more different subjects either. He had chosen international politics and I were studying psychology," Lucille laughed remembering back to her college years.

"We were first introduced at a mutual friend's party but we barely spoke, I mean he were a part of the royal family why would he talk to me were the thought's running through my head. But we spoke on some occasions but we never really got in touch again until after college and then we hit it off," Lucille told Maria lifting the styrofoam cup up to her lips.

"It took some time before we got engaged because he served a year in the military but we got engaged in August 1988 and got married in March 1989. Then a year later in March 1990 Troy was born," Lucille shared with Maria who seemed surprised.

"Did Jack choose to sign up for the military?" Maria wondered but Lucille shook her head.

"No he did not," Lucille sighed. "Despite Etrea being a large country with 129 million habitants we do have conscription for the military where everyone has to fill out what you could call an application. Then they choose based on these applications, and they are asked to perform some tests before the final answer comes. Somehow there is still a large representation of men, heaven knows why," Lucille shared shaking her head. "We have been trying several times to even out the gender inequality but it does not seem to work… It is still a work in progress."


Thursday 14th of February
Troy's POV

"Mom?" I questioned walking into the kitchen. "Could we stop somewhere before we head to the hospital?" I asked her and she nodded.

"What did you have in mind?" she questioned him taking a sip of her tea. "Since it's valentine's day, I wanted to do something special for Gabriella. I thought about getting her some flowers," I explained to mom who smiled.

"That's a good idea," she encouraged me. "Your breakfast is on the counter and then we can leave," mom told me leaving no room for discussions.

"Thanks," I said and went into the kitchen to retrieve my food.

About half an hour later mom and I walked through the hallways at the hospital. I ended up with buying her a bouquet of red roses and a small stuffed teddy bear who held a heart saying I love you. I knocked on the door before we both walked inside. "Good morning and happy valentine's day," I told Gabriella who blushed but had a smile on her face.

"Happy valentine's day Troy," she told me as I handed her the teddy and roses. "These are beautiful Troy," she claimed and smelled the flowers. "And they smell so good. Thank you," she told me and kissed my cheek.

"How are you feeling Gabriella?" mom asked gently and took a seat beside Maria. "I am better," she started telling us but I knew she was hesitating about something. "but," she continued not meeting my gaze, "they want to keep me here at least a couple of days to look further into the malnourishment as a result of the tube," she admitted and hugged the teddy bear close to her.

"I am sorry to hear that Gabriella. Hopefully, you'll be home soon enough," Lucille told her and Gabriella smiled a little. "I really hope so too," Gabriella admitted.

"How are you really feeling?" I questioned her as both of our mother's had left us to be alone for a moment.

"Tired, guilty, ashamed," she started listing up to me and I gripped her hand. "Sweetheart," I told her wrapping my other hand around her shoulder. "You shouldn't feel like that. You have no reason to. This was not your fault," I told her scooting closer.

"But it was," she protested. "I choose…" she said swallowing tears. "I choose to try it," she protested. "But would you if they hadn't encouraged and manipulated you?" I questioned her and she sniffled.

"I guess not," she admitted slowly looking at me. "You choose to call me Brie. You wanted to be here today and that's what matters. Know that whenever you're in doubt you can always talk to me, no matter the time," I assure her and a small smile formed on her lips.

"Thank you Troy. I don't know what I would have done without you," she told me and moved closer towards me. "I love you Brie, don't ever doubt that," I told her kissing her forehead.


"I think that you should return to school tomorrow Troy," mom told me as we were all in the room before I and mom left for the day. "I think you should Troy I'll be fine for a couple of hours. Mom will be here anyways," Gabriella told me and I knew I couldn't argue about this.

"Fine," I agreed but I looked back at mom then Gabriella, "but I'll be here after school," I told them and mom smiled a little.

"I expected nothing else," she told me looking at her clock. "I guess we need to call it a day," mom shared with us and rose from the chair. "Yeah," I agreed a little reluctantly. "I'll see you tomorrow," I told Brie as she moved over to hug me tightly. "Bye," she told me not letting go. "I love you and thank you," she whispered quietly and I smiled. "No worries and love you too," I told her and she released me.

"Are you okay?" mom questioned me as we were driving home. "I guess I'm okay," I told her looking at the scenery that passed us. "I mean when Kelsi first called me asking if I had spoken to her I never imagined something like this having happened…" I trailed off looking ahead. "So many thoughts were running through my head as she rang me. I feared the worst when she hung up on the phone," I shared with mom.

"You shouldn't focus on what happened but rather that you found her when you did. She is ok because of you," mom reasoned with me and I somewhat had to agree.

"I guess that's true…"

"You could have, for whatever reason, chosen not to answer when she called you that night. You could have chosen not to go over to her house. There are so many choices you made at your own free will that saved her. She is here because of you Troy," mom told me and I quickly wiped away a tear that lingered in my eye.

"You are right," I agreed as mom parked the car by the house. Walking inside mom turned on the light putting the keys down. "Are you hungry?" she questioned me as I took off my jacket.

"Not really. I'll just be heading to bed," I told her and she smiled softly. "All right. Goodnight," mom told me engulfing me in a hug.

"Night mom," I told her feeling a little better. Somehow mom always knew how to make things better, and to be honest I was glad she came here. I flopped down on my bed and after what must have been a couple of hours I fell into a restless sleep.


The sound of my alarm was just about the only sound going through the house the next morning. I rolled over and turned it off as I contemplated just staying in bed today. I really didn't want to get up. I rubbed the sleep out of my eyes before dragging myself out of bed and into the shower. Not long after I had finished showering, dressing and brushed through my hair.

Walking into the kitchen I took a quick look in the fridge before deciding that I had to shop for groceries very soon. I picked up an apple from the bowl of fruit before making my way to school.

I sat down at my desk just as the warning bell was sounded and Chad looked at me. "Hey hoops, good to see you today," Chad told me enthusiastically.

"Hey," I told him and even Taylor looked at me. "I didn't want to be here, but both mom and Gabriella thought I shouldn't skip school anymore," I shared with her and she nodded.

"How is she doing?" Taylor questioned. "As good as can be expected. I promised I'd be there after school today," I shared with them.

"Mrs Montez must have told the principal already because Darbus told the class yesterday and by now they must understand it's about Gabriella since you're back," Chad informed me.

"I should have guessed that. What happened to those involved?" I questioned them and Chad shrugged his shoulders.

"Rumours has it that Brittney was expelled and Alexandra was suspended for a couple of days and suspended from after-school activities," Taylor shared and I were a little surprised. Despite what they did were awful I didn't fully anticipate this outcome…

"Also Darbus spoke to me after class and told me that she hoped Gabriella would return and if there should be any issues she could come to her at once," Taylor told me. "I'll tell her. Hopefully, that information would help her when she returns," I told Taylor as the bell sounded and our teacher entered the classroom.

The day dragged on and soon enough I found myself seated at a lunch table with the Wildcat gang answering all sorts of questions about how Gabriella was. Soon enough our group split up with Taylor heading towards the library already having passed history, Kelsi and Ryan heading towards the auditorium for a rehearsal with Darbus and the rest of us ended up in our different history classes.

I and Chad were only half paying attention but I looked up when I heard the teacher call my name.

"Mr Bolton, can you tell me what happened to Wall Street in 1929?" Mrs Howie questioned looking at me. "No I'm sorry," I apologized and she nodded looking at Chad. "What about you Mr Danforth?" she questioned.

"No Mrs Howe," Chad told her having been caught completely off guard.

"I'm giving you both a warning," she told us continuing her lesson.

"Mr Bolton, can you tell us something that contributed to the Great Depression?" Mrs Howe asked as she had obviously understood that we were still not paying attention.

"No," I muttered looking up. "Mr Danforth?" she asked. "No Mrs Howe," Chad told her. "Please speak to me after class," she told us before continuing the lesson.

When the bell rang the class packed up and left. Me and Chad walked up to Mrs Howe who looked at us. "Boys you need to pay more attention in my class. Especially you Mr Bolton who didn't attend class yesterday." "I had a valid reason," I argued looking at her.

"I know that and I'm sorry about what happened, but you are here today. Therefor I am going to have to give you both a two-day detention after school. No arguments," she said giving us a look writing the slips. She handed it to us before we walked out the door towards homeroom

"Didn't you promise Gabriella you would head over after class?" Chad asked as we hurried down the hallway.

"Yes," I told him solemnly. "And she knows when we're finished. I have no idea how to tell her," I told Chad as we entered the room and sat down in our regular seats

"Don't you two look like sunshine," Taylor commented as she saw us.

"Not funny," Chad muttered looking at her. "What happened?"

"Both of us got detention and I promised Gabi I would be at the hospital after school," I explained to her and she made a face.

"I need to do something for the declaration team after school, but it shouldn't take long, and then I can head over and be with Gabi until you make it there. I'll explain what happened," Taylor suggested.

"You would? Thank you so much Taylor," I told her gratefully as the bell rang and Darbus entered in her own theatrically way. "Ok class," Darbus said starting her rant about drama that no-one really listened to.

XOXO

After a long one and a half hour later the bell sounded dismissing us for the day. "Remember to read the text for homework," Darbus reminded the class as they hurried out of the room.

Well almost everyone. Except for me and Chad that was.

We stopped by our lockers to collect homework for the weekend, hoping to get something done in detention before we headed back towards our homeroom where detention was being held.

There Mrs Darbus sat at her chair on the stage reading some form of poetry. She looked up when she heard us and seemed surprised to see the two of us.

"I'm surprised to see the two of you here. I would imagine you, Mr Bolton, to be with Miss Montez at the moment," she said with a little smile.

"Trust me I would Ms D but we're here for detention," I informed her. "Really?" she questioned slightly shocked.

"Mrs Howe gave us detention during history," Chad explained and we gave her the slips.

"I was told there was two for detention and I was wondering who on earth managed to get it on a Friday afternoon, but I'm not too surprised with the two of you," she chuckled and we had to smile.

"I was thinking about telling them about drama and as you know proximity to the arts is cleansing for the soul, but I will spare you both. I could imagine you both have a lot going on so on this rare occasion I will let you both do homework," she informed us and we were somewhat in shock. Darbus never allowed to do homework in class.

"Unfortunately I cannot let you off early but you both deserve it," she shared with us, a certain sadness in her voice coming through. "It means a lot," I told her as we sat down starting some of the work.


Hope you all like it and I will try my best to not delay the next chapter as much. Reviews are always greatly appreciated!

-FreeFlyingWriter