Thanks again for all of your ideas! They really help with knowing what to write.

Chapter 4. The Truth Comes Out

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As Troy walked into school the next morning, he tried as hard as he could not to limp. This was hard though, cause every time he took a step it felt like someone had hit him just below the knee. But as hard as it was, he somehow managed to walk strait enough so that it was hardly noticeable.

"Hi, Troy! How did it go last night?" Gabriella asked running over to Troy after first period.

"Hey. It went ok. He was pretty mad, but nothing major." Troy lied.

"Are you sure?" Gabriella asked seriously.

"I'm sure." Troy said as convincingly as he could.

"Ok, see ya later!" Gabriella said before giving Troy a kiss, which he gratefully accepted. No matter how much his dad threatened him, nothing could keep him away from Gabriella.

When they broke apart Gabriella wrapped her arms around him and pulled him into a hug. Troy was glad that she wasn't looking at his face, because if anyone had been, they would have seen pure pain. Troy hoped she hadn't noticed it when he flinched a little when she hugged him. But it turned out she had. For during free period he found a note in his locker to meet Gabriella on the roof.

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"Ok, now what really happened last night?" Gabriella asked when Troy finally mace it to the top of the stairs.

"I might guess Imightas well tell you everything." Troy sighed. "Last night when I got home dad started chewing me out for missing practice. Then he started jumping to conclusions that it's all your fault. So I stood up to him and told him that if he didn't start dumping on you, then I was going to quit basketball."

"Troy! Why did you do that? I shouldn't be the reason you quit what you love!" Gabriella said surprised that Troy would do that.

"Hey, your worth it." Troy said grinning.

At that Gabriella pulled Troy into a hug, causing him to yelp out in pain. Gabriella quickly pulled away and looked at him worriedly. Troy was still grimacing in pain when Gabriella slowly started pulling up his shirt. When she finally got it off, she was shocked to find his back littered with cuts and bruises.

"After I told dad I would quit, he sent he flying into the bookcase." Troy said clenching his eyes shut as Gabriella softly ran her hand over Troy's back.

"Troy, we've got to tell someone." Gabriella whispered taking Troy's hand. "At least tell Chad. He might know what to do."

"Alright." Troy said reluctantly.

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"Hey, guys! What's up?" Chad said as Troy and Gabriella walked into the locker room.

"We have something important to tell you." Gabriella said helping a still aching Troy sit down on one of the benches.

"Sure! I'm always here for ya, man!"Chad said slapping Troy's back.

"AHHHHHHHHHHHH! Can I be put through anymore pain today?" Troy screamed.

"Dude, what is it?" Chad asked surprised.

"That's what we want to tell you." Gabriella said before slowly taking off Troy's shirt again. Chad was just as surprised as Gabriella was.

"Troy's dad has been taking his anger out on him." Gabriella said as Chad continued to stare at Troy's back.

"Coach? Wait, I knew he had a temper, but wow!" Chad said. "So what do you want me to do?" Chad asked as Troy slowly started putting his shirt back on.

"We were hoping you would know something." Gabriella said.

"You want me to ask Coach myself? I mean, he might stop if he knows that someone else knows." Chad suggested.

"At this point, I'm willing to try anything." Troy sighed.

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"Hey, Coach? There's something I wanted to ask you." Chad said as he walked into Coach Bolton's school office.

"Sure, Chad! Anything." Jack said as he continued putting papers in his desk.

"Well, Troy...just... told...me ...that...you'vebeenabusinghim!" Chad blurted out.

"He said, what?" Jack asked surprised.

"He showed me his back and said you've been taking your anger out on him." Chad said nervously.

"Alright. Thank you, Chad. I'll talk to Troy later on." Jack said trying to keep his cool.

As Chad walked out of Coach Bolton's office, he had a feeling he had done something terrible.

Du, du, du! The plot thickens. Review and I'll update tomorrow morning!