Sorry to those of you who thought the last chapter I posted was a real chapter. To make up for it, I'm posting an extra long one.

Chapter 6. The Storm

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"So, how'd it go over with my dad?" Troy asked when Chad walked back into the locker room.

"I'm not sure. He seemed calm. But then again ,the look in his eyes looked like he wanted to rip me to shreds. I'm not sure man, but I think I just made it worse" Chad sighed sitting down.

"Troy, what if he really hurts you?" Gabriella said squeezing his hand.

"You wanna sleep over with me tonight? You know, just to be on the safe side." Chad offered.

"If I don't come home tonight it'll make it worse. Besides, how much worse can he get?" Troy chuckled nervously.

He couldn't have been more wrong.

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For the rest of the day Troy tried to avoid his dad as much as possible. It worked for most of the day, infact, Troy just about forgot anything happened at all. But that all changed when it was time for practice.

"Are you sure your going to be able to do practice?" Chad asked as they walked into the gym.

"I'll be fine.Just a little sore, that's all." Troy said as calmly as he could.

He tried to just get practice over with without making eye contact with his dad. That wasn't easy considering the fact that Coach Bolton wouldn't take his eyes off his son throughout the entire practice. He would look at the other players, but only for a few seconds before turning his gaze to Troy.

When practice was over, Troy rushed into the locker room as fast as he could. He wanted to get away from his dad's glare as quickly as he could.

"Dude, if it scares you that much, why don't you just call the police?" Chad said when he finally caught up with Troy.

"No. Like I said, it'll only make it worse. You see what happened when he found out you know! Just think what'll happen if the whole town knows!" Troy said in a nervous tone as he got dressed as quickly as he could with all his wounds.

"Fine! You want me to walk home with you? Just to make sure you get there?" Chad asked as they walked out of the locker room.

"No, Chad. That won't be necessary. I'm gonna walk home with him. Be a good chance to bond more." Jack said before taking Troy firmly by the shoulder and leading him away. That was obviously one of Troy's main bruises because as they were walking out, Troy looked back in pure pain and worry.

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"Why the heck did you tell Chad?" Jack yelled as soon as they got home.

"Well, why do you keep treating me like a animal?" Troy yelled back.

"Because if I don't then you won't focus fully on basketball and you'll never be a champ!"

"Oh, so a stupid game suddenly means more to you than your own son?" Troy asked in disbelief.

"If it means being at the top, then yes! And that means you will do what I say when I say it! Do I make myself clear?"

"I guess not! Because I'm still gonna sing! Wether you like it or not!" Troy said proudly. Soon after he had said these words, he regretted ever saying them at all.

"I have had enough of your arrogance young man!" Jack screamed.

He then pulled back and punched Troy right in the face,knocking him into the wall. As soon as he hit the wall he fell onto the floor. When he lifted his head, he noticed blood coming from his nose and mouth. Then Jack came over and started kicking him in the stomach.

"Maybe now you'll listen to me!" Jack yelled as he continued to kick him.

"D-d-d-dad! P-p-p-please!" Troy studdered with the breath he had left.

His dad then picked him up by the shirt and punched him once more in the face. ThenTroy did one of the smartest things he had done all week, he acted like he passed out. Along with singing, he had also picked up some pretty goon acting skills. They seemed to work, because soon after his dad dropped him and then went into the kitchen. After he was sure his dad was no longer in the room, he opened his eyes, gathered all the strength he had left, and got up and made his way to the front door. Luckly, his dad hadn't heard him go out. As soon as he got outside, he started to run as fast as he could.

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Half way down the block, it started to rain. But Troy didn't mind. As long as he way away from his dad. He just had to get somewhere fast before his dad found out he was gone and went looking for him. Then as if someone was looking out for him, he stopped directly infront of Gabriella's house.

He said a prayer under his breath as he went around to the backyard. When he got back there, he looked up and saw that Gabriella was sitting on her balcony under the ledge.

"Troy?" she asked looking down at the figure that was slowly limping across her backyard.

"Gabriella, I'm coming up." Troy said as loudly as he could.

Then he mustered up all the strength he had left and slowly started to climb the tree.

"Troy, what are you doing...oh my goodness!" Gabriella said once Troy came fully into the light.

"Help." Troy whispered before collapsing in her arms.

"Come on, Troy. Stay awake for a little bit longer. I need you to make it to my bed" Gabriella whispered softly in Troy's ear.

"Ok." he whispered again.

He stood up once more and slowly stumbled over to Gabriella's bed. Once he got there, he slowly laid down and breathed a sigh of relief.

"Just let me get the first aid kit." Gabriella said running into her bathroom and taking out a small box. "Troy, is it alright if I cut your shirt off? I don't want to cause anymore pain."

Troy weakly nodded.

She then took out a pair of scissors and very slowly started to cut away the bloody,muddy shirt. When she took off the shirt she was even more disgusted than last time. Gabriella leaned over and kissed Troy's forehead. He opened his eyes and smiled weakly.

"This might hurt a little, but it'll make it feel a whole lot better." Gabriella warned before spraying the disinfectant on the cuts that littered his back and sides.

When she did this Troy hissed in pain and clutched the bed post. Gabriella quickly wrapped some gauze around the cuts. Careful not to make it to tight for the bruises.

"Thanks." Troy said slowly sitting up and leaning against the back of the bed. "I don't think my dad knows where you live so you should be safe."

"Good. Are you gonna be ok? Do you need anything?" Gabriella asked taking Troy's hand in her own.

"All I need right now is you." Troy said smiling. He then leaned down and kissed Gabriella passionately.

When they broke apart Gabriella leaned up against Troy's chest."

"Does this hurt?" Gabriella asked.

"You couldn't hurt me if you tried." Troy said putting a bandaged arm around Gabriella's shoulders.

"My mom's working late tonight. But I'm sure she won't mind you staying over. Considering your current situation." Gabriella said closing her eyes and smiling.

"Good. I do NOT want to go back out in that rain again!" Troy joked.

Gabriella just smiled and scooted closer to him. Troy in turn put his head on top of hers and slowly ran his fingers through her perfect hair. Soon they both started to fall asleep. As they did Gabriella wondered what she would do without Troy, Troy wondered what he would have done without Gabriella. In the end they both decided it was best just to be grateful for what was.

There you have it! There'll probably be two more chapters.