Chapter 4: At School

Gabriella struggled through the day. She would shift in her seat every few minutes to try and find a comfortable position. She would also check her compact at least once per class period to make sure that the make up covering her black eye was still on. She didn't have a black eye….not yet at least. Right now, it looked like she just had circles under her eyes. Pretty soon though, it would get worse, and then people would start to ask questions. At last, the bell rang signaling the start of lunch. Gabriella grabbed her backpack, and rushed to the roof. She didn't feel like eating with her friends today. They might get suspicious, and ask questions. The roof was empty, just like she hoped. She sat on the bench, and brought her knees to her chest. It was so peaceful, so quiet. She could think on her own; try and sort out her life.

Meanwhile, the gang was sitting at their usual lunchroom table, wondering where Gabriella was.

"Maybe I should go and look for her," Troy said, standing up. Chad grabbed his arm, and pulled him back down onto his seat.

"Dude," he said. "Don't worry about it. Gabriella's a big girl. I'm sure she's just in the library studying, or meeting with a teacher about a grade she got. You worry too much."

"It's not just that. She's keeping something from me. She won't look me in the eye, and when I gave her a hug this morning, she winced."

"She did say that she fell down the stairs the other day. She could just be feeling the aftereffects of the fall. Sometimes it takes a day or two for the pain to really set in," Taylor suggested, taking a bit of her salad. Troy shrugged.

"I don't know. It feels like there's something more."

Kelsi said, "Troy, you're her boyfriend. You'd be the first person to know if something was really wrong. She'd tell you, not us. Give her time, it's probably something small." He nodded. Maybe he was overreacting.

Gabriella began to cry. She hated Ian for doing this to her. She hated not telling Troy. She hated everyone and everything right now. The wind felt good rushing past her. She wished she could just leave with it, and forget everything. Leave, and never come back.

"No," she said out loud. "Then I wouldn't be with Troy." Gabriella hugged her knees to her chest, and buried her face in her arms. Then, she began to sob. She sat there, on the bench, crying the entire lunch period. When she heard the bell ring, she touched up her make up, and ran to her next class.

Unfortunately, Gabriella's next class was with Troy. The second she walked in the room, he grabbed her arm, and swung her around so her body was pressed up against his.

"Missed you during lunch," he said to her.

"Sorry," replied Gabriella. "I was in the library looking something up, and then I went to our spot to eat. I wasn't really in a social mood. I should have let you know or something." Troy shook his head.

"I'm not your Mother; I was just worried that something was the matter." He paused. "Hey, Gabi, if something was wrong, you'd tell me…right?" Gabriella brushed her lips past his, and put on the best fake smile she could muster.

"Of course," she whispered. "I love you, Troy." Troy kissed her forehead.

"I love you too," she said. The late bell rang, and they scrambled to their seats. Only three more classes to go. Then, Gabriella had to go home, do her homework, and go to Troy's. She then had Chad's party, and she had to ask Taylor if she could stay at her house for the night. In twenty-four hours, her Mom would be home, and everything would be fine…hopefully.

Class seemed to drag on forever. It was the last period of the day. The second the bell rang, Gabriella literally ran out of the room, and charged down the steps.

"Where's the fire, Gabriella?" Jack Bolton asked from behind her. She spun around.

"Oh, I'm sorry, Coach. I wanted to get all my homework done so my Mom and Ian wouldn't hassle me about it later this weekend," she explained.

"So your Mom comes home today?"

"Actually, tomorrow, but I'll be too tired after the party tonight to do much in the way of homework." Jack smiled.

"You'd think after all the time you and Troy spend together that some of your studious behavior would rub off on him."

"With all do respect, Coach, but in my opinion Troy is a hopeless case. Too much time with Chad. Taylor and I got to them a little too late." Jack sighed, and pretended to act disappointed.

"Oh well, nothing lost nothing gained," he said. "I'll see you in a little while, Gabriella. Bye."

"Bye Coach," Gabriella said before running off to meet up with the gang.

"What took you so long?" Troy asked Gabriella ran she ran up to him. He was standing in front of the school with Chad, Taylor, Zeke, Sharpay, Ryan, Bri, Kelsi, and Jason.

"Making fun of you and Chad with your Dad," she replied simply. Troy kissed her on the cheek.

"Well, then you'll have to pay." When Troy started to tickle Gabriella, she began to struggle.

At first, he thought that it was just because he was tickling her, but then she cried out, "Stop, Troy! You're hurting me!"

"Sorry. What's with you lately?"

"Nothing. Can we go now? I have to get my homework done before I can go to your house." Troy looked at Chad who shrugged.

"We'll see you guys later," Jason said as he, Kelsi, Sharpay, Zeke, and Ryan began to walk to their houses, which were in the other direction.

"'K, bye!" Taylor called, waving.

A/N: Sorry, short chapter…but in the next chapter, Troy finds out! There are only two or three more chapters left. Short fic, I know, but I'm writing a fluff-filled HSM too, so look for it in the next week or so! Thanks to all my wonderful reviewers. I was so afraid that no one would like this one when I posted it! You make me feel so loved starts to cry. Well, off to write my next chapter!

Tina101