Chapter 11

The next morning, Gabriella and Isabel walked downstairs for breakfast to find a huge surprise. Their mother was sitting at the table sipping a cup of coffee. Nick was buried in his newspaper and Adrianna was making some eggs.

"What are you doing here?" Gabriella asked, her voice quavering.

Adrianna turned when she heard Gabriella's voice. "Okay, Gabriella, Isabel, we are all going to talk, now," she said, hurriedly.

"Talk about what?" Gabriella asked. "She kicked me out of the house and confronted me in public yesterday afternoon. There's nothing to talk about."

The doorbell rang and Nick went to answer it. A minute later he walked back into the kitchen followed by Troy.

"Troy, I don't think now's a good time," Adrianna began.

"Actually, I think it would be okay if Troy stays," Nick said. "I think he's the only person who can help Gabriella to calm down once all of this is finished."

Troy looked utterly confused. "What's going on?" he asked but nobody answered him.

"Okay, Maria, you begin," Adrianna said to Mrs. Montez. She looked at Gabriella and Isabel and said sharply. "There will be no interruptions."

"I'm sorry, girls," Maria began. "I was cruel to you, but, please, forgive me and come back home."

"I'm already home," Gabriella said, coldly.

Isabel did not say anything. She was very scared of her mother.

"Gabriella, please," Maria pleaded.

"NO!" Gabriella screamed. "Just leave me alone!"

Before anyone could stop her, Gabriella had rushed out of the house. Troy did not wait a moment before following her. He caught up with her within seconds. She was crying.

"Come here, Gabs," he said holding out his arms.

Gabriella slid into his arms and started sobbing uncontrollably. "I don't want to go with her," she cried. "She was mean and cruel."

"I know, Gabi," Troy said. "I know."

He stroked her hair, gently. The couple spent the day together. They did not talk much, but, it did not matter. When Troy took her home, Maria was not there. She had left Albuquerque, according to Adrianna. None of them mentioned Maria afterwards and within a couple of weeks, Gabriella was back to her normal self. She knew that she could not have done it without Troy. He was the one who was there for her whenever she needed someone.

A/N: Sorry for the late update, guys. My laptop was broken. Anyway, I'm leaving for holiday on Monday so I might not be able to update while I'm gone! I'm really sorry, but, I'll do my best to put up a new chapter of 'I'm here for you' before I leave. R&R