The pistol echoed off the walls like a canon. It took less then a half second for Gabriella's slender legs to begin pumping furiously. Her heart stampeded forward in sync with her light feet as she pulled away from the starting line and burst towards the first curve of the first one hundred meters. The cheering of the large crowd was drowning out by the pulse throbbing in her ears. She felt another dangerous presence beside her as her stride increased to get a lead on the other girls. But Katie was right up on her right side, lengthening her powerful legs to shoot out of the curve to the back straight away in front of the Wildcat runner.

Gabriella's chest heaved as she tried to stay with her. She was out for blood, her own blood. Katie's blonde hair mutated into black ocean waves and she seemed to shrink to Gabriella's height. Her snake eyes narrowed as everything around her turned into a blur as she tried to keep with the Knight. "Stay with her Gabs! You gotta stride out when you hit the straight away, come on Gabs let's go!" The assistant coach screamed halfway through the back stretch, but Gabriella couldn't hear her.

Flashes of her past shot by her as her breathing began to come in short gasps. The car that she was in when it flipped suddenly drove by. Her mother in a skanky outfit waved as she rounded the corner on Katie's heels. Her father's furious face blinding her from the track. She tried not to stare at the hallucinations, but they were impossible to ignore. No. She had to focus on the race. She had to get this. Sub five twenty. That's all she had to think about. Sub five twenty and the season would start out right.

"GO GABRIELLA!" People were shrieking violently as Gabriella did her best to lift her legs up even just an inch. Katie was beginning to pull away, but that only meant it was Gabriella's cue to go with her. She had to.

But her suddenly tensed up rebelliously and became thousands of pounds. What? This was the first lap! Usually she'd be ok by now! Panic settled in her already uneasy stomach. Pain stretched over her body like a rubber band and snapped. Three nights of little to no sleep started to toll on her body. Her energy was fading.

"SEVENTY SEVEN, SEVENTY EIGHT, SEVENTY NINE SECONDS FOR THE FIRST LAP! YOU GOTTA STAY WITH HER GABRIELLA!" The coach screamed encouragingly at the finish line, but it was like a hole was popped into Gabriella's lungs. Air could go in, but it would just fly right through the rip instead of staying there. Her head became airy and dizzy. Doubt covered her olive skin as Katie began to increase the space in between them. No!

Gabriella did everything in her power to try to keep up as they came around the back stretch for the second time. She couldn't do it. Her body had collected the torment in the sweat that dribbled down the back of her neck. Nothing was working. Subconsciously, her muscular legs began to slow down. She had enough distance of the girls behind her, but there would be no way that she could catch Katie now. She failed. Miserably. Through her vivid panting, a tiny tear welded in the corner of her eye. She failed herself, there was no hope now. Despair settled into her broken chest just as she rounded the empty two hundred mark.

But then her tired heart jumpstarted as a determined, dangerously low voice was the only sound that cut through into her ears. "Come on baby, you gotta go now! You can do this!"

Witch black eyes wide, Gabriella shifted her spheres to the side to see a shadow that almost made her stop moving. It was the only hopeful thing through the demons that surrounded her. A flip of her empty stomach as the blur in a crimson hooded zip up sweatshirt and jeans leaned towards the track so she could hear him. He was the only one standing on the curve, an angel in the darkness. "Let's go Gabi, you've got this!"

That was all it took to give her the strength. How could she think that she was done? No, this was the time to do it. She had to, remember? Prove it to yourself Montez, Troy's watching.

He came for her.

With a swell of her almost collapsing heart, she lifted her rebelling legs and shot around to the front straight away, black orbs narrowed on the blonde girl about ten meters ahead of her. The tunnel zeroed in on her opponent again. She had to gain ten meters in two laps, she had to.

"EIGHTY ONE, EIGHTY TWO, EIGHTY THREE FOR THAT LAP GABRIELLA! HALF WAY THERE, YOU HAVE TO GO NOW!" Her coach was hysterical. Eight-three seconds. Too slow, way to slow. She had to do this, she must.

Coming around to the two hundred again, Gabriella was only five meters behind a panting Katie. Normally, the third lap was always the hardest, the slowest. But Gabriella already had her slow lap, now it was time to get it on. Her aching heart pitter pattered as she didn't dare to rip her midnight eyes from Katie, but strained her ears to listen for the magical voice that would give her strength again. "THAT'S IT GABI… COME ON BABE A LAP AND A HALF. GO GET HER!"

Troy's voice was encouraging her to push harder, pump her thin arms more furiously, just run faster. As she came around towards the finish for the third lap, she could hear the distant shout of "EIGHTY" seconds for the previous lap. One more around the track, and then she would be done.

Her focus unbreakable as she finally moved her legs like she had never run before. Her stride was miles long as she closed in, one meter at a time. The deaf sound of screams from the crowd still couldn't be heard. Her pain, agony, hundreds of bruises fell upon her as she sprinted desperately on the right side of her rival, passing her fluidly. She couldn't hear the cheers screeching through the indoor track as she shoved her arms up and down. Oxygen wasn't making it through her lungs but she had to push through it, push through her torture.

"THAT'S IT GABRIELLA!" Troy's cheers cutting through her pulse beat in her head. "YOU GOT THIS BABY, STRIDE IT ALL THE WAY TO THE END! GO GABI! GO!" She could almost hear his excitement like a crazed fan at one of his basketball games as her arms rapidly pumped through the torment that had been dragging her for so long.

The last hundred was like a dream. Her lungs weren't filling with air, but that couldn't matter. Everything was as though it was in slow motion as she pushed fluidly off the track, her legs cranking at tremendous speeds. Images of her father slapping her, bruising her, kicking her, abusing her almost knocked her to the ground. The track wasn't present anymore, but her body kept its pace her midnight eyes closed to see the snowplow coming headfirst towards her. The three slashes across her stomach scorched, but she didn't cry out. She was done feeling pain; she wanted it to be over.

In seconds, Gabriella's dark chocolate brown eyes snapped open and the deafening sounds broke through when she crossed the finish line. Hundreds of screams bolted through her ears as she slowed to a stop. The room was spinning, but her grin beamed as though she had just won the Olympics. She did it. She beat Katie, she beat her pain. Happiness rushed through her blood stream in the form of endorphins, and she dropped to her boney knees triumphantly.

Big mistake.

The last thing she saw was the glowing green stop clock on the wall that read 5:17. After that, her heavy lids shut and her body couldn't be controlled by her mind anymore. Again, the rush of the crowd was taken from her and the only thing she could hear was the pounding of her heart within the blackness. The only thing she saw was a disturbing angered face by her father.

"GABRIELLA!" Someone screeched in the distance, but Gabriella didn't hear them. Her breath had still not returned to her, but against her unconsciousness, she was very well aware of how her skin felt. It was as though someone set a flame to her flesh and watched it burn mercilessly. She felt like she was being crucified, then set to a torch. Steaming hands began to press against her back, attempting to flip her over. She wanted to scream at them to let go, that it was hurting her, just as at one point she wanted to screech at her father to stop. That he was killing her.

"She fainted! Someone get the coach!" A voice that if Gabriella was listening she would have recognized as Emily's shouted fearfully, but instead she was tumbling down a well of flames and couldn't hear.

Suddenly, to break through her darkness, a wash of cold water enclosed her blistering limbs. Someone had turned down the heat and ice buckets were being poured on her as cool muscular arms lifted her up. Clawing her way back to consciousness, she could now again hear people screaming her name.

"RACHAEL!" Another teammate yelled, Gabriella pulling back into reality but refused to open her enormous eyelids. Just snuggling into the freezing water was enough to satisfy her senses. "I don't know what happened she just fell to the floor!"

"Set her down here…" Someone ordered the angel who was holding her demandingly, it sounded like Coach Rachael. "Gabriella? Gabriella can you hear me?"

It would have been selfish not to respond. "Ysesha." Was the jumble that came from her lips.

"Bolton, you're going to have to move…"

The sound of his name finally made her hundred pound eyelids shoot open.

Everything else seemed to be in black and white as the world tried to come into focus. Everything but the color she stared hungrily into. It was like she was standing on a beach in Hawaii with the sparkling turquoise water crashing lightly into the white sand. Like standing on the top of one of the snow covered mountains outside and staring straight up on a sky blue day. Gabriella's trembling hand reached out and connected with the sea cool skin just to be sure it was real.

"Gabi…" Troy breathed out thankfully, and she was finally aware that his calloused hands were resting on the curve of her hip. He was leaning gently over her so her tight leg was now bent and rubbed dangerously against the side of his built torso while he kneeled between her spread legs. The snow white shirt brought out his tan and it wasn't until she tried to move her drained arm that she realized his overly large sweatshirt was wrapped around her shoulders. She felt at home at last.

He was different. Not the Troy she remembered. His skin almost sparkled beneath the florescent lights. The frown lines on his forehead disappeared entirely, the tired circles under his eyes vanquished. Concern was written though his cerulean orbs, but it was like there had never been any pain there to begin with. They still looked older than normal eyes should, but in a mature, sexy way instead of tortured. He was even more beautiful that she remembered, if that was even possible.

"Bolton, you have to leave." Rachael's fearful face coming into view, trying to rip his shoulder from her. Knowing it wasn't his place, he backed slowly away, but Gabriella wouldn't have it.

"Troy!" She screeched in a raspy voice while trying to reach for him. Pain seared through her body, she hadn't even realized that she landed on her stomach roughly.

"It will be ok. I'll be back… you need to rest." Troy mumbled before pressing his comforting lips against the trembling hand she didn't even notice he was holding. "Get her something to eat." Then he let go, Gabriella's brown eyes following him as Rachael took his place by her side.

"How many fingers am I holding up?" She questioned vigorously, Gabriella turning back to her. Her head felt light and airy, but she could feel other teammates trying to put water onto her pulse points.

"Four." Gabriella glanced at her before watching Troy fall into the background, not wanting to cause a scene with the coach. But she seemed to be satisfied that Gabriella was conscious now.

"Are you ok to get up?" Rachael asked, Gabriella now realizing they were only inches away from the track, the four by two hundred getting ready to commence.

"Yeah…" She responded, feeling a little heavier than before. With the support of Emily and another junior, they aided Gabriella to her feet and directed her towards where the Wildcats were camped. A sudden smell of fake chocolate filled her nostrils.

"Eat this." Rachael shoved a Powerbar into her contorted face.

Agreeing that she felt airy and light still, Gabriella obeyed her commands, trying to ignore the concerned looks on the team's face. She had fainted, something she had never done before. It happened to other girls, but this was the first and only time it had happened to her. Even though the experience was frightening, she couldn't deny that somehow passing out had lifted whatever was sitting angrily on her chest before.

She turned back to her teammates who were now satisfied that she was going to live. "Minus the fainting part, holy shit!" Emily almost screamed as Gabriella beamed brightly back at her. Her stomach still felt empty, but at least she could focus without getting dizzy anymore. It was like she never slipped from reality.

"Thanks Em…" The rest of the team offered their congratulations before coach Rachael told Gabriella that if she was up for it, she needed to cool down her muscles by running for at least twelve minutes. Within that time period, Gabriella felt herself escape her body, but not to the point that she was passing out again. More of a reflecting, to realize what had just happened and what it all meant.

First, she knew that the only reason why she passed out was from so much lack of sleep, and then running as hard as humanly possible. That was obvious. Second, her mind was still celebrating both beating Katie and breaking five twenty. Not like she hadn't ever broken it before, but last year she started the season at five thirty indoor. That was over ten seconds faster. Her legs were still shaking excitedly as she ran through the empty dark hallways of the school at a moderate pace. She felt free, for the first time in a long time. The race she just ran almost, relieved her. She did the impossible, and now she couldn't be more ecstatic.

But there was another twang in her thin stomach that knew something was not complete, and she suddenly felt compelled to do it. Compelled to feel the satisfaction she had been waiting for so long to feel. Letting go with her mother seemed to start this upwards climb through her torture, but she knew that the only way she would be able to finally feel like everything would be okay was if she did what her stomach flipped and requested of her.

It was time for everything to be revealed. She was ready, he was ready. She wanted to tell him as soon as possible.

An hour later, Gabriella found herself standing off at the two hundred curve of the track, alone. The last event of the meet, the four by four hundred, was getting ready to be ran. The large red hood covered the top of her ponytail, not once did she remove Troy's toasty sweatshirt since he put it on her. The musky scent of him was still threaded in the sleeves and she couldn't help herself to take in the intoxicating scent. In the distance, she watched the girls set up their blocks to get ready for the race most people came to watch. "You scared the shit out of me." A husky voice drew her out of her stare, a playful smile crossing her face as she refused to turn around to meet his burning stare.

"Sorry." Gabriella mumbled softly before she felt the thin air become heavier as he walked to her side, neither touching. Funny how you can go from one minute when you needed to have contact with a person, to the next where you felt so comfortable that just their presence was enough.

"How are you feeling?" Troy questioned turning his gorgeous head, Gabriella unable to contain herself any longer. Her head swiveled and was almost knocked over by his beautiful, almost carefree features.

"Physically? Fine." She smiled coyly up at her boyfriend, who just seemed so... unbelievable attractive. She was certain at this point that he was sent down from heaven. His clear eyes sparkled beneath the florescent light like diamonds.

"Mentally?" His perplexed look was puzzled. Gabriella assumed it was because she had a lazy smile on her face for the first time in ages. Since before he got his shot and she was reminded of her father. Now, yes it hurt, but just running the race proved she could get through anything. Running was just like that for her. Like an addictive drug. Okay, maybe that was a really bad metaphor.

The starting gun shot again, followed with rounds of cheers. The Wildcats took off into first place immediately, Gabriella knowing that their 4x4 team was the most elite in the state. But she didn't have eyes for them right now. All she could do was stare dreamily into the cerulean orbs that seemed to be born again. Her slim hand reached up and cupped the side of his smooth face, Troy leaning into her touch blissfully as electrical waves shattered her nerve endings. Never before had the touch been so powerful from either of them. "I'm still trying to catch my breath." She replied honestly, before Troy's eyes fluttered open.

His rough hand grasped hers that was on his cheek and immediately laced their fingers, Gabriella feeling a pulse that connected the two together as the runners sprinted by. "Gabi… I'm sorry…"

Gabriella's black eyebrow narrowed in question. "Why?"

He sighed, for the first time since she saw his reborn self, distress was present in his flawless features. "I'm the reason you passed out… I just abandoned you…"

She could have cared less right now if he had left her on the street with no clothes on. Just by looking at him, his radiance, she knew that he had completed what he had set out to do. And Gabriella? She wasn't complaining much either. As complicated as it was, just that one race and fighting against her demons on her own was all the remedy she ever needed. Facing them head on with full force.

She felt heeled.

"Troy… you did what you needed." She coaxed while playing with his large knuckles, smiling comfortingly at him. It was like the reunion she had been dreaming about for the past few days. Only right now there was less kissing involved and more clothes.

"You needed me." The runners flew past them again, both completely oblivious to the surroundings.

"I'll always need you," She responded honestly. Her mocha eyes glanced down sadly. "But your right…" Lifting her head up, letting them sparkle in the way his did. "I needed to walk on my own. My dad couldn't ruin my life forever."

Troy's sharp eyes bulged in shock. She knew this was it. A sudden nervous pressure built in her chest. What if he pushed her away after this? But with a shake of her still slightly light head, she knew that was false. He said okay, didn't he? He'd stick with her through whatever. She without a doubt knew he loved her. "Gabriella… we don't have to do this now."

Again, the runner screamed by, on their final lap. Gabriella felt a hot tear burn in her eye. Not of remorse, but of finally letting go. "Why not now?" she questioned solemnly. Gabriella wanted him to know, now. Right now. She wanted everything off her chest. She wanted to feel free.

"Gab… not here."

She had the uncontrollable urge to tell him, and knew she would not be satisfied until she did. "My dad's been controlling my life even in his grave." Troy's eyes grew several sizes too large once again. Unable to control herself, her bottom lip trembled. Not in the way it might have before today, but in the way of sadness, not fear or anger or pain. Remorse, not bitterness was in her tone. It time she faced this full on. Faced her demons. Told Troy everything there was to tell. She was sick and tired of secrets. She wanted everything to be out.

"Gabriella, please…"

She knew he didn't want her to be upset or hurt, the carefulness in his cyan eyes proved that. But she wanted him to know. Now. "He hit me Troy." Her voice was low and hushed, Troy's entire body freezing like an ice statue. More silent tears trickled down her face. The cheering fan were stripped from the room as Troy's tan face paled as though he was going to be sick. It took a moment of staring until it sunk in. Blue met brown, and both knew exactly what this meant.

That was it. Everything between them was in the open now.

"No… baby please… no…" Troy whispered disturbingly as he gripped her hips hidden by her white sweatpants and pulled her to his comforting chest. It was like he was pleading with her to say it wasn't true. To say that she was just lying. But it wasn't. "Tell me he didn't."

"I'd be lying to you." Gabriella's whisper was muffled into his tough shoulder. Compassion tangled into her lower back as he pulled her body as close as possible. Not in the desperation they might have had at one point, but this was truly of healthy comfort. Not craving to kill pain, instead it was accepting that they would have it no matter what. Both had tormented lives, but as long as they had each other, they would be able to face their problems instead of run away from them.

"No…" Troy murmured again, neither one breaking their embrace to see that the meet was now over and everyone was cleaning up. He pressed his enchanting lips to the warm knot of her black hair beneath his own hood. "Gabriella… I'm so sorry."

Her eyes danced to the tips of his face. "Don't be… please." Gabriella pleaded with him, though she could see tiny tears of pain gloss over in his own cobalt eyes.

"I just… I knew it was bad… I just…I never expected…"

"That...? I can't run away from it anymore. And I can't hide it from you." Chocolate connected with the ocean once again in a heated stare that sent waves of love ripple through their entangled bodies. Neither knew anything this powerful as the emotion they were feeling now. Relief, love, and a sense of knowing that the sun would come up tomorrow flooded their tainted bloodstreams.

For once, it seemed like everything would be okay. She couldn't even describe why she was crying. It was such a relief to finally get it off of her. But it just seemed that for a secret that long kept, being able to tell someone, anyone, would bring tears to her eyes. Plus the truly hurt expression on Troy's face was enough to break anyone's heart.

"Gabriella!" Emily's voice finally broke the stare as Gabriella's head glanced sideways to see her friend bounding up and down joyfully. "The bus is loading!"

Gabriella closed her eyes painfully, the tears still dribbling down her face like spilled milk. "Be there in a sec!" Her voice cracked twice before she turned back to Troy, looking like he just found out his mother passed away. She gently placed her hand into his soft locks, grabbing a handful of his chestnut hair. She didn't want sympathy. She just wanted him. "Don't Troy… you of everyone should know that I don't want people feeling sorry for me."

Their foreheads then connected as both closed their eyes and inhaled each other, desire burning through their hearts. It was evident that for so long they had been out of their own bodies. For so long they had been writhing and tortured, but now they both were free. Free from every bound that was holding them apart. Gabriella wanted Troy. All of him, because this was who he was. This was the person he was meant to be. Not mangled, not burning or dying. This.

But as she pulled away, and began to run towards where Emily was waiting, she was not satisfied. Everything was closing around her, but she wasn't happy. Not yet at least. There was still one more thing she wanted, one more thing she needed before she could truly say that she was going to be okay.

The one thing only Troy Bolton could give her.

A/N: I have a really bad gut feeling that people might be upset after this chapter that I didn't focus enough on Gabriella's pain as I did with Troy. But try to understand that I made Gabriella's character to be stronger than his. And hopefully you can appreciate that as a runner, at least for me, races tend to make you reflect on certain things in your life. It's hard to understand, but I hope you guys liked this chapter. The next one should be up by Friday.

Thanks for reading and reviewing! You guys are incredible! :D