Summary: The gang go through tough times at university with family illnesses to secrets as to two members accused of cheating. They are all attending UCLA and all the girls will be sharing an apartment just as the boys will. Someone's dad gets ill and causes them to withdraw from the gang and hurt the ones they love the most. How will they cope? Two people are helping each other out but with the amount of time they are spending together their other half's start to question them. Will they all still be friends by the time they've finished? Who will suffer heartache and will the pressures of being so different finally get too much?
A/N: Thanks for the reviews guys. I decided not to leave you hanging too long so here's the next chapter. Please R&R.
Disclaimer: I own absolutely nothing except the plot, Annabelle and Aaron.
Chapter 18
Gabriella was crying and shut her eyes tight when all of a sudden she felt the man being pulled off her. She opened her eyes and to her surprise, there was Aaron beating the crap out of the guy.
"YOU STAY AWAY FROM HER OTHERWISE NEXT TIME I WILL KILL YOU!" Aaron pulled Gabriella out of the alley and quickly walked down the street before stopping and pulling her into a hug. Gabriella was completely shocked. The guy who had made her life a misery a few years ago had just saved her and now she didn't know whether she was more scared of the way Aaron was acting or at the thought of having to tell Troy and the guys what happened.
"You ok?" Aaron asked softly as he wiped away her tears.
"Yeah thanks. Why did you do that?" Gabriella asked as Aaron closed his eyes.
"I don't know really. I was just walking past when I heard crying and when I saw what he was doing it just made my blood boil at the thought of someone hurting someone else and when I saw it was you, I saw the scared look on your face and it made me realize that must be how I've been making you feel and I just had to stop it." Aaron explained as Gabriella just stood there in shock.
"But I thought you hated me?" Gabriella questioned.
"No I don't. I don't think I ever have. I guess I've always been jealous of you and the gang. You guys cared for each other and no matter what you were there for each other. I guess I wanted all that. You have people to love you all for you and loving families." Gabriella felt sorry for him.
"You could have that all too. We would never judge you on what you've done. Look at us lot. We've all made mistakes but we all come back together in the end and I know I would like it if you came and hung with us this evening." Gabriella offered as Aaron nodded.
Gabriella and Aaron arrived back at the girl's apartment. Gabriella was hoping that Troy would forgive her. On the way back Aaron had made her see that Troy was only trying to look out for her. As Gabriella opened the door, Aaron hesitated. Gabriella shook her head and pulled him in.
"Wait here." Aaron nodded as she ran next door to Troy's apartment. She knocked on the door and as soon as Troy opened it she flung her arms around his neck and kissed him passionately on the lips. Troy didn't know what was happening but all he knew was he was kissing back. Gabriella pulled away after a few minutes and smiled at him.
"Any chance of getting my boyfriend back?" Troy laughed at her puppy dog eyes.
"How can I say no to those eyes." Gabriella smiled and kissed him again. "I love you Gabriella Montez and no matter how far away you push me I always will." Gabriella had tears in her eyes.
"I love you too Troy Bolton and I promise to try not to push you away again." Troy pushed her against the wall just inside his apartment before Gabriella pulled away.
"Hey come with me." She said pulling Troy out of his apartment and to hers. "You have to promise not to flip when you see who is inside and when I tell you something. Promise?" Gabriella said seriously.
"Promise but what's going on Gabi." Gabriella opened her door and Troy suddenly felt the anger build up in him when he saw Aaron. "What are you doing here?"
"Troy shut up you promised you wouldn't flip so you have to let me explain." Gabriella sat down on the couch and in Troy's lap so he wouldn't punch Aaron, which is exactly what she could see he wanted to do. Aaron sat in the single chair in the room. Gabriella then started explaining what happened to Troy she felt him tighten his grip on her.
"Are you ok?" Troy asked concerned.
"Yeah I'm fine and I just want to forget about it but if it wasn't for Aaron who knows what would have happened." Troy smiled at her knowing how brave she was being.
"Well I guess I owe you a thank you for saving my girlfriend." Gabriella smiled at Troy who was trying for her sake.
"No problem." Aaron and Troy shook hands as the rest of the gang walked in.
"What the hell is he doing here?!" Chad shouted as he and the other guys stepped forward. All the guys looked at Gabriella like a younger sister.
"Chad stop before you start." Troy said standing up seeing how angry Chad was.
"What why?" Chad asked as he continued glaring at Aaron. They then went into the whole story with gasps from the girls.
"Gabi are you ok?" Taylor asked walking towards her and pulling her into hug.
"I'm fine. Actually more than fine." Gabriella smiled at Troy who returned it.
"Am I missing something here?" Kelsi questioned as Troy wrapped his arms around Gabriella from behind. "OMG are you two back together?" The two smiled and nodded. All the girls squealed as Chad walked over to Aaron.
"You'll get use to the squealing if you stick around." Aaron laughed, as Annabelle watched him and knew something was still up with Aaron because things weren't adding up.
A/N: a few people got it right that it was Aaron. Please Review. Thanks!
Preview: Taylor does something stupid.