Chapter Fifteen! I'm not sure how many chapters it'll be.

The next morning, Gabriella walked into school early, not wanting to be there. She walked to her locker and found Troy leaning against her locker, obviously waiting for her. He walked to her and stood in front of her, wanting her to make the first move. He took in the bags under her eyes and the few knots in her hair.

Troy reached out and took her books out of her arms and her bag off her shoulder. He turned to her locker and placed the stuff gently on the floor. He turned back to Gabriella and saw the distant, sad look in her eyes. He gently took her hands in his.

"Gabi? Are you gonna be okay?"

The concern in his voice caused Gabriella to start crying and she launched herself into Troy's arms. Troy held her close and stroked her head.

"It's gonna be okay, Gabriella. Your mom is strong."

Gabriella nodded, her head still buried in Troy's chest. Troy noticed a bus pull up to the school and stepped back from Gabriella, causing her to look at him with hurt and confusion in her eyes.

"Put your stuff in your locker and come with me."

Gabriella nodded and quickly spun her lock, opening the locker and shoving her bag into the neat locker. She threw her books in and shut the door. She turned back to troy and noticed he had his hand out, waiting for her to take it. She silently took his hand and followed him as he led her to the staircase that took them to the rooftop garden.

Once they got up, Troy sat on the bench and gently pulled Gabriella down to sit beside him. She didn't say a word as Troy wrapped his arms around her again. Instead, she sank further into his embrace, letting the tears she had kept inside flow out. She hadn't cried in front of her parents to show them that she was strong. But now, sitting in Troy's arms, she let it all out.

"That's weird. I trust Troy enough to let him see me bawl my eyes out."

Troy watched the crying girl in his arms, feeling helpless.

"It'll be okay, Gabi. You'll get through this. I'm here for you."

Troy ran his fingers through Gabriella's hair, the knots disappearing beneath his fingertips. Gabriella was shocked; not knowing Troy could be so gentle. Gabriella sat up a little, wiping the tears from her face with a sleeved hand. She looked at Troy, feeling embarrassed about breaking down in front of him like that.

"Good thing I don't wear makeup, huh? It would be everywhere."

Troy took his hand and wiped away a tear that Gabriella had missed.

"You don't have to wear makeup anyways. You're beautiful without it."

Gabriella blushed and looked down at her feet, while Troy just looked at her and smiled.

"Thanks, Troy. For everything. And sorry about your shirt."

Troy looked down and noticed the big wet spot on his chest and shoulder.

"No problem, Gabi. I'm here if you need me. And about the shirt, I've got an extra t-shirt in my locker. I'll grab it before class. No worries."

Gabriella nodded and sniffled again, causing Troy to open his arms again for her. She gratefully leaned into Troy's embrace and cried quietly. Troy rubbed her back as she wrapped her arms around his waist.

"At least she's not crying so hard anymore."

Troy smiled down at the girl in his arms and felt something he had never felt before.

♪

The school day went on and Gabriella stayed calm the whole day. She was getting tired of all the pity smiles she received from the teachers. Apparently, her father had called the school, telling them why Gabriella was absent the day before.

Gabriella sat in her music class with Troy, working on her other assignments while Troy quietly played his guitar. Ms. Darbus came up to them to see how they were doing.

"How are you doing, dear? I'm terribly sorry about your mother."

Gabriella felt tears well up in her eyes. She didn't notice Troy setting down his guitar and walking over to her side of the table until she felt his arms wrap around her. She looked up and gave Troy a grateful smile.

"Thank you."

Troy gladly returned the smile and slowly removed his arms from around her petite waist, instantly missing the feeling.

"No problem. I'm here for you."

♪

Sharpay Evans watched the pair from across the room, seething with anger and jealousy. Her partner, Zeke, looked at her and followed her eyes to the pair on the other side of the room.

"Hey, Sharpay. Are you okay?"

Sharpay turned to Zeke, a plan forming in her mind.

"I will be."

♪

What is Sharpay up to?

Jay