Troy decided to stop by Gabriella's house later that day, Sharpay was leaving tonight so he might as well let her know he was there for her.
He rang the bell and waited low and behold Gabriella swung the door open still wearing her hat and her head slightly ducked.
"Troy!" She hissed positively horror struck. She shot a look into the house and pushed him backward as she joined him on the porch. "You have to leave, quickly." She whispered and he grinned.
"Why who you hiding?" He leered and her eyes widened as the door opened behind her.
"Who's this Gabriella?" Hank asked glaring at his daughter.
"Troy Bolton, sir." Troy introduced holding out his hand, Hank shook it then turned to Gabriella.
"Get in the house!" He snapped and her eyes widened.
"Daddy, I didn't... he just showed up... we're not even friends... I mean... we never talk... I don't know why he's here... I don't really know him... I-I-I... please Daddy, I didn't know he'd ever talk to me let alone come here." She begged but he ordered her back inside with a large push which made her hiss in pain.
Troy frowned; what was that about?
"Mr Montez? Sharpay Evans asked me to come by and give Gabriella her English book." Troy told him handing over a yellow folder. Hank took it with raised eyebrows; he nodded then slammed the door leaving a bewildered Troy behind him.
"Gabriella!" He snapped, Gabriella was positively shaking unable to control her fear. "You little whore! Was he here for sex Gabriella? Well?" He snapped waving the folder.
"N-no sir I swear, I have n-n-no idea why he came here." Gabriella whispered, the doorbell rang and Hank glanced at the clock.
"He had this!" He snapped and threw the folder at her feet, wrenching the door open and grabbing is coat as he left with a girl about Gabriella's age.
"Thank god." She whispered picking up the English folder. If Hank had decided to hit her she wasn't entirely sure she'd be ok. Her wounds couldn't take another beating.
Troy watched as Hank left with a young girl then jumped up to the porch and rang the bell again. Gabriella pulled it open, visibly shaking with panic.
"Troy." She sighed in relief as her eyes darted around looking for her father.
"He's gone pet." Troy comforted and she nodded.
"Erm... thanks for bringing this round." She half smiled holding up the folder.
"You're welcome luv." He nodded. The two stood looking at each other for a long while neither knowing what to say. "Are you okay?" He asked suddenly and she nodded.
Troy sighed and reached forwards with his hand she flinched but didn't move. He took the cap off her head then pulled her hoddy down to inspect the bruise. She was still beautiful to him and he had the urge to look after her.
"That still looks nasty pet." He told her examining the wound. She frowned and snatched her hat out his hands.
"Stop it Troy! Stop making me feel wanted, just go away!" She hissed toying with the hat in her hands.
"Can I take a proper look at it?" He asked ignoring her outburst.
"Just leave, if he comes back and you're here...." She trailed off wincing at the thought. That statement made it all click into place for Troy. It was her father, her father was doing this to her.
"He won't find me, just let me do this." He whispered and pushed past her into the house. Gabriella was now incredibly worried if he found Troy in the house god only knows what could happen.
Troy stopped in the large open hall it was massive; it made his house look like a shoe box.
"Where's a bathroom?" He asked looking around, unsure which way to go. Gabriella sighed and went up the staircase on the right, Troy following. She went to her room and Troy walked in behind her, he turned round to lock the door only to find Gabriella suddenly in front of him.
"You can't, don't lock it." She whispered panicked he nodded and stepped back causing her to relax slightly.
She could barely think, Troy was here, in her room, watching her. Why the fuck was Troy here?
Gabriella walked across the room and opened the bathroom door.
"Take off your jumper." He ordered as he went into the bathroom when he came back out Gabriella was stood in the same position he'd left her in her jumper still on. "Hurry up luv." He sighed putting down the damp cloth and the warm water.
"I'm not taking off my hoody." She stated her arms folded.
"Gabriella, please I need to see." He sighed, it was the use of her real name that did it, he never used her real name. She sighed and grabbed the bottom of the jumper pulling it over her head.
Troy stared intently at the bruises and cuts not quite believing his eyes.
"He did all that?" He asked and she sighed, nodding. "Bastard" He muttered which made a smile tug at her lips. "Lay down." He ordered and she did as told settling onto the bed. Troy dipped the cloth into the water and dabbed at her wounds.
"Troy, you don't have to do this, its fine." She sighed as he handed her a cold towel to hold against her head.
"Just shut up and let me do this." He replied and she smiled slightly, no one ever took care of her. She lay still for a long time as Troy dabbed at the wounds gently. When he was done he helped her sit up and kissed her forehead.
"What was that for?" She asked awe struck and he smiled.
"Remember the Christmas pageant 'bout 4 years ago?" He asked and she blushed.
"When you backed me into a corner and made me confess that you were gorgeous?" She nodded it wasn't a question.
"Yeah, well this is because ever since that day you're all I bloody think about. I can't get you out my head, you're stuck inside me. I miss you when you're not around and wonder what you're doing and if you're alright. Seeing you like this makes me feel I've done something wrong, 'cause you never hurt the one you.... care about." He finished, well that's just great he sounded like a sodding ponce.
Gabriella caressed his cheek with her hand and smiled gently.
"Thank you." She whispered and he smiled back.
"Anytime." He whispered leaning into her soft palm. It was then that she heard the front door slam shut and she froze.
"Troy! He's back!" She whispered her voice laced with panic.
"Don't worry kitten, I told you he wouldn't find me." He purred softly then stood up and moved to the open window. He gave her a wink and a smile then swung himself out onto the roof scaling the building and dropping onto the grass. There was a harsh knock at her bedroom door and Gabriella grabbed her jumper pulling it over her head flinching away from the noise.