A/N I DO NOT OWN ANYTHING! I ONLY OWN THIS PLOT! I want to thank CrackHeadBlonde for her fire idea. It helped make this chapter really EPIC! Enjoy:
Troy sighed. He looked to Gabriella. She was watching the screen but then gasped when she saw all the dead bodies. She just buried her face into his side and whimpered. Troy sighed and rubbed her back. At first he thought there might be a chance but now because of this movie Troy didn't know if Gabriella was ever going to trust Peter.
"Come on, there is nothing scary about this! Look they're having a pool party." Chad said. "It's all happy and nice."
Gabriella peeked one eyes opened and sighed seeing he was right. She looked back up but stayed cuddled ready to hide her face again the second things got scary.
"I love movies where there are hot girls in bikinis." Chad said.
"Seriously Chad?" Troy asked.
"What she's hot!"
Troy just shook his head. He looked to Gabriella, who was shaking. "Are you ok?"
"Did you see the way he grabbed that boy. That's abusive, he's going to hurt that little boy."
"Shhhhhh" Chad hissed.
Troy kissed her head. "If he hurts the boy the mom is going to break up with him, he wouldn't be that stupid. It's ok. Plus it's just a movie nobody really gets hurts or killed."
Gabriella sighed and nodded. She continued to shake through the movie. Her heart began to race when she saw the old lady get killed just for being a witness. Her breathing got harder too.
"See Gabriella, the father is saying sorry to the child. Everything is fine. Stop being such a baby." Chad said.
Gabriella decided from that moment forward she wasn't going to say anything. She didn't want her friends thinking she was a baby. She didn't want Troy to think she was a baby. She would made it through one horror movie without getting so scared she had to leave. No matter how bad it got she wasn't going to leave.
She let out a small sigh of relief when the boy's father came in and started yelling at the step-father for hurting his kids. Chad chuckled.
"What's so funny?" Gabriella asked.
"Nothing, just watch."
Gabriella was confused but continued to watch the movie. Now she had made herself a promise to not leave the room but never did she promise herself she'd watch a movie where someone's father was murderer. She gasped and jumped from the couch breathing heavy and raced out the door. She couldn't breathe, she was going to be sick, her heart was racing , her body was shaking from head to toe, even her fingers were shaking. She was panting like there was no tomorrow. She felt dizzy, everything she looked at was spinning. She dropped to her knees and got sick all over the grass. She heard the front door open and someone ran over to her. They dropped down next to her. It was Troy.
"Troy…" she whimpered as she choked on her own throw up.
"Shhh, it's all right. I'm here. Shhh." Troy just rubbed her back and let her get it all out of her system.
Once she was finished she collapsed against him. He kissed the top of her head and moved his hand under her shit on her stomach. He gently rubbed his cold hand on her warm stomach. "Are you ok?"
She just shook her head. "I'm sorry." She said weakly.
"Why on earth would you be sorry?"
"I'm a baby."
"No, you're not a baby. My mom gets sick during horror movies too. Just some people have weak stomachs, that doesn't make you a baby."
Gabriella sighed and nodded.
"Come on let's get you inside and cleaned up."
Troy lifted her up and carried her into the bathroom closing the door behind him. He set her down on the toilet. He grabbed a cloth from the counter and wet it gently dabbing it over Gabriella's face and neck. She let out a small moan.
"Feel good?" he asked.
She nodded.
"I'm sorry that movie made you so sick."
"I don't normally get sick from horror movies. But watching the dad get murdered just…." Gabriella shivered just thinking about it. "It hit too close too home."
Troy nodded. "I know, you still feel like your father was murdered because of the driver that caused the car crash."
"I'm feeling better now though."
"Good, then we can just stay in here until the move is over."
"In the bathroom?"
"Yeah, why not?"
Troy jumped up onto the counter an sat down.
Gabriella giggled. "Troy, we're in the bathroom."
"Yes, I know that."
"What could we possibly do in the bathroom that's fun."
"Oh I could think of a few ideas." Troy said wiggling his eyebrows.
Gabriella gasped and giggled. "Troy!"
He laughed. "I'm just kidding…kind off."
"Yeah, kind of. No offence Troy I'm not making out with you in the bathroom."
Troy laughed harder. "Gabriella, do you have a fear of bathrooms." He teased.
"NO!" She squealed.
They both just burst into laughter. Troy was glad Gabriella was laughing again and having so much fun.
"At least I don't have a fear of drama teachers." Gabriella teased back.
Troy's mouth dropped in shock. Gabriella giggled.
"You know Brie, there isn't any room in here for you to run away. Which means it's the perfect spot for you to get punished." He warned.
Gabriella stopped giggled and gasped. She knew what Troy was going to do.
"No, no, no, I'm sorry!" she squealed.
"Are you really sorry, or are you just saying that so I don't tickle you?"
"Um…."
Troy laughed. "I thought so.
He moved closer to her and she squealed and moved away. "I'm really sorry, I'm really sorry."
"Ok, I'll let it go…this time. But next time there will be punishment."
Gabriella giggled and nodded. "I'm sorry you have to miss the movie because of me." Gabriella said looking down at her legs and she moved them back and forth.
Troy shrugged. "I don't like horror to begin with. I personally think they're lame and cheesy. There is always the girl or guy that goes down into the dark creepy basement even though he or she knows not too and then the bad guy comes out to get them. It's been overdone way too many times."
Gabriella smiled and nodded. "I agree."
Just then there was a knock at the door. "Movies over you can come out of hiding." Chad said from the other side.
Troy hopped of the counter and opened the door. "Thanks for letting us know."
"I'm sorry Troy." Chad said.
"For what?"
"Every time we watch a scary movie you have to miss it because your girlfriend is a scardy cat."
"Excuse me?"
"It's true. Gabriella hides or runs every time we turn on something that isn't about Zac Efron."
"I love Gabriella with my whole entire being and if she doesn't want to watch a stupid horror movie I'm not going to force her too, I'm also not going to let her watch it alone."
"But you miss some of the best stuff."
"Chad, I'm not scared of horror movies I just don't like them. I personally think they're lame and cheesy. There is always the girl or guy that goes down into the dark creepy basement even though he or she knows not too and then the bad guy comes out to get them. It's been overdone way too many times."
Troy forced back a chuckle.
"Really?" Chad asked.
"Yeah, I'm not scared of them."
"Oh yeah? Well, what if I told you the end of the movie is the bad guy just finding another women to try and kill. He doesn't even get caught."
"I…I don-don't care." Gabriella stuttered.
"I…I thin-think yo-you do." Chad mocked.
"Chad stop it!" Troy growled.
"I'm just teasing. No need to get so upset."
Chad turned to walk away.
"I wish he hadn't told me that." Gabriella muttered. "Now I know I'm going to have nightmares."
Troy chuckled and pulled her into a hug. "None of it was real. That bad guy was only acting to be bad. I'm sure in real life he's the sweetest guy ever."
"I hope so."
"I know so, come on let's get out of this bathroom."
Gabriella giggled and they walked back into the living room.
Everyone had settled into their sleeping bags.
"Dad says we need to be in bed early tonight cause we have practice before the big game." Chad said.
"Ok with me." Troy said.
He got into his sleeping bag. Gabriella climbed into hers.
"Everyone ready?" Chad asked.
"YES!"
Chad hit the switch and the room went dark.
"Who wants to tell scary ghost stories?" Chad asked.
"Let's not and say we did, plus we do need to get some rest. The game is next weekend and we need to be ready. West High nearly kicked our butts last game we need to do better than that so we win." Troy said.
"Fine, but next sleepover we're telling scary stories."
After a few minutes everyone was sleeping…everyone except for Gabriella. She tossed and turned but couldn't get comfortable. She sighed and un zipped her sleeping bag and crawled over to Troy.
"Troy, are you awake?" she asked softly, gently shaking him.
Troy stirred. "Brie? What's wrong, sweetheart?"
"I can't sleep. Can I cuddle you?"
"Of course, come here."
Gabriella crawled into the small space in his sleeping bag and snuggled into his chest. Troy stroked her hair and rubbed her back.
"Sleep now, you're safe." He whispered.
Gabriella could easily fall asleep now. Troy waited until he knew she was sleeping before he allowed the darkness to take over.
The next morning Gabriella and Troy were awoken by something smacking them in the head.
"What the….CHAD!" Troy yelled. He covered Gabriella's face with his hand, she had been on her side but rolled onto her back when she woke up and didn't want her getting hit in the face because pillow or not it would still hurt.
"What?"
"Why did you do that?"
"I had to wake you up."
"Why?"
"I was bored." Chad said like a little kid.
Troy rolled his eyes. He looked to Gabriella "Are you ok?"
She nodded. "It didn't hurt my face. I'm still sleepy though."
"Go back to sleep. I'll make sure Chad doesn't bother you."
Gabriella snuggled closer to Troy and closed her eyes. He kissed her head and stroked her hair. Gabriella let out a content sigh.
"Why are you guys in the same sleeping bag anway?" Chad asked sitting on the couch.
"She couldn't sleep." Troy answered.
Chad chuckled. "She was scared wasn't she?"
"No, she just didn't like sleeping on the floor so I let her sleep snuggled against me."
"Yeah, sure Troy and I hate basketball with a passion."
"Why are you up so early anyway. It's Saturday, they're meant for sleeping in. Plus everyone else is still sleeping, what time is it?"
"4:00."
"Chad…why did you wake me at 4:00 in the morning? We don't even have to be up this early for school."
Chad shrugged. "I couldn't sleep and I was bored."
"Chad, I know you. What's going on? The only time you have trouble sleeping in when you're worried about something. So talk to me Bro, what's going on?"
Chad sighed. Troy was the ONLY person on this earth Chad could show his weak side to. "I'm worried Man, last game we almost lost what if this time around we just aren't good enough?"
"We're going to beat them Man, we always do. They maybe strong but we're stronger, we're a team and we've got each other's backs, that is something West High doesn't have and that is something that will help us."
"How can you be so sure? West High is getting stronger and stronger every game. Plus they have their new team Captain."
"Who cares, we've got each other and we've got my dad. Look Chad, we're not going out there and just making up game plays as we go along. Coach has us practicing every day this week until the game next Saturday. SO when the time comes we're prepared and we can kick West High's butt!"
Chad laughed. "Yeah, I guess you're right."
"There is no guessing. I am right. I always am."
Chad laughed again and threw the pillow at Troy again. He caught it and threw it back at him.
"Watch, Gabriella. If you hit her I'm going to hurt you."
Chad laughed and shook his head. "You're so whipped man."
"I know." Troy smiled. He looked down at Gabriella and smiled wider. "I don't care." He kissed Gabriella's forehead and she cuddled closer to him.
"You know, as much as I tease her I really do care about her."
"I know that and she knows that. She's just going through a lot right now."
"Like what?"
Troy sighed. "It's her story to share Chad. I'm sorry."
"OK, I'll ask her later. You can go back to sleep now if you want sorry for waking you."
"Nah, I'm awake."
"Ok, whatever."
Chad crawled back into his sleeping bag and fell asleep. Troy chuckled and shook his head. He cuddled Gabriella and fell back to sleep.
A few hours later Troy awoke to the sound of laughter. He opened his eyes to see everyone sitting on the couch with glasses of milk or orange juice in their hands.
"Morning," he greeted.
"Morning Troy," The girls greeted back.
He looked around. "Where is Gabriella?"
"Getting dressed, her mother called. She and Gabriella are going to have a mother daughter bonding day." Taylor explained.
"Sounds great."
Gabriella came walking out of the bathroom.
"Troy, you're awake." She smiled.
"Yeah, and you're leaving me." He pouted.
"Sorry, but I've got big plans."
"OH big hot date?" he teased.
"Of course." She teased back.
They both laughed. Troy stood up and went over to her. "Have a great time with your mom, Angel. Call me when you are free later and tell me how everything went."
"I will Troy. Thank you. I love you."
"I love you too."
They shared a kiss and Gabriella grabbed her stuff and left the house. Troy smiled. Thing were really starting to look up for her.
Gabriella arrived home.
"Mom?"
Maria walked out of the bedroom. "Hey, sweetie, how was the sleepover?"
"Fun, we watched a scary movie but it was still fun."
"What movie?"
"The Stepfather…."
"Oh…." Maria was quiet for a second. "I promise Peter isn't dangerous Gabriella. You can trust him."
"Mom, trust is earned. I can't just hand it over."
"I know that. You're giving him a chance that's all I could ask for."
"He makes you happy. That all I could ask for."
Maria smiled. "Did I ever say how very sorry I am for my behavior last month?"
"It's ok. I'm just glad you stopped."
"Peter was actually the one who made me realize how wrong I was."
"So my speech had nothing to do with it?" Gabriella smiled.
"No, you're speech had everything to do with it. He helped me realizes you were right. That's why we agreed to date."
"Well, you seem happy so I'm happy. Where is Peter anyway?"
"Home, he had some stuff to do today. We were actually supposed to go out but he had to cancel."
"Is that why your hair is straighter?"
"Yeah, I did it earlier. Then he canceled. But that means we get to spend the day together. So what do you say we go shopping, then get a full make over. Medi, Pedi, hair, nails, then we can buy all new clothes to go with our new makeover?"
"Sounds like fun. Let's go."
Gabriella giggled and nodded. She and her mother made their way out of the house.
They went to the mall, and got their makeup done first, then the medi pedi. After they they spent hours shopping for new clothes.
Gabriella was looking at some shirts when suddenly she gasped.
"What?" Maria asked.
Gabriella grabbed the shirt and held it up. It was all red and in white numbers it said "I'm with Wildcat #14"
Maria laughed. "That shirt was made for you. How much is it?"
Gabriella looked at the price and sighed. "Too much, Never mind."
"Honey, how much is it? Tell me."
"$100" Gabriella sighed.
"Do they have it in your size?" Maria asked.
"Yes."
"Get it then. You've been doing very well in school and a good job helping out around the house so I'm going to buy you a present."
"Thank you mom thank you!"
Gabriella squealed and hugged her mom. Maria laughed. Together they made their way to the check out and paid for their things. It had been a great day of laughter and fun between her and her mother. Gabriella couldn't have been happier that she and her mother had finally re-connected.
When they got home later that evening Gabriella put her new clothes away and got comfortable on her bed as she called Troy.
(Troy/Gabriella)
"Hey Beautiful."
"Hey Handsome, how are you?"
I'm doing great. How are you?"
"I'm doing great too. Just got back from doing some shopping with my mom. I got this really cute shirt that I can't wait to show you."
"I can't wait either. So you and your mom had a good time?"
"Yeah a great time. We really re-connected. We laughed and laughed the whole time. It was something we haven't done in a long time and I missed it."
"I'm glad you had a good time. It's good you and mom are re-connecting. I'm really happy for you Baby girl."
"Thank you. I am too."
"Any other big plans tonight?"
"Nope, just some dinner and then just going to bed. I'm pretty tired."
"All right Beautiful I'll let you go sleep good night. I love you."
"I love you too Handsome. Good night."
They both hung up and Gabriella got off her bed and changed her clothes. She then went downstairs and into the kitchen.
"Mom, what smells so good?"
"You're favorite, chicken parmesan."
Gabriella's eyes lit up. "Yes! I can't wait."
Maria laughed and handed her, her plate. Gabriella took it and sat down. Her mother joined her and they started to eat.
"Mom, can I ask you something?"
"Of course, anything. What's on your mind?"
"How do you think daddy feels about all this?"
"About what?"
"You dating and...and me considering letting another father figure into my life?"
"I think he'd be very happy that we're moving on with our lives. He wouldn't want us to go on being alone and sad."
"I know but…I feel like if I let Peter in, daddy is going to feel like I replaced him and that I don't love him anymore and I don't want that."
"Your father isn't going to think that. He loves you and I'm sure he'd be proud you're trusting another man and allowing him into your life."
"Promise?"
"I promise sweetie."
"Ok."
They continued to eat their meal and talk, only after that it was all fun and laughs again.
When they finished eating Gabriella helped her mom clean the dishes. She washed as her mother dried. As Gabriella washed the last plate an idea came to her. She smirked and said "Hey mom..."
Maria looked at Gabriella about the answer when Gabriella sprayed her mom in the face. Maria gasped and glared at Gabriella immediately reaching for Gabriella's sensitive sides. Gabriella shrieked and backed away. "NO!"
Maria laughed. "No, what? No tickling? Honey, you seem to be forgetting who first found your ticklish spots when you were a baby. I know all of them."
Gabriella dropped the hose and turned to run. Maria laughed and chased after her. Gabriella made it to the living room before her mother gently knocked her onto the couch and started to tickle her. Gabriella screamed and burst into laughter as her mother tickled her.
"Ok, ok, stop, stop! I'm sorry." Gabriella gasped out through laughter.
Maria stopped and laughed.
"I love you mom." Gabriella said one she got her breath back.
"I love you too. Come on let's go to bed."
Maria and Gabriella walked to bed both quickly and easily falling asleep. After such a great day they were both wiped out.
At around 1 or 2 in the morning Gabriella woke up to use the bathroom. She sat up and opened her eyes. Suddenly she gasped at the sight in front of her. Her wooden desk was up in flames leaving a fire hot trail of fire behind it including her bedroom door. She couldn't move her body was frozen in fear. Her breathing got harder. What should she do? She racked her brain trying to remember all the fire safety tricks she had learned. Stop, drop, and roll? No that was for if her clothes caught on fire. Crawl and stay low! Yeah that was it. She slowly climbed off her bed and crawled onto the floor, holding her breath when she reached her door she opened them and crawled outside closing the doors behind her. She stood up and let her breath out. Now to get help. She climbed over the railing, like Troy had taught her and slowly started to make her way over to the tree. Suddenly a loud scream was heard from inside. "MOM!" She lost her footing and fell, she grabbed onto the bars holding on for dear life. Gabriella started to cry.
"HELP! PLEASE SOMEONE HELP!" she screamed on top of her lungs. "HELP MY HOUSE IS ON FIRE PLEASE SOMEONE HELP!"
The lady next door opened her window and peeked her head out. "What on earth!"
"MRS, BLACK PLEASE HELP!" Gabriella screamed as tears streamed down her cheeks.
"Hang on Gabriella I'm going to call for help, just hold on tight and do not let go."
Gabriella watched in horror as her room was swallowed by the fire, everything, her bed, her desk, her dresser her clothes, all her pictures and photos were burned. Gabriella cried harder as she watched her stuff be destroyed by the horrible red and orange flames. What made her feel worse was that her mother was still inside, the thought made her cry even harder.
After what felt like forever she heard sirens. Suddenly it felt she blinked and there were a million people under her yelling at her to let go, to jump an they'd catch her but she couldn't let go. She was frozen in fear again and she had a death grip on the bars. It was complete and total chaos under her, there were tons of fire men yelling at her to drop promising they'd catch her but she couldn't believe them.
"GABRIELLA!" a voice screamed.
Gabriella gasped, she knew that voice anywhere. "TROY!"
"Let go baby I got you!"
"NO! I can't just let go!" she cried.
"Baby, I'm right under you I'll catch you!"
"No,"
Gabriella cried harder. She was petrified and everything inside her was telling her to let go but her fear was telling her to hang on tight and never let go. That part of her was winning.
"Gabriella, if you trust me you need to let go. I promise I'll catch you!"
"I'm scared!" she yelled
"I know you are Baby, I know you are but you have to trust me!" he yelled back, feeling sick at the sight.
Gabriella watched as the flames burned down the glass doors. It was so close now she could feel the heat against her hands. She cried out in fear.
"Baby please trust me."
Crying as hard as they day her father died she shook her head. It wasn't that she didn't trust him, she was just too scared to move.
The flames touched her hands and she screamed letting go of the bars, she waited for the impact of the ground but it never came. She looked up and Troy's sparkling blue eyes. He had caught her she was safe. She buried her face into the crook of his neck and continued to cry and shake in his arms. She was crying so hard she was shaking, she was shaking in fear, and she was also shaking in shock, her whole body from head to toe just trembled as she cried so hard she couldn't breathe.
"I've got you, I've got you. Shhh, shhh I've got you it's ok." Troy soothed rubbing her back holding close and tight to his chest. He was so glad she was safe in his arms.
He slowly walked over to the EMTs.
"Please let me stay with her." Troy begged.
The EMT smiled softly. "Of course, but she's got to look at us so we can look at her."
Troy hopped onto the gurney and rubbed Gabriella's back as she clung to him tightly.
"Shhh, my lovely, shhh. You're safe. Everything is ok now, shhh you're safe."
Troy softly started to sing as she gently rubbed her back. Gabriella slowly started to calm down, which allowed the EMTs to look at her.
She overheard a conversation of one of the firemen close by he was talking into his walkie talkie.
"Yeah the girl is out."
"Was she is the only victim?"
"No, her mother is still inside the house."
"WHAT! NO! MOM!" Gabriella screamed. She pushed the doctor away and pulled away from Troy. She went to rush back into the house but Troy grabbed her.
"NO! NO! LET ME GO MOM! MOM! NO!" Gabriella screamed trying to break free.
"You can't go in there Gabriella it's too dangerous." Troy said struggling as she tried to break free from his grip.
"I DON'T CARE SHE'S MY MOTHER I HAVE TO SAVE HER! I CAN'T LOSE HER TROY PLEASE!"
Suddenly Peter came running over and stood in front of Gabriella.
"Are you ok?"
"Mommy is inside. My mommy is still inside." Gabriella cried.
"Maria is in there?"
Gabriella nodded.
"Stay here, stay right here and do not move."
"What? Why?"
Peter rushed back into the house. Gabriella stood there in shock; he was willing to risk his own life to save her mother? No murderer would save her life. He had to be trust worthy.
After what felt like forever Peter came out carrying Maria. She wasn't moving and was covered in ash. Gabriella was going to run over when her house was instantly covered completely by the fire. Gabriella's eyes widen.
"She's not breathing we need to get her to the hospital now!" an EMT said.
Gabriella gasped and ran over. She started to cry when she saw her mother, her face was so covered by ash you couldn't even see her skin. "MOMMY!" Gabriella screamed.
Troy came running over to her.
"Troy take her home, I'll call as soon as I have information." Peter said an climbed into the ambulance and closing the doors.
"NO! COME BACK! MOMMY!" Gabriella screamed. She was past hysterical now.
"Baby, come here, come here." Troy said quickly pulling her into his arms trying his best to comfort her as she cried into him. He had never seen her like this before and he was actually scared by it. "It's ok, it's ok."
"Sir, we need to look at her hand." An EMT said walking over.
"Does she look like she's ready for that?" Troy growled.
"Sir, we get that she is upset but the sooner we look at her hand the soon she can go home."
Troy sighed. He knew he shouldn't be fighting the doctor but Gabriella was upset enough and she hated doctors on a good day. He knew she'd be even more upset with the doctors looking at her.
Troy kissed head and whispered softly to her. "Hey Princess Girl, do you want to come back to my house? We can go up to my tree house and just relax?"
Gabriella nodded and slowly started to calm down. Troy continued to rub her back.
"In order for that to happen you have to let the doctors see your hands. Once they're done we can go to my house ok?"
Gabriella shook her head. She tucked her hands under her arms away from the doctors.
"Hey, come on sweetie. The doctors only want to help."
Gabriella continued to cry and shook her head.
"How about this, you let the doctor look at your hands and when we get to my house I'll call Peter and we can check on your mother."
Gabriella slowly moved her hands to Troy. He chuckled and gently held her by the wrist rubbing his thumb over it and allowed the cop to get a closer look at it.
"She's fine, if she complains of pain just put some ice on it and give her some pain medicine. She's going to be fine."
The EMT walked away.
"Good girl Brie, I'm proud of you." Troy kissed her head
Gabriella had finally calmed down and was breathing normally again. She was sniffling a bit but nothing compared to how she was before. Troy, keeping her tightly in her arms, got up and walked to his car. He set Gabriella down in the passenger seat and she whimpered and started breathing hard as tears filled her eyes.
"No, no, no, Troy!" She wrapped her arms around his neck clinging to his shirt.
Troy kissed her head."Shhh, you're all right. You're safe. We just need to get home."
Gabriella shook her head and started to cry again. "Troy up!" she cried like a small child.
Troy lifted her out of the car and back into his arms. He gently rocked her she calmed instantly. Troy sighed and kissed her head. "I won't let you go baby girl I promise." He looked around wondering how he was going to get home if Gabriella wouldn't let him go.
Suddenly his parent's car pulled up behind his. Jack and Lucille walked out.
"We saw it on the news. Hope in, Jack is going to drive your car, I'll get you and Gabriella home." Lucille explained.
"Thank you."
Troy climbed into the back seat of his parent's car and got both him and Gabriella buckled in and closed the door. He stroked Gabriella's hair and rubbed her back. She was still shaking and sniffling but it was calm compared to how she had been earlier.
They got home quickly and Troy carried Gabriella inside. Lucille and Jack followed. Lucille went into the fridge and grabbed some water.
"Here Gabriella drink this."
Gabriella just buried her face in the crook of Troy's neck. Troy took the water. He knew she'd drink eventually. She was in shock and wouldn't be very responsive to anything
"Does your hand hurt?" Lucille asked.
Gabriella didn't respond.
"Mom, she's is shock. When she gets like this it's best to just leave her be. I'll make sure she gets everything that she needs but for right now she just needs quiet and calm and comfort." Troy explained.
He knew Gabriella better than anyone and he knew how to help Gabriella. He carried her into the bedroom and sat down on the bed keeping Gabriella on his lap. He just gently stroked her hair and placed soft kisses to her hair as he rubbed her back. Gabriella didn't speak, she wouldn't speak Troy knew when she was ready she's speak. Until then he'd just have to wait and continue to comfort her, which wasn't a problem. He just hoped Maria was ok, Gabriella would never survive the loss of another parent.
A/N any thoughts on what's going to happen to Maria? Is she going to live or die? Will Gabriella ever recover from her shock? How did the fire even get started? Leave me your thoughts in a review and be on the look out for the next chapter when all answers are revealed. Thanks again to CrackHeadBlonde for her fire idea :)