A/N I DO NOT OWN ANYTHING! I ONLY OWN THIS PLOT! I'm sorry this has taken me so long to update but I'm back now and I should have the next chapter up soon. Thanks for all the reviews. Enjoy this next chapter.
That next morning Peter walked downstairs to see Maria on the phone.
"Yes, five o' clock in perfect…Yes, I will see you then…Thank you very much."
Maria hung up.
"Who was that?" Peter said.
"Dr. Black, I made an appointment to go see her. I'm kind of scared."
"I'll go with you if you'd liked."
Maria nodded. Peter hugged her and they kissed. "I'm proud your getting help. I hope you'll tell me what you learn so I can help you get better."
"I will, Dr. Black said she'd be ok if you would want to come as well, she said she could help us both, she had some good advice about how to deal with us even though our kids don't get along."
"I'd like that. I had some few ideas myself."
"What?"
"Well, one, I want to give Gabriella the bigger room."
"You mean Hunter's?"
"Yes, he doesn't deserve to have that big huge room, Gabriella does. Also, it's the same size as her old room so I was thinking maybe…I could kind of recreate her old room, sort of speak."
"I'm sure Gabriella would love that, but I'm sure all she misses is her balcony."
"Why?"
"She used to stand outside at night and stare at the stars. Before her father died he told her she could always find him in the stars so Gabriella would stand outside and just talk to him."
"How would you feel about extending that room and putting a balcony on?"
"I think Gabriella would love that. Hunter might get angry."
"Hunter is already angry. He doesn't deserve new nice things. Gabriella deserves more than I can ever give her. This is my attempt."
"It's perfect. I'm sure she'll love it."
"Great! Have you spoken to her since last night?"
"I called, Jack said she was kind of restless last night because of nightmares but after a while Troy was able to settle her down and she could sleep. Then this morning Gabriella has just being laying in bed. Troy won't let her do anything. He is waiting on her hand and foot, it's real cute."
Peter smiled. "He spoils that girl rotten."
"Yes, and she loves it."
They both laughed. "Well, let's get going, we've got a lot of work to do if we want all this done when Gabriella comes home in a week. Peter said.
"Let's go."
Peter and Maria smiled and walked out there door. Hoping their attempt at making things up to Gabriella actually worked.
The week went by fast and somehow, even with work, plus Maria going to the doctor, which was going really well by the way, Maria and Peter had managed to get Gabriella's room ready along with the new attached balcony. The Bolton's were on their way with Gabriella right now an Maria couldn't wait to see the look on Gabriella's face when she saw her new room.
Peter laughed as she paced back and forth.
"Maria, relax, she's going to love it."
"I know, I know but, I just hope this is enough. I know I can't push forgiveness onto her but I just want her to know how sorry we are and how much we really do love her."
"She knows that. I spoke with Jack, earlier. She said Gabriella is doing a lot better…mentally. She's not as shy and shut down as she was before. She's a bit more open and active."
"Really?"
"Yes, really now come sit down."
Maria sighed and sat down on the couch next to him.
A few minutes later the door opened and Gabriella walked in the Bolton's were behind her. Maria jumped up.
"Hey, Gabriella, welcome back. We sure missed you."
"Where is he?" she asked softly.
"Who?" Peter asked.
"Gabriella's biggest worry about coming back was seeing Hunter again." Troy explained.
"Hunter is spending the week with his mother." Peter said. "I made sure he wasn't here when you got here. I knew that would make you feel more comfortable."
Gabriella smiled softly. "Thank you."
Everyone walked inside more.
"How are you feeling?" Maria asked.
"Better, my wounds have healed and all my bruises Troy has tickled kissed better."
"Good, if your not ready for school Monday we can keep you home longer."
"No, no, I'm ready. I want to go back and see everyone. I actually miss, Mrs. Darbus."
Troy and Jack laughed. "I never thought I'd hear that." Troy laughed.
"Of course not, you're scared of the Mrs. Darbus in the High School Musical movies and the Mrs. Darbus in our school is very similar so it's only natural." Gabriella teased.
Troy gave her a fake playfully glare.
She giggled.
"All right you two, that's enough. Gabriella, your mother and I have a present for you."
"What is it?"
"Come with us."
Maria and Peter led the way. Everyone followed behind them. They got to the bedroom and Gabriella stepped back.
"What's going on? Why are we outside Hunter's room? You said he was gone."
"It's ok. He is gone, and this isn't Hunter's room." Peter opened the door "It's yours."
Gabriella gasped. The room looked almost similar to her old room. She squealed and ran over to her balcony and yanked open the glass doors. "I HAVE A BALCONY AGAIN!"
Maria laughed. "I told you that would be her favorite part."
"You also have your own personal bathroom, it's joined with the bedroom."
Gabriella looked to the bathroom smiled. Now she felt safe because she had ways of locking Hunter out of places he didn't belong. She ran to hug Peter. "Thank you, thank you so much. This is the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me thank you."
"You're welcome. I'm very happy you like it."
Gabriella hugged her mother. "Thank you mommy. This is great."
Maria smiled and hugged her daughter kissing her head. "I'm just glad to see you smile again Mija, I've missed that smile so much."
"So wait, did you kick Hunter out? Is he sleeping outside from now on?" Troy asked.
"No, as easy as they would be. He is in Gabriella's old room, the smaller room."
"Oh, I thought you locked him outside." Gabriella pouted.
Everyone laughed at her.
"He doesn't know about the room change yet either. He left a few days ago. He's coming home tomorrow. We wanted you to be able to come home and get comfortable again."
"Thank you for thinking of me, Peter."
Peter smiled and nodded. "I know I haven't shown it but I really do care about you Gabriella, very much."
Gabriella nodded. "I know, you've both earned my forgiveness it's my trust I still can't give back yet."
"We understand that and we're ok with it. Dr. Black even says I can't push and keep asking you what I have to do. I need to figure it out for myself and do it." Maria said.
Gabriella nodded. "Thank you, how are things going with Dr. Black?"
"Well, it's hard but it's really helping me."
"Good, I'm glad she can help you."
"She says, any time you want to come in and talk to her about what happen to you, you can."
Gabriella nodded. "I might, but I really am ok. I wasn't raped, I know a lot of people aren't that lucky. The real test is how I handle seeing Hunter again."
"Gabriella listen, Maria and I have made some changes to our work schedule, now you will never be left alone with Hunter. Either your mother or I will always be here with you if Hunter is here, and if he give you any problems you just come get us and we will make him stop."
"That makes me feel safer, thank you."
"I really want you to feel safe here Gabriella. I want you to feel at home and I want you to be able to call this place your home. Please tell me what I can do to make that happen."
Gabriella smiled. "You've already done so much, I still need to get used to it, but it's like moving into any new home. But, I'm starting to feel more comfortable all ready so thank you so much."
"Oh, and one more thing." Peter said.
"You didn't buy me a puppy did you?" Gabriella asked.
The grownups laughed. "No, not quite."
"Peter, what else is there?" Maria asked.
"I did this one on my own. I know sometimes it get chilly at night and I have a friend who does quilts so I had her make a very special one for you."
Peter went into her closet and pulled it out and opened it up. It had a picture of Gabriella with her father on it and it say 'There is nothing warmer or more comforting than daddies' arms.' With the way the picture was positioned when Gabriella would wrapped it around her it would look like he father's arms were wrapped around her. "Maria, once told me, when you'd get scared by thunder storms you'd be comforted by your father holding you. I know I'll never be able to take his place, I'd never want to but I thought this might help."
Peter went over to Gabriella and wrapped it around her shoulders. Gabriella's eyes were filled with tears. Gabriella held it tightly around her. She put it up to her face. "It smells like him."
"I had it sprayed with the colon your father used to wear."
"Thank you so much Peter, this really is the best present anyone has ever given me." She whimpered.
Not being able to hold back tears she turned and buried her face in Troy's chest. Everyone gave a small chuckle.
"Baby, it's ok. You don't have to be shy." He cooed rubbing her back.
Gabriella pulled herself together and turned back around. "I'm sorry, this is all so wonderful Peter, I really appreciate everything."
"You're welcome. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you cry."
"It's ok they were happy tears."
Gabriella gave him one last hug. She put the blanket on her bed. "I can't thank you enough, either of you."
"We're just happy you can find it in your heart to forgive us."
"I'm just happy you finally saw Hunter for who he really is."
Everyone smiled. Things were finally starting to turn around again. Gabriella was slowly starting to trust Maria and Peter again and they knew what Hunter was doing and both agreed to punish him. But…were things going to stay that way.
"What time tomorrow is Hunter coming home?" Jack asked.
"Around noon, why?"
"Just wondering."
Gabriella bit her bottom lip. "Um…can I have one more thing, you've already given me so much and I hate to sound ungrateful but…"
"Yes, Troy can sleepover." Peter smiled.
"How did you…."
"Gabriella, I know you better than you think."
Gabriella giggled shyly. "Thank you."
"Now, there are some rules, Troy must sleep on the couch, you can stay up as last as you want because it's not a school night, but you both must sleep in different rooms."
"I'm ok with that. I just really want Troy here for me tomorrow when Hunter comes home. I know I'll feel safer that way."
"Which is why we're allowing it. But you must follow the rules."
"We will, thank you." Troy smiled.
"Troy, look, I know you hate my son but please do not ever put your hands on him again."
Troy nodded. "It was wrong of me to get so violent with him, I realizes now I should have been the bigger man, I promise I will not fight him again."
"Thank you."
"Now, who is hungry?" Peter asked.
All the adults went back downstairs. Troy went over to the balcony and went looked down. "We have a problem." He said seriously.
"What is it?" Gabriella asked coming up next to him.
He turned to her. "There is no tree next to your balcony, how can I sneak up here at night without a tree?"
Gabriella burst into laughing. "That is your big problem?"
He nodded.
"Troy, there is this thing, it's called a front door. You should try it sometime." She teased.
"Are you making fun of me Montez?"
"No, of course not. I was just informing you of this wonderful invention that would solve your major tree problem."
"You are making fun of me! You must be punished."
Gabriella squealed and took off running. Gabriella giggled as she ran, happy everything was the way it was supposed to be.
The next morning Troy and Gabriella were hanging out in her room.
"Troy stop it!" Gabriella giggled as he kissed her neck.
He just smiled and continued.
"Troy, that tickles, stop it!"
Smirking he blew a raspberry making her squeal and burst into more giggles.
"Troy seriously!"
He chuckled but ignored her.
"Stop, or I won't kiss you anymore."
Troy pulled away and looked at her.
"You wouldn't!"
"I would!"
They both playfully glared at each before bursting into laughter.
"I love you, Troy." Gabriella smiled.
"I love you too, Gabriella."
They both shared a deep passionate kiss on the lips. They were in the middle of making out when a voice screamed "Dad I'm home!"
Gabriella froze. She gulped and looked to Troy fearfully. It was Hunter, he was home.
"Hey, it's ok, he won't hurt you. I'm not going to let him." Troy soothed.
Gabriella bit her lip nervously. "I'm scared of seeing him."
"We don't have to go down stairs until you're ready."
She nodded. "I'm not ready."
"Then we can just stay up here. Now, where were we?"
They both leaned in and started to kiss passionately again. Suddenly the door burst open causing both Troy and Gabriella to pull apart.
"Why are you in my room?" he asked.
"I-I-I-I…It-It's…Th-this…this isn't…" Gabriella stuttered too petrified to answer.
"It's Gabriella's room now. Not yours so leave." Troy said standing up and in front of Gabriella.
"Since when is this your room?"
"Since, you had your friends try to rape Gabriella and beat her to a pulp."
"DAD GET IN HERE RIGHT NOW!" Hunter screamed.
Gabriella flinched.
Peter came running up the stairs.
"What is going on here?" Peter asked.
"She is in my room dad."
"Take a look around Son, does this look like your room?"
"She changed it."
"No, I changed it. Maria and I changed the bedrooms around. You are now in the other room."
"But that's so small!"
"Tough, you want to act like a bully and pick on those smaller than you, fine but there will be major punishments."
Hunter growled and sent death glares at Gabriella. She whimpered.
"Now, go to your room and start your homework. You are still grounded."
Growling Hunter stormed out of the room.
"Thank you." Gabriella said softly.
"I'm sorry he scared you. I didn't get a chance to see him before he came up."
"It's ok."
"Did he hurt you?"
"No, I'm just scared of him."
"All right, well lunch is almost ready. Will you be staying Troy?"
"Of course."
"Great, I'll set an extra place for you."
"Peter, where is my mom?"
"At her appointment with Dr. Black. She's been going to see her every other day. She says it's really helping her."
"Good, I'm glad."
"We all are."
With that Peter left the room. Gabriella sighed as Troy turned to face her.
"I'm sorry, I should have stood up to him"
"Baby, he hurt you in one of the worst ways possible, if my dad didn't show up when he did you would have bled to death, he nearly killed you. You have every right to be scared of him. He physically and sexually abused you. I'd be surprised if you weren't scared of him. Plus, you'll get you're confidence back and you won't be scared of him."
"I hope so. Every time he is near me I don't feel like myself. I feel like this scared defenseless, helpless, little girl."
Troy sat next to her and wrapped his arms around her. "I will do whatever to takes to protect you from him. I promise. He is never going to hurt you again."
Gabriella smiled softly "Thank you, Wildcat, I love you."
"I love you too, Angel."
They both kissed gently on the lips. They pulled away and Gabriella cuddled into him. He kissed the top of her head and held her close. Since Hunter was grounded for two months, maybe things would be easier to deal with. But the big question was going to be, what would happen after Hunter was un-grounded?
Two months went by fast, which was bad for Gabriella, but good for Hunter. Gabriella had slowly started to trust Maria and Peter again. Maria continued to go and get help, Peter even went with her. Gabriella was starting to feel more at home at Peter's house and less like a guest. Hunter laid low for those two months, kissing up to Maria and Peter is hopes of getting freed sooner, but it failed. Gabriella was happily back at East High with her friends and she was really starting to feel happy again. Also Gabriella physically healed from her attack. Things were going great again but one sleep over was going to change everything.
It all started one morning, Troy took Gabriella on a special date. He had convinced his father to let him use the school so he could plan a picnic on the roof top garden. He had lit candles and set up some fancy light around the railing. He got her favorite, food, drink, and desert. Now it was just time to show Gabriella.
"Troy, seriously, where are we going?" she giggled as he led her up the stairs with a blindfold on.
"If I told you it wouldn't be a surprise now would it?"
"But Troy!"
Troy chuckled. "Nope, I'm not telling you anything. Just wait."
Finally he stopped. "Ok, remove the blind fold."
Gabriella did as he said. She gasped. "Troy, this is beautiful!"
"I thought we needed some us time."
She giggled. "You thought right.."
She walked over and sat down. Troy smiled and followed her.
"So, Mr. Bolton, what did you prepare for us?"
"Well, I know it's still early but I got you a margarita pizza with chocolate covered strawberries and to top it all off I've got strawberry and banana smoothie."
"Sounds great. Let's eat."
Troy opened the box and served her the first piece before giving himself a slice. They laughed and talk the whole time.
"So, how is Hunter, this morning?"
Gabriella sighed. "He's officially off being grounded so I don't know what he has planned but it isn't good."
"How do you know he has something planned?"
"I can just tell, He's acting weirder than normal."
"Did you tell, Peter and Maria?"
She nodded. "They're going to keep an eye on him, but until he actually does something they can't ground him."
"That stinks."
"Tell me about it."
Gabriella sighed. She put down her pizza and looked at the ground.
"Hey," Troy said gently. "What's wrong?"
"I just…I'm so confused. I'm really starting to feel safe and comfortable at Peter's house and I'm happy my mom is so happy but…"
"But what?"
"I hate living under the same roof as Hunter. I haven't told anyone this before but…every time I'm in that house I'm scared Hunter is going to do something to hurt me, only this time…it will be permanent." She said choking out the last part.
"Baby, like what?" He asked pulling her into his arms.
"I don't know, like death, or a broken spine, anything that can't be fixed."
"Brie, I'd never let him hurt you that badly."
"You're not with me all the time."
"You're not alone with him though. Maria and Peter are always there right?"
"He only listens to his dad. When it's just my mom he doesn't care. He does whatever he wants. Did I ever tell you he threatened me?"
"No, when did this happen?"
"About two or three days ago. Peter was working late. Mom, and I were making dinner…"
Flashback
Gabriella and her mother were in the kitchen cooking dinner when Hunter came downstairs.
"What smells like garbage?" he asked.
"Your dinner." Maria said. "It's chicken pot pie, this recipe has been in the Montez family for years." She turned to face him as Gabriella continued to cook. "You can either eat it or cook your own dinner, but don't expect me to make you something else."
"Fine, I'll make my own dinner."
Maria just shook her head and turned back to Gabriella.
"Good, Just add some more carrots into it. I'm going to get some spices to add to it."
Maria turned her back and walked over to the cabinet. With her back turned she missed Hunter grabbed a knife from the draw and point it add Gabriella. He pretended to trip making Gabriella gasp and jump back knocking the tray of pies to the floor. Maria turned back around at the same time Hunter did.
"Honey, are you all right? What happen?" Maria rushed over to her daughter.
"I'm fine…" she said her voice cracked.
"Baby, you're shaking what's wrong?"
"I'm fine…"
"Come here, Baby girl, come here."
Maria hugged Gabriella tightly. Gabriella hugged her mother back, over her mother's shoulder she saw Hunter. He was smirking at her. He pointed to her with the knife then swiped it in the air in front of his own neck. Gabriella buried her face in her mother's shoulder.
End Flashback
"What did Peter do?" Troy asked.
Gabriella just looked down.
"What did Maria do when you told her?" Troy asked again.
Gabriella didn't say anything.
"You did tell your mother…didn't you?"
"I told her I had burnt myself and then felt guilty for knocking over the food, that's why I was so upset. She didn't believe me but I wouldn't tell her the truth."
"Gabriella you need to tell your mother the truth! Hunter threatened to kill you and you're not saying anything? Gabriella, Peter and Maria need to know."
"Don't you get it Troy? Maria has no power of him! Legally, she has no control or rights to punish him. So, even if I had told her, nothing would have come of it!"
"She would have told Peter, he would have punished him."
"HE THREATENED ME TROY! IF I TELL ON HIM HE'S GOING TO KILL ME! I CAN'T TELL ON HIM! DON'T YOU UNDERSTAND THAT!" She screamed as tears spilled down her cheeks. "I can't tell on him Troy. I'm so scared he'll kill me."
Troy hugged her tighter. "He will die before he can touch you. I promise, I will not let him lay a finger on you."
Gabriella shook her head as she cried into his chest. "I'm so scared of him, Troy. I'm so scared of him."
"I know, Baby, I know. Shhhh, it's ok." Troy rubbed her back as he comforted her.
Maria and Peter had promised to help her and make sure Hunter didn't hurt her, but how could they protect her when she wasn't honest about Hunter hurting her.
"Baby, you need to tell your mom and Peter what Hunter did to you."
She shook her head. "Please, don't make me Troy. Please, please don't make me. I promise I'll be a better girlfriend, I'll make out with you whenever you want just please don't make me tell them." She begged.
Troy's heart broke. He hated when she said things like that. She made it seem like he was trying to punish her when all he was trying to do was help her.
"Baby, you're the perfect girlfriend. This isn't a punishment. If you don't want to tell your mother and Peter, that's ok. But, I will. They have to find out some way baby girl. So if you don't want to tell them, I will."
"Promise?" she asked looking up from his chest.
"I promise." He said wiping away her tears. "Until then lets finish out date, only this time without the tears."
She smiled softly and nodded. Troy kissed her head.
"Look on the bright side, we've got movie night with the gang tonight."
"That's not the bright side." She muttered.
"Why not?"
"It's my turn to host, which means all the Wildcats will be at Peter's house with Hunter."
"They're going to behave. I've warned them."
"It's not them I'm worried about."
"Hunter will just hideaway in his room for the night, he's powerless without his team behind him."
"I don't know Troy, Hunter has something up his sleeve. I can just feel it."
"You need to stop being so paranoid. Hunter isn't stupid enough to do something in front of all the Wildcats."
Gabriella sighed. "I don't know Troy, I honestly don't know."
"I do, now cheer up." He said poking her side. "Stop worrying about Hunter and cheer up." He said poking her again.
She giggled as he continued to poke her in the side each time saying "Cheer up."
She pushed his hands away and got up and ran. He laughed and chased after her. He caught up with Gabriella and wrapped his arms around her waist and spun her around making her giggle. Then she felt Troy pressing and wiggling his fingers into her stomach making her giggle harder and kick her legs.
"N-no tic-tic-tickling."
"What Brie? I couldn't understand you?"
"Sto-sto-stop tic-tic-tickling m-m-me."
"What? What's so funny? What am I doing?"
"Tro-Tro-Tro-Troy sto-sto- stop."
"I'll stop tickling when you stop laughing how about that?"
"N-no! Sto-stop!"
She squirmed and kicked her legs trying to get free, also making it harder for Troy to hold her. So he grabbed her tightly in one arm and pinning her arms to her chest and tickling her stomach. She broke out into giggles not being able to hold them back. She kicked her legs more frantically as he got her armpits. She screamed in laughter hating Troy knowing her most ticklish spots.
"Sto-sto-sto-stop"
"Nope."
Troy continued to tickle her and she continued to laugh hysterically until she couldn't take any more and kicked him in between his knees causing him to let her go and fall to the floor. She giggled a little bit.
"Sorry."
"No, you're not." He groaned.
She knelt down beside him. "Yes, I am. I didn't mean to kick you there. I meant to kick you on your leg or knee or something. Forgive me?"
She held out her hand to help him up. He grabbed her hand and flipped them so he was on top of her.
"Maybe, I can forgive you, but you have to stay cheered up for the rest of the day deal?"
She nodded and smiled. "Deal."
He got up and helped Gabriella to her feet. "Thank you for this amazing date Troy."
"You're welcome. I'm glad you're enjoying it. Come on, let's go finish our food."
They both went back over to the blanket and sat down continuing their laughter and fun.
Later that evening, Troy and Gabriella returned to Peter's house. They had to talk to Peter and Maria before the others showed up.
"Mom? Peter? You guys home?" Gabriella said softly as she walked in.
Troy chuckled. He rubbed her back. "It's ok. I'm right here."
Peter and Maria walked in.
"Hey, what's going on?" Peter asked.
"There is something you need to know. It's about Hunter." Troy said.
"Is he all right?"
"He threatened me." Gabriella said softly.
"I'm sorry, I didn't catch that."
"The other night, Hunter threatened Gabriella with a kitchen knife." Troy explained.
"That's what got you so upset? Honey, why didn't you tell me?" Maria asked.
"He threatened me." Gabriella said even softer.
"Gabriella was worried Hunter would hurt her if she told on him again." Troy said.
Peter sighed. Maria did too. They were hoping Hunter would change but he wasn't and they both knew it was only going take one more attack on Gabriella before Maria finally moved out.
"I'm sorry, I'll go talk to him." Peter said.
He made his way upstairs with his head bowed. He honestly felt terrible. His son was going to ruin everything between him and Maria.
"Honey, the next time someone hurts you I want you to tell me right away." Maria said.
"I'm sorry. I was scared."
"Baby, I understand that. But you don't ever have to be scared of telling me stuff."
"I wasn't scared of telling you as much as I was scared of what would happen after I told you. I just…I didn't want Hunter to hurt me again."
Maria sighed. "Gabriella, you're right. You living here is putting you in danger. I think it's time we move out."
"Where would we go?" Gabriella asked quietly.
"I don't know, I'll find us a place. We just can't live here anymore. You're in too much danger."
Gabriella nodded. "I'm sorry this is all my fault. You're breaking up with Peter because of me."
"No, this isn't your fault. It's something that has to happen. Tomorrow we will start looking for a place and we will move out as soon as we find a place to stay."
Gabriella looked to the floor and nodded. The doorbell rang.
"That's the guys." Troy said.
"Go, enjoy your sleepover. I'll go see what Peter is doing." Maria said.
She kissed Gabriella on the head and walked away. Troy looked to Gabriella. "Are you ok?" he asked.
"I've always wanted to move out, but not if it meant my mother was unhappy and now that's what's going to happen because I'm a scardy cat."
She walked away not letting Troy respond. She went to the door and looked through the peek hole and gasped. It was boys, but not her boys. It was the ENTIRE West High basketball team. Why were they there? What if they came back to finish what they started two months ago. She turned and ran back into the living room.
"Hey, did you let…" Troy trailed off when she threw her arms around his neck and buried her face in his neck. She clung to him tightly. "Baby, what's the matter?" he asked worriedly. He hugged her tightly to him and rubbed her back.
"It's not our friends, it's not our friends!" she cried out.
"Hey, hey, hey, it's ok. It's ok, you're safe. I'm not going to let anyone hurt you. Who is at the door?"
"It's them! It's the West High Knights! The entire West High basketball team is outside." She whimpered.
"Hunter must have invited them over."
"Wow, Troy, good guess. I'm surprised you managed to figure that out on your own. Normally, Gabriella has to help you because you're so stupid. " One of the boys said.
Gabriella whimpered. Troy pulled her behind him. "How did you get in?"
"Hunter, told us where the spare key is. We use it every now and then."
"Hunter is grounded again, you should go home." Troy said.
"Hunter isn't grounded."
"He may not have been when he called you but he is now."
"Why should we believe you?"
"Because it's the truth."
"You know, Bolton, you aren't so big and tough without your team behind you. We could easily take you."
"I'm not going to fight you. You're not worth it."
"Scardy cat." One of the boy laughed.
Gabriella knew him from when he broke her necklace.
"Maybe I am, but at least I'm brave enough to stand down from a fight. Fighting makes things worse, not better."
"Thank you, Dr. Phil." One of the other guys mocked.
The door bell rang again. Troy looked to Gabriella. "Go get that. It's most likely the others."
"I don't want to leave you." She whimpered.
"Go, I'll be ok."
Sighing Gabriella nodded. She walked to the front door and looked through the hole. It was her friends so she opened the door.
"Please help, Troy." She whimpered.
"What's wrong?" Chad asked instantly.
"The rest of West High is here, they are ganging up on him."
Chad and the others rushed inside. Gabriella gasped when she returned to the living room. One of the boys had Troy with his arms pinned behind his back as another punched him over and over in the stomach.
"STOP IT!" Gabriella screamed. "LET HIM GO!"
"AH, This makes me proud…"
Everyone turned to see Hunter walk in. "I've trained you boys well."
Hunter went over to Troy. "Not so tough now are you?"
Troy just growled and tried to pull away. "You don't scare me."
"Oh yeah…."
Hunter punched him again this time in the face busting his lip open.
"STOP!" Gabriella screamed.
Tears filled her eyes, she felt like she was living one of her worst nightmares. They were going to beat him to death just like in the nightmares she used to have.
Chad growled and tackled Hunter to the ground. Troy kicked the guys holding him between the knees and got free. He wiped his bloody lip on his sleeve.
"Is that the best you got?" he asked.
"Troy!"
Gabriella rushed over to him.
"I'm ok baby girl." He soothed as he hugged her tightly. He looked to Chad who had Hunter pinned to the ground. "Chad, let him up. The Wildcats are better than this."
Chad stood up.
"Seriously? Dude, they just…"
"I know, but it takes a little boy to start a fight, it takes a man to stand down from a fight. We're not going to fight them Chad, we're the better men."
"But…"
"No, no buts." Troy said.
Chad growled. "Fine."
"Great, more fun for us." Hunter smirked.
He looked to his team and then to Troy and his team. The Wildcat and the Knights were in one room together they weren't going to play basketball. There was only one way this is going to end…badly.
"Look, on the courts we can hate each other all we want. But when we are in each other's homes, and we're just being normal teenagers we should put aside our hate and try to get along." Troy said.
All the West High boys started to laugh.
"Bolton, has been watching his Dr. Phil." Hunter laughed. "Either that or he got a lesson from his little girlfriend here."
Troy just shook her head. "You leave her out of this."
"She is with you, which means she's involved in this. Plus, how are you so calm. You're looking at all the men who hurt her, all the men who got to touch her in places you have, who got to kiss her in places you haven't, who got to see things you've never seen."
Gabriella moved and hid behind Troy. She felt uncomfortable with Hunter talking like that.
"Oh, I'm furious with all of you. It's taking everything inside me not to beat you to a pulp right now. But, because I know Gabriella wouldn't want it, I'm not going to do it."
Hunter laughed. "Dude, you're so whipped."
Troy just shrugged. "Thank you. If being whipped means my girlfriend respects me, and I respect her, then I'm more than happy to be whipped. SO thank you, Hunter."
Hunter laughed. "Oh please, I can make Gabriella lose all respect for you and all I have to say is one word."
Troy shook his head. Gabriella wrapped his arms around his stomach. Troy rubbed his hands over hers. He felt her press her face into his back.
"I don't care what you have to say. Nothing will make me attack you."
"Oh yeah?"
"What if I say the word 'paralyzed'?"
Troy tensed but didn't show it. He shrugged. "So what?"
"I know your friends don't know Troy. You've never told them."
"Oh we know." Chad said.
"We know what you did to our Captain." Zeke said.
"We know you got away with it unpunished." Jason said.
"Even we know what happen." Taylor said.
"It's sick and is disgusting that you're still bringing that up." Martha said.
"Just get a life and leave Troy and Gabriella alone." Kelsi said.
They all got up and stood next to Troy. Gabriella held tighter to Troy. She knew she should be there next to him instead of behind him but the thought of facing Hunter and his friends scared her. Troy smiled at his friends.
"Yeah, you all know I caused Troy to be completely paralyzed for months. What you don't know is that Troy became a little baby about it. He used to have nightmares. He'd wake up crying every night screaming for his daddy and mommy."
Troy tensed more. How did he know this? No one but his parents knew about that. "Shut up." He growled dangerously.
"How do you know all this?" Chad asked.
"A little birdie told me." Hunter answered.
"Seriously, how do you know?" Troy growled.
"Your mother."
"My mom would never tell you."
"No, but she would tell Gabriella."
"Gabriella would never reveal something like that to you."
"Oh I know, I was on my way home for lunch and I overheard them talking about it."
"You heard that?" Gabriella asked peeking her head out.
"Oh yeah, I heard every last word." Hunter looked to his friends. "You guys should have heard her. "I'm so scared of walking mommy. I'm going to fall mommy. Please don't let me fall mommy. Mommy why doesn't my mommy love me" She was hysterical." Hunter laughed.
The other guys laughed with him. Gabriella pulled away from Troy and was going to run upstairs when Hunter grabbed her arm tightly. She gasped and instantly struggled to get free. Troy grabbed his wrist and ripped it off Gabriella and pulled her behind him.
"You touch her again, and I'll put you in a body bag."
"Bring it on." Hunter smirked.
"Troy, won't fight you. He's never been much of a fighter. But me, I'll fight you."
Chad said. He moved to stand in front of Troy.
"Chad, don't. He isn't worth it." Troy said.
"Nobody touches my little sister like that and gets away with it." Chad said.
A small smile appeared on Gabriella's lips. Hunter wasn't going to hurt her, not with the other Wildcats standing right there. She came out from behind Troy.
"Oh, I've touched her in so many different ways. It's hard to count." Hunter smirked.
"Chad, don't! Please he isn't worth it." Gabriella said.
"No, he wants to fight, I'll give him a fight." Chad said.
They both moved on the other side of the coffee table closer to the back glass sliding doors.
"Guys, this is stupid. I don't want you fighting like this." Gabriella said.
She went over to Chad. "Please Chad, don't fight him. You're better than this."
"This doesn't concern you, Gabriella. It's just about it."
"Chad please!"
"Get out of here!" Hunter growled. He pushed Gabriella backwards, everything seemed to go in slow motion. She stumbled backwards and crashed through the glass doors hitting her head on the ground, with glass falling all over.
"GABRIELLA!" Troy screamed. He rushed over to her and knelt down beside her. "Gabriella?" She passed out. He lifted her head and gasped. She was bleeding.
"Call 911!" he yelled.
Chad rushed to call for help. Hunter and his friends rushed out of the house.
Troy removed his shirt and pressed it to the wound on the back of Gabriella's head. "Please don't die on me." He whispered.
Hunter had always come close to killing Gabriella, he even threatened to kill her but now he might have actually killed her and Troy didn't know if he would be able to get through that.
A/N ok quick note Gabriella IS NOT going to die. So don't worry about that. Anyway, leave me your thoughts in a review. What do you think is going to happen?