A/N I DON'T OWN ANYTHING!

The next morning Gabriella woke up feeling like trash. She knew Troy was going to question her about last night and she knew he knew when she was lying so how could she get through that and if she told anyone her mom would pay the price and she would NOT let that happen. So she would have to lie and she would have to do it right. Her mother's life depended on it. She went about her morning as usual and her first morning classes were normal. Thankfully Troy didn't say anything about last night. As she was in the bathroom after her math class with Taylor she watched her hands then rubbed her sore cheek. Without realizing it she washed the cover up off. Just then Taylor walked in and saw the bruise.

"Gabriella Montez what happen to you?"

Gabriella gasped and looked in the mirror.

"Nothing Tay I uh…I walked into the door this morning because I was in a hurry and running late."

"Gabriella you arrived ten minutes early."

"Yeah I was late for the time I usually show up so I rushed and ran into the door. I'm fine."

Gabriella covered the bruise back up.

"If it's nothing why are you trying to hide it?" Taylor asked.

"Because I don't want to look like freak ok? Leave me alone!"

Gabriella rushed out of the bathroom she hated being so mean to Taylor but her mom's life was more important than being honest with Taylor.

During free period Troy and Gabriella met at their secret spot the roof top garden. They were sitting on the bench talking a laughing. Then Troy brought up last night.

"You left your phone at my house last night." He told her.

"Oh I was looking all over for it. Thanks Troy. I must have left in such a hurry I forgot it."

"Yeah but why were you in such a hurry again?"

"Um…my mom called and she needed me home."

"Because when you went to the bathroom you left your cell phone on the table so how did you reach your mom?"

"She called your house number."

"I didn't hear the phone ring."

"I called her from your phone. I wanted to give her an update before I came back out into the bathroom so I asked your father and he let me use the house phone. That's when my mom said she needed me home."

"I thought you said she called you."

"I forgot."

"Gabriella why do you keep changing your story?"

"I don't."

"Yes you do. First you say your mother called you but then you said you called her. Why are you lying to me Gabriella? I thought we agreed to have an open and honest relationship?"

"We do but I…I have…It was just a crazy night and I forgot I'm not lying to you."

She knew Troy saw right through her but she had to keep up this lie for her mother's safety.

"Baby I know you and I know when you are lying and telling the truth so tell me what really happen."

It wasn't a question it was a commend and Gabriella knew it.

"Did my father say something to you?"

"What no!" Gabriella answered quickly…a little too quickly. "Why would you ask that?"

"Because he left right after you and then you left and were upset."

"It…It wasn't your father Troy. I just…really needed to get home."

The last part wasn't a lie. Jack ordered her to leave so she really did need to get home. Troy sighed. He knew whatever was going on she wasn't going to tell him but he was not going to let this go ever.

"Ok look you don't have to tell me if you really don't want to but just know that I am always here to listen."

"Thank you Troy."

Troy just pulled her into a hug. He knew something wasn't right and he was going to find out what it is.

They finished their free period and then it was time for gym with Coach Bolton. Troy didn't have gym because he had basketball practice earlier so she was alone. Luckily for her Jack stayed normal during the class. As everyone was getting ready to leave he called out to her to stay after so they could "talk" Gabriella nodded too scared to say no. Once everyone else was gone Jack went over to her and punched her in the face knocking her to the floor.

"It's time for another lesson. You are the female and he is the male which means he owns you. No one else can have you got it? You are his and no one else can have you."

"Yes Sir." Gabriella whimpered.

Troy had never been the possessive type that was one of the things Gabriella loved about him but maybe she was just wasn't looking hard enough. Also her father had always told her that no one ever owned her and she was her own person if a guy was possessive he wasn't a good man. So what did that make Jack? She was thrown from her thoughts from a slap.

"ARE YOU LISTENING TO ME?" Jack yelled.

"Yes Sir!" She cried.

"Good. Now you are coming back to our house tonight and I am going to watch your every move and if one thing is out of place with the way you treat my son you will be in for it tomorrow."

"Yes Sir."

"Now leave."

Gabriella got up and ran out of the gym. She ran right into the bathroom and looked at her face in the mirror. Her eye was black and blue and her other cheek was now bruising. Just then Taylor walked in.

"Who did that you and don't say no one!"

"NO one. I fell in gym."

"I was in gym with you, you didn't fall once."

"It was after you left."

Taylor looked at her questioningly. "Are you sure?"

"Yes. I have to go."

Gabriella rushed out of the bathroom she ran out of school and continued to run. She had to prepare herself for later. She had to be the perfect girlfriend or Jack would kill her. Taylor ran after her but lost her in the crowed. She bumped into Troy.

"Troy just the man I was looking for. What happen to Gabriella? How did she get the bruise?"

"Bruise? What bruise?"

"The bruises all over her face. Both her cheeks are black and blue along with her eyes."

"How did that happen?"

"You're asking me? I just asked you."

"I have no idea I didn't even see them."

"You don't think it's Maria do you?"

"I hope not. Gabriella wouldn't survive losing another parent."

"Well what else could it be?"

"I don't know. She is coming over to my house tonight. I'll ask her about it tonight."

"And I'll stop by her house and ask her mom some questions."

"Ok but promise you will tell me whatever you find out."

"I promise as long as you do the same."

"I will. I just hope we figure out who did this before it gets worse."

Once Gabriella reached home she ran into her room and grabbed her makeup only there was one small problem she was out of cover up. Her travel size was out and her normal size they were both gone. There had to be some in her mom's room. She rushed in there only to be met by her mother.

"Gabriella you're home….OH MY WORD WHAT HAPPEN TO YOUR FACE?"

"Nothing I feel in gym."

"Those are not falling wounds Gabriella it looks like someone punched you. Tell me who did it now!"

"No one I fell I swear I just need some cover up because Troy invited me over again tonight and I don't want them to see."

'Gabriella Ann Montez you tell me who did this right or…or you will never see Troy again."

"What why?"

"Because I'm already seeing the sings. Troy is hitting you isn't he? He is becoming a possessive abusive pig."

"Mom no I swear it is not Troy."

"Then tell me who it is or…or I'm taking my company up on their offer to move us again and we will leave."

"NO!"

"Then tell me what happen or I make the call right now."

"It was…Sharpay!"

Sharpay was a bully at school who enjoyed teasing Gabriella but she never hit Gabriella but it was the first name that came into her head.

"Sharpay? Sharpay Evans?"

"Yes. She is mad at me because I am dating Troy. It's no big deal I told her if she ever touched me again I'd call the cops so it's handled."

"Ok but if I see one more bruise on your body I will go down to that school and talk to that Principal are we clear?"

"Yes mom. So do you have any cover up?"

"In the draw. Be home by 11."

"I will mom."

Gabriella quickly covered her bruises and ran back to her room. She started going over Jack's rules in her head. When she felt ready to left. This was going to be a long night.

A/N next chapter Troy confronts Gabriella but will she tell them the truth. Also I want your input on something. I am running out of rules for Jack to giving Gabriella which may be good for some people because that means Troy finds out the truth sooner. So I want your vote would you rather Troy finds out the truth sooner and they face the wrath of Jack together or do you want me to drag this on longer before Troy finds out. If so I'll need rules so let me know what you guys want.