A/N I DON'T OWN ANYTHING!
Back out in the kitchen with Taylor and Maria they both just sighed.
"Will you really babysit her for me?"
"Of course, I care about her health just as much as you."
"Thank you. If she doesn't listen just tell her you'll tell me then she'll have to move and that will make her listen."
"Ok."
They two of them went to check on her. They couldn't hear anything so they figured she cried herself to sleep, which she had. Taylor went home ready to beat Troy to death for hurting her best friend.
The next day Gabriella covered her bruised face and put on a long sleeve shirt to cover her arm. Her arm still hurt and she was sure it was broken but she was going to ignore it. She had to get to school before Taylor so she could speak to Troy. He had to know she didn't blame him and that her mother just didn't believe her. So she quickly got ready and left. Although climbing down a tree with a broken arm was really hard but she managed it. Then she ran to school. Just as she reached the doors she gasped. Jack was waiting for her.
"Hello Gabriella. You know you made my son very upset last night and that is not one of the rules I taught you. I thought I told you your job was to make sure he was always happy. If Troy isn't happy you aren't happy got it?"
"Yes Sir."
"If I see my son unhappy one more time you will pay Gabriella dearly."
"Yes Sir."
Gabriella went to walk away when Jack grabbed her already broken arm and yanked her back. They both heard a POP. Gabriella screamed in pain.
"We aren't finished talking!"
"I'm sorry! I'm sorry!"
"No you're not. But you will be. Plus where did you go when you life last night?"
"Home and I didn't say anything."
"No you didn't but I saw Taylor leaving your house. I thought I told you not to hang out with them?"
"I wasn't she was there when I go home."
"It is not wise to lie to me."
"I'm not lying please!"
"You need to be punished.
Jack tighten his grip and turned her so her back was facing him then he spanked her and hard. He did that 16 time each time his grip getting tighter and tighter against her broken arm. She screamed and cried in pain but Jack didn't stop. Finally he did. Gabriella ran inside and into the bathroom. She went into a stall and closed the door. She cried in pain knowing things were only going to get worse when Jack found out Troy was getting blamed for all this. She stopped crying and washed her face and left the bathroom. She went to the gym where she saw Troy shooting hoops.
"Hey Beautiful. Want take a few shots? After all you did score points in a championship game." He teased.
She giggled. He always knew how to make her feel better even if he didn't know she was upset.
"No, thanks. Look Troy we have to talk."
"Oh no. You're breaking up with me aren't you?"
"No I'm just…not allowed near you…my mom thinks you're giving me the bruises."
"That's crazy."
"I know and I've told her that but she doesn't listen."
"Gabriella you need to tell me who is hitting you."
"I can't Troy I just can't"
"It's your mom isn't it?"
"What? No!"
Before Troy could say anything Taylor walked in.
"GABRIELLA GET YOUR BUTT AWAY FROM HIM!" She yelled.
"Taylor please just let us talk."
"No. Get away from him right now or I'll tell your mother and she will move you away from here."
Gabriella looked at Troy as tears filled her eyes. "I'm sorry. I love you."
She ran out of the gym. Taylor went over and slapped him across the face.
"Taylor I didn't do anything!"
"Then why is it when she came home last night from your house she had a new bruise on her arm and she was crying hysterically?"
"She was? New bruise? Taylor I swear I have no idea….wait a second…oh no." Troy groaned.
"What?"
"Look at the facts. These bruises started to show up after she met my family as well as her strange behavior. Every time she gets a new bruise or gets skittish it's after being near my father."
"After gym…"
"What?"
"Yesterday after gym Coach asked Gabriella to stay behind and when she walked out she had a black eyes. She said she fell."
"Oh my gosh. My father is the one abusing her."
"Oh my gosh. What are we going to do?"
"My father will not tell me the truth so I have to ask Gabriella. Please Taylor you need to allow me near her. Don't threaten her just give me five minutes."
"OK Five minutes but after school go and talk to Maria she is the one making all the rules."
"Thanks Taylor."
"Where do you think she is?"
"I don't know. Can you help me look?"
"Of course and I'm sorry I hit you."
"I forgive you."
Together they split up and searched the school only to find nothing. They met back in the gym.
"Anything?" Taylor asked.
"No. I ever looked in our secret spot."
"Do you think she went home?"
"I guess. I was hoping not because then I'll have to go through Maria."
"Come on I'll come with you. She might believe me more."
Troy nodded. Together they left the school not caring that they were ditching. They arrived at Gabriella's house and knocked on the door. Maria answered.
"Troy Bolton." She said in a cold voice.
"Ms. Montez please listen. We were wrong about who attacked Gabriella. It wasn't Troy but together we figured out who did. Please let him in so he can explain." Taylor said.
"Ok."
Maria let them in and they went to the kitchen room and sat down at the table.
"I know this is going to sound weird but my father is the one hitting Gabriella not me. I was never going to tell anyone but there was a time when my father became addicted to drugs and as a result hit me and mom. He went and got help and he didn't hit us anymore so I thought he was safe. I guess now he is hitting Gabriella. I swear to both of you that if I had any idea my father would hit again I never would have allowed her over and I swear I will keep my father away from her at all times."
Maria sighed. "Do you swear on your own life it wasn't you?"
"My own life and my basketball career."
"Ok I believe you. Gabriella is in her room. I know she would want to see you."
"Thank you Ms. Montez and I'm sorry."
"It's ok. If it's all right I'm going to call your mother. I don't want her getting hurt."
"I would like that. Thank you."
Troy got up and went to Gabriella's room. He heard yelling as he got closer. He peeked his head inside and looked just as his father raised his belt over his head and brought it back down slamming the meddle against Gabriella's….bare back? He had forced her shirt off? He growled. Both Jack and Gabriella looked at the door. Jack ran off before Troy could say a word. Troy ran over to Gabriella.
"Baby I'm so sorry. I should have known he was the one hurting you."
"Troy I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm a bad girlfriend. Break up with me save yourself please" she cried.
"No never. You are a wonderful girlfriend and I will never break up with you."
Troy lifted Gabriella up fighting back tears when she screamed in pain. He laid her down on her stomach on the bed. Taylor and Maria came running in and gasped at the sight. Her back was bleeding, her face was bruised and tear stained she was crying and shaking hysterically and her arm was hanging off the bed in a abnormal angle.
"Her back needs to be cleaned." Maria.
"I can't. I'm not strong enough Ms. Montez I can't hurt her." Troy said tears in his eyes.
"Ok both you and Taylor go wait in the living room. I'll take care of her."
"Unless you want to be a distraction to her." Taylor suggested.
Troy nodded. He liked that idea a lot better. He knelt down by Gabriella's head and she turned her head on the side to look at him.
"I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm a bad girlfriend. Breakup with me a save yourself."
"No baby girl. I will never do that and you are not a bad girlfriend."
Maria walked over with peroxide.
"Listen baby girl I need your help can you help me?" Troy asked.
Gabriella nodded.
"I want to sing our song but I forgot the words can you help me?"
Gabriella nodded again.
Troy started to sing. "Living in my own world
Didn't understand
That anything can happen
When you take a chance.
What comes next baby girl do you remember?"
Gabriella nodded.
"Song it for me please?" Troy asked.
Gabriella opened her mouth to sing when she struck with pain and all that came out was startled whimper.
"I know baby I know. Please can you just help me? What is the next part?" Troy asked stroking her hair.
Gabriella softly started to sing. "I never believed in
What I couldn't see
I never opened my heart
To all the possibilities
I know that something has changed
Never felt this way
And right here tonight…."
Gabriella trialed off and whimpered.
"Keep going baby. Sing with me. What comes next?"
Gabriella started to sing and Troy join her. "This could be the start
Of something new
It feels so right
To be here with you
And now looking in your eyes
I feel in my heart
The start of something new"
"Now it is my turn or your turn?" He asked.
She lifted her good arm and pointed to him.
"Ok. Here I go. Now who'd of ever thought that
We'd both be here tonight
And the world looks so much brighter
With you by my side
I know that something has changed
Never felt this way
I know it for real."
Then without having to remind her they both just started to sing the next part. Just like the first time they had gotten so lost in each other that nothing else mattered.
"This could be the start
Of something new
It feels so right
To be here with you
And now looking in your eyes
I feel in my heart
The start of something new
I never knew that it could happen
Till it happened to me
I didn't know it before
But now it's easy to see
It's a start
Of something new
It feels so right
To be here with you
And now looking in your eyes
I feel in my heart
That it's the start
Of something new
It feels so right
To be here with you
And now looking in your eyes
I feel in my heart
The start of something new
Start of something new"
When they finished Maria had finished as well.
"All right baby all down." Maria said soothingly.
"It still hurts."
"I know I'm going to get you some Advil for the pain. Just wait here."
Maria left the room.
"Can you sit up baby?" Troy asked.
She seemed hesitant because she knew she was naked but then she remembered Jack's rule so she tried to sit up but cried out in pain and laid back down.
"I'm sorry. I'm sorry it just hurts. It hurts."
"Don't be sorry sweetie I was just going to help you put a shirt on but if it hurts we don't have to."
Instead Troy pulled the covers over her body.
"There so you don't feel so naked." Troy said stroking her hair lovingly.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome."
Troy kissed her on the head and she relaxed. He softly started to sing a lullaby and she finally calmed all the way and relaxed fully. Taylor made her way over.
"I'm sorry I tried keeping you away from Troy."
At first Gabriella was going to tell her not to worry. Then she remembered what happen at school earlier when Jack found out Taylor was at her house. If Jack found out again he'd kill her.
"No, I…I can't see you anymore. I can't. Taylor I'm sorry."
"What why?"
"Taylor please I'm sorry. Just go."
Fighting back tears Taylor said "Ok if that's what you want." Taylor left tears building in her eyes.
"Why did you do that?" Troy asked.
"She isn't my friend anymore she tried to keep us apart again."
Ok so that was another lie but she couldn't tell him the truth.
"Did my father tell you to stop being her friend?"
"No! Your father didn't do anything!"
"Gabriella I know the truth. I saw him hitting you just now. Tell me. Did he tell you to stop hanging out with Taylor?"
Gabriella nodded. "He hit me when he found her leaving my house last night. I love you Troy I'm sorry for everything."
"I love you too baby girl. Don't be sorry. I'm sorry my father hurt you but I promise he will never hurt you again."
Just then Maria returned with some pills and a glass of water.
"It hurts her to sit all the way up." Troy explained.
"Can you lift your head?" Maria asked.
Gabriella lifted her head. Troy helped her and supported her head as she took the medicine and laid back down.
"Just rest sweetie you should be better tomorrow." Maria said.
"Can Troy stay?"
"As long as he would like. Also I spoke to your mom Troy. She is going to spend the night at the Danforth's house until she and your dad work things out."
"Thank you Ms. Montez I'm glad she is ok."
"Thank you for helping my daughter and I'm sorry for blaming it on you."
"It's ok. I could see why you might have thought it was me. Plus to be honest I thought it was you at first."
"Well I forgive you. Just call me if you two need anything."
Maria kissed her daughter on the head and walked out of the room.
"Will you stay all day and all night?" Gabriella asked.
"If that makes you feel better."
"It does."
"Then I will."
"Good."
"How do you feel?"
Gabriella shrugged. "I'm in pain but the Advil should kick in soon."
"Is there anything I can do?"
"Just stay with me and keep stroking my hair…oh and singing."
Troy laughed. "I'll only sing if you sing with me."
"Ok what should we sing?"
Troy thought about it for a moment before starting a song. "We're soarin', flyin'
There's not a star in heaven
That we can't reach"
Gabriella giggled and sang her part. "If we're trying
So we're breaking free"
Troy continued. "You know the world can see us
In a way that's different than who we are"
Gabriella started again. "Creating space between us
'Til we're separate hearts"
They both sang at the same time.
But your faith it gives me strength
Strength to believe
Chorus #1
Troy:
We're breakin' free
Gabriella:
We're soarin'
Troy:
Flyin'
Both:
There's not a star in heaven
That we can't reach
Troy:
If we're trying
Both:
Yeah, we're breaking free
Troy:
Oh, we're breakin' free
Gabriella:
Ohhhh
Troy:
Can you feel it building
Like a wave the ocean just can't control
Gabriella:
Connected by a feeling
Ohhh, in our very souls
Both:
Rising 'til it lifts us up
So every one can see
Chorus #2
Troy: We're breakin' free
Gabriella: We're soarin'
Troy: Flyin'
Both:
There's not a star in heaven
That we can't reach
Troy:
If we're trying
Yeah we're breaking free
Gabriella:
Ohhhh runnin'
Troy:
Climbin'
To get to that place
Both:
To be all that we can be
Troy:
Now's the time
Both:
So we're breaking free
Troy:
We're breaking free
Gabriella:
Ohhh , yeah
Troy:
More than hope
More than faith
Gabriella:
This is true
This is fate
And together
Both:
We see it comin'
Troy:
More than you
More than me
Gabriella:
Not a want, but a need
Both:
Both of us breakin' free
Chorus #3
Gabriella: Soarin'
Troy: Flyin'
Both:
There's not a star in heaven
That we can't reach
If we're trying
Troy: Yeah we're breaking free
Gabriella:
Breaking free
Were runnin'
Troy:
Ohhhh, climbin'
Both:
To get to the place
To be all that we can be
Now's the time
Troy: Now's the time
Gabriella: So we're breaking free
Troy: Ohhh, we're breaking free
Gabriella: Ohhhh
Both:
You know the world can see us
In a way that's different than who we are
"I love singing with you." Gabriella said.
"I love singing with you too." Troy said.
"Can we sing another one?"
"Sure which one?"
"What I've been looking for."
"Coming right up."
Troy cleared his throat "Me, me, me, me, me" he said in a sing song voice.
Gabriella giggled. "Troy seriously."
[Troy]
It's hard to believe
That I couldn't see
You were always there beside me
[Gabriella]
Thought I was alone
With no one to hold
[Both]
But you were always right beside me
This feeling's like no other
I want you to know
[CHORUS:]
I've never had someone
That knows me like you do
The way you do
I've never had someone
As good for me as you
No one like you
So lonely before
I finally found
What I've been looking for
[Gabriella]
Ohhh, ohhh
"What next?" Troy asked.
"I don't know."
"You getting sleepy?"
Gabriella nodded.
"Go to sleep I'll stay here."
"Ok. I love you Troy."
"I love you too baby girl. I'll be right here if you need anything."
Gabriella closed her eyes and let the darkness take over her.
A/N next chapter Troy takes Gabriella to the doctor and Gabriella finally tells him what Jack has been up to.