A/N I DON'T OWN ANYHTING!

As they listened to their mothers they both went white. This fun night had all been ruined by just one simple word….trial.

They hung up with their moms and looked at each other.

"Troy what….."

"We'll get through it promise."

"No you don't get it. Your father knows our weaknesses. He knows just what say to break us."

"Yeah he will go after our weaknesses but we won't let him break us because we are stranger than that."

"You're stronger than that."

"No 'we' are stronger than that. You are strong enough to handle this. If you can survive the abuse you can survive the trial I know you can."

"What if your father gets off free?"

"He won't. This is his second time on trial for abuse and this time he can't blame drinking so there isn't much of a chance of him getting off."

"So why not just put him in jail?"

"Because everyone is innocent until proven guilty."

"But he is guilty."

"We have to prove it. To prove it we have to go to trial."

"Can't we just show them the hospital records? I mean he put me in there twice."

"Someone could have forged them. But if we get up on the stand and swear to the law they will believe us."

"I can't talk you out of this can I?"

"Nope. Now look my mom is calling a lawyer and meeting with them tomorrow and she says if you'd like come to the meeting to help you prepare you can."

"Ok I'd like that."

"Good until then let's not worry about that."

"I don't know if I can."

"I know you can. Plus there is only one thing you need to worry about."

"What?"

"The tickle monster."

"Troy no!"

Gabriella squealed and stood up. She took off running with Troy right behind her. They spent the rest of the day laughing and having fun.

After a few weeks of preparing it was time for the trial. Gabriella was scared to death. Troy was worried too but he was more worried about how his mom and Gabriella would handle this. Gabriella had been up every night screaming from nightmares.

"Troy I'm scared." Gabriella said softly as they sat behind the table waiting for the judge to come in.

"I know but you are as prepared as you can be. Just try and stay calm and relaxed. Most importantly remember that no matter what my father's lawyer says it is not true."

"Ok…"

"All rise for entry of Judge Carol." The bailiff called.

Everyone stood up. The Judge entered and sat down. "You may be seated."

Everyone sat back down.

"We are here today to determine if Jack Bolton is guilty or not guilty of the abuse of minor Gabriella Montez."

Gabriella zoned out as the lawyers gave their opening statements and as a few others went to testify. Finally she heard Lucille's name and decided to listen. Her lawyer Molly Green got up and went over to Lucille.

"Mrs. Bolton how long have you know Mr. Bolton?"

"Since high school." Lucille answered.

"In anytime through those years was he ever abusive?"

"No. The abuse didn't start till after we were married and had our son Troy."

"Was there any signs of abusive before Gabriella?"

"Yes. A few years ago his father passed away and he handled it by drinking and as a result he hit me and my son."

"What happen?"

"Well I called the cops and we had a trial but the verdict was that Jack was a man who needed help so he was sent to rehab. When he got out Troy and I thought he was better because he didn't hit us anymore."

"What changed?"

"My son fell in love."

Lucille looked at Troy who had his arms wrapped around Gabriella as she rested her head on his shoulder. She watched as Troy kissed Gabriella on the head and she snuggled deeper into him.

"It seems like a couple days after the abuse started on Gabriella is also when Jack started hitting me again."

"Were you surprised when you found out Jack was hitting Gabriella?"

"No…well yes. I knew Jack was capable of doing something like that but I never thought he'd ever do it."

"Would you consider Jack dangerous?"

"Yes."

"If he were to get out free what would you do?"

"I'd get a restraining order against him so he can't be around Troy and I'd advice Gabriella's mother to do the same. I'd tell the school so he can't teach anymore and I'd change the locks on my house."

"Do you feel he is still a sick man who needs help?"

"No. Jack always has a strong dislike for Gabriella and he took that too far."

"No further questions."

Molly went to sit down. Justin Black Jack's lawyer got up and went over to her.

"Mrs. Bolton please tell me why my client hated Ms. Montez."

"Well before Troy and Gabriella met my son was obsessed with basketball like my husband was. Jack was all about basketball he even wants Troy to go to U of A just like he did. After Gabriella and Troy met Troy found something new. You could almost say it was the start of something new."

Troy and Gabriella smiled.

"Troy found that he had a liking for singing and doing musicals and yes I'll admit Troy did miss a few practices during school but he was practicing for the musical. Jack was very unhappy with Troy's new hobby and thought it was all Gabriella's fault. He felt like Gabriella was taking Troy's happiness away."

"Well isn't she? I mean if Troy was as obsessed with basketball as you said he was he wouldn't have let anything change that. Not singing and not a girl."

"People can change their minds about what they like. Jack was also pushing Troy very hard harder than the rest and I think that started to bother Troy so when something else came along he took it and enjoyed it."

"Do you believe he had your son's best interest at heart when he started to abuse Ms. Montez?"

"Well yes but…."

"No further questions."

Justin went to sit back down.

"You may step down." The judge said.

Lucille stepped down and went back to her seat. Troy was up next. Molly questioned him first.

"Mr. Bolton during all the years you've known your father has he ever been abusive?"

"Yes when I was….thirteen I think he started to drink a lot more and he hit me and my mother."

"So where you surprised when you found out he was hitting your girlfriend?"

"Yes. When he got back from rehab I thought he was done hitting so I never thought he'd go back."

"Why did your father hit Ms. Montez?"

"I can't answer that honestly because I really am not sure. She told me it was because he was trying to make her a good girlfriend to me and when she didn't listen he hit her."

"Was he making her a better girlfriend?"

"No he was making her into the type of girlfriend I would hate to have."

"Why do you believe he did that?"

"He says he did it to make me happy but all he ended up doing was hurting me."

"Would you consider his dangerous?"

"Yes."

"If he got off free what would you do?"

"I'd do whatever it takes to keep my mother and my girlfriend safe from him"

"How did you find out about this?"

"Well our friend Taylor started to notice some bruising and she started to act differently and I asked her about it and of course she didn't answer at first. At first I thought it was her mother. One day Taylor and I put the pieces together that her bruises started to form after being with my father at school or after leaving my house. So I went to Gabriella's house to confront her and when I got to her room I saw…."

"Yes Mr. Bolton?"

"He was whipping her with his belt but she wasn't wearing anything on her upper body."

"No further questions."

Molly sat back down. Justin got up.

"Mr. Bolton How much do you know about Gabriella's past?"

"Enough"

"How much do you know about her past boyfriends?"

"She doesn't have any because her mom moved her around so much she never had time to get a boyfriend."

"So how do you know she won't have to move again?"

"Because she told me her mom promised her she would be here till graduation next year."

"How can you be sure Ms. Montez will keep that promise?"

"Maria Montez is a very trust worthy person. I believe her."

"You father promised to always love you and never hurt you do you feel he broke that promise?"

"Yes."

"But he is just protecting you. How can you be sure Gabriella is being honest about her past boyfriends I mean who knows maybe she was a slut who…."

"DON'T CALL HER THAT!" Troy yelled.

"I'm just saying your father might know something you don't about Gabriella and is protecting you from getting hurt."

"He hurt me by trying to train my girlfriend how to treat me. He knows the women I hate dating yet he turned Gabriella into one of those girls."

"Do you deep down believe that your father loves you did what he did out of love?"

"No."

Justin was shocked by his answer. "No further questions. I'd like to call Gabriella to the stand."

Gabriella gulped this was going to be a living nightmares.

A/N next chapter it's Gabriella's turn but it is also the last chapter. I have two stories on my list that are tied so please go onto my page and vote for which you want me to write next. Thanks for everything guys.