Special Thanks to OnceaWildcatAlwaysAWildcat. She has commented on almost every chapter of Holding On, and it is very much appreciated. :)

Troy sat quietly on his bed exhausted, but he wasn't able to fall asleep. Way too much was going through his head. His mom never mentioned the struggle and effort his dad had made to keep Troy part of his family.

It was easier to think that Steve had never fought, that he left and never looked back. Even though that hurt and left Troy confused, it was easier. He never had to pick sides, because his mom had never given him the chance to. On the contrary, no one had taught him to ride a bike, play sports, or get girls. And the sex talk with his mom had been quite awkward.

Suddenly thinking about all that he had missed Troy began to feel angry. Who did his mom think she was? She cut off half of his life, half of his family, just so she could meet her selfish needs. During his early years, Day after day, night after night, he had woken up crying becuase he didn't understand where his dad had been, and why he had to go there. She consoled him telling him 'everything was going to be fine' when all she had to do was pick up the phone and call Steven, but she didn't.

Gabriella woke up on the bolton's couch after a late night at the hospital. She looked at the clock and it read 11:00. Stretching and yawning, she made her way to the kitchen only to find a note with her name on it.

Dear Gabriella,

We have gone to work. Since you were supposed to work at 12:00 anyway we figured that you wouldn't mind just staying. The maid was told to watch Lizzie and Ben until you or Troy wake up, but we're going to assume that you'll be up first. If Troy isn't up by 10:30 feel free to wake him up. There is money on the counter if you are too tired to cook lunch and you just want to order pizza.

Love,

Lauren

Gabriella looked around the kitchen assuming that Troy wasn't awake because the kitchen wasn't a mess yet. She walked upstairs passing the maid.

"Hi. The kids haven't woken up yet." Rachel, the maid told her as she passed her on the stairs.

"Ok. I will get them up soon." Gabriella replied with the most sincere smile she could muster and continued down the hall way to Troy's room. She knocked on the door making it open slightly. "Troy?" There wasn't an answer so she proceeded to open the door.

"Go away..." He mumbled. He stayed up until 8:00 In the morning only getting about 3 hours of sleep instead of the normal 10 hours he'd usually get if it would have been a normal night.

"But you have to get up. It's already 11:00 and you have to help me watch Lizzie and Ben."

"No.." He whined as he threw the pillow over his head and turned to face the opposite direction.

"Come on. We didn't get home that late. You had to have gotten some sleep." Thinking of sleep she let out a small yawn followed be the compelling need to stretch.

"Go away...." she walked over to the bed and sat down next to him on it. She didn't know what had given her the confidence to do so but before she realized it, it had already been done. He seemed unfazed by her sitting there so she found herself more at ease.

"Come on... get up." Pushing him a little to wake him up more and irritate him, she began to chant the four words over and over again. He jumped up a little alarmed, not exactly sure of his surroundings at the moment. He had fallen asleep before she had even gotten on the bed. He looked around the room and met her eyes.

She could see how tired he actually was but didn't understand why. they had gotten home around 11:00 which would've given him about 12 hours of sleep if he had gone to sleep right away, but he obviously hadn't. However she didn't allow herself to dwell on that fact and she began to look him over. His hair was every which way, which made her want to laugh, but she held it in. He was wearing a red shirt that had the letters WH printed on it. She figured that it was the initials of his school, or former school. She didn't really know how long he was staying.

"Why... what... huh?" He spit out not really ale to form the right words. He ran a hand through his already messy hair.

"You have to get up."

"What time is it?" He sat up and yawned, then looked at her.

"11:15." She replied looking away from him reluctantly because as much as she hated to admit it, he looked really hot when he was tired.

"Well... what are you doing in here?" He asked rubbing the palm of his hand over his eyes.

"I repeat... You. Have. To. Get. Up." She said louder causing him to groan and fall back down onto the bed making it shake.

"Gabriella! Troy!" Lizzie screamed as she ran into the room.

"Yeah?" Gabriella turned to the little girl standing in the doorway.

"I'm hungry." Gabriella and Troy sighed as each of them got up and followed Lizzie down the stairs to get breakfast.