I bet you guys who get to see the film on Friday are excited but please, please I'm begging you, don't come on to review and tell me what happens. Tell me nothing! I'm going to try so hard to avoid the stories on fan fiction that talk about the film which is going to be hard but I really don't want to be told. If you guys are good reviewers and sort of good friends then you won't tell me :( please I'm begging you all!

Anyway, sorry about that sob story then, on with the chapter.

Chapter 12 – Evils Back!

TROY was still sleeping when Gabriella woke up the next morning. She stretched elegantly and walked into the kitchen; she made herself some orange juice and went into the living room. She picked up a book from the side of the cupboard called 'Firebringer' By David Clement Davies. She decided to check it out.

She was half way through the first chapter when she heard a knock at the door. She opened it and found a very lively Taylor smiling at her.

"Do you want to get some breakfast down in the restaurant? Chad is sleeping and none of the others will come with me?" Taylor asked hopefully.

Gabriella laughed and grabbed her bag, "Sure."

"You're my hero." Taylor giggled and they looped arms and went on downstairs leaving their friends in peace.

"SO Gabriella, where did you and Troy meet?" Taylor asked as they waited for their meals.

"Well…um we met on his Ski Lodge. Do you know that place?" Gabriella asked.

"Yeah, that's one of the best. How did you meet?" Taylor queried eagerly.

"Hmm, it's kind of sweet. I fell through ice when I was ice skating and Troy jumped in after me. He saved me." Gabriella said proudly.

"Whoa, that is sweet." Taylor chuckled, then she kind of went grim, "Gabriella, I've never known Troy to be this way but I want you to be serious with me. Chad and I and well really all the others noticed some bruises and scratches on your body yesterday. We want to know…is Troy hurting you?"

Gabriella looked astounded.

"I know, it doesn't sound like Troy, it isn't Troy at all actually. He's like my lovable big brother but we care about you to and it's not right if he is. You should leave him if he's being abusive." Taylor said reaching across the table to touch Gabriella's hand.

"No Taylor, Troy isn't abusing me; it's a really awkward story. It'll take so long to explain." Gabriella said shaking her head.

"I have time. We have plenty." Taylor said.

"No! Maybe some other time but I just can't. But I promise you Taylor, Troy isn't abusing me." Gabriella confirmed.

"Are you sure?" Taylor questioned.

"Positive." Gabriella answered.

Taylor's face softened and she put a hand to her chest and gave a sigh of relief, "I knew it. Troy's just too sweet."

Gabriella giggled, "Yeah he is."

Suddenly Gabriella saw someone she never expected to see at 'The Bolton' it was Richard talking on the phone. She dived under the table and Taylor looked at her and giggled and bent down.

"What's wrong?" Taylor queried.

"Don't draw attention to me please. Just act natural." Gabriella whispered.

Taylor shrugged her shoulders and moved back up. Suddenly Richard was walking over to her; his eyes were leering hungrily on Taylor. The table covered Taylor's large stomach, she did not look pregnant.

"Hi, I was just wondering why a beautiful young lady like yourself is doing here alone?" He asked flirtatiously.

Taylor stood exposing her pregnant stomach, Richard's eyes widened and he backed away, "Yeah, pregnant and married you pervert!" She spat nastily.

"Little whore!" Richard sneered and he stormed out of the restaurant looking furious.

Gabriela shifted up from out of the table and Taylor looked across at her. Gabriella was shaking immeasurably, she had gone pale, like she had seen a ghost and her eyes were filled to the brim with tears.

"Gabriella, are you alright?" Taylor asked, "Who was he?"

"That…that was, 'Gabriella stammered holding up her ring finger to show Taylor, "My fiancé."

TROY and the friends were all sitting inside Kelsi and Jason's suite. Damien was sitting on the floor zooming around a toy sports car. Zeke's eyes were on his son, proudly observing his play. Troy and Sharpay were having a heated discussion on whether or not they should go to McDonalds for lunch or a restaurant in town.

The door suddenly swung open and Taylor ushered Gabriella into the room, Gabriella looked terrified and she rushed into Troy's waiting arms. He kissed her forehead and rubbed her back and she hiccupped into his chest and the friends all looked around in confusion.

"What's wrong with Auntie Gabi?" Damien asked looking panicked.

"Damien, go into the other sitting room to play." Sharpay said.

"But –"

"Listen to Mummy. Go now." Sharpay ordered him and he reluctantly picked up his car and made his way into the other room.

"What's wrong? What's happened?" Kelsi queried standing.

"I don't know. This jerk came over and she dived under the table and he tried to chat me up and…Oh Chad…shut it…I said I was married and pregnant! Then when he went Gabriella looked really ill. And…what's this about here being engaged?" Taylor explained.

Everyone's eyes fell to Gabriella's ring finger and they all gasped at the diamond ring on her finger.

"Troy! You proposed?" Chad asked gob smacked.

Taylor smacked him across the head, "You nitwit! She's engaged to someone else!"

"Troy, what's going on here?" Jason asked and everyone else nodded.

Troy buried his head into Gabriella's hair and stroked her luscious locks, "It was Richard, wasn't it?"

She nodded wearily.

"Shush, its okay." He said to her softly.

"Look, I think its time that you all know about Gabriella, 'Troy said, "If she agrees?" Troy said looking down on her; she nodded, giving her permission.

Everyone sat down and Troy placed Gabriella next to him. She was looking at the ring on her finger with an enigmatic expression on her charming face. Everyone waited patiently as Troy readied himself.

"Well…um you all saw the bruises on Gabriella's body yesterday and I know you all want to know what's going on. Well you see, Gabriella is in an abusive relationship with her fiancé. We met on the 3rd of September and we were great friends, when we started going out a little it was just comfort kisses and hugs but we've really grown affectionate with one another. I love her and she loves me." Troy explained.

The friends looked startled, it was definitely something new, Troy had had girlfriends in the past but never once, not ever once had even declared that he had loved them.

"Are you serious about each other?" Jason asked.

"More than anything." Troy replied and Gabriella nodded.

"Why doesn't Gabriella leave this…Ronald then?" Taylor asked perplexed.

"It's Richard and…its…it's complicated." Troy protested.

"How complicated can it be? I mean she goes over to his house packs her bags and moves in with you!" Chad exclaimed.

Gabriella stood and walked into the living room with Damien, Troy watched her go, he could tell she was distress. His friends were now judging her and he could tell that she was being buried under a load of emotions that she didn't know how to control.

"Look guys! Just leave it be. She's frightened." Troy said and he too stood and walked into join Gabriella who was watching Damien with an expression of angst on her face.

Taylor looked across at her friends and smiled weakly, "I think he's telling the truth."

THE friends dropped the questions and everyone went to a local outdoor swimming pool centre. The friends all relaxed outside the pool on deck chairs and blankets. Chad was supporting Taylor in the water as she soothed her large bold stomach. She closed her eyes tight enjoying the icy coldness of the water. She needed to be cold.

Sharpay was holding Damien's hand in the baby pool, he was wearing arm bands dangling in the water laughing and giggling as Sharpay watched him worriedly.

Gabriella, however, looked forlorn as she sat beside Troy her book left forgotten at her side. Troy could see she was deep in thought and worry, she was confused and hurt.

Jason, Zeke and Kelsi returned to their friends with fresh drinks for them but whilst the friends accepted Troy accepted his drink happily, Gabriella made no sign of even seeing them.

Zeke and Troy looked at each other nervously, Gabriella rolled onto her side and Troy listened as she dropped off to sleep. He saw her body flinch in her dreams and he leaned across and touched her hand and her body instantly relaxed against his.

"Is she okay?" Jason asked.

"She's worried, Richard's around." Troy said.

"You really do care about her don't you?" Kelsi asked.

"More than anything." Troy said and the friend smiled, they accepted Troy and Gabriella's strange yet amazing relationship because they could just tell the way they felt about each other was real.

RICHARD stood by his balcony of his room in 'The Bolton' something didn't add up. He was sure he saw Gabriella in the hotel that day. It certainly looked like her and earlier someone was leaving the hotel that looked exceedingly like Gabriella. Another coincidence was that he was staying at the hotel called 'The Bolton' and Gabriella's friend was called Troy Bolton. Something didn't add up and he was going to find out what!

"Richard, what's wrong?" A soft voice crooned from behind him.

"Nothing Sophie! Shut it for once." He felt angry, Gabriella wasn't going to get away with it, he would find a way to expose her secret but discreetly.

EEK! Richard's back with a vengeance! DUN DUN DUN! I'd like to thank HeartOfEverything for giving me that great idea of introducing Richard to the hotel! Lol, great idea! You get credits for that one:D

I know you lot will be growling for leaving it like this but what the heck, you'll be really surprised, there's a few more shockers coming around the corner! Anyway, I'm going now to listen to my CD. Does anyone like that song 'Humuhumunukunukuapua'a' it just makes me giggle! My grandmother was looking at me like I was a mad woman this morning when I was singing it, totally hysterical! xoxMusicalxox review!