A/N: okay you guys, this is another averaged length chapter. There is one more chapter to go before the LONG and DRMA-filled one I promised you. Its been my favorite to write up till now. I can't wait to post it. Now this chapter is crucial because it leaves some clues to what happened to the Bolton family. I will of course expect you gorgeous reviewers to come up with theories as to what happened. Next chapter is also pretty DRAMA filled.

XOXO

Sophie

Disclaimer: No, still don't own HSM, BUT I did vote for what might happen in HSM 2, so I have to own part of it right? Unfortunately, the people at Disney seem to disagree.

Chapter 5:

Gabriella looked into her closet for something to wear that suited the occasion. She didn't have much black but something had to work. She decided that the black dress she wore to her mother's work-related gala would have to do.

She showered quickly and put on the dress. It was nearly four o'clock and the funeral started and five. She ran her fingers through her hair and touched up on her make up.

There was a loud honking sound coming from the outside. Gabriella went over to her window and saw that Troy's car was parked in front of her house.

Gabriella sighed, he used to come up to her door and get her, and now, all she was worth was a honk.

After the whole 'sex' incident, Gabriella didn't really know what to do with Troy. She sat wondering whether she should talk to him or not. Until he called her a few days before and informed her about his mother's funeral. He asked her if she would come with him and stay by his side during the ceremony.

Gabriella felt a bit relieved that he wanted her there. And although he didn't apologize for saying what he did to her, she let it go; knowing that today was going to be very hard on him.

And her he was, sitting in his car, waiting for her to come down.

Gabriella ran to his car and got into the passenger's seat, "Hey Troy" she smiled at him. Troy turned over to her, but he didn't smile. Instead, there was a sad look on his face, "you look so beautiful Gabi"

Gabriella nodded and looked forward. She spent the ride playing with the hem of her dress, sneaking glances at Troy once in a while. She didn't know what to say or do after what happened between them.

When they reached the graveyard, where the funeral was being held. Troy got out of his car and walked over to her side. He opened the door and helped her out.

"Thanks for coming Gabi" he whispered in her ear as he took her hand.

Gabriella gave him a helpful smile and walked over the grass by his side.

They reached the group of people clad in black attire. Troy stood there, watching them place flowers on his mother's casket. His expression was stony and emotionless.

The wind blew past them, making a few flowers tumble off the casket and onto the ground. Gabriella looked up at Troy and saw that his face had not changed as the wind blew his hair off his face.

Gabriella squeezed his hand tightly and Troy looked down at her. He gave her a small smile and drew her close to him. He leant down to her ear and whispered, "I love you Gabi. I love you so much"

Gabriella buried her face into his chest, "I love you too"

She had let go the past week with his words. He needed her. He needed her as much as she needed him. Maybe after this things would go back to normal and he'd be her Troy again.

Troy let her go after a while and looked back to the casket, "I hate her"

Gabriella looked up at Troy, surprised, after a while she answered quietly "Troy, its not her fault. She didn't have a choice"

Troy shook his head without looking down, "she left. She left and I hate her for it."

Gabriella was slightly taken aback with is words. This was his mother. The woman who was gave him life and raised him for eighteen years. Why was he mad at her?

Troy shook his head and began to walk away from the ceremony. Gabriella saw that Jack Bolton noticed him walk away as well, but he didn't try to stop him.

She was feeling so confused. What was really going on here? She chased after Troy and found him sitting in his car. She went in the other way to the passenger's seat and shut the door after her.

Turning to Troy she said, "Troy, you have to tell me what's going on. Its alright to open up to me, its me, Gabi. You know I'll never say a word" she said as she ran her fingers through his hair.

Troy looked down at his hands and shook his head, "it's not fair, Gabi. She didn't even bother saying goodbye. She didn't even care" Silent tears fell from his face.

Gabrielle kissed them away and caressed his face with her hands, "Troy, baby, its okay. It's going to be alright"

Troy looked at Gabriella with wide and teary eyes. At that moment, he looked so innocent, so lost that Gabriella just wanted to hold him close to her and never let him go, "please don't leave Gabi" he whispered weakly

Gabriella was surprised by his words but answered with confidence, "never. I'll never leave" She held him closely and felt his tears against her face, "I'll never leave" she whispered one last time.