Don't own it. Reviews please! :)

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Joe felt his palms begin to sweat as he led Gabriella to a secluded clump of tree by the maths corridor, away from her friends' intense glares. He had obviously interrupted something important, but it had taken him a long time to muster up his courage, and he wasn't going to back down just because a few intimidating people were staring him down like looks could kill. Especially from a certain dark-haired father-to-be. He smiled nervously at Gabriella, who looked like she was having trouble weaving her way across the broken pathway of the school. Gabriella smiled back brightly, before tripping over a crack on the concrete. Her arms flailing, Gabriella braced herself for another clumsy fall, when two strong arms wrapped around her waist. She looked up into Joe's concerned eyes. Gabriella felt her cheeks flush with colour. Joe grinned.

"Careful. You have two people to look after, and I don't think both of them would be too happy ending up on the floor" he remarked, pointedly gesturing at her stomach.

Gabriella giggled as she straightened herself out of Joe's embrace. She always felt so carefree and happy when she was with Joe. He never made her feel bad about herself, and he never judged her. Gabriella's face fell. What did he think of her now, seeing the whole school had found out about her, Troy and the baby? Joe tilted his head, his brows furrowing.

"What's wrong?" he asked gently.

Gabriella bit her lip, her eyes shining with unshed tears.

"Why don't you hate me?" she murmured, twisting her hands nervously.

Joe looked confused.

"Why would I hate you?"

"Because I'm a slut! Because I'm knocked up with a baby when I should be studying for mid-term exams! Because if I didn't even sleep with Troy that night, nobody would even know I existed!" Gabriella yelled.

Angry tears streaming down her cheeks as all her bitter, pent-up emotions poured out in one go. Joe was shocked. He had never seen a girl break down before, let alone a girl he was beginning to develop feelings for. Gabriella began to hiccup, her hand sliding over her stomach protectively. Her constant mood swings weren't exactly good for the baby, she thought. Gabriella had grown to love her unborn child as if it was part of her. Joe sighed as he watched the broken girl in front of him stroke her stomach lovingly. On instinct, Joe wrapped his arms around Gabriella, enveloping her in a warm embrace. Gabriella was stunned, before slowly sliding her hands around his waist. She needed this. She needed to let all her worries and stresses out before it was bottled in too tight and exploded.

And she trusted Joe enough to do that in front of him.

Joe closed his eyes as he breathed in her scent. She smelt like peaches and vanilla, almost making him sigh with contentment. He could just hold her in his arms forever. A moment he could hold into his memory forever. Before it hit him she was crying because of another guy. Specifically Troy Bolton, the most popular guy in the whole of East High. Well, maybe not after the baby fiasco, he thought. He looked down at the quietly crying girl in his arms. She looked so tired and weary. The day must had taken a lot of her, he mused. Joe inwardly sighed.

Maybe now wasn't the best time to tell Gabriella how he felt about her.

--

Troy wasn't going to follow Joe and Gabriella. No, of course not!

He was just…in the neighborhood.

Troy inwardly cringed at his lame excuse as he slunk against the wall. If anyone had seen him, they would've thought he was some creep listening on other people's conversations. Troy strained his ears to listen to Gabriella and Joe. He heard Gabriella's sweet, tinkling laughter and Joe's husky, joking voice. A few moments later, he heard angry yelling. Alarmed, Troy poked his head out from his hiding place.

He really wished he didn't.

His throat constricted as the scene before him pounded at his heart. Joe had Gabriella wrapped in a tight embrace, and she looked perfectly comfortable in it, her hands wrapping themselves securely around his back. They looked lost in their own world. Troy choked on his breath. So that was what Joe had to talk to Gabriella about! Troy clenched his hands in anger. There were plenty of girls out there who were available. Gabriella was pregnant for heaven's sake! How desperate can you get? Troy silently fumed. But the longer he stared at the couple, the more he realised he could never be what Gabriella needed. She needed someone who was kind, caring and understanding. Someone who would make her feel safe.

Someone like Joe.

Troy looked away, a lump growing in his throat. He closed his eyes, taking in a deep breath. Maybe it wasn't enough just to like her. He had to be able to commit to her, and that was the one thing he couldn't do. He snuck a final glance at Gabriella and Joe, who were now quietly talking. And still embracing each other. He swallowed. All he could give Gabriella was a roof over her head, and some money.

It was for the sake of the baby, anyway.

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Gabriella leant against the wall, breathing out slowly. Today had been one of the most difficult days in her life. She had faced public humiliation, intense hatred and an emotional breakdown, all in one day. I wonder if the baby will turn out mentally damaged after all that drama, she mused. She giggled out loud. Students threw her curious looks. Gabriella blushed. She almost forgot she was the gossip of the day. Gabriella looked down at her watch. Where was Troy? He was supposed to take her back to 'their' home after school.

On cue, Troy walked out of East High gates, a solemn expression on his face. Gabriella's brows furrowed.

"What's wrong?" she asked innocently.

Troy shoved his hands in his pockets.

"Nothing" he answered coldly.

Gabriella was taken aback by the unfeeling tone Troy used. Her hormones kicked into overdrive as tears burned the back of her throat. The only reason she hated being pregnant was how oversensitive she got when dealing with feelings.

Especially those towards Troy.

Troy inwardly groaned as Gabriella's expression changed from giddy to disappointed. He hated himself for making her feel bad. An image of Joe and Gabriella together flashed in his mind. His striking face darkened. She didn't need him to care about her in that way. He opened his mouth to tell Gabriella where the car was when she gasped loudly, her dark eyes widening in shock. On impulse, Gabriella reached out and grabbed Troy's arm. He ignored his racing heartbeat as he nudged her.

"What is it?" he muttered quizzically.

Gabriella ignored him, shock and confusion on her face evident as she stared out on front of them. Troy turned to face the object of Gabriella's attention, before realization dawned on him. Gabriella gulped, before squeaking out-

"Mum? Dad?"

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