Troy sat in his couch when his Phone rang. He stretched over to the little table and answered his phone.
'Hi. Troy speaking.'
'Hey Troy! Chad here.' Chad said.
'What's up?' Troy turned the TV off and walked to the kitchen.
'Nothing much. I was wondering if you wanted to shoot some hoops at the park? I mean, I'm bored so…' Chad said.
'Sure. In an hour?' Troy asked.
'Great. Hey uhm… Did you already finish your English homework?' Chad asked.
'Yes. You didn't?'
'No…'
'Good job, Chad. That's the way to do it, buddy. You can come over after basketball tonight and we'll do it here. I'm home alone for the weekend anyways. Okay?' Troy suggested.
'Thanks, man.' Chad said.
The silence in Troy's house was interrupted by the doorbell that rang. Troy looked up when the bell rang a second time in 3 seconds.
'Chad. There's somebody at the door. See you tonight, man!' He said and hung up.
He lay down the phone on the counter and made his way to the door. He opened the door en gasped.
6 hours earlier.
"Stay still. Don't move. Don't open your eyes. Don't… Do… Anything…
Don't speak. Don't cry. Don't scream. Don't… Do… Anything…" She thought.
1 hour ago.
The door was being closed. Gabriella opened her eyes. She looked down to herself and stared at her bruises. She was confused, cold and hurt. She just knew one thing. She had to get out of here. NOW.
She stood up slowly and held her sore stomach. She ignored the stinging between her legs and looked for her clothes. She lifted the blanket and found blood covering the sheets. She felt sick and had to hold her breath. She finally found her dress. It was ripped. She put it on but it only covered the half of her body. She sighed and walked to the door. She carefully opened the door.
I'm crazy…I shouldn't do this…What if he sees me? NO! Don't think that… Here I go…
Gabriella ran out the room, down the stairs, opened the closet and hide in. She took her coat and put it on. Now she was trying to remember the hallway. If she was now standing in the closet, then were was the front door? She thought to her left. She opened the door and ran to the left where was luckily the front door. She opened it and ran as fast as she could.
Back with Troy.
'Gabriella…' He said shocked.
She stood in front of her with a ripped dress, a jacket, trembling over her whole body. Her eyes were shot red and wide. Her face was pale and her eyes were filled with tears. Her arms were wrapped around her stomach and her mouth was hanging open.
Both of them just stared at each other until… Gabriella bent to the side and threw up.
'Oh god.' Troy said and pulled Gabriella inside.
Troy took her hand and pulled her to the kitchen. He sat her down and kneeled in front of her. Gabriella kept on looking in front of her. His hands took the sides of her face and shook it a little. He was panicking.
'Please, Gabriella? Look at me… Come on..' He said softly.
She didn't react and Troy's eyes filled with tears.
'What happened?' He asked.
'Hij heeft me pijn gedaan… Pijn… Zoveel pijn…' Gabriella murmured.
'Sweetie, you know I don't speak Dutch…' He said stroking her.
'Vuil, ik ben zo vuil en alles doet pijn…' Gabriella said.
'You're in shock, love. Calm down. Now, what happened to your dress?' Troy asked softly.
'Ik wil een douche…. Zo vuil, alles is vuil…' Gabriella said and touched Troy's face looking like she'd never seen it before.
'Douche?'
'Ik moet me wassen. Ik moet me nu wassen. Ik ben vuil…'
'Wassen? Wash? You want a shower?' Troy guessed and thought he guessed right because she didn't answer.
He looked around thinking of what to do. He wanted to walk to the counter but saw Gabriella almost fall of her chair so he held her, picked her up and placed her with her back against the wall.
'Stay up, stay up, stay up…' Troy said keeping his hand next to her just in case she fell.
He slowly walked backwards and filled a glass of water and gave it to Gabriella.
'Why don't you drink this up.' He said and walked back to the counter and took a wet towel.
He walked back to Gabriella and saw Gabriella still holding the glass of water, looking straight in front of her. He sighed and took it back from her and set it on the floor. He looked back at her pale face and cleaned her sweaty cheeks and forehead. He threw the towel back and took the glass and put it against her lips. He lifted it and let the water fill her mouth.
'Swallow it. Is that good?' He said.
Gabriella swallowed and nodded.
Troy stood back up and walked to the counter where his phone still was. He dialed a number and put the phone against his ear, watching Gabriella closing her eyes.
'Hi, Troy. Lang tome ago…' He heard Chad joke.
'Hey, dude. Uhmm… I can't come tonight. Sorry.' He said.
'What? Why not?'
'My mom called and said that my aunt asked to have dinner with me.' Troy lied.
'Aw man. Well, another time?'
'Sure.'
'Great. See you!' Chad hung up.
Troy sighed again and sat next to Gabriella and looked at her.
'You still want a shower?' He asked.
Gabriella nodded.
Troy looked down and played with his fingers.
'You want to tell me what happened?' He asked.
'Nee.' She said shortly.
Troy knew what 'nee' meant. He looked back at her and knew she'd tell him someday. He stood up and pulled her up. Together, they walked to the stairs. Troy hesitated and picked her up to carry her upstairs. Troy opened the bathroom and lay everything ready for Gabriella.
'So, the towels are here, the shampoo is here, showergel… right here. I'll be downstairs.' Troy said.
He looked at Gabriella's confused face. He sighed and walked out the room. Just when he closed the door, he heard a scream. Not just a scream… A heartbreaking scream. HER scream. Troy opened the door and ran back in. He saw Gabriella sitting with her back against the wall holding her knees against her chest. His heart jumped and he ran towards her.
'What's wrong?' He asked with eyes wide open.
When Gabriella heard his voice, she grabbed his shirt and pulled him closer. She buried her face in his neck.
'Laat me niet alleen. Ga niet weg. Niet weggaan, Troy. Alsjeblieft…' She said.
'Hey… Gabriella… I won't leave you…' Troy said soothing.
Gabriella nodded and sighed relieved.
'So… Uhm… Should I call Sharpay? She could help you with the shower?' Troy suggested.
'Nee… Geen Sharpay…' Gabriella said panicky.
'Okay, okay… Calm down… Then, who do you want me to call to help you?' Troy asked.
'Je belt naar niemand!'
'Sweetie…' Troy said turning to her. 'Please, English…' He smiled.
Gabriella looked down and stayed quiet. She just pointed to his chest. Troy followed her finger to his chest and raised his eyebrow.
'You want ME to help you?' Troy asked.
She just nodded.
'You're the only one I trust…' She whispered.
'Are… Are you sure?' He asked.
She nodded.
Troy stood up and pulled Gabriella up with him. He took off her jacket and eyed her ripped dress. He tried to connect with Gabriella's eyes but she just ignored it. Her eyes were looking straight infront of her and she just let him do. Troys hands trembled when he opened her dress and let it slip off her body. Troy looked down ashamed as Gabriella stood in front of him with her naked body. He turned to the shower and turned it on.
'Let's just wait a second. Until it's hot enough…' He murmured and kept staring at the shower with his back to Gabriella.
Gabriella just wrapped her arms around her stomach and pressed her lips together. Normally, any girl would be so ashamed but Gabriella felt nothing. Nothing at all. Maybe because, she wasn't worth it, to feel anything. She didn't even care if Troy would use this against her. To make a complete fool of her at school. But, Troy wouldn't do that…
'It's warm. You can get in…' He said and waited for her to get in.
He sighed when she didn't come. He turned around and took her hand. He opened the shower, lead her in, avoiding the water because he still had his clothes on. When Gabriella stood under the water, Troy let go of her hand and walked out of the shower until he felt Gabriella freeze. She took his arm and pulled him in the shower again.
'Stay…' Is all she said but Troy knew he couldn't leave this scared Gabriella alone when she didn't feel safe.
'Okay. I'll stay…. It'll all be fine.' Troy said as Gabriella buried her face in his chest.
Troy felt how Gabriella pulled him closer to him so he carefully wrapped his arms around her. Troy wondered what happened to her but… He could guess. Troy had to bite his lip to not yell or show any sign of anger because he knew that the girl, so helpless and fragile that was standing in his arms, would freeze again. But he cursed himself that he was too late this time…
The next morning.
Troy sat on his balcony watching the view with in the room behind him, the room where Gabriella was sleeping. He was just staring at the horizon when suddenly…
'Hey…' He heard behind him.
He looked back and saw Gabriella standing there, her face still a little pale. Troy had dressed her with his basketball shirt and a shorts. If the situation wasn't so bizar, Troy would've laughed with how funny the oversized clothes looked on her.
'Hey.' Troy said back.
Gabriella went and sat next to him, following his gaze into the sky. Gabriella's hand wandered and took Troy's. Troy looked at her and squeezed her hand.
'What happened yesterday, Gabriella?' He asked.
'I… I can't tell.'
'Why not? It was him, wasn't it? What did he do? Did he…?' Troys voice trailed out when he saw Gabriella pounding look.
Troy knew it. He did from the first second he had seen her at his doorstep, but now it had been confirmed. Chris had raped Gabriella. He did this to her.
'I don't know what to do…' Gabriella said with her eyes filled with tears.
'Oh god… It's going to be okay… I promise…' Troy said and pulled her closer.
Gabriella sat on his lap, buried her face in his neck and finally started crying.
'I'm so sorry… I'm so sorry I wasn't there.' Troy said.
'It's okay… It was all my fault. I didn't talk to Sharpay and I trusted him…' Gabriella said shaking her head.
Troy pulled away so he could see her face properly. He stoked the hair out of her face and whipped away her tears.
'I'm going to be here for you. You can stay here as long as you want…' Troy said.
Gabriella just nodded.
'And, I'm sorry I spoke Dutch yesterday… I just couldn't…' Gabriella was interrupted.
'I understand.' Troy said.
'I don't want to get hurt again…' Gabriella said trying to keep her sobs in.
'I know…' Troy said.
Troy picked her up and walked her downstairs. He sat her down on the couch and made her some breakfast. He tried to distract her but he knew he couldn't. She was hurt. Physically and mentally. After breakfast Troy sat next to her and grabbed her hands.
'Gabriella. I have to get something. You okay for a minute?' He asked.
Gabriella's eyes widened and Troy saw she was panicking.
'Calm down. What if I call Sharpay to stay here?' Troy asked.
'No! No, Sharpay!' Gabriella said.
'Then who would you feel comfortable with?' Troy asked.
'You.'
Troy looked down and he heard Gabriella sigh.
'I'll be fine for a minute, I guess… If you close every door and window, leave all the lights on, take your phone, don't go too far and you hurry back.' Gabriella said.
Of course she was scared but she couldn't get in Troy's way for living his life. Troy looked at her and nodded. He did everything she told him and was back before she knew it. He was away for just 5 minutes but Gabriella had cried in his arms for a half an hour afterwards. Now, Gabriella was sitting on the couch staring at the TV without knowing what was playing when Troy walked up to her.
'Gabriella?' He asked.
Gabriella looked up at him. He gave her a glass with water and a pill.
'What's this?' She asked.
'Morning-after pill.' Troy said honestly.
'Oh… Thank you, I guess.' Gabriella said and swallowed it.
'Can I ask you a question?' Troy asked.
'You know, that's already a question.' Gabriella said going back to the blank face, staring in front of her.
'Aren't your parents looking for you?'
'No.' She answered as if it was normal.
'Becauseee..' Troy said.
'Because… You'll see, someday.' She said.
'Okay. Are you okay with me calling Sharpay?' Troy asked.
'Sure.'
'So she can come over?' Troy asked.
'No!!' Gabriella panicked.
'Calm down. It's okay.' Troy said confused.
Gabriella sighed and lay down. She closed her eyes and bit the inside of her cheek, quietly. Troy looked at her and stood up suddenly. He walked to the kitchen and closed the door behind his back. He took the phone and dialed a number.
15 minutes later, Troy was 'reading' Wuthering Heights but just kept staring at Gabriella. She was rocking her body back and forth while moving her mouth all the time. Like she was praying. She's probably just confused. Troy knew that Gabriella wouldn't let him go to the police and he understood that but she couldn't stop him from seeing Chris himself. The doorbell brought him back from his thoughts. He saw Gabriella freeze for a second and then she just continued. Troy put his book away and on his way to the door he stopped and lay his hand on Gabriella's shoulder.
'Are you okay?' He asked.
Gabriella nodded.
'Who's that?' Gabriella asked.
'My parents.' Troy said honestly.
'WHAT?! I have to get out of here! They're going to hurt me!' Gabriella said and stood up.
Without Troy knew, she was at the backdoor. Troy sprinted after her and he wrapped his arms around her waist.
'They're not.' Troy said.
When Troy realized Gabriella was still running, or trying to run, he picked her up so her feet couldn't touch the ground. He brought her to a chair and ignored the second doorbell ring. When Gabriella calmed down he kneeled beside her.
'They're not going to touch you. Okay? They won't.' Troy said.
Gabriella nodded and her hands grabbed the chair and squeezed it until her knuckles were screaming in pain. Troy walked to the door and opened it.
'Where is she? Where is that honey?' His mom said upset.
Troy knew this was going to happen. His mother didn't know Gabriella but she must've heard it in his voice. Gabriella was important to him so his mother would do anything to make her happy again. He had told his parents everything, hoping they would help him and her.
'In the living room. But take it easy on her. She's confused.' Troy said.
His mother immediately left and his dad walked in. They gave a manhug but Troy jumped when he heard Gabriella scream. He ran to her and saw his mom standing in the doorway and Gabriella was standing across the room with her arms wrapped around her stomach, trembling over whole body, pale face, empty look… Just like how she'd been on his doorstep.
'What happened? What did you do to her?' Troy asked as he walked over to Gabriella.
When he was close enough to Gabriella, she threw her arms around him, grabbed his shirt and pulled him in front of her so she was hugging his back.
'Nothing. I just came in.' Lucille said.
'She was going to hurt me. Don't leave us alone. Don't leave me alone. I can't stand this.' Gabriella whispered.
Troy's heart broke right there. Slowly Troy had fallen in love with Gabriella and this was too much. He just wanted to walk away and cry but he couldn't. Gabriella needed him so he turned to her.
'She wasn't.' Troy said and stroke her hair.
'She was, Troy!' Gabriella said looking up in Troy's eyes.
Her eyes… What happened with them? So soft, warm, deep, chocolatebrown, loving changed. They were empty. Troy looking in her eyes and saw nothing.
'Just… Please… Make them leave…' Gabriella asked tugging his shirt.
Troy slowly nodded and turned back around to his parents.
'Why don't you go to the kitchen, sweetheart. Let me talk to my mother and father.' He said.
Gabriella slowly and carefully walked into the kitchen.
'I'm sorry. She's really not doing that good. She's not ready for this. Can you…' Troy said but his voice faded.
'Yes. We understand. I'll call you in a few hours to check on her. Okay?' Lucille asked.
'Sure. Thanks mom.' Troy said and watched how his parents left the house.
Suddenly Troy couldn't move but his knees felt week. He collapsed on the floor and tears fell down. This pressure is so much… Too much… His pain from his heart flooded out his body through his tears. He cried for a few minutes and took his cell. He dialed a number and the sobs were getting weaker. He heard a voice answer.
'Sharpay… Please… Come over…' He sobbed.
This sucked. Sorry. I'll try to make the next one better.
Xx