This chapter will explain why Mrs. Hard and Greg are the way they are. I hope you will like it. : ) my mom and I thought it fits into the near ending. Remember to review. : )

Tell me what you want for the next story in the series. I will put it in, just for you. : D

She walks to school with the lunch she packed

Nobody knows what she's holding back

Wearing the same dress she wore yesterday

She hides the bruises with the linen and lace

Ohhh

The teacher wonders but she doesn't ask

It's hard to see the pain behind the mask

Bearing the burden of a secret storm

Sometimes she wishes she was never born

Through the wind and the rain

She stands hard as a stone

In a world that she can't rise above

But her dreams give her wings

And she flies to a place

Where she's loved

Concrete Angel

Somebody cries in the middle of the night

The neighbors hear but they turn out the light

A fragile soul caught in the hands of fate

When morning comes it'll be too late

Through the wind and the rain

She stands hard as a stone

In a world that she can't rise above

But her dreams give her wings

And she flies to a place

Where she's loved

Concrete Angel

A statue stands in a shaded place

An angel girl with an upturned face

Her name is written on a polished rock

A broken heart that the world forgot

Through the wind and the rain

She stands hard as a stone

In a world that she can't rise above

But her dreams give her wings

And she flies to a place

Where she's loved

Concrete Angel

Chapter 25

As 2 weeks passed, Troy was walking home from school by himself. Troy has disconnected himself from all his friends, he wanted to find Gabriella, his best friend, his partner in crime, his play buddy… his first true love. Yes, Troy Bolton is in love with Gabriella Montez. As Troy walked past the park, he saw a girl with black hair sitting on the park bench. He thought he was imagining it. It can't be Gabriella, it can't be. As Troy walked over, he saw the girl covered in bruises. It was… HIS Gabriella.

"Gabi?" Troy whispered. The girl turned around. It WAS his Gabriella. Gabriella was covered in bruises and many of her baby teeth were gone, "Gabi, how… what?"

"Troy" Gabriella threw herself at Troy and started to cry. Gabriella missed her best friend, her first love, her savior, her partner in crime… the reason she fights to live… HER Troy. She felt Troy hug her back and tightened his grip to never let go.

"Gabi, please tell me everything" Gabriella sighed and nodded. As they sat down on the park bench, Gabriella started to tell everything that has happened in the last 2 weeks, troy was shocked when Mrs. Hard was trying to save Gabriella from starvation.

"Troy, what if she's trying to save me, but pretend to be with them so she could save me?" Gabriella asked in a whisper

"She might be, but keep your back up. Brie, we have to get you out"

"No, you can't!"

"Why?"

"We… we're moving Troy. You won't be able to save me. I rather die than help Emma and Greg"

"What?"

"We're moving. I don't know where" Gabriella curled herself into a ball, clenching herself to Troy. Troy noticed she is in the same clothes from the camping trip. Troy smiled to himself.

"Brie, do you remember what mom said? About cell phones?" Gabriella looked up to see him smiling.

"Ya, she said she will buy us each one when we get back" Gabriella answered in confusion.

"Well, here is yours" Troy went into his bag and pulled out her cell phone and a charger, "it has mine and mom's number in it already. You lost the old one, so this is the new one" Gabriella nodded smiling slightly.

"To stay in contact. How did you know I need it?"

"Mom and I agreed if I saw you, I will have to give it to you" Gabriella nodded again. Gabriella stood up and slipped the phone and charger into her… well Troy's sweater pocket, she stole from him.

"I hope you don't mind me having your sweater" the sweater is black and goes to her knees.

"It's ok. Besides, it's too small on me and it looks better on you anyways" Gabriella sat down again.

"GABRIELLA!" Gabriella took Troy's hand and squeezed it tightly, "Gabriella, we're leaving now. It's time to move" tears filled Gabriella's eyes; "I know you have a cell phone to stay in contact with Troy" Gabriella nodded and looked down, "Emma and Greg are mad that you left. Give it to me and I'll give it back to you later" Troy looked into Mrs. Hard's face to see no signs of her lying. Gabriella pulled out the phone and charger. As Mrs. Hard took them, she put them in her purse, "time to go. Say goodbye to Troy and lets go" as Gabriella hugged Troy tightly and said goodbye, she left with Mrs. Hard.

As Troy watched Gabriella leave his life, his world, he just hoped she won't leave this earth. He knew there was a chance, but he wouldn't let himself think of that. He knew Mrs. Hard was pretending to work for Emma and Greg. He was happy she was letting him and Gabriella be in contact. Troy knew Gabriella's life was a nightmare, but some good came out of it for her. She got to meet him, his friends and his mom. She got her first love, a family who care about her, friends, a best friend that is also her savior. As Troy walked home, he saw Gabriella and Mrs. Hard hop into a van. As the van drove by him, he saw tears fall from Gabriella's eyes as did his.

As Gabriella, Emma, Greg, Jake, Jack and Mrs. Hard arrived at the airport; Mrs. Hard kept Gabriella by her side. Emma was starting to get suspicious about Mrs. Hard. Emma held onto Nessie as she glared at them, and Greg saw so he will be keeping a close eye on her. He hated on how he treats his 7 year old daughter. To tell you a secret, he has always liked Mrs. Hard and Jake always liked Emma. Greg remembered when Emma told him about Nessie.

Flashback

"You have a daughter… a SECOND daughter" Emma told Greg as they saw Gabriella limp to school. Gabriella is turning 5 in 7 months and Emma is already a month along.

"What? We haven't done anything since Gabriella was born!" Greg shouted

"I know"

"Who's the father?"

"Jake"

"What? My own brother!"

"Yup, he treats me right and we both know you're in love with Stephanie"

"So? She loves Gabriella to death, like I do. I can't believe you hurt her. You hate our own daughter!"

"You do too!" Emma shouted back

"No I don't! I don't even hit her. I know Jake does. You should just leave me for him!"

"Fine. I will" as Emma stormed out of the kitchen, into the backyard. At that point, he saw Stephanie walk in.

"They are seeing each other" as Greg turned around he saw Stephanie face to face, with forming bruises on her right cheek, "Oh my gosh! Did Jake do this?" Stephanie nodded. They both couldn't believe the almost 5 year old Gabriella can live through the beating every day.

"I love you Greg Montez" Stephanie whispered as Greg grabbed ice from the freezer beside them

"I love you too Stephanie Hard" as they gently kissed, Greg placed the ice on her cheek.

End of flashback

Greg wished he didn't turn into Emma, Jake and Jack, but they said they would kill Gabriella if he didn't. Mrs. Hard had the exact same threat. Greg and Mrs. Hard told each other their threats, and they are still seeing each other in secret. What they didn't know was… Emma and Jake know. What Greg didn't know was, he is becoming abusive to Gabriella without meaning to.

What do you think? I thought it went pretty well. : ) the last chapter is coming up and there is a BIG twist at the end. I know you will hate me for it but it will be worth it and it's the ending I have been planning for awhile. The other twist I hope you will like it. It has to do with ONE of Troy's friends and I think you can guess who. If you get it right, I will put your penname at the top of the LAST chapter. Please review