'Mr Bolton, you realise that she only has one more chance. If she pulls one more of her stances, then she will be expelled.' The principal looked at Troy with stern eyes.
'Do you know what she's going through? Cause I don't think you do.' Troy defended his sister.
'Your parents died 6 months ago, Mr Bolton.' The principal sighed deeply.
'And you think that's enough time for her to get through it? Hell, I haven't even got past it yet! With all due respect, which isn't much, you really need to take a lesson in understanding kids, Principal. Good day.'
Troy got up from his chair, fuming.
'Mr Bolton –'
'I said, good day.' Troy stormed out, and only to make things worse, Sharpay Evans was bending down on one knee in front of his sister, looking at Ashley's art book.
'Get away from her, Sharpay.'
'I was only trying to cheer her –'
'Go!' Troy yelled.
'Fine then. All you needed to do was ask.' Sharpay smiled at Ashley and walked off.
Troy grabbed Ashley's wrist and pulled her up and along the hall.
'Troy, get off.' Ashley complained, struggling.
He stopped and turned round to face her, so close that she started to shy away. 'Do you know what it's like to have to trail down to the principal's office nearly every fucking day and then see you with Sharpay Evans? Do you?!' He was still holding onto her wrist, it was starting to turn her hand purple.
'Troy, stop it, you're hurting me.' Ashley said, starting to cry.
'I don't fucking care!' Troy turned back round and started to walk off again, tightening his grip on her wrist.
'I hate you.' Troy felt like he'd been stabbed.
'What?'
Ashley swallowed harshly. 'I hate you. All you ever do is get mad now! You don't care about me; you just care about intimidating me! And when Sharpay came over to ask me if I was alright, I actually felt like someone cared about me!' Chad, the basketball team and Gabriella came round the corner. 'Every single time someone mentions our parents or their parents, you take all your anger out on me! I hate you! And I bet you hate me!'
Troy let go of Ashley's wrist and hit her hard. She reeled back, still crying, holding the side of her face. He looked at his hand as if he couldn't believe what he'd just done. Chad and Gabriella ran over, followed by the rest of the team. Gabriella pushed Troy gently away, whispering for him to calm down. Chad knelt down in front of Ashley, along with Jason and Zeke. He hugged her, smiling slightly at Troy. Troy reached forward, wanting to hug her, but Gabriella held him back.
'I wouldn't. Not yet.' Gabriella said, holding his hand.
Ashley pulled away from Chad, opening her art book. She opened it on a page and dropped it at Troy's feet. He jumped slightly.
'Hope you like it.' Ashley said, running off.
Troy looked at the art book. Her piece was titled My Family, with a skilled detailed picture of her and Troy. It looked exactly like him and her. He picked it up and started to walk after her.