Hey, everyone! Thanks so much for all of you who reviewed to chapter one! And for the one who asked, no it isn't incest. I don't read it and I sure as hell don't write it. I mean come on! Blood siblings together! That's just…well, let's just say I'd rather keep my lunch. Thank you. Hope you like chapter two!

Disclaimer: Oh, I wish.

Falling Off The Ladder

Chapter 2

English Notes

Evans House

"Ryan, are you sure?"

"I'm going, Shar," Ryan said. He understood the worry Sharpay felt for him, but it was getting a little annoying. The wounds on his back that had been left by their father's whip were still fresh so he understood how bad it could be for one to open and bleed through his shirt.

Sighing, Sharpay held out her brother's jacket out for him to take. "Take it before I call the school and tell them you're not going."

"Aye aye, Captain," Ryan said, teasingly.

"Oh, shut up."

---

Walking past the gates of East High School, Sharpay sent her brother a worried look before walking in the direction of their first class. They had tried their hardest to get every class together, but in the end had to separate for Math and History.

Sighing, Sharpay sat in her seat beside the window and waited for the bell to ring so she could go back and check on her brother.

For years now, both of them had been protecting each other. Ryan took everything their father threw, despite his sister's objections. And Sharpay took care of Ryan's injuries. All Sharpay wanted right now was to get back to her brother and make sure that he was okay.

"Miss Evans?"

Snapping her head up, Sharpay saw her Math teacher sending her an annoyed glare.

"Well, now that you've decided to join us, can you please tell us the answer of number six?"

"Um…eight?" Sharpay guessed.

Glaring at her, Mrs. Marley opened her mouth to begin yelling at Sharpay, only to be interrupted by the bell.

Springing up from her seat, Sharpay quickly exited the room.

"Sharpay!"

Turning, Sharpay saw Gabriella hurrying towards her. "Hey," Sharpay said.

"Are you okay today?" Gabriella asked. They weren't close, but Gabriella was worried when she saw the expression Sharpay had on her face during math.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Just tired," Sharpay lied. She couldn't let anyone find out about what was happening at home.

Looking at Sharpay uncertainly, Gabriella nodded. "Okay, but if you need to talk…"

"Thanks," Sharpay said, smiling softly. Giving Gabriella a small wave, Sharpay went to her English class.

"Hey," Ryan said, smiling softly at his sister. "Where were you? You usually beat me here."

"I was talking to Gabriella for a minute." Giving Ryan a small gesture to turn and walk ahead of her, Sharpay quickly ran her eyes over his back to make sure there were no spots of blood on his shirt.

Sitting in his seat, Ryan gave a small sigh of relief as Sharpay sent him a small shake of his head, telling him he was all set. Taking out his notebook, Ryan quickly wrote a short note and passed it to Sharpay.

Are you okay?

-Ryan

Looking at Ryan, Sharpay quickly wrote her reply. Soon they were passing them back and forth.

I'm okay. I'm just worried about you. Yesterday was the worst he's ever done. Ryan, we really need to tell someone.

-Sharpay

Shar, I told you yesterday. I can handle it. Do you want to get thrown into a foster home again?

-Ryan

If it got you away from that freaking whip…hm…let me think…YES!

-Sharpay

Sharpay, I'll be fine. Besides, he'll just get worse if he finds out people know about what's going on at home.

-Ryan

It would get us out of there! Ryan, he could kill you! It's already bad enough that he's beating you, but what if you have another attack? You almost died last time! Ryan, you're my big brother. I don't want to lose you.

-Sharpay

You won't lose me. And don't forget. We were ten when the last attack hit and I was still a little kid. When was the last time I had an attack?

-Ryan

While we were practicing for call backs.

-Sharpay

Okay, first of all that was a small one. I was fine. I just had to catch my breath.

-Ryan

You blacked out, Ryan.

-Sharpay

It was only for a minute.

-Ryan

You still blacked out.

-Sharpay

Yeah, yeah. I'm telling you, Shar. I'll be fine.

-Ryan

Promise?

-Sharpay

Promise.

-Ryan

Suddenly the bell rang.

Throwing her English book over the folded paper, Sharpay separated from her brother and hurried towards her History class while Ryan went towards his Math class.

TBC

Anime Girl23: And chapter two is complete!

Ryan: And I must say, you are insane and need years of therapy.

Anime Girl23: Thanks. I love you too! Review please!

Until next time!