Learning To Fall

Disclaimer: I didn't own it 10 months ago, why would I own it now.

A/N: I just finished my English research paper but I still have a health paper to do so Beautiful Disaster will have to wait to be updated. I'm pissed off at Zashley supporters right now, well some of them. Everywhere I look on youtube there's some stupid shit about people saying Zashley is better than Zanessa. Hello, Zashley doesn't exist. Stop supporting something that isn't. If you're going to support it, support it underground cause seriously, you sound stupid openly supporting something that doesn't exist at the moment. Troypay I can take but Zashley...just stop. If they really love Ashley then why don't they support her and Jared since Jashley actually exists. I'm also pissed off at those people who keep saying that Zac and Vanessa broke up. They did not break up people. Stop listening to the stupid rumors and go to sources that are actually reliable. Excuse my rant but those people on youtube got me heated. If you're a Zashley lover that actually respects the fact that Zanessa exists then you can ignore this. It's only for those that refuse to acknowledge the couple just because they don't like Vanessa. I like Ashley and if he was going out with Ashley I would support it but since he's not I'm not.

Chapter 3

Troy walked into school the next day with his head held high. Girls from each side of the hallway smiled and waved at him. He, in turn, smiled and winked. As he reached his locker, he spotted Principal Matsui standing in front of it. He sighed and rolled his eyes.

"Ah Mr. Bolton. I'm glad I got here before you."

"Morning Mr. Matsui." Troy said as he opened his locker.

"I have some paint prepared for you today. I expect you to repaint Ms. Montez's locker. If I find that it's not repainted then I will suspend you, basketball captain or not."

"Yes sir."

"Good. Then I'll see you after school."

"But I have practice."

"I know. Your father already agreed to letting you miss practice for it." Troy sighed and nodded as he closed his locker.

"Of course." Principal Matsui nodded then walked away. Troy groaned and walked to homeroom. The second he walked in, he ran into someone and stumbled backwards. "What the...?" he saw Gabriella recollecting herself in front of him and smirked. "Oh it's just you."

"I'm not surprised you wouldn't say sorry."

"You ran into me."

"I did not."

"Did too."

"Did not."

"Unless you two want to serve detention again, I suggest you two stop now." Ms. Darbus said and the two shut up. Gabriella went back to her seat and Troy went to his.

"Dude I saw Mr. Matsui standing in front of your locker this morning. What happened?" Chad asked as Troy took his seat.

"I have to repaint the princess' locker after school."

"But what about practice?"

"My dad's letting me skip practice for it."

"Well that's just great." Chad said sarcastically.

"I know. It totally sucks."

"Mr. Bolton, Mr. Danforth you may talk on your own time but please don't waste mine." Ms. Darbus said and the two boys stopped their conversation. "As I was saying, homecoming is in two weeks and I need a few volunteers to help me decorate and get the school in order. Any volunteers." Gabriella and Taylor were the only ones to raise their hands but Ms. Darbus looked at them with appreciation. "Thank you Ms. Montez and Ms. McKessie."

"Should have known." Troy mumbled to Chad making the curly-haired boy snicker.

"Is there something you would like to share with us Mr. Bolton?"

"Well Ms. Darbus I was just telling Chad that I should have known that Montez was going to volunteer to help you."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Gabriella asked standing up from her seat.

"It means that you're the world's biggest kiss ass." Troy said not turning to face her.

"At least I'm not the world's biggest jackass." everyone in the class gasped and Troy turned to her.

"A jackass I may be but at least I don't go around the school trying to be a teacher's pet."

"I am not trying to be a teacher's pet."

"Oh that's a convincing argument. You're a nerd, face it. All you think about is schoolwork."

"I do not."

"Sure you don't."

"I don't."

"Mr. Bolton if you open your mouth again I can guarantee that you will be spending the next month in detention." Ms. Darbus intercepted before he could say another word. Troy shut his mouth and turned back around in the seat. "I don't understand you two. You fight for no apparent reason."

"He starts it." Gabriella said and Troy rolled his eyes. "He always decides to pick a fight with me. I'm sick of it and I'm sick of him." Gabriella sat back down in her seat and lowered her head so no one could see her tears. The room stayed silent until the bell rung seconds later. Gabriella quickly picked up her bag and hurried out of the room. Chad walked up behind Troy as they walked out of the room, both their eyes on the retreating brunette.

"Dude, I think you really did it this time."

"Oh well. The little bitch deserves it. She's the reason I have to miss practice."

"You're not going to leave her alone are you?"

"Nope." Chad shook his head and the two boys walked the rest of the way to their first period class in silence.

Gabriella walked into her first period class and sat in her seat. A few minutes later Taylor walked in and took her seat next to her best friend. Taylor looked at Gabriella, who had her head on the desk, with concern written in her brown eyes.

"Gabs are you okay?"

"No." Gabriella said and sat up straight. She brushed the tears from her eyes and looked at Taylor. "I don't get it. Why won't he leave me alone?"

"He's a jerk. Don't worry about him."

"But he always finds some way to get on my last nerve. If I become a serial killer, he's my first victim" Taylor rolled her eyes at her best friend's desperation.

"Just ignore him Gabi. He'll get tired of it eventually and leave you alone." Gabriella nodded and tried to regain her composure before other students walked into the room. Throughout the class, Gabriella tried to keep her mind off of her distress and on her schoolwork. She didn't want to think about Troy's hurtful words, no matter how much they hurt her self-esteem.

The class ended quick than she expected and as she gathered her things, a hand touched her shoulder. She turned around and came face to face with a smiling Ryan Evans, twin brother of the school ice queen, Sharpay Evans.

"Hi Ryan." she said with a smile.

"Hey."

"What's up?" she asked as she turned around to face him.

"I just wanted to see how you were holding up after the argument with Troy. You left the classroom pretty quickly."

"I'm okay. I've decided that I just need to ignore him no matter how much he annoys me."

"That's good. He's nothing but a bully. Guys like him like getting a rise out of people. He just needs to know that he won't get a rise out of you anymore."

"Gabriella you coming." Taylor called and Gabriella turned towards her.

"Be right there." she turned back to Ryan and smiled. "Thanks Ry. I really needed some comforting words."

"Anytime." he said with a smile and her smile grew wider.

"I'll see you around?" he nodded and she left the room with Taylor.