Chapter 3

"I know where she is," Troy said running into the school leaving his dad behind. Troy ran through East High's hallways, so many memories flooding his mind. He opened the door to a place that he hasn't been since he asked Gabriella to marry him. He walked up the stairs and saw his daughter sitting in a corner, curled up in a ball, crying. He went over and kneeled down in front of her so he didn't scare her.

"Destiny?" Troy asked quietly.

"Daddy?" Destiny said in a quiet but hoarse voice. Troy smiled sadly because Destiny only calls him 'Daddy' when she's scared or upset.

"Yeah baby, it's me," Troy said sitting down, legs crossed, "come here." Destiny crawled over to her dad and sat in his lap. She hugged him and started shaking. Troy sat there, rubbing her back, tears falling down his own face. What ever happened, that got her daughter so scared, definitely changed her life. After an hour of crying, Destiny calmed down.

"You okay sweetheart?" Troy asked. Destiny shook her head no.

"Can I come home?" Destiny asked in a quiet voice.

"No, you'll be fine," Troy said standing up with Destiny. Troy began to walk down the stairs when he felt a hand in his. He looked over and saw Destiny. Destiny looked up and into her dad's eyes. Troy looked down at his daughter and noticed that they sparkle in her eye was missing. Troy sighed and continued walking. Troy stopped in front of Ms. Darbus's room. Troy opened the door for Destiny.

"Troy Bolton?" a voice, who Troy hasn't heard in years, asked.

"Hey Ms. D! What's happening?" Troy asked giving Ms. Darbus a high-five. Destiny wrapped her arms around her dad's waist and buried her head into his side. The class behind Ms. Darbus snickered.

"Daddy, please take me home!" Destiny whined.

"Bolton, take your daughter home," Ms. Darbus said, "and that's an order."

"Get your things Destiny," Troy said, sighing. Destiny went and gathered her things. As she went to leave someone grabbed her hand. Destiny tensed up and turned around and relaxed when she saw that the hand belonged to Chris.

"You okay?" Chris asked. Destiny shook her head no, "I'll call you later." Destiny nodded and took her hand out of his and walked out of the room.

"Ready to go?" Troy asked Destiny. Destiny nodded, no words exchanged. Troy waved goodbye to Ms. Darbus and led Destiny to the car. They had to walk down the same hallway where, a few minutes ago, Michael was jiggling the doors. Destiny stopped short, afraid to go any further. Troy got halfway down the hallway when he realized that Destiny wasn't following. Troy turned around.

"Destiny come on," Troy said. Destiny shook her head no, "Sweetheart, no one will hurt you. I promise." Destiny still shook her head no. Troy sighed and walked over to her. He took her hand and slowly guided her down the hallway. As they walked down the hallway, Destiny's grip tightened on her dad's hand. Troy rubbed her hand with his thumb in a calming sort of way. Destiny relaxed and let her dad guide her down the hallway. They got outside and Destiny let out the breath that she had been holding in. Troy opened the car door for her and Destiny got in the car and sat down. Troy got into the drivers seat and started the car.

"Destiny, you okay?" Troy asked trying to get Destiny to talk. Destiny didn't answer him. She continued to look out the window, watching the trees go past. Troy pulled into the driveway and Destiny got out and waited for her dad. Troy got out of the car and started to go inside. Destiny ran up to him and grabbed onto his hand. Troy smiled, She will always be Daddy's Little Girl, Troy thought as he opened the door.

"Destiny, if you want you can go upstairs. Uncle Chad's coming over today in about 5 minutes," Troy said. Destiny shook her head when he said that she could go upstairs, "or you can stay with me." Destiny nodded and tightened her grip on her dad's hand.

"Baby its okay. I won't let go of you," Troy said smiling at how his daughter was acting, "why don't you go and get a drink from the kitchen." Destiny nodded warily but went to get a drink anyway. Chad knocked on the door.

"Hey man," Chad said doing their handshake.

"Hey do you mind if Destiny joins us?" Troy asked.

"No not at all but what is she doing home?" Chad asked. Troy was about to answer when he heard a scream from the kitchen.

"Destiny!" Troy said and went running to the kitchen. Destiny backed up against the counter; her finger pointed to the window, "Baby what is it?" Destiny didn't say anything. She just pointed and started shaking. Troy went over and gathered her in a hug and tried to get her to stop shaking.

"Destiny, what happened baby girl?" Troy asked concerned. Destiny didn't answer. She clung to her dad, tears falling rapidly down her face.

"Hey, I'm gonna go and get him," Chad said. Troy nodded, knowing what he was going to go and get his son. Both men knew that their kids had a crush on each other.

"Destiny, how about I go and run you a bath?" Troy asked. Destiny nodded. Troy walked Destiny upstairs, "go grab your pajama's and meet me in the bathroom. Okay kiddo?"

"Okay," Destiny said quietly. She went into her bedroom and Troy went into the bathroom. He began running the water making sure it was the right temperature. Destiny came running into the bathroom.

"Destiny you okay?" Troy asked when his daughter came running into the bathroom

"I got scared," Destiny said quietly.

"It's okay," Troy said, "take a relaxing bath and then try to get some sleep." Troy kissed his daughter on the head.