Chapter 3:

Sharpay sat in the music room crying. Her parents were arguing for the fifth time in less then and hour and Troy was going to be here any minute. He would see how dysfunctional her life really is: her father is an alcoholic who loves to go down to the local strip club, her mother is a patient wife who will take the cheating and the beating as a sign he loves her, her bother and her were the product of a couple not meant to be and also suffered the consequences of unruly expectations, physical abuse, and mental abuse.

She heard a crash. He had thrown her mother at something yet again. She had to sneak out. She couldn't let Troy see this. She couldn't let anyone see her secret world, her world of pain and destruction. It was the real reason she was mean. She didn't want anyone to se what her life was really like.

She opened the window; of course there would be a bush right in the way of her fall. She was not only going to have tear stains; she was now going to have leaves sticking in every which direction. She didn't care. Why would she? He didn't like her anyway.

"Ouch!" Sharpay exclaimed quietly as she brushed herself off. The bush didn't take away too much of her outfit. She sighed in relief. She had to think of a place to go. She couldn't take him to her little studio down town that was her secret place. No one was allowed in there. It was her sanctuary from the storm. She was in there and no one could hurt her. She sighed she didn't have an option. She wanted her part in the musical back.

She cringed as the screams were getting louder. She walked to the front of the house hoping he wasn't early. It was five to six and her goal was to be sitting on the front porch waiting for him.

She looked at the driveway as she saw a car pull up. He had a black SUV. She couldn't make out the brand and she wouldn't recognize it if she did. She walked over to him painting on her biggest smile. She was the ice queen she wasn't allowed to have emotions. No one would see her hurt… Not even him.

"Hey." Troy said as he hopped out of his car a little confused. Wasn't he supposed to knock on the door before he was greeted? He thought for sure Sharpay was someone who would want to make a big entrance.

"There is a change of plans," Sharpay said as she looked back to her house. She could hear the screaming still although she couldn't make out the words anymore. She didn't want to hear the words; she didn't want to hear any of it. She wanted to cry but she had to hold herself together. Her world was falling apart and she didn't have anyone to lean on, Ryan was too busy trying to win over Gabriella at the moment to even remember he had a sister.

"Um, ok. So what are we doing then?" Troy asked as he stood in front of Sharpay. He could tell by her red-shot eyes that she had been crying. He wondered if he should even say anything or not. Would she even tell him if he asked? Still it wouldn't hurt. Everyone needs to let it out, even her.

"Can you take me down town? I have my own little studio above the dance center. My mom is teaching piano tonight. She gave me a tape to play so we can dance. Can you dance? The songs were a little slow last time. I doubt you can keep up with me."

"Is that a challenge?"

"No… I know you can't keep up with me. I'm a dance champion in several categories. It's all I did when I was a little girl. I can show you all my trophies sometime."

"So do you act like a bitch to ease the pain?" Troy was trying to make her flinch. There is no reason why she had to act like this around him. He hated this façade. He could see right through it. In fact most people could. He felt bad when he saw the look on her face. "Sharpay…"

"You know what? I think I'm just going to go into our spare room here. We can practice some other time." She felt the tears start to fall down her face. He was exactly like she thought he was, too wrapped up in his own world to care. How dare he act like he knew her? Act like he knew everything that she was going through. His hard coaching father was nothing compared to her parents.

Just when she was about to turn away and run inside her front door burst open. The sound of her father's voice almost echoed through the night. "Then you can take your kids to the corner you little whore. If I'm so horrible, LEAVE! This is my house. I pay the bills. You just sit here and play your little piano!"

Sharpay stood there motionless as she watched her mom crawling on the ground. She was black and blue everywhere. She could barely move. Sharpay looked at her father as he shoved her down the few steps until she was lying on the ground motionless and slapped the door.

Troy didn't know what to say or do. He couldn't believe what he just saw. He couldn't just leave Sharpay though. He couldn't imagine anyone being on the streets alone. He ran to her mother and picked her up. She was unconscious, but she still had a pulse.

"Get into the damn truck Sharpay. I don't care how much you hate me! Do it for you mother!" Troy said as he gently sat her mother into the back seat. She needed help badly. He had to get her to the hospital.

Sharpay didn't say a word she just walked over the car slowly. He secret was out of the bag. Troy Bolton was going to go tell all his little friends how screwed up she is and that she doesn't really have a place to call home. She started crying so badly she couldn't breathe. It didn't matter now.

Troy drove to the emergency room and carried her mother inside. He sighed in relief when he saw the waiting room was close to being empty. They would get her in right away. He filled out all the answers in the paperwork he could and told the nurse she would get everything else later… When Sharpay was capable of talking or when Ryan got here.

He went back outside to park his car. He noticed Sharpay still hadn't gotten out. She was still crying uncontrollably. He couldn't believe what was happening. This was all too real. He just hoped her mother was ok.

Picking up his cell phone, Troy called Ryan to get him to come. He wasn't sure if Ryan would even believe him, but it was all he could do. He looked at Sharpay as the phone rang.

"Hello?" Ryan said as he answered his cell phone at the dance studio.

"Ryan! Thank god you answered! You have to come down to the emergency room. I can't handle this I don't know what's going on."

"Troy what are you talking about?"

"I just came over to practice. Sharpay's crying. I don't even know if your mom is ok. And the nurse is yelling at me for not being helpful."

"What do you mean you don't know if my mom isn't ok?"

"Just come down here will you?"

Troy hung up the phone as he parked his truck and walked over to the passenger side. He opened the door and looked at Sharpay, who had black streaming down her face from her makeup. He grabbed her out of the truck and set her down. He got her some napkins and a glass of water. He put his arms around her for support. All that they had left to do was to wait.

AN: Thanks for all the awesome reviews. You guys rock. I hoped you liked this chapter, just a little drama.