Thank you to everyone who read or left kudos for the last chapter. I adore you all. This chapter has a bit more new material compared to the last one.

Warning: This chapter contains the depiction of an attempted sexual assault. It's not very graphic. Please skip over the scene from Penelope's perspective if this triggers you. The first paragraph begins with her name.

Chapter 64 One More Test: part two

Even though they had to take their two-year-old son to Rose, Kim was having a fabulous time. Surprisingly, Alex was relatively well behaved. Kim enjoyed the look of absolute terror on Principal Matsui's face when they brought Alex into the dance with them.

"Why exactly are you bringing that child into the school?" He practically screamed.

"The babysitter canceled, and grandpa is also a chaperone," Kim said with a shrug. Kim wasn't going to tell him that the babysitter canceled because she was drinking away her marriage with her mom. Fortunately, Jen already had divorce lawyers lined up in Seattle to deal with the millionaire asshole.

"I don't see anything wrong with it. I brought Troy to these dances all the time when he was little when I had to chaperone." Jack said, coming to her defense as he took his grandson from her.

"Think of it this way, if any of the students think about sneaking off to do certain things on the roof, we can just let them spend a few minutes with Alex," Kim remarked as she followed Jack to the chaperone table.

Jack just had to show off his grandbaby to all his colleagues. Thankfully, Ms. Ortega kept everyone from making snide comments about how Alex was conceived when they were both students. She was a very benevolent boss.

After 70 minutes of successfully keeping the punch from being spiked, Kim found herself on top of the roof with Troy. So far, chaperoning wasn't that bad. Only two cheerleaders tried to hit on her boyfriend. Also, she only confiscated two bottles of cheap Rum. From what Jack told her, that was low.

"I can't believe your dad is actually making us check the roof. Actually, I'm personally surprised that he trusts us enough to be up here alone." Kim joked.

"Actually, he doesn't know we're coming up here," Troy said as he flipped on the twinkle lights. It was so beautiful up here. Within seconds she felt Troy's lips on hers. They broke apart a few minutes later, with her being completely breathless.

"I am not having sex with you up here again. Not after what happened last time." Kim loves her son but doesn't want to get pregnant on a high school roof a second time.

"That is not going to happen when we have our own house to go back to later with so many places that need to be christened," Troy said as he led her over to the swings.

"Do you consider Alex a mistake?" Troy asked her in all seriousness.

"Alex was unplanned, but he was definitely not a mistake," Kim said, kissing him slowly again before they actually made it to the swing.

"Good answer. I feel the same way. I just wish I didn't miss the last two years." Troy lamented.

"Sorry about that."

"Don't apologize. You are not responsible for that. The two wicked women that gave birth to us are."

"I still feel guilty, though."

"You can't change the past, only the future. I know my future is with you. I know you're upset about the first way I asked you a few weeks ago. So, I thought you were entitled to have a story you can tell Alex about without blushing." This is when she saw Troy go down on one knee.

"I think I have been in love with you since I was 14, and I saw you walking down the hallway on the first day of school. It wasn't some silly high school crush. It wasn't something that when away after being apart for two years. I know I want to spend the rest of my life with you, no matter what anyone else says. Kimberly Bolton, will you marry me?" That is when she saw Troy bring out the trademark Tiffany's box. The ring was beautiful.

"I think I have to say yes since I already have your last name." With that, Troy put the beautiful ring on her finger.

"Does this mean you will consider a wedding date before my 21st birthday?" Troy asked her as soon as he was done.

"We can negotiate later." Suddenly his lips were upon hers in a very searing kiss. They were broken apart by the sound of clapping off to the side. She turned around to see Jack, their son, Ms. Ortega, Chad, and Sharpay clapping. Sharpay was there with her video camera capturing the entire thing. Even Maria was there, and she was crying.

"Now, you not only have a story you can tell your grandchildren, but I have video of it," Sharpay said as she walked over to hug her.

XXXX

Penelope was trying to study for her Monday pre-calculus exam. She hates that the class she was transferred into for the not that virginal punch incident had its final so late. Unfortunately, Malick was more focused on trying to get her panties off than helping her. This happened the last time he was in her room. Supposedly, he came over to help her study. Instead, she ended up with bruises on her arm. It probably would've been worse if Nikki didn't show up.

"I'm not going to fuck you tonight. Unlike you, I actually need to pass my exams. I'm here on both academic and cheerleading scholarships. If I get below a 3.0, I cannot afford school. I have to work this weekend and will have no time to study. Stop it." Penelope said as she pushed his hand away from her panties. She did this last time. It didn't work.

"Oh, come on. It's not like an hour is going to make you fail. Your roommate is still staying with Amanda. We have the whole place to ourselves." Malick said as he pinned her against her bed. He did this last time as well. She winced as his hands touched the bruises from a few days ago.

"I told you no," Penelope said as she started struggling against him. She fought back more than she did two days ago. Maybe because Penelope knew no one else was going to save her. She even pushed Zack away. Or perhaps it was because she didn't want to become Sharpay.

"No one tells me no." Last time if Nikki didn't intervene, she would have given in. She just wanted him to stop holding her down against the wall. Why did she even let him come back tonight? He gave her flowers again. But that's not enough to keep dealing with this. Penelope knows where this is going to go. It was her childhood all over again.

"I know somebody who already has. You should have stuck with the pills." Penelope said as she kicked Malick in the crotch. That caused him to scream in pain and allowed her to successfully pull away from him. Although he managed to rip her shorts in the process. "I do not want to have sex with you. I'm done. Get out. Now."

Instead of leaving, he tried to punch her. It wasn't the first time. That was a few weeks ago after she broke their date to go with Zack to his DNA test. Like last time she was able to dodge the punch. He was stronger, but six years of gymnastics and cheerleading can be very useful in this situation. He lunged at her again. She had to get out of here. That's when Penelope noticed the very large paperweight sitting on Nikki's desk. She quickly tossed it at Malick before he could reach her. She hit him in the head.

She didn't bother to check to see if he was still conscious. Instead, she got the fuck out of there. A few moments later, she found herself in front of Nikki and Amanda falling to the floor in tears.

XXXX

Despite her reservations about going to the dance, Kerri was actually having fun even though her date disappeared 30 minutes ago. After stupid cheerleader number one and stupid cheerleader number two tried to hit on Chad in the most obvious way ever, he retreated to the safety of Sharpay. Kerri didn't blame him. She would've left, too, if someone had grabbed her ass without consent.

In addition to the nonconsensual touching, stupid cheerleader number one offered Chad a BJ in the boys' bathroom. The other one engaged in more nonconsensual touching. Of course, the two idiots did this in front of her and Sharpay. It was a miracle Sharpay didn't punch both of them out.

Their stupidity made her wonder why she ever wanted to be like them. She loved cheerleading and the acrobatic stunts, but she didn't want to be plastic like the other cheerleaders at EHS. Too bad the high school cheerleaders here couldn't be like the college cheerleaders at A of U. Amanda was definitely a real athlete.

After that, Jimmie pulled her away to the practice gym. She was currently barefoot as they shot baskets. Somehow they became friends over the last few months. She blamed the play. They hung out before because she was a cheerleader, and he was a basketball player. It wasn't until she was off the team that she found out who he really was.

In addition to eating lunch together almost every day, they also went to each other's houses. They told each other things that they would not tell anybody else. He was the only guy she trusted in her bedroom. Although that's probably because he wouldn't try anything.

After her best friend ditched Jimmie to take over for the DJ, they found their way here. They were just goofing off as they usually did. She would invite Jason to join them, but he was having too much fun talking to Ms. Ortega's 13-year-old daughter Brittany.

"You are better than half the boys on the team," Jimmie said as she made another shot from the three-point line.

"Unfortunately, East High doesn't have a girl's team. If they did, I probably would've played basketball instead of cheerleading." Kerri remarked as she picked up another ball.

"You should try out for the boys' team next year," Jimmie suggested.

"That way, you will have one person on the team that you don't find attractive?" She joked. Jimmie was not amused.

"Not cool. You don't find all guys attractive. Why should I? Besides, I'm not gay," Jimmie said to her as he shot another basket.

"Unlike my best friend, you don't have to lie to me. I accept you the way you are. I saw you making out with your 'special friend.'" Kerri said as she shot another basket that went in.

"First of all, Jackie knows about Marc. I told her after everything came out with her sister." Thank God.

"Good. I felt horrible keeping that from Jackie. Does she know that you're with her just as a friend?"

"She agreed to come with me tonight because she knew Marc would not. Or really shouldn't because our school is homophobic as fuck." Jimmie threw the shot a little too hard and missed.

"That is extremely true." She remembered what her ex-boyfriend did to Jimmie's locker.

"Besides, I'm not really with Marc. He thinks I'm too young for us to have an actual relationship. I respect that." From Jimmie's tone, she can tell he isn't completely happy about it.

"That's too bad. Although you are in high school and Marc is in college, there might be some truth to what he told you. Even if it's barely a two-year difference." Kerri said, trying to make her friend feel better.

"Point. I know you're well aware that there is more than gay and straight."

"I know. Chad is Demi, and Ryan is whatever orientation allows him to date Taylor and Zack simultaneously, but now fine Kelsi completely repulsive." Kerri remarked.

"I'm something else. I don't know what the label is yet. Maybe bisexual? It feels like the best fit at the moment. You also saw me hit on Sharpay most of the last school year and some of this year until Chad threatened me. That wasn't me trying to act straight." Jimmie explained, and that did make sense. It didn't feel like what Kelsi did.

"You also had like the biggest crush on Troy last year. Every time he was on the floor, you stared at him. You followed him around like a lost puppy."

"You did the exact same thing." Jimmie shot back as he made another shot.

"He is hot. Unfortunately, he always had a girlfriend. At least this one is a better person." They all adored Kim. She was the best.

"I agree he's definitely hot. The thing is, I also have a crush on his girlfriend."

"Gabriella or Kim?" She asked as she shot another ball.

"Kim, Gabriella is way too sweet. The girl could put you in a diabetic coma." Jimmie said, throwing a basketball at her that she caught.

"I heard that was caused by her medication. So if you're bisexual-ish, why not actually date Jackie? You know she's completely in love with you." Kerri asked.

"We are not attracted to everyone. I see Jackie as just a friend or maybe even a little sister. Honestly, I think that's what she needs right now with everything going on with her parents." Jimmie remarked.

"That is 100% true. I just want to hug Jackie all the time. I hate that they're putting her through this. If it wasn't for Kim's lawyers, the parents probably would have her back in their clutches."

"I do too. Which is why I feel bad that I see Jackie's best friend in a more romantic light." She didn't even have time to process his words because he was kissing her at that moment. She felt the basketball she was holding fall down to the floor. The kiss was tentative at first until she started kissing him back. It went from sweet to passionate within seconds. Eventually, they moved over to the bleachers because they were too busy kissing to keep standing. Jimmie's hands didn't roam around anywhere near as much as Rickey's did. Unfortunately, she actually wanted that.

If she wasn't so lost in his kisses, she would realize that the one person she didn't want to see this was standing in the doorway in complete shock.

XXXX

Jackie: Can you come to get me now?

Teresa: Yes. What happened? Was your date not a perfect gentleman. I will sick Maria on him if he wasn't.

Jackie: The answer to that question is complicated. Although he did nothing worth getting arrested for. My date sees me as his little sister. I knew that coming in because he's pretty much in love with Marc. Unfortunately, Marc thinks he's too young.

Teresa: But you went with Jimmie to the dance anyway?

Jackie: Because it is not like he can bring Marc. Also, maybe I thought I still had a chance because he did hit on Sharpay a lot last year. I felt that it wasn't him trying to act straight like Kelsi. BTW she's going to stay with the evil parents instead of staying with you.

Teresa: I know. I like to say that she's doing it for the tuition money, but I'm unsure.

Teresa: Let's just focus on one crisis at a time. Did you catch Jimmie kissing another boy?

Jackie: He's too hung up on Marc for that. However, kissing Kerri is completely acceptable.

Teresa: How do you feel about that?

Jackie: Sad and happy. I want Kerri to be with somebody who won't hurt her like Ricky did. At the same time, why does it have to be the guy I have a crush on? Why can't he see me that way? It was easier when I thought he was just like Kelsi. Except it turns out he's more like Chad.

Jackie: If that is the case, it is still incompatible orientation.

Teresa: I'll be there in 15. We will get ice cream. I feel like you need ice cream.

Jackie: A lot of ice cream.

xxxxx

Chad and Sharpay were walking back to their building after parking the car. It was more like they were making out on the way back to the dorms. Chad was already mentally planning how to get Sharpay out of that dress.

"Are you sure it's okay that we left Kerri and Jason at the dance?" Sharpay asked as they broke apart at some point.

"Mrs. McKessie said she would pick them both up at 11:00. Everything will be fine. Teresa said she would be a backup." Chad said, reassuring his girlfriend. "Besides, I had to get you out of there before you hit one of the cheerleaders."

"Good point. What the hell is going on at our dorm?" Sharpay asked as they noticed the police and paramedics standing around the building. They could see somebody being wheeled into an ambulance. When they saw Amanda and Marc in the crowd, they ran up to the two of them.

"What's going on?" Chad asked the pair. "I'm pretty sure that's my uncle's old partner Wade doing crowd control."

"Penelope's boyfriend is an abusive, attempted rapist piece of shit." When Marc explained, Sharpay threw up. At least she didn't pass out again. Also, bonus points for making it to the trashcan.

"Are you okay, Sharpay?" Amanda asked.

"Not at all. I'll call Olivia in a couple of minutes," Chad said as he walked over to her. "Where's Penelope?" Chad added.

"Being interviewed upstairs by residents' life and possibly the police. Unfortunately, not your Aunt Mariah. The ambulance is for Malick. She threw a glass paperweight at him. I always say never mess with a cheerleader." Amanda said as she passed a bottle of water to Sharpay. She quickly rinsed out her mouth. "Nikki is with her."

"She's going to need a good lawyer. She should not be up there without counsel," Sharpay said, going into action mode. "Chad, call your mom for recommendations. I will text Zack." Because she is not going to let Malick get away this time. Not if she could help it.

"On it," Chad said, grabbing his phone. "Actually, I'm going to call Olivia first. I think she needs to come to us." Olivia was definitely needed.

XXXX

Ryan's sister: You need to get to Evans hall right now.

Zack: What happened?

Ryan's sister: Malick, was his sexual assaulting idiotic self once again. Thankfully Penelope was conscious enough to throw a paperweight at Malick.

Zack: Shit. I'll be there in 15. Are the cops there?

Ryan's sister: Yes. Chad recognizes one as his uncle's old partner. I'm assuming the one that's dead. Chad's calling his mom to get lawyer recommendations after getting off the phone with my therapist. Don't worry, I'm paying for it. She's going to need somebody because Malick doesn't play fair. My dad couldn't even get Malick kicked off the basketball team at EHS without going to Troy's dad directly.

Zack: I don't think Penelope's going to let you pay for her lawyer. Although good call on bringing in a therapist.

Ryan's sister: Then tell her your boyfriend is paying for it to get back at the asshole for what he did to his sister. Ryan would.

Zack: I'll deal with it. Thank you.

XXXX

December 13, 2008, 8:13 AM

To say Sharpay had a rough night would be an understatement. Actually, she's pretty sure she only fell asleep because her doctor prescribed her a sedative. Olivia made an emergency phone call to the other member of her psych team. Yes, Sharpay had a whole team. She's been ordered to take it easy this weekend in addition to emergency sessions today and tomorrow.

This is why Sharpay canceled shopping with Tiffany. She didn't have the energy. Also, everyone wanted her to take a break. They can go baby shopping in January once she has her credit card back. The babies are not arriving until mid-February anyway. Sometime during the conversation, she made her way to the community room.

Sharpay found out Kerri showed up 30 minutes after curfew with one shoe during her chat with Tiffany. Jimmie was the one who drove her home. Their excuse was they were playing basketball in the gym instead of being at the dance. Somehow Kerri lost one of her shoes underneath the bleacher because of this. Sharpay couldn't wait to hear the real story. She wonders if it's connected to Teresa having to drive Jackie home.

As soon as she hung up on Tiffany, she saw Penelope walking out of the room that technically was assigned to her.

"I hope you don't mind that I slept in your bed last night. I just can't stay in the other room. Amanda said it would be okay." Penelope said to her. "Zack stayed with me. Thank you for texting him."

"You can stay there as long as you need to. I can understand not wanting to go back to that room. I'm glad I could help in some way. It's the least I can do. I really owe you an apology."

"Why?" Penelope asked her.

"For a lot of reasons. Mostly because I assume the worst about you when I really didn't know you. Even Jimmie told me that you kissed him to keep him from getting beat up by Ricky."

"Very true. The homophobia is actually worse at East high, which I didn't think was possible." Penelope explained.

"You should hear some of the things they did to Ryan. Chad stayed deep in the closet for a reason. Unfortunately, East high was a very judgmental place, and it's only slightly better than it used to be. In high school, everybody made stupid assumptions about me. I hated it when they did that, yet I did the same to you. That was wrong."

"It was. But why do you feel guilty?" Penelope asked.

"Last night wouldn't have happened if I actually turned his ass in two years ago," Sharpay said the last part very quietly.

"I accept your apology for the first reason but not the second. You don't have to apologize for that. I think I probably would do the same thing in that situation." Penelope said to her. "Unfortunately, there are too many witnesses for me to be quiet. Also, your brother already got me a good lawyer." Good, she believes the Ryan excuse.

"He wants Malick to fry. Although that doesn't mean I'm not sorry for what I didn't do. We wouldn't be here if I spoke up."

"And it wouldn't have happened if I didn't take Malick back after the first time he tried to hit me. That's on me." Penelope confessed.

"Shit," Sharpay exclaimed.

"Can we just start over? We both made a lot of mistakes. Can we just forget about everything involving me spiking your drink and the whole Zeke situation? There's like a 99% chance that my best friend is related to your fiancé. We need to get along." Penelope suggested.

"And Zack is dating my brother. We should definitely be on better terms."

"Exactly. I don't expect us to become best friends, but we should probably actively stop hating each other." Penelope remarked. That is when Sharpay extended her hand to Penelope.

"Hi, my name is Sharpay Evans, soon to be Sharpay Evans-Danforth. I'm a business major, but I'm thinking about switching to writing. In high school, everybody assumed I was the ice queen bitch, but I wasn't that person."

"Hi, my name is Penelope Castro. I am an education major with a focus on the performing arts. In high school, everybody thought I was the school slut. In truth, I have only had two partners. Both of which were pricks. It's nice to meet you." Penelope said, shaking her hand.

"It's nice to meet you as well," Sharpay said, letting go. Maybe this was the start of a new beginning.

To be continued.

In the original version of this story, this is where book one ended. However, I decided that we are going to the end of the calendar year. I have a few more surprises in store. Although, I promise not to do a repeat of the Thanksgiving arc. That was exhausting.