Chapter Three: Phone call

[Sharpay's point of view]

"Fuck" I muttered to myself as the final warning bell startled me, making me smear mascara over the bridge of my nose. I had managed to cover up all evidence of my tears; the last thing I needed was people questioning me on my patchy cheeks. I grabbed some tissue and dabbed at the black mark between my eyes until it disappeared then took a step back to check my overall appearance. I flattened my hair and frowned, hating the person I saw looking back at me in the mirror. I took a deep breath and headed towards the door to make my way to homeroom but stopped when I heard the familiar tinkle of my phone, Sighing I picked it up, I was already late and though she was my favourite teacher, Miss Darbus could be a real bitch to late comers.

"Yes?" I said agitated into the receiver

"Sharpay?" I heard a small voice ask from the other end of the line.

"Who else would it be the Easter bunny? Now what do you want?"

"I uh... Did you, I'm-" he stuttered.

Jesus Christ. Spit it out boy.

I sighed trying to calm down then asked "Asher what do you want?"

There was a long pause, where I heard him shuffle about then finally he spoke "Did you mean what you said at breakfast?"

I stayed quiet for what felt like a few minutes just trying to process the question he had asked and figure out a way of answering it truthfully. I didn't want to hurt him, I mean the poor kids been through enough as it is without me adding to it. The worst part was though, there was truth behind what I had said, sometimes I really did wishwas he wasn't there. I did love him in that strange brother/sister way that all siblings share; I just couldn't help but feel my life would be so much easier if he weren't around to hog all the affection my parents held. I was jealous.

I walked over to the sinks all lined up against one wall and leaned against them as I began to speak "Ash... You know I say things I don't mean. I didn't mean it literally, I was just mad at mom and dad"

"It seemed like you were mad at me..." he spoke, once again in that small voice that reflected how much I had hurt him.

"No, not at all. I'm not mad at you, I promise" I paused for a moment "but I am sorry..."

"That's okay" He was always so quick to forgive me. I have no idea why, I'm surprised he doesn't hate me after some of the things I had said and done. "Sharpay?"

"Yeah?"

"Can we play Mario Kart when you get home...I'm gonna beat you one day!"

I smiled slightly at this; out of some strange twist of fate I was good at this game which made a change because I had never particularly excelled in any video game before (other than 'sing star', of course) "Sure we can, But your gonna need more that determination to beat me"

"We'll see" he spoke slyly

I shook my head as I chuckled slightly and stood up straight brushing down my skirt. "Squirt, I have to go. I'll see you later"

"Okay Shar... See you later"

I hung up my phone then slipped it into my gold bag and once again made my way to the bathroom door then out into the empty corridor. Crap, I was late. I started to speed up, my heels slapping down hard onto the white floor, the noise echoing off the walls.

"Hey, it's Sharpay, right?" I heard someone call.

I stopped and quickly turned my head towards the voice, my hair almost whipping at my face. It was that awkward new kid starring at me as he stood by an open locker. His hair fell perfectly onto his face but in a messy kind of way that nearly covered his eyes, his ocean blue eyes. He shuffled from one foot to the other as he waited for my reply, trying not to look me directly in the eyes for too long.

"What's it to you?" I asked sharply

"It's uh- I just... I'm Troy Bolton" he stuttered as he stuck his hand out as he walked closer to me. I looked down at his hand then up at his face, my usual disapproving frown etched across my face.

"And?"

"I- I'm new here!" he stated as he quickly retracted his hand and buried it deep into his pocket.

"Clearly" I said taking a slight step away from him, trying to indicate that this 'conversation' was now over, but no...

"I was just wondering... maybe you could show me around the area or something?"

I laughed, I couldn't help myself. The poor kid was just embarrassing himself. I know he was new and all but seriously he should have enough sense not to just come out and ask me to show him around.

"Uh, what's funny?" he asked sheepishly

I killed the laughter and looked at him turning serious "listen here, Newbie. I don't 'show anyone around' and I sure as hell am not gonna start now. So why don't you just back off and stay out of my way, got it?"

He slowly nodded looking as though he had almost crapped himself and I smirked as I saw the desired reaction. Just as I turned to walk to homeroom I felt his warm hand enclose around my wrist. I whipped my head round glaring at him "Who do you think you are? You can't just go around grabbing people! Especially not me" I seethed trying to tug my arm out of his grip.

"Maybe I could just sit with you at lunch?" He said, a boyish grin slowly growing on his face.

"I don't think so." I stared hard at him, hoping he would get the message I wanted nothing to do with this new stranger, and then noticed he was looking down at his hand which was trapping me by the wrist, ensuring I couldn't get away. He slowly lifted his other hand and gently ran his thumb across a scar on my wrist then looked up at me questioningly.

I swallowed hard and gave my arm one last fierce tug and broke out of his grip, then turned and headed off in the opposite direction, just praying that he didn't follow after me.

TBC

Oh My God! This was one damn speedy update for me! I'm on a roll! I even know how to start the next chapter! ;)

Please review and tell me your thoughts/opinions and ideas. It would be much appreciated!

Alice xoxo