Ellie McKenna hugged her books to her chest tightly as she walked through the halls of East High. A few people smiled, and she smiled back. Today was better than most had been since she started her freshman year. She got to her homeroom class and sat down in her assigned seat. She glanced over and saw Taylor McKessie playing with her boyfriend, Chad Danforth's hair. Troy Bolton, the star of the basketball team, was staring at his honor roll girlfriend, Gabriella Montez.
"Can you please stop staring at Chad? Don't you remember he's taken?" Ellie turned to see her best friend Martha staring at her.
"I was not staring at him! I was just wondering what it's like to date one of the Wildcats."
"Uh huh. Sure you were."
"You're one to talk! At least you're dating Jason!"
The two girls realized that class was starting, and turned to look at their teacher.
_

Ellie opened the front door quietly. She was hoping that she could sneak past her parents without them realizing she was home. It was 4:30, and she was supposed to be home by 4.
She was almost to the staircase when a rough hand grabbed her forearm. "You little brat! Where have you been?" She turned to see her father holding onto her tightly.
"Martha and I stopped for ice cream." She replied sheepishly. Her dad jerked her back down the three stairs she had climbed, causing her to fall.
"Get up, bitch! The dishes need to be done, and the dinner needs to be cooked. Surely you can't expect us to do the work around here!" He slapped the back of her neck. "Now go!"
Ellie walked quickly into the kitchen, cradling her bruised arm, crying soflty.
_

The next morning, Martha was her usual cheery self. "Hey, Ellie! You look tired. Is something wrong?"
Ellie smiled at her. "No, nothing's wrong. I just couldn't sleep last night is all."
Martha seemed satisfied with that answer. A few seconds later, Martha's boyfriend Jason ran up, fellow Wildcats following close behind. He kissed her quickly. "Hey! You wanna go to the movies tonight?"
"I'd love to!"
"Awesome! Catch you later." Jason ran off again, bumping into Ellie and making her drop her books. Chad noticed and stopped. He quickly gathered the books and handed them back to Ellie with a smile before running to catch up to the team.
_

That day after school, Ellie didn't even try to sneak into the house. It was only 4:15, but she knew the fate that awaited her. As soon as she opened the front door, she felt the breath get knocked out of her. There was another crushing blow to her stomach. She looked up, only to see the cause of the pain- her faither with a broomstick.
"I am sick and tired of you being late all the time! You have responsiblities around here, and you have to do them!"
Ellie gathered all of her strength and stood up. Her father moved to the side a bit, so she could get to the kitchen. Instead, Ellie turned around and ran out the front door.
"Ellie! ELLIE! I swear if you take one more step, don't even bother coming back!"
_

Ellie picked up the basketball, and easily made it into the net. She picked up another and did the same. Suddenly, she heard a voice behind her. "What are you doing here?"
She turned around to see Chad Danforth walking toward her. She shrugged. "I didn't want to stay at home, and this was the only place I could think of." She threw the basketball she was holding into the net.
"Whoa. You're good at hoops? How come you're not on the lady team?"
"I don't have time."
Chad looked down and saw the bruises on her arms. "Are you okay?"
She noticed where he was looking, and threw the basketball she was holding to him. "I'm fine."
Ellie turned and strode out of the gym, while Chad looked after her, his face etched with worry.