HSM: When Worlds Collide

Chapter 1: Making the Team and Making the Auditions

The 1st bell of the morning rang as Troy made his way down the halls of his high school. Upon walking past a bulletin board, he stopped and checked out the school's updates. One poster informed of the Basketball team's try outs. He knew he would definitely make it. He had every year, plus he's been captain every time. Sometimes he pondered the thought of whether it was due to the fact that his coach was also his father. Under that posted was another, informing of the Theater Department's next big musical and when their auditions were. Troy took a moment to remember last year's musical. It him through much stress but he enjoyed being in it anyway. "Maybe it'll help me with getting into college." he said to himself. "Colleges love students who've done lots of extra stuff." He made a note to remind him to audition right after he tried out for Basketball. He continued down the hall to his class when he passed Ryan. "Hey Ryan!" Troy called out. "Oh..he hey Troy." Ryan staggered. "Where's Sharpay?" Troy asked with curiosity. "Hmph!" Ryan said. "She thinks making herself pretty is far more important than hanging around me." Ryan said frustrated. "Hehe that's Sharpay for you." Troy said with confidence. "Yea I guess so." Ryan said. "Well I better get to class, I'll see you later, Troy." Ryan smiled. "All right man, see ya." Troy began to turn around to leave and he could have sworn Ryan winked at him before leaving.

With the suspicion of Ryan's wink now pushed to the back of his mind, he sat in his desk at 1st period and looked beside him to see Chad. "Hey Chad!" Troy said slapping hands with him. "You going to the basketball try outs?" Chad laughed. "You know it!" he said with assurance. The class ended about an hour later and as Troy began to leave, he felt a slap against his butt cheek. He looked back to see Chad, along with everyone else behind him tending to some other business. "Did Chad just…" Troy whispered to himself. He pondered the thought for a moment then chuckled. "Nah!" he said to himself and went on about his business. The rest of the day went as smooth as usual. Then came the auditions and tryouts. They were the same day but at different times which made it easier for Troy. The Auditions were first. Troy was not sure if he was happy about this. He just wanted it to be over and done with. He took his seat in the auditorium and waited for his name to be called. He watched many auditions before his own but one in particular was Ryan's. To his surprise, he didn't do a piece with Sharpay. He was alone for once. Troy was worried. Ryan always auditioned with Sharpay! ALWAYS! When he was done, the theatre teacher complimented him on a job well done. He wasn't too bad without her but Troy was still worried. Then his name was called out. "TROY BOLTON! Please report to the stage!" Troy reported to stage as usual during auditions and he did the piece asked of him. What he noticed was that Ryan remained in the audience instead of going home when dismissed. He remained to watch Troy's auditions and Troy could've sworn Ryan winked at him again. This time, he was more certain.

After the auditions were over he headed straight to the school gym, to his luck, he was just in time for the Basketball try outs. Chad was the first to catch his attention. "Where were you, man!?" Chad asked. "You was almost late!" Troy crossed his arms. "You knew I was at the musical auditions." Chad got a pissed look across his face. "Oh…those." he said sarcastically. "Come on, Chad." Troy started. "At least I was in time for the tryouts." Troy gave Chad a playful punch on his arm and Chad got a look of reassurance and began playfully punching back. "Troy! Chad! You can fool around AFTER try outs!" called the coach. For the next hour, the boy demonstrated their skills but the whole time, Chad was attached to Troy. More than usual. Troy began to feel uncomfortable. Then out of no where, he felt the same slap on his ass as he did before at the beginning of the day. He looked at Chad who was dribbling the ball behind him. "Ok, that does it for try outs!" the coach called out. "You are dismissed!" Troy began to leave then he felt arms wrap around him from behind. He looked back and saw Chad. "What are you doing?" Troy asked. "What?" Chad asked back. "Can't a couple guys like us hug once in a while?" Chad winked at him just like Ryan did. "Uhh I guess so…." Troy said to himself. "Well I'll see you later." Chad said letting go of Troy but very slowly, feeling on his body until the very inch of his fingers was all that was left. Troy left the gym after washing up and cleaning up with many thoughts going through his mind. "What has gotten into Chad and Ryan?" he said to himself. "They're attached to me more than usual. It's so weird….and that hug. That wasn't a buddy hug! Not one at all!" He left the gym to see Ryan waiting. "Hey…" Ryan said. "Uhh yea hey whats up?" Troy quickly responded. "Well our parts have already been decided." Ryan said. "Wow, that was quick." Troy thought to himself."And we….have a duet together." Ryan finished shy-like. "A duet?!" Troy asked shocked! "Yea, that's what our roles were…." Ryan got more quiet. "Wow…." Troy said. Ryan began to laugh and so did Troy. They walked together to the school exit. "I guess I'll see you later" Troy said turning his back on Ryan. Then Ryan did the same thing to him that Chad did, that glomp-like hug from behind. "You mind if I come over and practice our lines together since it's the weekend?" Ryan asked still holding Troy. "Uhh sure." Troy said trying to keep himself from blushing. Ryan let himself go and turned around to go to his car. "I'll see you tomorrow then!" he called out to Troy as he was walking away. Troy waved as he kept walking to let Ryan know he got the message. As Troy began to walk to his car, many unanswered questions ran through his mind and these answers were to come in the near future.

Next Chapter: A Night With Ryan