Authors Note: This is request from some friends, hope you enjoy. It may be an odd pairing, but my friends were really insistent on my writing it. Please leave a comment, good or bad! Hope you enjoy this story!

-Hope

I wouldn't expect them to understand this; any of this.

I get it, and he gets it, and that's really all that matters to me.

There have been so many people talking at me, telling me it's weird.

They can't seem to see that this is nothing more than a bold platonic relationship.

XXXXX

"Ryan!" Troy's voice rang out from somewhere down the hallway. He elbowed his way through the crowds of people standing in front of lockers gossiping, yelling, talking, and eventually we were standing face to face.

"Hey Troy," I said, turning towards my locker and pulling out my books. The bell rang right on cue and I turned to walk away.

"Hey man, wait." He placed his hand on my arm and pulled me back so I was facing him.

"I should really be going to class right-"

"You want to come over tonight for dinner?"

I perked up a bit and faced him, but still didn't stop the small steps I was taking backwards. "Yeah sure, I'd love to."

Troy smiled and nodded. He quickly made his way back the way he came and I carried on to English.

Ginny W a girl from my class walked over to me.

She was really nosy, and had obviously heard some of my previous conversation.

"You seemed pretty excited that Troy invited you over. Why's that?"

"Go away Ginny."

"Tell me and I'll leave you alone. You have a little crush on Troy?"

Blood rushed to my face. I didn't have a crush on Troy; he was definitely not my type,

I was actually just excited to see Coach Bolton.

XXXXX

As I said, it's platonic. It was almost instant the first moment we met. We just had a connection.

The older man and I didn't have much in common, but we could count on each other to help us whenever we needed anything.

I classified myself as better friends with the coach than Troy, and in a way and Troy knew that as well. He probably didn't invite me over for the sake of hanging out, but so that I could have some alone time with his dad.

I knocked eagerly on the door to their house and Troy opened it.

"You're here!"

I nodded and smiled.

"Come on in," he said, ushering me inside. I was always amazed at how clean the house they lived in was.

"I'm just eating some Honey Bunches of Oats if you want any," he told me, showing me the box.

I shook my head. "No that's alright. Is your dad around?"

"Yeah, I invited you over here because my dad said he needed to talk to you about something, but I'm sure you knew that. He's just in the den."

I nodded my head appreciatively and walked to the den. My fingers slid over the door knob and I turned it, letting myself in.

I inhaled sharply. "Hi."

The Coach turned around and looked at me, a slightly depressed look on his face.

I didn't hesitate before walking in, shutting the door behind me.

"Tell me everything," I told him.

XXXXX

It was just so easy with him. He was the only real friend I thought I had.

People may find the twenty or so year difference between us strange, but I wouldn't stop being his friend.

I wouldn't stop being there for him.