Commentary: On the menu today: A cute moment and some silent reflection. Also, an apology for being slow. I just started school again and I work, so I haven't had as much time as desired to tidy all this up. Maybe I'll find a balance soon. Anyway, please offer feedback for this chapter - I really appreciate everyone who commented on the last chapter, and even the ones who simply took the time to read.


Of course, promises were always hard to keep, no matter the nature. Promising not to break anymore promises was an idiot's move, but time passed quickly and no one commented on it. Troy tried, really, but between basketball and his truck, things were a bit difficult. It was December already. After Winter Break, which was only three days away, he would have his championship game and graduation. He refused to let his friends see, but the stress was tearing him apart.

Fake right, break left... It replayed in his mind as he followed through with the familiar steps. And as he turned past the other players, his eyes fell to the mascot on the side trying to figure out how to get his suit on. The ball left his hands and in a split second he was on the floor, the ball didn't even hit the net, and everyone was staring in bewilderment. "Troy!" Coach Bolton yelled, "What was that?" It seemed his concern wasn't any injuries from the fall, but rather not making the basket. Troy shrugged it off and pushed himself up from the ground, not noticing the small blond boy's eyes caught on his own.

"Sorry, Coach. I tripped." It was obviously a lie, and obviously one none of them believed. There was an uncomfortable silence. "Take five, I think we could all use a rest." With that, the team walked off in all different directions to take a breather, though Coach got a bit upset. Troy stayed where he was, reaching for the ball. He was about to shoot it again when someone tapped his shoulder. Troy smiled almost bashfully. "Hey Wildcat," he teased. "Having trouble with your costume?" The lighthearted tone flushed out any negativity implied by the joke. It was all friendly fun.

"Ha ha, very funny, Bolton." Casually, he snatched the ball from his friend and took a step back, holding it securely between his fingertips. "It's your fault I'm even here, you know. School mascot? Your idea." The taller boy laughed. As true as that was, Ryan didn't have to do it. Troy thought it would be cool for them to get closer and be real friends. He never forced the boy to do anything. Though, he would take full credit for everyone welcoming Ryan to the group like they'd been best friends since kindergarten.

Troy shrugged and took a step towards Ryan. "Yeah, but you're a great mascot. Everyone loves you. Honestly, Ryan, you underestimate yourself." It was sad. He always seemed so confident around Sharpay, but on his own he was a little less sure of himself. It amazed Troy that someone so bad could be so good for the boy. But that's what family is supposed to be for. "You wanna take a shot?" Troy asked after a moment, eyes moving from the basketball in his friend's hand to the goal.

Ryan's eyes widened slightly and he shook his head. "No, I'm not really great at basketball. I mean, I've never played before and-" Before he had a chance to finish his sentence, Troy had pulled him to the free throw line and was standing behind him. "Troy, what are you-" And yet he was interrupted again, two calming hands on his shoulders.

"Square your shoulders and bend your knees a bit." Sighing, the smaller boy obeyed. "Alright, now, keep your eye on the basket and..." With Troy guiding Ryan's arms, they took the shot. To both their surprise, it went right in. The boys smiled at each other, unaware of the odd looks they were receiving. "Good job, Ryan! See? It's not so hard."

The blond blushed and rubbed awkwardly at the back of his neck. "Yeah, well... you're easier to play with than anyone else is," he teased, hands sliding into his jean pockets. He was slightly covered in fuzz from the failed attempts at getting in the Wildcat costume - he still couldn't successfully get himself in it without someone helping him out. Troy thought it was adorable and didn't see anything wrong with that, though everyone else teased him for it. "You don't put much pressure on me, everyone else would laugh me to death if I tried to make a basket."

"Consider your reputation saved for now," Troy joked back, without realizing that he was treating the boy like a girl and that wouldn't save any reputation. Normally, a guy would guide his girlfriend on how to do something sports-related. But Troy? He was assisting possibly the most flamboyant guy in all of New Mexico. "Hey, ah... What are you doing for break?"

Ryan hesitated, but shrugged. "Shar's probably going to have me rehearsing nonstop for musical auditions." It was like a never-ending thing with her. As soon as one project was done, she had to be preparing for the next every minute of every day. "What about you?"

"My parents are going on vacation without me, so I thought you could come over if you needed an escape from your sister." There was a smile of appreciation, but the hint of an argument coming. "I'm not gonna be doing anything anyway, really, it'd be cool."

The sound of basketballs slamming against the ground snapped them out of their conversation and Troy got back to practice. Ryan simply stared in amazement at the wonder of his new friend.

;-;-;-;

"So, Troy, are we still on for our date Friday night? Troy?" They'd been trying to get a reaction out of him for minutes with no luck. He just sat there with a blank face, refusing to eat his food. "Troy, please." Finally, he snapped out of it, but not because he heard Gabriella's voice - because he thought he heard someone else's. He blinked and she sighed gently, putting a hand on his arm. "I asked if we're still going out Friday," the girl repeated in a soft voice that feigned patience. Chad and Taylor didn't buy it.

"Yeah, yeah, Gabriella. I promise, I'll pick you up at eight. Not a moment later." She smiled, but they all knew he'd made a mistake. Another one of his famous promises that would probably get broken. "Don't worry, I wouldn't miss this." Dates were important to him; he tried to keep them. Just like promises. He didn't like giving excuses and he was determined not to have need of them again. He would be the guy they all thought he was. No one else, just the guy in charge of doing everything and keeping everyone happy. That couldn't be too difficult... could it?

The rest of lunch wasn't the best. Everyone kept picking on Troy, claiming he was forgetful or joking about the whole Ryan thing. It made things extremely uncomfortable for everyone. For once, he was relieved to hear the bell ring. With a quick goodbye kiss to his girlfriend, he bolted out of the cafeteria and to Ryan's locker. But the boy wasn't there, so he waited. And even once the bell rang again, he waited, unsettled.

Suffice it to say that Troy was late for his class and was given detention. So close to the holidays as well. He tried to shake it off, but it was boring. All considered, he would have preferred serving detention with Ms. Darbus, but he wasn't that lucky. He had to spend detention in the biology room and he really didn't like the biology teacher. Most of his time was spent trying to figure out the specifics of his date with Gabriella. This was something he was determined not to screw up.

Only, it worried him that he only had detention because he wanted to see Ryan again. Chad was his best friend and Gabriella was his girlfriend. His instinct should have been to stick with one of them. So why wasn't it? He was losing his mind; that was the only explanation for it. Otherwise there was something unexplainably strange and he didn't know how to handle it.

Maybe he just needed to get through the date. Spend some time with Gabriella to remember all the greatness from before the summer. How perfect they'd been together before life got in the way. He missed it, the simplicity and easiness of it. Missed when it was just the two of them running around and enjoying each other's presence. Everything seemed so tense now and he hated it.

But what he couldn't figure out was what exactly it was he was afraid of more: losing Gabriella, or liking Ryan.