Chapter 2

"Pass it Danforth! Go after him Cross! Pass it to Bolton! Shoot Troy!" Coach Bolton was yelling out instructions to the team as they battle it out on the court. The sound of the ball falling through the net made Coach happy. He blew the whistle stopping the game.

"Gather around boys!" the team gathers around Coach as I stood front and center.

"Alright in four days, you'll be up against Carmel High for the finals before the championship game. You win this game, you go on to the championships against reigning champs, the West High Knights. This is one of the most important games of your lives. This game determines if you go to the grand stage for the championship or you get send home with nothing.

West High Knights has beaten us out of the championships for the past 4 years. Three of which we had gone to the actual championship game. They're tough to beat no doubt about it. But one thing different from this team standing in front of me than any other team I have ever coached is that we have the talent, the heart, and the will to win. That's why we're one of the two undefeated teams left.

This is a team effort game. If any of you go into this game not giving one hundred and ten percent, we will lose. This team works because everyone plays a major role. If one of you seems to fall short of their role, not only do you lose, the team loses. Practice will be extended to an hour later starting tomorrow. If you happen to miss practice or even be one minute late, your ass is on that bench. Now hit the showers."

The team walked slowly back into the locker room.

"Troy?" my father called for me. I turned to him as the rest of the team disappeared into the locker room.

"Yeah what's up dad?"

"Listen son, this team is going to need you to bring the best you have onto that court Friday night against the Titans. This team, hell this school, is depending on you to take us to the championship this year. Think you can handle that?"

"Yeah no problem dad."

"Good, also one more thing. You do know who score the most points against West High ever in a championship game right?"

"Of course, you."

"That's right, one of the greatest accomplishments of my life. 48 points against the Knights; this is your year to break that record."

"Yeah sure thing dad, I'll try my best."

"Damn straight you will. Now hit the shower." I left my dad and walked into the locker room. I quickly took a shower and changed. I met Chad in the parking lot who was talking on the phone with a certain girl of his.

"Yeah Tay, I'm sorry I won't be able to make dinner on Thursday. Coach pushed practice to 6," I heard him explain to her. I push the alarm button to my Audi that Chad currently was leaning against. It beeped warning Chad that the car was unlocked. I popped the back open as I threw my bag in there. Chad soon followed. We climbed inside the car.

"Yeah I'm really sorry babe, I'll make it up to you soon okay?" I heard him apologized. Now you might wonder why I just don't grab his phone and throw it out the window. Well for one if I did that, I will never hear the end of it from Chad or Taylor and secondly he's my best friend.

"Listen I have to go, I'll call you later. Bye," he hung up and turned to me.

"Game against Carmel, you ready?" he asked.

"I was born ready Chad. You should know that."

"Of course, you're the coach's son." I turned the corner to Chad's street as the car fell into a deep silence.

"So I guess I'll see you tomorrow?" Chad asked getting out of the car. I nodded and he left for his house. I drove down to the nearest gas station for a fill up. I took out my phone and dialed a number.

"Hello?" Jason answered.

"Hey Jason, is your cousin still dealing?"

"Uh yeah why are you asking?"

"Listen I need to dose up for the big game on Friday, think you can hook me up?"

"Troy I don't think weed is going to help you."

"No you idiot, I need some steroids or pills that make me faster than I already am."

"Oh! That makes more sense. I'll give him a call and see what I can do man."

"Thanks, call me back as soon as possible."

"Well do but Troy are you sure you want to do this?"

"I'm pretty sure. Talk to you later Jason," I said hanging up. I finished pumping the gas and left the store and headed towards home.

Gabriella's POV

My phone started to buzz as I was about to study for my chemistry test. I answered as it was from Taylor.

"Hey Tay," I replied opening up my binder.

"Hey girl, so are you going to the game Friday?" she asked obviously knowing my answer to her question already.

"Tay you already know my answer to that."

"Oh come on Gabi, it will be super fun."

"Tay, I don't think its fun sitting next to you while you yell and cheer Chad on. If that's your idea of fun than you can count me out."

"Oh quit being such a bitch Gabi. No pun intended. You know you want to see Troy all hot and sweaty on that court."

"Whatever Tay, I'm still not going and I do not want to see him all sweaty, that's disgusting. Besides you know that-"

"I know that you like."

"No I don't Taylor. I will never like someone like that."

"Oh quit beating around the bush Gabi we all know that you like him, you just won't admit it."

"Who's we?"

"Me, Kelsi, and Sharpay of course." Suddenly I heard Sharpay and Kelsi yelling in the background.

"Listen Tay if you guys have nothing better than to annoy me, I have to study for the chemistry test."

"Okay, okay we'll pick you up on Friday at 4."

"Okay…wait what?"

"Bye Gabi good luck on your test."

"Wait! Taylor!" she hung up on me. I groan in frustration. Sometimes my friends can be really annoying. I can't believe I was going to some stupid basketball game on Friday.

My phone started to buzz again as I picked it up reading the screen.

T.A.B Calling

I smiled at the screen glad that he was actually calling me. I answered it before it went to voicemail.

"Hey," I answered smiling as I fell on my bed ignoring my chemistry studying.

"Hey beautiful, sorry I didn't call earlier. I had something to do after I got out of practice."

"Nah it's cool, at least you called."

"Yeah it's good to hear your voice when you're not yelling at me."

"Same here, I miss you."

"Yeah I miss you too. Babe?"

"Yeah."

"You're going to be there on Friday right?"

"Of course silly, I'll be there front and center."

"Good I'm going to need you there."

"You're going to do great sweetie, don't sweat it."

"Yeah I hope so."

AN: Ooohhhhh, review :)