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Chapter Two
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Troy groaned at his schedule. The principal had been great about the whole thing. The man had arranged for Troy to be kept up to date on his studies and had waivered the teens attendance for the first half of school.
He simply hadn't counted on being a teachers aide until next year or longer. He'd thought he could spend what was left of his year not making waves.
Instead, no weight lifting class. No gym. He was taking chorus and drama. No basketball during free period, it was for being an aide.
Frankly, he didn't mind, if he didn't have to deal with the stares. Or the rumors, or his ex-friends, or...
Okay. It sucked big ones.
Of course, none of the students were aware of his grounding, or injuries. Well, Sharpay, Ryan, and Kelsi did, but that didn't count.
They were going to find out, though. There was no avoiding it.
He had thick, raised scars running from the palm of his left hand, to his shoulder, over his left chest, and back.
His gait had a slight limp to it. He hadn't fully adjusted to his patch work black metal leg.
The weather was cold enough that he could get away with jeans and a long sleeved shirt. His jacket had been shed due to the extreme heat in the school.
That would help keep the full extent of his physical injuries in the dark, and the staff had decided to make a vague disclaimer with his return.
The late bell went off. The annoying noise triggering a stampede of late students trying to get to class before their teacher made an example of them.
" There you are, Mr. Bolton. " Darbus called out cheerfully. " I was starting to fear you forgot your way around. "
He approached her wearily. The middle aged blond was dangerous and very scary. Hence the creepy silence in the class.
" Sorry I'm late, the principal wanted to talk to me. "
" Very well. I'll let it go this time. " She clapped happily. " Please take a seat. We're already behind on school announcements. "
" Yes, ma'am. "
He cautiously scanned the class and found that Taylor had moved to his old seat. The switch meant the only available seat was...
Troy swallowed nervously as he spotted the desk in front of his ex-girlfriend. It was the last one, leaving him with no choice.
" Is there a problem, Mr. Bolton? "
" No, no problem. " He mumbled quickly.
The teen reluctantly approached his ex. Gabe's damp hair looking gorgeous. The plain jeans and white blouse shirt radiated the height of fashion. Black leatherboots made him want to worship the shoe goddess.
Gabe was never more divine. Never more breath taking.
Brown eyes slipped up his body making his heart race. The hope and concern in those deep well like orbs drawing him in until he was addicted.
Finally he came to the empty desk, right in front of her, and sat down. Shaking hands pulled a book from his messenger bag in an attempt to distract himself.
Her very proximity was driving the teen wild. The gentle waft of baby powder and cherries hugging him.
In The Company Of Ogres fell open to his marked place, and he tried to sink into the fictional world.
Whispers erupted from the class. The shock of an athlete reading willingly enough to make them risk the teachers temper.
He didn't care. Let them stare. Let them whisper, and make fun of him.
They didn't know what it was like to lay in a bed for weeks with nothing to do but read.
They didn't understand that need for a way to stay sane. The need to find something to sink into, and ground yourself with.
Troy had found that out. He'd found himself slowly starting to read books. Old books from his mothers collection.
Poirot, Sherlock Holmes, Columbo.
Newer books had followed. Anything that could be found in used book stores, on the side of the road, or flea market.
He'd developed a like for the Harry Potter Series, and then he'd come across A. Lee Martinez.
The writer was absolutely sick. The guys ideas of a horror book was abstract and completely off the wall.
The plots alone were so mind blowing crazy, so insane that it made you wonder what the hell the guy was smoking.
Each page was soaked in morbid humor, outrageous and impolite. It made Troy wonder how the guy got away with it, all the while snickering and snorting despite the inappropriateness of it.
In other words, it was everything a teenage boy wanted and more.
After the first book, he'd gotten another and another. The writer had shown him what books were, their potential.
A new world opened up to him, and he found himself devouring various books. The Discworld series, Stephen King horror novels, and anything else that caught his eyes.
" He's reading, Tay!! " A hiss came from Chad.
" It's not natural. " Taylor's voice mumbled in shock.
A soft gasp came from behind him. Gabe's fingers brushed against his back, the tender touch making his nerves burn.
" Troy? "
She was scared. His behavior, his long absence, it was worrying her.
His eyes focused on the words in front of him.
" Troy....? "
Scared or not. There was nothing for him to say. Not anymore.
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" Troy! "
He spun carefully on his heels to greet Kelsi. He'd seen her briefly in home room, but she had been sitting in front with Taylor.
" Hey, Playmaker. Congrats on the talent show. "
" Thanks. I just wish you could have been there. After what you did for us..."
" Kel, don't go spreading that around. " He said seriously. " Right now Sharpay's laying off, but if she hears even a hint of a rumor..."
" War. " She agreed. " What about the others? If they knew they'd let you back in. "
" Maybe. Maybe not. " He sighed tiredly. " After b-ball practice it won't really matter. I'm allowed on basketball team anymore. "
" Uh-oh. " Kelsi paled. " They're going to blow. "
" Yeah, it'll probably get worse when they find out I replaced all my sports classes. "
" Okay, forgot making up. How do you plan to get out of school alive? "
" Darbus has taken me as her teaching aide. The Beast scares the team so I should be safe. "
" That means we can work together on the Winter Musical. " Kelsi's excitement dimmed. " You won't be safe during lunch or free period. "
" Lunch in my backup Super Secret Hideout, and free period I have aide duty. I'm all set. "
" You live dangerously. "
" Just call me Evil Bolton. Stuntman of the world. I act, sing, and can manage a dance step or two. "
He spotted Taylor, Martha, and Gabriella at the end of the hall. The last thing he wanted was to confront them.
" I better go, or they'll think you're consorting with the enemy. "
" Hey, if you have time during free period, come to the music room. You can help me. "
He nodded in agreement, and ducked into the nearby stairwell. His Super Secret Hideout was waiting for his lunch, and book.
School could would wait.
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The ex-athlete paused inside the library, blue eyes meeting the rich brown of Gabe. Beside her Taylor was horrified by his presence. Even Martha seemed to be in disbelief.
They didn't know about his forced retirement yet. So the idea of the lunkhead b-ball player visiting the library after school was a sign of the apocalypse.
He tore his eyes away from his ex, walking into the shelves of theatre books. Books on classical plays were removed.
Unfortunately what little he hadn't read over the summer left him with exactly four books. Three were so thin that he doubted they had fifty pages. The fourth was barely the size of a paper back.
He grabbed a table in the far corner, dropping the books on the surface, along with his messenger bag.
"WHAT?!! "
He glanced out the window toward the gym. A chuckle escaped at the familiar sound of Chad's hysterical screech.
It was a rare and hilarious occasion. The teen could stay composed through a hurricane, but any disaster involving his basketball, and he would panic.
From the sound of things Chad had just been told Troy was out, and...
A piercing yelp echoed through the halls.
Chad just found out he was the new team Captain.
He went back to his research, while he could. After all the team would be hunting him down soon, and then....
Well hopefully he could make Chad panic some more.
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" What the hell are you playing at, man? " Chad knocked him into a wall. " You quit our friendship, and now, the team!? "
" Nothing personal, I just don't have time. " Troy partially admitted. " I have too much going on. "
Chad backed off, paling to a strange shade of green. The idea of Troy not playing sports was so foreign to his ex-friend that he was on the verge of another panic attack.
" What happened to you, Hoops? " Chad demanded. " What happened to the guy that would stand by the team no matter what? Where'd he go? "
" He grew up. " Troy shrugged. " He faced reality, and right now, the reality is that there's more to life than sports. "
" God, Sharpay really did a number on you. " Jason gaped. " She brainwashed you. "
" Does it matter? " He asked curiously.
" Look, whatever our differences we can play together. " Chad offered. " You don't a lot of time, fine, we can work around that. "
" I'm sorry, Bro. "
" If you walk away from the team now that's it. " Chad threatened. " There's no second chance. That's it for us. Is that what you want? "
" The team will be fine. They have you, Captain. "
He walked around the stunned team, past the girls, and through the audience of students. Whispers followed him, glares from sports fanatics drilled into his back, and ever increasing concern from Gabriella made his heart ache.
Maybe he should just admit to having been left handicapped. Maybe he should come clean, but not like this. Not in the middle of the hall during an argument.
Yeah, it would make things with his team easier, but then there would stares like he was a freak. The rumors, and evolving gossip concerning him.
No, better to take a little anger that would fade in a few weeks. He could break the news later when it wouldn't start an avalanche of rumors.
It meant that he could stay off Sharpay's radar, and in the end that was all that really mattered.
If everything worked out, he'd go about his business. Continue his work at the Rec. Center, and try to get through CNM.
Though, the way things were happening recently he wasn't to hopeful.
Egads, he was getting cynical.
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He shut his locker, blinking in surprise at the sight of Martha leaning against the next locker.
" What's up, Toes? " He asked curiously.
" You. " She eyed him. " You're acting weird. At first I thought you were playing Sharpay's pet but you're avoiding each other. "
" I wanted a longer leash than she would give me. " He grinned, letting out a bark.
" Missing Mistress Gabriella? "
" Ha, ha. "
" Seriously, Hoops, are you the good twin, or the evil twin? "
" Depends on how much caffeine I've had. "
" Welcome back, Hoops. " Martha squealed in relief.
" Easy on the ears, it's another ten thousand miles before they're due for servicing. "
" Oh, I can't wait to tell the others. "
" But..." He trailed off as she took off.
He doubted it would make much difference. Their trust had been shattered and it would take time to repair it.
He could tell them about the blackmail, about Sharpay's breakdown, and the resulting fall out. Then again that was a sure way to start a battle with the blond.
" So much for your escape plan. "
" Someone call an ambulance. The Playmaker is missing her piano. " Troy staggered in mock surprise.
" Very funny. " Kelsi rolled her eyes. " Your trip to the library has Taylor and Gabriella running scared. "
" Taylor? As in the great unshakable Mount McKessie? "
" I'm telling her you said that. " She playfully threatened.
" You do and I'll tell about Ryan." He threatened back.
" How did you...? When did you...? " She turned a bright red.
" I'm surprised the whole school doesn't know the way you two are making eyes at each other. "
" I saw your stand off with Chad. " She became serious. " You okay? "
" Yeah, I just..."
What was left of his thigh spiked with sharp throbs, forcing him to drop his messenger bag. The butchered area pounding in the sleeve of the prosthetic.
' Aw, hell. '
He leaned into his closed locker. The teen hadn't fully recovered from his field amputation, or the clean up the surgeons had been required to do.
" Troy? "
He shifted his eyes to his concerned friend as the worst of it passed without making him lose his balance.
The pain in his thigh remained, along with the weakness in the muscles. Something he could live with if it meant he didn't collapse in front of any of his classmates.
" I should get going or Darbus will blow a gasket. "
He scooped up his bag, and fell in step with Kelsi.
" You know you can talk to me, right? "
" I'll see you later, Playmaker. "
He separated from her quickly, heading toward Darbus's classroom. It wasn't that he didn't trust her. She'd spent a lot of time visiting him with Ryan, and he'd ended up becoming close friends with them.
He just didn't want to start crying on someones shoulder. He'd dealt. He'd had his break down, and it was time to move on.
What else could he do?
22222
The wet track felt slick under his pounding feet. The freezing rain long since soaking his clothes, making them cling to his skin.
It was a struggle to keep a steady pace. To not force his body past it's limits. Instead he had to remain steady, keep a check on his thigh to make sure he didn't get to fast.
His shoes squished through the various puddles. They skidded slightly, searching for traction, struggling for purchase.
Troy snarled unable to take it. He sped up, faster and faster, pushing past the limits the Doctor had laid out.
His heart began to pound against his chest. Blood rushed through his veins. A tightness developed in his chest where the thick aching scars screamed in protest.
But he wasn't satisfied. He had to go faster. To crash through the agony and endure. He had to...
His left thigh gave out, making him trip over his own feet. He rolled out of control. Skin was scratched and ripped.
The burning scars on his chest, spiked to an all time high. Sending him scrambling to the grass on bloody knee.
He heaved what little was on his stomach. There simply wasn't anything in it. Just a bite or two of a sandwich he'd managed to choke down during lunch.
The aches and burning that had been threatening him all day lurched into life. His vision faded in and out of focus with each wave of pain.
His body contorted inward with a convulsion. Teeth ground together against the waves of pain that made him want to let out great heaving sobs.
Troy struggled to get the pain killers from his pocket. The bottle felt slick in his grasp. Hanging over his head.
If he took them then that would mean risking addiction. If he took them then it meant he wasn't dealing.
If he didn't then the pain would last far longer and more intensely. Something that wasn't safe in the middle of the school track.
He jerked abruptly. The agony erupted into fireworks that made his vision go completely black and....
......sat up in confusion.
A half melted ice pack fell off his thigh.
" Huh? "
" You should have taken the pills. "
He cocked his head at the strangely serious Zeke. The tall thin teen was sitting in the nurses chair. The perky expression was absent.
" Zeke, man, what are you doing here? "
" I was working on a new recipe for quiche. "
" Oh? What kind? "
" You should have said something. With the right prosthetics you could keep playing, no problem. "
" Didn't you hear? Artificial limbs give athletes an unfair advantage. "
" Oh. " Zeke deflated. " The team wouldn't have hounded you if they knew. "
" Because yelling it out in the middle of a fight is so much better. "
Troy knew he meant well but there was nothing for it.
" Hoops, you have to start taking care of yourself. You can't push yourself like that, and the pills you're on..."
" I don't need them. "
" Ah! "
" What's that supposed to mean? " He glared.
" It means you're going through denial. Again. "
" One time... "
" Three. " Zeke corrected.
" One. "
" Poor Bugs... untimely death. The very embarrassing, and very public break-up with Bridget. " Zeke counted off. " Then there was the...er.. the pants incident. "
" You swore you wouldn't ever mention that! " Troy accused.
" It was no big deal. "
" My pants split in the middle of the cafeteria!! " Troy croaked. " It wasn't my fault all my boxers were dirty!! "
" At least the year book got your best side. "
Troy buried his face in his hands. Five years later and he still couldn't live it down. It had been an absolute nightmare.
Every student and teacher in school had seen his bare essentials. Of course that idiot Jason Cross had gotten a picture of the whole thing and sold it to the editor of the year book.
That wasn't even touching the hours after. Which he'd spent sitting in the principals office with a sheet wrapped around his waist while they called his parents.
His oh so supportive father had actually injured himself from laughing so hard. The coach had quite literally laughed himself off his chair.
As if that wasn't bad enough, his precious mother had the nerve to ask Jason for a copy of the picture. In front of his ex-girlfriend.
There had been no sympathy. None what so ever.
" Hey, I wonder if Gabriella has seen that picture yet. "
He snapped his head up in disbelief.
" I'll kill you! "
Troy lunged for the laughing teen. Much to his frustration Zeke didn't start a chase. He was to busy protecting Troy.
" Hoops, about Sharpay..."
Shoot. Zeke had the biggest crush on the wicked twin. A crush she had given just enough attention to keep it active.
" Leave her alone, man. Stay far away from her, she's bad news. "
" It's... It's that bad? "
" Yeah, it is. "
The cook slumped back into the chair. He had hoped Sharpay might come around one day. Baking for her, following her around..
On the verge of stalking actually.
" Well Kels and Jason separated. " Zeke perked up.
" Ryan. "
" Martha's awesome. She loves my cooking, and even helps sometimes. " Zeke bounced back.
" Good luck with that. "
Martha would probably be willing to date the cook. She had appeared quite close to the cook over the summer, and had spent a lot of time with him.
' Course that didn't mean anything. It was possible for a guy to be friends with a woman without romance being involved.
Or so claimed the myth.
" Here. "
Troy snatched the bottle of pills out of the air.
" Next time, Hoops, take them. "
Zeke knocked on the leg, causing a metallic ringing to echo through the office.
" I'll see you later, man. " Troy stuffed the pills back in his pocket.
" Troy, try to get past the denial stuff, and I'll keep my mouth shut. "
" No promises. "
" Just try. "
" Yeah, sure. "
He exited the nurses office. Part of him was pleased to have another friend back, the rest was caught up with thoughts of Gabriella.
It was shallow of him, but he kept dreading any future confrontations with Gabriella.
His ex's mother had made sure that there was no future with her. No chance of getting back together, and no marriage.
He hunched down in depression.
He couldn't even run two miles at a fast pace without the risk of crippling pain in his butchered thigh. Maybe Mrs. Montez was right. What did he have to offer Gabe?
Nothing.
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" Whoa! "
Troy flailed as Martha yanked him into the seat in front of Gabriella. Right in the middle of his friends, half of which were mad at him.
" Uh, Toes, I don't think that..."
" Not all of us are holding a grudge. " Kelsi snorted. " There's no reason to sit someplace else. "
" But..."
" Yeah, right. Like we really want a stuck-up jerk sitting with us. " Chad scoffed. " Back me up here Zeke. "
" Actually, me and Troy are cool. " Zeke shrugged in apology.
" Since when?! " Jason smacked the cook on the shoulder.
" Yesterday after practice we hashed it out. "
Troy shot a grateful look to Zeke. The teen was being very tactful for once, and was avoiding the foot in mouth disease Jason and him shared.
" Dude, not cool. " Chad sat back in anger.
He slide down in his desk. Taylor and Jason were studying him like he was some kind of alien species, and he could just guess how Gabriella was reacting.
" Sorry Chad, you're out voted. " Martha grinned at the pouting teen.
" Taylor agrees with me. " Chad argued.
" Leave me out of this. " Taylor declared neutrality for the time being.
" Gabriella...? " Chad tried again.
" The verdicts out. " She whispered.
" J? Man? " Chad desperately turned to his last alliance.
Jason frowned. " I trust Kels judgement, if she says he's cool, then he's cool. "
" Traitors. " Chad huffed, but he remained in his seat.
Okay, so that was unexpected. He'd been prepared for an uproar at his presence. Maybe a tantrum or two. This was not it.
Unable to resist, he risked a glance at his ex-girlfriend. Brown eyes hopefully studied him. She was trying to see if he was back to his old self.
She was willing to reconcile.
He wanted that more than anything but he couldn't with her mom interfering.
She could take care of herself. She was on the fast track to numerous science degrees, there were promises of several high end jobs.
It wasn't like she would miss him. Yeah there'd be some grief for a short time, but later, when she'd gotten on with her life, she'd be fine.
Troy hated that. He hated that he had lost her. Just like he hated how everyone was conspiring to keep them apart.
How much more was he expected to take? People were making decisions for him, making him do things for their own reasons.
Sharpay, Maria Montez...
It simply wasn't fair to her, or him.
He tore his gaze away from her, and turned his full attention to Mrs. Darbus. A task made impossible when Gabriella laid a hand fully on his back. The warmth of her skin burned into his memory, making him burn for her.
No, not fair at all.
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The whitish green leather basketball arched through the air. His left arm tucked in so that his right arm took most of the strain.
Blue eyes watched desperately as it hit the rim of the hoop, spinning and then tumbling off.
Damn.
The scars on the left arm and shoulder limited it's range of movement. He hoped with enough time he'd recover some, if not all of his range.
Unfortunately, the scars went deep into the muscles and the doc had been quite blunt about his outlook.
" Hey, Wildcat. New ball? "
He was surprised to see Gabriella in his Super Secret Hideout. He'd never told anyone about it, not even her.
" It glows in the dark. " Troy eyed the inexpensive ball that Gabe was dribbling. " How did you find me? "
" Troy, your secret spot is the old gym. " She quipped. " It wasn't hard to figure out. "
" Oh. "
" Plus, your dad told me. " She admitted, tossing him the ball. " He seemed worried about you. "
Troy managed to turn the throw into a dribble in an effort to hide his problems. Though from the way she was acting, he doubted he was successful.
" I'm fine. "
"And the arm? " Gabriella poked at the arm cradled into his ribs. " What about your newest obsession? Since when does Troy Bolton read for fun? "
" With a focus on horror. " He added. " I'm a teenage boy."
" Of course, how silly of me. " She relaxed into his side, threading her left arm through his. " I missed you. "
" Me too. " He confessed, inhaling her scent. " I was going crazy without you. "
" Then talk to me. " She pleaded.
He was faced with a choice. He could tell her the partial truth. Tell her about his injuries, or he could lie, and risk setting off the detective in her.
" Gabe, my feelings for you haven't lessened. If anything they're more intense. "
" Me too." She beamed.
" Nothing is more important to me than you... " He wanted to tell her, he did, but her mother was always going to be there. " ..and I don't think our future is with each other.. "
" What about our plans? " Gabe loosened her hold slightly. " We were going to college together. "
" I've accepted a scholarship with Notre Dame. " He whispered.
" Europe? You? " She asked. " Troy, you said you wanted to go to a local school. You spent half the summer obsessed with getting a sports scholarships at UA. "
" I grew up. "
" What about your family? "
" They'll be here when I get back. "
" I don't understand. Martha said you were back to normal."
Troy meet her shimmering eyes hesitantly. She didn't want to believe that he was a jerk. He watched as she backed away from him with tears in her eyes. Horror spread through his chest making it hard to breath.
She finally let out a sob, spinning around and sprinting out of his Super Secret Hideout.
Troy sank to the floor. He'd done it. He'd driven her away from him. There would be no going back. Because as he'd learned recently.
There was no such thing as happily ever after.
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Troy was in between a rock and a hard place. Taylor had gone back to being mad at him. Then again so had everyone else.
Gabe had told the group what he'd said. It left a far darker anger than before. It also meant that Sharpay was taking notice.
The blond had been staying far away from him, but she was tempted, very tempted. Any possible guilt she had felt was fading. Leaving the dangerous manipulative diva to take over.
There was no way she'd try anything like this summer. A blessing in it's self. That didn't mean she couldn't attack verbally though.
She was the gossip queen. Someone capable of destroying reputations with a few carefully placed words.
For two weeks he'd watched her simmering and she was going to boil over if she didn't settle down.
It had started when Gabriella had gone to Taylor in tears. His refusing her had just made the situation intensify.
The strange thing was Ryan.
The dumb, but pleasant twin, had been shooting him disapproving looks. The hat addicted teen seemed to have taken his words to Gabe very badly.
It couldn't keep going like that. Ryan couldn't keep acting like that. Him and Kelsi was aware of the truth, and the twin was on the verge of telling.
He yelped as a manicured hand yanked him into an empty classroom.
" Son of a... "
" Sorry. " Ryan sheepishly apologized.
He used a nearby desk to regain his uneasy balance.
" Ryan!! " Kelsi sighed in exasperation, from her place behind him. " You said you'd ask him to join us, not ambush him. "
" That's a little hard to do when he's avoiding me. "
Troy perched on the teachers desk with an exhausted heave. It would appear he couldn't dodge them anymore.
" What's up, guys? "
" Gabriella. " Ryan answered sharply.
" Why did you tell her you were going to Notre Dame? " Kelsi gently asked.
" She wanted to get back together. " He mumbled.
" That's good, isn't it? " She frowned in confusion.
" Not if Mrs. Montez accepts a transfer just to keep us apart. "
" She wouldn't! " Ryan gaped.
" She paid me a visit in the hospital. " Troy confessed. " Said that if I didn't stay away that she'd move and take Gabe with her. "
" Why? You two love each other. It's a little sickening at times. " Kelsi weakly joked.
" Apparently crippled teachers have no future. " He shrugged.
" There has to more to it than that. " Ryan argued.
" Gabe gave up early acceptance. Mrs. Montez is scared that Gabe would give up all chance of Ivy League College. "
" Damn. " Ryan cursed, collapsing into a nearby seat. " This is my fault. "
" Ry? " He quizzed.
" I know what my sister's like, so why didn't I see what she was doing to you? "
" You're not her keeper. You couldn't have known about her plans. "
" She blackmailed you, and when it backfired, she tried to kill you!! " Ryan yelled. " How is it not my fault?! "
" Because if you'd known you would have stopped her. " Troy calmly stated. " I've made my peace with it. So should you. "
" He's right, Ryan. You have nothing to feel guilty about. " Kelsi backed him up.
" What are you going to do about Gabriella? " Ryan asked hoarsely.
" Nothing. " Troy deflated. " There's nothing else I can do. "
" To bad you can't marry her. " Kelsi commented idly. " Her mother wouldn't be able to do anything. "
" I've considered that. " Troy admitted sheepishly.
" So? "
" It wouldn't be fair to her. She's sacrificed so much already, how can I expect her to give up even more? " Troy asked.
" Isn't that her decision? " Ryan frowned.
" Right, I'll just go up to her, tell her that her mother's been meddling, and hey, why don't we elope. " He slurred with sarcasm. " She'll swoon from how romantic it is. "
" You have to do something. " Kelsi said.
" I am. " Troy stood up. " I'm staying away. "
He walked away from his two friends, secure in the knowledge that they wouldn't tell.
No one would believe them even if they did.
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Troy was quite pleased with himself. In the five weeks that he'd last seen Gabe, he'd managed to regain most of the range of motion in his shoulder.
His game was getting better, not to the level it had been, but better. The teen could almost make a complete golf swing.
A few more weeks and he'd be ready to play seriously again. Not in school, but there were other options.
He swung his locker door open.
An explosion of white hit him. He stepped back on reflex. The metal prosthetic shot out and he found himself pin wheeling.
A second wave of white appeared under his feet and suddenly he was air born. In the moment he had, he tried to twist his body, but it was too late.
Troy slammed into the hard ground. His left side skidded against the floor. The scarred areas and thigh taking the shock that followed.
Metallic snapping filled his ears. A silence droning out the laughter around him with the agony that blasted from his thigh.
' Gabe....? '
The teen had entrusted his locker combination to her. She'd sworn to keep it safe.
" Tro.... " Ryan called through the haze.
Something small rolled into his vision, settling in a spreading pool of blood.
A golf ball.
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" Guess who was suspended? " Ryan entered the hospital room.
" I'll give you three clues. " Kelsi picked up. " She's blond, wears pink, and masterminded the prank. "
" You're kidding. " Troy dropped his book.
" Nope, apparently my dear sister intended for you to be hurt. " Ryan collapsed into a chair. " She just chose to use our friends to carry out her scheme. "
" Coach Bolton said you banned Gabriella from visiting you. " Kelsi said.
Troy had gotten lucky. His friends had gotten him to the nurses office and the ambulance had taken him out the back. None of the students knew anything about his physical condition. Just that he was injured when he slipped.
When he woke, he'd found out that Gabe was in the waiting room wanting to apologize. In a fog of pain medication, he'd been scared that he would crumble so he'd had her banned from his room.
" Dad said he bought you a new leg. One that won't implode. "
" Yeah, he used Sharpay's convertible to pay for it. " Troy gleefully cackled.
" He sold Buffy!! " Ryan squeaked.
" Buffy? " Kelsi asked.
" It's better than what she named the yacht. "
Troy shook his head in amusement. Sharpay the diva had struck again. Cars named Buffy, and dogs with perms.
" But Buffy? " Kelsi repeated.
" The Coach mentioned you might not attend the rest of the year. " Ryan sobered.
" The prank reopened some of the deeper scars. " Troy sighed. " They had to put in stitches. "
" Will you graduate? " Kelsi questioned.
" Yeah, the Principal arranged for a sub to come in and keep me caught up. "
Troy sank back into the hospital bed. The pain killers were making him very drowsy. It was all he could do to keep his eyes open.
" Get some sleep. " Kelsi ordered. " We'll be here when you wake up. "
" Promise? " He murmured.
" Promise. "
He slide his eyes shut praying that when he woke it would be the start of summer. When life was simple, and real life wasn't part of his daily grind.
Just another waking nightmare to ignore.
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