Disclaimer: I don't own Disney, High School Musical or the Characters.

Still Troy's POV

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I didn't really know what to make of my current predicament. I never had feelings like this for a man before, well that's not completely true. When I was three I told my mother that I wanted to marry Chris Mullin from the Golden State Warriors Basketball team but something told me that that didn't really count. Now though…I couldn't really take my eyes off of Ryan as we sat on the stage, talking and waiting for the director to arrive. Other people mingled around us, supporting actors, stage crew, musicians but Ryan, no, my conversation with Ryan, held my complete attention.

"I thought you wanted to be a choreographer. " I said to him, the two of us sitting on the edge of the stage, our legs dangling over the edge. It wasn't as big as Broadway theaters but it was still definitely the biggest theater I had ever performed in.

"I still do but this role just seemed to call my name. I couldn't help but audition, never really thought I'd get the part but when I got one call back and then another I couldn't help but be more excited than I have in a long time." Ryan smiled and I couldn't help but smile back.

"I know what you mean, sort of. My manager and I were looking at a lot of potential parts but this one just seemed perfect."

"Hm, wonder why." Ryan laughed, bumping his shoulder against mine amused.

"Hey, do what you know. That's what people say right?" I smiled back at him.

The play were doing was called The Sunless Garden and was about two life long best friends Adam and Jack who both are trying to make their way through college. Adam, who I was playing, had been a high school jock, a star football player. When he goes to college he has to adjust from being the MVP to being the new rooky. Meanwhile Jack, Ryan's character, is facing his own problems. Having lived his entire life in the closet, college and an overly persistent admirer is forcing him to come to terms with the fact that he's not only gay but in love with his very straight best friend.

Ryan smiled "That's one of the reasons I liked this role so much. It reminded me a bit of what I went through in college."

I felt my face grow hot "So…you're…um, gay?" I asked, feeling more awkward than I had in a while.

Ryan though just laughed, "Don't act like you're surprised. I know about the rumors that went around about me while we were in high school."

"I tried not to listen to rumors." I shrugged and while that was true, the gossip concerning Ryan's sexuality had been particularly persistent over the years.

"Sure you didn't." Ryan said amused "But yes, to answer your question, I'm very gay. I never said anything back then because, well, before your famous musical we were all so stuck in our particular roles and mind sets. I didn't have the same courage you did to change the status quo."

"Courage didn't have anything to do with it." I shook my head "I never planned any of it. Things just…happened; honestly I only ever did all that because I wanted to impress Gabriella. Courage wasn't a factor, teenage hormones on the other hand…"

"Well, whatever your motives were, what you did was very brave." Ryan said and my heart did a little flip. For a moment I was frustrated, I couldn't understand why, all of a sudden, I was reacting this way to Ryan of all people. "Oh, that reminds me!" Ryan started to talk again "I feel so bad that I didn't ask this sooner! How is Gabriella doing? Is she going to come to rehearsals sometimes, I'd love to see her again."

"Gabi and I aren't together anymore." I said slowly. Even now it was still a hard thing for me to think about. She was my first real love, I had changed the course of my life to go to a college closer to her and in the end we didn't even end up together.

"Oh, I'm so sorry. I just assumed…" Ryan said embarrassed, his cheeks blushing an attractive shade of pink.

"It's okay, I get it. Everyone thought Gabriella and I were the couple that were going to make it."

"I'm really really sorry I brought it up."

"It's okay Ryan. It's been over a year already. I'm over it, really." I said even though that wasn't completely true. I still missed Gabriella everyday but Ryan was so ashamed and embarrassed about what he said that I felt a need to reassure him and make him smile again. "But what about you? Surely you must have a hunk of man of your own." I said then mentally kicked myself. I couldn't believe that I actually said 'hunk of man' but it had worked, Ryan started to laugh.

"Yeah, I'm seeing someone right now. It's not serious but it's definitely something." Ryan smiled and I felt my heart sink.

This is getting ridiculous. I thought to myself. I'm straight. I've always been straight. And Ryan has someone already anyways. What am I thinking? Stupid brain.

"That's great. Is he going to be coming to rehearsals sometime?" I asked

"I hope so. He's a chef so his schedule is really packed but I'd really like you to meet him."

"Yeah, that'd be nice. He must really be something if he can catch your eye."

"He's great." Ryan sighed, for a moment seeming lost in a dream but before either of us could say anything else the door to the theater opened and a stout older woman ran in.

"I am sorry I'm late everyone. Damned New York drivers don't know brakes from bovines." She let out an aggravated laugh. And took off her fluffy bright yellow jacket made of fake feathers.

"Oh my god…she looks like Big Bird." I whispered to Ryan who elbowed me in the side.

"Be professional." He whispered back but was obviously trying not to laugh. "Didn't you audition with her anyways?"

"No, when I auditioned it was for a man." I said back.

"Must have been her husband. Wren and Oliver Lennox are two of the most renown directors off Broadway." Ryan informed me.

"Now I feel bad."

"Good." Ryan said in mock seriousness but his smile gave him away and he shook his head fondly. "You still are such a jock." He laughed and I did too, I couldn't help it. His laugh was contagious.

"Well I'm glad to see my stars are getting to know each other." Wren Lennox walked up the stairs unto the stage. "But for now follow me, I want us all to get to know each other. We are a team now after all." She smiled and I stood up, offering Ryan my hand, which he took.

Just like before I was completely absorbed by the feeling of his hand in mine. Even though this lasted only a moment I couldn't help but catalog how it felt. His hand was smaller than mine, softer too but stronger than Gabriella's had been. He gripped my fingers with a strength that surprised me as he hoisted himself up. His fingers were so hot but not sweaty at all, they just radiated warmth much like Ryan's entire personality.

When I let go of his hand it felt like it happened much to soon. My heart was pounding in my chest and I knew then that I was feeling something that I hadn't felt since my winter break during my junior year in high school. I was feeling a new beginning; something exciting and unknown but this…this was much scarier than the beginnings of a social reform within my small high school. This was far worse; this was breaking my own barriers within myself and within my heart.

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God I know that was the corniest ending ever for a chapter! But we're just getting started after all; ya gotta have some cliché emotional challenges before we get to the real fun.

Please Review and tell me what you think!

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Next Chapter: Rehearsals get underway and Troy meets Ryan's beau.