Troy stood stunned on the spot, attempting with all his might to comprehend what Gabriella had just said while showing as little expression as possible. He knew if he acted at all excited, then Gabriella would know for sure, and he didn't know if he was ready for that.
"Oh…." Troy lightly laughed, in an almost joking tone "That's funny." He lightly laughed again.
Gabriella joined in on his almost suppressed chuckling and left the practice room, hurrying back to Taylor and Martha.
The door closed, and a huge smile crept across his face. He could not have been happier.
He left the practice room and went to get his music. Once he had it, he began to read through his lines, only half paying attention due to his excitement at this thrilling news. After a few hours at practice, Troy went to leave.
On his way out, he ran into Zeke.
"Hey, Troy! What's up man?"
"Oh, not much Zeke, just really glad it's Friday!" Troy responded, giving the blandest answer he could think of.
"Boy do I know it!" Zeke said, "Oh, by the way, according to Sharpay, Ryan likes you."
There was an awkward pause.
"Oh really?" Troy replied.
"Yeah, she's been telling me a lot lately, like, just in general. So, uh…how do you feel about that?" Zeke asked.
"What do you mean?" Troy asked, his eyes giving a fake look of pondering.
"I mean, you know…. is that weird? I mean, if you're into it, that's okay, I just didn't know…"
"Oh, well…" Troy paused; Zeke was ready to accept it if he did like Ryan, now was the time to tell someone, "actually, yeah. I do."
Zeke gave a light grin and patted Troy on the back, "Cool, that's alright man, no worries."
"Really?" Troy questioned.
"Yeah, totally. Do whatever makes you happy, man. Good for you being true to you!" Zeke finished as he exited through the front doors.
Troy stood there for a moment, in awe of the fact that he had told one of his good friends, and nothing bad at all had happened! Troy went home that night and slept in excited bliss, awaiting what would for sure be an amazing Saturday night.
~ THE NEXT DAY~
Troy awoke to warm feeling of the sun shining through his bedroom window on that fine Saturday morning. He smiled to himself; he knew it was going to be a good day. He slowly got up and went downstairs to find something to eat.
The day went by in a slow but excited manner, as Troy's excitement grew for the show.
He got in his car and left at 6:15, as the show was at 7. He would certainly have no problem getting a ticket in time. It took him about 20 minutes to get to Northside High School, where he parked in the very full parking lot.
He entered the school doors, and was shocked to see a very packed lobby, with a line for tickets circling the entire room. He did not see Ryan, he must have already gotten his tickets and sat down.
Damn, Troy thought, Now there's no way me and Ryan are gonna sit together!
"Troy!"
Troy looked over to see Taylor and Martha calling to him. All right, at least there are some people I know! Troy ran over to them in line.
"I'm glad I found you guys! I didn't know you'd be here!" Troy said to the two girls.
"Yeah, well we found out there was a show tonight, and figured why not?" Taylor replied.
Troy peered his head above the crowd, looking for Ryan.
"What're you doing?" Taylor asked.
"Oh, nothing," Troy said, leveling his head, "Just looking for someone."
"Ryan?" Taylor said, her eyes moving in an almost seductive manner.
Troy gave her a look of astonished confusion, "Yes…"
All three bought their tickets next to each other, and got to their seats. Their tickets were balcony seats. Martha was furthest to the right, then Taylor, and then Troy. There was an empty seat to Troy's left, which he eyed periodically.
The orchestra began to play, and thus started Troy's uneventful first act of "Le Miserables." He hoped he would find more enjoyment in the second act.
He had no idea.