Ok Chapter four is up. Chapter five will be up soon I finally finished it. This chapter isn't that long
they will be longer soon, things are about to get really bad. R&R Please!!!

"Places everyone!" Mrs. Darbus announced.

Troy stood centre stage next to Gabriella. She looked to him and proceeded to grab his hand. For the first time since the beginning of the school year Troy was happy. He could just forget his problems and be someone else and get wrapped up in a song.

"Okay everybody let's start with the duet from the first act!" Kelsi almost fell off the bench from excitement.

As the song began Troy just felt all the pain rush away. Everything just felt so right. During the number he had looked over and noticed Ryan smiling, the sight of that was the cherry on top of a perfect moment.

As soon as the pain went, it all came rushing back when his father walked in, interrupting the song. He insisted that he talk to Troy.

"I have nothing to say to you." Troy turned and walked towards the piano.

"You may have nothing to say, but I do. Let's talk." he motioned for Troy to follow. Troy followed behind him out into the lobby. They stood in silence then Troy spoke.

"Look, if you're not going to talk, I have a musical to do."

"Troy, I understand things have been hard lately. But you have to understand my decision." Troy just stared at his father. Understand, what is there to understand about his decision? He's treated Troy like shit.

"You've got to be kidding me. You kicked me off the team. My team! There is no understanding any of it." Troy turned and started walking towards the stage.

"Troy, the guys felt uncomfortable. I had to."

"No, you felt uncomfortable. You didn't have to do it. You didn't like the fact that your son is gay. You didn't want the bad rep, so you just decided to tuck me away so the world wouldn't see. Does that sound about right?" Troy glared at his dad. Hating every fibre of his being. Troy turned around and began walking back to the stage. His father was lost for words. So he said one last thing.

"Your mother is leaving me." Troy turned and stared at him.

"Good." Troy said hatefully and continued walking.

Ryan looked up the aisle towards Troy and his dad.

"What do you think they're talking about?" Ryan turned towards Sharpay and waited for an answer.

"They're probably singing and dancing and making the world a better place. Who cares?" Sharpay rolled her eyes, when she noticed her brother's expression. She sighed.

"I don't know. Troy is probably cussing out his dad over the whole being booted from the team."

"I hope he doesn't upset Troy." Ryan stood up as Troy headed back towards the stage. Ryan noticed he had been crying. Troy stopped when he came to Ryan.

"Look Ryan I'm not in the mood to hear about whatever it is you have to say." Troy just stared Ryan when he didn't respond. All of a sudden Ryan hugged Troy.

Ryan hadn't realized what he had done until he did it. But it was okay. I mean friends hugged, they consolled each other. Everything would be okay as long as Ryan kept telling himself that.

Ryan pulled away from Troy slowly. He looked at Troy and smiled.

"I'm gonna guess that this means you'll accept the friend offer?" Troy asked hoping the hug meant yes.

"Yeah I guess so. After everything that happened I feel bad for you. I mean we could be friends." Before Ryan could completely finish his thought he was interrupted by the new guy running in, very late.

"Derek Sherouse, you're late!" Mrs. Darbus yelled over the talking students.

"Sorry, I got lost." He looked a little embarrassed by his statement. A few students tried to hide their laughter.

"Well, it's time for your audition. On stage please." Derek headed toward the stage to do his audition.
Troy and Ryan sat down to watch. As he began singing they all watched in awe.

"He's good." Gabriella whispered to Ryan, Troy, and Sharpay.

"Ugh. I mean Troy sings better than that." Sharpay rolled her eyes.

"Thanks, I guess." Troy wasn't quite sure if it was a compliment or an insult. Troy looked to Ryan and smiled. Things actually seemed to be looking up for Troy, and this new guy Derek is hot and gay. Maybe Troy would take the time and get to know him.

After the auditions Troy met up with Jason and they both went to Troy's house. As soon as they arrived home they both heard screaming from inside.

"He's our son. How could you hate him? And kicking him off the team! If I would have known this, I would have divorced you years ago, now get the hell out of my house!" As soon as the screaming finished, Troy saw his dad exit the front door. He stopped walking when he saw Troy.

"This is all your fault!" He said hatefully to Troy. Troy just starred at his father not wanting to provoke him. His father got in his car and proceeded to speed off down the road.

Troy and Jason entered the house silently. His mom was sitting with a cup of coffee at the kitchen table. She looked up when she heard the boys enter.

Troy figured his mom had been crying, but she hadn't. Her makeup was perfectly intact. And her eyes didn't show signs of any redness.

"Please, come sit Troy." Troy noticed for Jason to follow him, they both sat down at the table.

"Dad told me about the divorce." Troy began kind of scared of what his mother would say.

"Yes, it was my only chance. The way he's been acting towards you is unacceptable. I wouldn't put up with it. I could care less if you were gay. God if you wanted a sex change, I wouldn't care," both Troy and Jason smiled about the sex change, "you are my son. I will always love you. Your father be damned."

Troy at this point was on the verge of tears. Everything his mother had said made him so happy. Things really were getting better.

"I went to the school board and tried to get them to let you back on the team. Apparently your father lied and said you have been harassing the other boys, causing them to become uncomfortable. I'm sorry." She stood up from the table and placed her cup in the sink. Troy stood and followed her to the sink.

"Mom, it's okay. Basketball doesn't seem so important any more. In the last two weeks I've learned what is important to me. But thank you for doing it. I love you mom."

He pulled her into a very warm hug. It felt so nice to be in his mom's arms, almost like it was when he was a little kid. His mom's hugs could cure any problem then, and it seemed to be the same now.

The phone rang causing them to pull away from each other.

"Way to ruin a moment." Jason smiled. Troy punched him in the arm and laughed.

"Um Troy sweetie. Phone call, someone named Derek."