A/N:Hey guys, here is the next chapter. Chapter 6 (woot woot!) This is dedicated to my reviewers: Thank you so much for reviewing!

Disclaimer: I do not own anything but the plot! Enjoy!

Troy's POV

I woke up the next day, feeling groggy and still tired. I looked at the clock on my bedside table. I groaned. It was 3:28 pm. I had slept for longer than twelve hours. I got up and had a quick shower, then changed into a pair of hogging bottoms and a basketball vest. I ran down the stairs – two steps at a time and headed for the kitchen. I dropped two pieces of bread into the toaster and got out a carton of milk from the fridge. I opened it and started to drink from the carton. I didn't notice someone come in.

"Troy . . . how many times? Don't drink straight from the carton!" Mom moaned.

I started to choke. Mom came and patted my back. When I recovered, I spoke, "Sorry Mom, I didn't see you there! Besides, me drinking from the carton is just a normal, guy habit!"

"Tell me about it! I had to put up with it from your father and your brothers! I just thought yours and Chad's generation would have evolved a little, if you get what I mean?" Mom said as I chuckled. "So, how was your party last night?"

"Great!" I said, "When did you come back and where's Dad?"

"Oh, well, we came back at around 4 o'clock this morning; you were crashed out so we didn't disturb you. Jack went to drop Natalie at the cinema." She answered my questions.

"Were you out?" Mom asked. She turned and noticed the working toaster. "Actually, don't answer that."

"Um . . . I only woke up." I told her sheepishly.

"Honestly, Troy! It's either basketball, eating or sleeping with you, isn't it? I guess you're off to Chad's?"

I got up to hug her, "You know me so well Mom!" I kissed her cheek.

In the end Mom made me a proper meal and I left for Chad's house.

I slowed my truck outside the Danforth's driveway.

I went and rang the doorbell. The door opened to show Gabriella standing behind it. Oh crap! I forgot about her living in Chad's house. I'll have to remember that the next time.

Seeing my confused look, Gabriella smiled, "Hi."

"Hi Gabriella!"

"You forgot I lived here didn't you?"

She read my mind! All I could do was nod shamefully. Gabriella just laughed, stepped aside and gestured for me to go in.

As she closed the door behind me, she looked up towards the staircase and shouted, "CHAD! TROY'S HERE!" Wow! For a petite girl, she could shout!

Gabriella looked at me and said, "Sorry, Chad's still asleep. He kinda crashed as soon as we cam home!"

I laughed, "That's alright, I just woke up as well." I confided.

She giggled. When she stopped, she must have realized that we were still standing in the hallway so she told me to follow her into the main room.

Her Mom and Daniel (I'd long since given up on calling him Mr. Danforth.) cuddled up on the couch. "Hello, Troy!" Brie's Mom said.

"Hi, Mrs. Danforth," I said. She gave me a stern look. "Erm . . . Maria."

She smiled, "That's better."

Daniel chuckled, "Hey Troy. How are you doing?"

"I'm alright Daniel. You?"

"Fine, fine. Never been better actually!" He said to me and turned to face Mrs. Danforth. "It took a while for him to call me by my first name too. So, good luck, Maria!"

"Sit down Troy." Mrs. Danforth said.

I sat on one of the black sofas that were side by side. While Gabriella hovered in the doorway. Daniel and Mrs. Danforth were watching the news.

"How was the party last night?" Mrs. Danforth asked me, conversationally.

"Great. Mrs. . . I mean Maria!" I replied, risking a wink at Gabriella who stifled a giggle.

Then, it sounded like a big commotion coming down the stairs as Chad ran in.

"Hey Mom, Dad, Gabi!" Chad said. Nodding at each of them in turn. Then, he spotted me, "Yo, Troy, you ready to go?"

"For God's sake Chad eat something first will you?" Mrs. Danforth said, getting up (most probably going to the kitchen).

Chad just rolled his eyes and said, "Yeah, okay." As she left; he collapsed on the sofa adjacent to me.

"Gabi sit down!" Daniel said, as he pushed a cushion aside to make room for her.

"Oh yeah, Gabster, Sharpay called and asked for your number. I gave it to her, that alright?" Chad asked Gabriella.

She nodded in reply, "What did she want?"

"Oh, she wanted to go shopping or something with you." He replied.

Chad asked me, "When's Coach Bolton coming back?" He promised us some one-to-one practice this fall, right?"

I responded with, "Yeah, he's back. I'm sure he won't mind doing it tomorrow."

"How is Jack these days? I haven't seen him around much these days because work is so busy now." Daniel asked me.

I glanced at Gabriella yet again; she seemed to be really bored as she was flicking through the channels.

"He's fine, worrying about the championships however, but fine."

"Good, good" was all Daniel said.

Chad meanwhile had found a tiny basketball in the side pockets of the sofa. He was bouncing it back and forth. "Troy, catch!" He said, passing it to me. Basketball came very easily to the both of us. It was a part of us. We could never even think about living without it, if you get where I'm coming from. I caught the ball with ease, before bouncing it once and passing it back to Chad. There and then, a game has started. Our long practices at passing and catching obviously pays off!

After a while, Gabriella turned to us with a mystified expression.

Daniel also caught the look and chuckled, "Don't take and notice of these two Gabi! Put these two into a gym with a couple of basketballs and lock 'em in, and it'll be a dream come true for them."

"Hey! I do have a life you know Dad!" Chad shouted.

Daniel got up to leave the room. Just before the door closed, he turned and went, "Do you?" with a sly grin playing on his lips. He closed the door swiftly and wisely only to have Chad chuck the miniature basketball to where Daniel had been less than a second ago. The ball rebounded and hit Chad squarely in the face. I tried to keep a straight face but Gabriella laughing out loud made me want to burst out laughing.

Gabriella smirked, "Nice one Chad!"

Chad got up and – this caught me off guard completely – started to tickle Gabriella. She squealed. It was my turn to be amused.

"Oh no you didn't, Gabster!" Chad warned Gabriella as she tried to move away. Soon after, Gabriella's squeals of laughter died down as she panted, drawing in some air. Chad finally let her go.

I watched on, seeing Chad and Gabriella play fight like a couple of two year olds! I felt a pang in my stomach. Gabriella looked over and saw me staring.

"Stop, Chad! We're making Troy scared!" The three of us started laughing.

Mrs. Danforth called for Chad. When he left, Gabriella and I just stared at each other pointlessly, until I got to a stage when we both started laughing.

"So, what do you –" I got interrupted by the sudden burst of I Hate This Part by the Pussycat Dolls. Gabriella pulled her phone out. I realized it was her ring tone.

"Excuse me," She told me politely while glancing at the caller ID with a puzzled expression.

A/N: So, what do you think? Please review and tell me! Thank you! xx