With two weeks remaining until they opened up show everyone was stressed and freaking out. Nobody really seemed to notice when Troy and Kelsi were always leaving rehearsals together and spending nearly every waking moment together. Well almost everyone, Gabi had noticed it but was either too mad to say anything or didn't want anyone to pity her.

But Chad had also taken notice, being about the only one not in the play he could see it all unraveling beneath their noses. Even from his spot on the court he could see it right now, he took the moment before the play started to scan the crowd and he found Troy and Kelsi sitting together like they had the last few home games they came to cheer him and the other guys on.

Troy pulled her close to his side and left his hand rest on her hip and she rested their linked hands on their legs. She was laughing at something stupid Troy had probably made a joke about and he was looking at her like she was ice cream and him the spoon. Change was never anything that Chad took to very quickly but when he saw how happy Troy was he was willing to accept it and go with the flow. He was brought back to the game as the whistle blew and the ball was passed to him.

After the game there was supposed to be some party to celebrate the win that would bring the Wildcats to the championship game once again, Troy and Kelsi planned on going for a while. When they got there they were bombarded with greetings and people wanting to talk about the upcoming opening night. For some time they entertained them all and laughed and smiled, but Troy was quickly becoming tired with the amount of people and he turned to Kelsi, "You wanna head out or are you having fun and want to stay?"

She looked up at him through her long eyelashes, "We can head out, just let me find Martha and ask her if she still wants to practice tomorrow." He nodded and watched as she weaved her way through the crowd to find the leading lady. When he turned back to the drink he had in his hand he felt a presence fill the space before him, glancing over he was face to face with a smiling Chad. "Hey man! Great game!"

"Thanks, makes you miss it doesn't it?" Chad clapped him on the back and teased him. He missed having his co-captain at his side this year but knew that theatre was important to Troy so he supported him. "So when do you guys plan on taking away the façade?"

Drink was nearly spat out across the table as Troy choked and looked to his best friend with wide eyes, "What do you mean?"

Rolling eyes greeted Troy's blue ones, "I mean you and Kelsi, I mean I am sure others have noticed but you guys act like nobody can see you in your own little world." He watched as Troy managed to search for the right words to describe the situation but Chad cut him off. "Nobody is going to shun you guys, I know you may think we are all less than spectacular people, and we have been in the last couple of years, but we won't judge."

He knew he had been hard on Chad in the last year or so, but Chad had never been the best friend either. But to hear him speak the words that he was and show that he had changed for the better helped Troy put his faith back in the people he surrounded himself with outside of Kelsi and his family. "Thanks man."

Laughter filled the dry air, "No worries, we all love Kels anyways. She is good for you, don't get me wrong I still like Gabriella but she never brought out the Bolton smile like Kelsi has these last few weeks."

Just thinking about Kelsi set a fire inside Troy and he couldn't fight the instinctual grin that appeared on his features. "Yeah, something just kinda sparked one night."

Their conversation was cut short as Kelsi pushed her way to Troy's empty side and looped her arm in his, "Alright talked to Martha and am ready to go when you are. Hi Chad, good game!"

"Thanks Kels, I hear the spring musical is coming along really great." Chad acknowledge her with a wide smile, he liked the way she looked beside Troy.

Nodding Kelsi spoke right away, "Oh so great, everyone is doing awesome with their characters and it is just going to be amaizing."

Troy laughed at her excitement, she had been busting her ass helping everyone and Darbus and he was glad that she wasn't tiring of it yet. Squeezing her hand he got her attention, "You ready then?" She nodded and he turned to Chad, "We are gonna head out, talk to you later man. Wanna shoot hoops tomorrow afternoon?"

Chad extended his hand for a shake, "For sure, give me a call. Later guys." He waved at them as they exited through the back and towards Troy's pick up.

When they reached Troy's house he led her to the backyard and up to his tree house, they sat against the frame of the house and gazed at the stars. She nestled herself between his legs and rested her back against his chest, "You ready for the next two weeks to end and the opening night to be here?"

Taking a deep breath he inhaled the sweet scent of lilacs in her hair, "Yeah, I guess I am nervous and stuff but at this point I feel prepared enough to get out there and give it my best shot." He took a moment to kiss the side of her head, "I mean I was prepped by the best."

She dug her elbow in his side, "Cheese ball." Silence fell over them and she loved that they could sit and not have to constantly talk. "I guess it is the combination of the show, prom, and graduation that is kind of suffocating if I think about it."

Prom. It was a subject they had not yet discussed and when she said it she realized what it implied and she felt horrible. Troy picked up on it, but knew that she would never be the girl to hint that he needs to ask her, even if he totally had been planning to ask her tomorrow night. Just keeping silent he nodded his head and rubbed his thumb over her knuckles. "I know, it is a lot to take in."

A deep sigh was released when he didn't mention her slip up, it was the last thing she wanted was to pressure him. The last three or so weeks had been amazing and she loved every moment spent with him but she hated expectations. She was about to change the subject when his voice filled the air.

"So what color of dress were you thinking of?"

Turning in his arms she gave him a confused and puzzled look, "What?"

His grin burst out, "What color dress are you thinking of for your prom dress? I mean I should match you somewhat."

Breath caught in her throat, "Troy. You aren't asking because you feel pressured right?"

The worry in her eyes scared him, he hated making her feel anything but happy. "I would never Kel-bell" He had picked up using the family nickname, and she hated him slightly for it. "I actually had this whole thing planned out for tomorrow night. I was going to ask to work on some vocals and be 'late' to meet you in the music room but leave some flowers and blank sheet music on the piano. In the title area it would have read 'Of all the fish in the sea; prom with me?'"

Before he finished she had already felt the wetness gloss her eyes over and she cursed herself for it. "Oh my gosh Troy, that is amazing. You're too much sometimes you know that!" She swatted his arm and leaned in to kiss his lips quickly.

He smiled, "I take that as a yes then?"

"No, Jason already asked me but thanks anyway." She sighed against his chest and snuggled against him as she let out her giggles.

Glaring down at her he caught the sarcasm in her eyes before she let out the giggle, he began to tickle her until she cried for mercy. "Very funny."

She grinned up at him, "I thought so." The words were literally needed for him to know it was yes, she had said it with her eyes long before he asked for confirmation. Kelsi snuggled back against him and set her gaze to the clear skies of New Mexico once again. "Orange."

The single word snuck into their mute conversation and he laughed, "Orange it is."