Author's Note: Okay, so the answer is no I haven't fallen off the end of the earth, I swear. Life just became a whirlwind of change. A lot of new things happened, including a job, which took roughly a month to get used to the new schedule. So, I'm super sorry! Plus I hit writer's block. However, thank OCP for getting me out of it. Her story/sequel To Stumble­ knocked me out of it. So here it is, a long awaited chapter, which looks away isn't the final one. Yeah, I got inspired a lot by her story, and it made it longer. In fact I'm still working on the finale, making sure I do Ryan and Troy justice. It will not be that long though to get it out like this one did. I can promise you that. You'll get that within a week. Now b/c I took so long to update this, I didn't edit it as much as I did the others, so go easy on me.

And finally, I just want to say a heartfelt thank you to those who voted for my story in the HSM Slash Awards, my writings have never won anything, so to win in 2 categories floors me. So thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Without further adieu, bring on the chapter!

Chapter 7: All Acts On Stage

I was upset that Ryan didn't say anything as he escorted Riley to his car. I didn't even get a wave. Just a simple nod of his head when I noticed he was there. However, what kept me going was that I knew it was just an act. He tried so hard to hide it, being an actor it should have been easy, yet something gave away his true feelings. It was tiny, a small innocent look in his eyes, a hidden smile. Yet I couldn't get that small smile out of my mind. Knowing that my plan would lead to happily ever after for us all, had kept me in high spirits all weekend.

Getting anything done academically was next to impossible, considering my students had five days left cooped up inside with me for their only source of entertainment until vacation. I had pretty much scrapped any lesson plans that had no educational significance for their upcoming year. Instead we just reminisced about our year, finishing up any visual art projects that haven't been done.

Most of the girls were excited about the final assembly, especially because they knew someone in it. Riley was excited, but she was subtle about it. Just like her dad was in high school, always with a smile on their face but never actually saying anything about it.

The performance was this Wednesday during last period before everyone went home. All during the morning, Riley stayed as happily as she normally did, still with that beautiful smile displayed on her face, just like her dad. When lunch rolled around and the beginning of her performance loomed over her shoulders she became jittery. By the time the class joined the rest of the school in the auditorium, she was down right shaking. The drama teacher called all of the acts backstage as everyone was filing in, yet Riley didn't move. She was in her outfit; all decked out and ready to go, and looked absolutely terrified. I asked another teacher to watch my class, and then knelt in front of Riley.

"Riley, come with me." I said grabbing her hand and leading her outside in the hallway. "Honey, what's the matter?"

"I'm scared. I can't do it, what if I mess up in front of all those people?" she asked, worried. It was almost a déjà vu moment for me, Riley looking all vulnerable reminded me of Gabriella before our callback audition.

"You won't mess up Riley."

"How do you know?"

"It's simple. You've practiced forever; you could probably do it in your sleep." She rolled her eyes at me. I crouched down to look her in the eye. "Hey, look at me, right at me. You are going to be fine. Your just like your Dad, and Aunt, a natural performer, it's in your blood. You're an Evans through and through. Riley, I know you can do it!" She smiled at me, and then hugged me.

"I love you Mr. Bolton. I can do it, and I won't let you down."

"I love you too Riley." I stood up to my full height. "You'd better get backstage; Mrs. Kevins is waiting for you." She nodded her head then ran to find the drama teacher. I chuckled to myself. "I love you more than you know Riley." I mumbled to myself. I was about to walk back to my class when I heard someone clear their throat. I turned around to face two piercing blue eyes, I barely even noticed that Sharpay was behind him. I gulped. How much of that had he heard?

"Hey Troy."

"Hey Ryan, Sharpay, I'm glad you guys could make it! Do you want to grab a chair and sit with me?" I smiled a nervous smile, my plan going completely out the window.

"It's okay Troy, but I'm going to sit near the back." Ryan said, not giving Sharpay a chance to agree. I pursed my lips together and nodded then headed in and sat by my class.

The assembly was in full swing with singers and dancers and comedy acts, but I couldn't pay attention to it. I wanted to turn my head and just look at him, but I knew it would be too obvious if I did. I tried forcing myself to pay attention to the performers, to keep from staring at him, and I succeeded, but was lost in thought, until a certain brown haired cutie came on stage decked out in a pink dress and a jeweled covered microphone.

I focused all of my attention on her as the intro started; she seemed to be looking around for someone, more than likely her dad. She was looking more and more terrified. She raised her mike and opened her mouth but no sound came out. She had now missed her starting cue. She still kept looking for her dad; she smiled like she saw him, but still kept looking around. Finally she made eye contact with me, and looked visibly relaxed. She looked to the wings of the stage probably looking at Mrs. Kevins, and nodded her head. Her music stopped and started again. Throughout the entire song, she never broke eye contact with me. She didn't miss a note, a word, or dance step. It was perfect, just like her audition. The entire room erupted in applause when she was done. She bowed and even curtsied, then rushed off stage.

There were only two other acts left for the show, but I didn't pay any attention to them, I tired to be as subtle as I could and looked to see Ryan's beaming face as he talked to Sharpay, no doubt about how amazing his daughter was.

When all the acts came out for their bows I cheered incessantly for Riley along with my class. Once the final bow took place and the curtain was drawn the final bell rang and all the teachers dismissed their classes for the day. Let's just say my kids escaped faster than if there was a fire. I chuckled as I walked out of the theatre and into the hallway. A lot of the parents were standing by the backstage entrance waiting for their stars to come out and be congratulated, Ryan and Sharpay included. I was intent on walking right past them, not needing to be rejected twice in an hour, but two tiny arms wrapped around my waist stopped that plan in a fierce hug.

"Are you proud Mr. Bolton?" Riley's tiny voice asked.

"Of you, Riley? Always," I said loosening her grip on me and picking her up in a hug. I could see Ryan and Sharpay walking up to me.

"You were awesome Ry," Sharpay said patting her back. I had no intention of letting her go, keeping her balanced on my hip.

"Honey, you were brilliant!" Ryan praised.

"You're really proud of me Mr. Bolton? I was really nervous, and I didn't think I could do it, and you told me that I could, and that I was a natural and I didn't want to let you down and-" Riley said all in one breath completely ignoring her dads comment, uh-oh.

"Yes Riley. Breathe baby. I knew you could do it, and yes I'm really proud and yes, you are a natural." I said with a laugh, completely getting caught up in her and completely forgetting anyone around us. She hugged my neck again with that statement. A clearing of Ryan's throat brought us back to reality.

"Riley, honey go get your stuff because we're going out for a celebration dinner out to your favorite restaurant." Ryan said finally getting her attention, as she looked up from my shoulder at him, happily.

"Can Mr. Bolton come too?"

I could see Ryan's unease with that question, clearly not wanting me to intrude on his night with his daughter. "Actually Riley," I said before Ryan had a chance to say no. I put her down beside me before continuing. "I have a lot of paper work I need to get done, and your dad wants to take you out. Go with him, and don't worry about me."

"But, I want you to come! Please? I'll miss you if you don't go!" Riley said gripping my leg. She was making this really hard for me. Ryan too, I noticed as I stole a glance at him. "Honey, I'll miss you too, but you know what? I'll see you tomorrow in class okay? Now go with your aunt and dad, and be good for me like I know you will."

She reluctantly agreed, making me give her once last hug good-bye. I did so willingly, while looking at Sharpay who mouthed a silent 'thank-you' to me, and then to Ryan who was pretending to look busy with his cell phone. I let go of her and smiled.

"Okay, Ry, let's go sweetie." Ryan said holding out her hand for her. She smiled back at me before grabbing his hand and started walking towards the front door. Sharpay didn't follow them right away. Instead, she grabbed my hand to make sure I looked her right in the face.

"He's slipping Troy. He may not show it, but he is. He's realizing how much Riley depends on you and loves you. He's starting to see that you don't plan on leaving Riley if you have a choice about it, which means you won't leave him. No matter what excuse he uses, Riley or not, the real reason is because he's scared that you'll leave him. Give him some time, and just continue to do what you're doing, which is being your natural charming self, and he'll come around. For that I have no doubt." She smiled, kissed my cheek and walked out after them, without leaving me a chance to say anything.