"What happened, son?", Troy's father asked him. "You don't usually miss or come late for practice like this. The team already got extra efforts from you, but you gotta keep it up, you never know when you'll lose them."
"I'm really sorry, dad. And to my teammates. It really came out of my head, that we had a scheduled practice, that's all.", Troy smirked.
"Well, I could accept that, since you have memory gap. But always remember to go to the gym after classes, alright, team captain and MVP?", his dad smiled.
"Of course, yeah. I... won't forget this time. And thanks for forgiving me, I'll do my best to win the big game.", Troy smiled, too.
"Know what, son? You have already made me and your mom so proud that we could almost celebrate everyday and sleep with a big smile on our faces. Thanks for that, son. I knew I could count on you.", said his dad.
"Dad, I thought you were mad at me. I really deserved not getting attention from you.", Troy said.
"Nah, son. Maybe 'cause of exhaustion and pressure. I've been pushing myself hard this time. But don't worry, I'll keep up with all of you, especially since the game's already days ahead.", Coach said. "Like I've said, you gotta keep it up. Your mother's always worried about you, Troy. But she gets over it soon. We never thought that you'd be a most valuable player, back then."
"Dad, what was I like in childhood?", Troy asked.
"Childhood? Well, you were a smart kid, full of Whiz, and brains...", his father smiled.
"No, what I meant was, how do I'd look like?", Troy bulged in.
"I believe my son looked charming... Very handsome...", said his father, laughing.
"Dad!!! This is so serious, yet you manage to laugh at me and kid around!!!", yelled Troy.
"Woah!", his father was surprised. "Okay, kiddo. Woops, I mean, champ... You're no longer a kiddo, right? Well, to tell you the truth, here's a picture to get you memories refreshed. Just think this could help you out a bit, in case you could."
His father showed him a picture which he hid for a long time. It showed him a boy, who looked like a 1st grader, in his shorts, and polo shirt. He had huge eyeglasses and really looked nothing but dorky.
"Who's this?", Troy laughed.
"Well, looks like you really forgot and have no idea, huh?", his dad said.
"No, really. Who's that dude in some baggy shorts and bulky bag?", Troy was still laughing.
"I believe it's someone named Troy Bolton...", his father popped out.
"Huh??? Wha---??!!! B-B-B-B-ut...", Troy was shocked. Super extra speechless. After a few minutes, he muttered, "Seriously?!!!"
"Do I look like I'm kidding?", his father looked him in the eye.
"Dad, I can't possibly look like that! I'm nothing like that kid! Right?", Troy was curious.
"That's where you're wrong, son. This is really you. That is, this was really you...", said Troy's dad, putting accent on the word was.
Troy was speechless, he didn't answer his father. Suddenly, he remembered the kid on Gabriella's picture. It flashed on his mind, until he finally remembered everything.
"Look, son. I understand, you have a memory gap, so it's fine.", his dad said.
"Dad, you remember my childhood friends, right?", Troy asked.
"I wasn't really fond of your friends back then, 'cause I never knew them.", answered his dad. "Maybe your mom knows..."
"Right!", Troy got up to his bed and ran to look for his mom who was in the kitchen whipping up some delish treats for them.
"Mom, can you tell me about my childhood friends?", Troy asked hurriedly.
"Oh, dear. I'm sorry, I've already forgotten about those kids.", said his mom.
"Oh, man!!! I can't remember those... Not with a memory like this...", said Troy, looking really down.
"Why'd you ask? Is there a problem, huh?", asked his mom, looking worried.
"Uhm, no, it's just... Me...", Troy knew he couldn't tell anyone yet, unless his instincts were right.
Later, he went to bed. Hoping for more answers.
But he knew that all the answers rely on him, and it was up to him to find all of it. To end his misery and confusion. He just had to find all the missing pieces.
