Thanks to everyone who has reviewed. I was going to wait to post this tomorrow but I enjoyed writing this chapter a lot and I wanted to post it straight away :) Next update will hopefully be tomorrow depending on if i finish my science coursework and if i get any more english assignemnts :( If not then one will deffo be up for Tuesday because I always have to make time for writing something every day.
Ryan sat on the sofa with Troy whose parents were sat on the two seater opposite them, the television was on in the background but the four were too busy speaking to notice what was going on. "So, Troy says he's been helping you with your maths," Troy's mum smiled.
"Yeah, he's a god send. He makes maths look really easy," Ryan smiled. Troy tried not to blush at the compliment that Ryan had given him.
"I must say I'm pleased that you two have become friends," His mum continued. "Troy's like a different person when he talks about you." Troy couldn't help but blush again. Ryan was at a loss of what to say and smiled sweetly at Troy's parents.
"Ryan are you sure you don't want something to eat?" Mr Bolton asked as he headed to the kitchen, "I'm ordering pizza." Troy shot his dad a look. "I can order you a small plain cheese one if you'd like, Troy mentioned you're a really fussy eater."
"Thanks, that's really kind of you." Ryan smiled.
"So small cheese pizza no toppings?"
"That sounds really nice," Ryan smiled. Mr Bolton nodded and he and his wife headed towards the kitchen.
"You don't have to, I mean..."
"It's fine." Ryan grinned. "I'm not feeling as nervous now."
"Good." Troy grinned. "I think they like you."
"Why wouldn't they?" Ryan laughed. "How's your hand?" Troy stared at his hand, he still couldn't believe that only an hour ago he had punched someone in Ryan's honour. He could still feel the ghostly touch of Ryan's hand on his making sure it was okay.
"It's not as bad as it was." Troy smiled. "Thanks."
"No worries," Ryan smiled sheepishly, "I should probably be thanking you. I mean you didn't have to do that,"
"Yeah I did." Troy insisted. "Come on, let's go upstairs."
"To your bedroom?" Ryan laughed with a raised eyebrow.
"What's wrong with that?" Troy smirked.
"Just never thought that I'd step foot in your bedroom," Ryan said as he followed Troy up the stairs. Troy opened the door and Ryan took a look around, not even trying to hide the fact that he was being nosy.
"Was it what you expected?"
"And you're saying that as though you think I've been imagining your bedroom," Ryan smiled. Troy blushed furiously, after all thinking about it now he had thought about Ryan's bedroom before. "It's nice." Ryan laughed as he sat on Troy's bed. "And this I take it is where all the magic happens."
"By magic you mean me sitting on my bed doing homework, then yes." Troy smirked and sat down next to him. Ryan looked at Troy and smiled, they both laid back on the bed which was only just bigger then a single and they were extremely snug.
"So, have you spoken to Gabriella since she left. You must really miss her." Ryan commented as he looked at the photo of the two of them which was placed on Troy's bedside table.
"I... haven't really thought about her." It felt weird admitting that. Ryan looked at him silently encouraging him to explain. "I mean, I've been busy." Ryan just smirked knowingly. "I... I don't know what's going on in my head."
"What do you mean?" Ryan asked curiously.
"I should be thinking about Gabriella, she's been gone for four days now and she's phoned me, but I haven't phoned her back."
"Why not?" Ryan asked casually.
"You know when I phoned you last night," Troy sighed, this was it he was on his way to telling Ryan everything.
"When you woke me up, yes." Ryan smiled, "I remember..."
"I was supposed to phone her back." Troy sighed. "But instead of dialling her number, I called you. I didn't even think about it was just an instinct to phone you. I wanted to talk to you, not her." Ryan looked a little lost and Troy used this to his advantage. "I've been too busy to miss her because I keep thinking about you."
"Me?" Ryan asked quietly, his voice covered with nerves.
"Yes, you." Troy smiled simply. He stared at Ryan intently trying to reach into his eyes and find something that will give away some of the blondes emotion. "Ryan, I think I'm falling for you. No, I know I'm falling for you."
"But..." Ryan stopped talking and bit his lip anxiously. He had no idea what he was going to say.
"But what?" Troy asked. He was sure Ryan liked him back, they flirted, he always smiled at him, he opened up to him, cried on his shoulder countless times.
"You're with Gabby, who is one of my closest friends. And not to mention that you're as straight as a ruler." Ryan sighed.
"Things change." Troy said simply.
"But..."
"Ryan, do you like me?" Troy asked bluntly. Ryan was silent for a while, he stared at Troy just as much as Troy stared at him.
"Yes." Ryan said quietly.
Troy felt as though fireworks should be going off around them, his insides felt warm and all he could do was smile. He felt like he should be on a poster for a cheesy Disney film he felt that happy. He took Ryan's hand in his and linked their fingers together.
"We can't do this," Ryan said but made no effort to move away.
"Why?" Troy asked.
"Because you're with Gabriella." Ryan stated. "And I don't want to be a home wrecker." Troy couldn't help but laugh. "Troy!" Ryan pouted.
"I'm sorry but you're just too cute," Troy smiled. Ryan blushed and when Troy pulled him close he didn't argue he just allowed himself to be held by Troy because he couldn't deny that it didn't feel good being held in those strong arms.
"We shouldn't do this," Ryan said softly. He moved his head slightly so he could look at Troy. "Maybe you're just confused. You're only falling for me because you're looking for a distraction and you've found me and instead of missing Gabriella you're focusing your attention and thoughts on someone else."
"Maybe," Troy smiled slightly. "That makes sense." He squeezed Ryan tightly and looked down at him, blue eyes shining straight back into his. "But this feels like so much more, Ry."
"I know." Ryan sighed. "I think we should wait. See what happens."
"I don't want to wait." Troy sighed.
"If you're serious about me, then you need to tell Gabriella." Ryan said as he traced patterns on Troy's arms.
"I know, and I will." Troy insisted. Ryan's hands were soft and gentle across his skin and he couldn't help but shiver and want more of that simple touch.
"But please wait until Gabriella comes back." Ryan looked directly into Troy's eyes. "Because this might be and probably is a phase, and I don't want to get my hopes up and have you as mine to get thrown away so you can realise you want to be with her. It isn't fair." Troy felt his heart ache at Ryan's words. That simple sentence made it obvious to Troy who if he hadn't known, would be able to tell that Ryan had had his heart broken far too many times.
"Okay," Troy smiled. "We'll wait." Ryan smiled and settled back in Troy's arms comfortably. "But if it turns out to be a weird phase, then I want you to know that no matter what I'll always be here as your friend if nothing else."
"I know," Ryan smiled he looked up at Troy and leaned forward and placed a gentle kiss on his lips. It was soft and gentle and sent Troy's mind into over load.
There was a knock at the door and Troy wrapped his arms around Ryan's waist and smiled as his mum walked into the room. "Everything okay?" She asked, she smiled as she saw how cosy her son and friend looked.
"Yeah," Troy grinned.
"Pizza will be here in a few minutes," She told them.
"Thanks mum." Troy grinned. His mum walked out of the room smiling and Troy couldn't help but laugh.
"What's so funny?" Ryan asked.
"I'm just wondering what's going on in her head," Troy smiled. "Usually if I'm sat like this with someone in my arms it's usually Gabriella and she normally frowns you know thinking we're up to something naughty." Ryan couldn't help but chuckle, "But then if Chad was here, no way would we be doing this. But with you this feels right, and I think my mum knows that."
"Would you tell her about us? I mean, if there was something to say." Ryan said getting a little more than flustered.
"Ryan, I think she already knows." Troy smiled. Ryan just smiled and placed his head on Troy's chest once more. "Ryan, I really don't think this is a phase."
"Neither do I," Ryan smiled.
"I want you to be my boyfriend." Troy said wondering what Ryan was going to say.
"I'd love to be your boyfriend Troy, I really would. But not for another ten days. Because no matter what I feel for you right now, I don't want to do anything until I know for sure that you're not with Gabriella any more."
"I get that," Troy smiled. "I'll tell her when she gets back. And then we can go on our first date."
"What about school?" Ryan asked he had gone back to tracing patterns on Troy's arm. "Would you want everyone to know?"
"I think after what I did today everyone is going to think there's something going on any way."
"Do you care?" Ryan asked with a smile.
"Nope. Not as long as I've got you."