Troy is awake…ENJOY (really long)

After everyone left, I decided to take my shirt off and climb into bed next to Troy. I wrapped my arm around his waist and noticed the changes to his physique. His muscles were still evident but they somehow seemed fragile. His arms were heavily bruised. I just sat there staring at how frail he had become. While I was staring at him, he began to thrash and toss about due to an apparent nightmare. I just grabbed on tighter. I wouldn't let him go anywhere without me. I couldn't, what would I do if something bad happened to him again.

While pondering the events of the past few days, Troy began to stir.

"I love you Ryan."

"I love you too Troy. You really scared me, you know that."

"I know, I'm sorry." He said with his back to me.

I rolled on my side so as to better angle myself to hold him.

"I know. Hey look at me. I thought I lost you. Come 'ere. I wanna show you something."

I lifted him from the bed and we walked to my closet. I had him lean on my shoulder so that I could support his weight. I leaned him up against the wall and went to get the chair from my desk for him to sit down on. I helped him into the seat and opened my closet. Inside was the map of Albuquerque. I showed him the different colors.

"These are the places that I searched for you. Every color is a different area and a different day. I felt so bad for leaving you to face your parents. I came back here and cried. I cried for a really long time. And then you called, or I thought it was you. But it wasn't you it was your mom. She told me everything. Sharpay called everyone and we looked for you. Because we all love you."

He began to cry a little. He attempted to get up, but he couldn't he was still too weak. I offered to help and he leaned up against my body. I walked across the room and laid him down on the bed again. I just sat on the edge this time.

"I want to know what happened to you Troy. You seem different. I know you just got back and you're really weak, but I need to know. Even if it only makes me feel worse I have to know."

"I ran. The anger scared me. I mean it really scared me, Ry-. I didn't know where to go so I slept in an alley near some bar or club or whatever it was. While I was sleeping this really cute guy came up and he kind of gave me a job."

"Cute, huh? Wait, what do you mean by job?"

"Him and his friends, they kinda paid for me to do things."

"Troy…please tell me you didn't."

He looked away and said, "But I did. I didn't know how long I was going to be on the streets. I was scared and lost. He offered to help me."

"They paid me to strip for them. No touching or anything. It was just stripping. But they didn't think I was grateful for their help. I was scared and they could see that. They told me that I had to be happy to have them."

"What did they do to my baby?" I questioned as I cradled Troy in my arms.

"One of the guys started getting really rough with me one night. He started pressing himself on me. He told me that he was gonna make a man out of me. He said that ungrateful little boys needed to be broken in. Ace, the guy who found me, pushed the guy down on the couch and told him to calm down. Ace said he would get me in a better mood. He pulled out a needle. I tried to get away but he had my clothes and he had my arms above my head. I really tried Ry-, I did. I'm sorry."

The tears began to fall again as he retold the events. I quickly wiped them away and lightly kissed his cheek.

"He did that every night. He gave me the drugs every night. Ace was trying to get me to have sex with him. He said that I could make more money if I would let him take me. I wanted to save that for you. Finally I got fed up with their treatment and I ran away. Then these two old guys gave me a piece of their food and told me it was warmer under the bridge. I went there and I smelled you. I was so hopeful to see you there, but you weren't. Then you came and found me."

"Come on let's just relax, okay. I am so sorry that I put you through all that. I feel terrible."

"But you saved me. If I didn't love you than I would have slept with Ace. But you saved me from that. I could have died out there but you found me and saved me. You're my hero."

"Everyone helped. Sharpay was happy to call everyone. Chad was the biggest morale booster. He even comforted me when I broke down. Taylor, Kelsi, and Gabriella came up with all the plans. It was a Wildcat team effort."

"Where is everyone anyway?"

"I sent them home, but not before I had them write you little notes. This way you could rest."

I walked over to my desk and picked up the pile of colored paper. I sifted through the notes and pulled out the sparkly pink on first.

"Here read Sharpay's first." I said as I handed him the note.

Troy,

Let me start by saying that you make my brother happy. Did you know he stares at your butt? Please get better like really fast. Otherwise I have to deal with my overly dramatic…and might I add mushy brother. Glad you're home.

-Sharpay

"So what is your opinion of my butt?" He said while grinning.

"What do you mean?" I replied sheepishly.

"Sharpay says you stare at my butt."

"Well it's perfect" I say as I lean in to kiss him.

"Why don't you hand me the next one. I think I may be too weak to enjoy your body right now."

"Fine" I handed him the green note.

Troy Bolton,

Well, your sudden desertion has certainly taken a toll on the group and we are elated to have you back. I hope that your recovery is fastidious as we will need our star player back. In other words, welcome back and you had better get back to your old self again really soon.

Taylor M. McKessie

"That Taylor can sure confuse a poor guy."

"What do you mean?"

"Read her note. Tell me if you understand anything before the 'In other words'."

I quickly read the note and couldn't help but laugh.

"That girl studies the dictionary I swear. Here this one should be okay."

Troy grabs the red note and begins to read it. I know that this one is really long. It might take a while.

Troy,

The past few weeks have shown me how much you mean to me. I know that you are a great friend and not having you around left me really empty. Ryan has been the driving force behind everything and he really does love you. Please get better. Maybe then I can talk you into shopping with me and Sharpay.

And always remember that no matter how things get in your life you have a whole network of friends who are here to support you. The guys on the team were really supportive in more ways than I know. Oh, and don't worry about catching up on your homework. I did it all for you.

Much Love,

Gabriella

P.S. Ryan stares at your butt. Thought you should know!!!

"You must really like my butt. Does everyone know about you staring at my butt?"

"Well it does give me something to do. I find that it is better to stare at your butt than undress you in the middle of class."

"Good point. Alright next one. Can I pick the color this time? Please, please, please with me on top."

"You'll always be on top…of me. Pick a color?"

"Yellow. Let me guess. Chad"

"Nope sorry, Kelsi."

Playmaker,

I hope you get well. Without the playmaker there is nothing. Ryan really loves you and I thought that you should know that he blames himself for everything. Take it easy on him. I finished writing the spring musical. I need you to give me some advice on it. That means get better soon.

Kelsi

"That girl is so sweet."

"Kelsi, yeah. Alright last one."

"Hand it over."

Troy,

First of, don't you ever do anything like that again. Second of, my man Ryan was really tryin' to bring you home. Lastly, don't you ever do that again. We really missed you man. The guys heard what happened and we all stopped playing. We lost to the Coopersville Bobcats. We were their only win they had in the past 11 years. So we really need you to come back. After two forfeits we need to win the rest of our games to make it to state. No pressure. Get better Troy if not more basketball, if not for me, than for Ryan. 'Cause my man was mad stressin' over losin' you.

Chad-

"So you were mad stressin', huh."

"Yeah. Wait did I just understand what you said? Too much time with Chad."

"Where's the last one?"

"That was the last one."

"Ryan, where is the blue one. The one you wrote. I saw it in your hand when you gave me Kelsi's and then when I went to read Chad's it was gone."

"I don't know what you're talking about." I said with a grin on my face. "You can have it if you can find it."

"I'm not only going to find it, I am going to take it."

And he did. He drove his hand into the front of my pants and quickly grabbed the note. He rubbed the envelope across me in such a way that could only excite me. He did exactly what I did to him in the cafeteria.

"So why don't you want me to read this?" he asked.

"Nothing really, I just felt that I said everything to you I had to say."

"Good answer, but a lie. I know you Ryan, you haven't said enough." He said as he opened the note and began to read.

Baby,

My loving Troy, a week ago, I made the biggest mistake of my life. I left your side. I should have stood by you like a good boyfriend would. Please forgive me. If anything would have happened to you I would never forgive myself.

I wanted to tell you now that I love you. I love you more than singing, more than acting, maybe even more than Sharpay. Not that I would choose between you or her. I want to someday marry you. I love you that much. I can not think of not being with you everyday. My heart is yours forever and always. Please know that.

Your loving boyfriend,

Ryan

He looked up from the letter with a single tear sliding down his cheek. I leaned in and took him in my arms as I kissed the tear away. He grabbed me tighter and whispered in my ear.

"Would you really marry me?"

"Just tell me what time and where to meet you."

"I love you Ryan."

"I love you Troy. Why don't you get some rest, okay?"

"Okay."

"I'll be downstairs. Just call me in you need anything. Bye baby."

"Bye hunny."

I laughed and closed the door as I left my bedroom. I descended down the stairs and decided to make myself a little snack. I cut up some apples and carried them to the living room. I sat on the couch and after eating half of my snack I fell asleep.

Fifteen minutes later I was woken up by the sound on banging. Someone was at the front door banging. I walked over to the door while rubbing my eyes. I was trying to seem coherent even though I really wasn't. I unlocked the door and there was Coach Bolton.

I completely forgot about him. Oh god, Troy is going to kill me. But I figure that I will use this time to talk to them. We need to discuss the events of the past week or so. I also wanted to tell him that I loved his son, no matter how he felt about it.

As always please let me know what you think…Tell me what you think will happen with Ryan and Coach….anything. Tootles L.KERR