Troy stared at the ceiling, his mind wandering from the present. He was lying flat on his back, tossing his basketball in the air above his bed. Gabriella was at Taylor's house, working on the yearbook. Apparently, the intention was to make their senior class the best in the book, what with the game and final senior musicale.

He caught the ball one more time, and stopped. He couldn't get his mind off of what Sharpay had done a couple days ago. Gabriella seemed happy enough, but…

The ball dropped from his hands and rolled off his body. He draped a arm across his face. These thoughts hadn't entered his head, at least not in a long time: what if… he wasn't a good father? Could he handle it? Suddenly everything Gabriella had been worried about in the previous months came crashing down on him. He understood now. They still had so much ahead of them: finishing high school, college, summer jobs… and a baby on top of all that. Troy squeezed his eyes shut, digging his palms into his eyes.

Okay… but Gabriella had told him that she wanted to go through with it. He had to trust her judgement. He dropped his hands from his eyes, vacantly staring at his ceiling.

"Man," said a voice from the doorway. "I haven't seen you this down since Gabriella said she wasn't able to come back for the prom."

Troy lifted his head. Chad was leaning on the doorframe, a coke in his hand. He assumed his friend had just let himself in and helped himself to the fridge, as was his custom.

Troy dropped back down and his best friend flopped on the bed. "Nah. That was a couple months ago. Graduation is next week, and she's been acting strangely since the whole Sharpay incident."

Chad nodded and took a sip. He offered the can to his friend who propped himself up on his arm. "What about you?"

"What about me?"

Chad shrugged. "I dunno. Just… I guess no one has really checked in to see how you're doing. I mean, you're not pregnant."

Troy took a slow drink of the coke, holding it in his mouth, letting the bubbles fizz on his tongue. He swallowed. "Honestly?"

"Preferably."

He sighed. "Terrified."

Chad's eyebrows twitched. This was new. Troy had yet to open up about this whole experience of the last several months.

He continued. "I just… I'm still trying to wrap my head around it. Haven't gotten the chance to really think about it much, you know?"

Chad nodded. "I mean, it's not my girlfriend who's pregnant, but I still understand, I guess. Gabster's like a sister to me, so… it is scary."

They were quiet for a while. Chad noticed the ball on the other side of the bed and stood to retrieve it.

"Chad?" Troy didn't take his eyes off the ceiling.

"Hm?"

He sighed. "Do you… think I'll be a good dad?"

"Yeah, of course."

Troy say all the way up, catching the ball as Chad tossed it to him. "No, seriously."

Chad set the empty coke can on the desk. He ran a hand through his mop of hair, thinking carefully. "Well, I think you have a lot to learn, of course."

Troy nodded.

Mr Bolton appeared at the door, holding a board laden with grilled chicken. "What's wrong with you two? You're usually eating these right off the grill." He gestured to the food with his tongs.

The boys only looked at him with sullen faces.

"Oh." He set down the board, popped a small piece into his mouth, and went into his son's room. "Where's Gabriella?" he asked around a mouthful.

Troy didn't take his eyes off the ceiling. "At Taylor's."

Mr Bolton nodded. He examined the boys. He had known Chad for almost as long as he had known his own son. The expressionless faces had him worried. "What's wrong?"

Chad rolled the basketball on his knee. "Troy's worried about being a dad."

He turned to his son. "What, you worried you won't be good?"

Troy shrugged. "I dunno. Guess I'm worried I'll let her down."

Mr Bolton swallowed the chicken. "Troy. While I may not be able to put myself directly in your shoes, I do understand where you're coming from." He sat down on the bed.

Chad scooted over.

He continued. "I remember when your mom was pregnant with you. First kid, I was scared as heck. You have no idea. And it was even planned!"

Troy glared at him.

"Sorry. But remember, she feels the same way. And if it gives you comfort, she chose to go through with it because she trusts you. She trusts that you are good enough to help her."

Chad put a hand on his friend's shoulder. "Hey listen, Hoops. You've got all of us to help. I'll even babysit, if you need it."

Troy grinned. "I'd love to see that."

"Seriously. You have so many people on your side. So don't worry."

Mr Bolton cleared his throat. "Yeah, please don't. I need you focused on the game."

They laughed.

Troy's dad stood up. "Alright, your mom's on her way home from the store and dinner's almost ready. I need you two to go get the girls."

At that moment, Chad's phone rang. "Hey, Tay." He listened for a moment… then his eyes widened. "Troy, we need to get them now."

Troy sat up. "Why? What happened?"

"It's Gabriella."

Super short, R&R!