.:Chapter Two:.

Troy pulled into his driveway, and shut off the car. He grabbed his gym bag out of the trunk and hauled it up the steps and into his house. His mom met him in the kitchen.

"Hey hon, where have you been? You got a call from Chad a little earlier, oh and your dad has been waiting for you. Congratulations Troy, your dad said you played well tonight. Sorry I couldn't be there, oh and the singing! From what I hear, you were pretty good." She smiled, "I had no idea you could sing. Well, I won't miss the musical, I promise. I gotta hear this voice of yours!"

"Thanks mom, I was with Gabriella, I drove her home." He walked towards the laundry room. "Where's dad?"

"In the den."

After Troy put is clothes in the wash, he made his way to the den. His dad was watching an old taped basketball game. Troy took a closer look, and realized it was one of his father's games.

"Wow, I never realized how much I look like you." He said as he sat on the couch next to him.

His father chuckled. "Never doubt where your good looks came from, as well as your basketball skills. Good job tonight son."

"Thanks. I heard you were looking for me. Sorry I disappeared after the game, I was with Gabriella." His father shook his head.

Troy said quickly, "She's not how you think she is, dad. She's really a nice girl… maybe if you gave her a chance. The whole detention thing was my fault…"

"Son, I understand. It's just that this reminds me so much of your mom and I when we were younger. My father, he didn't approve of your mother. And he never did, even when I told him we were engaged. Eventually, when he realized it didn't matter what he thought, he came to accept it. But that was after we were married and you were on the way. I promised myself I'd never do that to my kids. And I won't. Maybe, sometime she can come over for dinner, and your mom and I can get to know her better."

"Thanks dad; don't worry, you'll love her." Troy got up and made his way to his room. He wondered why Chad hadn't called his cell. He pulled it out of his pocket, and realized he had shut it off before the game. After looking at the clock, he decided it wasn't too late to call him. It was just after nine.

He dialed his number, and waited as it rang. Chad picked up on the third ring.

"Hello?" he said.

"Hey, It's me." Troy answered.

"Oh hey Troy. Where'd you go after the game? I was looking for you… Oh I bet I know where you were. I can't believe I didn't think of that."

Troy smiled to himself. Chad really knew him well. He played dumb though. "Where? What do you mean?"

"You were on the roof with Gabriella weren't you?" he knew he hit it right on.

"Yeah, I was."

"So, what happened? Did you guys hook up?" Chad asked.

"Hooked up? I dunno, we're getting together tomorrow though. I didn't ask her out or anything… no. What about you and Taylor, huh? You seemed to really click today."

"Yea! We're goin' out, I asked her right after the game. What are you waiting for with Gabriella? It's so obvious you're into each other."

Troy laughed. "Maybe I just don't work as fast as you do. I don't know… what if she doesn't like me like that? What if I screw up everything if I asked her?"

"Well, what happened on the roof?" Chad asked with a sly smile.

"She did grab my hand… that's a sign isn't it? Oh and when we were sitting there, she leaned her head on my shoulder." Troy was beginning to feel better. Yeah, it was kind of clear that she liked him too.

"Dude, how much more obvious can you get?" Troy could tell his friend was laughing on the other end.

"Yeah I know. I'm just having doubts, but I get your point. I think she likes me too."

"Okay, well don't waste time! She's probably waiting for you to ask her."

"Yeah yeah, thanks for the advice Chad. I've gotta go, I'll talk to you later."

"Ok, see ya Troy." Chad said, and then they hung up.

Troy didn't really have to go; he just didn't feel like talking about it with Chad. He was his friend and all…but the way he was with girls wasn't how Troy was. He wanted to figure it out for himself. He'd find his own perfect timing; maybe it would be tomorrow, maybe not. He knew that he wasn't going to let Chad or anyone else decide for him when it would be.

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