A/N: Ok, I've gotten some reviews on chapter 1-3. Some people think that the story is moving too fast. But, here's my explanation: the story isn't about Troy figuring out that he's gay, it's about Troy and Ryan being together. So, I wanted to get the whole 'figuring out I'm gay' and 'i love ryan'thing out of the way withing the first few chapters. I want to make sure that most of the story is about Troy and Ryan being together. so, i'm sorry if it seems like the story is moving too fast. Also, I'm sorry about changing P.O.V.'s without warning. I wanted the narrator of the story to switch back and forth from Ryan to Troy, and if you pay close attention, you can tell which is which. So, my apologies for that. I'll try to make the next chapters easier to figure out. I already have the story written up to chapter 7, and they're fairly short, so I'll get the ball rolling asap. A quick thank you to TillThatTime for helping me get started on the site..u rock! Ok, now here's the next chapter.i hope i didn't overdo it on ryan's speech in this chapter..i just wanted something really sweet and romantic.

Chapter 4: The Call, the Speech, and the Confession

Ryan's P.O.V.

The phone rang four times...I was worried he wouldn't answer. I was about to hang up when I heard, a little too excitedly,

"Hello? Ryan?" I could tell it was Troy, and I could tell he was smiling.

"Yeah, hey. I told you I'd call you..." I said.

"Good thing, too...I already miss you." he said. We both sort of laughed, then there was a silence.

"Ryan," Troy said with a sigh. "I'm gay...and...it's because of you..you turned me gay."

I smiled, and started to cry a little. Troy could tell. But honestly, I didn't know what to think.

"No, don't cry...I didn't mean to-" he said, but I interrupted.

"It's okay...I'm fine." I said, calming down.

I let out a sigh, and I could hear Troy sigh, too.

"You know, Troy, we're lucky to have each other." I said.

"Yeah.." he said back "...but I consider myself the luckier one..."

I laughed, and so did he.

"Troy, my life is difficult. Everyone can see that. And before, I thought that was how my life was always going to be. I thought I was destined to be in Sharpay's shadow, alone and misunderstood. I was getting used to it, but I wanted out of it. Then, you came along. You showed me so many things that I never thought I'd be able to experience or know. When you smile, the heat from your glow wraps itself around me, and I feel warm and safe in this cold, dangerous world. And when I look into your eyes, everything...just...it all just...fits...like I'm alright. And sometimes, I'm so overcome by the light in your eyes that I forget I'm just lost in the shadows." I almost said more, but I figured that my speech was long enough and Troy could talk. And I thought to myself, Nothing in my life had ever been harder to explain.

"...Wow..." Troy said. "...that was, uh...quite a speech." He kinda laughed a little. "That was the nicest thing I've ever heard, especially anything anyone's ever said to me." He really was touched by my speech. ButI could tell that he thought it was a bit much.

Sharpay stood at my door. "Ryan, Mom wants you in the kitchen." and she walked off.

Troy heard her. "Well, I guess I better let you go. I'll see you later...and I'll call you tomorrow."

"K. Bye...I love you, Troy." I said, worried what his reaction would be.

"I love you, too, Ryan." And he hung up.

I was so glad it was Friday!

Troy's P.O.V.

After Ryan and I got off the phone, I called Gabby. She seemed excited to hear from me. We hadn't talked lately.

"So, what's up? I've missed you..." she said.

"Uh...we need to talk...please don't hate me..."

There was a pause. "Oh no...you're dumping me!" I could hear her begin to cry.

"No, don't do that! Just listen. This is really difficult to talk about...it's personal."

"Oh, go ahead, I'm listening.." she said, worriedly.

"Well, I'll just come right out and say it like it is...Gabriella, I'm gay, and I'm falling in love with Ryan Evans.But honestly, I don't know if I'm really in love with him, or if I just love him as caring for him a lot, like what we had. I'm confused."

Silence haunted the air. "Please say something." I pleaded.

"Well, okay then." and she hung up.

I wonder if it was a good idea to tell Gabriella. I told myself she'd understand, but I don't think she did. Ryan means so much to me, but after those two phone conversations, I can't help but think that maybe I'm rushing into things. Maybe I don't love Ryan as much as I think I do, or the way I think I do. But then again, maybe I do, and I'm just worrying too much. Right now, all I know is that I'm totally confused, and I just need some rest.