CHAPTER 17

((Hey everybody…hope everyones having a good day…im ready to write the next chapter…just so everyone knows I now have a new HSM fic called Promise…I have to update that regularly too, so some chapters might be really short…about 1000 words or a little less…hope you like verything so far…R&R…XOXO, Christine))

Just Breathe

Troy took a deep breath. He was sitting in the locker room in his jersey. Today was his first game since coming back to the team. He could hear his teammates in the next room. He had left the noise to think. He had barely played basketball in the last year. He was rusty at practice causing his dad to get frustrated and yell. He was out of shape. He doubted that he would play up to his usual standard. Finally, Troy reacting from his terrible nerves, ran into the bathroom and threw up. When he emerged, the team was beginning to go out for warm up. Troy followed them, reluctantly. "Here we go," he thought to himself.

"And now, the starting lineup for your East High Wildcats!" shouted the announcer. "Chad Danforth, junior…" Troy didn't listen to the rest. He was about to take his seat on the bench when he heard his name. "And now, we welcome back last year's team captain, who had to take the first part of the year off due to special circumstances, Troy Bolton!" The crowd screamed like it never had before. They all believed that since Troy was back, their troubles were over. They thought that they were sure to win. Troy just stood there, frozen. He hadn't expected to start.
"Come on, Troy!" yelled Chad happily. "Get out here!" Troy walked out there looking around nervously. The crowd cheered even louder. Troy tried not to look in the stands. If he looked up there, he was sure to throw up again. The other four starters gave a casual wave. Troy just stood there.

"Come on, guys!" Mr. Bolton beckoned them towards the team huddle. He talked and went over the plays. Troy couldn't focus. He didn't pay attention. "Got that Troy?" Mr. Bolton asked. Troy had no idea what his dad was talking about. "Troy?"

"What…Oh, yeah, dad, got it," Troy said unconvincingly. His father just stared.

"Okay," he said. "Team cheer. Let's go."

"What team?" yelled Chad.

"Wildcats!" everyone yelled.

"What team?"

"Wildcats!"

"What team?"

"Wildcats!"

"Wilcats?"

"Getcha head in the game!"

"Everything alright, Troy?" his dad asked.

"Yeah, fine," replied Troy nervously. He ran out to his position. At least I know where to go here he thought to himself. He got in position.

Wildcats got the tip. Chad passed to Troy who missed the ball, completely. The crowd groaned. Chad ran past Troy. "You okay?" he asked concerned.

"Yeah fine," replied Troy. He couldn't believe he had just done that. He had looked like such an idiot.

"Shake it off, Troy!" yelled Coach Bolton. "You got this!" Troy played defense and stole the ball.

"Here we go," he thought to himself. He went for the fast brake. He was about to go up when he dribbled the ball off his foot. The crowd groaned again. Mr. Bolton threw his clipboard. "Crap," Troy mumbled. "I gotta shake this off."

"Get your head in the game!" shouted Coach Bolton.

The first quarter went on the same as the first few seconds. Troy tried time after time and failed. After the fourth time he air balled, the crowd began to yell, "take him out. Take him out." Coach Bolton took him out.

"What the hell is going on?" he asked. "You're playing like a second grader. You were better than this when you were five!"

"Sorry," Troy mumbled.

Mr. Bolton sighed. "What's on your mind, Troy?"

"Nothing," Troy said. "It's nothing." Troy sat out until mid- second quarter. He went back in and played just as miserably. At the end of the first half, the Wildcats were down by ten. They stomped off into the locker room.

"I'll meet you in the locker room," Coach Bolton said to his team. He went off in the other direction. The team walked into the locker room.

When they got in there, T.J pushed Troy into the lockers, hard. "What the hell are you doing?" asked Troy.

"Payback!" yelled T.J. "You suck!" He moved to punch Troy. Troy dodged it easily.

"Hey, hey ,hey!" Chad came in between them. "What is wrong with you?" he yelled at T.J. "It's his first game back after a year! Cut him some slack! He's nervous!"

"We're down by ten because of him!" T.J. yelled. "If it wasn't for him, who knows, we might be winning!"

"You've made a fair few turnovers, too!" retorted Chad. "You've definitely missed a few passes, and made a few bad ones! So shut up!"

"Don't tell me too…" T.J. began.

"What's going on in here?" asked Coach Bolton walking in. "Is there fighting?" He stared at all the guys. They all looked guilty. "Troy, in my office, please." Troy followed him out afraid of what was too come next. He followed his dad into his office, and saw to his surprise that he wasn't the only one there. Gabriella was there with Haven. "I'll leave you too alone. You have ten minutes." He walked out.

"Hi," said Troy looking down. Gabriella probably thought of him as a huge freak.

Gabriella walked over to him and wrapped him in a hug. "Relax," she said. "You're way too tense." She rubbed his shoulders. "You're way too tight."

"Gabby, I'm embarrassing myself. I'm terrible."

"You're the best player on this team and you know it," she replied. "You just need to relax. It's impossible to play well when you're this stressed out." She gave him a hug. "You can do this," she said.

Troy relaxed. It was impossible to be uptight around Gabriella. He kissed her. She kissed him back, and they made out for the remaining time they had. When Troy emerged from the locker room a second time, he was grinning ear to ear. Chad noticed.

"Dude?" he asked. "Are you drugged?"

"No," Troy replied. "Just really laid back and relaxed." Chad shrugged.

"Can you start?" Coach Bolton asked him.

Troy nodded happily. His dad clapped him on the shoulder. "Go get 'em," he said. The crowd moaned when Troy walked onto the court. Troy didn't notice. He had a crazy grin from ear to ear. Nothing could stop him.

Nothing did. He scored 30 points in the second half while pulling down rebounds and steals. He quickly became the hero leading the Wildcats to victory. They won be 4. Troy was treated like a celebrity. The team stormed the court after they won. They were going to state. Troy went off to look for Gabriella. He was about to give up when he saw her running out of the gym. He went out after her. He reached the car the same time she did.

"What's the matter?" he asked.

"She can't breathe."

((Cliff hanger! Sorry! I gotta update my other story now…please review…XOXO, Christine))