Hope you like it! Here is Chapter 18!
Mack moved around uncomfortably in her seat on the plane, feeling out of place without Troy. She kept seeing Troy's face, begging their dad to let him go. She knew it broke her father's heart not letting Troy come, but he was convinced that what he was doing was for Troy's own good. She leaned back taking a deep breath. She looked in the seat next to her. Chad was listening to his music and bobbing his head, trying to get the fact he was in the air out of his head. She turned to look out the window, she could see their destination, Logan Airport in Boston, Massachusetts.
"We are now arriving in Boston, we will be landing in Logan International Airport very soon. Please turn off all electronic appliances and fasten your seatbelt. Thank you for flying Southwest Airlines," said the flight attendant.
Chad pressed the off button on his c-d player before taking the headphones and placing them around his neck. "I hate landing," he said.
Mack continued to stare out the window. "What's wrong?" Mack just shook her head at Chad's question. The plane started to decelerate and Chad grabbed on to the armrests until his knuckles were white.
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"Chad! Get out here!"
"Coach, it's freezing!"
The team chuckled. Chad was standing inside the airport and -no time soon- was he coming out. Coach Bolton was getting frustrated. "Chad, we need to get to the hotel."
"Chad," Zeke said trying to stifle his laughter, "you're blocking traffic!"
Chad looked behind him at the mob of people behind him trying to get to another door. He threw his hands in the air, a signal of defeat. "I hate airports!" Coach Bolton chuckled as Chad put on four more sweatshirts and walked out. "Anybody got a hat?"
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"Troy, you have been sitting at this table for hours!" Elaine said. Troy didn't move a muscle. "I know you're upset, but you can't spend vacation like this. Go out, have fun."
"So now I can go out? You won't take something else away from me?"
"Troy," she sat across from him. "I know you really wanted to go, but you have been different lately. The first game's on tonight, why don't you go out until then."
"I'm going to take a walk." Troy stood up. He walked two blocks over by the elementary school when he heard a dribbling basketball, a missed shot and a groan. He moved closer to see Calum struggling to put the ball in the hoop. Troy watched closely, Calum was reminding him of when he couldn't make shots because Gabriella wouldn't talk to him. "Hey, kid!"
Calum turned around quickly and Troy could see the kid shake, his eyes wide. Troy motioned for him to give him the ball. Calum weakly passed the ball to Troy, who put it up easy. Troy walked closer to the shaking teen, but Calum moved backwards. "Don't worry, I wont hurt you." Calum didn't move he stayed in the same position. Memories flooded back to Troy."You're scaring her..." "The last thing the team needs is your new attitude..." "Am I a monster?" "You're the whole reason we got into this mess! Had you not been in the hospital, Calum wouldn't have run off..." "Troy, she just doesn't want you collapsing again..." "Troy, you deliberately disobeyed me!"
He had been a jerk. He couldn't believe he had acted like that. "Calum, right?" The boy nodded slowly. 'The least I can do is try to make things easier,' he thought. "Calum, we didn't exactly meet on good terms." Troy extended his hand, "Troy Bolton."
Calum looked from Troy's face to his outstretched hand. He reached out slowly and shook it, "Calum Boucher."
"So Calum, about your shot..."
Troy stayed with Calum helping him with his shot until sunset. He was surprised, Calum made good company for an eighth grader. "Mack's lucky she's got a brother like you," Calum said. "You should hear how she talks about you at school. You two have a really strong bond."
"Yeah," Troy said. "But, I've never seen her this happy." He turned to face the younger boy. "Just don't break her heart, okay."
"I wouldn't dream of it."
"Mack told me you want to go to East High?"
Calum smiled, "yeah."
"You want to see them play? They're on television tonight."
"Sure."
"Do you need to tell your parents?"
"Tell my parents I'm at the Bolton house? Are you crazy?" Troy gave him a look. "Okay hold on." Calum took out his cellphone and dialed home. He said he was staying out with some friends and he'd be back later. His parents didn't question him, knowing Mack was in Boston.
"Let's go, I need to get some people."
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Calum sat on the couch. They had picked up Sharpay, Ryan, Gabriella, Taylor and Kelsi. Troy was getting chips from the kitchen and the game before East High's was almost over. Calum couldn't help think, 'these guys are good.' The Wildcats went out for their warm ups and announcers on the television started to talk.
"This is the first time East High has been in this tournament since 1993, right David?"
"Yes Brian, but they dominated in their league at home in Albuquerque, New Mexico and most of their players are sophomores and juniors." The camera was looking at the bench. "Coach Bolton looks as ready as ever, but his daughter looks worried."
"Yeah, I had a conversation with her before the game. Mack's like the manager of the team."
"The big question for this team is about the roster, with the sudden absence of captain Troy Bolton who had to stay home because of illness. Over to Sarah."
"Thanks David. So Chad, you've taken over as captain, do you think your team's ready?"
"Yeah, our team has been ready for a long time. As long as we keep our head in the game we'll be fine." Troy laughed as Chad flashed a smile at the camera. "Hey Troy! I know you're watching, this win is for you dude!"
"Good Luck Chad, over to you Brian."
"Thanks Sarah. I'm with assistance coach Tim Welling. Coach, you lost Bolton days before competition, what did that do to your team?"
"You can't replace Troy Bolton. He had that feel about him that could make anyone feel better. When he fell in the gym, the team was moreconcerned than I think I've ever seen them. These guys are like brothers and right now, they want to bring home a trophy for their missing brother, and I think they are going to try harder than ever to do that."
Hope you like it. Next Chapter will have the result of the game and more! Review!
