Ever since he was a kid, Troy never like sharing. Don't ask him why. He just don't like it. To him, what's the point of giving others to use your own property. For whatever reason they have. It doesn't make sense at all. If you want something, you get it on your own. If something you want is impossible, then be it.
But now, he don't have the power to avoid this whole sharing thing his dad has put him in.
He have to share his bedroom, his bed, his toilet, his private space. Even his PARENTS. What the actual fuck.
And the worst thing of all, he'll share it with an Evans. Ryan Evans. The twin brother of Sharpay Evans.
He's not really that to close him. Or, anyone in that school except Sharpay aren't close to him. Ryan's always in the shadow of her sister and Troy couldn't help but felt a little bit sympathy to him. Especially now when she's gone, along with their father. Not just that, Ryan lose all his wealth too. But that doesn't mean Troy will to share his things with him.
Troy just finish cleaning his room and rearrange some of his stuff to make a space for Ryan when he heard his mother yell from downstairs, "Troy! He's here!"
This is it. Its happening. His new 'little brother' as Jack called is here. His life is about to change and he's not sure if he's ready. "Aaa, coming!" he yell back before taking a deep breath and walk out of his room.
At the end of the stairs, his mother is waiting for him, a sweet smile on her face. "Be nice, okay?" she said before kissing him at the cheek. Troy just nodded.
Lucille open the door and there's Jack and Ryan who just came back from the hospital. Jack lead him into the house as he's still a bit weak after 2 weeks of the 'robbery' incident.
Troy start his observation on Ryan.
Ryan is wearing a plain black t-shirt that is slightly big on him, an old jeans and a pair of colourful flip flop. Those are actually Troy's old clothes that he gave to him since Ryan didn't have any.
Lucille give him a hug which caused Ryan a little bit shock but he didn't pull away. That was the first time someone other than Sharpay hug him in these past 13 years.
They all sit in the living room and Ryan just stare at the floor most of the time. Troy gave him an awkward smile when their gaze met and that's that.
"So Ryan, are you feeling okay? How are you?" Lucille smile and start the conversation with him to make the situation less awkward. "Yeah, a bit tired but I'm good. Thank you for paying the bills and accept me in" he said, and point the last words to Jack.
"Not a problem, son. Your father and I were bestfriend and he helped me a lot during his living. Its not a big deal" Jack replied and Ryan tried his best to not flinch when he mentioned about his father.
He's still traumatized of what had happened and Lucille noticed the blood draining from Ryan's face but didn't say anything.
Troy rolled his eyes. The only thing he pay attention to is at the word 'son' his father used to Ryan. He's not jealous. Just, umm... oh whatever.
When Ryan remained silent, Jack put in "Anyway, Ryan. Why don't we check on your house if they didn't seal it yet, and we could get some of your things?" he asked.
"Yeah, sure" he replied quietly. The Bolton stare at each other and shrug. Ryan seems like not a boy with many words. They assume as a drama kid like him, he should be an upbeat and loud person.
"Okay then, lets go. Troy, come with us" Jack said, not an offer but an order. Troy sigh and shook his head. "Do I have too?" he asked before
Lucille said sternly "Troy".
He sigh again before got up and went outside to join his dad and his 'little brother'. What a wonderful Sunday.
-x-
Jack drive the car while Troy in the passenger seat and Ryan at the backseat. The two Bolton are talking about basketball while Ryan just listen quietly. What to expect from him? He didn't do sport. He just look out the window and couldn't help but remembering everything about his life before and what'll happen in this new life.
He never thought his life could twist like this. He lost his strongest support, his one and only reason to live in this world, Sharpay. Ryan never thought of killing himself, no matter what happened. Its not the best thing to do in the world.
And he ended up living with the Bolton. He felt really grateful because at least Jack want to help him but Ryan didn't want to impose on them, especially Troy. They didnt't interact that much.
And by looking at the brunette's face earlier at the house, he didn't seem that happy, it'll be pretty hard for them to get along.
Minutes passed and few more blocks before they reached the Evans' house. Jack parked the car outside and Ryan's heart wrenched when he saw the signboard.
For sale : Call 1 555 606 0304
This was the place he called hell instead of home. The place he grew up and being tormented. The place where his blood spilled almost everyday for the past 13 years. The place Sharpay and him cried themselves to deep sleep, scared out of their mind of their father's wrath. The place Vance and Sharpay's life ended. The place, is now for sale. Although there was so little amount of happiness he felt here, but still, this place kept so many of their secrets.
The house is locked with a big and heavy chain so there's no way they could come in and Ryan doubt his belongings are still in there anyway.
"Well, its already sealed. Guess we have to buy you some new stuff" Jack smile, squeezing Ryan's shoulder and walk back to the car with Troy following behind him, face glum. He made it painfully obvious that he's not interested to see this house at all.
Ryan furrowed an eyebrow. That was suspicious. Jack didn't look shocked nor disappointed. He must've known about the house being sealed and brought him here just to cheer him up or something. Nice.
He stare at the house for the last time before he get in the car and followed where Jack lead to.
All of them keep their words to themselves. Mainly because they didn't know the right thing to say to Ryan and Troy is still in his mood. He's no different than Sharpay when she's on her period, and Ryan couldn't help but smile.
After about 5 minutes, the car decelerate upon entering the parking lot at a store Ryan not so familiar with. He got out of the car and look at the building.
Target
His life routine was only consist of school and home. He rarely went outside other than these 2 places. Vance usually take care of their needs and supplies. That's one of the reason why its hard to tell anyone about his real life. Nobody will believe him.
"Ryan" he jumped when Troy called his name, pulling him away from his own memory. "Are you coming or not?" he asked, face frowning.
"Yeah, sorry" he said before tracing behind them. Shopping, for the first time ever, without Sharpay.
-x-
They walk through the place and the blonde tried his best to pick up the cheapest and basic things so he won't burden them that much.
After hours of walking, buying, chatting (mostly Troy and Jack), and eating, they went to the hardware to buy Ryan some more shelves for him to put in. And after that, they went home since its already 7 in the evening, and was greet with a smiling Mrs Bolton.
"Thank you so much, coach, and Mrs Bolton. For everything. I hope I can pay you guys one day" he said, feeling grateful. "Don't you think of doing so, Ryan. You're a Bolton now" Jack said.
Troy shook his head in disbelief. Ryan? A Bolton? In what universe did that make sense? He rolled his eyes before stomping upstairs to his room and slam the door.
Lucille sigh of his son's behaviour and Ryan just stare at the floor. This is hard. To stay in the same room, on the same bed with someone who don't like you. "Don't worry about him. He's still adapting. He'll come around" Lucille said when she saw Ryan's dejected face. He just nodded.
"So Ryan, why don't you go unpack your newly bought stuff. We'll call you for dinner and then you can get some rest. You have school tomorrow" Jack suggested and Ryan nod again, saying 'thank you' before taking his stuff up to Troy's room and knock.
"Come in" Troy said from the other side of the door. Voice stiff and stern. Probably still in his mood. Ryan twist the knob and step in. Troy is laying on his back on the bed, tossing his basketball up and down.
"Where should I put these?" Ryan ask softly. "Beside my closet" Troy replied in a monotone voice. Still tossing his ball.
"Thank you" Ryan said before dropping his stuff on the empty spot near the bathroom. He started building the two plastic shelves and unpack his things. Neatly organize them.
The room was so silent. The only thing can be heard clearly is the sound of the ball contacting with Troy's hand, the fan and the sound of plastics.
Troy was observing Ryan the entire time and didn't say a word. He looks like an independent boy. Maybe Ryan is not so bad after all.
After finishing his duty, Ryan clean up all the mess he made before they were called for dinner.
Troy make his way to the kitchen, followed by Ryan. At the dining table, Jack and Lucille waiting for the two to join them.
They then contentedly eat their pasta prepared by the lady Bolton. "So Troy, you have extra practice tomorrow. Lead the team. I won't be around, I have a meeting. And Ryan, I believe you have a drama thingy tomorrow, am I right?" Jack asked and lead the question to Ryan.
"Actually, no. I'm not in the drama club this year" he said quietly, sounds almost like a whisper but enough to send a shock wave to the family. "What? Aren't you like, live for drama? And you're not in the club this year?" Troy asked, eyes wide like he just saw a ghost.
Ryan chuckle slightly to their reaction. "Kinda. But drama was always Sharpay's thing. She was really good at it and did have a future in Broadway. Not me" the table went silent. They thought the name Sharpay was quite sensitive to him, but he seems like he don't really care to talk about her, instead, he sounds proud of his sister.
"So, what did you do instead?" Lucille asked. She's really at good breaking the awkward situation. "Chemistry. I enjoy the little things like atoms" he grin.
And again, his words managed to send another shock wave to them. He doesn't look stupid but didn't expect him to like something so complicated and brain-tiring like that.
"That's great. You should be finish by 5pm tomorrow right? So you guys can carpool to and from school" Jack said.
"Yeah, like I have a choice" Troy scoff. "Ouch! What? I'm just saying" he yelp when Jack pinch him at his forearm. "Just finish your dinner" Lucille said, smiling when she saw Ryan let out a small laugh at Troy's misfortune.
They finish their dinner and Ryan trying to help with the dishes but was told to get some rest by Lucille.
He went upstairs to see Troy doing his homework at the desk. He grab his towel and his pjs before heading to the bathroom. "I'm going to take my shower" he said awkwardly. Not that he wants Troy to know what's he doing but its a matter of manners. Considering that's the first time he's using the bathroom.
"Hmm" was Troy's replied.
15 minutes later, a fully dressed Ryan came out, looking fresh. But still, Troy can see the pale complexion of his skin that makes the blonde looks sick and exhausted. But then, he was discharged from the hospital today so that's not something to be concern about.
Troy then took his bath and get dress. He look at Ryan who's sitting on the bed awkwardly, not knowing what to do.
"You sleep on the left side. The right side is mine" Troy said, grabbing a blanket and toss it to Ryan but he managed to catch it. They then tucked in the bed and ready to sleep. Back facing each other.
Its weird to have a sleeping partner for Troy. He always sleep alone on his pathetic queen size bed all his life and then suddenly he have a bedmate.
But for Ryan, its not that weird. He used to sleep next to Sharpay, to comfort her whenever she have nightmares, acted like an older brother when actually he's younger than her, by 10 minutes.
"Thank you, Troy. For everything"
"I did this for my parents, not for you"