Troy's Point of View:

I woke up the next morning when the sun's bright rays started to pour through the blinds of my window. I felt Chad continuing to snore lightly as I removed myself from him and walked towards my bathroom. I went through my morning routine as usual: brushing my teeth, flossing, took a shower, applied some deodorant and by the time I was fully dressed in fresh, new clothes, Chad's body stirred. He turned over to see me already dressed. He smiled tiredly.

"Hey Troy. You're up early. What's the occasion?" He started to yawn and stretch; his shirt rising up to show a bit of his toned stomach. I was totally looking the other way.

"Oh, I just remembered that I had something to do. That's all." I had just finished buttoning up the last of my buttons.

"So you're back to keeping secrets?" He sounded a bit agitated.

"Well, if you must know, I'm going to see Gabriella and you know, talk." I said calmly. In truth, I was scared shitless out of my mind. I never thought that breaking up with a girl would be so hard. Probably because I didn't have the stipulation of liking someone else to be thrown into the mix. Especially when that someone is another guy.

Chad got off the bed and walked over to me.

"Hey, whatever happens, happens alright? She is a nice girl. Do what you got to do." Chad suddenly pulled me into a tight, supportive hug. I hugged him back with just as much pressure. I could smell a fading hint of cologne protruding off his body. We released.

"I better start heading home. My mom is going to be worried sick." Chad walked into my bathroom but before closing the door completely, he yelled out a small "Thank you."

I walked out to my car and got in; trying to come up with an explanation as to why I have to break up with Gabriella. I pulled out of my driveway and started to search for the right words.

Gabby, there's something I have to tell you. I'm gay. No, that sounds too harsh. Gabriella, I hate to break it to you but I'm gay. That was terrible. Gabriella, did I mention that I'm in love with Ryan Evans?

I couldn't seem to string words together to tell Gabriella about what's been going on. Why did this have to be so difficult? I banged on the dashboard to let out my frustration. I glanced at my watch and nodded.

"Crap, I'm almost there and I still have no reason for Gabriella. I hope this all turns up well." I drove my car into the driveway of the Montezs' home and took a slow, deep breath. I stepped out of the car and with almost no hesitation, walked towards the front door and rang the doorbell. I dug my hands into my pockets nervously as a familiar face appeared from behind the door.

"Hey Ms. Montez. Is Gabriella home?" I put on my best smile.

"Yes she is Troy. Come on in, we were expecting you." She gave me a friendly smile as she led me in to the all too familiar home. I walked into the kitchen to see Gabriella making breakfast. She turned around and jumped.

"Troy! You're here!" She immediately took off her cooking apron and ran up to me as she pulled me into a tight hug. Her arms were wrapped around my neck as mine were clutched at her waist.

"I made breakfast." She smiled sweetly as always. I just noticed the smell of bacon as it came erupting through my nostrils. My stomach grumbled loudly.

"I can see someone is hungry." She lightly rubbed my stomach and led me to sit at the table. She served a plate of eggs and bacon as she took a seat next to me. We both sat in silence as we enjoyed breakfast together. My thoughts were still seeping their way into my mind.

Chad was right. Gabriella is too nice. But if I keep going along with this, she'll end up hurting even more. I have to tell her.

After I had my last bite of bacon, I placed my fork down beside my plate and turned to Gabriella. She looked up.

"Gabby, I really care about you. You know that right?"

She nodded brightly.

"And the last thing I want to do is hurt you. And with that being said, there's something I have to tell you." Her face became overwhelmed with concern.

"What is it Troy?"

I swallowed hard; feeling an enormous lump at the back of my throat. I took a slow breath.

"Gabriella, I - think - I'm - " The last word seemed to be the hardest. I just couldn't bring myself to say it but I knew I had to.

"You think you're what Troy?" She looked at me questioningly. I felt a bead of sweat starting to form around my brow. I wiped it away quickly.

"I think - I'm - gay." I said the last word through a mumble. I waited for Gabriella to react. I anticipated her to start yelling at me, screaming her lungs out, to break down and cry, or even slap me across the face. But instead, she opened her arms and hugged me close. I hugged her back, a smile forming on my face. We held each other for what seemed like forever but in reality was like a few minutes. But in those few minutes, I realized that Gabriella was the greatest friend anybody could ever have. We pulled away from each other.

"Mom! Troy finally came out!" She announced as the words clung to my ear.

What is she doing?

Ms. Montez came back with a wide smile as she was carrying a plate of chocolate cake. She placed it on the table and gave Troy a small hug; whispering "Congratulations" in his ear.

"I know it's a bit early for cake but I bake a fresh one every week just in case an occasion like this would happen."

She spun around and quickly exited the room. Gabriella picked up a cake knife and started to slice the delicious dessert. I was still stunned and confused by what was happening.

As Gabriella handed me a slice, a question popped out of my mouth.

"I finally came out? What does that mean?" I picked up my fork and started to eat little bits of my piece of cake.

Gabriella had licked the frosting off her fingers before answering.

"Well Troy, I sort of half expected you to be in that general way. The way you dress, the way you sing, the way your whole personality changes when you're around girls. Troy, not to play stereotypes but it was blatantly obvious." She started picking at her slice of cake.

"Then why go out with me if you had premonitions about me being gay?" I took a sip of milk.

"It's because I've been through this before. Except back then, I wasn't as supportive as you see me now. I went out with a boy who I thought would love me forever. We always talked about our future and about having a family. We were only freshmen at the time but we knew we loved each other. Then after freshmen summer ended and sophomore year started, he started to avoid me and every time I tried to talk to him, he was just so busy."

She fixed her hair into a ponytail.

"And then one night, he called me and he sort of came out to me. I immediately hung up and pretty much just pretended he never existed. We would see each other in the halls but never say anything. It was the longest year of my life. Towards the end of sophomore year, I received a most devastating call from his family, stating that he had killed himself. I've never been the same and my whole view of homosexuals had changed."

I saw tears that started to form in her eyes.

"I could've prevented that, you know? But I had to be a bitch just because I thought that I was the reason why he turned gay. I thought I was unattractive and stupid. If only I had been more supportive that insulted, he'd still be here right now."

Gabriella folded her arms over the table and placed her head down; small sniffles sounding from her.

I wrapped my arms around her and started to whisper.

"It's okay Gabby. It's not your fault. Don't beat yourself up too much. I hate seeing you cry." She sniffled loudly in response. I continued to whisper.

"Thank you Gabby. At first, I thought I would be doing something that I regret. but after hearing you and feeling your support, I feel like I can take on the world. I love you and even though I may not be in love with you, I love you more than ever." She got up and wiped her tears away.

"Thanks Troy. I love you too and I hope that we can stay friends still." I stroked a hand through my hair.

"Best friends!" We both giggled at my response.

"Gabriella!"

Ms. Montez had walked back into the dining room.

"I got a call from Troy's parents saying that they want him home soon." She looked over at me politely.

"I guess that's my cue. I'll talk to you later? Maybe we can hang out sometime." I smiled and gave Gabby a small wink.

"We can go shopping!" She laughed at the thought of Troy shopping.

"Totally." I gave her one last hug as well her mom. I waved goodbye as I exited the Montezs' home feeling like I could fly away forever.

I walked back to my car, turned the keys into the ignition, and started on my way back home. A negative thought taking over my wave of happiness.

My parents...

A/N: Ironic.