Author's Notes: Hey guys! It's been awhile for an update, but yesterday was my birthday, soI decided to gift to you guys instead!So this chapter is short, and I am sorry for that, but I will make up for it in the next chapter, which if it all goes according to plan, will be the final one. I hope you enjoy, and thanks again for all the reviews that you guys leave! It makes my day!

Chapter 6: Lesson Plans

When I finally made it back to my apartment after Riley's outburst, it took all of my strength not to pass out on my bed and sleep. Sharpay had given me a lot to think about. She obviously felt that Ryan needed me, just as much as I needed him. Of course she left me with the hard part of proving this to Ryan. As much as I fully believe that Sharpay was serious on her threat to kick his butt, I know that Ryan was incredibly stubborn. If I wanted to be with him, I had to figure out a way to get through to him.

My dad always taught me as a kid that if I needed to create a plan, usually basketball plays, I needed to know my opponent. I needed to know their weaknesses and their strengths, and most importantly their best defenses and oppositions. I decided that since I didn't know where to start with Ryan, I would try my dad's technique.

I grabbed a pad of paper out of my desk and a pen, and tried writing what I knew about Ryan. It took me over an hour to compose my list and organize it into the four categories, just like I did when I was a playmaker. Before I tried to think of a plan, I grabbed some dinner and called it a night. I always made my best plays after a good nights rest.

I woke up late, almost one in the afternoon. Apparently I needed sleep. I got up and went for a jog before starting my day. I ended up jogging down to the park again. It being a Saturday afternoon the park was packed with kids and parents. Immediately I could feel a tugging in my heart, Riley. I smiled just thinking about her. Her cute button nose, perfect smile, and pigtails with curls bouncing as she walked. All of a sudden I stopped jogging. Riley, she was it! I ran back to my apartment, and looked at my categories. Everything regarding Ryan all pointed to one thing, his darling daughter. She was his strength, his world. She was also the excuse he gave me, saying he couldn't be in a relationship because of her, which is also what defense he had with Sharpay. But Riley was more than that. She was also his weakness.

When it came down to it, everything he did was for her, and that was what I was going to use as his downfall. I loved Riley, and from what I could tell, she liked me a lot as well. Now I just needed to show Ryan how much she means to me. After all, he didn't want Riley to get caught up in an uncertainty. I needed to show him that I wasn't going anywhere. Finally I had my plan!

When Monday rolled around, I was back to my normal self, and even my class noticed. The past few weeks since Ryan had crushed me with rejection, I was really quiet only speaking to teach. Now that I had my plan there was my usual bounce in my steps. Even my trouble makers we're back to trying to get a rise out of me now and then. Of course I joked back with them.

The entire atmosphere of my classroom was one of a fun and playful time, with only two weeks left of school it allowed for a lot more leeway with things. I tried to make their school work more fun by turning them mostly into games. Everyone enjoyed it. I got smiles from all of my students but Riley's was the one that warmed my soul.

Friday afternoon, I decided to take my kids outside for a game of basketball, to let them wear out some of their energy. It was the first time I did anything athletic with them. As we walked outside, I could hear the guys cheering about playing, where the girls were not so impressed, especially my little Sharpay, Casey.

"Mr. Bolton, do us girls have to play?"

"Yes Casey, you do."

"But I don't know how."

"Mr. Bolton can teach you, Casey." Riley piped up. "He was the captain of his team in high school."

Immediately, my class went quiet for a second as they absorbed the shock. As quickly as the silence came, it disappeared, being replaced with questions.

"How come you never told us?"

"Can you teach us stuff?"

"How good were you?"

I tried my best to quiet them all down. I informed them a bit about my past, before trying to divide them up into teams.

"Mr. Bolton, can you teach us some tricks instead?" Casey asked eager to learn anything.

"Yes I can teach you some cool things." I promised.

Instead of playing a game like I had planned, we went through drills so the kids could learn to become better players. Even the girls were excited to learn. It was a great feeling to do it too. I felt like my dad, I felt like a coach. When the final bell rang out, all the kids grabbed their stuff that they had brought and went to their buses, or started to walk home.

When the playground was deserted I leaned against the basketball net spinning the ball on my finger. I couldn't shake the upset feeling I had. I got to live my dream this afternoon, and everything I tried to hide about my past came flooding back to me. I yearned to be a coach, and knowing I still couldn't do it brought tears to my eyes. I slid down and sat on the ground, the tears threatening to fall.

I don't know how long I stayed there, head in my hands, all alone. I suddenly felt a small tap on my shoulder. It was Riley. She was giving me a concerned look, or as concerned a look as a seven year old could muster. I looked at her and smiled. She smiled back at me.

"Mr. Bolton, you look like you could use a hug," she offered.

"Riley, I will take a hug from you anytime." I got up and she gave me a hug, she barely reached my waist. I leaned down to completely engulf her in the hug. I could feel all my sadness drift away from me.

"Do you feel better now Mr. Bolton?" she asked as she pulled away from me. I smiled at her and nodded. "Great!" she said and hugged me again. She really likes hugs apparently. I grinned as I got an idea. I started tickling her. Her laughter rang out through the playground.

"That tickles!" she squealed.

I stopped tickling her, and threw her up in the air and caught her in a hug. "You know what? I need to keep you around." I said placing her on her hip and tapping my finger against her nose.

"Why?" she asked excitedly.

"Because you put me in a good mood, even if I'm sad."

"That's good. I'll stay with you Mr. Bolton!" she said excitedly. She clearly didn't get it, thinking I was serious. I was but, to a point.

"So how come you're still here Riley? Did you miss your bus?"

"No, my Daddy picked me up." I felt a tugging in my stomach. "He's over there." She pointed to the door of the school. Sure enough, Ryan was leaning against the wall watching the entire interaction. I couldn't read the expression on his face, but I know he was able to hear our entire conversation. Okay, so apparently my plan kicked into action with out me knowing.

I waved to him, and he nodded his head, but he made no indication of moving from his spot against the wall. I debated walking over to him, but it felt like my feet were stuck to the ground. I couldn't do it.

"It looks like your Dad wants to get home Riley." I said placing her back on the ground. "You'd better go. I'll see you soon, okay?" she nodded her head reluctantly, and started walking towards her dad. She stopped half way there, and turned around running back to me. She hugged me again, and said goodbye, with her homework promise, then ran to her dad. He took her hand and led them to the front of the school, and out of eyesight.