"What's up with you lately? You nearly being late for that game yesterday is inexcusable!" Mr. Bolton said as soon as Troy sat down. "You're the Wildcat captain! If you aren't there, people notice. What if there had been a scout there last night? How would it have looked if you were late?"

"I'm sorry Dad," Troy started "I was just so tired the other night – I guess I just didn't hear my alarm-"

"That's another thing!" Troy's dad cut in. "Why are you so tired all the time?"

"What do you mean?" asked Troy, slouching over even as he said it.

"I mean – you aren't doing anything to jeopardize your scholarship chances, are you?" The suggestive tone in his father's voice made Troy sit up straight once again. "You're not seriously accusing me of being on drugs, are you?"

"Well, are you?" his Dad snapped, standing up.

"I'm a few minutes late for one game – ONE game, in 2 ½ years of playing, and suddenly I'm on drugs? Sorry Dad, I'm only human you know, I can't be perfect all the freaking time!""

"It's not just about the game Troy! Every time your mother or I see you you're either sleeping, eating, or playing basketball! I haven't seen you with Gabriella in weeks, your teachers are calling because your grades are slipping, and…" his voice quieted "…you're just not acting like you. All this sleep can't be good for you anyway."

"Dad you don't really thing I'm on drugs, right?" Troy tried to reason "It's just all stress from the past few weeks with school and scholarships and all that…"

"All right, I'll let you slide for now, but try a little harder, eh?" Said Mr. Bolton slapping Troy on the back. "You're not the only one going through this stuff – okay?"

"Yeah Dad, I know." Troy smirked. "Hey – Dad?" Troy stopped his father just as he was opening the door.

"Yeah, Sport?"

"Thanks for covering for me last night with Mom. The last thing I need is her worrying about me being a little sick."

"What do you mean Troy?" asked his Dad, confused. "Chad called here last night and said you two were hanging out after the game. Must have been some after party if you don't remember it." he said, once more getting suspicious of his son's nightly activities. "And what do you mean 'being sick'?"

"Chad? Oh! Right, I forgot." Said Troy, quickly covering. "Maybe you're right about this 'too much sleeping' thing. It's really messing with my mind."

"I'm glad we agree." Said Mr. Bolton, still eyeing his son up even as he was being gently forced out of the room.

As soon as he knew his Dad had gone downstairs Troy reached for his phone to call Chad so he could get some answers.

"C'mon Chad, pick up dude." Troy muttered to himself.

"You've got Chad." Came the voice on the other end of the line.

"Hey man, it's me. We have to talk – now."

"All right Troy. Don't need to be going all girly on me again. Tell your buddy what's on your mind." Troy could hear the humor in his best friend's voice.

"No, seriously man. I've got a real problem."

Chad sobered up immediately, or at least he tried. "What? Fight with Gabriella?" he guessed.

"If you can call what we had a fight, then yes. She yelled a lot and then broke up with me."

"Uh, that's…hey maybe you should be talking to Taylor… this kinda sounds like a girl problem, and well…" said Chad, clearly uncomfortable.

"NO!" Troy jolted. "I mean, no. This isn't really about Gabbi. Just, tell me what happened after the game last night."

"What d'ya mean?"

"My Dad said you called here last night to tell my mom we were hanging out after the game."

"Oh, that. I did."

"Okay, only problem is that I don't remember anything after heading into the locker room."

Troy heard Chad sigh. "Yeah, I kinda figured that. Listen man, all I know is that when I was leaving the locker room I noticed you weren't there. When I went looking I found you face down on the floor."


oy!" I tried screaming your name, shaking you, everything. I panicked. After I knew everyone else would be gone I carried you through the school hallways to my car. I called your Mom on the way to my house."


"I didn't want to get you into trouble if, you know, you were taking 'something'." Chad explained. Troy grunted as a sign for Chad to continue.

took you to my house figuring you'd be safe there since my parents are out of town. I set you on the couch, but you were still acting like a vegetable. I kept trying to wake you up until around one in the morning. I drove you back to your house and carried you up to your room. I figured that if your parents still couldn't wake you they would get a doctor involved."

"I remember you taking me home I guess, but that's it…" mused Troy.

"Man, as your best friend, I've gotta ask. You –aren't- doing anything I should know about, right?" asked Chad, sounding genuinely concerned.

"No Chad, I'm not doing drugs." Said Troy, getting irritated that even his best friend would think that.

"Sorry, had to ask. It's my duty. But it's a relief to hear you say it."

"Yeah, not really." Said Troy.

"Why not?"

"Because not I still have no idea why or how I blacked out."

"Oh, yeah. Maybe you should talk you your folks."

"Yeah, maybe, but you know how much my Mom freaks out even when I just get sick."

"True, but this could be serious. People don't just black out for no reason dude."

"I guess I'll talk to them at some point then. But could you do me a favor while I take care of that?"

"Anything man, you know that."

"Can you call Gabriella and tell her what happened last night? I told her I didn't remember but she didn't really believe me."

"Don't worry, I've got your back."

"Thanks, man. I owe you one."

"Oh for this you owe me one hundred!" Chad laughed as the line went dead.

Troy sighed. Hr had solved one mystery only to have another open up in his lap. The more he thought about telling his parents what had happened, the more Troy thought it was a bad idea. Maybe he'd hold off for just a little while. It probably was just stress, and he didn't need the college recruiters to find any doctor reports that might claim he couldn't handle too much stress without a blackout. He'd never get on a college team anywhere!

Deciding that he needed to clear his head Troy grabbed his iPod, told his Dad he'd be back before dinner and headed for the back door.

---x---


Sorry it's been so long since my last update! School midterms along with me being extremely sick sidelined me for a while. I've had this chapter written for a while, and am finally well enough to start posting again! So keep reviewing (love to all of you that have thus far!) and you'll see another chapter here very quickly!
PoeticDream