CHAPTER 5

Singing was over for the night. So was basketball. Troy had never felt more reluctant to go home and face his dad. Missing two basketball practices in one day was likely to get him into more trouble with his dad then if he had robbed a shop.

"Gabriella…Kate?" he asked the girls as they made their way out of the music room. "Do you guys want to go and do something?"

"Well…I've got to be home by five because we're looking after the neighbours dog," Kate said. Troy checked his watch and sighed inwardly; it was quarter to already. "But you guys could come round for a couple of hours."

"Sure," Troy said, trying to act casual when inside he was jumping for joy; a couple of extra hours until the confrontation that was sure to happen when he got home.

When they got to Kate's house, the door was locked and the lights were out.

"My dad doesn't usually get back from work until about 10pm," Kate told Troy and Gabriella. It suddenly struck Troy and Gabriella how lonely Kate must get in the evenings, hour after hour, day after day. They immediately resolved to have Kate round more often. It even made Troy feel better about having an irritated dad waiting for him at home; at least his dad was waiting for him at home.

After hanging out at Kate's for a few hours, Gabriella announced that she would have to go home to study for her chemistry exam the following day.

"I guess I should probably go too," Troy said reluctantly, as they saw Gabriella out of the house.

"You don't have to go just yet!" Kate said, obviously anticipating the lonely hours ahead.

"Trust me, I'd much rather stay here," Troy said grimly. "But it's time to face the music." At Kate's blank face he added, "My dad!" Kate laughed, before her face became more solemn.

"Come on, Troy, Uncle Jack isn't too bad," she insisted, sticking up for her uncle.

"No...it's just…have you ever wanted to try something new, but people are always trying to stop you?" Troy had phrased his question carefully, not sure if Kate would understand.

"I don't know," Kate said thoughtfully. "I guess…I often thought that it would be fun to play basketball at lunchtime with you guys when it isn't a proper practice – technically, I would be allowed – but then I know that people would just judge me and most of the basketball team wouldn't play with me anyway, because I'm a girl. But there isn't a girls basketball team at East High; only a cheerleading squad. I know said that the school is much more accepting of change since you went against the status quo, but, I don't know…it still feels pretty segregated to me."

Troy looked at Kate with a new understanding; that was just how he felt! Then he sighed.

"I really do have to get back now," he said reluctantly, "But it's been great talking to you."

"See you tomorrow!" Kate smiled, and Troy headed out of the door, wishing that the walk home was longer.

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