What Do You Want From Me?

Chapter 7: Something's Not Right

Troy yawned at threw his pillow over his head, to block out the annoying ringing from his alarm clock. He didn't want to get up. He didn't want to go to school. He was so worn out from all the work-out yesterday. He felt as if every limp on his body was aching. He didn't know what went on in his uncle's head, and after all that running, he wasn't sure if he wanted to find out.

What if his uncle had like, lost his mind after Jack was dead? Would he take all his frustrations out on Troy, and make him work that much harder now? Troy did definitely not like that idea. He had a life too. He couldn't just spend all his spare time on basketball. What about homework, and what about his friends? What about Gabriella? Surely, she wanted some attention as well.

He finally managed to get out of bed, and shot his alarm off. It was nice when the sound stopped. He checked his watch. Grr. He had to get ready. He threw on some clothes, tried to tame his hair, and threw his books into his book bag, before hurrying down the stairs. On his way into the kitchen, he stopped. He really didn't want to face his uncle right now. He peeked into the kitchen, and hoped to only find his mother in there. However, he was in no such luck, and what he saw really scared him.

His mother was hugging his uncle, like, real tight. She was resting her head on his shoulder, and he was padding her hair, almost as if he was comforting her. Troy felt like gagging, and was glad that he hadn't had breakfast yet, otherwise it would probably had ended on the floor.

What was that man up to? Did he want to have everything Troy's dad had before he died? What was his deal? Troy remembered how he used to really like his uncle, to look up to him, but right now – as from this moment – that was gone. He didn't know what was up, but he had to find out, because it was starting to creep him out.

They pulled apart in the kitchen.

"I'm gonna go to school, and figure out a new plan for basketball." Robert said, and grabbed his lunch from the table, "Tell Troy I said 'hi'."

Troy's mom nodded, as Robert turned to leave. Troy just managed to hide behind the door to the bathroom, before Robert entered the hallway. His uncle took on his jacket and his sneakers, and was out of there.

Troy breathed a sigh of relief, and hurried out of his hiding spot, and towards the kitchen. He dashed in there, and took a seat, while mustering a smile, "Morning mom!" he cheered, and digged into some bread immediately. He actually had to hurry, if he wanted to get to school on time.

"Morning, Troy." She smiled, and poured him some juice, "You just missed Robert, so you're gonna have to hurry. He took the car."

Troy nodded, and stood up from his seat, bread in one hand, while he searched for some lunch in the fridge. His mother shook his head at him, and got it out for him, with a funny smile, "Thanks mom," he said, when she handed it to him, "you're the greatest."

Lisa couldn't help but blush over the sweet words coming from her son's mouth, "You just say that so I'll continue making you lunch and breakfast." She teased.

Troy couldn't help but chuckle, "Nah, you really are great mom." He promised her, just as he chewed the rest of his bread, and dawned his juice, "I really gotta yet mom, I'll be home later. I don't know if I'm hanging out with Gab after school, but I'll text you."

Lisa grabbed his hand, which made him stop and turn around, "Troy…" she told him, as they locked eyes, "I really need to run something by you before you leave."

Troy arched an eyebrow, but nodded slowly. Now he was worried. What the hell could be wrong? He hoped it wasn't serious. Maybe it was good news? Maybe she was about to tell him that Robert was moving into his own flat? It was about Goddamned time! "What?" he questioned her, eyes full with questions.

Lisa swallowed hard, and Troy could tell she had some troubles forming her sentence – to get her thoughts into words, "I- I…" she paused, and took in a deep breath, "Remember how I mentioned we might not have that much money now, without your father's income?"

Troy squeezed his eyes together, when he got an idea about where this might go, "Yeah…" he trailed off, urging her to go on.

"Well," Lisa said, and sat down on the chair she had left two minutes ago, "we're already having problems. I know Robert is staying here, but he's not gonna be around forever. And your father's income was supposed to help you get into a good college, if you don't get a scholarship. I really think you need to get a job."

Troy swallowed hard. He'd never thought he would need to get a job. But of course, college was expensive, "A job?" he questioned, as he thought it over in his head. Maybe it wouldn't be half bad? Maybe he could work with something really cool? "What did you have in mind, mom?"

"I don't know." Lisa replied, shrugging. She was glad that he wasn't totally against the idea. She was just going to have to work a little on him, and they'd be fine, "You should start by asking around school if anyone knows anyone who needs help. Or else we can check the newspapers. We just need these money."

Troy nodded, as his eyes flickered to the watch on the wall. He really had to get going. He stood up, and leaned forward to kiss his mother's cheek, "I'll see you later mom. I don't want to be late."

"Bye honey." Lisa replied, as he hurried out of there, and ran down the street. She was glad she had such a good son. He had taken everything so well. Troy was just an amazing boy. She hoped he would still be this happy, when they fell into a new routine – a routine without Jack.

--

When it was finally lunch, Troy was happy to sit down between Chad and Gabriella. He had just managed to get to homeroom before Ms. Darbus got there, and after that he'd rushed to get his stuff into his locker, and then to his next class, which meant he hadn't spoken to anyone of his friends yet. He had talked with Sharpay though, because they shared a class right before lunch on this day.

They had Math. It was on the easiest level, because none of them were brainiacs like Gabriella and Taylor, who had to do homework with signs that he'd never get. But they had had fun, because their teacher had left half through the lesson, for a quick doctor's appointment, and no one had bothered to get them a temp for that.

He had chatted a bit with Sharpay about everything, about his concerns for his mom, and about that whole job thing. She had listened to everything, and told him she might know someone who could get him a good job, which would give him a nice pay check. He hadn't told her about Robert and how he was acting weird, because he didn't want anyone to know. He figured he'd be able to stand up against him on his own – he was a big boy, he didn't need help.

"Hey man, there you are!" Chad said, and gave him a pad on the shoulder, "I haven't seen you all day."

Troy's eyes scanned over the cafeteria, in search for something pink, but Sharpay wasn't there yet, "No, I woke up late, had to rush through everything."

"Point is, you made it, sweetie." Gabriella told him, and kissed his cheek lightly.

He shot her a huge smile, and stroked the back of her hand. There was just something about being in Gabriella's presence that reassured him. She was so calm and nice, and everything felt good when they were together. She was the perfect girlfriend, and even if she wasn't the best listener for his problems (like a certain blonde-haired, pink-wearing girl), she was always there for him, even if she went on about a lot of other stuff instead.

"So, what's up?" Chad questioned him, as he digged into his tuna sandwich.

"Not much." Troy shrugged, and started eating his own lunch as well, "Talked to my mom this morning though, I have to get a job. I have to make some money for college or something."

"Wow," Gabriella smiled, as she chewed happily on an apple, "that's something. Of course it's understandable that you guys have less money now. I might know someone who can help you. I can always ask my mom – her boss uses a lot of younger workers. They're cheaper, or whatever."

"It's alright, thank you, though." Troy replied, genially happy for the offer, "But I already asked Sharpay for help. She knows a lot of people – no offence Gab – so I figured she might be able to get me into a place where I earn a lot. She even offered it herself. I couldn't say no, I wouldn't say no."

Gabriella nodded, though she looked a bit disappointed. Troy didn't take much notice to this, though, because he figured she would. There had always been this thing between Gabriella and Sharpay – Gabriella had always been a bit jealous, and it was even worse now.

Chad was oblivious to this though, so he snatched a fry from Gabriella's plate, and shot Troy a look, "Why this sudden buddy-buddy relationship with Sharpay, dude?" he questioned, eyes wide, 'fro bouncing, "You guys act like some old friends or something. What happened?"

Troy bit his lip, and shrugged, "I just…" he searched for the right words, before continuing, "…I just… talk to her, I guess. She understands me or something, I dunno. But she's sweet, you should all give her a chance."

Gabriella didn't like the outcome of this conversation very much, so she quickly ate all her fries, and drank the rest of her water, "I'll be at the library." She told them, eyeing Troy in that certain way. He knew it was expected of him to go with her, so that was what he did. Honestly, it would be nice to have some alone time with her.

"I'll go with you." he offered, and quickly stood up. Even if he wasn't done with his lunch, that smile on her face was worth it. He loved making her happy like that. Gabriella was worth everything, because she also made him happy.

--

Sharpay sighed happily and closed the piano carefully. It was so nice and calm to be at the school during this hours. No one were really there, so she could sit by the piano in peace and sing, and write and play – without any interruptions from the outside world. Of course the Science squad might be there somewhere along with a few other clubs, but they all had their own stuff to worry about, so they wouldn't disturb her.

She checked her watch and decided that she really needed to get home, so she wouldn't miss dinner. Her mother would kill her if she wasn't there. She quickly stood up and brushed the back of her pink skirt off, before she grabbed her purse and was out of the music-room.

She had to stop by her locker to grab a History book. She had to read something for the next day, so she'd have to be quick. She hurried down the hallway, heels clicking against the floor. It almost sounded like an echo in the empty hallway, and Sharpay felt, it was a bit spooky.

She got to her locker and grabbed her book. She also found her iPod and was about to turn it on, when a loud outburst echoed through the hallway. Sharpay stopped in mid-move and held her breath, listening for another sound. She stood like that for almost a minute, before she could hear another one, coming from down the hall.

She followed the sounds. She couldn't really make out what was being said, since she was still too far away, but she was getting nearer and could now make out a few words. As she got nearer and nearer, she realized that the yelling was coming from the gymnasium.

The basketball team wasn't practising today was it? But… it sounded a lot like Robert.

She placed her ear against the door, pressing it firmly to the wood, so she would be able to hear everything going on in there. Now, she usually wasn't nosy and had to know everything, even if she was the Queen of Gossip… But this just… it worried her. Robert worried her. And she was worried about Troy. She had to know what was going on in that family now, because something didn't seem right.

"-fuck, Troy! You just gotta work harder! We can't have the team captain running like a girl!" Robert yelled, and Sharpay could clearly hear him through the closed door.

"But I'm worn out!" Troy breathed, and Sharpay had to press her ear even further to the door, to be able to make out what he was saying, "I'm so tired… It's been hard for me, Robert. I just need some time to let everything get okay again."

"The championship waits for no one!" Robert roared, and Sharpay dared to push the door a bit open, so she could see what was going on. Robert was leaning over Troy, who was sitting on one of the benches, breathing heavily.

"I'm sorry, but my father just died!" Troy defended himself, this time with a bit more strength in his voice. Sharpay could tell that this hadn't just happened now – it had been going on for some time. She could see Troy was tired of it. She could see he was about to give up on everything. She had no idea why Robert would do this to Troy. The boy's father just died, and his uncle, the guy who was supposed to be there for him, just kept pushing him like the death of his brother meant nothing.

"It doesn't matter!" Robert said, voice steady and hard, "You're weak. Just like your father." And with those words Robert almost spit on Troy, before he turned to leave.

Sharpay quickly left the door and hid behind a wall. She heard Robert leave the gym with angry footsteps. He brushed right past her, but didn't notice her, thanks to his rage. She breathed out a sigh of relief, and made sure he was totally gone, before she went for the gymnasium. She softly stepped inside, letting the door smack close behind her.

Troy's back was turned to her, but it didn't keep him from speaking, "Look, if you're here to torture me more, forget it! I'm not gonna let you do this to me." he told her, because he thought she was Robert. He then turned around, and his eyes went wide when he realized she was Sharpay, and therefore not his uncle.

"Troy?" she questioned, and took a small step closer to him, "I heard everything… Are you alright?"

He didn't answer. He just stared at her, like he couldn't believe what he was seeing. Those blue eyes were wide with fear and realization. But he didn't move, he stood completely still.

"Troy?" she tried again.

Troy swallowed hard and turned to the bench. He grabbed his things and quickly ran past her and out of the gym, leaving her behind.

Sharpay had no idea what to do or say. What she had just witnessed was being comprehension. What could she do about it? Especially if Troy wouldn't admit to anyone what was wrong? She would have to talk to him, that was for certain.

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Xoxo,

Lilcutie0918 and Stessa