Disclaimer: I do not own high school musical or any of there characters.
Luckily for the rest of the night Troy and Gabriella were not left by their selves and they didn't run into any incidents like before. But they had to admit they had had fun that night. Troy was beginning to get along with the kids apart from Tanya and they both had got along with each other without arguing.
Once Gabriella had got them to bed, she went downstairs and found Troy rocking Natalia in his arms. He quietly sang to her while she held onto one of his fingers. She watched him silently trying to get her to sleep. Natalia giggled and clapped her hands still holding onto Troy's finger. Troy chuckled.
"You're not going to go sleep are you?"
"She will, she's just fascinated by you and wants to play with you. Don't you Natalia?" said Gabriella as she sat on the arm of the sofa next to Troy and rubbed Natalia's stomach. Troy had not notice Gabriella come in and wondered how long she had been there.
"She started to cry so I picked her up, you can have her back know," said Troy, started to hand her back to Gabriella but she stopped him.
"You can hold her, she likes you. And it looked you were enjoying yourself with her." Troy looked down at Natalia, she really was adorable. He didn't mind being his self around her. Only one other person had he felt comfortable to be his true self around and now she hated him.
"So who's daughter is she?" asked Troy as he stroked her face moving the hair out her face which was irritating her.
"My oldest brother's," said Gabriella. Troy knew that he wasn't her real brother but he treated her like her own sister.
"How come she's not with him?" Troy asked curiously.
"Brandon's working tonight. I look after Natalia when he's working."
"What about her mum?" Natalia yawned quietly. She put her small thumb into her mouth and cuddled into Troy's chest.
"She doesn't look after Natalia. Brandon's a single father," said Gabriella looking down at her hands. Troy wanted to ask what happened to her mother didn't as he knew Gabriella looked like she didn't want to talk about.
"Natalia's mum left her when she was born. She had met my brother at a night club and one thing led to another. They didn't meet again until my brother got a letter saying he had to go to court. We couldn't afford a good lawyer so we got one giving to us which didn't make a difference as when he went to court he was accused of raping the girl. My brother tried to tell them he never did it but they said he had no proof he never did it as she was seen leaving with her and he already having a criminal record. My brother was sent to prison for year but than was let out by the girls father as he wanted Brandon to look after Natalia as he said his daughter had a life ahead of her unlike him and she didn't need a kid holding her back. My brother didn't care as long as he was out of prison and got to have Natalia since then he has never regretted having her," explained Gabriella wiping a tear from her face. It hurt Troy hearing there were people like that and seeing Gabriella upset. He put his hand on her arm.
"You didn't have to tell me that," said Troy as she rubbed his hand up and down her arm. She just shrugged at him and played with the edge of Natalia dress. She watched Natalia sleep peacefully in Troy's arms.
"Well she's lucky to have an aunt like you looking after her than have her mother looking after her any day," said Troy. Gabriella smiled, maybe Troy was really changing.
"Thanks." Just then the front door opened and Lucille came in. Troy removed his hand from Gabriella's arm.
"Ah Gabriella your still here, you should have left earlier Troy would've handled the kids. It's late now and you have school tomorrow," said Lucille as she took her coat off.
"It's no problem. You do know that I love spending time with them," said Gabriella getting up and putting the toys back in the boxes.
"You don't have to do that," said Lucille and handed Gabriella some money. "This is for looking after them."
"I don't want the money. I was just helping out," said Gabriella.
"No you deserve it. You need the money for college," said Lucille, putting the money into her hand.
"I don't even know if I've got in any yet and I'll only be able to go if I get the scholarship," said Gabriella as she put on her jacket.
"You'll get in for sure," said Lucille. "It's dark out. Troy will drop you home."
"No that's fine. I'll be okay," said Gabriella. Troy got up but she stopped him. "No, it's fine Troy."
"No, I'll drop you home," said Troy as he handed Natalia to her and put his jacket on and took Natalia back.
"Fine then, see ya later, Lucille," said Gabriella as she walked out the door.
"Thanks again Gabi," said Lucille as closed the door. Lucille was right it was dark out and late. Troy followed Gabriella keeping Natalia close to him so she wouldn't feel the cool breeze. When they arrived outside of Gabriella's house, Troy handed Natalia to Gabriella to her.
"I hope I get the chance to see her again," said Troy.
"If you want to see her you can just call and I'll bring her to you or you come if it's possible," said Gabriella.
"Okay. So this is where you actually live?" asked Troy as he never known where her real home was.
"Yes it is. Thanks for bringing us home," said Gabriella as she tip-toed and kissed on the cheek. "That's from Natalia."
"Are you sure?" Troy smirked. Gabriella nodded.
"Nothing has changed between since this morning I still hate you as much as I had this morning. Bye Troy," said Gabriella happily as she opened the front door.
"It's good to know," said Troy and walked from her house.
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Chad came up to rest of the gang in the hallway in front of Gabriella's locker.
"Hey Chad," said Gabriella as she took her books out of her locker and the rest of the guys greeted him.
"You guys looking forward to try outs?" said Chad as he spun his basketball on his finger. Nathan glared at him. Everything was fine for him he didn't have the captaincy taking off him; he didn't have to try out.
"The joy! Getting judged by Bolton if we can play to his greatness as we don't already get enough of that," yelled Nathan slamming his locker shut. Chad stopped spinning his ball and calmly said,
"Nathan, I was just asking, no need to bite man."
"Well no need to rub it in our face, that you don't need to try out as you were the best player on the team as Bolton says. I saw your face when he said it yesterday; you've already started to kiss up to him. You claim you haven't forgotten what he said but you've put that all in the past just by him bribing you by making you vice-captain," shouted Nathan as he moved closer to Chad.
"I'm not kissing up to him maybe if you gave him a chance or even get to know him, then you would understand him but as you're so self absorbed you just think about your self. And I wasn't bribed by him, I was voted by the old team yesterday. Bolton told me yesterday and to make sure this was true I phoned the team and they said yes. Also I put what he said to the past as he apologised for it yesterday," said Chad. When Troy was walking back from Gabriella's house, Chad had seen him and called over to the basketball court.
"Hey Man," said Chad. He threw the ball into the hooped and scored.
"How come you're out here, at this time?" said Troy taking the ball.
"Anything's better then being at home," muttered Chad. "Can I ask you something?"
"Sure," said Troy, shooting the ball into the hoop.
"Why did you say all those things to us before and now you suddenly the things you said mean nothing to you?" Troy looked at the ball in his hands and sat down on the floor.
"It's complicated. It has lot to do with my past and then moving here. I think if I hadn't met someone then maybe I wouldn't have said all those things before to you lot like tramps and all the other things."
"It's because of Gabriella isn't it?" said Chad sitting down next to him. Troy looked up with wide eyes.
"How did you know?"
"I've known since the day she came to stop when you were in a fight. She ran into me and Taylor after she had seen you and she just told us everything not caring who she was telling just wanting let it out. You should've seen her face; I had never seen her so broken apart. She was the toughest person I knew I thought it was impossible to break her but you did," said Chad. He looked at Troy, he swore he had just seen a tear on his face but it wasn't there anymore. Troy didn't say anything just sat there. After a couple of minutes he spoke up,
"I'm sorry. I never should have said any of the things to you or the others. The only real person I was really angry at was Smith as Gabriella chose him instead of me and I guess I was just selfish you were all close to her and she loved you and hated me. But that was my fault and I lost my chance and none of you should have had to bear my anger," apologise Troy.
"Dude I understand why you did it and I accept your apology. You must really have loved her?" said Chad.
"I still do. Can please not tell anyone about what I've told you? I rather have Gabriella hate me than think I was jealous and wrong," said Troy.
"I will but do think you'll be able to survive watching Nathan and Gabriella together and not telling her you love her?"
"I did it all last year and this year. I'll be fine," said Troy. For the rest of the night they talked about tryouts and other things that guys talk about. Chad had felt that he was wrong about Troy, he was a good guy and saw why Gabriella had fell in love with him.
Nathan punched Chad in the face. "Whatever I don't care what he said to you. He's still stupid fucking dick to me," he said walking away from them. Chad held onto the side of his face. He tried to move his jaw but it hurt too much so he kept it still. Gabriella put her hand onto Chad's arm and said,
"Are you okay?"
"I'm fine Gabs, you should see if Nathan's okay," said Chad. Just than Troy came up to them and said,
"What happened?" Gabriella ignored him and said,
"I'm not going after him. His is a stupid jerk that really needs to stop thinking about his self."
"Smith did this?" asked Troy. Chad nodded.
"You need to put ice on that," said Gabriella pulling Chad with her to the nurse. "Bolton if you see Taylor tell her where Chad is." Chad stopped Gabriella and said,
"You can tell Taylor where I am and you can go talk to Nathan. Troy will take me to the nurse." Gabriella stared at Chad trying to let her do what she wanted but failed as usual.
"Fine I'll go. But if he touches you again your punching him back and your not going to stick up for him," said Gabriella.
"But it won't happen again," said Chad. Gabriella walked away sticking her tongue out at him. Troy turned towards Chad and said,
"You two are close aren't you?"
"Yes just like older brother who knows best but a sister who doesn't want to listen," said Chad as they walked to the nurse.
When Gabriella arrived at her class Taylor ran up to her.
"Is Chad okay? I heard what happened. Is he bleeding?" said Taylor as held onto Gabriella.
"Chad said he's fine and he isn't bleeding. Troy's taking him to the nurse to get some ice," said Gabriella hugging Taylor.
Five minutes before the end of the lesson Troy and Chad with an ice pack on his face walked into the class. Taylor ran out her seat and hugged Chad.
"Taylor I'm fine. Gabs did you talk to Nathan?" asked Chad.
"Puh-lease, I'm not going to talk to him," said Gabriella getting out her seat. As all four of them walked to their next class, Nathan glared at Chad and Troy acting like best friends. He noticed Gabriella was with them which made him angrier. She walked past him not taking any notice in him.
"Gabi, can I talk to you?"asked Nathan as he stood in front of her.
"No," said Gabriella and walked past him and joined the others. Nathan punched the locker, nothing was going his way since Bolton arrived but he wasn't going to let Bolton ruin his and Gabriella's relationship.
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At lunch Troy walked over and sat at the empty table. His ran through the plans for tryouts in head. He was actually looking forward to them. A freshmen boy came up to him and tapped on his shoulder.
"What's up man?" asked Troy.
"Um well yesterday I didn't sign up for tryouts .... and well I wondering ... if I could tryout for the team?" asked the boy slightly shaking.
"Sure, I just need your name?" said Troy.
"Oh it's Junior Brown," said Junior.
"Oh okay," said Troy and then wondered if he was the same guy Tanya was talking about. "Are you going out with Tanya Walter?"
"Um no," said Junior blushing. "She's my best friend."
"My mistake I'll see at your tryouts then," said Troy.
"Yeah, bye," said Junior walking away from him.
"Troy!" someone yelled from behind him and saw Chad and Zeke calling him over. Troy shook his head and turned away. He was glad they had accepted him but didn't want any trouble if they became friends.
"Well dude if you ain't going to join us, then we'll join you," said Chad and sat down next to him followed by the rest of the gang even Sharpay and Gabriella.
"You guys didn't have to come and sit with me. I was fine here alone," said Troy.
"I told you he didn't want us here," said Sharpay getting up but Taylor pulled her down. At least Sharpay had not changed her feelings towards her him.
"We wanted to," said Zeke.
"Exactly now you have to bear our company everyday," said Chad pushing Troy shoulder.
"Tryouts means no dance rehearsals, doesn't it?" said Sharpay.
"Yeah," said Gabriella. "What days are guys going to be using the gym?"
"Well me and Chad thought that amount of training we will need means we will have to have training everyday," said Troy.
"WHAT!!" yelled Gabriella, Sharpay and Taylor which took Troy by surprise.
"Then where are we supposed to rehearse?" asked Gabriella.
"Sorry I kind of forgot about the dance team," said Chad covering his ears just in case they yelled again.
"Why don't you rehearse during free period?" said Zeke.
"We only get two periods free in a week. Two hours isn't enough," said Taylor.
"As long as you don't bother the team you can share the gym with us on Mondays and you can have the gym during the free periods as well," Troy offered. "How about that?" The three of them huddled together and whispered. Troy looked at Chad, who shrugged and said,
"I don't understand the female mind."
"I heard that," said Taylor as they sat back up.
"Deal as long as you lot don't stare at us during rehearsals and don't annoy us," said Gabriella sticking her hand across the table. Troy smiled taking her hand and said,
"Deal and anyway if you distract the team we will kick you out the gym." Her hand was small and soft. It fitted perfectly into his hand.
"We'll see about that," said Gabriella smiling at him. Nathan was watching from across the cafeteria and wished he could break Troy's hand right now. But he had a plan to get Gabriella talking to him. He went over to her and kneeled behind her.
"Gabi," he said. Gabriella took her hand out of Troy's making his hand feel cold and turned around.
"What?"
"I'm sorry I acted like a..." Nathan was cut off.
"I'm not the one you have to say sorry to," she said looking at Chad.
"He's already apologised to me," said Chad.
"You said sorry to him so what, you punched him. Who the heck punches their friend?" said Gabriella.
"That's why I was saying I was a fool and I was just being selfish. Everything was going well for everyone else except for me and I forgot that I made you a promise about controlling my temper," said Nathan as he took her hands.
"Then why do you make promises if you can never keep them?" she asked. Usual she wouldn't compare her relationship with Troy with Nathan's relationship but know Troy was right there she couldn't help but think how Troy had always kept their promises.
"I know I'm stupid. But to help I wanted to give you this." Nathan took out a sliver locket out. "If I ever feel angry or know I'm going to do something I'll see you wearing this and it will remind not to do anything dumb."
"Aww," Sharpay said.
"I don't know Nathan," she said looking at the locket.
"Please Gabi. I love you and I hate us not speaking," said Nathan. Troy flinched Nathan had just said he loved her. Did she love him back? If she did, that meant she didn't love him anymore. Chad had noticed Troy flinch. He felt bad for him, that he had to watch all of this. He put his hand on Troy's shoulder as if he didn't have to stay. Troy wanted to stay to hear what she said but he didn't know what he would do if she said she loved him. He stood up, it was better if he didn't stay. Chad nodded at him as to say he understood and Troy walked away.
"Okay I accept your apology," said Gabriella, taking the necklace and putting it on. He kissed her gently on the lips and sat down next her.
"Thanks Gabi. It means the world to me," said Nathan putting his arm around her.
"You two are so cute together," said Sharpay. "Where did Bolton go?"
"Um he had to make sure the others that are helping us pick the squad are on there way," lied Chad. Gabriella knew exact reason why Troy had left.
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Troy pulled his wife beater over his head and walked into the gym. In fifteen minutes the others would arrive and tryouts would begin.
"Thanks again man, for coming out here to help me," said Troy to the captain of the LA Lakers.
"No probs, Bolton. Anytime, I still haven't forgotten how you saved from losing a spot on the team," said Jordon Wilson.
"It was nothing, I just said that you were ill when you should have been at training instead of being in Spain on the beach," said Troy.
"I still can't believe they believed you," said Jordan.
"I was ten they didn't think I would be lying," said Troy. The gym door opened and Chad came in.
"Jordan this Chad the vice captain, Chad this..." Chad cut Troy off and said,
"I know who he is. Dude your amazing player," Chad said. Troy laughed.
"Thanks. I'll go see if coach is here," said Harry.
"How did you get the coach and captain of the LA Lakers here?" asked Chad.
"The coach was my dad's best friend and Jordan owed me a favour and they have a game against the Knicks this weekend anyway," said Troy.
"Gabs don't love Nathan," said Chad.
"What?" asked Troy. She doesn't? Troy thought.
"That's why you left; you thought she was going to tell Nathan she loved him. He's been saying he loves her since last spring but she hasn't said it back since doesn't feel the same way," said Chad.
"Oh," said Troy. He felt the happiness run through him. Nathan didn't deserve to be loved by Gabriella.
When everyone had arrived, Troy divided them into two groups. One group went off with Chad and Jordan to do conditioning and Troy stayed with Harry to see the guys play basketball and what skills they had. After two hours they swapped groups. There was a lot of talent in the school that had gone unnoticed which was now up to Troy and Chad to get noticed. The guys that couldn't keep up were eventually sent out but there were still too many to pick from. At the end of the tryouts all the guys waited in the gym to find out if they got into the team. Most of them were exhausted and in pain by the end of two hours but didn't give up as a basketball was the only they really had.
"So this is the final team?" asked Chad and Troy nodded as they walked back into the gym with Harry and Jordan. Troy stood on the bleachers with the team list.
"We've decided on the eleven players for the varsity team and the other eleven for junior varsity team," said Troy. "Only 22 of you lot will actually get into a team but I would like to thank you all for coming today and I'll like to thank Harry and Jordan for coming out here today and helping me and Chad chose the team." The whole of the gym cheered for them.
"Thanks guys, we'll be leaving now. Congrats to the guys that made the team," said Harry shaking Troy's and Chad's hand before they left.
"So the junior varsity team is ...," Chad read out the team list. Each one came up to the front as their name was read out. The team mainly had freshmen and sophomores but it had few juniors as well.
"Now the varsity team is me, Chad Danforth, Zeke Baylor, Marcus Thompson, Kenyon Willis, Damien Cruz, Jaden Brown, Greg Andrews, Micheal Carter, Nathan Smith..," said Troy the last name through his teeth. "... Felix Gomez and Junior Brown." Everyone clapped for them.
"The rest of you guys can leave and thanks for coming," said Chad. Once everyone had left gym Troy said,
"Basketball training will be held everyday after school from 3pm to 6pm. Miss more than two trainings without a reason your off the team. First match will be held on Friday against Jefferson. Any questions?"
"What are the conditions to be on the team?" asked Greg.
"You'll find them out next Monday. Anything else?" said Chad.
"Why is there a freshmen on the varsity squad shouldn't he be in junior?" said Nathan.
"It's mine and Chad's choice on who goes on each squad," snapped Troy. "And it doesn't make a difference on what year you're in if you're a senior or a freshmen; it's on how well you play and if you have a problem without you can quit the team." Nathan glared at him.
"Okay we'll see you guys tomorrow then," said Chad trying to stop them from getting into a fight. As everyone walked out the gym Junior stayed behind and sat on the bleachers.
"You coming man?" said Troy.
"I'll be out in a minute," said Junior. Troy went over and sat next to him.
"Is something wrong? Aren't you glad you made the team?" asked Troy.
"I'm extremely glad; it's just Nathan's right. I shouldn't be on the varsity team," said Junior. Troy rolled his eyes.
"Don't listen to Nathan. Is he captain? No. I wasn't the only one who picked you. Chad, Harry and Jordan did. Harry knows what's best for a team and what types of players you need to make a top team so he wouldn't have chose you if didn't think you were right for the team ," explained Troy.
"I guess so," said Junior.
"Exactly coming lets go," said Troy standing up. Junior followed closing the lights as they left the gym.
That's chapter seven for you guys. I hope you enjoy the chapter. I wasn't sure how many players you get in a whole basketball team. I only know how many players play on the court. So if any of you do know could you please tell me in your review? Thanks. R&R.