Standard disclaimer applies.
Note: Let's just believe that basketball practice takes place after school at the side of it being a subject in school…which I assume as much, considering that I know nothing of American schools and their curricular schedule.
One other thing, I refer to Gabriella and have the others refer to her as Gabriella, because I dislike the nick name Gabby/Gabi/any other spelling variation of the name. And because I haven't heard her being referred to by that in the movie.
Heart of the Game
Part II
Time passed silently in the gymnasium where the basketball team was practising. Troy's sudden outburst had startled many of them, especially the two people who had been involved. Chad sat near the sidelines, nursing his swollen lip, the blank look his face had adopted was still ever present. Even the assistant coaches had not ragged on him to return to practice. No one knew how to react to all this, what to make of Troy's uncharacteristic physical counter or his verbal lashing of the coach, whom had disappeared after Troy had walked out. They weren't sure if he'd gone out after Troy, or to go somewhere for the sake of his own confusion.
"Maybe we should end the practice for today?"
Someone suggested, to which everyone silently agreed. Things had taken a sudden and unexpected turn that no one could really be bothered to continue with the strict training regime.
While the rest returned to the locker rooms to get changed and take their leave for the day, Chad continued to stay glued to his seat. He was furious at Troy for hitting him like that, but somewhat worried at his friends' behaviour as well. It wasn't like try to use his fists to settle disputes, especially when there wasn't even a dispute to speak of.
Chad didn't know what was wrong with him, but he was determined to find out no matter what. First, he'd have to have a talk with Gabriella. Perhaps she's noticed something strange with Troy's behaviour these past few days, as he had, but had not really paid much attention to. He'd chalked it up to the pressure the coach and team were putting on him for the upcoming game, which was actually due in two weeks. If he'd have any intention of making it to the match, best friend in tow, he'd better get to the problem and devise solution as soon as possible. He already knew where to find the aforementioned girlfriend--in the science lab with his own girlfriend cooking up another chemical solution to something or other. Chad neither understood or cared about the scientific mumbo-jumbo the two of them were so interested in, but he cared about Troy, and to get to Troy, he'd need to get to Gabriella. And to get to Gabriella, he'd have to risk life and limb walking into the 'explosion waiting to happen' zone, also known as the science lab.
By the time he made it to the locker room, it was already empty. Everyone had already left beforehand and this left Chad to his own thoughts, but not for long.
While in the process of buttoning up his trousers, the sound of the door to the locker room being slammed open reached him, causing him to jump back in shock. Though he didn't really know why, but his body automatically moved towards the small crook between the locker and the wall near the far end of the stall, eyes keeping intent watch to any sign of movement.
There was sounds of shuffling feet and light steps headed his way, before the form of Troy appeared by the walkway. From Chad's position, he noticed the slight confused expression Troy wore on his face as he looked around, as if trying to locate an object he, himself didn't even know he was looking for. It continued that way for a few minutes before Troy took a step into the basketball club's cubicle and over to his own locker, seemingly oblivious to the fact that he was being watched with hawk's eye proficiency.
Chad watched on as Troy peeled off his shirt, feeling partially like a peeping Tom for spying on Troy like this, but it wasn't until Troy's shirt hit the floor as he'd carelessly flung it aside and the boy turning around, his towel over his shoulder as he intended to get washed off before returning home, did Chad notice just how lean Troy had become. Whereas his body had been among the hot topics in the school ever since the day he first started school, right now, Chad couldn't help but narrow his eyes as he took in Troy's flatter than Victoria Beckham's stomach and the fact that on last count, he could see at least three ribs standing out against Troy's chest. Coupled with the fact that Troy didn't even seem to suspect anything out of the ordinary even as Chad stood just out of his friends' line of sight.
There was something seriously wrong with Troy, and as the Wildcat's captain made his departure for the showers, Chad was now, more than ever, intent on getting to the bottom of it.
- - - - -
"Gabriella! Gabriella!"
Gabriella Montez whirled around at the sound of her name being called over the rush of people. Spotting the ever apparent afro of Chad bopping up and down as the boy jogged up to her, she couldn't help but smile. She had nothing against Chad, but she couldn't help but finding his hairstyle moderately amusing. At times, it even seemed like it had a life of its own.
"Hey, Chad. You seem to be in a hurry."
"Just wanted to catch up to you, that's all," he grinned, hands leaning on his knees as he slowly attempted to regain his breath. What with him being a basketball player and all, he would have expected himself to have at least a moderate amount of stamina. Straightening up, he turned to Gabriella, a more serious look adopted onto his face. "I actually wanted to talk with you about Troy. I mean, have you seen anything strange going on with him lately? Like irritability, mood swings or whatever?"
"Umm, not really. But I haven't been spending that much time with him for a while really, his dad keeps him on a very tight schedule. Why do you ask? And what happened to your lip?"
"He's just been acting pretty whacked for the past week, and this;" he motioned to the cut running over his upper and lower lip; "Is proof of it."
"Oh my god. Did Troy do that?" Gabriella's eyes widened as she touched her fingers to Chad's chin, studying the injury. "Why?"
"Who knows? We were just practising, which he was totally blowing in any case, and all of a sudden he comes up to me and knocks me one. Almost punched my damn teeth out! Then he mouthed off the coach and just left. We haven't seen him since," he ended, opting to leave out the part in the locker room.
"He told off his dad? But…what do you think is wrong with him?" Gabriella felt a wave of guilt wash up over her for not paying attention to Troy's sudden change is attitude.
"I don't know, but I'm definitely going to find out. You in?"
Gabriella simply nodded her head, feeling particularly overwhelmed by the information. The description Chad had given sounded nothing like the Troy she's met at the lodge on New Years, or the one she's sung with in the Winter Musicale. This was not the Troy Bolton she'd fallen in love with.
To be continued…
The comment on Chad's hair is actually my brothers' and my personal opinions. His hair is funny :D
