Two hours later, Troy found himself sitting at the waiting area at JFK. Another half an hour and his flight would be called to start boarding. He couldn't believe he was about to do the unimaginable and unexpected. Troy was going back home, his real home.

Sitting there alone since Mugsy had to be taken away in a cage with the luggage, Troy thought back to the conversation he had with his parents prior to his arrival to the airport.

"Actually, now that you mention it, that was another reason why I was calling."

"What do you mean, sweetie? Are you actually thinking about coming?" his mother asked with a bit of hope.

"I think so. I just really need to get home…to feel its comfort. I know I said that my life is good right now but currently it's becoming a whirlwind mixed with a roller coaster…and not the good kind."

"What's wrong, Troy?" his father asked.

"I don't really feel like talking about it now. It's a pretty sticky situation…besides, I'd rather tell you guys in person to make sure you get all the details." He knew that his parents would shocked to find out about him even being married but that was something that he owed them in person.

"That's fine. We'll take your word on that. So when do you plan on coming?" asked Jack.

"I don't know…as soon as possible? Maybe later, maybe tomorrow, next week…not sure yet…if that's ok with you guys of course…"

"Troy, you should know that our door is always open especially to you…you're our little boy! You're more than welcomed anytime. I can't believe you're actually considering coming home…after all this time! You have tons of explaining to do whenever you decide to come, just so you know. Givin' you a heads up." Said Lucille.

Troy chuckled at his mothers comment, "For sure, mom. I'll tell you guys about everything and anything you want to know. Deal?" Troy tried reasoning.

"You got it, kid. I'm going to be holding that deal to you." Jack said.

"Listen, I just really want to be there and see you guys. I didn't realize how homesick I felt until now that I actually called and heard your voices. Would it be too much to ask or any trouble if I wanted to come home tonight?" Troy nervously asked. He was silently praying that they weren't just saying that he was welcomed back that easily. He didn't deserve to be welcomed back just like that.

"Did you not hear me when I said that our door is always open for you? Of course you can come! The sooner, the better! We miss you too much to just deny you…besides, what kind of parents would we be to do that to our baby?" his mother proved just how forgiving they could actually be.

"Mom, I'm not a baby anymore nor am I little. Please stop."

"Some things will never change about you, huh? Still seems like you're embarrassed when I show you some affection." His mother said amusingly. He pictured her grinning from ear to ear.

"Lucille, give the boy – I mean 'man' some space, will you? Can't you see you're messing up his rep or his game or whatever it is that the kids call it these days?" Jack chuckled to himself.

Troy had to admit that he missed moments like this with his parents. They were so goofy yet serious when they had to be and loved them for it. At that moment, he couldn't understand why he didn't keep in touch with them years ago. This was everything he was missing out on and he began to regret it greatly.

"Uh…right…dad you're just as bad sometimes. Anyway, I'm going to let you guys go. I got to inform some people of a very last minute vacation. I'll see if I could catch the first flight over there."

"Alright son, you go do what you got to do. Call us, alright?" Jack instructed.

"Of course. I'll call when I purchase the flight at the airport…expect a call from me later."

"Okay…you be careful, you hear me young man? Don't forget to call us. Make sure you wear a sweater; the flights are always cold. Oh, and make sure to put on some comfortable shoes too because it's a long way-"

"Mom! Chill out…I'm grown. Don't worry so much." Troy almost sounded annoyed by the way his mother babied him; one of the traits he thought he wouldn't miss much but considering the years, he actually did. .

"I have to! I haven't verbally worried to you for almost five years! Do you realize how much worrying I have to make up?" she exclaimed.

"If only you were kidding…but I really got to go. I'll call you. I promise."

"You better." Jack said. There was an eerie silence that suddenly came on the phone. None of them knew what to say.

"Um…I love you both. I hope to see you soon." Troy said nervously, scratching the back on his neck. His voice slightly cracked. He felt emotional.

"We love you too." His parents replied in unison.

"Talk to you later. Bye."

"Bye."

And here he was now, still waiting. Before he left, he packed his clothes and his prized possessions since he wasn't quite sure when he would be returning back to the city. After he hung up wit his parents, he called his boss and made up some excuse about his mother being in the hospital and very ill, practically near death. God forbid that anything like that would happen to his mom but he needed an excuse. Thankfully, they gave him a week off and Troy figured he would use that to his advantage on helping him decide whether he wanted to come back or not.

After calling his job, he dialed Kelsi's number to tell her the truth about where he would be. She was ecstatic about the news and even more so when he told her that he hopefully would be seeing Gabriella, which is if she even wanted to see him. Being the good friend that Kelsi has always been, she encouraged Troy to go for what he wanted and to make things right no matter how hard it would be. He appreciated how supportive she was about everything. He could always count on her because she never disappointed him nor let him down.

Twenty minutes had gone by, leaving Troy to wait for ten more. Not wanting to have to use the bathroom on the plane, he made his way to the bathroom just a few feet away and used it. Washing his hands after, he toweled them dry and went back over to his seat that he was previously sitting at. He took the time to send a quick text to Chad since they spoke every other week.

Guess who's coming home :-)

Not even a minute later, he received one back.

Dude! You've got to be kidding me! You're coming home? =D

Picturing Chad with that silly grin that he constantly had on his face, Troy sent another text back.

Pretty much. Just wanted to let you know. Sorta busy right now so I'll talk to you later man.

He slipped his phone into his pocket when he noticed people were now standing by the entrance to the corridor to aboard the plane. It wasn't that much of a long line to make so Troy felt relieved and thankful for that. He gave his parents one last phone call to let them know that he would be boarding the plane.

Minutes later, he was seated at his window seat, staring at the darkening sky outside. That day was such an eventful one for Troy. Who would've thought that he would have caught his wife cheating, called his parents, and is on his way to New Mexico all on the same day? He certainly didn't.

Troy rested his head against the seat and just thought to himself. He thought of how he had possibly let his life get so out of control. He thought about how he managed to lose what he wanted most. Kind of like how he lost his own dream just as Gabriella did. In high school, his dream was to become famous whether it was basketball or acting. He wanted to make a name for himself with Gabriella by his side the entire way. While chasing his dream career, he managed to lose the greater part of the dream altogether, his love, his better half, his fate, Gabriella. How could he have been so stupid to think that she could've been replaceable and married Pamela? He couldn't have blamed her if she would've moved on after he left to New York but that didn't mean that he should've done it so quickly because look where it got him. It didn't get him anywhere.

Troy believed that he should've tried to have gone after her all those years ago. He should've tried to work things out and make the best of it because now he was regretting everything that happened. But this was his last chance to make things right. This was his opportunity to seek after what they had and still have. This was his time to conquer all the obstacles that he knows will be there and have the damsel fall in love with him all over again. He was going to try and fix every problem that he had awaiting him.

Pamela stepped out of the sleek black vehicle that belonged to none other than Lance. She hitched a ride home with him just like she normally would. Clicking her pumps up to her apartment, she stopped in her tracks in front of the door where she saw a note.

I have a surprise for you…hope you like it babe. Meet me in the kitchen ;-)

-Troy

She smirked to herself and opened the door with ease. Expecting to see Mugsy running out of nowhere, she was surprised when he didn't.

'That's odd…' she thought to herself but brushed it off when she happily wondered what Troy would have for her. He always had the best surprises. She slowly made her way to the kitchen in search of Troy but he wasn't there. She looked around and noticed her cell, a tape recorder, and another note on the counter.

"Press play." Pam read the note aloud and picked up the tape recorder and pressed play like she was instructed to. She listened closely as Troy's voice suddenly filled the room.

"Hey Pam. It's me, your husband. You're probably wondering what this is all about, right? Well to answer that, I just wanted you to know that I took a last minute trip back home to Albuquerque, New Mexico. Why? I just needed some space and a place to get away and think and I thought that there wouldn't be no better place than home. I bet that now you're wondering why I needed to get away and think…am I right again? I needed to get away because I just discovered today that my wife - which is you, has been cheating on me with who I'm assuming is your coworker, Lance. It's funny because you said that he didn't exist yet I saw the guy with my own eyes. Yeah, I caught you in your own lie but it wouldn't be fair for me to just put you down like that when I have a confession of my own. Not only did you cheat on me but I also cheated on you…once. I got to say that I'm sorry for doing it to you but it's a really long and complicated story. Even though you've been playing me for who knows how long, I want to say thank you. You're confused now, right? Let me help you out. I'm thanking you because if I would've never found out you were cheating, I wouldn't be trying to go back after what I lost…my family, friends, and a good girl. Everything that I'm saying has to do with my past. Look, as fucked up as it was for me to find out the way that I did, I still appreciate it. So what else is there left to say? Uh…I want a divorce. I'll have my lawyer meet yours and then we could just settle everything…you could have whatever you want but I'm keeping Mugsy. By the way, he's with me right now. If you have any questions or if you want to clear anything up, call me tomorrow because I'm probably on a plane right now and I don't want to deal with the bullshit at the moment. I guess that's all there is for me to say…take care of yourself, Pam. Maybe I'll see you soon. Bye…Oh! Before I forget, your mom left like three missed calls on your phone. Call her back; it seems urgent. But now I'm serious again, I got to go catch a plane. Bye."

Pamela felt so confused, upset, terrible, and sad. She began to pace the kitchen and decided to go to the bedroom. Once inside, she saw that the open drawers of the dresser were empty and so was Troy's side of the closet.

'What just happened? Did he just leave me? How the fuck did he find out about Lance? What the hell am I going to do now?' Pamela ran a frustrated hand through her auburn locks while a single tear escaped her eye. She had it coming but it still hurt to know that he wanted a divorce even though she wasn't that in love with him. She had no one to blame but herself. She played the game wrong and made the move that got her caught.

Looks like it was game over.

And there you have it! Troy is on his way to conquer the world while Pam is left in the dust like she deserved to be. I know the chapter is a bit short but it's a filler. I just needed to get those events out there so I did. I hope you all liked it!

Before I forget, thanks to everyone who reviewed the last chapter! I really appreciate getting them so please continue! REVIEW!