Chapter Eight: I'm Sorry

Chad sighed: long and hard.

"Dude...are you okay?" Troy asked.

Chad gave him a look, which clearly ment he wasn't.

"Oh, how nice of you to notice, Troy." Chad responded, which Troy frowned at.

"Really. Ever since your phone call with Taylor, you've--"

"Yeah, I have. If Gabriella told you that you couldn't star in the musical that was coming up, you'd know it felt!"

They were sitting in the living room of the Bolton house, recollecting the phone call Chad had with Taylor.

"You really want to be in that dance competion, don't you?" Troy asked as Chad nodded.

"Yeah, I really do. But, now that Taylor thinks I made up my mind, I don't know if I can."

Troy gave his friend a smile, and looked at him.

"Chad, if you really want to convince Taylor you'd do the dance competion, I'll lie to my father again."

"Troy, this basketball game is a tradition, and I can't--"

"What's more important Chad? Taylor or a basketball game? If I were you, I'd pick Taylor." Troy asked, cutting him off.

Chad looked back at Troy, and realized that Troy was really serious.

"Of course Taylor, but Coach will totally have my head if I didn't show up!"

"My dad will forgive and forget, Chad, even if I do lie to him or not. If the dance competion means that much to you and to Taylor, do the competion. Don't let a basketball game get you down."

Chad gazed down at his shoes, and then reached into his backpack to take out his cellphone.

Troy smiled as Chad pressed Taylor's name on his Contacts.

"Hey. This is Taylor."

Chad tried not to act nervous as he gave her his reply.

"Hey, Taylor. It's Chad again."

"What do you want now?"

Chad cringed at her tone of voice, and he realized she was hurt...very hurt.

"Listen, can I explain myself before you slash out at me?" Chad asked.

He heard Taylor sigh on the other line.

"Okay."

Chad smiled as he got up, and got his backpack from the floor.

"I'll be at your house in five minutes. Tops."

"Chad--"

He didn't let her get to finish as he pressed "end" and turned to Troy, who still sitting on the coach.

"See, your not the only guy who cares about his girlfriend." Chad told him, and Troy laughed, making Chad smile.