As was normal at East High, after School Chad, Troy and the Wildcats were practising basketball in the Gym. Practice was going well and Coach Bolton had a good feeling about this year. The only thing that did cause the coach some concern was Chad; he hadn't been himself all day. The coach knew the only person who could help Chad was his son Troy; they'd been like brothers since they were ten so chances were they could help each other out.

"Troy can you come over here for a minute please" Coach Bolton shouted to his son.

"What's up coach?"

"Chad looks a bit down; do you want to invite him over tonight? Your Mum and I are heading to the pictures and I'm sure she wouldn't mind you and Chad tagging along, you know she thinks of him like one of her own anyway. That's if you don't mind hanging around with your old Dad"

"Course I don't mind Dad, I was thinking of asking him over anyway cause he didn't look too good in class either"

"Okay tell the guys practice is over and I'll give your mum a ring"

Troy ran back over to the wildcats and told them practice was over, then went over to speak to Chad. There were a few relieved looks from the rest of the team, obviously they'd noticed something was up with Chad as well, problem was only Troy really knew how to handle him when he was upset, the rest would probably get their heads bitten off for asking if he was okay.

Coach Bolton smiled as he dialled his home number and watched the reactions of his team, he shouldn't really say his team if he's honest it's his son they all worship, not a bad thing that, not a bad thing at all.

"Hey honey, tell me why all the women in my life are correct all the time? I think we have company tonight"

At this point Chad and Troy gave thumbs up to Coach Bolton and Chad even managed a weak smile.

"I told you Troy would appreciate you making the offer and Chad always loves coming over here, you know that"

Mrs Bolton was right again, she'd watched Chad and Troy become friends since they were ten; she had the feeling that after seven years she really should know all about them.

Strangely though something Gabriella had said the other day made her wonder if there was something she was missing, she figured Troy would tell her if there was something she needed to know but decided to keep an eye on him just in case.

After saying goodbye to his wife Coach Bolton walked over to Chad and his son,

"We're going to have food at 5pm then go out, that okay?"

"Yeah thanks Coach" Chad still looked like he was upset but not as bad as he had been.

"No problem, Troy can I have a quick word before you guys head off?"



Troy followed the Coach over to his office

"If he starts to tell you what's wrong don't worry about getting back home for five just text me or something to let me now."

"Thanks Dad, you are always better with problem solving than me"

"Doubt it, not with what you can do with the team"

While Troy and the Coach were talking Chad moved closer to the door to see if he could hear the conversation, he smiled when he realised they really did care about him.

Without making any noise he moved back to his original position so when Troy came out of the coaches' office he was able to pick his bag up and walk out to his locker with Troy.

If only they knew what was bothering me, if only they knew, Chad thought.