Thanks to everyone who has reviewed as always makes me smile. Another huge thanks to Georgia :D for reading it through and correcting it :) Also.... college starts back on Monday and I have more exams and coursework so my updates my not be as frequent but I shall try for one every 3 days or something :D

Troy sat on his bed a content smile on his face as he stared at the ceiling. His treasured basketball being thrown up and down as he caught it with ease. His mind wondered back to what had happened that day; waking up in the morning with no interest in the day ahead knowing Gabby wasn't going to be there; seeing Ryan with a black eye and wanting to know what had happened. He didn't believe the nonsense he had said about getting mugged. It surprised him that the drama boy who was the best male actor in the school couldn't lie. It also surprised him that he cared so much and he wanted to find out what had happened just so he could make sure it didn't happen again. The day spent with the blond boy had been fun, he enjoyed their conversations and tutoring him had been interesting. He knew that he had spoke to him as though he would speak to a girl, like he spoke to Gabby, but he didn't care. He liked giving Ryan the attention that he deserved.

"Troy, dinner!" His mum called. It wasn't until dinner was mentioned that Troy realised just how hungry he was. He jumped off his bed, throwing the basketball to the corner and headed downstairs. That smile still on his face. His father was sat at the head of the table, his mother opposite. He sat in his normal seat and instantly started to eat the chicken and chips his mother had cooked.

"So, Troy." His father started. Troy looked up expectantly, he knew what was coming. Dinner always consisted of basketball talk. "How was your day without Gabby?" Troy hadn't expected to be asked that. His father didn't approve of his relationship with her, mainly because of what happened with the musical, though he knew that his father wouldn't really like anyone who could potentially take his mind off basketball.

"It was good," Troy nodded, though in his mind words like wonderful and perfect where swimming around. "How's Jason's ankle?"

"Swollen, but it'll heal." His father nodded.

"Good," Troy smiled as he started to eat again.

"Where did you go after practice?" His dad asked curiously.

"I was helping Ryan with his maths work," Troy smiled, just the memory of spending time with Ryan made him smile.

"Ryan... Ryan Evans?" His dad asked. "The drama kid?"

"Yeah," Troy could practically hear the disappointment in his fathers tone, he was much like Sharpay in the sense that he thought groups should stay with their own. Basketball players should hang around with basketball players and drama students should hang with other drama students.

"Oh, well it's nice that you're helping him." His mum smiled. Troy just nodded in agreement.

The rest of the dinner was spent with his father talking about the next game which was just in a week's time. Troy sighed when he thought about all the practice his father was going to make him do; he couldn't help but think that he would rather spend time with Ryan.

-x-

Ryan sat in his favourite room of the house. His music room. He sat on the floor just staring out of the window that took up most of the wall. The rain was still pouring down hard and the constant tapping of raindrops against the glass was helping calm him down. He smiled to himself as he thought about his day. It hadn't started good, he didn't want to go into school, he couldn't face people knowing that they would be pointing out his very black eye. It was still there, he knew it would take a few days to heal but once Troy had started to speak to him he had thought more on that then on his eye. More importantly he stopped thinking about why he got the black eye and just focused on Troy.

He didn't know why Troy had started to talk to him, though he wasn't going to question it he liked the attention that came with speaking to Troy. He knew the basketball captain had probably only came and sat next to him because he couldn't face sitting alone, after all he sat next to Gabriella normally and she wasn't there. Either way Ryan didn't mind. He liked Troy and he liked spending time with him, even if it was only for a short amount of time. Troy made anyone who he spoke to feel as though they were one in a million and that's just how Ryan felt – like one in a million.

-x-

Troy was early for school, Chad and the rest of his friends weren't in yet. He walked around the school looking for someone but trying not to make it obvious. He saw a flash of pink and followed it, knowing that Ryan would be around his sister somewhere. "Sharpay!" Troy called. The heels stopped walking and she turned around and smiled at Troy.

"Oh, hey Troy." Sharpay grinned. She fluttered her eyelashes flirtatiously and rested her hand on Troy's shoulder. "Missing Gabby yet?" She smiled.

"I guess," He shrugged. "Did they find the guy then?" Troy asked; Sharpay looked at him completely confused. "The guy who mugged Ryan."

"Oh right." Sharpay nodded. "Yeah, I think so."

"Good." Troy smiled. "So where is he?"

"Should be here, he brought his car today." Sharpay smiled. Troy thought he saw concern in her eyes, but was gone as quickly as it came. "I didn't know you two were so close."

"He's cool," Troy nodded.

"Shar!" Troy wanted to smile when he felt that familiar voice. He turned around and saw Ryan walking towards them. "Oh, hey Troy." He added once he realised who was talking to his sister.

"Yes Ryan?" Sharpay smile.

"Are we going to practice this morning?" He asked, smiling at Troy.

"Ryan, of course we're going to practice silly." Sharpay laughed. "I'll see you in the theatre in a minute; I'm going to find Kelsi." With that she walked away. "Bye Troy."

"Bye." Troy laughed. He turned to look at Ryan and smiled. "So, how's the eye today?"

"Still there." Ryan sighed. "Thanks for yesterday; I really did have a good time."

"So did I." Troy smiled. "Do you want me to help you with your maths tonight?" Troy asked hoping Ryan would say yes.

"Haven't you got something more important to do?" Ryan asked.

"Not that I can think of." Troy smiled. "Library at five?"

"How about we go to the coffee shop. I think I'll work better there." Ryan replied.

"Cool. I'll meet you out front then; we can take your car this time." Troy smirked. Ryan nodded and walked away smiling.

He wasn't too sure what was up with the sudden interest Troy was paying him, but right now he couldn't care less.

This was the start of a beautiful friendship. Even if his heart was telling him he wanted something more.

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