Thanks every one for reviewing *cookies for you all* I've noticed over my last few posts that they're getting shorter so I'm going to try and make them a little bit longer. :D

Troy woke up in a cold sweat. The dream he had the night before still plagued him. Ryan was there; Ryan was crying; Ryan was skinny, way too skinny; Ryan was hurt and Troy wasn't there to save him. Troy sat up and wiped his eyes, he wasn't surprised to feel fresh tears on his cheeks. He shivered and wrapped his blanket around him tightly. There was no way he was going to let his dream come true, he was going to be there for Ryan whether he wanted him there or not. He looked at the clock, half six. He picked up at his mobile and dialled Ryan's number. At the fourth ring a sleepy Ryan answered.

"Hello?" The sleepy voice asked and Troy couldn't help but think maybe that was the cutest sound he had ever heard, he just wished he was able to see his face.

"Hey, it's Troy." Troy said, his voice was more alert then Ryan's.

"What time is it?" Ryan asked his voice sounded a little more awake.

"Half six." Troy answered wondering maybe if it was too early. "I just phoned to let you know that I'd be at your house for half seven."

"Not coming in today," Ryan mumbled.

"What? Why?" The thought of not spending the day with Ryan made Troy's heart ache. He realised that was exactly how he felt when Gabriella told him she'd be away for two weeks, only this felt much worse.

"I can't face it." Ryan mumbled. "I'm not strong like you are, Troy."

"Then I'll give you the strength." Troy knew that was far too corny for such an early hour but he didn't care. "Please."

"Make it quarter to eight, I need to shower." With that Ryan ended the call and Troy couldn't help but smile. It seemed after what happened yesterday everything was going to be okay, at least he hoped. But the good news was that it was Friday and no matter how bad today was for either of them, tomorrow was Saturday which meant two days without school.

Troy showered and told his mum he was meeting Ryan, she seemed please. "He's a nice boy, though he's really skinny."

"He... he had eating problems when he was thirteen," Troy sighed. "But he's okay, mum."

"Good. I saw how close you two are." Troy blushed horribly under his mothers gaze. "He's a good kid, but make sure you know what you're doing."

"You're okay with it?" Troy asked a little relieved.

"Ryan's a good kid, but you've got Gabriella."

"I know. I just, I don't miss her mum. I should miss her, I think I want to miss her but I don't. I can't stop thinking about Ryan, when I'm with him it's like nothing else matters." He blushed a deeper shade of red when he realised he had spilled his thoughts to his mum.

"Some things don't work out, son." She said simply. "What does Ryan think about this?"

"He said he wont do anything with me until I speak to Gabriella, he thinks I'm going to change my mind once she gets back."

"And what do you think?" His mum asked as she handed him a lunch bag, Troy peered into it and smiled when he noticed there was two rolls. "For Ryan." She added at his look.

"I think I've fallen for him, and it scares me." Troy smiled.

"I think you've fallen for him too. And I'm not going to understand how scared you must feel, but what ever you decide me and your dad we'll support you." She smiled. "Now go and give him a hug from me and tell him he's more then welcome to come over this weekend."

"Thanks mum." Troy grinned. He had definitely been lucky with his parents.

When Troy pulled up outside Ryan's house, the young blond boy was sat on the wall. Troy took in his outfit, smiling at the simple colours he had chosen, black trousers, white shirt, white shoes, and a matching black and white hat. He looked adorable. He got out of his truck and walked over to his hopefully, soon to be boyfriend. "Hey you," Troy smiled, before he could move Ryan's arms were tight around his waist.

"I'm sorry about yesterday." Ryan mumbled into his neck. Troy smiled as he wrapped his arms around Ryan tightly.

"Already forgotten." Troy promised as he placed a soft kiss on Ryan's cheek.

"I don't want to go into school today," Ryan sighed. "Please."

"It'll be okay." Troy smiled. "We've got double maths first."

"Troy you're supposed to be making me want to go to school." Ryan smiled weakly.

"Yeah well, you're with me most of the morning, and I'll be with you at break, and at lunch."

"And all the time in between everyone's going to know, and everyone's going to stare." Ryan sighed. Troy linked their fingers together and they got into the truck. Troy pulled Ryan closer to him and wrapped an arm around his shoulder as he started to drive.

"Ryan, are you ashamed of being gay?" Troy asked bluntly.

"No." Ryan said strongly.

"Then why do you care what other people say about you, baby?" Troy asked softly.

"Because... I... I don't know." Ryan sighed. "I just don't want them to think of me any different. I was okay when they knew silently. But know they have actual proof and you saw what happened yesterday. Any boy who even talks to me, not that many will, will automatically make them my boyfriend to idiots."

"Well then no boy best talk to you because I've got first dabs on you." Troy smiled. "People say stuff to you about doing drama, right?"

"All the time." Ryan admitted.

"What do you say to them when they say things like that?" Troy asked.

"Nothing, I don't let it bother me. It's just something that I do, it doesn't effect them."

"Exactly, you've just given yourself what you need." Troy smiled. He squeezed Ryan's hand tightly. Ryan groaned when he realised he was in the parking lot already.

"Troy..."

"Yeah?"

"I like it when you call me baby," Ryan blushed.

"Then I'll never stop. Baby." Troy smiled.

"Thanks for everything." Ryan grinned.

"Don't worry. If it gets too hard for you and at lunch time you really can't stand it we can go home, okay?" Ryan nodded and they both headed into school.