They walked into the school and Troy could see everyone staring, pointing and laughing at Ryan. Troy didn't understand what was so different from knowing he was gay to actually having proof. He looked over at Ryan, the blond boy was looking down and Troy couldn't even begin to understand how he must be feeling, though he knew he would soon.

"Hey, baby, you okay?" Troy asked quietly as they turned down one of the corridors. There wasn't anyone around, and Troy placed a hand on Ryan's arm. "Ry..."

"I can't do it, Troy." Ryan said quietly. "I know you said I should be strong but I can't..."

"Come on," Troy took Ryan's shaking hand in his and pulled him into a tight hug. "We'll do it together, okay."

"But what about..."

"Doesn't matter." Troy placed a softy kiss on Ryan's head and smiled. "We'll do this together. You and me okay."

"Okay." Ryan smiled weakly. "We should get to home room."

"Come on then," Troy smiled he squeezed Ryan's hand tightly, they headed to home room hand in hand and Troy ignored the looks that they received.

Standing outside their home room was Chad and Sharpay, "What..." Chad stared at their hands and his mouth fell open slightly. "Oh."

"Ryan, are you okay?" Sharpay pulled her brother into a tight hug.

"I'm fine, Shar." Ryan insisted.

"What about you?" Chad asked looking up at Troy. "It all makes sense now."

"Do you hate me?" Troy asked a little nervous, he could take everyone pointing at him but he couldn't take Chad hating him.

"Don't be an idiot man, we're brothers." Chad pulled Troy into a man hug.

"Mum was worried this morning, Ry." Sharpay said. "She was talking about private school."

"What why?" Ryan panicked. "I'm fine, nothing to worry about. I'm strong, people can say what they want to me I don't care."

"Ry, calm down." Troy said as he pulled Ryan back into a hug. "Remember, together yeah." Ryan just nodded his head.

"Mum said that if she thinks your struggling with school and everything she'd prefer you to take the time off instead of getting upset." Sharpay said calmly. "But that's not going to happen because you've got us to help right?"

"Right." Chad grinned. They walked into home room once the bell rang and they took their normal seats, Troy and Chad at the back, with Sharpay in the front row and Ryan directly behind her. Sharpay was turned around talking quietly to her brother.

"What's going on between you and Gabriella?" Chad asked quietly, he was very much aware of the fact that his best friend was staring over at Ryan.

"I don't know man, lately I've just felt as though my heart wasn't there. And when she went away, I just I don't miss her."

"But now we know where your heart's always been right?" Chad smiled looking over at Ryan.

"Yeah, it just feels right." Troy smiled.

"What does your parents think about this?" Chad asked.

"My mum knows and she's okay with it. She likes him a lot. Dad might need some time but I think he'll get it."

"I think you should talk to your dad at lunch, because news is going to spread to him." Troy nodded. He looked back over at Ryan who had his head on the desk gazing at the clock, as though he could sense Troy staring he turned around and sent him a small smile, which Troy sent back with a wink.

"So it's true then Bolton?" A boy laughed as he strolled in the class. The teacher looked flustered and stood staring at what was going on instead of trying to stop it. "You're fucking this fag," He pointed over at Ryan.

"Don't call him that." Troy snapped.

"It's what he is though, dirty little fag." He spat.

"Don't talk to me like that!" Ryan said surprised every one as he stood up. "I might be gay but that doesn't give you the right to talk to me like that."

"Are you talking to me fag?" The boy laughed. Ryan gulped, what the hell was he thinking. He looked over at Troy who smiled sweetly at him.

"Yeah I am." Ryan stated. "Or are you scared me talking to you is going to rub off on you and make you a dirty little fag too?" Ryan said moving forward. "But don't worry, because I wouldn't even piss on you if you were on fire." The whole class laughed at the bullies flustered expression. "You think you look so impressive don't you because you run your mouth off to people who you don't think will talk back. You're just an idiot and I'm sick of people like you making me feel bad about being myself."

The boy glared at Ryan who stood standing in front of him. "You wait till after school Evans."

"What are you going to do? Beat it out of me?" Ryan laughed. "You're pathetic. No one says anything about the fact that you smell like you've rolled around in trash all night, and that you're clothes are from a knock off store. It doesn't make you look good or intimidating. It makes you look just as insecure as you feel." With that Ryan turned around and sat in his seat calmly.

"I would have thought you would have had more brains Bolton. Guess basketball really doesn't mean that much to you does it?" The boys laughed and sat in their seats which Troy hated the fact was right behind Ryan.

Troy sat in his seat and Chad was staring at the bullies with hatred in his eyes. "If they even go near you or Ryan..."

"They wont," Troy smiled. "I wont let them. But thanks."

Throughout the class, the boys kicked Ryan's chair, threw paper balls at his head and taunted him. Troy wanted to say something to them but he didn't know what to say, so instead he and Chad were doing the same to them. Each time a scrunched up ball hit their head they would turn around and glare at the two basketball players.

Troy didn't think he had ever been so pleased to hear the bell ring. Ryan got up from his chair and as the boys walked past they pushed him back down. "You okay, Ry?" Sharpay asked as she glared at the boys.

"Yeah, peachy." Ryan brushed himself off and smiled at Troy. Troy grinned at him and wrapped his arms around the blond. "I'm okay, Troy."

"Troy. Does Gabriella know?" Chad asked as they made their way out of the class.

"We were going to wait, for when she got back you know do it face to face. But I didn't want Ryan to go through all this alone." Sharpay looked at Troy surprised at what he had said.

"You need to tell her before she comes back to school," Ryan sighed. Troy nodded.

"I'll phone her." Troy sighed, even though he didn't want to do it over the phone. "We should head to maths," Ryan nodded and allowed Troy to guide him to maths. "Are you sure you're okay?"

"I.. you make me okay." Ryan smiled.

"You were brave in class. I never thought you would be able to do that."

"It was the truth. I just... I'm sick of everyone just thinking I'm the gay guy, or Sharpay's poodle. I'm not just a lapdog you know?"

"Oh believe me, I know." Troy grinned.