It wasn't until lunch time that Troy had a chance to speak to Ryan about what really happened. They headed up to the roof, which even though to begin with the special place belonged to Troy and Gabriella, they both thought it was beautiful as they sat on one of the benches together just enjoying their private moment.

"What really happened when you spoke to the principal?" Troy asked. "I know you lied."

"I didn't lie, I just left something out." Ryan said defiantly. "I didn't want Chad or anyone else to know."

"What about me?" Troy asked.

"I'm about to tell you know," Ryan smiled, he looked up and pressed a soft kiss to Troy's cheek before talking again. "I have to go and see a councillor."

"As in..."

"Someone who speaks to troubled teenagers, crazy people," Ryan grumbled. "One hour every week until they think I'm okay."

"You're not crazy," Troy said.

"Then why do I have to go?" Ryan asked. "I don't want to go."

"It might be good for you." Troy said as he ran hands up and down Ryan's arms. "You'll be able to talk about everything that you don't like talking to me about."

"I like talking to you, though." Ryan mumbled.

"You can still talk to me." Troy promised. "I think it will be good for you. I mean you can talk to them about eating..."

"I do eat!" Ryan sighed. "I'm not doing that again."

"I know." Troy said, and he believed him. Ryan was eating, just not enough. "But you can talk to them about anything. Just give it a go, okay."

"But..."

"Please. For me?"

"Fine. For you." Ryan mumbled.

"Thank you." Troy smiled. "And thank you for telling me."

"Don't tell anyone else. Especially Sharpay." Ryan said looking up at Troy who nodded.

"Why don't you want her to know?"

"She'll tell my parents. And my mum will think there's something wrong and she'll send me to private school, and I don't want to leave you."

"I wont tell anyone," Troy said holding onto him tight. He knew he wouldn't be able to live if Ryan was sent to private school, and he'd be on his own. They heard the warning bell and they both sighed and headed back down to the main area of the school.

"So, tonight you'll meet me after practice?" Troy asked.

"Yeah." Ryan smiled. Troy pulled Ryan close and pressed a soft kiss on his lips, a few people around them made noises, some in disgust others in awe. "See you later." Ryan blushed and walked away.

Troy headed to his class and sat next to Chad and Taylor. "So how's Ryan?" Taylor asked, smiling at how Troy's eyes lit up at the mention of the blonds name. Something that had stopped happening when Gabriella was mentioned.

"He's okay." Troy smiled.

"What you doing tonight man?" Chad asked.

"Not sure. Why?"

"Was wondering if you wanted to hang." Chad offered. "Ryan is free to come too."

"How about we go out, the four of us." Troy smiled.

"How about eight?" Taylor laughed. "Sharpay will want to come and that means with Zeke, and then Kelsi and Jason."

"Sounds fun, maybe we could crash the mall or something." Troy grinned. Chad and Taylor nodded their head in agreement.

At five after gym and drama club everyone met in the car park. Troy saw Ryan walking out of the building talking to Kelsi, he couldn't quite make out what was being said but he could tell that Ryan was okay by the way he moved his hands when talking and the fact that he couldn't stop smiling. "Hey!" Ryan smiled at everyone.

"We're hitting the mall, interested?" Troy asked with a smile. "You too Kelsi, and Sharpay, it's like an eight people date."

"An eight people date?" Ryan laughed. "You're just too cute." Troy blushed at Ryan's comment.

"The mall!" Sharpay said excitedly. "Ryan we haven't been to the mall in ages." Ryan grinned at his sister.

"And now we have oh look six people to carry our bags." Chad laughed at Ryan's comment though he wasn't too sure if the blond boy was lying or joking.

They all got into their different cars and drove to the mall. "So how was basketball practice?" Ryan asked as he sat next to Troy in the blue truck.

"Hard work." Troy laughed.

"I always thought they had showers in the gym." Ryan laughed.

"Trying to say I smell?" Troy pouted.

"Very manly." Ryan smiled and placed a soft kiss on Troy's cheek as they stopped the car.

"I hope you don't mind today, I mean all of us hanging out." Troy said nervously.

"Why would I mind?" Ryan laughed. "We're all friends right?" Troy nodded. "And it will be fun. So stop worrying and take me shopping."

It took them all a few minutes to park their cars and meet up, but within ten minutes they were already laughing and walking around the mall together. Troy was holding Ryan's hand and they were talking between themselves as Sharpay pulled Zeke into another designer store.

"I'm hungry!" Chad groaned an hour later.

"Me too!" Zeke and Jason chimed in.

"Food court time." Sharpay said and they all headed to the food area.

"You hungry?" Troy asked Ryan softly. Ryan shook his head and sighed.

"But I'll have something, small." Ryan mumbled. Troy smiled proudly and they headed to one of the stands.

They all sat at a rather large table though all the couples were tight against each other. Ryan was picking at his fries when he heard his name being called. Sharpay looked up and her mouth dropped open. Ryan turned around and stared up at someone he didn't want to see, at all.

"Hey Ryan," The older boy smiled.

"Don't you hey Ryan my brother." Sharpay spat.

"Can we talk?" The boy asked, "Please?" Sharpay glared at her brother. "Five minutes, all I'm asking."

"You can have two." Ryan said and stood up.

"Who was that?" Taylor asked.

"His ex." Sharpay said. They all turned to where Ryan was talking to the older boy. Brett had a hand on Ryan's shoulder and the blond was pushing him away, they were close enough to hear what was being said if they listened very carefully, which they all were.

"I'm sorry, Ry." The boy began.

"Don't call me, Ry." Ryan said and pushed the hand away again. "And don't touch me like nothing happened."

"Are you okay?"

"What the fuck do you think?" Ryan said loudly. "You left me. You're a coward you know that."

"I know, and I'm sorry." Ryan just shook his head. "I came out you know."

"Really?" Ryan sighed. "That's great. I'm sure your parents must be really pleased."

"They kicked me out." The boy sighed.

"I'm sorry," Ryan said and he did mean it. "But it doesn't change anything."

"You're seeing someone?"

"Yes." Ryan smiled. "But even if I wasn't, I wouldn't get back with you."

"We were good together." The boy smiled.

"Yeah up until the boys from my school caught us and when you realised you dumped me. Do you know what they do to me at school?" Ryan said in anger, the boy shook his head. "They have it on camera, you telling me to get off you, you pushing me away. It's always fun having your break up quoted to you wherever you fucking go."

"I'm really really sorry."

"You've had two minutes," Ryan said. "Just leave me alone."

"Are you happy?"

"Yes. Now just go." Ryan turned away from the boy and headed back over to Troy.

"I swear if he ever comes near you again." Sharpay spat.

"Leave it, Shar." Ryan sighed. "He got kicked out of his house."

"Oh so I'm supposed to care?" Sharpay laughed. "Do you care?"

"Of course I care." Ryan said. "I'm not heartless."

"But he hurt you." Sharpay said looking at Troy who was awkwardly looking at his plate.

"Exactly, and that's why I'm not back with him. I'm happy with Troy." Ryan said looking at his boyfriend who looked up and smiled.

"You're not getting back with him?" Troy checked.

"No." Ryan smiled. "Course I'm not you idiot."

"Good." Troy grinned.

"Still think you should have let me kick him where it hurts." Sharpay muttered.

"Maybe later." Ryan smiled.