Troy picked up his left leg to take his first step, as he went to extend his leg forward his knee popped. He hurried and put it back in the position he has it in when he is on crutches.

Bryce: "Troy it is ok, you do not have to take a step. It popped because you are not used to movement."

Troy took a deep breath still holding on the rails and slowly put his foot back down. He closed his eyes and waited for a moment. He stood up straight and put all his pressure on his legs like he would be standing up.

"How are you feeling?" Bryce asked.

"It hurts, it feels weird and I feel like I have no stability." Troy sounded disappointed in himself. He was used to being good at everything he did and everything he tried, this was different. Jack was standing there anxious. Jack went to every session he has had, talking him through things and being there for Troy when he felt like giving up. He hates when he sees Troy wince and growl in pain, he wanted nothing more than to take his spot.

Jack: "It's ok take your time, if you don't feel ok then wait until later this week or next."

Troy shook his head; he wanted to take a step so bad but didn't have the strength too. He practiced some exercises standing up, trying to get his stability back.

After therapy, Troy went over to Gabi's he felt really down. Troy had her in an embrace lying on her bed talking.

Troy: "I don't know I just feel so weak."

Gabi: "It's ok Troy. People go through these things to get stronger. I am sure everyone who is in physical therapy feel the same way."

Troy sighed "Yeah I know, I am just not used to it. And I hate that I talk to you about this a lot you are probably tired of hearing about it."

Gabi: "You need to focus on getting yourself healthy and strong and worry about basketball later. You still go out and shoot everyday it is not like you aren't good anymore. If you get yourself strong and healthy first basketball will come back naturally. I am not tired of talking about it. I love to talk about it, I love being here for you because it is not easy. I am sure if I was in your shoes I would be complaining instead of talking about it." Gabi said in a hopeful tone hoping Troy would see where she was coming from.

"Yeah I know your right. Am I a bad boyfriend?"

"What?" Gabi was caught off guard. Troy got out of the embrace, turned on his side and looked at her.

"You know, am I a bad boyfriend?"

"What makes you think that?" Gabi was bewildered.

"I don't know. I just pictured myself doing all these things for you and the things girls like guys to do and I haven't done anything."

"Troy, yes you have. When I am with you and when we are around our friends, you're always making me feel important. That is the best feeling in the world. When you were in a wheelchair you still opened the door for me, still got me things to drink and eat. You make me laugh and listen to me when I talk. How is that not a good boyfriend?"

"I don't know."

"Just take a step back. It will be ok. I promise I am not going anywhere, you give me everything I need and everything I want in a boyfriend." She kissed him on the lips.

"And believe me; you give me everything I need in a girlfriend plus more. You know what I think of when I think about you?"

"What?"

"A four leaf clover."

Gabi was confused, "A four leaf clover?"

"You're like a four leaf clover, hard to find but lucky to have."

Gabi blushed. "And this is why I Lo- like you. Thanks, you are really sweet that is what makes you the best boyfriend." She caught herself she was about to say the 'L word.' 'Crap!' she thought. Troy kissed her on the lips and they layed there looking at each other never wanting this moment to end.

A week later Troy was in therapy. He was starting to gain some of his stability back but couldn't do anything without holding on to the bars. While in therapy, he also worked on his upper body strength and abs since abs help you run. It was the end of the session.

Bryce: "Ok I will see you tomorrow at the same time. Try doing some of those things I showed you today when you get home." Troy shook his head. He sat there on the edge of the counter, tired.

Jack: "I am going to ask him something real quick I will meet you out there."

Troy: "Ok." Troy sat there and looked at parallel railings. He got up and hopped over there. He put his hands on the railings and put his leg down. He took in a deep breath.

"Well here goes nothing." He said to himself.

He put his right leg forward. He then slowly extended his left leg and put it forward. He felt it land on the mat. He took his first step. Troy looked down at his foot and smiled. He did it! He took one again. At this moment Jack and Bryce walked in the room, Bryce forgot his clipboard. He stopped mid sentence when he saw Troy. Troy took another step. They stared at him with the biggest smiles on their faces. He took another step. He had taken 4 steps. After his last one Troy put his foot up, it hurt. Jack and Bryce started clapping.

Troy turned around surprised, he had no idea anyone was behind him. Troy looked at his dad and smiled.

Troy: "I had no idea you guys were back there!"

Jack and Bryce walked over to him.

Jack: "We had just walked in and saw you. Way to go!"

Bryce: "I am very impressed! How does it feel?" Bryce was so happy he saw Troy take his first steps.

"I felt good, weird because my foot lands a weird way like kind of off to the side, but it felt amazing." Troy was smiling from ear to ear.

"Proud of you son." Jack and Troy shared a hug.

Bryce: "Do you want and try to walk back where you just came from?"

Troy: "Yeah I will try." Troy flipped himself around.

He took the steps back where he just came from.

"I seriously cannot believe that just happened."

Bryce: "I can. You have worked really hard and now it is time to go further. You have proven to yourself you can do it. You should feel very proud."

Troy couldn't wait to tell his mom and brother what had happened.

When Troy got home,

"Mom?"

"In the kitchen sweetie!" Troy hurried up in there.

"Guess what?"

Lauren was wondering what he was so excited about.

"What is it?"

"I walked! I took 8 steps!"

Lauren put down the dished and through her arms out to her son.

"Oh my goodness! That's amazing congrats!" She gave him a tight hug.

"I am so proud of you." Lauren finally felt ok. Troy was taking steps; it made her the happiest mom in the world. She kissed him on the temple and let go.

"So what did he say about being on crutches?"

"Well I will still be on them for another 2 months when I start to walk a little better. He wants me to walk with my crutches and boot, that won't be for another couple of weeks."

"Well that is certainly exciting!"

Dylan came in the kitchen and opened the fridge;

Troy: "Hey dude guess what?"

Dylan had an attitude, "You're gay?"

"No, I walked, isn't that awesome?"

Dylan: "Yeah sure do you want a cookie or something?"

Troy gave him a look "What is your deal?"

Dylan shut the fridge and walked out of the kitchen.

Lauren rolled her eyes; Dylan has had an attitude lately.

Troy: "What is his deal?" he looked at his mom confused.

"Who knows, he has been acting like that all day."

Troy called Chad telling him the good news, Chad was thrilled his buddy was getting back to normal.

Troy called Gabi.

"Hey beautiful!"

"Hey there! You sound cheery tonight!"

"Oh yeah you know having a pretty good reason too."

"And what is that reason Mr. Mysterious?"

"I walked!" Troy still could not stop smiling, he felt on top of the world.

"Ahh! Troy that is so awesome! I am proud of you!"

"Ha thanks, it was cool, I was shocked."

They talked some more on the phone. Gabi was so proud of Troy; she knew he was going to be ok.

HSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSM

Sorry it was short, summer school has started and I wanted to get this chapter out quick. Wonder what is wrong with Dylan? When will Troy tell Gabi he loves her? Review please!