Hello everyone. Thank you to HPLuver4Ever, Chaylor4Lyfe, HSMGossipGirl, ChaylorBabe, DuMbBlOnDe2010, and volleyballgal for chapter 2.

Chaylorlovr58, ChaylorBabe, Chaylor4Lyfe, DeanParker, HSMGossipGirl, volleyballgal, and HPLuver4Ever for chapter 3.

Disclaimer: Not mine.

And yes, I will make the chapters longer.

Basketball had become much more than a game to Chad. Ever since he began playing with Troy back in the sixth grade, it had become a release. He could become himself when he played. Chad felt like he belonged. The sound of the ball hitting the hardwood gym floor as he dribbled calmed him. The swish of the net one the ball went in excited him. The final buzzer signaling the end of the game upset him.

" Alright guys, good practice today. Keep working on your fundamentals. See you guys after school," Coach Bolton bellowed.

The guys all left and headed towards the locker room. Chad took a little bit longer to go in the locker room, not wanting to forget the feel of the ridges on the basketball.

" Chad, are you ok?" Coach asked him noticing he was the only one still left on the court.

" Yeah, coach. I'm fine," Chad automatically responded. It was becoming a frequent answer these days. One day, he hoped, it might actually be the truth.

" Ok, well, you better go and get your stuff, you don't want to be late for class," Coach suggested.

" Will do, coach." Chad let the ball roll out of his hands as he slowly walked to the locker rooms. He felt a piece of him being left behind as he looked back on the empty basketball court, wishing he could stay there forever.

Chad was the last to leave the locker room. He re-adjusted his backpack to make it more comfortable. He knew he needed someone to talk to. Someone who wouldn't feel betrayed if they knew the truth. But they could never know the truth. Knowing the truth will erase everything he has built the last five years of his life on. Having to start from scratch? Chad didn't think he could do it.

Taylor McKessie peered outside of her chemistry classroom, where she spent the last hour trying to teach a quarter of the football team how to mix acids and bases together, when she saw Chad walking by. Granted she hated him and everything he and his friends stood for, but she was human. When she saw the solemn look on his face, she wanted to know what as wrong.

" Danforth! Why are you so sad? Don't tell me, another cheerleader found a boyfriend?" Taylor said.

" Leave me alone, McKessie, I'm not in the mood to joke around," Chad replied quietly.

" You look like someone deflated your basketball," she joked.

" I said leave me alone," he repeated in the same tone.

" Chad," she sighed lightly touching his shoulder, " I know we're not the best of friends, or friends, but if you need someone to talk to, I'll be here if you need me."

Chad looked down at her, watching her brown eyes fill with concern, feeling his stomach fill with hate for himself. Hating that he had to lie to Taylor.

" I'm fine," he replied again. " Just fine."

" Chad…."

" I gotta go."

" Chad," Taylor said holding his hand, " would you tell me if something was wrong?"

Chad began to feel nauseous from all the hate that was rapidly filling inside of him.

" Taylor, you don't have to worry about me. I'm a big boy now. I can handle myself." He gave her hand a light squeeze, not in jest, but in appreciation, and turned away.

Chad walked out of the hallway. Taylor watched him leave, feeling upset that she couldn't do anymore to help him.

Troy met up with him once he left Taylor's sight. " Dude, was McKessie saying something to you?" Troy asked.

" Yeah, but…" Chad hesitated looking behind as if he could spot Taylor still standing outside of the classroom, " it's nothing I couldn't handle."

" Of course, man. I didn't doubt you for a second. We should get going," Troy suggested.

" We should," Chad agreed.

Troy and Chad walked out of the hallway. Chad looked back at the classroom where Taylor was tutoring. She saw her peek out of the room. Their eyes briefly met before Chad turned away due to his ever-increasing guilt. Something inside wanted to tell her, to tell anyone even, but he couldn't. Although he didn't want to admit it, he cared too much for Taylor and he felt it best if she didn't know.

But someone already knew.

Hope you guys like it. Please review and be nice and check out my other stories!