I don't own anything.
Alright it's time for a new update but first off I want to thank my reviewers from last week; HeartsWereNeverMeantToRace (thanks for catching that mistake), chaylorXtraylorlover, NaeNae1495, Aipom4, chaylorfan, Tina and Zaddie-Mad. Thanks for much for the reviews and I hope everyone enjoys this chapter.
Baby S
Chapter Ten
Several Months Later. . .
"Okay so you think this is an okay outfit to wear on my first day back at school?" Troy asked as he walked into Taylor's room that August morning. After everything that went down with her mother and Charles, Taylor had decided to live with Troy and his mother where she felt the most comfortable. Her arrival in the Bolton household seemed to be a blessing. Lillian Bolton found herself hanging around Taylor whenever Troy wasn't hogging up all of her time and Troy had opened up even more, although he still clammed up whenever his friends came by asking him about basketball and talking about his father. Besides that, the Bolton household felt alive again after so many months of misery after Jack Bolton's death. Taylor looked up from tying her shoes to look over at Troy who was staring at her while standing in the middle of her room with his arms outstretched.
"I think so, the blue really looks nice on you." she said as she studied him for a moment. "Brings out those lovely eyes." Troy blushed at her words and crossed the room over to her side.
"Now Taylor what have I told you about that. You have to use manly words when you flatter me." she giggled as he leaned over her and boxed her in as best as he could on her bed. "But thank you for the kind words." Lowering his head, he brushed a quick kiss over her lips just as a throat cleared behind them. They both glanced at the door sheepishly and saw Lillian Bolton standing in the doorway with her hands on her hips.
"Troy what have I told you." she said shaking her head, while Troy pushed himself off the bed and smiled over at his mother.
"I swear we were on our best behavior." he said as he glanced back down at Taylor and sent her a wink.
"I saw that Troy, now why were you in her room."
"Getting a woman's perspective on my first day back to school outfit," he said as he looked between his mother and Taylor while grinning. "I wanted to look my best today and I figured Taylor could help me out with that."
"You aren't fooling anyone with that lie," Lillian said. "And Taylor I'm so disappointed in your right now, letting him come in here and just-ugh!" she declared while looking up at the ceiling wondering how she ever got roped into having her son's girlfriend living in the same house as her very hormonal son. Because I like the girl. She told herself silently while looking at the smiling teenagers. "Troy you look fine now get out here and let the girl get dressed." Troy rolled his eyes at his mother's statement playfully and looked over at Taylor who was struggling not to laugh out loud at his face.
"Mom's she's already dressed."
"Now." Troy quickly bent down and pressed another kiss to Taylor's lips before rushing past his mother so she couldn't smack him upside the head for his last act of defiance. Taylor just smiled as she looked over at Mrs. Bolton.
"He really was asking me about his outfit."
"Oh I have no doubt he was asking you about that, Taylor. He'd come up with anything so he can come in here, but you know the house rules." Lillian said with a tired sigh. "Both of your rooms, especially yours are off limits." she said with a shake of her head. "Now hurry up so you can have some breakfast sweetie, Wilson should be here soon." Lillian walked over and pressed a kiss to Taylor's forehead.
"By the way you look absolutely lovely today, sweetie. I hope you don't make my son jealous with all those boys drooling over you at school." Lillian winked at her as she walked out of the room. Once the door closed, Taylor released a small smile as she thought about Lillian Bolton. She had become the mother figure in her life that she had been craving since she realized just what type of mother she had. Lillian was caring and in general one of the nicest women she could have ever met and she so happened to be Troy's mother. Standing up she quickly checked herself out in the mirror and grabbed her book bag and headed downstairs. As she descended down the stairs she heard Wilson talking to Troy about something but she couldn't really make out what they were discussing. Once she was in view, Wilson stepped back from Troy and grinned at her.
"Hey baby girl." he said as he walked over to her and pulled her into a hug. "How are you doing are you ready for your first day as a Sophomore?"
"I'm ready." she said with a nod of her head while looking over at Troy who was currently staring at her silently. "What about you Troy?"
"Oh yeah." he said with a nod of his head as he looked at her. "I'm ready." he said nodding his head again. Taylor studied him for a bit before turning back and looking at Wilson.
"I guess we better go, we don't want to be late." At her words, Troy walked over and picked up her laptop bag and headed out the door with Wilson right on his heels. Taylor moved to follow but stopped as Lillian called her name. "Yes." she asked turning around to look at the older woman who was standing in the middle of the living room wringing her hands as she looked at the front door before finally focusing on Taylor.
"I just wanted to ask you to look out for Troy today. You know this is the first day that he'll be back at East High since his father. . ." she trailed off and looked away from her. Taylor walked over to the woman and pulled her into a tight hug.
"I'll watch out for him." she promised as Lillian wrapped her arms around her and hugged her back.
"Thank you, now go on you don't want to be late." Lillian said as she ushered her towards the door. Taylor nodded and then turned and headed to the limo that Wilson still drove and slipped inside as the limo. As soon as she was inside, Troy helped her buckle up and then draped his arm around her. The method had proven to calm her nerves during the drives and Troy was always ready to help her through her little anxiety attacks during the trips. Leaning her head against his shoulder, she listened as he told it would be okay and that he was there for her.
Nearly twenty minutes they arrived at the school and the roles had reserved immediately, Troy was now the one that was tense with anxiety while Taylor was trying to calm down. Wilson unloaded their bags and placed his heavy hand on Troy's shoulder. "Everything will be fine Troy." he said smoothly as he looked at the younger man.
"Oh yeah of course." Troy mumbled as he looked over at Taylor who was holding his hand at the time. "Everything is going to be fine." he deadpanned as he looked at the school. Taylor squeezed his hand and quickly gained his attention. He looked down and her and received a reassuring smile that him instantly relaxing. "See ya later Wilson." he called out over his shoulder as he allowed Taylor to lead him towards the school. As they neared the entrance they were instantly met by Sharpay, Gabriella, Chad and Zeke the other members of their little group that formed over the summer break.
"Hey love birds." Chad said as he draped an arm around Gabriella's shoulders while reaching out to pound Troy's fist.
"Really, man that's what you're going to call us." Troy said as he furrowed his brow at his best friend while Zeke just shook his head and slapped Chad on the shoulder.
"You know mop top over here is as unoriginal as they come." he said with a chuckle while shaking his head. Chad turned to look at him then and mouthed the name 'mop top,' while Zeke just chuckled and nodded his head. "Oh don't act like you've never heard it before." he said. "What you need to do is go to a barber shop and-."
"And nothing this," he said lifting his hands towards his hair. "Is my badge of honor, it let's everyone know who I am," as he winked at Gabriella. "Besides she likes it a lot." he said with a smirk while Gabriella just rolled her eyes and looked at Taylor.
"You look so good, Taylor." Gabriella gushed, Troy watched as Taylor blushed and bowed her head a bit. He smiled down at her and looked at her two friends.
"I know I told her." Troy said with a cheeky grin as Sharpay reached out and slapped his shoulder while sending him a look.
"We weren't talking to you." Sharpay snapped out playfully as she pulled back to glance at her watch. "Come on we better get inside before the bell rings." They all walked into the school and headed for their lockers. As Troy walked with Taylor towards her locker, someone called out his name turning around he saw several members of the varsity basketball team standing there looking at him. Mark Hudson was the first to make a move, he quickly crossed the divide and pulled Troy into a brotherly hug.
"Hey man." He said as he stepped back and slapped Troy on the arm, while ignoring all the students nearby. "I'm glad you're back dude." Troy nodded his head and shared a look with Taylor before speaking up.
"Glad to be back man." he admitted smoothly as he looked at the guy he had once considered a friend. Mark studied him for a bit before stepping in closer and draping his arm over his shoulder and leading him away from Taylor and their friends.
"Yo man I was just thinking about how sick the team would be this year if you-." Troy held up his hands and slowly shook his head. He had no intent on getting back on the team. Basketball wasn't something he was focusing on at the moment. At least that's what he had been telling himself all summer. He was proud this father had gotten his his jersey 41 retired but he wasn't so keen on playing again. The court was probably the only place he still wanted to avoid.
"I'm not playing basketball." Troy said as he shook his head and back up away from Mark whose eyes widened in complete and total shock over his words.
"What da hell do you mean you're not playing?" Mark snapped out angrily as he looked at the younger boy before him as if he had truly lost his damn mind. "Look man whatever you're thinking it's not your fault and-."
"Yo man on the real shut-up." Troy snapped out as he sent Mark a heated glared that stopped the older boy in his tracks. "If I said I'm not playing then guess what I'm not playing." Turning around, he walked over to Taylor and waited for her to get her books so he could walk her to class. Mark stood there with the rest of the basketball team simply glaring at him as he spoke softly to Taylor while ignoring them. Chad and Zeke noticed the stares and shook their heads, they had tried to get Troy to play a simple pick-up but it seemed like he wanted to forget basketball and focus on everything else in his life. They had come to terms with his decision during the summer.
"You heard him man, so how about you back off." Zeke said coming in their line of vision and taking their gazes off of Troy and Taylor. He knew how Mark could be since he sent last year stopping the guy from picking Taylor and her friends. Mark narrowed his eyes at Zeke and then looked over his head back at Troy.
"Fine." he snapped out angrily as he turned and his crew walked away. Troy watched them go and then looked down at Taylor who was staring up at him.
"You okay Troy." she asked as she placed a hand on her shoulder. He looked at her for a moment before nodding his head.
"Yeah I'm fine I guess I should have expected that to happen huh." he said while shrugging his shoulders as he looked in the direction that Mark and the other guys had walked off in. Looking back at Taylor he sighed. "I should have expected it." Taylor gave him a small smile and then pulled him down and gave him a quick kiss that she hoped comforted him. Troy sighed into the kiss and wrapped his arms around her waist and held her to him while deepened the kiss. The clearing of a throat made them jump apart and Troy turned and saw Coach Woodson standing nearby with his hands behind his back.
"None of that now." he said coolly before walking off. Troy followed him with his eyes as he disappeared down the hallway. Turning back around to look at Taylor, Troy sighed and sighed his shoulders.
"I guess I better get you to class then huh." he said as he placed his band on her lower back and led her down to her first class before heading off towards his own.
Troy had to admit that he was enjoying his first day back at East High although he knew he would wish the time he spent with Taylor just studying at his house. He certainly couldn't use her teaching him something as an excuse to be all over her like had during the last school when he had been locked away in his home. Besides now that he had Taylor were together he didn't have to make up reasons to be around her. He just could, except when they were at home. When she approached Taylor with the offer of staying with them, she had told them the only rule she really had was that they were suppose to stay out each other's rooms. She didn't trust him with his girlfriend, didn't trust him to be alone with Taylor without putting his hands all over her and for the most part his mother was absolutely right. if he was alone with Taylor he couldn't keep his hands off of her and as far as he was concerned there was absolutely nothing wrong with that. It was the end of the day and Troy was wondering where Taylor could possibly be as he stood outside in the hallway near her locker, he saw Coach Woodson heading down the hallway towards him. The older man paused as he saw Troy and sent him a small smile.
"How was your first day back?" Coach Woodson said as he settled down on the hallway bench that Troy was currently sitting on. Troy clapped his hands together and looked over at Coach Woodson before shrugging his shoulders.
"It was fine-it was a good day." he said with a sigh as watched Coach Woodson smile at his words. The man reached over and placed a hand on his shoulder while leaning back against the wall and looking straight ahead.
"Well the team had their first meeting today," he drawled out lazily as he peeked over at Troy to see what his reaction would be. "Mark was complaining about you not wanting to play-I'm sorry if he approached you and brought up some feelings you'd rather keep buried." Troy raised an eyebrow at Coach Woodson's words and looked at him not really believing what he was currently hearing. The man was talking like he really understood him and so far he was pretty positive the only people that did were his mother and Taylor.
"Thanks for saying that."
"Not a problem," Coach Woodson said as he looked over at him. "You don't have to play basketball if you don't want too. I won't say I understand why you're doing it but I get it. I get why you're reluctant to do so." Coach Woodson stood up then and looked at Troy. "Just so you know, you won't have to worry about the basketball team pressuring you or anything. That's not going to happen." With that said, Coach Woodson walked off down the hallway with his arms behind his back. Troy watched as he disappeared around the corner.
"What was that all about?" Troy looked up at the sound of Taylor's voice and quickly pushed himself off the bench and walked over to her.
"Nothing, he was just talking about what happened with Mark earlier today. He basically told me that it wouldn't happen again." Taylor nodded her head as she looked at him and then sent him a small smile.
"That's good, that boy really needs to mind his own business." she said with a shake of her head. Troy just nodded his head and mumbled a yeah, while taking another look down the hallway. All he could think about was how weird that conversation with Coach Woodson had been.
"I hope you weren't waiting to long. Sharpay and Gabriella wanted me to go over a song with them and since I missed last year's recital due to mess our music that we had been working had been postponed."
"I'm gonna ask again, are you singing?" he asked huskily as he looked at her. Taylor rolled her eyes at his words and just shook her head.
"You know I don't sing, Troy." she countered back playfully. "I simply make the music and play the music besides I like that better. But you do sing, how about you sing for me." Troy blushed a bit and just shook his head.
"I can't do that, cause in order for me to be comfortable I'd have to sing in my boxers and socks." Taylor fanned herself as they stepped outside the school and all Troy could do was smirk at her reaction.
"Please try not to but that type of imagery in my head right now."
"What are you telling me you can't handle it?" he asked with a smirk as they neared the limo when Taylor shot him a look that all but answered his question. Grinning, he started chuckling uncontrollably as they climbed into the back of the limo. Once the door closed, Troy leaned over towards Taylor and whispered in her ear. "Don't worry I plan to see just how well you'll handle things once I get you alone."
"Which will never happen." Taylor said in sing song voice, cause if there was one thing she knew, it was that Lillian Bolton wasn't ever going to leave those two alone in the house. Troy just raised an eyebrow at her words and took it as a challenge.
"We'll see." he whispered in her ear as Wilson slid into the car. Settling back, Troy watched as Taylor blushed while leaning into him. Wrapping his arm around her waist he pulled her to him and helped her enjoy the ride home.
"Taylor I really don't know why we have to do this." Troy groaned later on that afternoon as Taylor dragged him out into the backyard. Her stay at the Bolton house had allowed her to discover the perfect place to study especially when she didn't feel like heading down the street to the park and that place was the Bolton back yard underneath the large tree that sat in the far corner of the backyard.
"Oh stop all that whining, you know I want to come outside and read and it was getting stuffy in the house." she said as she sat down and pulled Troy down with her. "Besides you promised to keep me company."
"Would get in trouble if I told you that I thought you meant in front of the t.v." he asked as he settled down beside her with a small grin on his face. She sent him a glare and whack his shoulder with her book. "Alright then I guess I got my answer then." he said with a chuckle as he slowly shifted so that his head was in her lap.
"Troy?"
"What I like laying my head in your lap," he said as he covered his mouth as he released a yawn. "I think it's one of the most comfortable things in the house." Taylor couldn't help but laugh as Troy closed his eyes and sighed. "So relaxing."
"We won't stay out here long, I just wanted to come out here for some fresh air."
"I know baby." he said smoothly as he looked up at her. "It's close just enjoy your time don't mind me." closing his eyes he tried to get a nap in while Taylor read. They had developed a little system over the summer. She'd hold her book a certain while to shield his face from the sun while he supported her arms. Doing this made them both comfortable, and his mother also said they did things like that so they could touch as much as possible. Troy didn't think he'd disagree with his mother on that one cause she was right. They sat out there for nearly twenty minutes, the only sound being Taylor turning the pages in her book.
"Did you enjoy your first day back?" Troy asked suddenly. Taylor lowered her book and took it away from Troy's face and simply looked at him.
"Yeah it was fine, why did you enjoy your first day back?" Troy closed his eyes and thought about her question for a moment before slowly sighing and opening his eyes back up and looking her in the face.
"I guess it was alright but I would have rather just stay at home with you and studied. I think I'm better with things like that." he said with a cheeky grin that only made Taylor roll her eyes at him while shaking her head.
"Please you just like to have me all to yourself." she said on a laugh wondering if she should approach the main reason why he said what he had just said. She knew it didn't have anything to do with her and everything to do with his father and Wildcat basketball in general. Troy smirked at her statement and nodded his head.
"Well I am an only child and that sometimes means I don't share well with others. Just make sure that Devon Jones understands that or I won't be so kind next time." he said his blue eyes darkening as he thought about the new kid that he had found hitting on Taylor during the breaks between classes. "Had to tell that boy off twice."
"He's harmless."
"Not when he's hitting on you he's not." he countered gruffly as he looked at her while she just smiled.
"Well think it's cute. He's just a freshman and I guess he thought I was cute." Troy just grunted out something unintelligible and looked away from her. "My goodness you are so jealous," she gushed as she playfully reached and pinched his cheek. Troy playfully batted her hands away from his cheek and released a huff.
"Of course I'm jealous. I don't like strange men fondling all over you."
"You mean when he put his hand on my shoulder." she asked over a giggle. "Cause he sure was feeling me up, I mean how did he knew that was my spot."
"Exactly." Troy said as he lifted off her lap and turned to look at her. "How did he know that was your favorite spot." Taylor blinked as she looked at Troy and then quickly shook her head as she looked away from him.
"That's not my spot Troy." she said in confusion, Troy only shook his head in disagreement as he studied his blue eyes growing dark with passion.
"Oh but it is," he leaned closed and placed a gentle kiss on her shoulder and smirked as Taylor shuddered beneath him. "See."
"You better stop before someone sees us." she murmured as Troy merely replied with a soft 'sure,' before continuing with his kissing assault. Finally his lips found her and they settled back and began kissing passionately. The make-out session lasted a long time and then finally a door slammed. Troy gave her one last kiss and pulled away.
"Hey mom." he said sheepishly as he looked over towards the backdoor and saw his mother standing on the back porch. Lillian Bolton eyed them both and then pointed towards the house.
"Come on inside dinner's ready."
"We'll be right in." Troy said as he stood up and then basically hoisted Taylor off the ground. She leaned into his side and giggled as she thought about Mrs. Bolton and the rant she was probably going to give them for what she walked in on a few moments ago. "Come on let's go inside."
"Do you think she's gonna erect a tower to put me in." Taylor said over a giggle as she just shook her head. Troy smirked at her and just sighed.
"Maybe but don't worry I can handle that. I'll have you out in no time." he said as brushed a kiss against her cheek as he opened the back door and let her go in a head of him. Taylor just smiled and headed inside as he followed behind her. As they entered the kitchen, Lillian Bolton shook her head at them.
"You two are impossible, you do know that right." she said with a sigh as she looked at them. Troy smiled at his mother's words and had to jump back as she tried to smack his arm. "You're suppose to stay still." she said as she laugh as Troy quickly raced to the other side of the kitchen and hid behind Taylor whose eyes widened in shock.
"Protect me baby." he whispered jokingly in her ear. However when Lillian rushed over towards them. Taylor ducked out of the way with a scream as Lillian grabbed her son and gave him a few quickly playful smacks on the arm as he laughed. "Taylor!"
"What I know better." she said as she looked over at Mrs. Bolton who was nodding her head at Taylor. Troy just smiled and looked at her before looking over at his mother.
"You should be beating me like this mom."
"Oh please boy, you know that didn't hurt." she said with a shake of her head as she looked at her son who just smiled. "Now how about you two have a seat and tell me about your day at school," Lillian said as she pulled out her chair and sat down. Troy and Taylor did the same and looked at one another trying to figure out which person would start first. "Come on I really want to know."
"Well I guess I'll go first." Taylor said with a small smile and she started telling Lillian all about her day and how much she enjoyed being back at school and how it was a bonus to have Troy there with her. Troy sat silently off to the side listening to Taylor with a small smile on his face. When it came to be his turn, he'd tell his mother how good the first day back was mainly because he had Taylor by his side. His mind briefly went to the basketball team and Coach Woodson, he didn't really want to dwell on it but Coach Woodson's talk with him that afternoon was stuck in his mind.