Summary: Things don't always work out as they should. You live. You learn. But what about love? This is about love working in very strange ways.

Disclaimer: I own nothing. This is Chad and Troy AU…Troy and Chad. THIS IS NOT EDITED!

Author's Note: This is just a preview of a story I've been working on since 2011! Yes…2011. The thought has been with me since 2006! I have 10 chapters so far but I'm in grad school now!

Chapter Two.

Silence dragged on, forcing the seconds to drift on as if a season had passed between the two boys. Chad willed himself to stop staring at Troy Bolton but his mind and body were not connecting. He was trapped within the confines of shock.

"What's going - oh. Oh no."

Chad vaguely heard Mercedes yammer on about them both attending East High and how the higher ups should have known better than to allow Chad to volunteer in this department. What could he say that would break this moment and have it erased from his memory?

Before he could attempt to explain himself, Chad watched Troy race by him and out the door.

"I'm sorry about this. I need to check on him." She left the room and Chad to his thoughts.

Troy had an eating disorder.

Those five words echoed within his chest as the total gravity of the situation impacted him. Leaning against the door jam, Chad went over the last months in his head. At the start of May, Troy suddenly disappeared from the halls of East High. The talk of his whereabouts spread through the student body quickly once his absence was more than a week and counting.

Chad knew about Troy since he was the captain of the varsity wrestling team as well as his coach's son. Troy was about as popular as Chad but the two never hung out. So, Chad wasn't too worried about Troy not being in school...that is until Coach Bolton addressed the basketball team. The team saw their coach in the gym during third period P.E. Some of the team members who knew Troy better asked Coach how he was doing. All Mr. Bolton told them was that Troy was in the hospital and that's all that needed to be known.

And here he was...in the hospital, trying to treat an eating disorder.

This was turning out to be an interesting day.

Cautiously, Chad walked out to the common room to see Mercedes whispering to Troy who was seated, staring menacingly at the rug beneath his feet.

"It's up to you Troy. We have to tell Dr. Marcey and Larin but you have a say in this as well."

He intended to head over to the front desk but Troy's gaze froze him in place. "I'm sorry. I didn't know."

Troy marched over to him, intensely dark blues focused on his brown eyes. "Why are you here? To get a laugh?"

"No! I-I didn't know you were here." He stammered. "All your dad told us was that you were sick. N-nothing more. I really don't think this is funny."

He watched Troy bite his lip, trying to comprehend the next line of action. "No one better find out."

"Who am I-"

Right. Jason.

He momentarily forgot that Jason was on the wrestling team from 6th grade to 10th grade. That is before he was promoted to power forward on the starting line from warming the bench.

"No one will know about this." Chad said emphatically. "I wouldn't do something like that."

With one last gaze, Troy turned to head down to the dining room.

"I'll be back. Sharon and Michelle need to know about this. Um, just sit up at the front desk." Mercedes said as she went in search for the psychologists.

Plopping down, Chad took up his post as the front desk, hoping no one would call or need a file or need anything as he wondered what was to be his fate.

He passed the time spinning in the computer chair, checking his phone for texts and Facebook status updates…all the while staring out into space. It was barely 1 o'clock and Chad could potentially be back on track to spending his summer at home. He knew this was in no way his fault; however, he couldn't help but feel waves rolling around in his stomach at the thought of telling his mom that he was unable to continue with this volunteer program.

How in hell did he get here?

Part of him was nervous. Viscerally, his body ached with nerves yet his mind told him that this was for the best. He could now go home.

But then again…did he want to sit around at home?

Mercedes finally came out.

"So, he's in with Dr. Marcey and discussing the plan of action. This will probably be your last day here. It's a shame. I liked having someone helping me out."

Chad shrugged his shoulder. "Sorry?"

"Don't worry about it." She plopped down in the spare computer chair, releasing a loud sigh. She reached into a cabinet and began quality checking paperwork of potential patients.

Minutes flew by, surprisingly, before a door swung open. Dr. Marcey emerged from her office.

"Hey, Chad. Could you come in my office?"

Even though her voice was soothing and light, a stone of unwarranted guilt settled in his stomach. Being called into an office was never a good thing.

Casting a worried glance at Mercedes, Chad followed the psychiatrist into her office. The room was sage green and the window shades were wooden, open wide to let sunlight naturally illuminate the room.

She had a desk but that didn't seem to be where the therapy was held. He looked at the back left corner and found Troy sitting in an armchair with another one facing him.

"You can sit down over there." Dr. Marcey shut the door quietly.

Every particle of his being shouted for him to not sit across from Troy Bolton but his mother taught him to respect his elders. If she wanted him to sit there, then what choice did he have? As he sat, Chad made sure that his eyes avoided gazing at Troy. This whole mess was awkward enough; he didn't want to have to look into Troy's eyes and have that final proof of reality.

Once seated, the therapist perched on her desk, began to speak.

"This situation is quite delicate, as we all know. My first responsibility is to my patient. I want to see Troy succeed because I know he can. At first, I thought that this would hurt Troy." She looked over at the teen as he kept his eyes fixed on the floor.

"However, I think that this would be helpful for you. We chatted about this and established that, though this is a difficult situation that will be monitored heavily, this could be good for Troy. You need support. Perhaps, Chad could be that for you?"

His eyebrows shot up. What was she talking about? Troy's support system? That didn't sound like a dismissal. Was she actually suggesting that he stay onboard to assist in Troy's…healing?

"I'm not expecting you to perform miracles here, Chad. However, it would be wonderful for Troy to have a friend from school who knew about his eating disorder. When school starts back up, and once Troy's aces those make-up tests, he'll need someone to keep him on track." Dr. Marcey's winked at Troy whose eyes were locked onto hers.

"Um…I don't know how I would do that." Looking at the doctor for answers, Chad was sincerely at a lost. "How am I supposed to fix this?"

"She's not asking you to fix me!" growled Troy. The two teens glared at each other before Troy's anger subsided (or was reigned in). Troy slumped back in his chair, sighing.

"Then, what do you want me to do?" Chad asked Troy directly.

"I don't know yet. Just don't say anything to the guys. I don't want them to know." The voice that, not but mere seconds ago, was electric with rage was now barely a whisper.

Chad hated to admit to himself but it broke his heart to see Troy – defeated? Afraid? What ever it was Chad didn't like seeing it in the other boy. It didn't sit well with him.

"I won't say a word. They don't need to know. So, does this mean I'm staying?"

For the first time, Troy's mouth pulled to show a small smile though wry. "You're staying."

Silence settled into the room as the two young men realized that nothing else needed to be said.

"In that case, I'm sure there is work to be done. Thank you Chad for understanding. I believe Mercedes has some paperwork for you to sign." Dr. Marcey patted his shoulder, signaling him that it was time for Chad to leave.

His mind was blank as he headed back to the common room. He dropped onto the sofa.

"So, what happened?" Mercedes rolled out from behind the desk.

"There is paperwork for me to sign."

Her laughter rang out in the empty room. "Thank the Lord above!" She pulled out a folder, placing it on the desk.

Chad approached the file with a chuckle bubbling from his lips. "So glad that I've made such an impression on you." He scanned the pages: typical confidentiality agreement, a complete volunteer application, and emergency contact sheet. With haste, Chad scribbled his name on the final page.

"What happened?" She asked as she went about processing his paperwork.

"Apparently, I'm going to be Troy's support. The doctor told me that it would be best if he had someone to help him out once he comes back to school."

"Hmm." The nurse propped her chin on her palm. "Makes sense. How do you feel about this?"

Chad shrugged his shoulders as a sigh whispered pass his lips. "I'll do it. I'll help but I don't know how to do that. I barely know Troy. He goes to my school. He was in my homeroom this past school year. He's the son of my basketball coach so I've seen him at some of my games. Other than that…I know nothing about him. How long has he been in here?"

"He's been in since May."

"What else can you tell me?"

The look the young nurse told him all he needed.

"Okay."

"Yeah, you know better. Ask him these questions. Talking about all this will help you help him and be his friend. He definitely needs someone." The nurse murmured the last line as she turned back to her work.

Chad let the sentence linger between the two of them, knowing that an explanation wouldn't emerge from Mercedes. He quietly observed procedure, attempting to learn a new (and necessary) skill for this job under the tutelage of the young nurse. He was soon sifting through new lab reports and adding them to the correct charts.

Thirty minutes later, Chad was allowed to input data of potential patients who qualified for the program. Mercedes said that each week, many families would send in applications from across the United States. Reading the bits of therapist notes, family and friend testimonials, and medical records baffled him.

Everything that those people went through seemed so obvious. But what about Troy? How long was Troy starving himself or throwing up before his parents found out? Last he saw of Troy, the kid looked healthy. The wrestling season was over and Troy led his team to win state – just like Chad did for the basketball team. He didn't know too much about wrestling but as a fellow athlete he knew the importance of calories.

Staring off in no particular direction, Chad scrounged around in his mind for some clues. Yet, he didn't know him very well so...

He felt terrible for his coach. To know that he was – and still is – dealing with this situation all the while acting like nothing was wrong at school made Chad wish he knew how to let Mr. Bolton know that he supported him.

What had he walked into?

"How's it going over there?"

"Well enough."

"Meaning?" said Mercedes as she turned her computer chair around to face him. "That didn't sound too good."

"Reading all this makes me wonder about Troy. We shared homeroom this past year and he didn't look sick. He wasn't thin."

Mercedes simply shrugged her shoulders, not knowing what to say.

"I know. What is there to say? He seemed popular and happy. Why would this happen to him?"

"Just goes to show how huge the picture truly is on this disorder. It can happen to anyone."

The two went back to work and, by 2pm, all entries were made and sent off to the doctors for final review.

"Now what?"

"I check in on the patients and you stay up here to answer phones," informed Mercedes as she gave a quick phone etiquette tutorial before she headed off.

The minutes dragged on with nothing for Chad to do. He wanted to check out some sites on the internet but his interest wasn't there. His mind kept drifting to the one bedroom on the left hallway and its inhabitant.

Should he check in on Troy? Was that something he could even do? He swung in his chair back and forth in a weak attempt to make up his mind. He wanted to be helpful yet this was his summer after all! He was supposed to be just waking up but his mother changed that plan on him real quick without much discussion between them. Now, he was here, expected to watch out for someone he barely knew.

He stayed out by the station until the nurse came back out.

"How's everyone?"

"They're doing well enough. You may want to check in on Troy." she suggested.

Chad raised his eyebrows. "Right now?"

"When else are you going to do it? You leave in about an hour. Go check on the boy."

Why did she sound a bit like his mother scolding him? Making a huff, Chad forced himself out of the chair and went to Troy's room. His stomach was in knots as he knocked on his door. His body yearned and hoped that Troy wouldn't open up.

And to his horror there stood Troy.

"Mercedes?"

Chad smiled in answer.

Opening the door wider, Troy stepped aside to let Chad in. The basketball captain followed behind the wrestling captain into the bedroom. Troy went over to his bed which had his laptop open and textbooks spread out. Finding a seat on the empty spare bed, Chad silently pondered what the next move would be.

Time dragged on between the two teens as Troy worked on his laptop and Chad grasped for something to do or say or anything to rescue him from this moment. He wasn't sure how much time passed before Troy spoke.

"Are you going to say something or do something? If not, you can leave."

And that was life. Suddenly Chad had his way out. This was his chance to seize upon to save face for he did come in and check on the boy who didn't want his help. But life hands you peculiar situations. A fury that he hadn't felt smolder boiled through his veins.

"Hold the fuck up. There is no need to get an attitude with me. I don't want to be here any more than you want me to be."

Troy's eyes iced over. "Then get the fuck out. You certainly do not have to be here."

"You're right about that." He stood. As he approached the door, Chad realized that he was not going to be forced out of this room by Troy Bolton.

"Had a change of heart?" Troy's voiced was coated in sarcasm.

"Perhaps. I'm not leaving because you're acting out. What did you expect would happen once people at school would find out about you? You can't react like this!"

The still that breezed into the room settled thickly between the two teen males. Troy's jaw was set while Chad clenched his hand, attempting beyond hope not to really lose control.

"I don't know what I thought seeing as how no one needs to know. You will not saying anything. I won't. There's nothing to worry about."

"You really aren't planning on telling?" What anger that boiled had now evaporated.

The chuckle that came from Troy sounded mirthless and dry.

"Would you?"

"Of course I would."

"Think about it. You're going to tell your basketball buddies how you can't eat like a normal person? How you have what only girls are supposed to have?"

Though Chad wanted nothing more than to show up Troy, he knew that he was right. He may think about telling the girls but when it came to his guy friends…he would rather announce his love for West High at the next pep rally.

"Exactly," Troy returned to his computer. "You don't have to stay here. I know what they all told you but I don't need you."

"Well, to me, it sounds like they think you do need me. I gave Dr. Marcey my word that I would help so here I am – helping."

Troy scoffed. "Oh yeah. Shouting at me does wonders for the healing process."

"You started it – copping an attitude and all."

"Hmm. Perhaps."

Chad couldn't believe his ears. "That was easy."

"I guess."

The room was silent again and Chad took that as his cue to leave. Heading back to the front desk, he checked the small digital clock with sense of relief; less than ten minutes to go.

"How'd it go?" the young woman asked gently.

"Terribly."

"I figured. He's just embarrassed. It'll get better."

"Sure."

The time ticked away bringing 3 o'clock with it. Waving goodbye, he headed out the door. Fixing his earbuds just so as he found an album to listen to, Chad left the hospital and approached the bus stop. The heat was dissipating though still heavy in the air. Sitting down, Chad let his mind wander over the day's events and came to the realization that he did not want to come back to this place.

Volunteering here wasn't where he wanted to be. If his mother wanted him to volunteer, he would work at a youth club or elementary school to help out with gym class. He just knew that he didn't want to work with people whose issues he could do nothing to fix.

He didn't want to deal with the tension – the awkwardness – that came with the knowledge that a fellow classmate had an eating disorder. Perhaps if this was one of his friends like Taylor, Sharpay, Gabriella, or Kelsi then this wouldn't be a problem. He would go to the end of the world for them.

And yet that was the problem wasn't?

They were girls.

Troy was a boy. Chad didn't know where to begin to reconcile that bit of information.

The bus pulled up. Chad stepped up, placing the money in the till. Taking a seat towards the middle, he glanced out the window and up to the eleventh floor. The bus drove out the medical complex.