Troy sat, a week later, eating his cereal, watching Good Morning America. Gabriella was about to be interviewed on it, and Troy had promised he would watch - he would have gone with her had he not had a game later that same day. Gabriella had already called him to say it went well - she was in NYC which was two hours ahead of Albuquerque.

Troy put his bowl and and sat up straight, pressing record on the VCR when Gabriella came on.

They asked her the generic questions, about her single, video her album, etc. Troy raised his eyebrows, however, towards the end of the interview.

"So you have a boyfriend, Troy. He plays for Albuquerque's Development League team, is that right?"

"Yes, that's right."

"How do you guys manage to spend time together? You off doing promotion, him off playing around the country."

"We manage. It's not too bad at the moment but I guess it's gonna get more hectic!"

Troy shook his head with a smile. Gabriella looked perfectly happy, as if nothing was wrong. She knew how to put on a front.

"I didn't know what to do, Troy." She said, when Troy rang her an hour later. "It never dawned on me they might ask questions about you."

"It's weird. Coach reckons more people have started turning up to watch our games since you became… famous." Troy sighed. "I guess… I'm associated with you so I'm almost a celebrity."

"Yeah. I guess I should somehow get it into the media we've split up. But you know, they will start asking questions…"

"Ugh, you're right." Troy sighed. "I'm not exactly ready for that."

"Unless…"

"Unless what?"

"No, that'll sound… no."

"Gabi, what?"

"I know you want no one to know. And this is already helping your career. Mine too, because you're hot. So what if…"

"You're not gonna say what I think you're gonna say."

"We just have to… not tell them we're not together. We act together anyway."

"You want to fake a relationship for the press?" Troy sighed. "It makes sense, I guess."

--------------

"I heard Gabi talking about you on TV today." Chad said, stuffing his face with pizza.

"Listen, there's something I've gotta tell you, Chad. And I kinda wish you hadn't seen that this morning, because now I gotta tell you two things."

Chad frowned, and put his pizza down.

"Go on."

Troy moved in closer to Chad.

"Me and Gabriella…" Troy whispered. "We've split up."

"You've WHAT?" Chad screamed. "Sorry." He said, lowering his voice. "Why?!"

"I don't wanna talk about it." Troy said quickly. "We're still the best of friends though. But… there's more."

"Go on." Chad sighed.

"We're staying together. Well, pretending to. For the sake of our careers and the media."

"You're staging a relationship."

"Well!" Troy said, shaking his head. "Hardly. Well. Yeah I guess."

"This is too much to take in right now."

"You have no idea."

"Dude, you gotta tell me why you guys split up. Had to be something big to break you two apart - but you still are friends? Something isn't right."

"I'll tell you another time. I'm a little stressed out by all this now."

-------------------

"I didn't realise how hard it would be, Ry."

"Have you thought about telling your parents?"

"God no!"

"Troy…"

"Well, maybe my Mom. But my Dad? You know him. No way."

"Have you told anyone else?"

"Nope. Chad was on my case about why me and Gabi split up. I'll tell him. Just not yet."

"Tell your Mom first!"

----------

The next day, Troy was literally, physically shaking. He put his key in the door and entered his family home.

"Hey Mom." Troy had arrived at 2, when he knew his Dad would still be teaching at school.

"Hey Troy!" his Mom hugged him and kissed him on the cheek. "And how is my boy?"

"I'm.… okay, Mom."

"Just okay?"

"Let's go sit."

Troy followed his Mom into the living room, where Troy sat down on the chair he sat in for most of his teenage years. He put his feet up on the seat and hugged his knees.

"Mommy." Troy said, bottom lip quivering. "You'll always love me, right?"

"My boy, what ever is the matter?!" Troy's Mom got up from the coach and sat on the arm of Troy's chair, stroking his hair. Troy threw his head onto her leg.

"I'm gay, Mom." Troy said, unable to keep himself from sobbing.

"You're… gay? You're sure?"

Troy nodded, still sobbing.

"Mom, please don't tell Dad."

"Aw, baby." She rubbed his arm. "I won't. But you've got to tell him sometime."

"I know, Mom." Troy looked up. "Do you still love me?"

"Of course I do! Oh, Troy, you are silly. Are you okay?"

"I guess."

"Have you told Gabriella?"

"Yeah. She's been great. She even told me to stay at the apartment until I find somewhere of my own. We're trying to stay friends. Best friends."

"Talking of which. What about Chad?"

Troy huddled his knees closer. He glanced up at his Mom.

"He knows nothing."

"Oh, Troy, that's no good. He's your best friend. You need to tell him."

"He's next on my list, Mom."

"You'll be okay, darling. Wasn't that blonde boy from East High gay? Are you still in contact with him? He might be able to help you through this hard time."

"Yeah, he's actually helped me a lot already. He's turned out to be a really good friend."

-----------------

He got home to an empty house. Gabriella was still in NY and wasn't gonna be home for two days. He took his shoes off and kicked them out of the way. He squinted as he saw something inside it.

He took out the piece of paper, unfolded it and read it. JP's note. Troy stared at the phone number. He frowned, and stuffed the note into his pocket. He couldn't deal with that right now. He couldn't help but think of him though - he hadn't been at the game yesterday. Troy pushed him out of his mind, he didn't even want to think about why he hadn't been there. Troy jumped when his phone buzzed in his pocket.

"saw gab on tv. Talkin about u again. I don't get it u have 2 tell me! Chad"

Troy screwed up his face and screamed. He was already beat from telling his Mom. But at the same time, he was on a roll.

"fine. Come round & I'll tell u. brace yourself."

Half an hour later, there was a knock on Troy's door.

"You're a pain in my ass, Danforth." Troy said when he opened it.

"Shut up." He said, pulling Troy into a half hug. Troy slightly shook his head to himself. He wondered if Chad would be repulsed in a few minutes about what he just did.

"So." Chad said, walking into the living room. "Brace myself, huh."

"Yup. You're gonna be… a bit shocked."

"C'mon, man."

Troy sat down, away from Chad, and sighed. He huddled into himself, and closed his eyes.

"I've not been very…. Happy recently." Troy started. "I've been going through some stuff."

"Can say I hadn't noticed, man. You haven't been… yourself exactly, for a good while now."

Troy looked up, and smiled. His best friend knew him well.

"Well… I've sorted myself out. Kinda."

"Troy."

Troy put his hands over his face. This was the one time he definitely wanted to fight the tears. God, this never got any easier.

"I'm gay."

Troy peeked at Chad out the side of the hand covering his eyes.

"Chad. Say something. For crying out loud."

"You're not gay. How can you be gay?"

Troy sighed, and shrugged.

"You're not gay." Chad repeated. "You don't…. like boys."

Troy rolled his eyes, and felt his lip start to quiver. He clenched his eyes shut.

"I'm gay, Chad. I'm sorry. But you're gonna have to deal with it. Same as me. And Gabi."

"Gabi." Chad said quietly. "Poor Gabi." he shook his head. "How can you do this to her?!"

"Chad please!" Troy shouted.

Chad shook his head again.

"I'm not listening to this."

He stood up, and stomped to the door, and left, slamming the door behind him. Troy collapsed into tears. This couldn't be happening.