This chapter is actually kinda Chad-centric. You'll see why. I thought I'd post this now because the last chapter was so short, and I thought I'd cut to the chase and post quite a defining chapter. Let me know what you think. I might not have another update until Wednesday but then again I probably will. Lol.

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Chad was nervous when the day came to leave for Pennsylvania. He hadn't exactly been far outside of Albuquerque in his life. It may have only been Pennsylvania and New York, but he felt like he was going to a whole other planet.

He sat, awkwardly, on the plane with Troy. Chad had never even flown before, and he was very nervous, especially knowing that Troy hated flying too.

Troy, however, had become somewhat accustomed to the perils of flying, and even though he was still always a little nervous, he could pretty much get through a flight with hardly any trouble.

It turned out, Chad enjoyed flying. He stared out the window, like a child, for the majority of the journey. He enjoyed, and kept, his little bottle of water he was given and he loved his snack bag of pretzels.

He loved watching Troy play, he didn't manage to make it to too many games back in Albuquerque. The Thunderbirds won, leaving a very happy Troy and probably an equally happy Chad.

And the next day, the both of them boarded a train for Manhattan.

Manhattan was like nothing Chad had ever seen. So many bright lights, so many tall buildings so close together. As much as he still felt like he was on another planet, he kind of felt like he'd finally come home.

"This is amazing." Chad gasped to Troy.

"I knew you'd love it." Troy laughed. "Maybe you should have gone to Julliard."

"Not a chance."

Troy laughed, as the two of them made their way to check in to the hotel they were staying in that night. It was just the other side of Central Park to Juilliard. When they were done, Ryan met them outside the hotel and took them over to the party.

"Oh my goodness…" Chad said, wide eyed, at the house spilling over with people.

"Wild, huh?" Ryan laughed.

"Look at those girls, Chad." Troy laughed, digging his elbow into Chad's ribs.

"Girls, Troy?" Ryan grinned.

"I think it was the deciding factor for somebody."

Chad was now grinning. He was in this awesome city and now he was about to party with a number of awesome girls. This was gonna be… awesome.

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An hour later, and the drink was well and truly flowing. The three boys were stood at the bar, when Troy decided he needed to dance.

Chad stood at the bar, watching Troy and Ryan dance. He couldn't help admire his friends. Not too long ago, Troy was in emotional turmoil and back in the early days of high school Ryan went through a hell of a lot regarding his sexuality. And now, here they were, dancing happily like there were no troubles in the world. Carefree.

"Hey." Troy panted, smiling to Chad. "Come dance."

"Oh, uh… I dunno." Chad shrugged at his visibly drunk friend.

"C'mon." Troy tugged at Chad's hand, until Chad gave in and rolled his eyes. He followed his friend out onto the dance floor.

He felt so awkward. He tried to copy Troy's moves but, since he was nowhere near as drunk, he felt really stupid.

"Dude!" Troy laughed, moving closer to Chad.

Troy placed his hands on Chad's hips. He moved his own closer in.

"You gotta sway your hips."

Troy swayed his hips, moving Chad's at the same time. Chad, at first, couldn't work out how to even sway his hips. He was hardly a dancer, and his body just didn't flow smoothly. Until Troy's hands were guiding him. He took a breath, and relaxed in his grip.

"There you go, man." Troy smiled, moving in even closer to him.

"This feels good." Chad grinned, excited at his new found dancing ability.

"Yeah." Troy smiled. "You know, Chad… Turns out, you're a really sexy dancer."

"Really?" Chad said, looking at Troy's smiling eyes.

This was pretty weird for Chad. He had just seemed to suddenly gain the ability to loosen up and… dance. Maybe he had the ability all along but it had just been unleashed. He felt good. No - great. He felt full of energy and excitement.

All this dancing in the heat of the party was making Chad sweat. Coupled with the eyes, locked in his own, the heat started to become unbearable.

"Oh, yeah." Troy grinned, and took one hand off of Chad's hip to sweep his hair back to the side. He placed it straight back onto Chad's hip.

Chad gulped. This was scary. But if it was anything he'd learned today, it was to be yourself and let the moment take you.

This was the reasoning he gave himself for doing what he did next.

He looked at Troy, who was grinning back at him. He took a deep breath. He closed his eyes, and pressed his lips against Troy's.

Chad couldn't even believe himself what he was doing. But he was doing it. And boy, it felt good. It felt almost like he was exhaling after a lifetime of holding his breath. At that moment, he felt better than he had in years. It felt right. Yet - wrong.

Troy brought his right hand up, and placed it on top of Chad's hair. His left hand went to the shoulder, ran down, settling on Chad's bicep.

Troy suddenly broke away from Chad. He glanced, open mouthed, at a stunned Ryan.

"Oh my god…" Troy rubbed his head. He suddenly felt painfully sober.