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A Happy New Year (late...I know - Sorry).

Disclaimer: I don't owe anything.

Mitchi

why Troy acted the way he had…

Away from all those people, Sharpay, Taylor, Kelsie, Zeke, Jason, Ryan and Chad glanced around, knowing exactly

Troy

I leaned against the wall, standing in between Chad and Gabby. My eyes were closed, trying to accept the fact that everyone in school was aware of my bandaged forearm, the small bruises, and the infusion marks. Just great. Resting against the wall, I felt Gabby and Chad's eyes on me, even though I didn't open mine. I also knew that they were worried about my reaction… but they knew.

"Troy?" I opened my eyes and met Gabby's soft brown ones. "Are you sure you're all right?" I nodded and sighed, letting my head fall back against the hard wall. "What do you plan on doing now that everybody knows?" She took my hand as I shrugged my shoulders. I really had no idea what I was going to do.

"Maybe I'll just act like nothing happened," I said quietly, as I opened my eyes. I heard hurried footsteps coming toward where the three of us were standing. Instantly, I spotted Nick sitting on the ground next to Chad.

"They're all talking about you," he said quietly. "About how you've changed and that it isn't like you to run away." I sighed. GREAT! Everyone would make fun of me now, even though they had NO IDEA what really went on in my life.

"Is there anything else I should know before I go back to class?" I asked. I saw the hesitation written on Nick's face right away as he looked down and was about to shake his head. I chided him, "Nick."

He sighed. "They're thinking of what diseases you're suffering from because of the bandage, the marks, and your coughing." I sighed again, trying to find a way out of the situation. I could tell everyone what was really happening, but that would only cause more problems, and I didn't need any more of those in my life.

Finally, the bell rang, signalizing the beginning of Math class. I sighed, pulled myself up, and turned around to help Gabby up as well. She wasn't in the same Math class as me, but Chad was, fortunately, and we were both seated in the back of the class.

"Bye Troy, take care," Gabby said as she kissed my cheek. I nodded sadly and watched her go, and then Chad and I went to our class. Just as we entered the room, people began staring at me and whispering. I tried my best to ignore them, and sat down with Chad next to me. During the entire lesson, nobody in class paid attention to what the teacher was talking about – calculating the intersection of a straight line and a plane, selected by vectors… like anyone would need it. Instead of learning, the class turned to stare at me the entire time. After bearing with their annoying glances, I decided that it'd be better to take part in the lesson and try to comprehend what the teacher was talking about.

It worked out pretty well, and after awhile, I understood what the teacher was saying. Things were looking up when the door opened, and the principal walked in asking Ms. Isles if he could see me for a few minutes.

I sighed – great! This was exactly what I needed – more things for everybody to talk about. I reluctantly got up, gathered my belonging and left the classroom, and followed the principal to his office. We sat down and he looked me directly in the eye – I didn't like it.

"Well Troy, actually, I wanted to get you're here during lunch break."

I gulped, "Th – then why haven't you?"

His expression grew serious as he said, "The cafeteria walls aren't that thick. I heard what Mr. Norton said… well, what he shouted at you." I looked down, avoiding his eyes, as he continued, "You know you can't just run around here and act as if it never happened, right?" I nodded slowly. "You can't keep denying it – there's no use for that anymore." The rest of the time he asked me how my recovery was going, but I would've appreciated it if he'd just drop the subject and never mention it again. I was sick of it. I didn't really listen to what he was saying – by then, I'd drifted off into my own world.

"Do you know when you'll be able to attend gym class and basketball practice again? I won't make you go unless you want to…"

I looked up. This had been the exact question that was floating around my head for the past couple of minutes.

"I… don't really know. I think it's about two or three weeks… it depends on…" I stopped, not wanting to mention "my cuts" or "my injuries." It didn't sound right to me.

Principal Matsui only nodded. "Did anyone tell you about the new coach?" I narrowed my eyes. Obviously Chad couldn't have told me, since he was too busy with keeping my secret. I smiled sadly to myself, thinking about how great of a friend Chad had been to me through this whole ordeal. "No, not that I know of."

"Well, I found someone new, and he'll start in one week… do you think you could attend the first practice just for the normal stuff?" I nodded. I could stay there for the basics. He nodded as well, and looked at his watch, his eyebrows rising. "Well, you're free to go home." He smiled slightly as I stood up. "Before I forget, you should let everyone know what happened sooner than later. Otherwise, there'll be loads of rumors and nasty comments." His face was serious as he looked into my eyes intently.

I sighed and nodded. "I'll try to work it out. Bye." I left the room, hearing his faint "Goodbye" in return. I walked through the hallways, trying to get to my locker. However, I bumped against a corner, knowing that I'd have to tell everyone about my ordeal sooner than later. However, I was afraid of their reactions. Would they judge me for keeping my mouth shut for over two years? Or would they be more sympathetic? I didn't want mercy; what happened, happened, and no one could change it. What if they reacted just like my friends did, and got mad at me for cutting myself and risking my life? Would they hate me? Would they want me off the team? Would they take away basketball, the only thing I really loved, still?

I stopped at my locker and opened it, getting the books I needed. The bell rang just as I closed my locker. I sighed and turned around, keeping my eyes open for Nick. After what seemed like an eternity of worried glances, mad looks and stares, Nick showed up, and we left East High.

Nick

There were no words between Troy and I as we walked home. He stared off into space and looked down when someone from school looked at him as if he were crazy and would drop dead at any second. When we returned home, Mom immediately came from the kitchen with the phone against her ear, busy talking with the person on the other line.

"Yes, I know she wants to, but I won't. NO! In that case, ESPESCIALLY NO! I said no, so don't ever call again. Bye." She hung up the phone angrily and turned when she saw us. Her eyes lit up and a smile formed on her lips. "Hey." Troy was about to pass her and walk upstairs to his room when she held him back. "Hunny, what happened to your jaw? It's slightly bruised." Troy was trying to pull away from her, but Mom continued holding him close. "Troy? What happened?" Her eyes narrowed as she took his jaw in between her fingers while Troy looked in a different direction and attempted to pull away again.

"Some weird kid felt the urge to hit me," he mumbled, as he tried to loosen himself from Mom's grasp.

"Are you sure you're all right?" This time, she let Troy pull away. He nodded while she glanced at his face worriedly.

"I've been hit harder than by the kid who hit me today," he shrugged uneasily as he bolted upstairs and slammed his door shut.

"Mom?" She looked at me as we walked into the kitchen, so she could look after dinner. "Who was on the phone when we came home, and what did he or she want?"

She sighed. "Sit down and don't you dare tell your brother." I nodded and sat down.

Lucille

"Nick, listen. I will say this once, and only once, okay?" He nodded, and I turned around once again to make sure Troy was upstairs. He didn't need to know this.

"It was Mr. Doer… he told me that Jack was sent to jail… but he also got one phone call, and he wanted to call…. Troy. They didn't let him, but that's not the point. They're thinking of possibilities for where Sarah's twins will be raised."

Nick narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "But that's good, isn't it? Then she can go to jail as well."

I sighed. "That's the point. She wants me to raise the twins."

"WHAT!?" Nick stood up, his face red with fury.

"Shush, don't make a scene about this! Troy isn't allowed to come downstairs." He nodded and sat down.

"If I take the twins, then Sarah will go to jail… and I already told Mr. Doer that I didn't want the twins, but he said that she could come by every week to help me with them. I told him that my decision is clearer than ever – NO."

Nick nodded. "Troy would freak out if that happened."

I nodded. "Exactly."

Troy

Just as I closed the door I grabbed my cell phone and dialed Gabriella's phone number. I wanted, and needed to talk to her.

"Hello?"

"Hey, gorgeous." I smiled at the sound of her voice.

"Troy…how did it go with Mr. Matsui?"

"It was okay… he told me that I should tell everyone as soon as possible." I felt my voice break at the thought of it. "Brie, how do you think they'll react?"

"I don't know, but I know you'll do what you think is best."

I smiled slightly and nodded, wanting to talk to her more, but then my stomach growled loudly. "Gabby? I have to go, since I didn't get the chance to eat lunch today, and now my stomach is protesting."

I heard her giggle. "Okay, bye…love you."

"Love you too, see you tomorrow." I hung up and walked out of my room and downstairs.

Just before I entered the kitchen, I heard Mom and Nick talking to each other.

"That's the point. She wants me to raise the twins."

"WHAT!?"

"Shush, don't make a scene about this! Troy isn't allowed to come downstairs."

"If I take the twins, then Sarah will go to jail… and I already told Mr. Doer that I didn't want the twins, but he said that she could come by every week to help me with them. I told him that my decision is clearer than ever – NO."

"Troy would freak out if that happened."

"Exactly."

I swallowed heavily and walked into the kitchen. My mom and Nick immediately turned around, and Mom's eyes went wide. "Troy! I…I…"

I shook my head. "It's okay. I guess… I just didn't think she'd really do that."

She came over and hugged me close to her. "I'll make sure she goes to jail just like him. No matter what… but…" She pulled back and hesitated. I narrowed my eyes and watched as she looked at Nick, who nodded. I saw her motioning me to sit down while she walked to the stove to stir whatever as in the pot.

"If the twins go to someone Sarah knows, then she'll be allowed to visit them twice a month – it'd be her right. But… if she gives them to strangers, she won't be able to.."

"And right now, she's trying everything to get the twins to her family, right?" I mumbled, as I looked down on my intertwined hands and sighed morosely.

"Well yes, but don't worry, Troy. I'll make sure the twins are placed for adoption." She smiled slightly and I returned it, hopeful once more.

Later On, After Dinner

I stood up and noticed my mom's eyes on me. "Are you sure that your jaw feels okay?" she asked worriedly.

I nodded. "Yes, I told you I knew harder…" She nodded slightly and I walked upstairs.

When I closed the door, I felt my cell phone vibrate in my pocket. I didn't recognize the caller ID, so I answered.

"Hello?"

"Hello Troy, I think we have to talk…" I knew this person's voice. I deleted this person's number, thinking that they'd disappear from my life forever, out of sight, and out of mind. Obviously, it hadn't…

So that's chapter 22 - hope you liked it. Please review. ! 15 REVIEWS TO THE NEXT ONE!

And if my dearest beta-reader is anywhere out there:
Can I get the chapter I send you Christmas soon? - Pleaseeeeee

Mitchi