On this exact day one year ago I published this story! Thank you so much to everyone that has read, reviewed, favourited and/or followed this story so far. This is my present to you, chapter 20 which has to be my fastest typed chapter ever! Hope you all enjoy!

"Good. When is the deadline?" she questioned. "February 1st but I sort of already started," I admitted and she smiled. "Thank you mom," I said and got up to give her a hug. "No problem hija. Experience is simply the name we give our mistakes."

Monday January 7th 2008
Troy's POV

As I was standing by my locker that morning Chad approached me with a basketball in his hand. "Hey hoops how were Christmas with the family?" he questioned leaning rather casually against the lockers.

"It was good, a long way to travel but it was nice seeing everyone," I told him taking out the books I needed before lunch which was really just a notebook for homeroom and my Spanish books. "So coach asked me to schedule some practices for the free lessons for the next couple of weeks and I was wondering if you had some ideas," he told me and I nodded. "I can think of a couple," I mentioned, shifting through my stack of books finally seeing the Spanish book. "Just tell me when and where we could meet," I told him and he looked relieved as I shut my locker.

"Great, is free period on Thursday ok?" he questioned hopefully. I had really hoped to meet up with Gabriella during that time since she was busy tomorrow with the decathlon team, but I also had responsibilities towards the basketball team seeing as Chad and I were co-captains. Why they still believed in me as their co-captain seeing as I broke my arm not long into the season, still amazed me.

"Yeah I'm free," I said to him. "Should we just meet in the gym?" he questioned as we walked together towards homeroom.

"Sounds great," I agreed and we sat down in our seats still continuing to discuss basketball and the upcoming season. It wasn't long after that both Taylor and Gabriella entered the room laughing about something but before we knew it the bell was sounded and Darbus entered the classroom.

"All right settle down, settle down. I know you all had an exciting holiday lets focus on the fantastic art of theatre and some news today shall we?" she questioned but everyone remained quiet. "Now as you all know proximity to the art is cleansing for the soul, and therefore it is a great opportunity to study The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde," she told all of us before hurrying to add, "this could very well become rather important for your English class as well," she defended and started handing out copies of the play. "Now, let's start on act one," she said and everyone opened the play.

"Sadly that is everything we have time for today. Now I would like to give a few announcements. Now everyone a reminder that the spring musical signup sheet will be posted later today on the board by our president for the drama club, Sharpay Evans," Darbus announced and Sharpay smirked giving a small nod of confidence. "Final deadline in two weeks," she reminded us all but I doubted that many other than Sharpay bothered to sign up. I knew I did not have time because of finals and basketball taking up much of my time already.

"Taylor McKessie has volunteered to be this year's yearbook editor, so questions regarding that may be brought forward to her. The yearbook committee encourages students who want to participate to do such, they have several different places for you to excel in your talents," she said making some large gesture with her hands. "Now is there any questions?" she continued but everyone stayed silent. Well, almost everyone.

"Yes, Jason?"

"How was your holiday Mrs Darbus?" he asked and a collective groan went through the class.

"Oh, really," Darbus said surprised pushing her glasses higher up on her nose. "Well, one fond memory comes to mind. It was the summer of…" she started but was soon drowned by the bell and students piling out of the classroom, not interested in hearing the story. "Remember the signup for the musical!" she told all of her students as the last one was out of the room.

"Hey Troy," Gabriella said as she and Taylor caught up with Chad and I in the hallway. "Good morning," I said as we were making our way towards Spanish.

"How was Christmas?" Taylor questioned us all and I shrugged a little. "I had fun," Gabriella told her friend. "Yeah, how was Christmas with Troy abroad?" Chad encouraged.

"Really fun, but he has a big family. We were seventeen people in total for dinner on Christmas eve," Gabriella shared not really going into too much detail. Now I see how my secret really is affecting her too. It isn't fair towards her or my friends…

"Seventeen," Taylor said astonished bringing me out of my thoughts. "How was that living so close for such a long time?" she questioned and I tried really hard to hide my smile. She had no idea…

"It was hard at times especially if you don't get along," she said with a sigh and Chad looked puzzled. "I have two cousins who are twins, Makayla and Calvin," I shared encouraging Gabriella to tell the rest of the story.

"I got along great with Makayla but not so much with Calvin. It didn't help that he had a fight with his parents or something, but that day Troy and I went out riding together and it was so fun," she said and I were happy to hear that, especially with the picture of us in that magazine.

"Oh that sounds like fun," Taylor said and the two of them engaged in a conversation of their own.

Thursday 10th

As the double lesson in geography was finished that morning Chad and I were sitting in the gym planning what we had to do to elevate our game in hope to make it towards the championship. "When are you removing your cast?" Chad questioned as if he had suddenly realised something.

"I was told after eight weeks so that would be around the 9th of February," I said to him. "So after that, you can join playing again?" he questioned and I nodded. "That's the plan."

Before either of us knew it, the bell for lunch rang and we both agreed that we were just about finished with all of the planning.

As we both got our lunch we found Taylor, Martha and Gabriella in a deep but hushed conversation. "No way. It's just a silly rumour," I heard Taylor say as we got closer. "How do you know that?" Martha defied. "What do we really know?" she questioned not having noticed that both I and Chad were right by the table.

"Hello," Chad simply said and the three of them looked at us as we sat down.

"I'm just saying," Martha said before walking back towards her table leaving the four of us alone.

"What was that all about?" I questioned confused. "Decathlon stuff," Taylor said rather quickly stabbing her salad with the fork. Looking over at Gabriella she even looked surprised about Taylor's reaction. Hopefully, she could provide me with some answers later, seeing as now was not the best time to ask questions.

"What happened during lunch?" I questioned as it was only Gabriella and I walking towards class together. "And I know it wasn't about the scholastic decathlon team," I stated and she sighed in defeat.

"Martha said that she had heard something from one of the other cheerleaders. A rumour if you will, except that Martha was certain that it wasn't a rumour because the girl found out herself," she started.

"So it was one of the cheerleaders who found out and told Martha?" I clarified and she nodded. "Yes."

"What Martha told us was that her friend has seen an article while at the library doing some research about the Japanese war or something for history class. Apparently, while looking through sources she could use, she found a book who had been misplaced or something. She must have opened it thinking it could be valuable, but what she found was a long article about the Etrean royal family…" "And a picture," she added a little reluctant. "Martha said that the picture wasn't recently but not much older than three maybe four years or so," Gabriella finished.

"I have a feeling I know what book it came from and if Martha, or Taylor for that matter, had seen it, they would quickly have identified it as me," I spoke quietly not wanting to get overheard. "Maryl Laflamme wrote it three years ago just after she published Stars of Magic. It was huge in the media seeing as she got a rather personal angle at our family that no one else had thought of," I shared with her and she nodded understandingly.

We walked in silence together until we reached the classroom. "Wait," I told Gabriella taking her hand before she entered the room. I pulled her gently away from the door and she frowned looking at me. "Should I just tell them?" I questioned and she sighed making a face.

"I can't tell you that nor do I know what is for the best. That is something you have to determine for yourself," she advised me and I was really conflicted about the situation.

"I guess I am a little afraid of their reaction," I confessed and she looked at me somatically. "I don't know but know that I will support you no matter what you decide," she told me and I smiled.

"Thank you, it means a lot," I said to her just as the warning bell was sounded.

The next day I had asked if Chad and Taylor wanted to meet me and Gabriella during lunch because I had something to tell them. Gabriella and I entered the science room that the scholastic decathlon team normally used for practising.

"Hey you two," Taylor said putting away her book. "Hey," Gabriella said taking a seat.

"Why the meet here?" Chad questioned. "So we could talk without getting overheard," I stated and Taylor frowned a little. "Oh?"

"Gabriella told me about what Martha said the other day," I started and a look of realization crossed Taylor's face. "So you're here to say it was all a rumour. Why couldn't we meet somewhere else?" Chad stated but I didn't say anything.

"It's a little more complicated than that," I started. "I haven't been completely honest with you about who I am…" I started telling them the whole story, which was pretty similar to the one I told Gabriella a couple of months ago.

"What?" Chad stated but Taylor kept quiet. "Why didn't you tell us sooner?" he questioned.

"I didn't know how to tell you or what you would think," I tried to reason with them but before I got the chance to say anything more the bell went off.

"I'm sorry, I'll be late for class," Taylor excused herself picking up her stuff before leaving the room. And at that moment I suddenly realised how much I had potentially damaged the relationship between Gabriella and Taylor by asking her to keep it a secret…

Huge shout-out to Lia and Grace for their reviews! And a tiny spoiler to Grace about your question, yes there will become drama. Lots of drama!
To Lia, yes I have tried to write this chapter more detailed, I'm sorry I didn't see your review until the last chapter was published so I am trying my best with this one.

Hope you all liked it and please leave a review on your thoughts!

-FreeFlyingWriter