Thank you so much to pumkinking5 for your review on the last chapter, your continuous support is greatly appreciated!
The semester is shortly ending for the Wildcats, but there are still a couple of chapters left. At the moment my plan is to continue this story in a sequel because I have quite a lot typed up about their future which ties in with this story. Do you guys want a sequel?

Again thank you to everyone who is reading, following, favoriting, and/or reviewing this story, it means the world to me!

"So, what do you feel about finals next month? Are you prepared?" I wondered but Troy shrugged his shoulders.

"I don't know… I guess I am, but I still have quite a bit of reading left. How do you feel about it?"

"Surprisingly good, but still a bit anxious. Taylor is still talking about the study groups, reminding us to come, and I guess I feel obligated to be there because she's my friend."

"You shouldn't feel obligated just because she's your friend. Taylor should relax a bit more about the exams, I think all of us have understood the importance by now. We have even started to cut back on our training because most of the team are busy studying. Zeke keeps on muttering something about a Crem Brule having to be perfect for an exam, and Jason is seemingly living in the library."

"Yeah I remember hearing about that. Zeke wants to go to culinary school and there is a practical exam to get accepted."

"If there is anyone who can do it, it's Zeke. He's an amazing cook."

Tuesday, May 13th
Troy's POV

"Time is up, put your pencils down!" the teacher at the front of the room called out to everyone. Placing my pencil down on my desk, I had mixed feelings about this ACT test. I felt like I did decent in the reading and English part, but I was more uncertain about math and science. I had walked out of my math exam on Wednesday with the same uneasy feeling. Marcus had been a great resource in helping me study. We had been talking on Skype for hours as he helped me revise, and I knew I wasn't going to fail. I was rather confident I had at least managed a C or C+.

Walking into the crowded hallway, I spotted Brie standing in a corner looking around.

"Hey Brie," I stated as I had made my way through the crowd of students who had emerged out of their classrooms.

"Hi Troy, how did it go?" she questioned curiously, a smile gracing her features as she spotted me.

"I think I did all right. Defiantly glad it's over," I revealed as we slowly made our way down the packed hallway.

"Me too, I can't wait to focus on other things."

"It's a bit sad too, in a way, it almost marks the end of the year. We have less than four weeks left before graduation. I was going to ask; do you celebrate finishing your exams?"

"No, we only celebrate graduation. Sadly, I can almost guarantee you there are at least one or two people in our year that wont graduate."

"Oh, how come?" I questioned rather puzzled.

"Well, it is all statistical, but it is usually because they failed a class or failed one of their exams. It happens almost every year."

"That's a shame. Do you think it will happen in our class?" I questioned, trying to think who might not make it.

"I'm not sure, everyone seems to have taken finals more seriously than previous years."

"That's a good sign. So, do you have any plans for the weekend?"

"I have a doctor's appointment on Friday after school, except that I plan on doing nothing this weekend."

"That seems like a great idea. Chad talked about inviting the team to his house, I think he decided on Saturday, for a bit of fun before the game on Wednesday."

"That's right, the championship game. How do you feel about that?"

"Nervous but mostly excited," I stated smiling, before continuing, "A lot is happening next week, isn't it? The musical premiere is on Thursday and prom on Saturday."

"How come this year's musical is so popular? I spoke with Kelsi and she had never heard of East High putting on an extra show."

"That is kind of amazing, Darbus must be over the moon."

"It's theatre, of course she is," Gabriella giggled as we all know Darbus was more or less married to the theatre.

"There is one thing that has been bugging me for a while," I revealed to Brie, as she looked up at me concerned.

"Something bad?"

"No, not really, but it's about prom… Do you think we would have to waltz?"

"That's what bothering you? Well, I'm sorry to say I don't know. Maybe we would have to, but I didn't go last year," she told me shrugging her shoulders. "Anyways didn't they teach you that at royalty school?" she deadpanned as I tried hard not to lose it.

"As a matter of fact, it is on this year's curriculum, but you see, I skipped out on that," I mockingly stated before we both started laughing.

"I was only joking," she assured me as it was my time to shrug.

"I am pretty sure I would have learned to waltz this year, it's a surprise every year."

"They really have a royalty school? Jeeze I thought you had already shared a lot about that. Anyways, true story, dad taught me to waltz when I was younger, I remember standing on his feet as he was waltzing me around the living room. Parts of the dance for our prom number in the musical isn't that far from a real waltz if I remember correctly."

"At least that's reassuring, but by the sounds of it as long as I'm dancing with you, I'm in safe hands."

Saturday, May 17th
Troy's POV

The get together at Chad's place was slowly winding down. A couple of the guys had already left, but most of the team was still here.

"Come on Troy, one game," Chad called towards me, holding the PlayStation controller in his hand.

"Later," I stated turning back towards Jimmy.

"It's so cool that Chad asked us to come! Man, I can't believe it," Jimmy exclaimed for the umpteenth time. I had a feeling that being on the team meant a whole lot to Jimmy. Truthfully, he was a good player, but at times he seemed unsure of himself. With more confidence, he had the potential to become a great player. "Nervous about the game?" Jimmy wondered leaning against the counter.

"A little. It is important for the team, and they are all counting on us." I looked at Jimmy as his face paled. It didn't seem like he had thought about the game that way. About to say something I was interrupted by my phone ringing.

"Sorry I have to take this," I told Jimmy before walking out of the room, finding a quieter spot. "Hey Brie," I stated as I answered the phone.

"Hi Troy, sorry is this a bad time?" she questioned timidly and I knew at once, something was wrong.

"No, not at all. What's up?" I assured her as I heard a deep sigh through the phone.

"I had my appointment yesterday, but it wasn't good…" she started explaining but got quiet all of a sudden.

"What do you mean? What type of appointment?" I questioned, fearing it was with her psychiatrist.

"The doctor wasn't happy about the results… I tried so hard to be better," Brie stated, her voice unsteady, and I could hear she was crying.

"Brie what are you talking about? You are good enough just as you are!"

"No, I'm not. I tried so hard to gain weight, but with exams and everything going on it wasn't enough…"

"You're at the hospital?"

"They admitted me yesterday, indefinitely…" Her voice faded as if saying the sentence made it all that more real. I knew the only right thing to do was to go visit her, the team would manage without me.

"I'll go talk to Chad and then I'll be on my way. You up for visitors?" I wondered as I could still hear her on the other end of the call.

"Of course, Troy, but your team. They need you," she meekly protested, but I knew Brie wanted me to come.

"It's slowly winding down here anyways, and Chad will understand. I'll see you soon, all right?"

"Thank you, Troy. I love you," Brie said and I could hear the relief in her voice.

"Love you too," I said before I hung up. With a small sigh, I pushed the phone into my pocket, and as I looked up, I saw Chad lingering in the doorway.

"Everything all right hoops?" Chad questioned and I shook my head.

"No, Brie called. She's been admitted to the hospital again."

"Oh my god, is she all right. It didn't happen again did it?" Chad questioned fearfully; a horrified look crossed his features.

"No," I hurried to assure him, and I could see his shoulders dropping.

"Good, now go! Tell her I said hi will you?"

"Of course, talk to you later," I smiled at Chad before walking out of the house, and toward the bus stop.

"Hey Brie, how are you?" I questioned as I walked inside the room, seeing her laying in the hospital bed.

"I've been better," she sighed as I took a seat in the chair beside her bed. Looking at her I noticed the feeding tube taped to the side of her cheek. Moving my gaze, I was meet with her brown eyes studying me.

"It's hard not to notice isn't it?" she wondered as I slowly nodded. "Yeah."

"The doctor said it was my best chance to get out of here in time for the game next week, as well as the musical and prom."

"The least of your concerns should be if you make it to the game or not Brie. What's important is that you become healthy again," I told her as she sighed, sinking down into the bed as if becoming exhausted.

"But I want to be there for you Troy, to support you in things that you find important, just as you have done for me," she argued as I gave her a small smile.

"I know you want to be there for me, and I really appreciate it Brie, but at the same time, I understand that you can't. If you can't be there then I know it's not a choice you took."

"But I allowed it to become like this," she argued tears glimmering in her eyes, at the verge of a breakdown.

"No, you never did Brie. Everyone is different and we all handle stress differently. Look I am not saying using Taylor as a scapegoat, but she has been onto everyone about the exam, and she recruited you for the yearbook as well as you have been buys with the musical which has resulted in several late nights."

"I just can't shake off the feeling that I could have prevented this if I had done something differently."

"A lesson I learned some years ago is not to dwell on the past, but look at the future and see how we can grow from our experience. As the saying goes, Each mistake is a teacher."

"Thank you, Troy, you always seem to say the right things."

"I can assure you I don't, but thank you," I smiled as Gabriella giggled softly. "So can I ask, what happened on Friday?"

"I guess I should have told you a bit earlier but we never seemed to be alone.. I've been seeing a doctor at the hospital here regularly because of my issue with food, combined with the anti-depressants. At all of my appointments we have spoken about how everything has been, if I've had any issues and such before, I'm weighed and we make a plan until my next appointment."

"That sounds exhausting," I commented as Brie smiled, "yeah, it's been time-consuming. On Friday's appointment I didn't reach the numbers we had agreed on, and he decided that the best would be to admit me, which I was mentally prepared for, but you know, it still sucks."

"I am sorry you have to go through all of this Brie. I wish there was more I could do to help you."

"You're already to so much for me Troy. The week I returned to school back in February, I was struggling a lot with eating, but the day we spent lunch break together on the roof eating, was the highlight of my week. It gave me a positive view of food again, and has really helped me in the months after."

"I am glad I could help you, Brie. If you want to do it again or come over so I could teach you and we cook together, let me know," I proposed to her as I saw a genuine smile appear on her face, along with a small blush.

"I'd like that very much… So, I want to know, how was your day with the team?"

"It was fun, of course, we played some basketball, talked a lot, played some games and we spent time together as a team."

"That sounds nice. It's nice to hear what everyone else is doing. It makes me think of something else than this," she stated gesturing to the equipment surrounding us.

"How are you really?" I wondered as she exhaled slowly. It took a moment before she finally spoke, as if she was trying to find a voice for her thoughts.

"I am so sick and tired of all of this. The hospital, doctor appointments, medication, everything!" she exclaimed frustrated and I watched as her eyes filled with tears, her chin quivering. "I just want it all to go away," she stated as a few tears started rolling down her cheek.

"I wish I could make it go away Brie, I really do," I muttered, gently brushing away tears that fell.

"Thank you, Troy, for being there for me. I don't know what I would have done without you," she sniffed, as the tears kept on falling.

"I'll always be there for you Brie, whenever you need me."

Hope you guys like it!

My next semester is starting on Monday so I'm uncertain about when I'll be able to update again, but I promise you all I'm going to try my best to update soon!

-FreeFlyingWriter