Darla came onto the stage after the curtain dropped and said, "One week later…."
The courtyard of East High School was filled with teenagers from all years. Everyone was sitting in their groups. Jocks, skater dudes, geeks, Goths, art freaks, you name them. As soon as Troy stepped off the bus, he was surrounded by his friends/teammates from basketball.
A.J. said, "Troy, my man!"
Timmy smiled at his best friend and commented, "Hey, Chad. Hey guys, Happy New Year."
A.J. responded, "Yeah, it is going to be a Happy Wildcat New Year, man!"
The basketball team shouted, together, "Yeah!"
A.J. added, "Because in 2 weeks, we're going to the championship with you leading us to infinity and beyond." He turned to the team and the cheerleaders and asked, "What team?"
The basketball team and the cheerleaders responded, "WILDCATS!"
A.J. asked again, "What team?"
They answered again, "WILDCATS!"
Inside the halls, Sharpay and Ryan Evans were strutting their stuff as they walked down the halls. But, no one can flaunt it as well as Sharpay could. They pushed their way through the basketball posse.
Chester told his friends, "The Ice Princess has returned from the North Pole."
A.J. added, "Yeah, she probably spent the holidays the way she always does."
Tad asked, [he was playing Jason], "How's that?"
A.J. answered, "Shopping for mirrors."
The basketball team howled like wolves at Chad's remark. They walked past Taylor McKessie and her brainiac friends.
Alicia commented, "Ugh. Behold the zoo animals heralding the New Year. How tribal."
As her friends agreed, the bell ran and everyone hurried to their homerooms.
The crowds had thinned somewhat as Principal Matsui walked down the hall escorting a new student. It was a nervous Gabriella and her mother, Amelia. Gabriella's stomach flipped over and she cast an appealing look at her mother.
Trixie started to say, "Mom, my stomach…."
Amelia commented, "Is always nervous on the first day at a new school. You'll do great. You always do. And, I've made my company promise that I can't be transferred again until you graduate."
The principal stated, "I've reviewed your impressive transcripts. I expect your light will shine very brightly here at East High."
Gabriella knew that he was trying but her stomach twisted even more at these words.
She turned to her mother and stated, "I don't want to be the school's freaky genius girl again."
Amelia responded, "Just be Gabriella."
Gabriella walked towards her homeroom with Ms. Darbus, the school's drama teacher. True to her theatrical background, she was flamboyantly dressed in a long, flowing dress and wore oversized glasses. Gabriella made her way to her seat, not wanting to be noticed by anyone.
Troy noticed her in the corner of his eyes. He turned his head to get a closer look. Unfortunately, his view was blocked by the East High drama queen, Sharpay Evans.
Veronica said, giggling, "Hi, Troy."
Timmy responded, uninterested, "Hi."
Before he tried to get a better look at Gabriella, the final bell rang and everyone scattered to their seats.
Ms. Darbus stated, "Ah, I trust you all had splendid holidays. Check the sign-up sheets in the lobby for new activities, Mr. Bolton, especially our winter musical."
Chad tapped Troy's shoulder. A.J. asked, "You okay?"
Timmy answered, "Yeah."
Ms. Darbus continued, "There'll be single auditions for the supporting roles as well as pair's auditions for our two leads."
At the mention of the musical, Chad looked around at his basketball teammates, grinned and blew a raspberry.
Ms. Darbus told him, "Mr. Danforth, this is a place of learning, not a hockey arena."
Troy was still craning his neck, trying to see the new girl who looked so much like Gabriella. Finally, frustrated, he pulled out his mobile and thumbed through the menu. The photo of Gabriella that he took on New Year's Eve popped up on the screen. He stared at it, remembering that magical night.
Ms. Darbus added, "There is also a final sign-up for next week's Scholastic Decathlon Competition. Chem. Club president, Taylor McKessie, can answer your questions about that."
Meanwhile, Troy hit the 'send' button on his phone. Suddenly, Gabriella's phone started ringing wildly. At first, she didn't even react. After all, who would be calling her? Sharpay and Ryan grabbed for their phones. After all, wouldn't every call be for them. Ms. Darbus strode to the front of the room, the light of battle in her eyes.
Ms. Darbus commented, "Ah, the cell phone menace returns to our crucible of learning!" She grabbed a plastic bucket labeled 'Cell-tray Confinement' and held it out to the fraternal twins. She told them, "Sharpay and Ryan, cell phones and I'll see you in detention." Ryan and Sharpay scoffed but deposited their phones in the bucket. The ringing, however, went on. Blushing, Gabriella fumbled in her backpack. As she finally dug her phone out and started to turn it off, she saw...Troy Bolton's photo?
Her eyes widened with surprise and she accidentally hit 'answer' instead of 'end' . Now Troy was staring in surprise at his phone, where he saw Gabriella's photo. But Ms. Darbus was looming over Gabriella and holding out her plastic bucket.
Ms. Darbus told her, "We have zero tolerance of cell phones in class. So, we'll get to know each other in detention. Cell phone...and welcome to East High, Ms. Montez."
As she walked back to the front of the class, she saw Troy holding his phone and held out her bucket.
Ms. Darbus told Troy, "Mr. Bolton, I see your phone is involved so, we will see you in detention as well."
Troy just sighed and dropped his phone into the bucket.
A.J. objected, "That's not even a possibility, Ms. Darbus, your honor, because we have basketball practice and Troy..."
Ms. Darbus interrupted, "Ah! That will be 15 minutes for you too, Mr. Danforth. Count them!"
Taylor smirked at that. Alicia said, jokingly, "That could be tough for Chad, since he probably can't count that high."
Taylor should have seriously known better. Ms. Darbus has better hearing than a bat.
Ms. Darbus said, sharply, "Taylor McKessie, 15 minutes!" Taylor's jaw dropped. She had never had to serve a minute of detention in her entire life. But, it was no use protesting. Ms. Darbus had already whirled around to survey the rest of the class. Ms. Darbus asked, mad, "Shall the carnage continue? Holidays are over, people! Way over! Now, any more comments? Questions?"
Jason, one of the basketball players, thought it was about time to restore a good mood to this morning's homeroom. He raised his hand.
Ms. Darbus yelled, "Jason!"
Tad asked, sincerely, "So, how were your holidays, Ms. Darbus?"
As everyone looked at him in disbelief, the bell rang. The class bolted to the door, relieved to be free of Darbus rule for the time being. Troy waited anxiously in the hall outside Ms. Darbus' homeroom, hanging back as his friends went on to their next classes.
Finally, Gabriella came out and he walked towards her, unable to breathe.
Timmy whispered, "Hey!"
When Gabriella saw him, he eyes widened in disbelief.
Trixie started to say, "I don't..."
Timmy finished, whispering, "Believe it."
Trixie started, "Me..."
Timmy finished for her again, whispering, "Either. But how?"
Trixie explained, "Well, my mom's company transformed her here to Albuquerque. I can't believe you live here. I looked for you at the lodge on New Year's Day but..."
Timmy whispered, "We had to leave first thing."
Trixie was puzzled and asked, "Why are you whispering?"
Timmy looked embarrassed as he answered, "Oh. Well, my friends know about snowboarding. I haven't quite told them about the…." He whispered, "Singing thing yet."
Trixie said, knowingly, "Too much for them to handle."
Timmy quickly stated, "It was...cool. But, my friends-that's not what I do. That was like...a different person."
Gabriella started heading down the hall away from Troy. He smiled and decided to follow her. They had reached the lobby, where activity sign-up sheets were posted.
Timmy said, "So, anyway, welcome to East High." They stop at the sheet for the winter musical auditions. He grins and chuckles. He added, "Now that you've met Ms. Darbus, I'll bet you can't wait to sign up for that."
Trixie giggled and stated, "I won't be signing up for anything for a while. I just want to get to know the school." She glances at Troy shyly and adds, "But if you signed up, I'd consider coming to the show."
Troy shook his head. He couldn't even imagine the reaction he'd get if he signed up for the high school musical!
Timmy stated, "That's completely impossible."
Just then, Sharpay came up from behind the bulletin board, smirking.
Veronica asked him, sweetly, "What's impossible, Troy? I wouldn't think 'impossible' is even in your vocabulary." She gestured towards Gabriella and added, "So nice of you to show our new classmate around."
She raised an eyebrow as she saw Gabriella looking at the musical sign-up sheet. Very deliberately, Sharpay stepped up in front of Gabriella and signed her name with flourish. In fact, Gabriella noticed that Sharpay's signature took up the entire sign-up sheet. But, Sharpay looked at her with a picture of innocence.
Veronica asked, "Oh...were you going to sign up too? My brother and I have starred in all of the school's productions, and we really welcome newcomers." She smiles sweetly and adds, "There are a lot of supporting roles in the show. I'm sure we could find something for you."
Trixie said, hastily, "No, no, no. I was just looking over the bulletin board. Lots going on at this school. Wow." She paused for a second and pointed to Sharpay's huge signature. She adds, "Nice penmanship."
Gabriella hurried away to her next class. Now that Sharpay had been left alone with Troy, she decided to seize the opportunity.
Veronica asked, coyly, "So, Troy. I missed you during vacation. What'd you do?"
Timmy answered, "Oh, you know. Basketball, snowboarding, more basketball."
Veronica asked, "When's the big game?"
Timmy answered, "Uh...2 weeks."
Veronica commented, "You are so dedicated...just like me. I hope you'll come watch me in the musical. Promise?"
Timmy responded, "Promise."
Veronica added, "Tootles."
Timmy smiled and commented, "Tootles."
As Timmy walked away towards his next class, Sharpay looked at her giant signature on the musical auditions sign-up sheet and walked away.
Darla said, "A few hours later..."
Troy and the basketball team had gathered in the gym for practice. Troy and Chad were stretching next to each other while the other members were doing drills on the court.
Timmy asked A.J., "Hey, you know that school-musical thing? Is it true you get extra credit just for auditioning?"
A.J. answered, with a question of his own, "Who cares?"
Timmy stated, "It's good to get extra credit...for college."
A.J. asked, mockingly, "Do you think that LeBron James or Shaquille O'Neil ever auditioned for their school musical?"
Timmy answered, hesitantly, "Maybe…."
A.J. stated, patiently, "Troy, the music in those shows isn't hip-hop or rock or anything essential to the culture. It's like...show music. With costumes and make-up." After saying that, he shuddered out of fright. He added, "Dude, it's frightening."
Timmy joked, "I just thought it might be a good laugh. Sharpay is kind of cute too."
A.J. commented, "So is a mountain lion. But you don't pet it."
Troy nodded and gave up for the moment. Timmy told his team, "Alright, Wildcats! Pair up! Let's go! Come on!"
Everyone paired up and basketballs began to bounce and players began moving across the floor with a rhythmic, percussive movement.
Timmy: Coach said to fake right and break left.
Watch out for the pick and keep an eye on defense.
You got to run the give and go and get the ball to the hole.
But don't be afraid to shoot the outside "J".
Just keep your head in the game.
Keep your head in the game.
Don't be afraid to shoot the outside "J".
Just keep your head in the game.
You got to get cha; get cha head in the game.
Wildcats: We got to get our, get our, get our, get our head in the game.
Timmy: You got to get cha; get cha head in the game.
Wildcats: We got to get our, get our, get our, get our head in the game.
Timmy: You got to get cha; get cha head in the game.
Wildcats: We got to get our, get our, get our, get our head in the game.
All: Whoo!
Timmy: Let's make sure that we get the rebound.
'Because when we get it then the crowd will go wild.
A second chance: Got to grab it and go.
Maybe this time we'll hit the right notes.
Wait a minute. It's not the time or place.
Wait a minute. Get my head in the game.
Wait a minute. Get my head in the game.
Wait a minute, wait a minute.
I got to get my; get my head in the game.
Wildcats: You got to get cha; get cha; get cha; get cha head in the game.
Timmy: I got to get my; get my head in the game.
Wildcats: You got to get cha; get cha; get cha; get cha head in the game.
Timmy: I got to get my; get my head in the game.
Wildcats: You got to get cha; get cha; get cha; get cha head in the game.
All: Whoo!
The basketball team made a circle around Troy and knelt to the ground holding their basketballs as the gym lights dimmed.
Timmy: Why am I feeling so wrong!
My head's in the game but my hearts in the song!
She makes this feel so right!
Should I go for it?
Better shake this. Yikes!
The Wildcats started dancing and dribbling their basketballs on the court. Unsure, Troy followed their sequence. They were now on center court.
Timmy: I got to get my; get my head in the game!
Wildcats: You got to get cha; get cha; get cha; get cha head in the game!
Timmy: I got to get my; get my head in the game!
Wildcats: You got to get cha; get cha; get cha; get cha head in the game!
Timmy: I got to get my; get my head in the game!
Wildcats: You got to get cha; get cha; get cha; get cha head in the game!
Timmy: I got to get; get my head in the game!
Wildcats: You got to get cha; get cha; get cha; get cha head in the game!
All: WHOO!
They shot their basketballs towards the hoop and some of them happily went into the ring. They were tired and everyone, except Troy, went to the change room.
A.J. yelled, "WHAT TEAM!"
The team yelled, "WILDCATS!"
A.J. yelled, again, "WHAT TEAM!"
The team yelled, again, "WILDCATS!"
A.J. yelled, for the final time, "WHAT TEAM!"
The team yelled, for the final time, "GET CHA HEAD IN THE GAME! WHOO!"
Troy sighed as he shot the basketball, turned around and followed his teammates into the change room, still unable to get Gabriella and the winter musical out of his head.
Darla said, "Meanwhile, with Gabriella..."
Gabriella sat at a station in the chemistry lab, next to Taylor and across the table from Sharpay. The students were busily setting up equipment as the chemistry teacher wrote equations on the blackboard. Sharpay gave Gabriella a fake smile.
Veronica stated, casually, "So, it seemed like you know Troy Bolton."
Trixie responded, distracted, "Not really. He was just showing me around."
Veronica stated, "Yeah, well, Troy doesn't really interact with new students."
Trixie asked, "Why not?"
Veronica answered, with a little laugh, "It's pretty much basketball 24/7 with him."
Now Gabriella wasn't listening to Sharpay at all. She rechecked her own calculation and realized that the teacher was wrong.
Trixie murmured, "That should be 16 over pi."
She thought she had said it quietly but, apparently not quietly enough. The teacher moved her attention from the board towards Gabriella.
She asked, "Yes, Miss Montez?"
Trixie said, flustered, "Oh, I'm sorry. I'm just...uh…" The teacher gave Gabriella a look. She tried to lie but, judging by the look the teacher was giving her, she knew that she wouldn't get away with it. She asked, "Shouldn't the second equation read 16 over pi?"
Sharpay just scoffed and rolled her eyes. What a total nerd!
The teacher stated, "16 over pi? That's quite impossible." She whipped out her calculator and double checked Gabriella's answer. When she got the answer, there was a brief, stunned pause. She told her, "I stand corrected." She turned back towards the blackboard and fixed up her mistake. While doing so, she looked at Gabriella and smiled warmly. She added, "Oh. And welcome aboard."
Gabriella just smiled and resumed her work not realizing that Taylor was staring at her impressively and that Sharpay was eying her suspiciously.
Meanwhile, Troy was strolling through the lobby on the way to his next class when he caught sight of the musical audition sign-up sheet. His steps slowed. It was crazy, he KNEW it was crazy but he couldn't seem to stop thinking about the musical. He stood still, almost hypnotized by the piece of paper. He was so lost in his thoughts that he didn't notice Sharpay's brother, Ryan, who was hanging out nearby with a couple of the Drama Club kids. Ryan's eyes narrowed suspiciously.
When Troy finally moved on, Ryan ran up to the sheet, just to make sure. At that moment, Sharpay arrived. He ran up to her breathlessly and pulled her aside.
Remy told her, "Troy Bolton was looking at our audition list!"
Veronica asked, annoyed, "Again?" Ryan just nodded. Suddenly, Sharpay realized something. Her senses were suddenly alert. Veronica added, "You know, he was hanging around with that new girl and they were both looking at the list." She paused and said, "There's something freaky about her. Where did she say she was from?"
When Ryan didn't answer, Sharpay just scoffed and walked away. After looking over the sign-up sheet again, Ryan followed Sharpay. Minutes later, Sharpay and Ryan were in the school library, doing an Internet search on Gabriella. A number of newspaper articles immediately popped up on the screen. Ryan and Sharpay looked at each other curiously and clicked on the article that read 'Whiz Kid Leads School to Scholastic Championship' .
When it finished loading, a photo of Gabriella showed her beaming into the camera and holding a number of awards.
Remy asked, impressed, "Whoa. An Einstein-ette. So why do you think she's interested in our musical?"
Veronica scoffed and answered, "I'm not sure that she is. And we needn't concern ourselves with amateurs." Sharpay clicked on another link and another article that read 'Sun High Marvel Aces Statewide Chemistry Competition' . She added, "But, there's no harm in making certain that Gabriella is welcomed into school activities that are...well, appropriate for her. After all, she loves pi."
Sharpay printed the articles and left the library.
Darla stated, "Later that day..."
Everyone who had been given detention had to serve their time. Ms. Darbus, of course, held her detention on the stage of the school's theater.
She demanded, "Gold, more gold."
The detainees' punishment was painting scenery, mopping the stage, making costumes for the show and binding scripts. Sharpay and Ryan were painting a ladder, Chad and Troy were trying to assemble a tree but failing hopelessly and Taylor and Gabriella were painting a moon.
Ms. Darbus told them, "Paint, paint. Let's go!"
Taylor ran towards Gabriella holding the articles Sharpay printed in the library and halted to a stop in front of her, looking like that she won the lottery-and considering that she was the Scholastic Club president, maybe she had.
Alicia told Trixie, excited, "The answer is yes!"
Ryan and Sharpay heard her and decided to eavesdrop. This could be interesting.
Trixie asked, lost, "Huh?"
Alicia explained, "Our Scholastic Decathlon team has its first competition next week and there's certainly a spot for you."
Trixie was stunned and pointed to the articles. She asked, "Where did those come from?"
Alicia answered, with a question of her own, "Didn't you put them in my locker?"
Trixie answered, upset, "Of course not."
Gabriella originally wanted to pass for average, well, as close to average as she could. Now that plan was destroyed.
Alicia switched the subject and said, "Oh. Well, we'd love to have you on our team. We meet almost every day after school." Once she had said that, she had a quick flash of how much better their team would be if Gabriella joined. She asked, "Please?"
Trixie answered, hesitantly, "I need to catch up on the curriculum here. Well, before I think about joining any clubs."
Sharpay whipped around. If there was any time to join this conversation, she thought, it was now. Veronica pointed out, "But what a perfect way to get caught up, meeting with the smartest kids in school. What a generous offer, Taylor!"
Gabriella looked from one girl to the other, feeling trapped. She was saved by Ms. Darbus, who walked onto the stage from the wings.
She stares at them meaningfully and tells them, "So many new faces in detention today. I hope you don't make a habit of it but, the Drama Club could always use an extra hand. And while we are working, let us probe the mounting evils of cell phones."
Chad could recognize the beginning of a boring, long-winded lecture when he heard one. He quickly tried to hide inside the fake tree he was building with Troy.
Darla said, "With the basketball team..."
A loud, shrill whistle brought the basketball team to attention. They stopped what they were doing and huddled around the coach.
Patrick told them, "Alright, guys. Huddle up. We've got 2 weeks till the big game." Then he paused and looked around. He thought that something was wrong. Something was missing. Someone was missing... He asked, "Where's Troy and Chad?"
The team didn't respond. How can they tell the coach that two of their best players were in detention?
Patrick warned, "Don't make me ask again." The team started looking uneasy. They did not want to see the coach get mad. He asked, louder, "WHERE'S TROY AND CHAD!"
The team responded, in unison, "Detention."
Patrick just sighed in frustration and marched towards the auditorium to get his son and his best friend out of detention.
Darla said, "Back in detention..."
Ms. Darbus lectured, "Perhaps the most heinous example of cell phone abuse is ringing in the theater. What temerity! The theater is a temple of art, a precious cornucopia of creative energy..."
Only Ryan and Sharpay were still listening. They nodded soberly in agreement. Chad was now asleep inside the fake tree with Troy trying desperate attempts to wake him up. Chad was even snoring. Just as everyone thought they might faint from boredom, Patrick ran into the auditorium, the light of battle shining in his eyes.
He asked; mad, "Where's my team, Darbus?" That's when he notices Troy and Chad inside the fake tree. He added, "And what the heck are those two doing in a tree!"
Ms. Darbus responded, icily, "It's called crime and punishment, Bolton! Besides, proximity to the arts is cleansing for the soul."
He asked, trying to be nice, "Can we have a talk, please?" He turned to Troy and Chad. He added, "And you two, in the gym. NOW!"
Troy jumped down from the tree and pulled Chad away with him, picking up his cell phone on the way. And then they were gone. Gabriella had watched them the whole way.
Anna said, "With Ms. Darbus and Coach Bolton..."
Principal Matsui sat behind his desk, looking with resignation at the school's basketball coach and the drama teacher. The coach was angry. The drama teacher was defiant. And Principle Matsui was starting to get that familiar feeling of heartburn...
Patrick stated, "If they have to paint sets for detention, they can do it tonight, not during my practice!"
Ms. Darbus pointed out, "If these were theater performers instead of athletes, would you seek special treatment!"
Patrick told her, exasperated, "Darbus, we are days away from the biggest game of the year!"
She responded, upset, "And we, Bolton, are in the midst of auditions for our winter musicale as well! This school is about more than young men in baggy shorts flinging balls for touchdowns!"
Patrick corrected; through gritted teeth, "Baskets. They shoot baskets." The principal finally broke up the fight.
He stated, "Stop! Guys, listen. You're been having this argument since the day you both teaching here! We are one school, one student body, one faculty! Can we not agree on that?" The coach and drama teacher stared at him in disbelief. Clearly, they weren't going to agree on anything. The principal shook his head and picked up a mini-basketball from his desk. He tossed it towards the small basketball hoop on his wall. Matsui asked Patrick, "So, Coach, how's the team looking? Troy got them whipped into shape?"
Ms. Darbus could only scoff roll her eyes.
Darla said, "Meanwhile, with Troy and Chad..."
Having won his latest skirmish with Ms. Darbus, Patrick returned to the gym. He paced in front of his team.
He stated, "West High Knights have knocked us out of the playoffs three years running. Now we're one game away from taking that championship right back from them! It's time to make our stand. The team is you. You are the team. And this team does not exist unless each and every one of you is fully focused on our goal! Am I clear?"
A.J. yelled, "Hey. WHAT TEAM!"
The team responded, "WILDCATS!"
A.J. yelled, "Hey. WHAT TEAM!"
The team responded, "WILDCATS!"
A.J. yelled, "Hey. WHAT TEAM!"
The team responded, "WILDCATS!"
Everyone yelled, "GET CHA HEAD IN THE GAME!"
Patrick blew the whistle and everyone went back to practice.
Darla said, "Meanwhile, with Taylor and Gabriella..."
Ms. Darbus's detention was over and Taylor and Gabriella were finally free. Alicia stated, "We've never made it pass the first round of the Scholastic Decathlon. You could be our answered prayer."
Gabriella smiled. She was flattered, but she didn't budge.
Trixie responded, "I'm going to focus on my studies this semester and help my mom get the new house organized. Maybe next year."
Alicia started to say, "But….."
Gabriella searched her mind for some way to change the subject and immediately thought of a topic she was most curious about.
Trixie asked, "What do you know about Troy Bolton?"
Alicia raised an eyebrow in surprise and answered, "Troy? Hmmm. I wouldn't consider myself an expert on that particular subspecies." She sees a group of cheerleaders practicing. She added, "However, unless you speak cheerleader as in..." She approached the cheerleaders and said, "OH MY GOSH! ISN'T TROY BOLTON JUST THE HOTTIE SUPERBOMB?"
As if on cue, the cheerleaders nodded and squealed enthusiastically. They went back to their practice as Taylor and Gabriella walked away.
Alicia asked, "See what I mean?"
Trixie answered, laughing, "I guess I don't know how to speak cheerleader."
Alicia explained, "Which is why we exist in an alternative universe to Troy-the-basketball-boy."
Gabriella nodded. She knew that Taylor was right. In every high school, there were the brainiacs, the jocks, the band kids, the cheerleaders, the slackers...and every group was its own clique. No one ever moved from one clique to another. No one. Still...
She asked, "Have you tried to get to know him?"
Alicia laughed at this and answered, "Watch how it works in the cafeteria tomorrow when you have lunch with us. Unless you'd rather sit with the cheerleaders and discuss the importance of firm nail beds."
Trixie stated, "My nail beds are history."
She held up her hands to prove her point. Taylor held up her hands and giggled. Why would you need healthy nail beds when you can have straight As on your report card?
Alicia said, "Sister!"
They joined hands giggling and walked off the school grounds.
Darla said, "Meanwhile, with Troy..."
It was almost dark, but Troy was still in his backyard, shooting hoops. His father watched approvingly; his boy had moves, he thought. Good moves. Great moves, in fact. He had to make sure that Troy didn't lose his focus. Not now. Not days away from the biggest game of the year.
Patrick told him, "I still don't understand this whole detention thing."
Timmy stated, quickly, "It was my fault. Sorry, dad."
Patrick responded, "Cross court. Darbus will grab any opportunity to bust my chops. That includes yours too."
Troy nodded but his mind was on other things.
Timmy asked, hesitantly, "Hey, dad. Did you ever think about trying something new but were afraid of what your friends might think?"
Patrick asked, totally off of the subject, "You mean going left? You're doing fine."
Timmy sighed and answered, "No. I mean-what if you try something really new and it's a disaster and all your friends laugh at you?"
Patrick explained, "Well, then maybe they're not really your friends. That was my whole point about "team" today. You guys have to look out for each other and you're their leader."
Timmy stated, starting to get frustrated, "Yeah, but..."
He was really confused here, what with Gabriella and the musical and the way he had felt singing with her, and all his dad could do about it was the basketball game.
Patrick told his son, "There's going to be university scouts at our game next week, Troy. Do you know what a scholarship's worth these days?"
Timmy answered, "A lot."
He didn't need to ask. He knew that a basketball scholarship could pay for four years of college. It would really help his parents financially. And it would help set him up for the future. His father nodded.
Patrick said, "Focus, Troy. Come on."
And Troy nodded in agreement. That's what he had to do. Focus. Concentrate on basketball. Don't think about anything else-not even singing. Especially not singing.
…
Wishmaker1028: Please read and review! And always think outside of the box!