Drama Kings

Drama Kings
***
Chapter Four: Catch Them Before You Fall
***

A few days had gone by. Troy was too nervous to face Ryan, and Ryan was too afraid that Troy would reject them. So they avoided each other. Ryan focused solely on the musical he was in while Troy focused on his basketball. But neither of them were doing to well work wise.

“Troy,” Coach Bolton yelled. “Come here.”

Troy left the scrimmage during practice and headed to his father. “Yeah dad?” he asked.

“Your game is off,” Coach Bolton. “I know there is something up when you get like this.”

“I know dad I’m sorry,” Troy said.

“Don’t be,” Coach Bolton said. “I’m calling practice early. You all need some R&R! Go home.”

The team filed out of the gym.

“Troy,” Coach Bolton stopped his son. “Whatever it is son, take care of it. I hate seeing you like this. When it’s bad enough to affect your game, you need to do something about it. Okay?”

“Yes sir,” Troy said.

But how could he solve his problem. He felt so bad about it. About hurting Ryan and making him uncomfortable. Ryan trusted him to just cuddle. And he took advantage of that. He felt so bad. He just couldn’t face up to it. He walked out of the gym, showered, and left.

***

Troy found himself at a nearby park. He sat to think. He looked up. Ryan was walking by. Ryan walked up and sat next to him on the picnic table he was sitting on.

“Hey,” Ryan said.

“Hey,” Troy said back.

“Listen,” Ryan said.

“I’m sorry,” they both said.

“For what?” Troy asked, “You have nothing to be sorry for.”

“I shouldn’t have left like that,” Ryan said. “It was just too fast for me. I kind of freaked out I guess.”

“I’m sorry Ry,” Troy said. “I shouldn’t have gone that far. I guess I couldn’t stop myself for some reason. It won’t happen again though. I promise.”

“It might,” Ryan said. “Someday. If we get that far. If you keep calling me Ry.”

“You like being called Ry?” Troy said.

“I like it,” Ryan laughed. “Except for when my sister calls me it. But when you say it, its like a name just for me.”

“So,” Troy said. “What now?”

“Now,” Ryan said. “Now we go back to normal. We shouldn’t avoid each other. Not talking to you made me feel terrible.”

“Me too,” Troy said. “Not kissing you made me feel worse.”

“You’re going to have to work for that kiss,” Ryan winked. He got up and began walking.

“How come?” Troy whined as he followed. “Aren’t a cute enough for a kiss?”

“Cute,” Ryan said. “Very. But that doesn’t mean you won’t have to work to get me.”

“Aw,” Troy whined. He grabbed Ryan.

“What are you doing?” Ryan asked.

“Holding you,” Troy said. “Just holding you.”

“Why?” Ryan asked.

“You ask so many questions Ry,” Troy smiled. “But if you must know. I’m scared.”

“Of?” Ryan asked.

“Losing you,” Troy said. “I know it really hasn’t been that long. I mean it really hasn’t. But when I thought I screwed up with you the other night, I couldn’t handle it. I don’t want to lose you.”

“You don’t mean that,” Ryan said. “You just feel that way. I’m your rebound. I get that.”

“My rebound?” Troy asked, “Why would you think that?”

“You just broke up with Gabriella a little while ago,” Ryan said. “So I mean you can’t have moved on.”

“You’re right,” Troy sighed. “I haven’t been able to move on yet. It’s been rough. But you’re what I look forward to. So that’s good for something right?”

Ryan kissed Troy.

“What was that for?” Troy asked.

“You know,” Ryan said. “You should stop making me want to kiss you in public. We may get caught.”

“Damn,” Troy said. “You are so right. Guess we better find a better place to kiss then.”

“Later,” Ryan said. “I need to get home. We are going over next summer’s plans for Lava Springs.”

“Oh goodness,” Troy flashed back to this summer’s ups and downs.

“Don’t worry,” Ryan said. “This summer should be a lot more fun. If you’re around this summer, try to stop by the club. We could use your services after all.”

“Summer is far away,” Troy said. “Let’s live in the now. With each other!”

“Sounds good,” Ryan said. “But I have to get home. I’ll call you later okay?”

“Kay,” Troy smiled. “Have a good night Ry.”

“You too babe,” Ryan winked.

Ryan turned and skipped away.

***

“Ry,” Sharpay yelled as Ryan walked into his house. He cringed at the sound of her calling him that.

“Yes Shar?” He called as he entered the kitchen where she was holding her dog Boi.

“You’re late again,” Sharpay said. “How come?”

“What are you my keeper?” Ryan grabbed a soda from the fridge.

“Just wondering,” Sharpay said. “Let me ask you something else.”

“Go for it,” Ryan said sipping his ice cold soda.

“You dress like Troy now,” she said. “And you seem to be hanging around him a lot more at school. And, not hanging out with me or the rest of the theater kids. What’s up with that?”

“I’m just trying something new Sharpay,” Ryan said. “Is it so wrong to hang out with a friend I made over the summer?”

“No,” Sharpay said. “Unless.”

“Unless what?” Ryan asked.

“Do you like Troy?” Sharpay asked, “Is that why you’ve become apart of his crowed.”

“Nope,” Ryan said. “I’m just trying something new.”

With that Ryan went to his room to await dinner and the Lava Springs planning.

“Doubtful,” Sharpay said to her dog Boi. “I know my brother Boi. He’s hiding something. I can tell. And I’m going to find out what that is.”

Sharpay’s dog barked.

***

“Troy,” Coach Bolton said as Troy walked into the house. “You have a visitor. In your room.”

“Okay,” Troy said confused. He headed up to his bedroom where Gabriella was sitting on his bed.

“Gabriella?” Troy was shocked.

“Troy!” She jumped and gave him a hug.

“What are you doing here?” Troy asked.

“I have the best news Troy,” she said with a smile. “My mom got transferred back. Turns out that they are going to wait until we graduate to transfer her. Isn’t that great?”

“Yeah,” Troy spit out. He was nearly speechless.

Gabriella wrapper her arms around his shoulders and kissed him. He pulled back.

“What’s wrong?” Gabriella asked.

“It’s just,” Troy said. “I can’t resume our relationship.”

“What?” Gabriella asked, “Why not?”

“I’m kind of seeing someone else,” Troy muttered.

“This soon?” Gabriella frowned. “Troy, it’s only been like two weeks since I left. We haven’t even been apart that long.”

“I know,” Troy sighed. “I just can’t okay. It’s too complicated.”

“Troy tell me,” Gabriella pleaded. “Please! I have a right to know who you are choosing over me after only two weeks.”

“I can’t,” Troy sat down on his bed. “I just can’t.”

“Troy,” Gabriella sat next to him and grabbed his hand. “I’m not going to be mad. I will be sad. But we can at least be friends. So tell me.”

Troy said nothing for a few minutes. Gabriella just sat there waiting.

“It’s,” he said. “It’s Ryan Evans.”

Gabriella just stared.

“Did I hear you say Ryan Evans?” She asked, “You are dating Ryan Evans?”

“Um yeah,” Troy sighed. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s just a surprise Troy,” she said. “That you went from dating me for nearly nine months to dating a guy. Ryan Evans for that matter. But he’s a good guy Troy. If you like him then you should be with him. Especially if he likes you back.”

“It’s not that I don’t want to be with you,” Troy said. “I do. But I can’t just end it with him because you came back. I hope you understand.”

“I do,” she said. “I understand. I won’t tell a soul I promise.”

“Thank you,” Troy said.

“Of course,” she smiled. “What are friends for? But I’m going to go. I will see you at school tomorrow okay?”

“Okay,” Troy smiled.

They hugged and she left. Troy sighed again and fell back onto his bed.

TO BE CONTINUED…

A/N: Thanks for the reviews Danni and Imp! They are greatly appreciated :)