Secrets

Disclaimer: I don't own anything.

A/N Set after both movies. AU to the third one now that it's out (Doesn't it rock btw?) Oh and I'm British and my knowledge of the American school system is very limited so please excuse mistakes.

Warning: Eventual slash and an evil Gabriella.

Secrets.

Denial.

"Ryan…"

"Troy," Ryan said softly, stepping further into the bathroom.

"That wasn't what it looked like," Troy protested weakly.

"So Gabriella didn't slap you?" Ryan asked, walking up to stand beside Troy, looking at the red handprint burning on the lightly tanned skin.

"Well…yes, but…but I deserved it," Troy mumbled, rubbing at the red mark.

"Troy," Ryan said softly, grabbing the stronger boys wrist and pulling his hand away from the mark. "You'll make it worse," he explained softly. Letting go of Troy's wrist he pulled out a few paper towels, wet them under the cold tap and pressed it to the injured cheek. "So how exactly did you deserve it?"

"I…I…" Troy mumbled. What could he say?

"You don't know, do you?" Ryan asked, sadness filling his eyes. What had happened to Troy Bolton, the strong and confident basketball player? What had Gabriella done to him?

"No, I do…" Troy mumbled, "I…I forgot that…that Gabriella and the baby comes first now is all…look…look Ryan it's ok…she just…I just…it's ok. Just…just don't tell anyone ok? Gabby's got enough to worry about without everyone knowing she slapped me this one time."

"One time?" Ryan asked softly.

"Y-Yes. One time," Troy lied, "Please…promise you won't tell…"

"I wont tell…as long as you promise me something," Ryan said calmly, turning Troy gently so that they faced each other, "Promise me that you'll come to me for help if this…if she ever get's out of hand."

"It wont," Troy shook his head, "And…and she didn't mean to. She's just…the baby and everything…We're ok. We're fine."

"Ok. If you're sure," Ryan said softly, not believing him for a minute, "But I'm here if you need me. Now, lets see what that cheek looks like now…" He pulled the damp towels from Troy's cheek and assessed the damage. "Much better."

"Thanks Ryan," Troy said, looking in the mirror quickly to check for himself before he dropped the paper towels in the rubbish bin, "Well…I'd best get back."

"Ok Troy, see you around," Ryan said softly, watching the other boy leave the bathroom. Oh yes, he would be seeing him, he'd be watching him very closely indeed because something was not right and Ryan was going to find out what.

Over the next two weeks Ryan watched Troy more closely than he'd ever watched him before and he became well versed in the subject that was the other boys excuses and explanations for…everything. And he was so convincing that he was either telling the truth and Ryan was being paranoid and seeing something that wasn't there…or Troy Bolton was a much better actor than people gave him credit for.

However it turned out that Ryan wasn't the only person who had started to notice that something seemed off…Miss Darbus had noticed as well.

Even though she was merely a Drama teacher and had no involvement whatsoever in the sports department she knew that the bruises that she kept seeing their rehearsals couldn't possibly all be from playing the various sports that he did. And the way he always looked slightly panicked for a split second whenever someone asked about them filled her gut with worry.

So much worry that when he told her that an obviously hand shaped bruise had come from falling against a wall she marched herself straight down to Coach Bolton's office, slammed her hands down on his table interrupting the private meeting he wad having with the principal and demanded in her loudest voice,

"Are you the one putting all the bruises on your sons arms?"

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A/N Uh-oh. Someone's got the wrong end of the stick…more coming soon I hope as things continue to get even more…shall we say interesting? Yes, interesting is a good word to describe the plan I have for this story.