"The day is young," Troy joked.
Gabriella tutted her tongue. "So, I just had Drama with Ryan and Ms. Darbus was talking nonstop about the Fall Musical..."
"Oh yeah?" Troy said, uncertainly.
Gabriella narrowed her eyes. "You know, by now, I would think you might actually admit you liked these things," she said.
"I do like them," Troy protested. "I'm just a little overwhelmed is all. I mean, it's only the first day of school and already I have tons of homework, golf practice, detention, colleges to look at and the SATs to study for."
Gabriella raised her eyebrows. "Well, I hope you still have time for me somewhere in there," she commented.
"Of course I do," Troy said quickly, squeezing her hand.
X
Troy entered the detention room, after picking up his cell phone, to find Sharpay talking to the teacher, Mr. Bell.
"I just ran into Ms. Darbus in the hall," Sharpay informed Mr. Bell. "And she wanted to know if you could send over two students from detention to help her...organize the Prop Room?" she finished. Troy shook his head, trust Sharpay to talk her way out of detention.
"Did she? Well, I suppose you can go..." Mr. Bell mused, bored as usual. "But make sure you come back after the hour's up," he warned.
Sharpay tried not to grin too broadly. "Mr. Bell, is it alright if I take Troy with me? I need someone athletic, for the heavy stuff?" she asked.
"That'll be fine, Miss Evans," Mr. Bell said dismissively.
Sharpay spun around and grinned at Troy. She grabbed him by the hand and hurried him out of class before Mr. Bell could change his mind.
X
Sharpay quickly dropped Troy's hand when they entered the hallway. It was silent for a moment before Troy shook his head in disbelief.
"I don't know how you do it," Troy mused as they headed toward the theater.
"I have the gift," Sharpay joked, bowing her head.
Troy laughed. "Have you ever considered using your powers for good?" he asked.
"I thought getting you out of detention was using my powers for good!" Sharpay objected.
"Does Ms. Darbus know about this?" Troy asked.
"Not exactly," Sharpay replied. "But I'm sure she'll be very happy to have a clean Prop Room." Sharpay stopped at the door to the Prop Room and pulled a set of keys from her Prada bag. Troy raised his eyebrows as she unlocked the door.
Troy followed her into the Prop Room as she fumbled for the light.
"Ta-da!" she exclaimed, finding the switch and illuminating the cluttered room.
Troy looked around. He'd never actually been in the Prop Room. He recognized some of the stuff from the Spring Musical. He walked over to a Love Seat and sat down, putting his feet up. He leaned his head back and gazed at the ceiling.
"You know," he said. "I was actually kind of looking forward to detention. Finally a chance to just sit back and not worry about anything." He laughed. "Although I wasn't looking forward to telling my dad about it."
Sharpay tossed her head. "What are you so worried about?" she asked politely, perching on a Director's chair. She felt like his psychiatrist.
"I don't know," Troy sighed. "I guess there's just so much pressure. School and sports and friends and...musicals."
"Do you ever do anything just for you?" Sharpay asked.
"Of course I do," Troy defended.
"For example...?" Sharpay coaxed.
"Well...everything. I mean, I like doing stuff for my friends. It makes me happy." Troy sighed again and shifted on the bench, shutting his eyes.
"But what do you do for you, just for you?" Sharpay pressed.
"I don't know...I guess..." Troy's voice drifted off, replaced by the sound of him softly snoring. Sharpay shook her head. She considered loudly organizing the props, to wake him up, but decided against it. Instead she just sat quietly, trying not to watch him sleeping.