Title: Talent
Author: omfg_yaoi_squee
Fandom: HSM
Pairing: Chad/Ryan
Rating: PG
Warnings: eventual slash, use of ballet terms
Beta: None, all mistakes belong to moi
Summary: It's East High's annual talent show and Sharpay wants to sing with Troy…..duh
Disclaimer: High School Musical and all related characters are, unfortunately, not mine
1/5
Chapter 1 - in which the announcement is made
The morning dawned beautiful and bright with the sun shining and the sky slowly turning a cloudless azure. Though is was early December, the day was a hot one, the temperatures already above 70°F by homeroom, first thing in the morning at East High. The students of ' homeroom were dismayed to discover that the air conditioning was broken in the drama teacher's classroom so it was stiflingly hot and sticky and sweaty.
In the back row, Troy Bolton was slumped back in his chair, red muscle shirt clinging to his chest, light-brown bangs stuck to his forehead.
On Troy's left sat Chad Danforth, also slumped over, and wearing his white and red basketball jersey and cargo shorts, his mass of brown curls not quite as bouncy as usual.
Two rows in front of Troy and one seat to the right sat Troy's girlfriend Gabriella Montez, chin resting on her hands, dark brown hair in a high ponytail, wearing a babydoll shirt and cutoff jeans, eyes drooping almost shut.
To Gabriella's right sat Taylor McKessie, her best friend, Chad's on-again-off-again girlfriend (they were currently off and had been for the past three months, their longest breakup yet. Everyone was skeptical as to whether they would get back together at all.), and usually the most attentive student in class, but today her posture matched Gabriella's and she kept pulling at her white blue tank top to keep it from sticking.
Two rows in front of Gabriella, in the front row, sat Sharpay Evans, the blonde-haired brown-eyed queen of the drama club, posture as perfect as usual, wearing a lime-green camisole and a white mini-skirt, feet clad in matching lime-green pumps.
To Sharpay's left was her twin brother, Ryan, who was just as slumped back as the jocks (Sharpay kept shooting him disapproving looks) matching his sister, as usual, in a lime-green polo shirt and white cotton Chino shorts, and a matching lime-green newsboy cap with which he was currently fanning his face.
When Ms. Darbus swept into the room, the usual shifting and rustling that would fill the room was absent.
"Good morning, class,"
The class grumbled some form of response, some students not even looking up, Sharpay's chipper 'good morning' floating over them all.
"I have an announcement I hope will cheer you up," Ms. Darbus began, "It's time once again for our annual talent show."
At this, Ryan snapped up in his seat and he and his sister smirked smugly at each other, Troy caught Gabriella's eye and they grinned.
"Sign ups go to Kelsi, who will be providing and necessary accompaniment,"
Kelsi Neilson, East High's resident pianist/composer smiled shyly as the class turned to look at her.
"Please sign up no later than December tenth," continued, "and have a short preview prepared. The show will be on the last night before winter holidays. Let's make it a good one!"
As if it had been waiting for that cue, the bell rang shrilly. The class left the room, now excitedly chattering amongst themselves.
"I wonder if I could do a baking demonstration," mused Zeke Baylor, another jock who had been seated directly in front of Troy.
"Everybody loves food!" commented Jason Cross, yet another jock, who had been three seats to Zeke's right.
"As long as we get to eat it afterwards, I'm good!" Troy added, as Gabriella beside him giggled, "right Chad?"
But Chad wasn't listening. He was staring in the general direction of the Evans twins, a strange look in his eyes.
"Dude!"
Chad started and, realizing who he was looking at, turned away hastily.
"Don't tell me that you're crushing on Sharpay!" Troy laughed.
"That's my job!" Zeke added.
Chad shook his head.
"No, I'm not crushing,"
"Good," Troy replied, clapping a hand on Chad's shoulder, "we only need one Evans-obsessed teammate."
"But," Sharpay's voice broke through, "who wouldn't be obsessed with me?"
While they had been talking, Sharpay and Ryan, hat firmly back on his head, had appeared at their side.
"Wait," Ryan protested, "he said 'Evans-obsessed' not 'Sharpay-obsessed'. How do you know they weren't talking about me?"
Sharpay snorted incredulously.
"You? Please,"
Ryan's face fell briefly, but he forced it back into the famous Evans condescending smile.
"Come on, Ryan," Sharpay commanded. She turned on her heel and began to walk away, blonde hair swishing. Ryan's smile faded and he stuck his hands in his pockets moodily.
"Why do you let her walk all over you?" Taylor asked him. Ryan shrugged.
"'Cause she's my sister," he sighed, turning to follow her.
"Hey, Evans,"
Ryan turned back to look at Chad.
"Don't give up hope, man. You'll break free from her clutches. Eventually,"
Ryan chuckled and smiled at Chad before turning to follow his sister. Chad's heart fluttered an he tried to hide the shaking in his arms by crossing them over his chest.