Disclaimer : I don't own High School Musical , just playing around in it .
A/N : First I am still knee deep in writing my Zoey101 story 'Dark Heart ' and had no plans to begin a new story until the 10 year anniversary of Hsm hit which I admit I binge watched and enjoyed . A few days later I had a fever , a sweet scene , and a title and here we are with my latest written in Charity verse .
Something was coming in the air , there was an inexplicable new charge in the air that Ryan Evans just couldn't quite figure what it was or could possibly be but the feeling was still hanging on enough to bug him . He doffed his fedora towards his twin sister , Sharpay , who was as perfectly coiffed in pink as always as they went separate ways down the halls of East high School .
The air was charged with more electricity even after the Wildcats basketball team had annulated the Knights over the weekend - nope , it felt different than school spirit or the latest drama production . Ryan knew drama .
It felt different and it wasn't the dry air from the New Mexico desert either .
There was still fifteen minutes before the first bell rang and Ryan searched out his friends and made a beeline towards the familiar lockers where they could be found when a tall friendly basketball player called his name .
" Yo Ryan "
Ryan looked up, smiled amiably at Zeke Baylor , who was a part of the Wildcats team as well as a baker extraordinaire . He was a nice guy with a penchant for sweets .
" Yo Zeke "
Zeke held up a small box tied with a pink bow ." Where is your sister ? Obviously my chocolate chip cookies don't appeal to her but I bet she will love this blueberry muffin I baked just for her "
He had been crushing on the gorgeous blonde since day one and though the overly dramatic girl made it almost sport like turning him down he was determined to win her over . Zeke had patience that he'd eventually get to her yet .
Ryan couldn't help but grin at him . " With her entourage " answered Ryan ," Good luck ."
" She cant ignore me forever " responded Zeke as he sped down the hallway towards her .
Ryan chuckled and hoped that his sister wouldn't be too mean to Zeke when the dude tried so hard to show her that he really like her . Not their family money .
Ryan loved his sister dearly but sometimes he didn't always like her especially when she was being shallow, rude , demanding , plain mean, and selfish , which was most of the time . Sharpay was the star and didn't want anyone to forget the fact .
Sometimes it made him feel like a walk on in a play or worse a piece of chewed up gum stuck on the bottom of her Jimmy Choos but that was something Ryan was in the process of working on , being his own man, doing what made him happy, and maybe get out from under her thumb .
" Ryan ! "
Ryan's musings were interrupted by the soft voice belonging to one Kelsi Nielsen as she waved him over to join the gang gathered around Taylor McKessie's locker this morning .
He couldn't help the smile that crossed his face as he spotted the petite brunette who was talking animatedly about something with Taylor and her boyfriend, Chad Dan forth .
Kelsi was a shy but brilliant composer and the prettiest , sweetest girl that he knew . Smart too though Kelsi wasn't the type to brag about it and unique in her own way .
He loved how she wore her brown hair in curls this year , her eyes bright behind the simple glasses , and dressed in a typical Kelsi outfit - pair of worn jeans, a tee shirt proclaiming her love of France , and a loose yellow and white lightweight sweater worn over it, and a burgundy crocheted hat adorned her head .
They both shared an affinity for hats but Ryan thought she looked adorable in them .
" How'd you manage to lose Sharpay this morning ? ' teased Kelsi , pink lips curving in a smile at him . Ryan was finally starting to relax more and not stress when he was away from his sister and hanging out . It was a very nice change she had noticed .
" Um, I don't know ," stammered Ryan with a laugh ," Zeke was trying to woo her with muffins , I think .'
God, why did I say that ?
No need to direct every conversation back and around to his sister and especially not what he wanted to discuss with Kelsi . I'm an idiot .
" Baylor is a glutton for punishment " chuckled Taylor, not unkindly .
' Maybe she'll finally throw him a bone ' contributed Wildcats team captain and most popular guy at East high, Troy Bolton as he scanned the hallway in search of his girlfriend , Gabriella Montez , who generally was always on time . Unlike today but her message had requested that they all meet by her locker before the bell and here they were .Only no Gabriella yet ..should he start to worry ?
" At least Zeke is romantic at heart " brought up Taylor , pointedly at Chad .
Chad was a great guy and he made her laugh but he was so not romantic . It didn't stop her from being crazy about the clown , she just wished he'd be more romantic sometimes .
Kelsi scribbled something in a notebook , conferred briefly with Taylor , and Ryan heard himself sigh as did Chad and Troy, apparently .
Chad nudged him in the ribs ." Dude, your staring '
Ryan blinked embarrassed to be caught and turned to the funny man ." Huh ? '
This time , Troy cocked a handsome brow ." Kelsi '
" Is …my friend …Kelsi is my friend " stammered Ryan , ducking his head , slightly .
He was a confident performer , a wonderful dancer , he kicked serious ass as a choreographer but when it came to women , he was out of his element .
Ryan wasn't cool and he couldn't exactly confide in his sister about dating - he so didn't want to go there and now the guys caught him sighing over Kelsi .
What was a guy to do ? Would they laugh at him ? Were they laughing at him ?
They were both shaking their cool guy heads , obviously amused at him .
He rocked back on his heels as Kelsi broke free from her chat with Taylor to move over closer to him and impulsively reached up to tap a hand on his hat .
' Nice hat , Bogart '
Ryan was really cute when he was being all old Hollywood and it suited him almost more than some of his crazier outfits . She had always loved the 1940's and he wore it well.
He doffed the hat at her and gave her hat a little tug , catching a stray curl in doing so and saw her expressive eyes widen in surprise .
" Boho ? "
Kelsi's eyes sparked back at him ." I could be a Boho baby , Mr. Choreographer'
Around them, their friends had stopped talking to watch the little exchange with knowing though Ryan and Kelsi were oblivious to them all . Those two had seemed to be spending a lot of time together since this past summer and it was obvious to all , something was brewing between them .
Taylor leaned against Chad , her quick mind whirring with possibilities.
' We so need to do something about them ' she muttered , under her breath .
A panicked expression flitted across Chad's face and showed up on Troy's face .
" Uh oh, no, no way, nada, want no part in it "
" What he said " agreed Troy ," it's a girl thing , not a dudes .'
There was no way they were getting pulled into some ridiculous matchmaking scheme that Taylor wanted to cook up. They might help Ryan out with some pointers but they didn't want involved in any lame scheme .
" Hey you guys " called out Gabriella Montez , the strikingly beautiful brainy science girl waved a hand at them ," Sorry I'm a little late this morning ."
She gestured at her side where a handsome young man about their age stood , he had windswept sandy colored hair and was dressed sharply in a pair of pressed khakis and a light blue button down shirt , a slightly bored look on his face .
" There you are " Troy leaned over to drop a kiss on her upturned lips ," missed you."
" Missed you too " smiled Gabriella then remembering why she had asked them all to meet ," Actually , I'm showing a new student around East high this morning . Everyone , I want you to meet Maxwell Donovan . He just moved here from New York."
" Hello " smiled Maxwell, meeting the gaze of her friends , politely .
Gabriella continued the introductions ." Max, these are my friends "
" Good to meet you all "
Troy slung an arm around Gabriella's shoulder , casually ." I'm the boyfriend. Troy Bolton "
" Oddly enough, Troy, I would have figured that one out on my own " said Maxwell, shaking the proffered hand ," Nice to meet you, man ."
Taylor studied Maxwell as if he was under her microscope in the lab , taking in the details from the pressed shirt down to his shiny shoes , his look spoke classy all the way .
Quite the contrast to her own boyfriend who had his standard basketball jersey and shorts on and looked rumpled as if he had only just rolled out of bed and threw on the nearest clothes which knowing Chad was most likely true .
Taylor extended her hand ." I'm Taylor McKesson , welcome to Alberquerie ." She leaned back against Chad ," This meathead is my other half ."
" Taylor , come on " shot back Chad , shooting her a dangerous look then nodded at the new guy ," Ignore the smart mouth on that one . Dan forth is me, Chad is the name ."
Max chuckled , amused by their antics . He couldn't tell if they were being nice or if they were feeling threatened by his presence around their girlfriends . Jocks .
" Ignore the boys ," Gabriella rolled her eyes upwards at them ," we do ."
" Hey ," protested Chad , in defense ," You forgot to introduce those two weirdoes ." He gestured to the non couple ," Kelsi Nielsen and Ryan Evans ."
Kelsi smiled ." Hi "
Ryan nodded ." So, the Big Apple ? That's my kind of town and hers too ."
Gabriella stepped forward ." Maxwell is a composer like you are , Kelsi . I thought you might be the person to show him the ropes around here more than me …"
Max caught the pretty brunette's startled look and put her at ease with a charming smile . She was a cute little thing like a pixie and he was intrigued .
You certainly didn't find pixies in New York .
" Um, you compose ? " the shy pianist finally found her voice ," I'm a pianist and composer . " She glanced up at Ryan as if needing his support ," We actually have a really wonderful music department and orchestra ."
" Kelsi is our playmaker " said Ryan, proudly . He pasted a wide grin on his face and reminded himself he just met the guy and that it meant nothing if he had the same interests as Kelsi or that the guy looked like a model for GQ magazine .
" I'm a pianist as well ,' replied Maxwell , pleased at his luck . Maybe the desert wouldn't be as horrible as he had imagined ," Though I play a dozen instruments as well and I have my sights set on the orchestra . Do you prefer the classics , Kelsi ? "
Kelsi felt as if her head was spinning from all of the attention and she didn't know quite how to respond . She colored slightly and nodded , wishing it were as simple as talking to Ryan , who she was so comfortable with and around . Maxwell's presence was larger than life or she was just really nervous at being singled out for attention .
" I do enjoy the classics but I play all genres " started Kelsi , glancing at her watch ," Uh, the bells going to ring really soon ."
" I have History first period ," replied Max, placing a hand on the small of her back ," perhaps you could show me what classroom that is , Kelsi ? "
" Sure " muttered Kelsi , glancing back at her friends , woefully ," see you in third period .'
The group watched as the shy composer disappeared down the hallway with the handsome new guy and Gabriella let out a little squeal of happiness .
" I hope Kelsi isn't too angry at me ," declared the hopeless romantic ," isn't Maxwell just perfect for her ? I just know that they have so much in common ! "
Ryan stared at the empty spot where Kelsi had just stood and only just now registered what Gabriella was saying .
" Kelsi and Mr. . New York ? " stammered Ryan, chest tightening slightly at the suggestion even as it felt as if his throat was closing up on him .
Gabriella leaned into Troy , smiling brightly ." Yes ! " it was then she noticed that Chad , Troy, and even Taylor were gaping at her ," Why are you are looking at me like that ? We all know Kelsi is too shy to ever ask Maxwell out on her own so I gave her a little nudge ."
Troy and Chad jerked their head towards Ryan . " You just crushed Ryan's heart "
Ryan kicked the locker then winced in pain ." Ow ! " He sighed , leaned back against the locker , bemoaning his luck and worse fear out loud to his friends .
" Kelsi doesn't know about my heart so don't tell her ," stated Ryan ," Besides I can't compete with Mr. New York ."