"Hey Kels."

Kelsi Nielsen's heart fluttered in surprise. The voice was so familiar, that she can recognize it even from a whole group of Wild cats shouting. Before she can even turn around, the person laid a hand on her head, "Sorry. I feel asleep last night." Ryan Evans leaned forward, grinning cheekily at her. He was wearing a hat, that hat that Gabrielle so graciously remarked, always seemed to match Kelsi's. "And oh yeah, thank you for you help. If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't have finished my project."

But of course, it didn't matter to Kelsi if she does every single one of Ryan's projects. She'd do everything for him because, you see, she loves Ryan Evans. And she was so glad it doesn't even show or she'll be busted. Ryan Evans stood up from every boy at East High. Without his catty sister, he was sweet, sensitive and just plain different. No words can even describe him. Kelsi grew fond of the boy ever since their Winter Musicale. Ever since the time she had been so scared of playing in front of an audience because she was alone; Ryan wrapped his arms around her and apologized for not being there with her.

And the time when Ryan finally guessed where Kelsi was ticklish. He was the only one. And after all those things, you can't expect the brunette to fall in-love with him. Ryan Evans knew her. He knew the wallflower Kelsi Nielsen better than everyone else would've had.

"Yeah well, I was being retarded. I can't sleep." Kelsi answered back, winking at Ryan. The suit was almost irresistible, and it took a lot of her guts to even do it. "I can help you any time I'm feeling retarded."

Ryan chuckled, "Thank goodness that I caught you in your retarded moment then." He flung an arm around her, the usual. The usual thing that he does that made them the topic of school gossips (something about them being a couple) which the two denied about; even though Kelsi wanted to tell them that she wanted to be Ryan Evans' girlfriend. But she was his friend.

His friend, for crying out loud!

"Ry, can I ask you a question?" Kelsi then spoke and when Ryan nodded casually, she continued, "Do you think it's possible for someone to like someone who loves them?" Does he know how much she wanted to tell him what she feels? But she can't. You want to know why? Because Ryan Evans already likes someone else; and since Kelsi was the only one he told about the girl he likes, it would be complicated if she tell Ryan about her own feelings.

The blonde looked at her, "Of course, Kels. Why not?"

"I don't know. I just think it can't be."

"It can be. Trust me." Ryan reassured her by squeezing her gently, looking at her with his own baby blue's.

Kelsi let out a sigh, "Would you?" She inquired finally.

"In time." Answered Ryan who turned away from her gaze, looking straight at the hall, "Someday when I'm already successful then I'll think about that." Then Ryan smiled once more, "Kels, what's love?"

Questions have always been in their conversations. But it had always been Kelsi who always seemed to ask a lot of things. Ryan often commented Kelsi was weird and that he was one too, which made Kelsi feel better after hearing that she is weird. "Well." Kelsi bit her lip, "It's a euphoric feeling. I think it's not supposed to be mutual but there are some cases they are mutual, which I'd rather have."

"Thanks." Ryan lifts his arm from her shoulder and Kelsi frowned slightly. She loved the feeling of having him close.

Kelsi nudged him, Ryan seemed quiet. "What about you? What's love?"

"Do I have to?" He groaned, both of them entered the cafeteria and looked around for familiar faces. "I mean, why d'you wanna ask me?"

"Hey, you asked me first. I've got every right to ask you." The brunette eased up her sling bag and pulled Ryan towards their usual table, the only one which was empty. She sat down, taking out one book before she stared intently at Ryan who sat across her.

Ryan consented after minutes of hesitation, "Love is unconditional." Then he paused, "Love is when you love someone without asking for anything back." This made Kelsi frown more. Ryan was already speaking from personal experience, even if he denies it, Kelsi knew. How she hated that Reese girl, she knew about Ryan's feeling and just wanted to be friends. It made Ryan still love Reese and just wait for her to love him back. Why doesn't Reese just tell him flat that she doesn't like Ryan?

"Okay, next question." Kelsi interrupted, she hates seeing Ryan think about Reese again, "Describe Mr. Bean."

"The sign of idiosyncrasy for humankind." The other answered quite immediately, as f he was already ready for that question, "He's simply annoyingly stupid, Kels."

The brunette seemed to think otherwise. "He is not annoyingly stupid, Ryan Evans."

That's what she likes about Ryan. His opinions and his views that he doesn't hide from her, Ryan is Ryan. And no matter how much both of them disagree with each other, one of them would just step back and let the other win. It's that simple! We're soul mates! Kelsi thought occasionally.

"Alright fine. He is rather brilliant. But he's still annoying." Ryan stood up, grinning at her and somehow told her that he was letting her win this time. "I think you have your lunch?" He raised an eyebrow and Kelsi took out her sandwich. "I'll be back." And when he left, Kelsi can freely drown in her own thoughts.

How Kelsi wished she never fell for his charms. How she wished she could turn back time and not always be with him. Everyone thought her best friend was gay, since he was always dressed up and always joining girly musicales. But Kelsi saw through those glittering hats and his fancy jazz squares, He was different. If ordinary guys would feel awkward comforting a crying girl; her best friend would listen to her talk and lay a comforting arm around her, assuring her that everything will be okay.

Wow, talk about naïve and stupid.

"Hey Kelsi." Gabriella sat beside the brunette, her eyes twinkling. The girl has been the first one to notice that Kelsi felt more than friends feeling for Ryan, Gabriella said it really was obvious. And then Zeke came by too, the other one who noticed. But the two had been quite discreet about it, occasionally planning ways for Kelsi to tell Ryan or how they encourage her that they look good together.

Zeke sat on the other side, "Have you already told him then?" It made Kelsi blush, "I guess not. When do you plan on telling him? It's been three months, Kelsi." Gabriella gave Zeke a small look, the two always argued about telling Ryan.

"Kelsi, you have to tell him."

"No, he has waited for Reese since ever, their friendship will be ruined."

Or they'd argue something in those lines. "We're not pressuring you though Kels." Gabrielle laid a hand on Kelsi's shoulder, making the brunette feel a little better. "Tell him when you think is right. When you think Ryan feels the same. Or when you think Ryan will be okay with it."

"That would take too long, Gabbie." Zeke argued, crossing his arms over his chest, "Ryan is too slow to pick up his own feelings. And when do you think Ryan would be ready?"

Kelsi raised a hand to stop them from arguing any more, "Look guys. I'll tell him when I'm ready, okay?" Gabriella nodded, the girl understood her completely. But Zeke just shrugged. Zeke often tells Kelsi about how she should tell Ryan, since the boy might realize that he was just used to waiting for Reese and there were no more feelings towards her.

But, the question is.

When would I be ready?