I actually wrote this story for a friend of mine as a birthday gift (Although I'm not a huge HSM fan, we share a love for Ryelsi pairings), but she recommended I publish it. Because it is currently 1:08 AM, I'm feeling particularly gutsy. As mentioned before, I am a Ryelsi shipper, so take your Kelsi/ Jason shipping elsewhere. I know it's extremely cheesy and cliche, but just let me know what you think. Hugs and butterfly kisses, ravenclawdancer4999


Kelsi Nielson's fingers flew across the piano keys, desperately trying to keep up with Sharpay's rhythm. She knew her songs weren't supposed to sound like this; not in this key, not in this tempo, not anything like she was playing. Every time she wrote something, the she-devil forced her to transpose it into a meaningless pop song. Whenever Kelsi tried to convince her otherwise, Sharpay simply flipped her hair over her shoulder and told her to get over it. Finally, the tune ended and the pianist sighed with relief. The bell rang and she grabbed her books and bag, determined to leave quickly before Sharpay made any rude comments about her or her music. As the petite girl was running up the aisle, she tripped and fell, her books scattering across the floor.

"Klutz," Sharpay smirked.

"Sharpay!" Ryan scolded his sister, running over to help Kelsi pick up her belongings, "Are you okay?"

"Y..y..yes," she stammered quietly, nodding her head. Kelsi glanced up at his sparkling blue eyes and saw that they were filled with genuine concern. Sometimes, it was hard for her to believe he was the devil in pink's twin brother. Sometimes.

"That was quite a spill you took," he responded, handing her the binder full of sheet music, "So, are you going to the dance tonight?"

"I…I," Kelsi swallowed, "I don't know, um, I…I."

"What she's trying to say is that she'll be too busy writing a new song for us Ry," Sharpay cut in, bouncing down the steps on stage right, "I really don't think the one she wrote last time will work in our key, isn't that right?

"Sure, um, yeah," Kelsi stuttered, pulling the brim of her hat further down on her face, "I, I, wasn't really planning on going anyway." In her mind, she quickly reminded herself, "It's true, I'm not." Gathering her books, she sped towards the exit, trying to drive all thoughts of Sharpay from her mind.

"Shar," Ryan asked incredulously after Kelsi had left, "Why are you making her write another song, when the one we have is already great?"

"Because," Sharpay pouted, "She obviously can't keep the tempo on the last one and besides, it won't match my costume."

"You are such a spoiled brat sometimes!" he accused her, "What if she had been planning on going to the dance? You scared her out of it."

"Please," she sighed, flipping her blonde hair over her shoulder, "She takes every opportunity to make herself disappear. I doubt it."

"Why do you always treat everyone like dirt?" Ryan asked bluntly, "They're not just your little pets that you keep on a leash, they're people too." At that, he stormed out, leaving Sharpay by herself in the auditorium.

"So, what are you wearing to the masked ball tonight?" Gabriella questioned, plopping down into the chair next to Kelsi at lunch.

"Nothing," she sighed, "I'm not going."

"What?" Taylor almost yelled, "Why not?"

"I don't know, dances just aren't my thing," Kelsi replied, "I never know what to say and I don't like large crowds."

"You're a terrible liar, Kelsi," Gabriella raised an eyebrow, "Now what's the real reason?"

"Fine," she surrendered, "Her Royal Brattiness wants a new song by tomorrow."

"Why do you always let her walk all over you?" Taylor groaned, clearly exasperated, "We told you that you can't let that diva run your life!"

"I've tried standing up to her, I really have," Kelsi admitted, "But every time I, I just, freeze up."

"You have to go!" Gabriella insisted, "Maybe you'll meet a certain someone there? As in, Ryan Evans?"

"He barely knows I exist anyway, and even when he does talk to me, I always say something stupid," the pianist muttered, "Besides, if Sharpay sees me there, I'm dead."

"Why do think it's called a masked dance?" Taylor smiled, "If you wear a mask, no one knows it's you. That solves both problems."

"Even if I wanted to go, I don't have anything to wear," Kelsi argued.

"You're going," Gabriella pronounced, "Just leave everything to me and Taylor. We'll meet you at your house two hours before the dance."