Disclaimer: I own nothing mentioned. -_- and nothing at all. Just saying! xD
A/n: Bonjour! So, I happily and proudly watched High School Musical last night on television and High School Musical 2 also. Soon I will be watching High School Musical 3: Senior Year. :3 So yeah ahahaha I'm on a HSM kick right now xD So I just got this idea and it burned within my mind for the past three days. That's how I know an idea is decent – if it sticks within my scatterbrained mind. =) So here's my newest idea.
Please enjoy!
Summary: Mslash! Gabriella is so glad she isn't the new girl anymore, as a matter of fact – there's a new... guy in town. He seems rather intimidating... but maybe she and the gang can get closer? Perhaps... specifically Ryan Evans - with baggage even? Rated T.
Catch My Tears
I
"C'mon Troy, you know you'd much rather shoot some hoops than study for some test!" Chad Danforth said with a smirk – knowing it was true. Of course Troy would rather do something fun than... this school stuff. Sure school would be more so important when they graduated – later this year, but that wasn't yet.
"Chad, we probably should study. Just a little anyway. I mean, it can't hurt, right?" Gabriella did manage to help her jock boyfriend, Troy Bolton – lift his grades. His mother hugged her so tightly where as Troy and his father were thankful, but brushed it off by talking about that day's practice and how the team was doing in general.
That was last week though, and this week – a lovely math test was coming up. He needed to study. "This is math though, unfortunately it's a foundation for whatever we take in the future – plus we need to do it to practice. Kels says that the only way to study math, is to actually work through the problems. And Gabriella agreed with her – that's how you know it's concrete."
Giving a subtle roll of his eyes, Chad then smiled. "Yeah, the girls are right. Besides, maybe we can get these questions done before daylight runs out?" A suggestion never hurt, especially when the worst that could be said, was 'no'.
Troy smiled, "As if playing some one – on – one in the dark has ever stopped us before?"
Chad closed his eyes tightly and winced. "Dude, that sounds so bad..."
Troy chuckled, "Relax, no need to get your balls in a twist. It's just a play on words. Anyway, questions – then hoops, got it?"
"Yes mom." Chad muttered, not thinking Troy actually heard him.
"If I was your mother..."
Chad chuckled, "Hey man, let's not go there."
Troy smiled, "Math homework it is then."
::~*~::
Vance Evans let out a satisfying sigh as he walked into the gorgeous, spacious mansion living room. His lovely wife Darby was reading one of her favorite magazines, sitting down on the lush sofa, her legs elegantly crossed. She always looked quite radiant to him, even when she was at home just lounging.
He turned his gaze over to Ryan, who happened to have headphones in his ears as he was working on his assumed homework. Vance shook his head lightly with a small smirk. 'Who can concentrate on both music and work?' He thought to himself. He happened to notice Sharpay on the other end of the sofa, basically the exact same as her brother, only she was flipping through a magazine like her mother.
"Darling," Vance began, as he gently tugged an earphone from his daughter's ear. "I'm sure you have some homework that needs tending to, do you not?"
Sharpay grinned. "What makes you say that daddy?" She asked him, smiling brightly as she awaited his answer, hoping to get out of doing her math homework.
"Well, two things. For one – you're in high school sweetheart – usually there's something to be done every night. Two – your brother is over there in the lounge chair, working diligently on his homework, so you should probably be doing the same. Am I right?" He asked, his eyes bright and loving.
The blond beauty heaved a sigh. "But dad, do I really need to figure out math equations in order to shine on stage?"
"Sure you do – dance choreography can be that of mathematical equations. Turning precisely at a ninety degree angle, or you know... a '180' or '360' turn even... c'mon dear, you should get going on your homework." He gave a soft smile, "It will help you in the long run. I promise you that."
Meanwhile Ryan had finished his homework awhile ago. He was onto something different now. His black ink pen scribbled upon the lined piece of paper he was writing on.
Thanks again for suggesting that song pen pal! I... can't get it out of my head, and I've been listening to it non-stop for the past two days. It's a great, great song. Since I'd never heard of the group before, I did quite a bit of listening to their material. I stole my sister's laptop to do this and believe me, she'd probably have puppies if she knew... but I don't bother with iTunes or anything like that and she has an iPod phone thingie or whatever and... I can't be bothered with it honestly, or... it may just be what my parents will get me for Christmas. Figuring I'd want it, when I don't overly care for it, but whatever. I can always re - gift. Anyway! I did my research and they're a faith based band – but their songs can be taken whichever way, that's awesome. I'll be doing a lot of listening to them now thanks to you.
I'm really glad I decided to reach out and take a pen pal – I haven't done this since grade school and it's really cool. So, besides music and what not, do you have any other interests? My life is kinda bland, same shit – different day. But how about you?
Hope to hear from you soon,
Ryan
After he finished the last part of his letter – it was a total of three pages and this was only the bottom half of the last page – he let out a satisfying sigh. Now he was officially done for the evening, everything he had wanted to accomplish. He even spent time looking at university applications earlier, the thought rather intrigued him and it couldn't hurt to look at things ahead of time. Just looking never did any harm.
Ryan figured he'd fold up his letter and toss it in an envelope later. Once he got a tad more acquainted – perhaps they'd just e – mail. As lovely as snail mail was, those writer's cramps were hell. "Ah, I'm done everything I wanted to do today. Accomplishment feels good." He said to no one in particular, stretching out comfortably on the lounge chair.
It being so big and Ryan's entire frame fitting in it just right. "Perfect son," Vance gave him an encouraging nod. "oh, I remember there was something you wanted to talk to me about. Shall we take it outside where it's just, some father / son time?"
On one hand, Ryan would usually jump up with a 'Sure dad!' response but... this time he didn't. Although on the other hand, he didn't care to talk about what he wanted to earlier. He already did so with his pen pal, which tomorrow he'd have to mail the letter off on the way to school. "Yeah, I guess."
Darby lifted up her eyes from her magazine, to eye her son suspiciously. She knew this wasn't usually his normal behavior. What was going on with him?
She watched as he slowly got up from the lounge chair and joined his father out of the living room. "Hmm... peculiar." She mumbled to herself, shifting her focus back to the magazine she was currently reading.
"I will find out what's going on with him mother, don't worry about that." Sharpay said with a smile, figuring she could get the answer out of him with not much of a problem. She probably could, they were fraternal twins after all. What didn't she already know?
::~*~::
"So, what's on your mind?" Vance asked as he swung the tennis racket a little too hard this time, if he did that again. He'd probably throw his back right out.
"Hey dad, take it easy. Be one with the ball, don't beat the shit out of it." Ryan teased with a signature grin of his. He was relieved when his father laughed though. At least he wouldn't get in trouble for having a 'potty mouth' as he might have from his mother.
Vance set the racket aside and signaled for his son to follow, which Ryan did. A little confused – but he still followed. "Now... I've watched you for a couple days now son. I know there's something on your mind. Me being your father, you don't have to tell me exactly what your teenage mind is thinking, but you've been very on top of your assignments lately – I'm proud." Well, this didn't quite seem like a lecture, just yet anyway.
"Uh, thanks dad." He said rather quickly, just hoping his father would hurry up and get to the point already.
"Just know, that as Evans – we have class." Well, that was something Ryan already knew. "We have class and dignity in everything we do. I say this in accordance to my next point. Keep in mind that you and your sister are only young for the moment. Soon you will be adults and it's time to start planning your future."
As much as Ryan felt like groaning, he knew his father was right. Soon they would be adults in this big ol' scary world. On their own. Mommy and Daddy can't support them forever. "Yes father, I know."
"Good," Vance began, as he seemed to move on to the next thought in his agenda of topics to discuss. "now whether your soul mate is female or male – your mother and I have both discussed and cared not about the gender – but what's in your heart. If you love someone, you love them for who they are. But I think it's that time to keep your eyes and ears open for that special someone. But – I do expect that they be... within standards. You know? We do have somewhat of a reputation to keep and I hope whoever you have intimate relations with, is someone you can bring home to meet your parents. Is this understood?"
Ryan nodded in silence, he didn't really know what else to say in all honesty. It was good that his parents weren't seemingly judgmental on who he chose to care for, just their status. Well, not quite everything he wanted to hear – but he could probably work them over after awhile.
It never did any good to stress about the small stuff. "So, with that having been said – it is time to think about the future. Are you perhaps planning to adopt children or have your own? We would love to have grandchildren you know. Your mother and I would like to see you settled in your careers of course - maybe, but we can't wait to have them very soon. Also since you and your sister are fraternal twins – you're still multiples and multiples run in your genes."
Ryan couldn't help but to see his father's eyes light up with the thought of grandchildren. It was so sweet and he of course wanted children someday, he just wasn't overly sure of how they would come to be, but they would surely. "Yes dad, I know. And well, I don't know how – but I know I do want a family of my own."
"Well, I'm glad you said that. Because well you see... I sort of... kind of... volunteered... well," Vance rubbed the back of his neck nervously, trying to explain this. "You know the Vanderwlitz family?"
Ryan thought for a moment. "Oh, you mean that all high and mighty couple with like, four daughters?" He heard things about them alright, how shady and horrible they were. Even rich communities weren't shielded from bad happenings.
Vance nodded, "Yes. Always go with us to the Country Club when we reside there in the summer, despite us not wanting to be around them?" Ryan nodded this time, and his father continued. "Well their second eldest... is pregnant. She is too far along to have an abortion – and your mother and I would be horrified if she attempted some back alley abortion. I wouldn't put it past her... so... we, your mother and I, know out of the two of you – you, Ryan would be most mature to handle a child."
Ryan stopped in his tracks. Was he hearing this correctly? His own parents, volunteered him to be a parent, of a child which whom its mother was a female he couldn't even stand? "Dad... what exactly are you saying? You know I can't stand her. Or them. And yet you want me to attempt to father this child? Really?"
"I know it's rather sudden. And she is approaching six months in pregnancy if not there already, which means she will probably have the child around March... April maybe, around the spring musical – but... well, we can at least give this child a shot at a decent life, before being placed in child care. I'm not saying you're 'specifically' the father – just that... well your mother and I are a tad rusty, with you and your sister being the ages you are. I figured you would be perfect – plus we've seen you with the younger ones and you are excellent father material. I know this seems strange and sudden – but I truly believe this is some sort of sign Ryan, I do. Your first child..." he trailed off with the thought, but unlike a parent who would normally be worried - he seemed far from it. Happy was the feeling he had actually.
Ryan wasn't scared of becoming a father – that wasn't what he was nervous about. "I... have some conditions. First of all, if Miss Vanderwlitz is going to give up her child – she must understand that once I take this child in – she is never to attempt getting contact later in life or at all from the start. She gives up her little one, she has done it for good. Forever. I can't stand her but I will stomach her, for the child. Oh dad, I can't believe I'm doing this..."
Vance interrupted Ryan right there, "I can. Because you have such a good, kind heart. You don't want to see that child mistreated by the most un – maternal woman mankind has ever seen. This, is a big responsibility – but a blessing in life. An unexpected blessing maybe, but a blessing none the less. So, congratulations father – to – be. Tomorrow, she has her ultrasound, to find out what she is carrying. You should probably attend that and then when we go out for dinner, you can tell us. Sound like a plan? Sorry if it seems I'm pushing this on you – now... with the expectation of a grandchild – from you of course, we'll forget who the mother is right after the little angel is born – I am rather anticipating this."
Ryan gave a small smile, "Sure – only I would have a child before even being in a serious relationship." He chuckled, apparently this was the start of his bass - ackwards (also known as - ass - backwards) life. Only Ryan Evans.
"Life works in mysterious ways, always remember that." Vance told him with a smile. "Your mother and I had the most horrible time before we were blessed with twins. We lived our darkest hours back then, your mother miscarried a total of eight times before we were given you and Sharpay. I suppose, that is why I see this as such a blessing – you understand son?"
He gave a curt nod, "Oh of course, and... I'm actually not scared in the least dad. Really I'm not. I am not looking forward to meeting up with her but... I am rather excited to meet up with the little one and to see them in the ultrasound. It'll be so great. So when is her appointment?" He figured that he might as well get the details now.
"I believe it's first thing in the morning at seven. Before school, but you may be late for beginning classes. Although, this is certainly more than worth it in my opinion." Again, the way Vance's eyes lit up were remarkable – Ryan couldn't really remember the last time his father was this enthused about it, and in all honesty – so was he.
~)H-S-M(~
