TROY

Radiant. Radiant was one word to describe Ryan Evans. He carried himself with such dignity, such poise. Such…fear. It's almost impossible not to watch him without being hypnotized. How can someone who seemed so quiet and simple be so…amazing.

I glanced up from my pizza that I'd been playing with for most of lunch period just in time to see him walk into the Caf. Casually dressed, Ryan Evans walked into the Cafeteria with a timid smile, Sharpay grinning for whatever shallow reason walking her regulated 1.5 feet ahed of him. He smiled at me with a slight wave and my heart skipped a beat. I smiled back and stared at him as he nodded at old friends, making sure to keep up with Sharpay.

"He's really something isn't he?" Gabrielle asked innocently resting her head on my shoulder.

I grinned, "You could say that."

Gabbi placed a kiss on my cheek, "You're beyond adorable," she twirled around in her seat to watch him walk, "So when are you going to tell him?"

"Right." I scoffed.

"Oh come on Troy," she stood up and pranced around me in the most flamboyant way possible, "I do declare, you love him, Mr. Bolton!"

I blushed "A little louder, will ya? I don't think everyone in the lunch line heard you."

Gabbi sat in my lap, "Look, I was a good sport about you coming out this summer, but don't expect me sit back and watch you be unhappy. Say something!" she begged.

I sighed and shook my head, "He's too shy. I don't want to scare him."

Gabbi squealed, "That's so cute! You're afraid to hurt him."

I rolled my eyes, "I just don't want to come on too strong, you know? It's one thing when it's the summer, and we're alone. But people might start to suspect and…"

She cut me off, "So just say hi."

I shrugged reluctantly and stood up to approach him, I turned to my left to find him as my journey was cut short.

RYAN

I haven't seen him since fourth period History. Sure it was only 10 minutes ago, but it felt like an eternity! It's insane how I've almost become dependent on Troy Bolton. Not even so much touching him, but just being near him. Hearing him. Seeing him. Okay and maybe touching him.

This past summer had to have been the most amazing 2 months of my life. I spent just about everyday with Troy. Talking, thinking, holding, kissing…just being. A little after the Spring musical we started hanging out more, when he told me we needed to talk.

Being the paranoid wreck that I am, I thought he was going to tell me he's moving to Czech Republic. Or that he's dying, or can't be friends with me because of Gabriella. I didn't know, I just knew it had to be bad.

But something else happened. Something amazing, scary, uplifting, and terrifying. My entire life changed, because Troy Bolton told me that he liked me. That's he's probably always liked me and couldn't go on without me knowing.

My life completely changed and never went back after that day. I spent every day on cloud nine. Everyday waiting for his call, waiting to hear his voice. After our first date the endless waiting for the phone to ring, was joined by waiting for my doorbell to ring, to see his smile, take in his scent.

Doorbells ringing changed to car doors opening, which changed to standing in front of doors, which led to lips on lips. Everything changed again when it became lips on lips. Almost as if something had been linked between us. I lived for those kisses. I woke up every day, just for one of those kisses.

A few months & a lovesick girl later, school started. And with school starting it became apparent that maybe this paradise was coming to an end. We compared schedules and had 5 of our 7 classes together, not including lunch, so I guess we were pretty lucky.

But it wasn't the same as being alone over the summer. We were at school, with people, and walls. Walls, and secrets, and vicious rumors, and just…fear. A few people knew about us, not that there was officially an us. We agreed that there's no us until we're sure that we love one another. Sharpay & Gabriella understood that they had to keep what they knew a secret, not forever, just for awhile.

I walked into the Cafeteria eyes scanning for him, I found him and smiled, following Sharpay so we could give the nice old cafeteria ladies our weekly diet plans. I myself found it to be rude, but Sharpay was big on having people cater to her every whim. I blame our parents but whatever. Once we'd reviewed everything with Sheila & Eleanor I departed from Sharpay to find him.

There he was…and Gabriella. I smiled at her and began to tap him on the shoulder.

TROY

"U-uh hey!" I grinned nervously.

He smiled "Hey Troy." I watched him grab a hold of his left elbow. It's one of his habits I picked up on, he did it whenever he felt himself starting to blush.

"How've you been sweetheart?" I asked in an almost whispered tone.

"Great" he answered back in an equally breathy tone.

I nodded smiling, "You wanna get out of here?"

He nodded, and I waved goodbye to Gabbie, who was grinning from ear to ear.

I grabbed his hand and whisked him out of a side exit to a secluded part of the school and crashed my lips into his, "I missed you," I said between kisses.

"I missed you too," he ran his hands through my hair.

I whimpered kissing his neck "This is torture."

He smiled eyes closed, "I know sweetie."

I cupped his face with both hands and raised and eyebrow grinning, "Sweetie? You know I love that." I attacked his neck as he moaned.

"Be grateful," he said tightening his grip on my hair, "I don't just hand out pet names to ever cute brunette basketball star."

"Not even Chad?" I joked.

He laughed, "Not even."

Our fun was interrupted only by the sound of fifth period bell, I groaned. "Damnit."

He smiled, "Don't worry. We've got Chemistry this period."

I shrugged wrapping my arms around him as he wriggled away, I pouted.

"Chemistry's always explosive." He said seductively walking away from me.

I ran after him grinning from ear to ear, "God I love him," I said to myself.