In these eyes more than words.
More than anything that I've spoken.
Chad could hardly speak as he stared at Ryan, the shock written all over his features. Ryan's eyes were tearing up and he tore his eyes from Chad's, finding a particularly interesting spot on the floor to stare at. Everyone in the entire room was staring at him. All the wildcats. Some with pity, some with shock and some well...what seemed to be derogatory looks and hate...
As the skies turn to grey, my heart's just about to crack open.
And so the story goes
There's something you should know,
Before I walk away and I blow the ending
The thunder that sounded from outside made them both jump slightly. Ryan more so. As the blonde boy glanced round the room at what he assumed now what were his former friends, he realised he'd blown it. With the wildcats. With his friends. And more importantly...Chad. So he ran. Ran from the room, the house and down the street. He couldn't believe he'd messed things up so bad. Then again Sharpay had told him this was all short lived...he should of listened to her.
I never want to be without you
Oh no, here I go.
Now you know
Chad's breath caught in his throat as he stared after Ryan. He couldn't speak. He turned back to see the rest of the team staring at him, each face was varied slightly in how they were taking the news. "Hey dude. I'm sorry. I didn't realise it would go down like this."
Chad nodded at Jason. "It's cool man."
"Cool?! Cool?! A guy admitting he likes you is not cool Chad!" Taylor's voice was so screechily high it made even the girls wince.
"Oh shut up Taylor!" Troy said, snapping his head round at the girl. "Give him a minute to process would ya?"
"Don't you tell me how to deal with my boyfriend Troy Bolton!" Taylor was screwing her fists up tight in anger. "This is a huge deal for us!"
"What 'us'?" Chad muttered.
"Excuse me?" Taylor said, rising to her full height above the sitting Chad, hands on her hips.
"We both know it's true that this isn't working out Taylor. I've wanted a way out for a while and this? Well...this is my stop."
"How dare you?! I cannot believe that...!" With a huff Taylor also stormed from the house. Gabriella stood looking after where her two best friends had been standing moments before. Troy leant in and kissed her forehead gently. "Do you want to go after them?"
"Yes." She breathed. "But I don't know which one."
Chad stared at her for a second. "Let me go after Ryan...I should talk to him." Gabriella nodded her consent before giving Troy's hand a squeeze and leaving to try and catch up with the angry girl.
"Does anyone else have a problem with Ryan?" Troy asked, glancing at one team member to the next. All shook their heads. "Good."
Chad smiled at everyone else in the room. "Thanks guys."
What I feel about you
There's no running
I must've been wrong to doubt you
'God I was so stupid.' Chad thought to himself as he headed out of the door, hood up against the harsh wind and rain. Before jumping in his car and placing the keys in the ignition. 'How could I have not seen it?'
He started up the engine, letting the engine roar to life before speeding off in the direction Ryan had taken off in.
Ryan's legs were beginning to complain with all the running so he slowed to a walk, his clothes were already drenched but he could hardly feel the cold. The tears were running freely down his cheeks now, mingling with the rain drops as they hit his cheeks.
"Ryan! Wait up!" Ryan spun round to see Chad's car, trying to pull up beside him, Chad sticking his head out the window to try and get his attention. No, this couldn't be happening. So he did what ever he always did when he couldn't deal with a situation. He ran.
Oh no, there I go
No control
And I'm falling
So now you know
"Ryan!! NO! Wait!" Ryan was running fast away from that voice and that pain. Away from those memories. He glanced backwards to see if Chad was still following and in doing so didn't see the slight dip in the road ahead, and ended up going flying flat on his face, the pavement scraping his cheek painfully. His hat flying from his head to land about a foot away.
Feel so light
Craving oxygen
All this truth's left me empty
Where will you run
Can you handle this?
Ryan groaned, rolling over on the wet ground in pain, the rain hitting his new injuries and making them sting. All he hoped for in that moment was for the ground to swallow him up, or for a lightening bolt to hit him. Anything. Anything at all.
"Wanna watch where you're walking Evans?" Chad said with a small smile, appearing over him. "Come on. Let's get you to the car." He pulled the slightly younger boy to his feet but held fast to his arm so he didn't run away again. He stooped down and picked up Ryan's turquoise blue flat cap and handing it to him. Before taking him to the car and allowing him to get into the passenger seat and heading round to the driver's seat himself.
As soon as they were both in, Chad shook himself like a dog to try and dry off somewhat. He then turned to look at Ryan, who was staring at his slightly dirtied hat in his lap. "That looks painful." Chad said, pointing to Ryan's cheek.
"It's fine." Ryan mumbled. 'Success! He speaks!' Chad thought to himself.
"Ryan...I..."
"What Chad?! Just tell me! Cause I already know what you're gonna say but I'd just rather you got it out of the way so I can go home..." Ryan sadness was turning into the most unbelievable rage...mainly at himself for the most part. For letting him, or anyone else for that matter, find out about his crush on the basketball jock. 'And loose all will to live...' he added silently.
Cause I need you to tell me
Maybe this is wrong but I'm hoping you'll stay for a happy ending
No, I won't look back when I tell you what I think about you
"I...wouldn't be so sure Evans..." This was Ryan's turn to glance up and Chad's to avoid his piercing, blue eyed gaze. "I..."
It was then that a piercing ringtone sounded through the car and Chad swore under his breath, before digging out his phone from his pocket. He let out a long sigh. Taylor.
"What?" He asked, the annoyance obvious in his voice. There was a moment's silence. "Oh don't give me that bullshit Taylor." He could feel Ryan still staring at him and he heard him move to get out of the car. Chad immediately used the driver's side controls to lock all doors, causing Ryan to look at him in shock before settling, albeit uncomfortably, back in his seat. "No. I'm not interested in your excuses or lies. You're a manipulative little child, who likes playing people. Sorry, I won't be one of your little puppets anymore." With that, he slammed the phone shut and took a couple of deep, calming breaths before glancing back to Ryan.
And so the story goes,
Yeah, you already know
So don't be a fool and go spoil the ending
It was the first time they'd actually first looked at each other, eye to eye, since Ryan's silent admission. "Look Evans...I...I like you too. Have for a long time."
Ryan snorted. "Yeah, right. Stop acting like this out of some kind of pity. You were never meant to find out so let's just forget this entire thing ever happened okay?"
"No! Not okay! I'm being deadly serious Ryan...I was never sure if I was gay or not...always wrestling with it but decided it was easier to go along with the guys and discuss girls and all that stuff...that was until you came along. You were the reason...you made my mind up..."
Ryan cocked his head towards Chad's phone. "And what about your girlfriend...?"
Chad gave a smile. "It's over." Before he leant in and captured Ryan's lips in his own. Ryan sighed; relaxing into the kiss, running his fingers in Chad's tousled, wet hair. After a minute or two they broke away, if for oxygen that nothing else. They panted together slightly before Chad wrapped his arm around the blonde and pulled him in for a hug.
Ryan yelped slightly and then felt the tears sting his eyes again as he realised this was all really happening. After a moment of being held by the taller boy Ryan shivered, realising he was actually really cold. Chad pulled back. "You cold?"
"A little." Chad swung his coat from his shoulders. "Can't be having that now can we?" Ryan smiled as he snuggled within the warm jacket that smelt so much of Chad, before leaning in for another kiss.
So now you know