Hey guys! This is my first fanfiction, let alone my first HSM story. Reviews are always welcome! Enjoy.

Disclaimer: Unfortunately, I don't own any of HSM. The song isn't mine either.

--

Ryan had never felt anything close to the way he felt now. Not when he and Sharpay had gotten the lead in the school play their first year in New Mexico, not when Ms. Darbus had asked him to choreograph this year's Spring Musicale, not even when he had bought his first hat. He'd been happy and excited those times, heck seeing that green-banded, white fedora had made him ecstatic. But this was so much more. This time... well, he was in love.

And she didn't even know.

Ryan and Kelsi had been friends forever; ever since they had found themselves sitting at the same table with that kid who ate glue, in second grade. They had been there for each other through good times and bad and yet, when high school started they seemed to distance themselves. He had first realized his affection at the end of last year's winter production of Twinkle Town. He saw the way her face lit up when the final strains of Breaking Free ended and the audience cheered. And she had every right to be so thrilled; the show had been amazing, the music extraordinary. He had listened to her sing in the music room every morning for a week after that, wondering who, or what her inspiration was for her songs. He remembered sitting at the piano after she left, wishing he could be the man who inspired such heartfelt lyrics.

Now, over a year later, he found himself in the exact same position yet with stronger feelings. They had become so much closer over this past year and so here he was, waiting for Kelsi to finish with Darbus so he could give her a ride home.

Kelsi...

God, he loved her smile. He loved how her brows furrowed when she was deep in thought. Sitting at the piano, he pushed his emotions through his body, capturing all of his feelings as transforming it into music.

You and I
Have written the book
Line by line
And the few things that took to survive
Was your loving heart and mine
Should you go
Remember these words
As they show
Just how much I care
Don't you know
I'll always be there

"Ryan?" Kelsi appeared in the doorway beaming at him. "I thought I heard your voice. That was amazing! Did you write it?" As close as they were, she was still amazed at how much passion he could throw into a song if he wanted to. In a way, it intimidated her but if she were to be completely honest, she was in awe. Sure, she could do that when writing music, but singing? That was something completely different.

"That? I know it's nothing like your pieces but hey – I'm a choreographer, not a composer." He loved how her cheeks flushed at compliments. He loved how she got so excited about music...

"Yea? Well Mr. Choreographer, we should be getting home. Ugh, we still have that Chem assignment to work on too! And because of that stunt you pulled by bringing me onstage, I'm making sure my mom gives you mushrooms and extra brussel sprouts instead of that Stew you love, oh so much. By the way, Troy was telling me this joke about Darbus and brussel sprouts earlier today..." He gave a laugh as she rambled about nothing in particular and kissed the top of her head.

That, that right there. That was why he loved her. And yet he couldn't help but fear that she would never know.

--

"Hang on Gabi, I just want to stop in here for a sec"

Kelsi ran inside and immediately plopped herself behind a piano in the giant music store. Shaking her head and laughing, Gabi followed her inside. Kelsi had started playing It's my life and Gabi couldn't help but sing along. They were belting out the chorus, oblivious to the looks they were getting, when Gabi felt her phone vibrating in her purse. She quickly pulled it out and Kelsi switched songs to her own personal favourite.

"Hello?" She was a little out of breath, and walked down an aisle to talk above the strains of Layla coming from the piano.

"Hey Gabs... I need some advice"

"Ryan! Uh, I'm kind of tied up at the moment..."

"Are you listening to Layla? I didn't know you were a Clapton fan. The melody of this song is... god, and the lyrics..."

"Yea, it's a pretty good song" Gabriella laughed as Ryan hummed along with the music.

"Pretty good? Ouch Gabi, this has to be one of my favourites."

"It is? Ryan... I have to go. I'll give you a call later for sure though."

Gabriella walked down the aisle, grabbing a book of beginner piano songs for her cousin on the way back to the piano.

"Kelsi?"

"Hmm?" She was clearly lost in the music as she hit the final notes and looked up at Gabi.

"How long have you liked Ryan?"

--

Ryan flipped his phone closed as he wandered aimlessly around the mall. It was weird, he knew, but this was where he got most of his thinking done. Well, besides East high's auditorium. It probably had something to do with all the times Sharpay had dragged him here to help her choose the perfect outfit. He was lost in thought when he noticed it – the same music he had heard over Gabi's phone was coming from the music store ahead. A few moments after he heard the final notes played, he spotted Gabi walking out with an embarrassed Kelsi.

And suddenly he knew exactly what he had to do.

He drove home, not even realizing the song he was singing under his breath. He couldn't wait for school tomorrow.

..Like a fool, I fell in love with you. You turned my whole world upside down...

--

"Hey, Playmaker. I need a favour."

"Troy? Uh... okay, what is it?"

"Do you think I could borrow your very talented fingers tomorrow? It's the last day of school before break and... Well, I wanted to do something special for Gabi."

"Yea, of course I'll help. Didn't you already get her that necklace though? I mean, I helped you pick it out. Plus, Chad was ranting about how you sang to her in the hall the other day."

"Well... yea. But I really want to make this Christmas special for her. I mean, who knows what'll happen next year – Wait... why was Chad complaining?" Troy asked suddenly. Kelsi knew how hard college would be Troy. She especially knew he didn't like talking about it.

"You know Chad. He thought you outshone him. He started bouncing ideas off of me to surprise Taylor. You know, your competitions really spoil Gabi and Taylor."

"It's all him! If he didn't try to outdo me, then I wouldn't have to keep outdoing him!" Kelsi laughed, assuring him she would help.

"Alright, so can you meet me in the auditorium at 3:30?"

"Tomorrow, 3:30. Will do Wildcat. See you there."

--

Kelsi arrived at school, as usual, before many of the teachers. She shook the snow off of her hat and threw her coat in her locker. This was how it was; part of her routine. Her piano at home was old and it was impossible to tell whether the pedals would work or not. Coming to school allowed her to practice her music on a proper piano. Granted, it wasn't as nice as the one she played at Lava Springs, but she doubted she could ever afford one like that. She sighed contently as she remembered how easily her fingers had danced over its keys, and froze as she opened the door to the music room.

On top of the weathered black piano was a single burgundy rose. Kelsi blinked once, and walked over to get a better look. She wouldn't have thought the flower was for her, had it not been sitting on a sheet of music. One of her compositions, actually. She frowned as she picked up the music and flipped through the pages, noticing that one part of the song was highlighted. She sat down and quietly began to play, singing along softly as she took the lyrics in.

No mountain's too high and no ocean too wide,
Cause together or not, our dance won't stop.
Let it rain, let it pour.
What we have is worth fighting for.
You know I believe that we were meant to be.

She was confused; after all, she'd only shown her new pieces to Ms. Darbus five days ago. And aside from Troy and her parents she hadn't shown anyone else this piece. She relaxed as she figured it out. Troy. This must be his surprise for Gabi; he would sing this for her. It was, after all, written for the two of them. She felt a pang of disappointment at the realization. Ryan hadn't given her this rose. It hadn't been him to find her music and use it to express his love for her. And okay, she hadn't really expected it to be, but a girl can dream.

After making numerous mistakes due to lack of concentration, and frustrating herself beyond belief, she decided to get her books and head to class. Maybe she'd be able to calm herself down enough to play well later. The hallways were starting to fill with students and, when she reached her locker, she found two more roses tied to a note. The two roses were different; one orange and one a pale pink. After resting the flowers on the top shelf of her locker, she unrolled the paper and found another one of her compositions. Searching through it again, she found another highlighted verse on the third page, when the sheets got pulled from her grip.

"Through every up, through every down; you know I'll always be around. Through everything you can count on me" Ryan sang perfectly as he read the indicated verse. "That's great Kels! Did you write it?"

"Yea," Kelsi mumbled. "But I didn't highlight it. How did you know the melody? I haven't shown this to anyone yet..." She knew her cheeks were still pink from his compliment. She kicked herself silently for being so easy to read as Ryan gave that adorable smile that made her knees weak.

"Years of piano lessons actually came in useful. I can find a melody every now and then." His eyes roamed to the flowers in the locker and smiled slightly as Kelsi's cheeks flushed again.

"EVANS!" Ryan spun to see Troy calling and gave a small nod.

"Well m'lady, I've been beckoned. I'll see you in... 23 minutes" He smiled again and kissed her forehead before running after Troy. Kelsi grabbed the locker door; partially to close it, partially because she wasn't confident that her knees wouldn't collapse beneath her. Why couldn't it be Ryan sending her these flowers?

--