Chapter 1: Stick to the Status Quo
*Flashback*
On the first day of high school they met. For some reason they both felt drawn to one another. But at East High sticking to the status quo was the number one rule. Zeke was drawn to Ryan's fedoras and Ryan was enticed by the way Zeke seemed like he was hiding something. But what was he hiding? Ryan would learn what Zeke was hiding and much more… he just had to get him to open up.
*End of the flashback*
Zeke and Ryan knew that their feelings for each would not be excepted so they never admitted their feelings to each other or themselves. But Zeke always hung around Sharpay subconsciously hoping Ryan would be around. One Monday morning Zeke was late for practice, running down the stairs. He knew if he were late coach Bolton would make him sit out of the next game. Zeke was rushing and tumbled down the stairs his backpack falling off and all his books falling to the ground. "Are you okay?" said a familiar voice. That voice was one Zeke knew well, it was Ryan. "Yeah" Zeke stuttered. Struggling to his feet, Ryan reached out his hand. Zeke grasped the smaller boys fingers making sure not to crush them. He looked down at Ryan's fingers enclosed in his. "You sure tumbled down those stairs pretty hard" Ryan said. At the word hard Zeke began to think dirty thoughts, but then immediately dismissed them. "I am already late for practice. I have got run." Zeke said as he began to walk away. Ryan felt a little crushed at Zeke's fast exit. He thought they had shared a moment.
Later that day Zeke was walking to Sharpay's house for a study date. When he arrived Ryan answered the door. "Are you looking for Sharpay?" Ryan asked. "Yes is she here?" Zeke said. "She rushed off to an audition. You know how she is. Your dating her aren't you." Ryan bitterly spat. Taken aback by the ferocity of Ryan's response "We aren't really dating. But tomorrow I have a test in pre-calculus and Sharpay was meant to help me. Do you think you could help me? I am failing already and if I do bad I wont be able to play basket ball." "I guess I could help you. I am in calculus after all." Ryan said his heart softening at the boys pleads. "Wow Sharpay is only in pre-calculus. Why didn't I ask you before?" "Well why don't you come in." Ryan gestured for Zeke to enter. Ryan led Zeke up to his room. Ryan's room was covered in fedoras and cookbooks. "You like too cook?" "Well I am not very good. I would like to improve. I could defiantly use a teacher." Ryan admitted. "Can I tell you something not a lot of people know about me?" "Of course." Ryan eagerly said. "I love to bake I might even say its my passion." Zeke whispered like he was afraid of being over heard. "How able we make a deal. I will help you out with math during the week and you can help me with baking on the weekends." "It's a deal." Zeke said reaching out his hand. They shook hands, palms touching, sharing a smile.