Chapter 1 – Alone
Out of all the classes East High offered, gym was definitely Ryan Evans least favorite. Something about getting sweaty and smelly didn't sit right with him. It was also the only class Ryan was not by his twin sister's side, seeing as boys and girls were in separate gyms. Sharpay was lucky, she had other friends besides Ryan like Gabriella. Unfortunately the guys in school didn't particularly like Ryan and his lack of masculinity. There was also one other part of gym class the drama king disliked, the locker room.
Ryan always made sure he was the first one in and the first one out of the locker room. He didn't like to be there when the other guys were present. Their constant name calling became too much for him to handle. Things seemed to be going decently for a few weeks. Ryan was in the locker room before the bell rang, and was out in the gym before any other of the guys arrived. When the boys were released from the gym, instead of socializing, Ryan ran to the locker room, changed, and was on his was before the bell sounded. His schedule was then interrupted by one thing, new state legislature requiring students to shower after physical activity to promote hygiene.
Coach Bolton delivered the news after one very uneventful class. Starting tomorrow, the boys would have to shower before leaving the locker room. Ryan's stomach plummeted inside of him. A large knot formed in the back of his throat.
The next day came much quicker than Ryan would have hoped. Before he knew it, gym was over and he trudged into the now crowded locker room. He was surrounded by his peers in various states of undress.
"Be calm, keeps your eyes dead ahead and mind your own business. They can't call you names if you don't give them a reason to", Ryan said to himself.
He did have to admit that it was nice to not have to spend the rest of the day gross from forty minutes of physical hell. The hot water felt good against his sweaty skin, and he quickly washed himself and shampooed his hair using the toiletries he had brought from home. Ryan lost track of time, letting the pulsating water relax him and soothe his nerves. Before he knew it, he was the only one left in the shower.
"Shit. I'm going to be so late", were the words that escaped his mouth as he stepped out of the steamy shower room. Bolting to his clothes on the bench, Ryan realized that he was not alone. Standing there in front of him was the most popular student in all of East High, the play-maker himself, Troy Bolton.
"Going somewhere Evans?"
"Umm ... I'm running really late. I'll be out of here in a second"
"There will be no need for that." And with those words, Troy removed his towel exposing his defined body, chiseled from the many hours of working out and playing basketball. Ryan gasped in a combination of fear and awe as his body became rigid and petrified. The play-maker stepped toward the drama king. Troy removed Ryan's towel and shoved him up against the wall with enough force to make him let out a small yelp.
"You are going to do everything I say. If you refuse or scream I will cause you so much physical pain you would have wished you just listened. Understand?"
A small whimper was the only thing to escape Ryan's mouth.
