Chapter 2
A Holiday to Remember
Thirty minutes later found Sharpay and Ryan speeding down the road in Sharpay's pink convertible.
"Shar, can you please slow down? You're gonna kill us before we even get to the freaking mall!" Ryan nearly shouted.
"Sorry, dear brother, but if you hadn't taken that extra ten minutes in front of the bathroom mirror, I would have no need to drive like this." She spoke calmly.
Ryan only gripped the door handle tighter.
"But Sharpay, I couldn't find the right hat to go with my new outfit. I couldn't wear one I just wore the other day."
Instead of responding, Sharpay kept her eyes on the road and continued on her way.
Ten minutes later Sharpay was pulling her car into the closest parking space she could find.
"See, Ry, we made it in perfect condition. No need to freak out."
Looking over to Ryan, Sharpay could only laugh. Ryan's face was as white as a ghost, his hat sat unevenly on his head and his eyes were the size of half dollars.
Laughing at her brother once more, Sharpay got out of the car and started making her way into the mall. They were meeting Troy, Gabriella, Taylor, Chad and Kelsi in less then five minutes to draw names for the secret Santa they had decided to do.
Running to catch up with his sister, Ryan was nearly out of breath.
"Shar..pay...slow..down, please!" She stopped almost immediately, causing Ryan to crash into her back.
"Ryan, are you going to be like this all night?"
"Like what, Shar?" Ryan huffed as he regained his balance. Fixing his jacket and hat he continued on his way, this time leaving Sharpay behind him.
Ryan could hear the clip-clap of Sharpay's shoes telling him she was closing in on him.
"All nervous like. You know, its not very becoming of you."
"Nervous? I'm not nervous. What give you the idea that I am?" Ryan asked her even though he already knew what she was about to say.
"Nervous about seeing Chad. Good Lord, you'd think by now you'd be used to seeing him. I mean, it's the same thing every day. Wake up, get dressed, got see Chad, spend ALL day long with Chad, come home, tell me about your day with Chad, get ready for bed, go to sleep and I can almost bet you dream about him. Now, I ask, am I right?" She smiled at him, knowing she was.
"I'm sorry Sharpay."
"Ryan, dear, there's nothing to be sorry for. There's also nothing to be nervous about. You and he are friends now. What's there to worry about?"
"..." Sharpay knew Ryan had spoke, but there was no way someone would have been able to hear what he had said.
"Ryan, please speak up, I can't hear you."
"I said, 'you know why I get nervous. Don't make me say it again.'"
Neither twin said another word as they walked through the mall, looking for their friends. After only five more minutes Sharpay spotted Troy standing off by some type of clothing store, Ryan wasn't sure what type it was.
Taking off in a slow but steady run, Sharpay jumped into Troy's arms when she reached him. Catching her and swinging her around, Troy pulled his girlfriend down into a very passionate kiss.
"Ok, guys, as much as I can that you are both enjoying yourselves, please stop. People are starting to watch."
Laughing, Troy pulled away from Sharpay, causing her to moan. Ryan wasn't sure if it was a good or bad moan.
"Sorry, Ry. I just can't seem to help myself when it comes to your sister." He placed his arm on her shoulder and pulled her close.
Rolling his eyes, Ryan walked over to a nearby bench and sat down. He was followed by Troy not long after.
"Hey man. Want some company?"
"Sure. You finally pull yourself away from Sharpay?"
"Ha, yeah. I pointed her in the direction the girls went and she ran off to join them. I am in no mood to watch them shop."
"Yeah, same here." Ryan wanted to ask where Chad was, but was afraid Troy would get the wrong idea.
"Oh, by the way, Chad asked me to let you know that he won't be able to make it tonight. Something came up."
"Oh." Was all Ryan said.
"Yeah. Hey, listen Ryan, can I ask you something? I mean, if you don't want to talk about it, that's cool. I've just been wondering something for a while now."
Not sure what Troy could want to talk to him about, he agreed.
"Sure, Troy. We're friends now and friends talk about things."
"Oh, good, I'm glad you feel that way. So, do you like Chad?"
It was out of Troy mouth so fast, Ryan wasn't sure if he had heard him correctly.
"Ex..excuse me?"
"Chad. You know..Chad, big hair, dark skin, great on the basketball court? Do you like him?"
"Why...why would you ask me that?"
Troy rolled his eyes.
"Cause man, I've seen the way you look at him. Now, I'm going to ask one more time. Do...you...like...Chad?"
"Um, define 'like'?"
"My God, Sharpay was right! You are so difficult! Why can't you just answer the question? Its not that hard."
"You and my sister have been talking about me behind my back?" Ryan wasn't exactly sure if he should be angry or ok with this. For now, he was going with anger.
"Dude, of course. You're all your sister talks about. Didn't you know that?"
Ryan was speechless for a minute. The anger slowly faded.
"She does?"
"Ryan, you are her brother and she loves you. She and me for that matter, we just want you to be happy. Now, please, just answer my question."
"Yes."
Troy jumped up from his seat.
"Ha! Yes, I knew it!"
"You did?"
"Ry, you look at Chad the same way I look at your sister. Anyone who knows what they are looking for can see it. You're in love with him, aren't you?'" Troy's voice softened, much like Sharpay's had done the night of the staff pool party.
"Yeah, I am. And no one else knows that, so please don't say anything."
"You can trust me. I won't say anything."
For the next few minutes neither boy spoke.
"So, uh, do you know why Chad couldn't make it?"
Turning to look at Ryan, Troy smiled.
"No. All I know is I got a call like five minutes before I was supposed to pick him up. He said something important had come up and he couldn't make it. He wanted me to make sure I told you he was sorry he couldn't make it."
"Oh. That's kind of weird, isn't it? I mean, have you noticed lately how he hasn't been around as much as he usually is?"
"Yeah, now that you mention it, he hasn't been around as much. That's totally not like him. I wonder what's going on."
Again the boys slipped into silence. After thinking about it for another minute, Ryan pulled out his cell and dialed Chad's number.
He waited and waited. Finally after seven rings, Chad answered, almost sounding out of breath.
"He..hello?"
"Hey, Chad. Its Ryan."
"Oh, hey Ryan. Something wrong?"
"Uh, no. I was just calling to see if something was wrong with you."
"No, why would there be?"
"Oh, um, no reason. Anyway, I just wanted to call and say hello."
"Oh, hey then. Um, is there anything else you needed?"
"No, Chad. Nothing else."
"Ok then. C-ya." And without giving Ryan time to respond, Chad had disconnected the line. Ryan could only stare at his cell phone in disbelief. He looked over to Troy who also had a strange look on his face.
"Dude, did he just hang up on you?"
"Yeah, Troy, he did." Ryan closed his cell phone and placed it in his pocket.
"Something's not right, Troy. Chad has never been that short with me before. Something is defiantly not right."
"I'm starting to see that. But what can we do?"
"I don't know. Give me time. I'll figure something out."
Before either could say another word, Sharpay, Gabi, Taylor and Kelsi came running up to them. All four girls were loaded down with shopping bags.
Both Troy and Ryan groaned, knowing they would have to carry most of them.
A/N: Chapter 2 done. I hope everyone reading liked it. I know not much happened but give it time, I'm trying to build it up. As always, reviews are welcome. I'll have more up soon. Until next time, Tootles:)
