Grade 8
All the jocks were dating cheerleaders now. It was kind of funny, seeing them paired off one by one. Sharpay didn't understand how funny it was, though. Ryan guessed that she still liked Troy, even though she said she didn't anymore.
The only jock who hadn't gotten a girlfriend was Chad, and Ryan found that interesting. He couldn't figure out why. In Ryan's mind, Chad was the cutest of any jocks (and anyone in the school, really), and he had a good sense of humor, and he was pretty friendly, even to people like Sharpay and Ryan. But he didn't have a cheerleader to kiss in the hallway. And Ryan wanted to know why.
So he asked Jason, who he'd always gotten along with. Jason said no one was good enough for Chad, that Chad was really picky and couldn't find anyone with all the qualities he wanted in a girlfriend—a good dresser, funny, cute, considerate, smart, the list went on. Ryan thought he was probably most of those things. But he didn't tell Jason that. So far, no one knew he was gay. And he didn't want anyone to know, either.
The whole year, Chad never ended up dating anyone. He danced with a couple girls at the spring dance, but he didn't look like he cared very much about it. Ryan did the same thing. He didn't know why, but there were girls with crushes on him, too. It scared him a little. If they ever asked him out, did he have to tell them the truth? But no one had yet, and that was lucky.
Once, he and Chad ended up at the punch bowl at the same time.
"This is nice," Ryan said lamely. He ladled them both some punch.
"Thanks." Chad took a cup from Ryan, and their fingertips brushed. Ryan tried not to gasp. "Not really, though. I'm sick of people thinking I don't like girls. I do. I just ... don't like anyone here. That's all." Chad looked at Ryan, an embarrassed expression on his face. "Sorry. Didn't mean to dump on you."
"That's fine. I know what you mean."
They smiled at each other and went back to their separate cliques. Ryan had some new questions, but he knew he wouldn't get to ask them.