Okay, first of all, I want to thank everyone who reviewed the first part of this story. I've never gotten such a positive response to anything I've written. So, basically, I've been smiling non-stop for the past week. I was sort of toying with the idea of writing more, and with the response I got, I felt I just had to write more. Now that this one is posted, I plan on writing one more. And, now, what you've all been waiting for: the story!
I Should Tell You
He had been planning this night for a long time. He was finally going to work up the courage to tell her. Even though he still wasn't sure exactly how he was going to tell her.
'Hey, Gabi. Did you like the show? Really? Oh, well, I had lots of fun doing it. Our cast was really close, and I think we worked well together. And…I'm in love with you. Did you like the part where…' Maybe she wouldn't even notice. …Sure, Ryan, keep telling yourself that.
'Hey, Gabi…You wanna make out?' …Yea, right, that would work out real well. I'd be more likely to get a slap for that one, than to get a kiss.
He was brought back to reality by the director yelling "Five minutes 'til curtain!" Ryan swore. He was in the first scene, and he wasn't even in costume yet.
'Oh, well,' he thought, as he quickly threw on his costume. 'I guess I'll just have to wing it.'
By the time the show was over, he still hadn't come up with anything. It had been all he could think about. He had spent the entire intermission trying to figure out what to say.
He had even asked everyone that was backstage.
One guy had said, "You're not gay?" And then he had laughed and said, "Hey, good one, man, I thought you were serious there for a minute." It was people like that guy that made him hate people in general.
One guy had agreed with his 'Wanna make out?' plan, which made him ditch the idea all together.
Two people told him to tell her in a letter, preferably of the romantic kind, including lots of rhyming prose.
One girl had told him that she would never tell a boy that she liked him. She would be much too shy. But, she would absolutely love it if a boy told her that he liked her. And then she walked away, which was totally unhelpful. He was pretty sure her name was Gabriella…a very odd coincidence.
Three people told him to tell her straight out. And, apparently, the plan would work best if followed directly by a kiss.
Two others told him to make her jealous. Both guys, of course.
And almost all the girls had said, 'That's so cute and romantic! I wish my boyfriend had done that!' …that was another reason he didn't like people in general.
And then, with absolutely no options left, he had called his sister. He had regretted calling her the moment after she picked up the phone.
"RYAN! How are you doing? I've missed you so much little bro! We just have to get together and do lunch sometime!"
"Yea, right. Listen, Shar, I have a problem-"
"Oh, Ry, I'm so sorry, but I just don't have time to talk right now! See, I broke a nail-traumatic, I know-about an hour ago, and I have an emergency nail appointment scheduled. Must dash! Talk to you later!"
"But, Sharpay!" But it was too late. She had already hung up.
So, having gotten no helpful advice whatsoever, he tried to think it through some more.
'But, really, how are you supposed to tell a girl that you're in love with her? That you've been in love with her since high school? That you've loved her for nearly four years and never said anything? That you loved her even back when she had a boyfriend?' he thought.
He had tried, before, to tell her. But he had always chickened out at the last minute, or whatever he had tried to say hadn't come out right. And he had tried to show her, too, by always being there for her whenever she needed him. But she just thought of him as a really good friend.
In the end, he just decided that he'd tell her, straight out. Tonight…hopefully.
He tried to be subtle about it, but he was constantly scanning the lobby for her. He was more nervous than he'd ever been, but he was determined that this time, he would just tell her. No questions asked, no second guessing himself.
He spotted her as soon as she came into the room, and although he didn't let it show, his heart sped up to nearly twice its normal tempo.
By the time she reached him, he was fighting to keep his usual, calm grin on his face.
"Hey, Gabi," he said. 'Keep calm. Don't let her know how freaked you are. Just act natural.' "Did you like the show?"
And then she kissed him. Just out of the blue, completely unexpected. 'Wow,' he thought. 'I guess I am pretty good at winging it.' He smiled a little. 'Or maybe she just finally realized how much she means to me.'
"Ooo! Hey Ryan, who's your girlfriend?" Someone was talking to him. He was pretty sure it was one of his friends. But at the moment, he didn't really care who was watching, or what they thought about it.
And really, it was such a seventh grade reaction. But, somehow, it made him smile.
Points to anyone who knows where the chapter title came from. If you liked it, tell me what you think. And if you didn't like it, tell me what you think. All reviews are apprieciated. Thanks for reading!
