Chapter 2 – Ryan

Shutting over his bedroom door, Ryan fell down onto his bed. The whole school had been talking about Kate's return – and about weather of not her and Troy would get back together. He hoped not…just hearing that she would be returning sent all the feelings of his childhood crush rushing back to him. To have to see her wandering around with Troy again…

He hadn't seen Kate in almost a year but he could remember how beautiful she was. Long blonde hair, similar to his sisters, but really straight. Dark emerald eyes, that always seemed to be thinking…or daydreaming. But the thing he loved most about her was how sweet she was. It was true about opposites attracting when it came to Kate and Sharpay. Even back then, Sharpay's dress sense had been quite out-going to put it nicely. Kate choosing more conservative outfits, cute and preppy. But Kate had always known how to keep his sister in line.

Jealously he thought back to the last time she had been over. The whole night she had spent asking Ryan about Troy. She couldn't ask Sharpay, who would probably laugh at her feeble attempt to find out about an ex-boyfriend. She would tell her to get a grip and move on. Ryan, on the other hand, through gritted teeth told her all about Troy's lack of moving on. The little green demon raged inside him when he saw Kate's reaction of pity and longing.

However, that was then, and now Troy was with Gabriella. Ryan wondered if Sharpay had told her about that little relationship. Probably, he thought, Sharpay wouldn't be able to resist bitching about the only person to have beaten her out of a role. Sitting up on his bed, he noticed his pc screen flashing. 'Troy-Bolton88 wishes to add you as a friend', was displayed. Crossing the room, he clicked the yes box. Instantly a message presented itself on the screen. 'Is it true…about what Sharpay said?' Troy asked. Ryan took in a deep breath, his hand hovering above the keyboard. He couldn't exactly lie – she was coming and if Ryan said no he would look stupid. He turned the tables instead.

"How is Gabriella taking the news?", Ryan muttered while typing. 'Um…I haven't told her yet…about Kate and I dating', was the reply he received. Perfect, Ryan thought, he's feeling guilty – and that will make Gabriella suspicious. And I'm going to make sure I exploit it as much as possible. Ryan liked Gabriella – he really did, but this wasn't about her. I t was about her boyfriend."Good move", Ryan typed back, "Why bother to tell her about something that happened in the past". 'Thanks man. I got to go – see you at school tomorrow', Troy typed and signed off.

Ryan opened a file on his computer full of photos from last summer. His favourite one was him and Kate, sitting by the pool at the country club. She really looked beautiful in it. Her skin was tanned golden brown, like she had spent the whole time at the beach. Sharpay was getting her hair done for the talent contest, so it had just been her and Ryan. He had never told anyone this – but that night she and Ryan had almost kissed…until she remembered she had a boyfriend who was conveniently hanging with his wildcat team mates. Just thinking about it made Ryan turned on. Feeling his dick grow hard he slowly unzipped his pants. He popped open the button and pulled the top of his boxers down. Reaching down he slowly began to rub, letting out a moan of pleasure at the relief it gave him.

Knocking on his door made Ryan jump. "Hey Ry? You in there", Sharpay's voice screeched through the wood. Just as the door started to open, Ryan rushed to pull up his pants, just getting the zip closed as Sharpay walked into the room. His face was bright red and he was breathing heavily. "You haven't been looking at porn again, have you?" she asked, a grin spread across her face. Ryan pouted,

"It was that one time OK!". Sharpay's laugh ringed in his ear as he turned around to look at her. "What do you want?".

"I need your help", she started. Wandering about the room, she picked up various pictures and placed them back down. "I've been taking to Kate", hearing this made Ryan's heart jump into his throat, "and she agrees with me about the whole Troy and Gabriella thing". Ryan frowned, not quite understanding his sister.

"What whole Troy and Gabriella thing?" he asked. Clearly his sister had learned nothing from the summer vacation. After another feeble attempt at breaking them up so Sharpay could have Troy to herself, they were now closer than ever. "Troy made it pretty obvious that he doesn't want to be with you…so what are you going to do this time?". Sharpay laughed again, but the smile never made it to her eyes.

"Poor Ryan…Poor naïve little Ryan. I don't want Troy, trust me. But this isn't about who goes out with them. I just want to make them both feel the way I did – humiliated and lonely". Sharpay stood with her back to Ryan, who could sense something was wrong. Crossing the room to where his sister was, he wrapped his arms around her.

"Hey what's wrong", he asked, pulling her into him. She looked up at him lovingly, her clear blue eyes swimming with tears. Sharpay pushed tightly into him, her leg in between his, pushing up on his dick. His eyes bulged, trying not to make a sound, trying not to moan. He hoped his sister wouldn't notice – or that she hadn't already.

"They really hurt me Ryan, you too. Were supposed to be family and you turned your back on me to help them", she said, real tears starting to flow from her face, "You know I could never do anything without you. You're my brother and I love you". Ryan knew he shouldn't fall for it but it was hard not to when your sister was crying on your shoulder.

"OK, what is the plan", he said regretting it instantly as Sharpay pulled away from him, her tears disappearing instantly. Grabbing her brothers' arm, she pulled him across the hall to her room. Ryan almost laughed at what he saw – an A5 white board with steps on how to break Troy and Gabriella up, and they all started with… "Does Kate know that she's involved in this plan?". Sharpay smiled.

"Sweetie, Kate came up with the plan", she said pointing to her cell phone. "So first thing is first – we make a huge deal out of her coming back. I've already convinced Mommy and Daddy to let us throw a party next weekend. They of course will be out of town", she smiled, "Step two – keep Troy and Gabriella apart all night- ".

"How are we supposed to do that", Ryan cut in across her. Sharpay turned on her brother.

"That is where you come in. Kate will be busy with Troy all night. And you dear brother, will be with Gabriella". Ryan's mouth dropped open at this statement, and he started to protest. "Not another word", Sharpay started, "I seen the way you were around her all summer. You obviously like her and she didn't exactly avoid you". Ryan didn't know what to say – sure he liked hanging out with Gabriella and she was kind of cute, but she was also really nice. Plus this plan pushed Kate right into Troy's arms, the one thing he wanted to avoid at all costs.

"I don't know Sharpay", Ryan said, "It doesn't sound too fool proof. And what makes you think that it will work? Can't you just let the past go and be happy for them". Ryan was grasping at straws now. Anything to change the plan. "Why can't you be the one to distract Troy all night?". Sharpay looked at him menacingly.

"Because Kate and Troy have a past. It will be easier this way. Plus I don't plan to humiliate myself again with Troy Bolton. There's only so much a girl can take", she said, flicking her hair out of her eyes. "Look you can't back out of the plan now, you already agreed to it. Plus it would really disappoint Kate", she said. Ryan looked sharply up at her.

"What – why would I care…about…her, and what…she thinks", Ryan stuttered. Smooth, he thought to himself, now she's really not going to suspect anything. He was so annoying with himself it was all he could do not to hit himself over the head.

Sharpay's smile widened, her voice turned soft. "Please, like it's any big secret that you like Kate. I always thought the crush was kind of cute", her tone grew serious, "but I will not let it get in the way of the plan. So take more cold showers and if you do decide to relieve any tension", she paused, looking down at the lump that was still in his trousers, "focus on Gabriella". As Sharpay turned her back on Ryan, who took it as dismissal and left her room, he sighed deeply, his face still burning. Just because Sharpay noticed didn't mean anyone else did. Obviously Troy didn't, else he wouldn't have talked to him tonight…or maybe he did know and was just trying to find out if he still liked her. Now he would have to face them all tomorrow…

Taking his sisters advice, he went in for a cold shower, trying to think about Gabriella, instead of Kate, hoping that the bulge in his pants would go down soon.