Routine
If nothing else, Ryan's pathetic cry made the whole experiment worth it. It wasn't that she liked seeing him look completely sad and dejected (though this was excellent payback for throwing her in the pool last week). But Ryan was funny when he was confused and the laughter from her friends told her she wasn't alone in that belief.
"I'm breaking routine," she said and sauntered around him, clutching her books to her chest as if they could strengthen her resolve.
"'Breaking routine'?" he demanded, following so close on her heels that she had to hurry to keep from being tripped.
"Yes," she said, stopping abruptly at her locker. "I'm trying something new … for the new year," she added.
"But," he leaned on the locker beside hers, shoving his puppy dog face almost directly in her line of sight. "Hats are our thing."
Her heart fluttered a bit at that but one look in his eyes told her he was still just her best friend. She flicked the brim of his fedora up. "Well, now they're your thing. You're unique, be happy."
He made some unintelligible noise and flopped around, leaning his back against the lockers and running a hand over his upturned face.
"Hey, Kelsi," Sharpay said, surprising them both with her friendly tone. "You know I'm really glad you dropped the whole hat thing."
Kelsi bit her lip as Ryan repeated his horrified expression from earlier.
"This opens up so many options," Sharpay added, fingering a lock of Kelsi's hair. "You should really let me do your hair."
"Thanks?" Kelsi said, trying to hide both her confusion and humor.
"Don't encourage her!" Ryan yelled so loudly that both girls (and half the hall) jumped.
Sharpay just rolled her eyes and walked away with a "Come on, Ryan."
Ryan looked between his sister and his friend. Finally, backing away from Kelsi and wagging a disapproving finger at her, he said, "This is not over."
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