Title: Talent

Author: omfg_yaoi_squee

Fandom: HSM

Pairing: Chad/Ryan

Rating: PG

Warnings: eventual slash, use of ballet terms

Beta: None, all mistakes belong to moi

Summary: It's East High's annual talent show and Sharpay wants to sing with Troy…..duh

Disclaimer: High School Musical and all related characters are, unfortunately, not mine

3/5

A/N: Sorry it's been so long! I've had tendonitis for the past few weeks, but here, finally, is chapter three.

Chapter 3 – in which a decision is made

"You're what!"

Ryan stood centre stage with Sharpay, his face ore and angry frown. Chad watched intently from his usual place in the wings.

"Are you deaf, Ryan? I'm singing in the talent show with Troy," Sharpay repeated, hands on her hips.

"But what about me?" Ryan asked forlornly, "what about my dance?"

"What about it?"

"I can't do it alone!" Ryan replied.

"So don't do it at all!" Sharpay told him, "We knew that I was going to win the award anyway."

Ryan's anger had disappeared and he now looked on the verge of tears.

"But—,"

"I have to go rehearse," Sharpay interrupted, striding off the stage. Ryan watched her go sadly then plopped down onto the ground cross-legged and buried his face in his hands. Chad, still watching from the wings, stared at the blonde for a moment then, making an impulsive decision, stepped onto the stage. Ryan looked up hopefully at the sound of footsteps, but his face fell when he saw that it was only Chad.

"What do you want?" Ryan mumbled, wiping an escaped tear off of his pale cheek.

"I couldn't help but overhear," Chad offered lamely.

"Who didn't overhear?" Ryan said quietly, looking down at his hands.

"Good point. Look, why are you so down about this? You're a better dancer than Sharpay. You don't need her,"

"Yes I do, it's a duet,"

"Oh," Chad sighed, "I'm sure you'll find a new partner for the show."

Chad could almost see the light bulb go off over Ryan's head.

"Hey, Danforth,"

Chad balked and took a step back.

"Whoa there, Evans, I've told you before that I don't dance,"

Ryan clambered to his feet, eyes shining as he looked Chad over.

"But you will," Ryan said with a decisive nod, "Come here."

He beckoned. Chad stayed put.

"I don't bite," Ryan assured with a soft smile. Cautiously, Chad approached. This wasn't what he had been aiming for.

"Stand next to me now. Good. Okay, so step back with your left leg, the other left, yes, now step with your right, okay, and bring your feet back together. Good! No, forward with right, step with the left, then bring your feet together. Perfect! Again! Back, step, together. Front, step, together. Back, oops other foot."

After a few minutes of such coaxing, the two were doing the step over and over again.

"Faster!" Ryan called joyously. And now they were counting together.

"One two three AND one two three AND!"

When Chad messed up a step, they roared with laughter and, unable to continue, collapsed onto the floor. When they laughter finally subsided, Ryan grinned.

"See?"

Chad grinned back widely.

"What a rush! Now I see why you love doing this!"

Ryan laughed.

"So," the thespian said, crossing his legs, "will you dance with me in the talent show?"

"You know what," Chad told him, "I think I will."

"Excellent!"

They sat there grinning at each other.

A/N: Sorry it's so short! Review please? I can haz give you a cookie?