"Um," Ryan frowned, "I'm not sure what to say."
"Well? Either you are or you aren't," Luke said, placing his hands firmly on his hips. "You shouldn't tease people like this."
"What do you mean? Have I been doing anything?"
"Oh come on, Ryan. Every time you want to get something, you flirt it out of someone, guy or girl. Are you bi?"
"No." He paused. "Well—"
"Well what?"
"I…I've never really thought about it."
"Well, which way do you swing?"
"I only swing with the punches," he joked lamely.
"Really? Then you better expect some. That is, if you don't charm your way out of them. Flirt," Luke scoffed, turning his back on him.
Ryan stayed with his own thoughts. Did he really flirt his way out of everything, no matter which sex? That sounded more like Sharpay…
"I swing with the punches," he muttered to himself, letting the realization echo in his mind like the sound of heels clicking across the floor. Wait—those were—
"Ry?" Sharpay asked, vaguely concerned. "We need to practice the costume change."
"Hey, Shar? Would you say that I roll with the punches?" he asked.
She smirked. "Only if I'm throwing them. Now get a move on," she snapped, pushing him towards the dressing room.
He stumbled at first, but soon fell comfortably into the give-and-take with his twin sister. Of course she completely loved picking out his costumes, even going so far to make sure they sort of coordinated backstage, just like the old days. She'd send the other girls scurrying for more water, more pillows, more everything. It was like she was living through him, and in a sense she was. It gave her a sense of control to rip the scarf from his neck, pry the shirt from his body, and throw on a coat that she'd doused in her perfume. His pants didn't need changing at all. She wasn't sure if she liked that. Outfits should involve pants too! Then again, she'd noticed Luke trying to catch a glimpse across the stage whenever Ryan was shirtless, even for a moment. Some of the girls did too. After all, he was a dancer. Those muscles had to be used for something.
"Great job, Ry!" one of his admirers grinned.
"Aw, thanks! You too," he said, blowing them a kiss as he headed over to his sister.
"What was that?" she said.
"Just giving love to the fans," he shrugged, still giving her his winning smile.
"Well stop it. Nobody likes a show-off."
Ryan stared at her.
"What?" she snapped.
He shrugged, walking away.
Folding her arms across her chest, Sharpay made sure every girl and guy in the chorus knew where his loyalties lied.
