Disclaimer : I still don't own HSM or Fame .

Dinner at the club consisted of entertaining Vance Evans business partner and wife , exchanging witty stories of the past, as well as listening to Sharpay in full on Daddy's Girl mode making Ryan feeling very, very bored . It was also weird to have Chad serve him his dinner .

He could only listen to his Dad's old college stories for so long before he felt like making his escape which Ryan couldn't unless he wanted to embarrass his father . That wouldn't go over well with either of his parents which meant he was basically stuck at this damn table .

Ryan sipped at his French soda allowing his eyes to wonder to the baby grand piano where Kelsi played a medley of easy listening songs but judging by the expression on her pretty face, Ryan figured she must be as bored as he was at this moment . He did happen to notice that Kelsi had changed out of her outfit from earlier into more dressy outfit , a short dark blue wrap around dress paired with black and white flats. A patterned scarf was tied around her short walnut colored curls and he found himself immediately drawn to her .

Had Kelsi always been this pretty or had he been just blind to her ?

He had been sort of self involved in the theatre and in making sure that he passed his math class last year , not to mention helping his sister with her machinations . Shar was his big sister, his twin, and he had always looked up to her but lately , everything felt as if it were changing .

As if he was in need of a change for himself but then he thought of the Star Dazzle Awards bringing on his own longing to win one for his own talent . He and Sharpay had revised the very old Huma Huma mermaid number with flash and extra ooomp to make it more current than the old 1930's movie that they had taken it from in the first place .

It was a fun, cheeky dance number even though he was once again playing second fiddle to his sister . Not to mention a prince – maybe they should start creating new material more suitable to siblings than what they were using . That might be about as unlikely as convincing Sharpay that she didn't need the key amped up on every single song she wanted to sing .

' Ryan, you are awfully quiet ,' spoke up Derby astute enough to notice that her sons attention was focused on the lovely pianist which was quite new ,' is your soda not to your liking ? '

' Ah, no, it's fine ,' said Ryan, coming out of his reverie ,' I was just thinking how we should set out a tip jar for Kelsi because she's been playing for what, two hours now ? I know it's not really a socially acceptable thing but it's no different when guests tip waiters and the pool staff '

Derby laid a hand on his arm as she considered his idea .' This is true . She played nearly all of the requests at my luncheon the other day and should be rewarded for her talent. I'll speak to her myself after dinner is over then I will have Mr .Fulton arrange to have a glass put out for her for such things '

Ryan gave her a pleased smile .' Great , Mom .'

' Good business sense , Duckie ,' clucked Derby, turning her attention back to her husband and the topic at hand ,' your Father will be proud of you'

Ryan had his doubts on his Dads thoughts on him but didn't want to argue the point . He also wondered if he could escape this incredibly dull dinner and make his way to the piano to speak with Kelsi . He felt as if they had some break through so that she couldn't possibly be angry at him if he spoke with her while she was working now .

He didn't want to take this chance right now but as it happened Mr. Fulton paused at their table to check in with them and Ryan gestured to speak with him while wine was debated by the adults at the table . This could go on and on .

'Yes, Mr. Evans , how may I help you ? '

' I would like a glass of iced tea sent to Kelsi right away ,' replied Ryan in low tones ,' she's been playing for hours and must be thirsty . I, uh, could deliver it to her myself …'

More teenage romance but this was surprising with Mr. Ryan who had always appeared aloof and disinterested in the flirtations from a few of the debutantes who had been making eyes at him last summer . The younger Evans was far less demanding than his sister so he didn't dread this request from him in the least .

' I will see to it myself , Mr. Ryan '

Ryan stole another glance towards Kelsi .' You can tell her it's from me '

' Very well ' Fulton scurried back to the drink station in the kitchen before Sharpay found another reason to pull him in on her schemes this evening thus giving him yet another bleeding ulcer . If her parents, his employeers , weren't such fair bosses, he would go back to being a dang clerk in a law office in Roswell in a heartbeat and have less pain .

' Zeke, the Evans table needs three tiramusu and a chocolate mousse for your girlfriend ' called out Chad , grumbling under his breath as he entered the kitchen . It had been his luck that he had gotten the Evans table this evening and he hoped they tipped well because they were a pain ,' Thank God they want wine and I get a flipping break soon '

Zeke plated the desserts then worked on Sharpay's dish of mousse adding a delicate raspberry to top it off. He would win her over eventually even if it took all summer or if he ever got a break from the promise land that was this kitchen .

' I could help you deliver them, man '

' Yes, Zeke,' Fulton turned as all of the young people went still at his presence ,' relieve Jason on refilling the drinks , if you will. ' He blew out a tired breath and handed the young man the cold iced tea,' however first you will deliver this drink to Miss. Nielsen and be sure to inform her it is compliments of Ryan Evans . '

' I need some air '

While Fulton stepped away to the front desk for an Tums break , Zeke stared at the glass of tea the man had given him then shared wide grins with the rest of his friends.

' Ryan is buying Kelsi a drink now '

Chad fixed him with a sour look .' It isn't the smoothiest move but I doubt Evans has much game at all . It's probably nothing , guys , because they were fighting the other day since he was pretty much a jerk to her'

Martha rolled her eyes as she prepared the coffee .' You guys are such guys and know nothing . Obviously this is a sign that Ryan is thinking about her and its awfully sweet '

Chad tried balancing the tray of dessert but shook his head at Martha.' I've heard Kelsi call him a rat dozens of time so I think your nuts, Martha '

' Taylor calls you names all of the time but that doesn't mean she isn't dating you , Chad '

Chad shot her an annoyed look .' Leave me and Taylor out of this , please '

Martha just grinned .' Just pointing out the obvious '

Zeke removed his apron , wiped the condensation off of the iced tea glass , then straightening his posture walked out to the main dining room where Kelsi had switched to some classical music that he couldn't identify if he tried . He took stock of all of the members and guests, the fancy clothes, the glow of the candlelight on the tables, as he searched for the object of his affection .

There Sharpay was at the family table just lighting the whole room up with her presence , her blonde hair half up, half down, her dress a glittery gold sheath, and Zeke thought she was just spectacular . She was like a beautiful goddess in gold .

He tried to catch her eye but Sharpay seemed to be focused on Troy, again , who appeared to be joining the whole Evans clan at the table for some chit chat . He looked a little uncomfortable but that might be because Sharpay was gushing all over him .

That spelled trouble anyway you wanted to look at it but surely Bolton could handle it .

Zeke tried to push down the sting of jealousy that he felt though he had no right .

' Hey Kelsi ,' Zeke placed a napkin on the top of the baby grand then sat the iced tea on it ,' how is it going out here for you ? '

Kelsi managed a small smile . ' Trying not to put myself to sleep and oh, you brought me a drink . Thanks so much , Zeke , I am dying of thirst here '

' Not from me . Ryan sent it over for you '

Color suffused Kelsi's cheeks as she glanced towards the Evans table , his sea glass eyes collided with her own as Ryan gave her a ridiculous little wave and a sheepish smile as another little ping went through the composers system .

She took a quick sip then slid back into the Bach before the natives grew restless on her and with this crowd, Kelsi wasn't entirely sure what would happen or if Mr. Fulton wouldn't fire her on the spot . Or if she should let Ryan try to charm her like he was doing or if that wasn't a horrible idea in the first place . It wasn't as if they had anything in common .

Kelsi didn't want to be a summer fling for anyone , let alone Ryan Evans .

' Your awfully quiet , Kelsi '

' Working , Zeke, but thanks '

' Yeah, yeah , I know ,' replied a thoughtful Zeke , staring once more at Sharpay with a wistful expression on his face,' I've got to refill glasses but you know , it isn't so bad that Ryan actually noticed you, my friend . I'd give anything for sister to actually see me …'

Feeling sorry for her friends crush not being reciprocated , Kelsi continued playing but found her gaze returning time again to connect with Ryan calling herself out of her mind for considering the possibility of them together .

*****************************************Summer **************************

Ryan couldn't sleep in , the morning sun slanting in through the blinds in his room so he woke , showered and changed into white linen shorts and a red and white polo shirt intent on heading up to the dining room to snag from breakfast and maybe catch Kelsi before she started her shift this morning . If he had looked into her schedule it was because he was interested ….might as well not lie to himself, he had found out her schedule so that he could find time to get to know her better .

He wasn't some creepy stalker guy , he just didn't know how to get Kelsi to take him seriously .

They didn't have a problem talking one on one so Ryan intended to catch her alone as much as possible and hope for the best. Kelsi hadn't been pissed over him sending her tea so he took that as a good sign and was angling to work in a breakfast date if he could .

Ryan had begged off a morning spa outing with his mother and sister and his father was holed up in the office wheeling and dealing already which couldn't have been more perfect for him because they left him all alone .

Still plotting about how to approach Kelsi without using dumb pick up lines or acting like an idiot around her, Ryan stepped into the nearly empty dining room, stopping at the sounds of what could only be a goergous duet between Troy and Gabriella .

He poked his head around the corner quickly then the sudden panic hit him square in the chest because his and Shar's tired , old number wouldn't stand up against this powerful duet.

It would be almost like a repeat of the spring musical all over again.

Ryan paused to listen , could detect the faintest soft voice that belonged to Kelsi joining her voice with the couples . It was an incredible song and sure to win hands down the Star Dazzle Award without a doubt !

All rationale thought went out of his head as Ryan blocked out the conversation drifting from the others, his desire to win that award wiping everything out , feeling as if he didn't get a win this year, all would be lost to him .

He worked hard, dammit, he deserved a win !

If Troy and Gabriella sang this incredible duet, they would win, hands down and steal the show away from him and his sister !

He flipped open his phone, punching in Sharpay's cell, jaw tense as he informed her on this new development . It didn't occur to him that he was right out in the open .

' Sis, we have a problem ,' informed Ryan , all business ,' Kelsi wrote a new song but it isn't for us . If Troy and Gabriella sing it , it will turn into their own show instead of ours '

' Leave Troy to me , I'll take care of it '

' The song is incredible , Shar '

' Ryan '

Ryan hung up on his sister , turning around to find an indignant looking Kelsi staring at him, hurt mingling with the flash of anger in her eyes alerting him to the fact she must have overheard his conversation which was very, very bad.

' Kelsi , hi '

' That's it ? I was actually coming to thank you for the iced tea and now I find you, what, Ryan, spying on me for your sister ? Or did you plan this all on your own ? Be sweet to me so you could throw me off guard so that I could hand you over my latest song ? '

She had been in a good mood until she had found Ryan standing by the doorway , making no move to hide , scheming about her to his evil twin and Kelsi felt disheartened in that second as if she had been the fool all along . All of these stupid games is why she didn't date much .

Ryan dropped his phone , felt red rise to his face, embarrassed and ashamed all together .

' It isn't like that…' he tried then winced at the scowl Kelsi directed towards him ,' I mean, not exactly …..the Star Dazzle Award is complicated. I wasn't spying on you directly …..I'm messing this whole thing up because actually I just was coming to see you '

Kelsi crossed her arms across her chest, keeping her voice level and calm though she felt anything but those things . God, my judgment is horrible ! Letting herself be swayed by sea glass eyes and a silly , sweet gesture to put stars and hearts in my eyes .

' My songs are not available to you or your sister ,' answered Kelsi, coolly ,' you can save the lies and backpedaling for all those groupies that follow you two around because I don't want to hear it . You want to spend your whole summer at your sisters bidding and under her thumb , that is your prerogative .'

' I wont allow myself to be used by you, Ryan Evans , so you can just take all the charming smiles and the tea to another girl that isn't me because we're through here '

' I'm not , I wouldn't ….dammit, I'm sorry ! '

Unfortunatly , Ryan was talking to air as Kelsi had already left the building needing to walk off her feelings . She still had fifteen minutes before she started work and found herself poolside where Gabriella was refilling the towel bins and looking cute in her regulation red suit and light weight summer jacket . Her friend always appeared as if nothing ruffled her feathers.

' Hey Kelsi , I thought you were going to find Ryan '

Kelsi adjusted her frames on her bridge of her nose as she bit down on her lower lip .

She didn't want to be a part in the gossip but if she told Martha what had went down , the entire kitchen staff would know her business . It was bad enough that Kelsi was entertaining romantic thoughts about Ryan in the first place and now she was mortified .

' You could hold off on the violins, Gabi,' reassured Kelsi, a touch of bitterness in her tone ,' Ryan has his own agenda and I was just a pawn . That arrogant rat was spying on me ! He tried to deny it but I heard him ! It will be a cold day in hell before I write a song for Ryan Evans !

Gabriella tossed the towel in place then reached for Kelsi's arm, giving it a sympathetic squeeze .

' Not that I am surprised with the spying but I also think that maybe Ryan just does things without thinking about them first ,' suggested Gabriella , who had gotten to know Ryan a little better last year during math class . He wasn't as confident as he came across she had decided ,' he likes to please his sister, I think . You might give him another chance to explain and apologize'

' No,' dismissed Kelsi, fiddling with her long earring ,' it's better than I nip whatever this thing is in the bud before it even starts. Can you imagine me with Ryan in the first place ? '

Gabriella considered , carefully . Hadn't she had those very thoughts about herself and Troy last year ? It had been wondrous and confusing and painful but in the end , love won and she didn't regret it at all. She and Troy were blissfully happy together .

' I don't think it's so crazy, Kels, ' finished Gabriella ,' though it is a little bit crazy to end something that could be wonderful before its even had a chance to start . I truly believe that Ryan Evans is one of the good guys out there and those are rare'

Kelsi made disgruntled noises as she contemplated her friends advice . She knew that there was another side to Ryan , had seen it briefly a time or two, and waged a war with herself about her own attraction to the guy . Honestly , she was freaking losing her damn mind !

' Maybe but right now , Ryan is still the bully who doesn't care about me at all '