AN: Thanks to those who are reading and reviewing, I really love feedback, and it's great to hear your opinions. Xx

Ryan had prepared himself for difficult, but this was hell.

He'd approached Chad the day after his talk with Sharpay, proposing that they forget about the kiss and try to be friends. Chad had agreed, but Ryan could see in his eyes that it was going to be just as difficult for the jock to forget as it would be for him.

A few days had passed, and Ryan was gradually fitting in to the group. He discovered that once you got past Gabriella's unnaturally cheery disposition she was actually a really nice girl. Troy wasn't all that bad either, if you ignored his habit of over reacting to just about everything. Ryan even found that he was slowly getting used to Jason's endless questions and Taylor was reducing the number of cutting remarks and icy stares she sent his way. He found that Zeke was in fact perfect for his sister, and he soon found that he got on extremely well with the baker and despite his awkward start with Kelsi, he actually realised that he got on with her the best, that he could spend entire lunchtimes with her, talking about music and listening to her gush about how cute he and Jake were.

But no matter how accepting his new group of friends were and how well he was getting on with his twin, even when he should be perfectly happy, it still killed him to see Chad kiss Taylor, even if it was obvious that his heart wasn't in it, and he was finding it increasingly difficult to agree with Gabriella when she grinned and giggled about how 'adorable' they were.

However, if Ryan was anything, he was a good actor. He prided himself in the ease in which he could mask his true emotions, and so he went on pretending like everything was perfect and that he didn't daydream of Chad putting his arms around him and not Taylor.

He didn't know what the hell he was doing or what he was thinking, but the following Monday, he found himself watching Chad shooting hoops in the gym hall. He'd finished going over the last few dances for the show in the auditorium and so, after packing up his things and switching off the lights, he stupidly thought it would be a good idea to go find Chad.

The boy was currently running around the gym, panting heavily as he practiced his technique, demonstrating his skills with the ease of a professional. Ryan felt guilty for watching him when Chad was completely unawares, so he threw caution to the wind and decided to announce his presence.

"Impressive, Danforth."

Chad stopped dead, visibly surprised by the other boy's comment.

"Um, thanks?"

He cleared his throat and for a few minutes it was painfully awkward, the only sound filling the large room that of the air conditioning unit. Ryan broke the uncomfortable silence.

"So, I've shown you my moves, how about you show me yours?"

Chad stood rooted to the spot confused for a moment as Ryan approached him, his footsteps falling lightly on the polished wooden flooring, before he realised he was in fact talking about dancing and basketball, respectively. All he could do was nod slowly as Ryan came to rest next to him and gestured to the ball in Chad's hands wordlessly.

"Well…?"

Chad quickly shook his head to clear it, and handed the ball to Ryan instructing him on how to hold it and aim it at the net. But as Ryan released the basketball, it was clear that he had no clue what he was doing. Without thinking, Chad took the ball and, placing it in the dancer's hands, stood behind him and put his arms in to position.

He was instantly reminded of the previous week in the auditorium, when Ryan led him through the steps of the latest routine, the electricity that flew through him at the feeling of having Ryan so close. He knew that the blond was feeling exactly how he felt because he could see goose bumps forming on his arms and the fine hairs on the back of his neck standing to attention as he quietly instructed the dancer on how to throw, his large hands covering the significantly smaller ones of the other boy.

He breathed in the scent of the dancer, his lightly fragranced shampoo and subtle aftershave filling his nostrils. He'd only ever paid attention to the way girls smelt before, his nose had become accustomed to Taylor's slightly overpowering floral perfume and her fruity shampoo, but then he supposed he'd never been so close to another guy before, never breathed them in, or closed his eyes to savour the scent, but he found himself thinking that he could get used to inhaling the scent of this boy, this boy who had completely changed his view of himself, made him realise thoughts that had always been buried at the back of his mind, with nothing more than a smirk and a single movement of his talented hips.

He soon realised that they had been standing in the same position for what must have been at least an entire minute, but as the tension crackled in the tiny space of air between them and their chests rose and fell erratically, Chad couldn't care about anything else but standing there in such close proximity to the blond.

"And then I just throw it?"

Chad was brought to his senses by Ryan's question and he nodded quickly, frantically trying to calm his breathing and hide his blush.

Ryan threw it and, to the surprise of both boys, shot a perfect hoop. He cheered enthusiastically and turned to Chad with a wide grin and a twinkle in his eye.

"I did it!"

Ryan's grin was infectious and Chad couldn't help but smile back at the radiant boy in front of him.

"Hey, if you can teach me to dance, I guess anything is be possible."

Once again, the air was thick with silence as they stood maintaining perfect eye contact in the vast gym hall. It didn't take long for Chad to look away from Ryan's challenging, subtly flirtatious glance. In an effort to kill yet another awkward silence, Ryan invited the sweaty jock back to his house, failing to contain his grin when Chad said yes. After agreeing to wait for Chad in his car, Ryan left the gym with a satisfied smile on his face.

About fifteen minutes later Chad was approaching him, freshly showered and smiling as he slid into the passenger seat of Ryan's car.

"So, I'm finally getting to see this mansion of yours."

Ryan chuckled and, after switching on the radio, drove out of the East High car park.

They barely talked for the entire twenty minute journey, the music from the radio helped in avoiding any long silences, but Chad found that he was growing more and more nervous as they drew closer to their destination. The sexual tension between Ryan and himself was obvious, not just to himself but to everyone in the school. He was certain even Jake was aware of their flirtation, but then he dismissed his suspicions, because even if the boy did smirk when he caught Chad staring at Ryan for longer than was appropriate, he was Ryan's boyfriend and surely if he thought there was something going on he would say.

He knew Taylor had noticed but he also knew that she put all the blame on Ryan, that she believed the flirtation was entirely one-sided, and he longed to tell her the truth but he just wasn't ready to have the whole school judging him. He grew apprehensive of how long he could maintain being friends with Ryan before his true feelings took over.

Chad was so lost in his thoughts that he didn't realise that they were nearing their destination until they were pulling up in front of an a very grand, very impressive house. He was literally speechless. He couldn't believe that he actually knew someone who lived in a mansion. Sure, Ryan had told him about his house, but seeing it was an entirely different thing. In fact, he was so shocked that the only thing he could think to say, as he stared up at the building from his seat in the convertible, was,

"Dude!"

Ryan laughed and took off his seatbelt, climbing out of the car. Chad followed suit, the greying stones of the driveway crunching under his sneakers as he was led through the front door. He was once again rendered speechless when he was greeted by a large entrance hall and a grand staircase that wouldn't look out of place in a five-star hotel.

"I'll leave the tour for some over time then." Ryan laughed as he led him up the stairs and in to his room.

Despite the relative extravagance and grandeur of the rest of the house, Ryan's bedroom was exactly what Chad would expect of most other teenage boys. Apart from the king size bed and large plasma screen television displayed on the wall, and Chad was pretty sure that the double doors on the other side of the room would lead to a walk-in-wardrobe.

"So, what about the Wii?"

"Huh?"

Ryan gestured to his console and the game in his hand. "Baseball sound good to you?"

They played a few games and to Chad's dismay he was being beaten by Ryan, by a long shot. He'd never been a good loser so Chad decided to stoop to childish tactics, in order to stop the dancer's winning streak. Interrupting Ryan's victory dance, he snatched the controller from the other boy's hand and ran across the room.

"Hey!"

Chad smirked and brandished the remote at Ryan. It didn't take much to get the blond chasing after him. The jock found himself climbing on to the bed kneeling on the soft sheets and firm mattress. When Ryan followed him in to the middle of the mattress he held the controller behind his back, goading the other boy. Soon they were both laughing uncontrollably as Ryan reached around Chad trying to grab back the stolen remote and, in a giddy haze, Ryan pushed Chad back on to the mattress and straddled his middle. When both boys realised the position they were, they're laughing ended abruptly and Chad dropped the controller on to the bed at their side.

He reached up and ran his fingers across Ryan's cheek, staring hungrily at his soft pink lips.

"Chad…?"

And then Chad was leaning up and kissing Ryan, pulling the lithe blond on top of him. Their lips joined and their tongues crashed, moans sounding over the cheery background music of the abandoned computer game. Hands roamed and gasps mingled as they pulled back, looking straight in to each other's eyes, azure meeting chocolate. No more word's were needed as Chad's hands pulled Ryan's shirt from his trousers and his trembling fingers undid the row of buttons.

Ryan's eye lids fluttered closed in pleasure as Chad's hands roamed across his chest, and soon he was returning the favour, pulling the jock's slogan t-shirt from over his head, his fingers combing through mused curls as he threw the top across his room and admired Chad's muscular torso.

He leaned down again and kissed the other boy, drinking in his taste and revelling in the moans and gasps emanating from Chad's mouth as his hands ran over the firm chest of the basketball player and his fingers grasped hardened nipples.

"Ryan…"

It was only a barely audible plea, but it sent shivers down Ryan's spine.

Soon, kissing wasn't enough any more and Ryan gasped loudly as Chad's fingers unzipped his trousers and his hand slid inside. Ryan did the same, slipping his hand in to the taller boy's tight jeans and cotton boxers.

The sounds of their pleasure filled the room as tentative, shaking hands moved frantically as their breathing steadily grew more erratic.

Soon, it was over and Ryan was collapsing on top of Chad as he tried to regain his normal breathing pattern. He was more content than he thinks he has ever been, one hand entwined in Chad's, the other resting on the jock's chest as kisses were pressed in to his hair. He would have happily lay there forever if he could, but after what must have been ten minutes of lying in Chad's arms enjoying the quiet, Chad asked the question Ryan had been dreading.

"Ry, what about you and Jake?" That particular subject had been bothering Chad for sometime.

"I could ask the same about you and Taylor." They both knew Ryan was just avoiding answering the question. The truth was, the blond was dreading Chad's reaction.

"Ryan…"

"I was only with him to make you jealous. He knew all about my crush on you." He figured he might as well spit it out, get it over with, like pulling off a band aid.

Chad only laughed, because, really, what else could he do? It explained so much and seemed to make perfect sense given the situation they were in. So many complications and obstacles stood in their way and some of them weren't even genuine. It was ridiculous, really, but Chad wouldn't change any of it because everything was worth it now that he was lying in Ryan's bed with the gorgeous blonde boy in his arms.

"I'll break up with Taylor. I promise."

Ryan simply smiled and pressed a kiss to Chad's chest. He was finally completely and utterly happy and he wanted to enjoy it for as long as it lasted, because in his experience good things didn't last long.

"Stay for a while?"

Chad nodded and kissed Ryan again, delighting in the caress of Ryan's soft lips on his and the taste of the dancer in his mouth.

"As long as you want me to."