Chapter three, sorry it took a bit longer to get out. But it's a long chapter, so hopefully that makes up for it :P
Disclaimer: I don't own High School musical or the Characters. I do not make any money from this.
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Closing the front door quietly, Troy attempted to sneak towards the stairs which lead to his bedroom.
"You can hold it right there, Troy Benjamin Bolton" his mother called from her place in the kitchen. Sighing to himself Troy entered the room to face his tired and slightly annoyed mother.
"Can you please tell me what the time reads on the clock here?" she asked, biting her bottom lip lightly as if weighing up how she was going to deal with the situation. "And then can you explain to me why you were out later than the time you were given to come home" she continued placing his dinner in the microwave.
"Sorry mum, I just lost track of the time. I was working on an assignment for English at Ryan's" Troy explained taking a seat in one of the bar stools that were positioned under the kitchen bench. "And I ended up going for a swim in their pool, I'm sorry I didn't call" he finished giving her his best 'I'm really sorry, how can you stay mad at me look'.
"Ok be that as it may, I still like to get a phone call to let me know what you're up to. I know you're getting older now, I mean it won't be long and you'll be 18. But I'm still your mother, and I still worry so call me from now on ok?" She continued removing his meal from the microwave.
"Now eat up and then get ready for bed, I'll see you in the morning" She told him placing a kiss on his forehead, retreating to her bedroom.
Finishing his dinner, Troy stacked his plate in the dishwasher before heading upstairs, stopping at the bathroom to brush his teeth. Closing and locking his bedroom door, Troy removed his clothing leaving them on the floor to deal with the following day. Sprawling out on his bed, Troy wrapped his body in a tangle of sheets and blankets making himself comfortable.
Letting out a sigh Troy allowed his body to relax, his mind reeling over his day. Today had been good, which was surprising seeing as it was the first day back at school and he had received an English assignment.
'Who would have thought Ryan and I would have had so much in common' Troy thought to himself staring at his bedroom ceiling. 'Hanging out with him was fun; he's smart, witty and unpredictable. I love that about him, I never know what he's thinking, or what's going to happen next. But everything always turns out alright, better than alright, awesome even. Tomorrow night should be fun as well' Troy concluded his thoughts, turning on his side allowing himself to drift off to sleep.
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"Ok mango, strawberries, blueberries, banana, a little bit of pineapple and some frozen yoghurt. Alrighty that should do it" Ryan told himself talking to no one in particular as he made a fruit salad smoothie for breakfast.
"You know what they say Ry, talking to yourself is the first sign of madness" Sharpay told him over the drama and arts section of the newspaper. "Could you blame me for having you as a sister" Ryan mumbled as he hit the switch for the blender.
"What was that?" Sharpay called over the sound of the whizzing machine, giving Ryan a harsh stare. "I was just saying how could I be insane when I have such a caring sister to look out for me" Ryan told her putting on his sweetest voice.
Content with his answer, Sharpay returned to the newspaper, looking out for any new plays that would benefit from having her assistance. Not finding any worthy of her skills Sharpay returned her attention on her twin brother.
"So what did you get up to last night? I thought you would still be up when I got home" Sharpay asked him taking a sip of her morning coffee. "Troy came over and we just worked on our English assignment and then went for a swim in the pool. It got pretty late so I ended up giving him a lift home. I was pretty tired after that" Ryan casually replied not thinking about the impact his words would have on his deranged sister.
"What!" was all Sharpay could manage, spitting out the sip of coffee she had just taken. "Troy Bolton was at our house… he, what, how… when were you planning on telling me this?" Sharpay demanded, giving Ryan a stare that suggested he had killed somebody close to her.
"Ok come on Sharpay settle down, he only came over because we got paired up for an English assignment. Mr. Fowler put us together, and we came here because I new we would have the house to ourselves so we could get the assignment done. Without being interrupted" Ryan finished trying to calm the manic blonde punctuating the last three words.
"Fine but you could have told me, or just sent me a SMS to let me know" She told him, accepting the answer he gave her after a few moments.
"So you could what Sharpay? Come and stare at him through the window, breathing heavy on the glass, while taking photo's" Ryan replied laughing, placing his empty glass in the dishwasher. "Now hurry up or we're going to be late to school" he finished climbing the stairs to his room to grab his school supplies.
It felt good to be one up on Sharpay for once; maybe this would be the year he would be known as Ryan, not Sharpay's poodle.
Climbing into the pink abomination Sharpay called a car, the two pulled out of the driveway making their way to school.
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Walking into homeroom, Troy was instantly welcomed with a smile and wave from Ryan which he returned with a smile and nod, taking his usual seat next to Chad.
"What was that? Are you and the Drama fruit friends now?" Chad questioned shifting his glance from Troy to Ryan who was now in conversation with Kelsi who seemed to be handing him some new songs to work on for the upcoming musical.
"Well I don't know if you would call us friends yet, but it was cool hanging out at his house yesterday, you should check out his place it's awesome" Troy finished. The conversation was cut short as Mrs. Darbus began with her usual greeting to the class.
The bell to signal first period rang soon enough, and with that Troy, Chad and Jason made their way to the gym, changing into their workout gear.
"So any advances between you and Taylor?" Jason asked Chad seating himself on one of the workout bikes. "Not yet, we haven't had that much time to hang out lately, between basketball practice and her scholastic commitments, but we're hanging out this Saturday night" Chad finished speeding up his treadmill so he was doing a medium paced jog.
"So what are we doing tonight, I'm keen for something if you guys are" Jason continued picking up the pace on his bike.
"I'd like to but I've actually got plans tonight" Troy replied in-between sit-ups. "Troy Bolton has plans that I don't know about? What are you up to?" Chad joked, toweling himself off. "Yea I've got to go with my mum to some charity event meeting she's organizing, you can come if you want" Troy finished. 'Why didn't I just say I'm hanging out with Ryan, Chad wouldn't care… would he? It's not like I'm replacing him. Chad is like a brother to me, Ryan's different, I don't know in what way, but I do know its not the same as Chad, or any of the guys really'.
"I think I'll pass; only one of us should have to suffer right?" Chad joked back, as the three of them headed off to the showers.
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'Summer Love' belted out from Ryans left pants pocket as he made his way out of school and towards the immiscible pink convertible. Placing his school supplies down in the back seat, Ryan slid his phone out of his pocket answering the call.
"Hello? Ryan Evens speaking" Ryan answered the phone not recognizing the mobile number. "Are you always that polite when you answer the phone?" a smile danced onto his face as he recognized the voice. "Well if I had of known it was going to be you Mr. Bolton then I would have been completely rude" Ryan played along. "Really? What rude things would you say" Troy asked innocently.
Ryan could almost see the smirk that was on Troy's face as he voiced his last reply. "I guess you'll have to wait and find out next time you call and I recognize your number" Ryan replied dodging the question, blush forming on his cheeks.
"Ha-ha ok well anyway the point of my call is to confirm that we are still on for tonight, we are aren't we?" Troy questioned the blonde as he made his way towards the team practice.
"Yea sure, dinner then bowling right?" Ryan confirmed spotting Sharpay heading his way from the school. "Yea, I think I know a good place to go for dinner. You like pasta?"
"Yea sounds good" Ryan confirmed. "Ok well I'll pick you up at 7, see you then" Troy told him ending the phone call.
"Who was on the phone?" Sharpay questioned fixing her hair in the review mirror. "Just Kelsi making sure that I have all the different songs" Ryan replied casually, buckling his seatbelt.
'Was Troy flirting with me' Ryan wondered as they pulled out of the parking lot. 'He couldn't be… I mean he's straight right… right?'
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Troy fixed his shirt for the 100th time, twisting and turning in the mirror attempting to view himself from different angles. 'It's ok, you look good. Why does it matter anyway? I mean it's only Ryan you're going out with. It's not a date.' Troy told himself, barely settling his nerves. 'What is going on with me?' Troy wondered fixing his hair once again.
'Ok enough of this, I have to go anyway. I'm picking him up in 15 minutes' Troy told himself, picking up his keys and jacket before heading down stairs.
"Where are you off to all dressed up" Mrs. Bolton asked eyeing her sons attire. "No where special, just going bowling. I won't be home too late" He told his mother giving her a kiss on the cheek.
"Ok drive safe, but when the two of you do start dating I want to meet her" His mother told him ignoring the look Troy gave her as he left the house.
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'Ok, just breath, you look good' Ryan told himself, smoothing out the folds in his shirt. 'Settle down, it's not like it will matter anyway, Troy's straight. He isn't going to care if you look your best or not, he only see's you as a friend' Ryan tried convincing himself.
Despite repeatedly telling himself this, he still couldn't help but hope, that maybe there was a slight chance for the two of them to be more than friends. But regardless of his feelings, if he could only have Troy as a friend then that is what they would be. Friends.
Opting to go with out a hat, Ryan ran his fingers through his hair, heading down stairs to watch TV as he waited for Troy to pick him up. It was nearly 5 to 7.
Flicking through a few channels and finding nothing, Ryan turned to the new blockbuster release previews channel, watching a preview for Hairspray. Tapping along to the songs, Ryan heard a knock at the door.
Switching off the TV Ryan fixed his clothes once more, crossing the room to open the door. Clasping the smooth steel handle nerves flew through Ryan as he opened the door revealing a very attractive Troy Bolton.
The second both eye's landed on one another all of Ryan's nerves faded away, leaving him feeling more relaxed and happier than ever before. "Hey Troy" Ryan greeted him locking the front door as he stepped out onto the front landing.
"So Mr. Evan's you ready for a night full of fun, and unknown adventures" Troy asked as the two crossed the lawn towards Troy's Black Jeep Wrangler. "I'm always up for a good time" Ryan replied climbing into the front side passenger seat. "Although I wouldn't call dinner and bowling an unknown adventure"
"Ha-ha fair enough, but with the right kind of attitude you never know where the night might lead you" Troy replied starting up the car engine.
"So what restaurant are you taking me to?" Ryan asked as they pulled out onto the street. "It's a small pasta place, not to far from here. It's nothing fancy but the food is the best, the prices aren't bad and I guess I just like it there" Troy replied as the two turned into one of the main roads which lead towards the beaches.
"Oh and did I mention it has an awesome view" Troy smirked as they pulled up outside the small restaurant which overlooked the entire ocean.
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A bell on the door jingled as the two shuffled through the door, Troy holding the door open as Ryan passed him on the way in. "Table for two" Troy told the waiter holding up two fingers.
"Right this way" The waiter indicated leading them towards a small table for two that was in the far corner of the restaurant. "Can I get you anything to drink?" he asked licking the point of his pen hovering the point above his notepad.
"Ah a coke for me would be great" Troy told him taking a seat at the table. "And for you" The waiter nodded towards Ryan scribbling down Troy's order. "I'll have some sparkling mineral water thanks" Ryan told the waiter fiddling with one of the menu's the waiter had given them. "They shouldn't be a moment" He told them before heading back towards the kitchen to send in their orders.
Ryan took this as an opportunity to look over the restaurant. It was nice, nothing fancy but it had a nice feel about it. The restaurant was small, but not cramped and had an authentic Italian ambience about it. The tables which littered the store were generally round with no more than four or five seats at most.
The color scheme matched that of the Italian flag, with red, green and white being the main colors.
"Not a bad place is it" Troy commented drawing Ryan from his thoughts. "No it's nice, I've never been here before, I didn't even know it was here" Ryan commented his eye's landing on Troy as he spoke.
"Yea I didn't know about it either till Gabby suggested we come here" Troy told him, suddenly feeling uncomfortable about mentioning her name, as if he had just brought up his ex's name while on a date.
"What happened between the two of you?" Ryan asked breaking the silence that had fallen over their conversation. "Well I'm not to sure to be honest, we started out as friends in the musical, which eventually lead to us being more." He paused as if remembering some of their times together before continuing "But the closer we got, the more uncomfortable I became, it just didn't seem right, something was missing. So I ended it, Gabby was really sad at first, I don't think she understood it really, I mean I didn't even understand it. But we worked through it and managed to save our friendship" Troy concluded giving Ryan a comforting smile.
"I ah, haven't told anyone so…" Troy began who was quickly cut off by Ryan "Don't worry I can keep a secret" Ryan told him, a comfortable silence falling over the two. Which was interrupted as the waiter placed their drinks on the table. "Are you two ready to order" He asked pen and notepad at the ready once again.
"Yea, ah I'll have chili spaghetti" Troy told him handing over his menu. "And for you" the waiter continued nodding his head in Ryan's direction. "Ah I'll have the same" Ryan told him handing his menu over also.
"Ok they shouldn't be to long" The waiter told them, giving Ryan a wink. "Did he just wink at you" Troy asked as soon as he was out of earshot. "Ah I think so" Ryan laughed blushing slightly.
Troy couldn't help but feel a little bit jealous as he noticed the waiter making a pass at Ryan. 'Where did that come from' Troy thought making a mental note to make sure the waiter kept his distance.
"Ha-ha don't tell me I have to compete for your attention" Troy joked as he noticed Ryan looking over to where the waiter had disappeared through the doors to the kitchen feeling some what displaced. "Don't worry there is no competition between the two of you" Ryan joked.
Troy laughed with Ryan for a moment allowing his gaze to linger on the blonde, fighting himself mentally, tossing up whether or not to ask Ryan a question. "Ryan, do you mind if I ask you a really personal question, if you don't want to answer it you don't have to but I just wanted to know" Troy asked fiddling with the hem of his shirt.
"Ah sure, ask away" Ryan replied noticing Troy's sudden nervous behavior. "Well I uh wanted to ask, I wanted to know if you are, well if you are gay." Troy asked focusing on his glass of coke, unwilling to meet Ryan's eye's as he asked the question.
"Wow umm well" Ryan began feeling slightly hot under the collar. 'When did it get so hot in here' he wondered using his fingers to loosen the collar on his shirt. "You know what don't tell me, it's none of my business. It's not like it will change anything between us anyway" Troy told him regretting asking the question.
"No it's ok, really I don't mind, it's just I wasn't expecting it is all" Ryan told him truthfully. He truly believed Troy when he told him it wouldn't change anything between them, for some reason, unbeknownst to him Ryan trusted Troy, which was a big deal for him seeing as he didn't trust too many people.
"The answer is yes by the way" Ryan told him, their eye's meeting for the first time since Troy had asked the question. "Thanks for trusting me enough to say that Ry, it honestly won't change our friendship at all" Troy told him giving him one of his famous smiles. For some reason this new information seemed to fill Troy's chest with a feeling of hope and comfort.
The feelings were quickly pushed aside however as the waiter placed their meals down on the table in front of them, Troy giving him a furry eye as if daring him to make a move on Ryan while he was there.
Ryan thanked the waiter as he accepted the meal, noticing the look Troy was giving him. A smile couldn't help but cross his lips as he watched Troy's protective instincts kick in as he stared the waiter down. Gruffly thanking him as he placed his meal in front of him.
The rest of the meal was relatively peaceful as Troy hooked into his, managing to get as much of it in his mouth as he did on his face. Ryan couldn't help but laugh as Troy lifted his head up revealing the mess, while Troy knocked Ryan for his first class table manners as he perfectly twisted the noodles onto his fork, in a respectable quantity before placing it in his mouth.
"That was so good!" Ryan told Troy feeling fuller than ever before. "I can see why you recommended the place"
"Yea It's really good isn't it" Troy commented as the waiter placed the bill on the table. Before Ryan couldn't even peek at the cost Troy slid the appropriate amount into the leather bound folder handing it over to the waiter who thanked him before returning to his duties. "Dinner is on me" Troy told him sliding his chair out from under the table.
"No way I can't let you pay" Ryan protested reaching for his wallet. "Don't worry about it seriously, now come on we have a game of bowls to play" Troy told him as the two left the restaurant, Troy holding the door for him once again.
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The Blue Neon Bowling sign illuminated the car park as Troy pulled into one of the free car spots. "You ready to go" Troy asked unbuckling his seatbelt. "The question is Troy, are you ready to loose at bowling? I may not be that good at basketball, but I do have some skills when it comes to bowling" Ryan told him jumping out of the car, making sure his appearance was still ok.
"Ooo sounds like I have some competition" Troy cooed as the two entered the building, stopping at the front counter. "One lane of bowling for two people" Troy told the lady behind the counter, reaching for his back pocket. "No way, I'm paying for this" Ryan cut in placing his credit card down on the counter, sliding it across to the cashier. "You paid for dinner"
The lady couldn't help but laugh as she overlooked the exchange between the two youths in front of her. "You to make a cute couple" She told them, handing Ryan over a pen indicating for him to sign a slip of paper to confirm that it was his card.
A blush covered both their cheeks almost as instantly as the words had left her lips. "Ah we're just friends" Troy confirmed placing his hands in his pockets. "Sure you are" She continued giving the two of them a wink, before indicating which lane they were on while handing over their shoes.
Taking the shoes and his credit card Ryan followed Troy over to the lane, trying to get the ladies words out of his head. 'I can't believe she thought Troy and I are a couple! How crazy is that! I mean seriously how would she get that idea' Ryan thought as his eyes trailed over the fine specimen he was following. 'Ok so maybe I stare a little, but it's not like Troy stares at me the same way' Ryan told himself removing his original shoes, replacing them with the classic red and white bowling shoes.
"Ok here we go!" Troy told him putting both their names into the scoring computer.
It was a close game of bowls but Troy managed to come away as the victor. "I win!" Troy cried jumping up and down waving his arms around. "Way to be a graceful winner" Ryan mocked as Troy watched the tally on the screen add up confirming his victory.
"Besides I wouldn't call 1 pin much of a victory, however you did win so I'll give you credit for that" Ryan continued. "I'm only playing with you, that was a great game though" Troy told him as he changed his shoes back to his original pair.
"Hey do you want to return these shoes while I go to the bathroom" Troy asked. "Yea sure" Ryan told him collecting Troy's bowling shoes, heading over towards the front counter.
Troy grabbed his phone and wallet sliding them into his pockets, making his way towards the bathroom pausing as he passed 'The claw' gaming machine. Placing a quarter into the coin slot the machine came to life indicating troy had 2 tries.
Using the joystick Troy maneuvered the claw aiming it at one of the sealed capsules in the glass cabinet. Hitting the 'grab' button the claw spiraled down clasp the space beside the desired egg. Retracting back over the prize slot releasing its empty contents before returning to its place awaiting Troy to move it once more, Troy maneuvered the claw again, this time making sure that it was above the desired capsule before hitting the 'grab' button, however as once the claw spiraled down it clasped the capsule releasing it over the prize slot.
Taking the capsule Troy opened it revealing a glow in the dark plastic necklace. Pocketing the item Troy continued his way to the bathroom, taking care of his business before meeting up with Ryan once more by the front counter.
With that the two sauntered out towards the car park climbing into Troy's jeep once again, pulling out of the car park in the direction of Ryan's home.
The car ride was relatively silent, the two just enjoying the others company.
Indicating, Troy pulled into Ryan's driveway signaling that the night was over. "Thanks for tonight Troy I had a great time" Ryan thanked him unbuckling his seatbelt. "No problem, uh Ryan I've been meaning to tell you, Gabriella is having a party tomorrow night if you want to come. She asked me to invite you earlier today" Troy told him as the blonde exited the car.
"Yea sure sounds good" Ryan smiled, waving Troy off as he pulled out of the driveway.
'Tonight was the best night of my life' Ryan thought to himself slowly pacing towards his front door.
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Hmmm so how will the party go? You'll have to stay tuned for the next chapter ha-ha
Shout outs:
Pureangel86 – I'm not British I'm actually Australian :P
Hsmlover111 – thanks for letting me know and the support :P
XXAliceXX – Thank you for the support, I already have a beta but thank you!!! Your constant support has been awesome.
Master Aneliath – thank you for the support, always love your reviews
And thank you to everyone else who has reviewed mean allot )