Affaire De Coeur

.o.

I know you're all dying to know how everything ends up but I just keep dragging this out. Enjoy.

.o.

Eugene's is alive and bustling as Ryan and I step through the threshold and into the street corner establishment. People are everywhere, dressed in grays, and blacks, and blues, and whites. One little girl wears a bright yellow rain jacket and it stands out like a sore thumb against all the other muted colors.

A piano sits in one corner, sleek and black, and a man dressed in a velvet purple suit with a silk white tie rests at ease on the bench. His fingers fly over the keys so quick and so lightly and the sounds that flow out of it are colorful and merry and bright and staccato.

"That's Eugene," Ryan says with a grin, pointing to the eccentric, African-American man at the piano. "We go way back."

Ryan takes hold of my hand and leads me over to the piano. Ry closes his eyes and listens to the music, tapping his foot to the beat as he waits for Eugene to finish. I wait patiently as well.

Eugene comes to a close and opens his eyes. He doesn't seem shocked to see us. It's as if he knows we've been here all along.

"Evans, my man," Eugene cries out sliding off the bench and grabbing Ryan's hand, shaking it vigorously. "What brings you here? It's been a while."

"It has," Ryan says with a grin. "Good to see you Eugene. This is Ella." He gestures towards me.

"Pleased to meet you, Ella baby," he says warmly kissing my hand.

I smile radiantly and reply, "You too, Eugene."

Eugene's eyes almost pop out of his head as I speak. Puzzled, I'm sure I throw him a strange look.

"Your voice," he begins slowly. "It's so smooth but not too buttery, more like syrup! Do you sing?"

I shake my head no, and begin to speak, but Ryan cuts in. "She does, and beautifully at that."

"Well we must play a little something, us three," Eugene says, eyes twinkling at the prospect of this musical venture.

"I don't know; I haven't sang for quite some time," I protest, feeling my throat close up at the idea of belting a song in front of all these people.

"Oh come a-wnnn, Ella suga," he exclaims. "Just one lil song is all."

"Yeah, come one, Ella," Ryan says with a chuckle and a reassuring smile.

He and Eugene slide onto the bench and they whisper to themselves for a few minutes.

"How's about…How Sweet It Is? You know that one Ella darlin'?"

.o.

Winter. It came so soon. And I was as messed up as ever.

I found myself living my life as two people. I was the same old trustworthy, accountable Gabriella to my parents, my friends, my teachers, Troy. And then I was Ella with Ryan. I was sexy, I was clever, I was daring, and I was free.

Ryan was my friend. And Troy was my boyfriend. And it remained that way all through December, much to my surprise. I thought I would screw up. I thought Ryan would. But it didn't happen. Sure, Ryan and I spent a lot of time together. More than we should have. But Troy knew we were friends. And if he had sensed any chemistry, any history, he never said a word. He either ignored it or was completely oblivious. I never knew which.

Ryan and I remained good little children. We never crossed the line. We got close. But we never crossed it.

There were little touches, little gestures. There were hugs and cheek-kisses. There were our eyes and the way we breathed around each other. But we never got caught. We flirted a hell of a lot. At least when Troy wasn't around.

Much to my horror, Troy befriended Ryan soon after the play, wanting the three of us to be able to hang out. At first, it was sort of fake, but soon they bonded over video games and vintage baseball cards. I would see them talking in the halls and I would cringe as they laughed over some joke. I loved them both and it just made things worse that they had to be friends.

And then winter break came. And me and Ryan screwed up.

Troy was traveling to Colorado for the two weeks off, spending the holidays with his father's side of the family. And Ryan and I. We weren't going anywhere. And I sort of wished we were.

Troy left Friday night. Ryan and I went with him to the airport. He hugged Ryan and ruffled his hair, "Later, man. You take care of her, huh?" And Ryan smiled and nodded and patted his shoulder. "Have fun, man." And I cringed. They were practically best friends. Troy and Chad didn't really talk much anymore and I found myself somewhat missing Chad being around. Well, not really, but you know.

And then he turned to me and he kissed me long and drawn out and I hated it because Ryan was right there and he hated it and I could see him cringing.

"Bye, Gabriella. I'll miss you," he whispered to me, stroking my hair.
"I'll miss you too," I said dutifully. Because I still loved him. I really did. Just not completely.

And then he turned and as he walked, he waved until he couldn't see us anymore. And we waved back until we couldn't see him anymore.

And then it was just me and Ryan. And we were in trouble.

.o.

"Uh, yeah," I say regretfully.

"Solid," Eugene says and he and Ryan's hands start skimming over the keys and now I'm supposed to sing.

I start a little shaky but I don't sound half bad.

Needed the shelter of someone's arms and there you were

Needed someone to understand my ups and downs and there you were

With sweet love and devotion; gently touching my emotions

Ryan notices my nervousness and joins me at the chorus and Eugene chimes in as well. I'm jiving and feeling good with the three of us singing.

I wanna stop and thank you baby

I just wanna stop and thank you baby

Ohhhhh how sweet it is to be loved by you

How sweet it is to be loved by you

Then they both suddenly drop out and leave me alone again for the verse.

I close my eyes at night

Wonderin' where would I be without you in my life

Everything I did was such a bore

Everywhere I went, you know I been there before

But you brightened up for me all of my days

With a love so sweet in so many ways

I'm more confident now, but feel better every time the chorus come around, knowing I won't be alone.

How sweet it is to be loved by you

I mean it's like powerful don't you know, to be loved by you

How sweet it is to be loved by you

How sweet it is to be loved by you

The song ends soon enough and to my astonishment the whole diner erupts into applause.

Glowing with pleasure and a bit of embarrassment, I bow along with Eugene and Ryan.

Soon everyone goes back to his or her business. And Eugene hugs me quickly. "I knew your voice would be fresh," he says gleefully.

.o.

"Now what?" Ryan asked playfully, grinning as he inched closer to me and wrapped his arm around my shoulders.

"We go home," I said solemnly and I shrugged away from him, walking towards the exit. He skipped along beside me, careful not to get to close.

I stomped over to the bench. For some reason I was angry. Maybe because as soon as Troy left Ryan had made such a friendly move. Or maybe because as soon as Troy left Ryan had made such a friendly move and now I wanted to kiss him.

I sat down and Ryan sat next to me. We were silent for a while.

After ten minutes, Ryan said, "The bus should be here in five."

I nodded and we went back to being silent.

The bus pulled up after exactly five minutes. And I hated how right he was.

We boarded and I clanked all the way to the back and Ryan followed.

I sat and Ryan sat next to me. I was getting a little sick of this.

Ryan sighed long and heavy. "Ella, what's wrong?"

Ella. Must he use that name. I felt like crying.

"I just don't want anything to happen," I said slowly and surely.

"Between us?" Ryan questioned evenly.

"Yeah."

"Well then it won't," he replied, shrugging down in his seat and crossing his arms over his chest. He said it like he had been thinking about it happening but now that he knew I didn't want to, he'd dropped the idea.

"Ok," I said and closed my eyes. It was nine in the evening and I was exhausted from school and from men and from life.

.o.

I woke up to find I had somehow managed to wrap both my arms around Ryan and had rested my head on his chest. He was sleeping too and his hands snaked around my waist.

I carefully slid out from under him and managed to do so without waking him up. Thank the lord.

The bus came to a halt soon after and I was feeling a little better. Subconsciously, Ryan and I had got rid of a little sexual tension. And we couldn't exactly feel guilty about that because we didn't know what we were doing, right?

"Ryan," I hissed into his ear.

His eyes fluttered open slowly and they were so blue, that they glowed in the dark and I had never resented his eyes so much. I just wanted to curl up in a ball in his lap and never get off the bus.

"Huh-what?" he asked groggily, stretching his long, lean arms over his head.

"We're here," I said, standing up and tapping my foot impatiently as he rose up off the bus bench and shuffled towards me so sluggishly you'd think he'd been drinking.

Finally after what seemed like forever, we were off and walking towards my house.

After a good fifteen minutes, we reached the front door and he was still so sleepy that he almost walked inside with me.

"Ryan," I sung out to him. "You don't live here, buddy."

He grinned sheepishly and shrugged his shoulders apologetically. "Sorry, I'm just so tired."

"I know. Good night," I said a little shortly because I really wanted to just say, "Oh how about you just stay the night, you can sleep on the couch, or maybe my bed."

"Good night," he said, eyelids drooping as he leaned forward to kiss my cheek. Except he didn't aim high enough and his lips came down on my neck. He lingered a little, like he always did and he pulled away with a slight chuckle.

"Sorry," he mumbled. "I'll call you." And then he left. And I was worried that he'd fall asleep on his way home.

.o.

Ryan walks over to me smiling and wraps an arm around my waist.

"Told you she could sing," he says with a grin.

"I knew she could," Eugene says happily. "I am so glad the two of you stopped by. You brought some color." He pats my red cap and tugs on Ryan's green scarf. "Now how's about the three of us grab some grub?"

We follow Eugene over to the counter and we slip into three stools side by side.

Eugene ushers a waiter over. "Get this man a pot!" he cries and Ryan laughs.

"You know me too well," he chuckles.

"Damn straight," he says matter-of-factly.

"So how do you two know each other?" I ask curiously.

Eugene slaps his knee and laughs long and loud. "I was his music professor in college, and he was such a teacher's pet. Always staying after class, asking for my advice you know. Then one night he asked me out to dinner and of course my response was, 'Ryan I do not swing that way'."

They both pause to laugh and then Ryan picks up the story.
"So I replied, 'Of course not Professor Collins, I'm engaged to a woman' and so we go to dinner and we talk about music and everything there is to talk about. And he mentions to me that he wants to open a café, where he can just play music to people and not have to teach or be restricted."

Eugene butts in: "And Ryan thought it was a wond-a-ful idea and so that's how Eugene's and our friendship came to be."

"I don't remember you being at the wedding," I say with a frown.

Eugene becomes very somber and says, "Well, quite frankly, my dear, I didn't approve."

Ryan nods and says, "Eugene and Bridget never really got along."

"Oh," I say quietly.

"But you know, that's all in the past and this here's the future," Eugene says with an alls-forgotten smile.

.o.

Christmas Eve. It came quickly. We had spent the week before that together quite a lot. Playing in the snow, seeing holiday movies, baking, and wrapping gifts.

And then Christmas Eve came. And things happened. Not so good things.

There was a Christmas Eve party at the Evans' manor and I arrived early wearing an emerald green frock, my hair pulled back in a sophisticated bun.

It was five o' clock and the party started at seven, but Ryan had asked me to come early and I obliged.

I crept up the spiral staircase and tiptoed towards Ryan's door, not wanting Sharpay to find me there early. She always smirked at me knowingly, like she knew that Ryan and I had something going on. Not that we did, but it was like she knew what we had done and what we tried so desperately not to do.

I knocked on the door quietly. "Come in!" Ryan called out.

I walked in to find Ryan standing in front of the mirror, buttoning up a black silk shirt.

"Hey," he said warmly, smiling.

He turned around and his eyes danced at the sight of me. "You look great, Ella."

"Thanks," I said shyly. "So do you."

"You wanna help me with my tie?" he asked, holding up a matching black tie.

I shook my head yes and walked towards him taking the tie from his hand. I turned up his collar and he smelled so delicious. He always seemed to wear the most intoxicating cologne. Maybe if Troy wore something half as seductive I wouldn't be as terribly attracted to Ryan.

Wrapping my arms around his neck to drape the tie around him, we were too close. Oh why did I agree to this? I could feel the muscles in his back. Oh gosh.

The door swung open and we turned our heads to find Sharpay in the doorframe, smirking that stupid smirk.

"Well aren't we cozy," she sung out.

I quickly removed my hands from around Ryan's neck and fixed the tie quickly and efficiently.

"She was just helping me with my tie, Shar," Ryan said eyes rolling. He shrugged his sports jacket on and walked out the door, charging past Sharpay, an angry glint in his eyes.

I began to follow him, but Sharpay wouldn't let me through the door. "Stop leading him on, Ella," she called me "Ella" so condescendingly, I thought acid would spew from her perfectly pink glossed lips. "He's in love with you. And we both know you're never gonna give up Troy. So just stop making him love you. You're just hurting him."

Her eyes glared into me and then she stepped to the side, allowing me to pass through. I raced down the stairs, heels clicking and found Ryan sitting on the couch.

He looked a little sad, his head hung down and his arms hung limply at his side in his hunched over position.

I sat down next to him and patted his back cautiously. "You ok, Ry?"

"Yeah," he said, sitting up straight. "Sorry I stormed out of there. She just pisses me off."

"I know. It's ok," I said soothingly.

He sighed and stuck his hand in the huge bowl full of red and green colored M&Ms and poured at least twenty in his mouth.

"Got enough chocolate there, Ry?" I teased.

He shook his head and chewed. "I'm sorry, did you want some?"

"Sure," I said and opened my mouth wide. "Not too much, though."

"Sure," he said, before unleashing thirty M&Ms down my throat.

"Ryan!" I cried through a mouthful of the candies.

He chuckled long and loud.

"What's so hilarious?" Sharpay asked icily as she settled herself on the sofa across from the one Ryan and I sat on.

"Nothing of your concern," Ryan replied coldly.

"Fine," Sharpay said coolly.

"Come one, Ella, let's go somewhere else," Ryan said taking my hand and leading me out the room.

As we left the room, Sharpay's brown eyes pierced into mine menacingly as if she was warning me not to let anything happen.

.o.

Ryan and I sat outside by the pool, watching the guests arrive at the back of the house and walk towards the front door.

"What do you want for Christmas, Ry?" I asked him.

I could've sworn he sang "All I Want For Christmas Is You" under his breath. "Nothing really in particular. How about you?"

"Nothing really, either."

"We should go inside," Ryan said, dusting off his pants and standing up. I followed suit, smoothing down my dress.

He held out the crook of his arm and I took it as we walked around the side of the house towards the front door. We walked through the threshold to find Sharpay front and center, greeting all the guests with a charmingly arrogant smile.

"Oh, well look who finally decided to come inside," she said breezily. "And under the mistletoe at that," she added with an evil smile, almost daring me not to kiss him. "You can't deny mistletoe you know."

Ryan sighed and leaned in to kiss my cheek, but not wanting to give Sharpay the satisfaction, I took his face in my hands and pressed my lips against his. I kissed forcefully and passionately and Ryan reacted the same, eagerly.

I pulled away slowly, to find a shocked look on Sharpay's face. HA! She hadn't thought I would do it.

Throwing her a withering glare, I stomped into the spacious living area, towards where else? The bathroom. And I could here her, following me.

I ran into the bathroom and locked the door. She pounded and pounded on the door, but I just stayed quiet. Soon enough, the door flew open, and in came a furious Sharpay.

"How did you-"

"Key."

"Oh."

"Why the hell did you kiss him?"

"You told me too."

"You slut. Did you see what you did to him? He almost keeled over after you frenched the hell out of him. And now he's gonna have to live with not being able to do that. You are such a selfish, little bitch."

Who knew Sharpay was so protective of him? Even when they weren't getting along.

He didn't have to live without it for long.

.o.

So I know I need to be updating my other stories more than this one, but this just poured out of me. Hope you liked it!