A/N: Ah, I'm starting this just after I posted Chapter Eight…Which is quite unusual on a weekday. But the first two reviews I got made me want to write more, they really do inspire me to write more…
Anyways, Poppyfields13 pointed out to me that I actually referred to Gabriella as 'himself'. I hit myself over the forehead when I saw that…my head feels like mush –laughs-. I should leave it like that…but Gabriella has enough stress in my story without an unwanted sex change…though perhaps Troy would pay more attention to her if she was a boy? Too bad he's straight in this fiction! Really, I think he's bi…
StillThereForMe- Thanks for all the help on the Eponine costume! So is the brown coat like a trench coat? That's a bit what it looks like in photos…and I can keep my hair down. It's so dark brown it'll be hard to make it look dirty though. But yea…Eponine is my favorite character. You said you were in a production of Les Mis. Was that like, a school production? And who were you?
Court- I'm not sure which musical I would go to if I could see any musical I wanted…If I could go to any one currently on Broadway, I'd either see Wicked, or Spring Awakening again. For ones that have closed, I'd love to see the original Les Mis, which is a hundred times better then the revival. Also, you asked for musical titles. My current favorites are Spring Awakening, Les Mis, Fiddler on the Roof, Wicked, Hair, Kiss Me Kate, Into the Woods, Avenue Q, and so many more. Those are a few to start on.
Standard Disclaimer: High School Musical and its characters belong to Disney. I do not own them, nor am I making any profit from this story. I am merely writing for my enjoyment. The title of this story also does not belong to me, but to Rent.
I Should Tell You…
Chapter Nine
Ryan half watched the performance going on in the stage in front of him. He didn't see Chad anywhere in the crowd, and he had specially saved a seat for Chad right next to him. He was puzzled. Why would Chad have sent that note to him minutes before the performance, and then not just turn up? Ryan had actually thought Chad might be interested in 'Spring Awakening', since it was as full of angst as 'Hair' was, if not more.
But he guessed he had been made a fool of. I guess Chad was not really interested in coming at all. Maybe he just wanted to play a joke on me…He definitely knows I'm gay, doesn't he? Maybe he just wanted to get my hopes up. I mean, it's probably totally obvious I like him…Little did Ryan know, however obvious their crushes were to the rest of the gang, only he and Chad were completely oblivious to one another's feelings.
Gabriella must've been wrong. Chad must've lied, or something. About being gay, and then just used that lie to break my heart…no wonder he's been avoiding me after the baseball game. But it was his idea to switch clothes in the locker room, not mine…I just don't understand it. He sighed. The reason doesn't matter…the fact is, Chad stood me up…and now…I don't know what to do.
Throughout the show, he tried to pay attention to the music, and not the ache in his chest. This was a bit ironic, since the musical was full of heartbreak and teenage problems. It even included a homosexual couple. These were the last things Ryan needed to think about in such drastic times.
I suppose it could be worse…I mean, I could be watching Les Mis…or Hair…though I think as soon as I get out of this, I should go see the movie version of Hairspray to cheer me up. He sighed. The show still had half an hour to run before it finished. He crossed his arms, for the first time in his life, impatient for a show to be over.
-------------------------------------
Chad washed his hands in the sink furiously after the activity he had just performed. He felt so dirty…not that he had never done that before…but when he did it thinking of a guy, while thinking of Ryan, it felt so much filthier. Chad supposed he wasn't as alright with his homosexuality as he had originally thought. He looked down at himself. At least he had eased the problem that had aroused when Gabriella had come to his room.
I guess I really do like Ryan. He thought, running a hand through his hair helplessly. But now…what to do about it? I'm guessing this isn't just a passing crush, or a brief term of insanity anymore. I wonder if he feels the same way about me? But then again, why would he? He's rich, and fashionable, and good at baseball, and handsome, and incredibly sexy… He shook his head angrily, he was getting off track. Should I confess? But what if he doesn't feel the same way back? I'll look like a total idiot. And I'd be stuck working for him for another month…I couldn't face him every day, but I couldn't possibly avoid him in his own house…club…thing.
He groaned. If he had known love would be this complicated, he would've stuck to pornography and stayed single for his life. This whole situation was ridiculous, clichéd, and completely crazy. Maybe I should've gone to the concert…I might've liked it, and I would've gotten to spend a few hours with Ryan, right? Though at the time, time with Ryan was the last thing I needed.
He shook his head. If he left now, he should be at the theatre in time to catch Ryan coming out. He made sure his pants were zipped and dashed out, wondering where on earth the theatre at Lava Springs was anyway. He got directions from a club member, and headed towards it at top speed. Please let Ryan be there. He prayed fervently. He didn't even know why he wanted to see Ryan so badly, but he just knew that avoiding the Evans twin wasn't the answer. In fact, it seemed to make his feelings stronger.
He got at the theatre just as people started exiting. He crossed his arms and leaned on the wall, trying to look cool in time for Ryan to come out. He didn't want to act too desperate. But he did want to spend some time with the blonde, and now was as good a time as any to start. If he hasn't already left.
-------------------------------------
Ryan exited the theatre feeling thoroughly depressed. And the first thing he noticed as he left was that Chad Danforth was leaning on the wall. At first his heart left and sowed itself back together. And then he saw Chad's face. Chad didn't look the least bit remorseful, but looked calm and cool, and was grinning broadly. He was happy. And Ryan's heart shattered once again.
He's happy. Ryan thought in disgust. He's not in the slightest bit upset that he missed the show after he told me he'd be here. He didn't come to apologize. He came to see my heartbroken expression as I realized this was all a set up. Well, I won't give him that satisfaction. Ryan quickly used his acting skills to transform his look of sorrow into one of cold indifference. He gave Chad one cold, withering glance before turning his nose up and walking past the dark boy.
"Ryan-" Chad began, but Ryan raised his hand for silence.
"I don't want to hear it Chad. I know what you're thinking, and I don't need that right now. It disgusts me you'd be so…awful, to think something like that. Just, don't talk to me anymore." And he left, leaving in his wake a badly confused and hurt Chad Danforth, who looked on him, mouth slightly agape. His hair even seemed to droop.
Serves him right. Ryan thought coldly, his inner anguish starting to eat him up. He didn't hurry his pace, but he knew if he didn't get out of Chad's sight soon, he'd break down crying. He couldn't let Chad see how badly he'd affected him. Just wait till you get to your room, Ryan. You can cry in there.
-------------------------------------
Chad looked badly confused for a few seconds. Then the nausea and hurt, the pain at Ryan's words settled in. For a second he wanted to be sick, all over the expensive floor he was standing on. But that might get him fired, so he held back that impulse.Then his brain started going into overdrive, thinking of all the possible reasons Ryan could have said those things. He finally reached a conclusion.
Troy must have told him how I felt about him…and I knew it. Ryan doesn't like me back. And he can't be gay either. He must be disgusted that another guy, a guy like me, has feelings for him. So he hates me now…it makes perfect sense. He hates me for thinking those thoughts about him…about us.
He held back the tears, and ran off to find Troy. He wasn't sure what he was going to do to his friend, but he certainly wasn't going to give him his blessings. He finally found Troy in the library with Sharpay. Sharpay. Ryan's twin. The observation didn't really stick with him at the time; he was too caught up in his misery.
"Troy, how could you do that?" Chad asked in a cracked voice.
"Do what?" Troy asked, confused, sending Sharpay an alarmed look.
"Tell Ryan that I liked him." Chad explained, as if he were talking to a five year old. The tears were streaming silently down his face now; he just couldn't hold them back.
Troy paled slightly. "I never told him that." He said quietly.
"Bullshit." Chad spat. "He knows, and you're the only one that could've told him. I told you not to interfere! Now he hates me, Troy. He told me he was disgusted with me, and he never wanted to speak to me again. Well, you can just fuck off! Now everything between us is ruined. In tattered shreds." And he left, slamming the door behind him.
Troy and Sharpay exchanged guilty, horrified looks. "Shit."
-------------------------------------
Sharpay tentatively opened the door to her brother's room. She didn't bother knocking; she knew he wasn't doing anything that shouldn't be interrupted by her. She saw him on the bed, his head buried in the pillow. He looked as if he could be sleeping, but the pangs of sorrow that ran through their mental link told her that her brother was far to distressed to sleep.
"Hey Ry." She said softly, sitting next to him. He didn't bother answering her, so she patted him on the back, which was a bit awkward, since he was lying down. It worked, for he raised himself up, and clang to his sister, crying on her shoulder silently. She spoke soothing words to him, rubbing his back as if he were a small child. She contemplated telling him that it was her and Troy who had sent the letter, but remembered the conversation she had with Troy before she left the library.
-------------------------------------
Sharpay stood up as Chad had left the room. "Shit." Both she and Troy uttered that word at the same time as they saw the grief stricken boy fleeing the room. At that time, Sharpay felt a huge rush of pain flow through her link with her twin. She almost doubled over at the feeling of anguish in her heart.
"I have to go find Ryan." She gasped. Troy nodded.
"And I have to speak to Chad and convince him I didn't tell Ryan that he liked him." Troy said, still looking stricken from his best friend's accusation.
Sharpay looked at Troy nervously. "Should we tell them what we did?" She asked nervously. Troy thought a moment, then shook his head.
"No. It'll still be awkward between them, and they'll just get furious at us, and they'll be too angry and distressed to do anything for themselves." He said finally.
Sharpay looked guilty. "Then what do we do?" She asked, for the first time in her life, she was short of ideas.
Troy sighed. "We'll just have to think of a way to get them back together, won't we?" He said softly, before dashing off to find his best friend. Sharpay groaned at the mess they had made, and went to find her twin.
-------------------------------------
"Ryan, what happened?" She asked softly, feigning ignorance.
"Chad…sent note…meet concert…up stood hehatesme doesn't prank love smirking…" Ryan said incoherently, but Sharpay understood it. That was the bonus of twin telepathy; you could make sense of anything you twin said.
"I'm sure he doesn't hate you Ry. Maybe it was a misunderstanding. Maybe you should go talk to him?" She asked hesitantly.
Ryan's head shot up, and he glared at her through bloodshot eyes. "I will never talk to him again." He spat out angrily. "Not after…that. Even if he was gay, he wouldn't fall for me. If he was gay, which I doubt, he'd fall for Troy, or something." He sighed. "Just leave Shar. I need alone time." He threw his hat off his head onto the floor, and pointed towards the door.
Sharpay almost wanted to cry herself, but restrained the urge. She gulped, nodded, and left, feeling guiltier then she ever had in her life. She only could pray Troy's talk with Chad was working better than this.
-------------------------------------
"Chad, open up your door!" Troy shouted, punching the wall next to the door in frustration. Once again, there was no reply to his fervent calls. He growled, and punched the wall once again. And once again, there was no change.
"Chad! I swear I didn't tell Ryan anything." He protested furiously, slamming his palms against the door, hard. Suddenly, the lock on the door clicked, and the door opened a tiny bit. Then it swung open, and suddenly, before Troy could figure out what was happening, a fist caught him in the side of the jaw. He stumbled back a few paces, clutching the side of his face, that punch had really hurt. He saw the door about to shut again.
"Oh, no you don't." He muttered angrily, sticking his foot in the doorway so it didn't shut. He yanked the door open and ran inside the room, and spun around, to glare at an angry Chad, who had tear marks running down both cheeks, tangled hair, and balled up fists.
"You ass. That punch hurt!" Troy said, rubbing his jaw tenderly.
"You think you have any right to call me an ass?" Chad asked incredulously.
"I'm telling you, I didn't tell Ryan. Why won't you believe me?" Troy asked, frustrated.
"Bullshit. You've been interfering with me and Ryan ever since you were told I was gay." Chad said bitterly. Troy didn't respond, there was no way he could deny that charge. He was completely guilty. Chad finally spoke again, shooting a question at the boy. "If you didn't tell Ryan, how'd he find out?"
"No idea." Troy lied. "But I'm telling you Chad, I didn't tell Ryan."
Chad glared at him warily. "Whatever. He knows, he rejected me, and that's that."
Troy bit his lip. "Chad…maybe you should go talk to Ryan?" He asked cautiously.
Chad shook his head. "He never wants to talk to me again." He said softly. "Troy…just leave."
Troy nodded, backing away slowly. "Alright, I'll go…but Chad, I think you need to Ryan. It might not be what you think."
He exited, right before Chad's head flopped back onto his pillow. "I know I need to, but I just can't."
-------------------------------------
"It looks bad." Sharpay admitted, after she and Troy had swapped stories. "Thankfully, I have an idea that will work without cooperation from either of them. We made a mistake, taking for granted that either of them would go to the performance. But this we can do without either of those two idiots ruining it."
Troy rolled his eyes. "They are stubborn idiots." He admitted. "I can't believe Ryan would even think Chad would crush on me instead of him. But what's this idea, Sharpay?"
She smiled cunningly. "It's simple…we give Ryan a little note from Chad saying he only likes you as a friend, but he really loves Ryan."
Troy snorted. "Like that'll work. Firstly, Ryan most likely won't take the note seriously. And if he did, and he approached Chad, Chad would clearly have no idea what he was talking about. Which would make Ryan realize that Chad didn't write the note, and then he'd be hurt all over again, and would immediately suspect us."
Sharpay smiled. "Well, maybe with a regular note, that'd happen. But if we paid a plane to write it in the sky…Chad would know what was going on and Ryan couldn't possibly not take it seriously."
Troy's eyes widened. "Shar, you're a genius. But that's expensive." He argued.
"Which is exactly why I'm rich." Sharpay said impatiently. "Now come here, and help me write the note from Chad to Ryan."
Troy grinned. "Coming, Grand Plotter." He said teasingly, walking over to her as they began working on the letter.
A/N pt. 2: And that is chapter nine. I started this yesterday, and ended up finishing it today…my dad forced me to stop writing it last night. Apparently it was too late for me to be writing when I have this horrid cold.
I hate colds. They mangle my voice so I can't sing –sob-. I've taken to singing a lot of Les Mis. It's my new craze right now. I love singing Eponine's songs, like 'On My Own', 'A little Fall of Rain', and her solos in 'In My Life', 'One Day More', and 'A Heart Full of Love'. I only really sing one song sung by Cosette, which is 'A Castle on a Cloud'. I feel so bad for Eponine, and therefore, I dislike Cosette intensely. Sorry to Cosette fans, it's just the way I am. If Eponine was out of the picture, I'd like Cosette, but as it is…
