Take Me There
Chapter 10
Previously...
Placing it on Chad's head, he took him by the arm and pulled him to the full-length mirror in the hallway. When Chad saw what he looked like, he was stunned.
"I look good." Was the first thing he said. Ryan laughed.
"Yes, you do. Now, it's almost ten. You need to get downstairs and wait for everyone. Call my cell when you are ready for me to come down. I'll meet you down by the pool. Sound good?"
"I guess so. I'm just so nervous."
"Chad, its not like you are coming out to them right here and now. Remember, we are gonna wait and see what their reactions to me are. We, I mean you, can go from there."
Chad smiled. He pulled Ryan into a hug.
"Thanks, man. You have no idea how much this means to me." Pulling back, he grabbed his cell and dashed out the door, leaving Ryan standing in the hall watching his walk away.
"Please God, if you are listening, please let today go well. For Chad's sake." Ryan made his way back into the bathroom to finish getting ready.
It was going to be a long and interesting day.
HSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSM
Chad had been waiting in the lobby for about five minutes when he heard someone call out his name. Turning, he smiled when he spotted Troy, Gabi, Taylor, Kelsi, Jason and Zeke. They had all made it. As happy as he was to see them, he was still afraid of how things would turn out.
"Hey guys! Glad you could make it." Chad smiled at his friend, but none of them said a word. He was starting to get slightly nervous.
"Um, guys. What's up? Why are you staring?"
Again no one said anything.
"Guys, seriously, what's wrong?"
This time it was Kelsi who spoke.
"Its just..wow..you look good! I mean, uh, wow!" Kelsi stuttered over her words.
"What?" Chad was slightly confused. This time Troy spoke.
"Dude! Since when do you dress like that?"
Chad looked down at his outfit.
"What? Does it not look good?"
"NO!" Gabi, Taylor and Kelsi yelled.
"Um, what I think we meant to say was, you look great! We've just never seen you dress like this before."
Chad smiled.
"Oh, so you like it?" Again the girls answered.
"YES!" Laughing, Chad changed the subject.
"Anyway, I'm glad you guys could make it. I can't believe we haven't hung out at all since summer started."
"I know. But since you've been working, there hasn't been a lot of free time."
"Yeah, I know. That's why my boss gave me the day off. So I could hang out with my friends and catch up a little. So, what do you guys wanna do first?"
"I dunno. What is there to do? I mean, we aren't members."
"Not a problem. My boss informed the manager that there would be a few extra guests today. He was fine with it. So that basically means that you guys can do exactly what the members do. So, I ask again, what do you all wanna do?"
"Swim!"
"Golf!"
"Sunbath!"
"Eat!"
Chad laughed as his friends started yelling out what they wanted to do.
"Ok, guys. We have all day. How about we get some breakfast first?"
"Dude, we ate before we left. Zeke made breakfast for everyone."
"Well, I haven't had a chance to eat yet. Oh well, I guess I can wait til lunch."
"Since when do you pass up an opportunity to eat?" Troy asked, as though he couldn't believe it.
"Since I started watching what I eat. How else do you think I got into this outfit?" Chad laughed at his friend's shocked expressions.
"Guys, I'm kidding! Geezz! Can't even take a joke. Anyway, did you guys bring swim suites and extra clothes?"
Everyone nodded their heads yes.
"So, how about we go and hang by the pool for a while? We can talk and catch up and whoever wants to, can take a swim. Sound good?"
Everyone agreed. Chad showed them the way to the changing rooms and then out to the pool. Picking a nice spot with enough seats for everyone, they all sat down.
Taylor spoke first.
"So, Chad, how are you liking your job?"
"Honestly, I was a little worried about it at first, but I totally love it now."
"I take it then that your boss isn't a slave driver or something?" Troy laughed while he asked.
"No, actually he's anything but. You guys can meet him, if you wanna."
"Sure."
"Sounds good."
"Cool. He'll be out soon. So, how has your all's summer been? Done anything interesting? Seen any good movies? Listened to any good music?"
"Na, we've all just been taking it kinda easy." This time Jason spoke.
"Yeah, I've been working on some new music. I have some really interesting songs written. Hopefully Ms. Darbus will like some of them and we can make it into one of the school's senior plays." Kelsi was so excited as she spoke.
"That sounds cool, Kels."
It was at this moment the girls decided they wanted to take a swim. Gabriella, Taylor and Kelsi made their way into the pool, quickly followed by Jason and Zeke. Troy decided to hang with Chad and catch up some more.
Watching his friends goofing off in the pool, Chad had to smile. He only hoped they stayed this happy when he told them the truth. Chad had decided to come out to his friends today no matter how they reacted to Ryan. He just hadn't told Ryan yet.
"Dude, you spaced out for a minute there. You ok?" Troy asked.
"Yeah man. I'm good. Just got a lot on my mind lately."
"If you wanna talk, I'm here to listen. Just cause we're guys, doesn't mean we don't need to talk sometimes." Chad looked at Troy as though he had grown a second head. Troy just laughed.
"Blame Gabi. After spending so much time with her, I'm starting to sound like her."
"So, how are you and Gabi doing? Things going good?"
"Man, I never thought I would feel like this over some girl. But she's like all I think about anymore. It's a weird feeling but I think I'm in love with her."
Chad smiled at his best friend. At least he was happy.
"That's great to hear man. Do you know how she feels about you?"
"I do now. She told me she loved me first. I was shocked. I knew I loved her but I was afraid she didn't feel like that about me. I'm glad to say I was wrong."
"So, y'all are like really serious now?"
"Oh yeah. Totally."
"Good. I'm glad things are going good for you guys."
Chad turned his attention back to his friends in the pool. It looked like the guys had now ganged up on the girls in a water fight. They were screaming and laughing and just having fun. He looked back to find that Troy was watching him.
"Something wrong, Troy?"
"No, not really. I was just wondering. I know before you made a joke about your clothes, but seriously, why are you dressed like that? Ya know, now that I think about it, you look like Sharpay dressed you!" Troy laughed at himself. Chad laughed as well.
"Yeah, right. Sharpay, dressing me. That's ridiculous, Troy!"
"I know, I know. But for real, what's up with it? I mean, you have always just wore jeans and some kinds t-shirt with a funny saying on them. Why change now?"
"I don't know really. I guess I was just ready for a change. At first, I didn't think I was going to like it, but once I looked at myself and saw how good I looked, I was all for it. I mean, I don't look that bad, do I?"
"No, I mean, its just different is all. I'm not used to seeing you dress like that. It was a little bit of a shock."
"I'm not saying I'm gonna dress like this everyday, cause believe me, there is nothing better than a good t-shirt with a smart ass saying on it." Chad laughed.
"And another thing, what is up with that hat?"
"What? You don't like it?" Chad acted as though he was offended. Troy laughed, again.
"No, its cool, I guess. As long as I've known you, I don't think I have ever seen you in a hat. I guess it'll just take some getting used too."
All Chad could do was smile. He didn't want to say anything else. It was as if he and Troy just didn't have very much to talk about anyway. It wasn't like it had been that long since they had seen each other. Maybe a month or so. How could they have changed so much in such a short amount of time?
Once again he turned his attention back to everyone in the pool. He noticed they were all getting out and making their way back to the table.
"Have fun?" He asked.
"Totally!"
"So much!"
"Thanks so much for inviting us up here today, Chad. It was really nice of you and your boss. Who, by the way, are we gonna get to meet?"
"Yeah, you will. Soon. I told him I'd call when we were ready." Chad pulled out his new cell phone. The one Ryan had given him when he first started his summer job.
"Whoa, Chad! When did you get a new cell phone?" Jason asked, in an almost high-pitched voice.
"Uh, I got it when I started here."
"Dude, that phone is like major expensive! Its like top of the line."
"Oh, yeah, I guess it is."
"You guess!? Do you not even know what kind of phone it is?"
"Um, a cell phone. Man, what does it matter? It's just a phone. He got it for me when I started work. So he would be able to get a hold of me easily. That and so I would have whatever I needed at my disposal." Chad was becoming defensive. He couldn't understand why they would be upset over a cell phone.
"Chad, calm down. We were just wondering is all." Gabriella must have sensed that he was becoming uneasy.
"Sorry. I just don't see what the big deal is." He put his iPhone back in his pocket, hoping that if they couldn't see it, then they wouldn't talk about it.
"So, Chad, what else is there to do around here?" Zeke spoke up.
"Oh, I know. How about I give you guys a tour of the club?"
"Sounds good." Jason and Kelsi spoke at the same time.
"Ok, then. How about you guys go ahead and get changed and we meet back in the lobby in like ten minutes."
Everyone agreed and they all went their separate ways. Chad and Troy were the only ones who didn't have to change, so they walked, silently, side by side back to the lobby. Once they were there, Chad spoke first.
"Troy, have I done something to make you mad or something? I'm not exactly sure, but I feel like there's some shit between us that I don't know why its there."
"No, Chad. It's just that you've changed so much since I last saw you. It's kind of a shock. Dude, I'm sorry about freaking out over the cell phone."
"Na, its no big deal. It's already forgotten." Chad smiled.
It was another few minutes before the rest of the gang got back. Chad started off showing them where the employees were at when they weren't on the clock. He showed them where he worked when he was caddying. He took them back into the kitchens. This made Zeke very happy. It took a full ten minutes go get him out. Once Chad had showed them all there was to see, he noticed it was almost noon, meaning it was lunchtime.
"Hey guys. You hungry?" Chad asked.
"Yes!"
"Totally!"
"Its about time! We are starving here man!" The last comment came from Jason. It earned him an elbow in the ribs from Kelsi.
"How about we make our way into the dinning hall."
Everyone agreed and then followed Chad. Once there they chose a table in the far corner. Chad had decided he would call Ryan now. Getting everyone seated, he excused himself to make a call. Dialing Ryan's number, he waited for him to answer.
"Hello?" Came the sleepy reply.
"Ry, were you sleeping?"
"Maybe." Chad smiled. He loved it when Ryan acted all innocent.
"Dude, are you like even ready to come down?"
"Of course I am!" Ryan said as if he was offended that Chad would even have to ask. Again, Chad laughed.
"Well, then get your skinny little ass down here! We are waiting on you!"
"Fine. And where exactly would 'here' be?"
"Oh, we're in the dinning hall."
"Ok, then. Be there in five." Ryan hung up before Chad could say another word.
HSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSM
Making his way back to the table, he sat down, leaving an empty seat beside of him.
"So, Chad, who'd you call?" Jason asked. He never was one to beat around the bush.
"Uh, my boss. He's gonna meet us here."
"That's cool. So, like who is the dude? How old is he? Is he a slave driver?"
Chad laughed at Taylor's run-on questions.
"You'll find out when he gets here. He's not too old. And no, he is not a slave driver."
Before anyone could say another word, the waiter came and took their orders. Glancing at the menu's everyone was afraid to order anything. They all looked to Chad.
"Don't worry about it. It's all on my boss. Order what you want." He laughed at their shocked expressions. They ordered and boy did they ever.
Glancing up, he saw that Ryan was standing right outside the dinning room entrance.
"Hey guys. Before you meet my boss, just let me say something. Don't be so hasty as to judge him. Ok?"
Not exactly understanding why Chad would say something like they, they all nodded anyway. That's when they heard someone walk up behind them and speak.
"Hey guys." Ryan said.
All heads turned. Ryan felt a little uneasy when he noticed everyone was staring. Chad spoke up.
"Ryan, I believe you know everyone. Guys, you know Ryan. He's my boss." And that was all it took. Chad couldn't hold back any longer. He had been referring to Ryan as his boss all day and it had finally gotten to him. He busted out laughing and Ryan soon followed. Everyone was looking at them with such shocked expressions that it only made them laugh harder. Kelsi spoke first.
"RYAN!" She jumped up, ran to him and pulled him into a massive hug. Ryan did the only thing he could think of, he hugged her back.
"Hey, Kels. Long time no see. How have you been?"
"Ryan Evans! How dare you ask about me!? I should be the one asking about you! How are you?"
"I'm fine, Kels. Why wouldn't I be?"
"Ry, we know. Sharpay told everyone."
"Oh." Was all he said.
"Ryan, seriously, how are you?"
"That depends, what exactly did she tell you?"
"Well, she told me that your parents had kicked you out of your house."
"And did she tell you why they did that?" His voice was getting higher and higher with each spoken word.
"Yes." She practically whispered.
"How about you share it with everyone else. If they don't already know, they will today." Ryan was angry. Not at Kelsi, but at his sister for blabbing his personal business to everyone.
"Ry, no. Its no one's business."
"Since my sister, oh excuse me, Sharpay has taken it upon herself to tell you, it's more than likely she has told everyone else as well."
Turning to everyone else, he spoke.
"Would you all like to know why my family has disowned me? Why they kicked me out of my own house? Why my own sister won't even have anything to do with me anymore? Well, would you?"
No one dared to speak a word, no one except Chad.
"Ry, calm down. There's no need for you to get upset." Chad had gotten up out of his seat and was slowly making his way to Ryan.
"No, Chad. They have a right to know. Isn't that why we invited them here today? So, I could tell them."
"Tell us what, man?" Troy finally spoke. Turning to Troy, Ryan spoke.
"The reason my family no longer have anything to do with me, it because I am gay!"
No one spoke. Chad stopped in his tracks. He turned to look at his friends.
Still no one spoke.
"Well, doesn't anyone have anything to say? I mean, I just came out to all of you. Someone, please say something."
Ryan waited. Chad waited.
No one said anything.
A/N: ...hehehe...another evil cliffy! Did ya like it? I know I did! Review and let me know what you thought. Next chapter will be up tomorrow. Until then, Tootles:)
Next chapter: Everyone's reactions. :)