So… here's another chapter. Hope you like it!

As always, thanks to: ravsong, Penny, fallinrain, Sony89, Darcehole, Dramione x3, digigirl02, and Sohi. Also thanks to everyone who added this their favorite/alert story list.

HSM belongs to Disney.

Chapter 10.

Just friends.

"You invited a friend. To spend the Christmas break here. What exactly were you thinking, Ryan Evans?"

The boy sighed. Telling his mother about his 'decision' was going to be a little more difficult than he had originally thought…

"She's really special, isn't she?" Mrs. Evans was smiling happily, glad that her baby boy had finally found a girl he really, truly liked.

"She's just a friend, mom"

"And I'm Queen Elizabeth!" she exclaimed, feeling entertained by her son denial.

"Mom…"

"Ryan, you know I support whatever you do. And I believe that, if you really like this girl, she must be the most amazing woman in the whole world! Therefore, I don't understand…"

"Mom, really, she's just my friend. Or perhaps she's like a little sister. A little, non-evil, non-manipulative sister!"

Mrs. Evan laughed. She knew her son loved his twin very much, but he usually had some… differences with her.

"Okay, let's say I believe you. She's just a friend. So, what now?"

"I want to know if it's okay that she and her family stay at 'Lava Springs' during the holidays"
"I don't have any problem with that. I'll talk to your father about it, okay? But I believe he will agree with me that if you…"

"Mom!"

"No need to get overdramatic, ducky!" she laughed and hugged him lightly "I won't bring the matter up again, if you don't want me to"

"Thanks"

"However, if you're in denial…"

"Mom!"

"I'm just saying! You know, when you're father was your age, he was also very afraid of asking me out…"

"MOM!"

She laughed even harder, before giving her son a quick peek on the cheek. He was so adorable when he was trying to deny the obvious!

"So… your mother tells me you invited a 'friend' over"

Here they go again! Honestly, why did everyone think it was such a relevant thing? Sharpay had had her friends over since she was 7! And now, the first time he actually invited someone…

"Yes, I…"

"I wouldn't like to mess with you love life, Ryan, but your mother seems to think you're in denial and she asked me…"

"Dad, she's just a friend"

"Well, yes, but if you…"

"Dad, please. I've already had this conversation with mom"

"Yes, and that's why she wants me to talk to you. She believes I could give you some advice…"

"Dad…"

"Okay, okay, let's forget about it! But if your mother asks…"

"I'll tell her you talk to me"

"Good. Good" he smiled and then hugged him, completely surprising Ryan "I'm so glad you've finally found a special girl" he whispered and almost immediately left, leaving his son very, very confused.

"Dad!"

Mr. Evans fought back his laughter. Honestly, why did Ryan believe he could hide the obvious?

"Ryan!"

The boy glanced at his sister, while she stormed down the hallway. She looked furious, which, he decided, wasn't a good thing, but it was too late to run. If only Mr. Fulton had told him the reason his sister wanted to see him…

"What's wrong, Shar?"

"You actually invited her?! I can't believe it!"

Ryan paled. This could get messy. His twin was going to kill him and there was no one near to save him! What was he supposed to do?

"I… well… she's your friend also!" he tried to defend himself, but the look in his twin's eyes told him there was no hope left…

"I…! Yes. Yes she is" said Sharpay, suddenly regaining her cool "you're absolutely right. She's just our friend, right?"

"Shar, are you alright?" he wondered, feeling really nervous. Her sudden change of mood couldn't mean anything good.

"Of course I am! What kind of silly question is that?" she said, smiling cutely. Ryan shrugged; Sharpay's attitude wasn't fooling him, although he couldn't really said what was going through the blond's head "well, keep going. Kelsi is at the basketball court"

"Okay… I'll see you later…"

"Yes, yeah, whatever" the girl said, before turning around and leaving her brother completely dumbfounded.

Sharpay smirked. Sometimes, she surprised even herself of her brilliant, scheming mind…

They sat quietly outside the restaurant, waiting for his parents. Ryan had suggested to wait at the table, with Mr. and Mrs. Nielson but Kelsi refused, arguing that the longer they were with her mother, the most embarrassing comments she could come up with.

Ryan found Mrs. Nielson very funny. As Kelsi said, she was more like a big sister than a mother, however she was hilarious. Sure, she had made him blush more times than in his whole life time, but…

"Ducky!" exclaimed Mrs. Evans, as she walked towards him, he immediately blushed. Did she have to call him that in front of Kelsi?

"Hi mom" he greeted and heard as the girl tried to contain a giggle.

"Aren't you going to introduce me to your lovely friend?"

"Oh, sure" he said, standing up. Kelsi did the same "Mom, this is Kelsi Nielson. Kelsi, this is my mother, Derby Evans"

"A pleasure meeting you, Mrs. Evans" she told her, with a little bow, shaking her hand.

"The pleasure is all mine, dearest" she answered, with the biggest smile "are your parents already here?"

"Ah, yes, umm…"

"Well, let's not keep them waiting anymore! Come on, ducky"

Ryan sighed and this time Kelsi didn't hold back her giggle.

Mrs. Nielson was laughing very loudly when Mrs. Evans, Ryan and Kelsi entered. Her husband was trying his best to get her to 'behave as a proper lady', but she wasn't paying to much attention to him.

"Mom. Mom. MOM!" exclaimed Kelsi, trying to get her mother attention. The older woman finally stopped laughing and looked at her.

"Oh, Kelsi dear, you're back!" she was still trying to catch her breath. Mr. Nielson just rolled his eyes and Mrs. Evans smiled.

"Mom, I want to introduce you to Mrs. Evans"

"Oh, right" she said, blushing a little and smiling at the other woman "Nice meeting you, Mrs. Evans"

"Call me Derby, please" Mrs. Evans said, while she shook Mrs. Nielson's hand.

"Call us Sam" suggested Mrs. Nielson and giggled. Her husband rolled his eyes once more.

"What my wife means to say is that we are Samuel and Samantha Nielson and it's a pleasure finally meeting you, Derby. We also like to thank you and your husband for having our daughter and us over"

Ryan realized that Kelsi took after her father personality. A quieter, centered, shy personality. Not a loud, easy-going, funny kind, like her mother. And yet, she took after Mrs. Nielson gorgeous looks. Kelsi wasn't as tall as the older woman, but…

"A pleasure meeting you" greeted Mrs. Evans "my husband and daughter will be arriving shortly, but we could start dinner, if you wish…"

"No, no, it's really okay. We can wait" said Mrs. Nielson, giggling a little and cuddling next to her husband.

Ryan smiled as he watched Kelsi, who had just turned a deeper shade of red. Well, Mrs. Nielson might be a little childish, but nothing to be embarrassed of, right?

"Ducky" his mother whispered, once he had took a seat next to her "you've got a nice looking one!"

He tried to hide another blush. God, parents could really be embarrassing!

Mr. Evans arrived a few minutes later, closely followed by Sharpay, who, surprisingly, looked quite happy. Ryan didn't dare to ask her about it, but he was under the impression that it could be potentially dangerous…

It was a nice dinner, their parents talked a lot between them and Ryan thought that they may end up being friends. He could tell that his mother was getting along amazingly well with Mrs. Nielson, even if their personalities were quite different. Mr. Nielson didn't speak very much but he was a good listener and made a few interesting comments at whatever Mr. Evans was saying.

This could be a good thing he told himself if mom and dad approve Kelsi, I shouldn't worry about Sharpay's opinion, right?

A look across the table to his sister told him otherwise. No matter what Mr. and Mrs. Evans thought, unfortunately for him, his twin opinion was way more important.

"She's charming" Mrs. Evans informed her son, when dinner was over and they were back to their own suite.

"Very lovely. A little shy, perhaps, but beautiful, none less" Mr. Evans confirmed, placing an arm around his wife's waist.

"So, when are you planning to ask her out?"

"He's not" answered Sharpay, a satisfied smirk on her lips.

"What?!"

"She's just my friend. I've already told you" Ryan said, avoiding his parent's gaze.

"But, ducky, you…"

"Surely son, you don't mean…"

"I'm not in denial. I really don't like her that way" he explained, and before they could ask another question, he stormed towards his room.

"Don't look at me!" argued Sharpay, when her mother glared at her "I didn't say anything!"

Ryan sighed as he let himself fall over his bed. He kept his gaze fixed on the ceiling, trying very hard not to think about anything. He didn't want to give himself a headache.

However, he couldn't help his thoughts to drift back to Kelsi. God, the girl was amazing! Even his parents thought so, then, why couldn't he gather enough courage to ask her?!

Sure, Sharpay was a big impediment. But it wasn't such a big deal. After all, his first girlfriend, a girl named Rowena, was never of Sharpay's liking. And yet, he hadn't cared. So then… why?

Was he afraid? But afraid of what? He was pretty sure she wouldn't reject him and there was no way that Kelsi would hurt him or cheat on him or… nevertheless…

He sighed, angry at himself. Tomorrow, he decided, was the big the day. He'll ask her to be his girlfriend. Normally, he would have take her in a few dates before actually asking her that, but, he realized, he had wasted enough time. He was no longer willing to loose her…

The problem? He wasn't counting with Sharpay's own plans…

So… how was it? I really hate transition chapters! They're so hard to write! And yet, I hope you liked this one…

Anyway, thanks for reading and reviewing. Update will be up as soon as possible!