AN: I apologize once again for my absence. In truth, a lot has happened that has kept me at bay, starting from my computer and my hard drive crashing and me having to basically rewrite everything, INCLUDING this story. I promise to never let this happen again and frequently back up ALL of my work. But, as I am in the wake of my grad school applications my priorities were with my original pieces that I needed for submission. I just recently got the opportunity to give this piece the attention it needed, so I hope that there are still some faithful reviewers out there. Enjoy!
Kelsi entered the secluded ballroom at the ushering of Wendy, the hotel manager and immediately zeroed in on the grand piano that stood in the middle of the room. She had been brought there to wait for Taylor and Chad so that they could rehearse before the reception started. But all anxiousness and impatience flew out the window the minute she laid eyes on the piano. The only thought she had was, 'The longer Taylor and Chad take, the more time I get to spend with this.'
Kelsi quickly thanked Wendy and strode forward, her fingers itching to touch the ivory keys. The hotel itself, where the reception would be taking place, was beautiful, ornate and grand in the way a hotel should be, but the grand piano was even more exquisite. A sleek black with a padded seat. She grew giddy at the very thought as she sat down and lifted the cover.
Her fingers found their place on the keys and she began to play, the clinking sound of the strings within being struck enough to make chills run down her spine. It was beautiful and reminded her how much she loved music. She became so enthralled that she didn't notice the figure who unceremoniously found his way into the ballroom and stopped at the sight of her.
There she was before him, in the same position he had found her when they first met freshman year of high school and when he had figured out how in love with her he really was senior year. Behind the keys and lost in the music.
He held his breath and watched her for a few moments, the song she was playing familiar but not connecting to anything in his brain. All he could focus on was her and how much she had changed and not changed in the last seven years.
Suddenly a separate melody rose above her playing and she stopped, the sudden silence of keys stark and uncomfortable to him like a bubble being popped. She reached to her purse that lay above the piano and pulled out a cellphone, answering it with a giggle and "Hello?"
Even her voice sounded like the clinking of keys.
"That sounds amazing! I hope you had a good time."
He inched closer to her as she spoke, the sound of her voice and her laugh enough to draw him in like a fly trap.
"Oh that's great, honey, really great. I'm sorry that I missed it."
That's when he stopped moving all together. 'Honey'?
"Well, I'll be home later tonight and you can tell me all about it over ice cream."
From where he stood he could almost see how happy she was, talking to whoever she was talking to. She had relaxed into the seat and was bobbing her head from side to side, the internal melody of her heart still motivating her every move. She was practically glowing from her place.
"I'm so glad baby and I can't wait to come home to you. I missed you today."
Ryan felt his stomach drop. He knew he couldn't really justify the automatic defensive stance his heart had suddenly took, because they had been technically broken up for 7 years. He would be a fool to think that Kelsi hadn't found someone else. But still, he felt the jealousy start to bubble. Who was this guy?
"That sounds great Ry, it really does."
Her words were a slap to his face as it brought back memories from years long past. Their phone conversations late into the night where he would tell her all his dreams and she would respond with those same words: "That sounds great Ry." full of support and love for only him. In that moment he was suspended in that time, witnessing her talking to the high school him who loved her with everything he had, until she spoke again.
"Oh, I love you too. Bye sweetie."
She wasn't talking to him at all he realized. She was talking to someone else.
Ryan felt something break within him and began to will his body to retreat in defeat, but his feet refused to move. He could only stand and watch as she hung up her phone and began to fiddle with the buttons. That's when he saw a rigidness settle in to her back and drop the phone as if it was scalding hot. He could hear her ragged breathing and became concerned as to what was going on, but he had no time to react. She simply reached down, picked up the phone and then turned, suddenly face to face with him.
She stopped and froze.
There she was before him, within arm's length and yet so completely out of reach and neither one of them knew what to do. What do you say? What was there to say? His mouth ran a little dry as he opened it to speak, but nothing came out. He couldn't focus when she was looking at him with those eyes of hers.
But he had to try.
He coughed and cleared his throat. "Uh. Hi."
Not one of the most articulate things to say, but it was a start. "Hey Kels." He tried again, "Long time no see."
She didn't respond right away, the expression on her face one that clearly said she had no idea how to respond. But then she bit her lip and he knew she was forcing herself to remain calm. "Yeah. You're right. It has been a long time."
An uncomfortable silence settled in around them and Ryan shuffled his weight from one foot to the other. "So…uh. Who was that on the phone?"
Kelsi's shoulders raised just a hair and she breathed in sharply. "No one-" Ryan furrowed his brow until Kelsi breathed out and quickly added, "you know. No one you know I mean." Ryan nodded suspiciously, but knew that he couldn't really ask her anything more. He had no reason to and simply relaxed into his stance and stuffed his hands into his pockets.
"Right. So…" he spoke, dropping his gaze to the floor. "Um. Taylor and Chad sent me in here to rehearse a song they wanted Sharpay and I to sing. Is Paige Aker here?"
Kelsi's eyes widened and she looked completely caught off-guard. "What?"
"Paige Aker." Ryan tried again, holding up the sheet music in his hand. "The composer? Apparently she's friends with Troy and wrote a song for the wedding as a present. Taylor and Chad had Sharpay and I learn it so that we could sing it. Have you seen her?"
Kelsi opened and closed her mouth repeatedly, the nerves suddenly written all over her face and she stuttered out, "Um. Well she…and I…uh…" She was babbling out nonsense when Taylor and Chad entered the room from behind Ryan.
"Oh great! You're here. Now we're just waiting on Sharpay. So Kels, you ready? Troy and Gabriella's limo should be done with their couple photographs in like twenty minutes so that gives us a good forty minutes."
"Uh. Yeah. I just…I thought you guys were singing." Kelsi turned her attention to Chad and Taylor. Chad smiled sheepishly and shook his head coming up from behind Ryan to pat him on the back.
"Sorry Kels, we tried, but every time we would sit down to rehearse Troy or Gabriella would come calling, so we handed it off to Ryan and Sharpay. Is that a problem?"
Kelsi shook her head quicker than she meant to, but recovered with a smile. "No, of course not. I understand. Ah well…where's—"
"I'm here!" Sharpay came tumbling in with Zeke behind her, lipstick smudged and hair a little mussed, but unflustered. "Sorry, had trouble…parking…"
Zeke looked absolutely giddy. "Yeah." He agreed. "Parking."
He caught Kelsi's eye and she raised a brow to question him, but he only smiled and clapped his hands. "So? Are we rehearsing this thing or what?"
A ringing came from Chad's pocket, pulling everyone's attention to him as he whipped out his phone. "Text from Troy," he muttered more to himself than to anyone. Taylor leaned over his shoulder to read it as well.
"Crap." She muttered, pulling away from Chad to lean her forehead onto his shoulder. "Looks like you won't be able to rehearse," She raised her head and smiled apologetically at the others. "Troy and Gabriella finished their photos early and are on their way."
Chad nodded, "ETA twenty minutes. Might as well go out there and make sure the set up is ready and then take our places."
"Sorry Kels. Want to try and rehearse your song at least once? I know you worked so hard on it." Taylor walked forward and placed a hand on Kelsi's shoulder, pulling her friend's dazed expression toward her. Up until that point Kelsi had still been trying to process everything around her from Ryan's presence to Zeke's giddy smile, then the reality that Ryan was going to be singing one of her love songs.
"Er-"
"Your song?" Sharpay interjected. "I thought this was one of P.M. Aker's?"
Kelsi's gaze snapped up and again her mouth gaped open and closed looking between Sharpay Ryan, Chad and Taylor. "Um…well-you see." She caught Zeke's gaze, sending him a pleading look.
"You know," Zeke laughed, clapping his hands together and stepping toward Kelsi. "we should just go ahead and head toward the hall. Sharpay and Ryan don't need to rehearse, and Kelsi was always good at improvising if necessary. Yeah? Good? Good. But Kels, if you could explain this one portion of the song-" He ushered Kelsi toward the door and motioned for the others to follow, leaving no room for anyone to contest the change of subject.
Kelsi sighed in relief as she pretended to listen to Zeke question her, but she couldn't help but feel Ryan's eyes on her from behind, boring into the back of her head. His focus made her knees quake and she knew it was only a matter of time before he put two and two together. It felt as if she was waiting for the bomb to explode and the impending boom made it difficult to breathe.
She sat in front of her keyboard as the entire hall buzzed with the chatter of over two hundred guests. Zeke was doing a good job of acting as a buffer as Kelsi busied herself with the two keyboards she was using to accompany the song. The truth was, she had actually set up everything earlier, but was desperately trying to avoid eye contact with Ryan.
Zeke kept them on the opposite side of the stage, setting up their mics and keeping Ryan and Sharpay in conversation, though she could feel Ryan glancing at her more often than not. Sharpay also seemed to be tossing glares at her, but Kelsi noted the way Zeke would rest his hand on the small of her back and pull attention back to himself.
As tense as Kelsi was, she couldn't help the intrigue that was slowly creeping up her spine at the sight of the two, but had her attention called away at the sound of her name. "Kelsi! It is you!" She turned to see Martha Cox, dressed in a smart black, white, and pink halter dress, a good two or three sizes smaller, but still curvaceous, with her hair in updo of curls. She smiled at how sore a sight Martha was and couldn't hold back the squeal.
"Martha!" Maneuvering herself off the stage, she hopped down, careful to hold on to her skirt as she did so, and embraced the girl. The two erupted in giggles as they greeted one another and pulled back to glance at how much each one had changed. "You look great." Kelsi said, holding on to Martha's hand as she pulled back to survey her friend.
Martha laughed and held out her dress, curtsying in a sort of mock fashion before motioning toward Kelsi, "Please girl, it's you that looks great. Gosh, it's been years Kels, I've really missed you."
Kelsi nodded and sighed, walking toward the edge of the stage to have Martha follow her. "I know, I've missed you all too. And it's sad to say, but I probably wouldn't have known about this if Troy hadn't come around."
Leaning on the stage she crossed her arms and turned back towards Martha, who clutched at her purse and offered her friend a sad smile. Martha was always the more sympathetic and understanding of all of her friends, but she could see that there was a bit of hurt. "Well," she sighed, "we were all looking for you. Actually, it's kind of a surprise Troy was able to find you. It's almost like you were hiding."
Kelsi, bit her lip and shook her head, waving Martha off, "Of course not Mar. It's just...Things got a little busy. Life got ahead of me and I'm sorry that it did. But I'm here now."
Martha was silent for a beat longer before nodding and pulling her friend into a hug. "Yes you are and you have to promise not to drop off the grid anymore. Okay?" Kelsi didn't respond, but Martha hugged her tighter pulling Kelsi deeper into her arms. "Promise," she demanded.
Kelsi nodded. "I promise Mar. I do."
She didn't know why she said it. She knew that saying something like that could lead to even more people finding out about her life in New York and Riley. But in Martha's hug she could feel the abandonment and betrayal that Martha must have been feeling from their last conversation. She had asked her friend to give Ryan a message, a message about waiting for him, and she hadn't. And from what she knew of Ryan and his tour, Martha had to have been there through all of it from his end. Surely there was a story that she knew about, another side she was privy to that Kelsi couldn't bring herself to postulate.
A deep, "Ahem," pulled the two of them from their hug to find Ryan kneeling at the edge of the stage. "Hey," he said, looking back and forth between both girls, Kelsi's body tensing at the sound of his voice. "Chad and Taylor just texted, Troy and Gabriella are rolling up, so Sharpay and Zeke are lining up for their entrance. They said we should get ready."
Kelsi nodded and offered a quiet, "Thanks Ryan," before dropping her gaze. She heard him walk off, but didn't look up to watch him do it. She sighed and then turned to Martha, her friend gauging her with a steady gaze. Kelsi blushed and then stood, "Um, I'll catch up with you after alright? I think I'm sitting with you?"
Martha nodded and squeezed her hand, "We'll talk," and her eyes flicked toward Ryan. Kelsi blushed and brushed Martha off with an "Mhm," and turned toward the side stairs, not wanting to risk her skirt riding up in trying to climb back on stage. She settled herself on her keyboard bench and glanced at Ryan who was already looking at her. She sucked in a deep breath and offered him a shy smile, which he only seemed to stay transfixed on. She blushed and turned away as the DJ began to play background music and Ryan spoke into the mic.
"Alright ladies and gentlemen, thank you for being so patient. It was a beautiful wedding wasn't it?" An eruption of cheers came from the guests in the form of hollers, claps, and clinking of glasses. Ryan did well to smile and round up their attention and Kelsi couldn't help but notice how at home he looked on stage.
"Okay," he spoke again, clapping his hands with a smile as he pulled out the wedding program. "Let's get this reception started then shall we? Because I don't know about all of you, but I am starving. So," he held up the program and smiled as Kelsi began to play a funky upbeat from her keyboard. "First to the floor we would like to welcome our groomsman and bridesmaid, Zeke Baylor and Shapay Evans!"
The pair walked in arm in arm, in beat to the music and smiled as the guests clapped, their claps slowly coming in sync as well. Zeke escorted her to the her side of the dance floor, parking her just beside Ryan, before winking at her and making his way to Kelsi's side. Kelsi kept her eyes focused on the entrance, though she could feel Sharpay's glare on her cheek.
She glanced down at Zeke and he smiled comfortingly. Ryan moved on. "Next up, the unequivocally quirky and dynamic duo, best friends of the happy couple, Chad Danforth and Taylor McKessie!"
Again, clapping erupted Chad and Taylor walking down in the same manner as Zeke and Sharpay, even separating to either side of the dance floor as they faced the entrance. The large wooden entrance doors had been closed again, Kelsi beginning to play an upbeat version of You Are the Music In Me. Ryan let the clapping die down just a little before speaking into the mic once more. "And now, it is my pleasure to introduce, Mr. Troy Bolten and Mrs. Gabriella Bolton!"
The cheers were deafening as the door opened and Troy and Gabriella walked in hands fingers intertwined and smiles that stretched far across their faces. Guests began to stand as Kelsi felt tears threaten to break free from her eyes. She felt a hand on her shoulder and turned to see Zeke, holding out a tissue to her and she set her keyboard to loop as she took it and dabbed her eyes. She clapped right along with everyone as Gabriella and Troy made their way to the center of the floor.
As a hush began to fall over the crowd Kelsi, let her keyboard music fade and saw Sharpay and Ryan ready themselves on stage and Taylor take the mic. Both Sharpay and Taylor had tears in their eyes as well, but were smiling wide just the same. Taylor laughed as she looked at Troy and Gabriella and cocked her head to the side. "Well, Troy and Gabs, we have one more surprise from you. I know that your wedding ceremony was a musical in it of itself, but...the day would not be complete without another Kelsi original." Taylor looked at Kelsi, who took the cue and laughed as well.
Troy and Gabriella turned to her as she just stared. She took a moment to take the site in and laughed again. "I'm sorry," she said into her own mic. "It's just...you guys were always the couple that I wrote so..." she laughed again, "seeing you here is like watching a disney movie or something." Both of them laughed, along with everyone else in the hall and Kelsi sighed deeply before dabbing her eyes once more.
"Anyway," she continued, "I hope you don't mind Troy, Gabriella, but I switched out your first dance song for something I felt would do you more justice. Consider it my gift to you, a thank you for always inspiring me and reminding me the power of true love. I wrote this for you when Troy told me about your impending nuptials and I've got to say that it was the best time of my life writing it for you. I hope you like it."
She nodded toward Zeke, who looked to Ryan and Sharpay and smiled, her finger sliding over to her beat button as the pre-recorded music began to play. She turned back toward Troy and Gabriella, who were still smiling up at her, and let out a laugh once more as Troy gave her mock salute. She nodded in response and motioned for them to turn to each other, poising her fingers over the keys. She kept her eyes trained on them as they began to sway and added layers of instruments over her recorded track just as Sharpay began to sing.
"Take my hand
Take a breath
Pull me close
And take one step
Keep your eyes
Locked on mine
And let the music be your guide."
Ryan's voice followed, strong and beautiful as it always had been, fitting in perfectly with his sister, and causing goosebumps to run up and down her arm. She kept her focus, though, on the newlyweds, trying not to get distracted by the tenor voice that had also been an inspiration to the song.
Won't you promise me (Now won't you promise me)
That you'll never forget (We'll keep dancing)
To keep dancing
Wherever we go next
It's like catching lightning
The chances of finding someone Like you
It's one in a million
The chances of feeling the way We do
And with every step together
We just keep on getting better
So can I have this dance? (Can i have this dance?)
Can I have this dance?
Their harmonies were beautiful, to say the least, and as Kelsi added an improv piano to the mix of the chorus she let herself fall completely to the music. Ryan's verse came strong toward her like a breath of summer breeze and rested against her heart, making it difficult to ignore. She couldn't help but glance at him and blushed to find him looking back.
Take my hand
I'll take the lead
And every turn
Will be safe with me
Don't be afraid
Afraid to fall
You know I'll catch you through it all
And you can't keep us apart (Even a thousand miles can't keep us apart)
Cause my heart is where ever you are (Cause my heart is where ever you are)
She turned her attention back to the keyboard and quickly added back in the violins in a steady 16/4 beat, then coming in with the piano as she shut her eyes to avoid Ryan's.
It's like catching lightning
The chances of finding someone Like you
It's one in a million
The chances of feeling the way We do
And with every step together
We just keep on getting better
So can I have this dance? (Can i have this dance?)
Can I have this dance?
She added a slower, higher pitched set of violins, letting her eyes open only slightly to glance at Zeke who was watching her and nodding, He knew that their part was coming up.
Oh,
No mountain's too high
And no ocean's too wide
Cause together or not
Our dance won't stop
Let it rain, let it pour
What we have is worth fighting for
You know I believe
That we were meant to be,
Yeah,
Zeke and Kelsi came in to sing the chorus as Sharpay and Ryan sustained the bridge and then did a layer of runs over their chorus.
It's like catching lightning
The chances of finding someone
Like you (Like you)
It's one in a million
The chances of feeling the way
We (way we do) do
And with every step together
We just keep on getting better
So can I have this dance? (Can I have this dance?)
Can I have this dance?
Kelsi and Zeke faded out as Sharpay and Ryan took over the end and just caught sight of Troy and Gabriella kissing with the close of the song. Another bout of cheers erupted from the crowd and Kelsi felt that familiar swell in her chest as she played to the end.
Can I have this dance?
Can I have this dance?
Can I have this dance?
Gabriella pressed her forehead to Troy's and pulled him to her, placing another kiss against his lips. The audience clapped and hollered more, while Kelsi sighed, somewhat emotionally exhausted. There was so much emotion to that song and she leaned her head against Zeke's shoulder as she took in the pair that had taught her to believe in true love. "That was great Kelsi," Zeke whispered and she nodded, swiping a stray tear from her eye. "Yeah, thanks."
In lifting her head she and Zeke shared one more smile before she felt a gaze burning hot on her. She cocked her head to the side and met Ryan's eyes once again, her breath getting caught in her throat. His eyes said it all to her. There were so many questions unanswered, so many things unsaid and she knew that she was about to face the music sooner rather than later as he made a step toward her. She bit her lip and sighed, unsure if she was prepared, but realizing that she didn't really have much of a choice.
AN: DUN DUN DUN! Haha, sorry, had to. Anyway, I hope that that was worth the wait. This chapter actually wasn't the original. I had to rewrite because of what happened and I think it ended up better than it was. There is a lot more tension in it this time around than there was before and I think that can be contributed to the fact that...after having to rewrite mostly all of your pieces, you find yourself in a different perspective and capacity of ability. I've really had time to evaluate my work and hopefully get better at it. Please leave a review! That's the only way I know how to improve some more. AND if you happen to be a Secret Life fan, I have a few pieces that I've posted (guilty pleasure fanfiction that helps me to relax) and I would really appreciate a read on those ones as well. Keep reviewing! Keep reminding me to update and I'll get the next one to you as soon as I can. =]
-scribbling wordsmith