East High Drama Club

by angellwings

Chapter Nine: Her Secret Wish

Martha watched Kelsi as she urgently left the banquet room, and then turned her eyes back to Ryan. Some how he managed to look confused and determined all at once. Martha elbowed Jason.

"What just happened?" she asked him.

He sighed, "Eye contact."

"Ah, got it," Martha said with a nod as if that made everything perfectly clear. "I'm gonna go talk to him. Cheer him up a bit."

Jason chuckled, "Of course you are, and I suppose you're not going over there to get the dirt directly from him so that you and the girls can discuss it later, right?"

Martha laughed nervously as she stood and left the table, "Of course not."

Martha sat down in the seat Kelsi had just vacated, "How you doing, New York?"

"Could be better, Los Angeles," He said with a half smile.

She nodded, "So have a bit of eye contact, did you?"

"Yep, and I think it was a little too much for her. Who knew eye contact could be so complicated?"

"Oh, please, eye contact is very important. A lot of chemistry can be exchanged that way. You know the first time I ever thought of Jason as more than a friend was caused by eye contact?"

"I don't doubt it, that's how Kelsi and I started too," he grinned.

"Let me guess, it was during that first summer we were all here?" Martha asked knowingly.

He nodded, "We were working on the plan to get Gabriella and Troy back together, and it was pretty much just us in the rehearsal room."

"Mine and Jason's moment was during first semester of senior year," Martha said with a smile as she glanced back at her husband. "I volunteered for prom committee and he volunteered right after me. I looked back to give him a questioning glance and ended up catching his gaze. Took everything I had to look away."

"I've got to get Kelsi back, Mar," Ryan said with gentle determination as he stared at his plate on the table.

Martha beamed, "Oh thank goodness you realized that on your own! I was afraid I was going to have to manipulate you…or her either one."

"Gee, thanks for your concern, Martha," Ryan laughed.

"So, what are you gonna do?"

He sighed, "I don't know yet."

"Ryan, I think you're already well on your way to getting her back."

"What do you mean?"

"Kelsi's not going to be able to take much more friendship," Martha grinned. "She's well on her way to realizing she's still in love with you."

"So then what should I do?" He asked in confusion.

"Just keep doing whatever it is you've been doing," Martha smiled. "She'll do the rest."

"Are you sure about that?" He asked.

"Positive," Martha said with a nod.

Ryan stared at the house in front of him. It didn't really look like a place Kelsi would choose then again he knew she didn't choose it. Disney chose it for her. They had rented the house for her to stay in during filming. It was very plain and a little cold. There was no landscaping other than a couple of bushes on either side of the front stoop. The house itself was covered in white siding. For some reason he had always pictured Kelsi living in a brick house or an old Victorian. Something beautiful and warm. He sighed. Of course, a part of that could be that he had always pictured himself IN those kinds of houses WITH her. He sighed and knocked on the door. He heard footsteps behind and then saw a shadow pass over the peep hole.

"Ryan?" A hesitant voice asked. "What are you doing here?"

"We need to talk, Kels," Ryan said loudly so that she could hear him through the door.

He heard her groan, "Is this about last night?"

"What do you think?" He asked with a grin.

"Do we have to?"

He chuckled, "Kelsi, open the door."

There was a few minutes of silence before the knob turned and the door opened. She stepped to the side and motioned him in. The inside didn't look like Kelsi either. The only thing that resembled her in the house was all the picture frames with personal photos in them. He furrowed his brow as he heard a distant rapid pitter patter that came closer and closer to the foyer. Suddenly a large great dane charged him. His eyes widened and he back up against the door in shock just as Kelsi closed it.

Kelsi chuckled softly and enjoyed the sight of Ryan cornered by her massive dog before deciding to help him out.

"Down, Gershwin," Kelsi commanded. The dog gave her a disappointed glance before putting his two front legs back down on the floor. She hadn't had Gershwin's ears pinned so unlike most Great Danes his ears flopped joyfully as he backed up and circled Kelsi's feet.

Ryan cleared his throat, "So you, um, got a dog…I see."

Kelsi laughed, "Yeah sorry about, Gersh. He gets really excited when we have company."

"That is a very large dog, Kelsi," Ryan grinned as he relaxed and reached forward to pet the tan and black dog that seemed to be the size of a very small horse.

"Yes, well, I'm a tiny person so I think I need a large guard dog," She said brightly.

"Guard dog? This isn't a guard dog," Ryan chuckled as Gershwin licked his hand and attempted to jump on him again. "He's too friendly."

"Well, he's big enough that maybe just the look of him will scare people away," Kelsi smirked. "Would you like something to drink? I've got water and diet sodas."

"Water is fine, thanks," Ryan said as he followed Kelsi into the kitchen. She pulled out a glass and poured Ryan a glass of filtered water before grabbing Gershwin's massive bowl and filling it with tap water.

"So, how do you want to do this?" Kelsi asked with a sigh.

"We could just lay it out on the line. Total honesty," Ryan said as he reached for his glass of water.

Kelsi sat Gershwin's bowl down and gave Ryan a worried look, "Total honesty? Really?"

He smiled knowingly at her and shrugged, "Or we could just tell elaborate lies. Whichever you prefer."

She rolled her eyes at him playfully, "Very funny."

"I thought so," He grinned.

"I suppose we'll go with honesty," Kelsi said with a defeated sigh.

"So, what happened?"

"I just had a moment where all the reasons we broke up seemed to evaporate from my brain. I just kept remembering all the reasons we worked and seemed to forget all the reasons we didn't. It freaked me out, that's all," Kelsi explained as she studied the counter in front of her.

He nodded, "I've had a few of those. Although they didn't freak me out. They just depressed me a little."

"Really? They didn't freak you out even a little bit?"

He shrugged, "I can't say I'm surprised that there is still some chemistry between us. We didn't exactly have solid closure, Kels."

She sighed, "True."

"So, are we okay?" Ryan asked hopefully.

She smiled and nodded, "Yeah, we're good."

"Great, well, I've got to go. Martha wanted me to meet her for some reason or another," Ryan chuckled. "I'll talk to you later, Kelsi."

She nodded and walked him to the door, "See you on Monday. For filming! Finally!"

"Six more weeks and then all that will be left is post production," Ryan grinned as they reached the door.

"Luckily I have very little to do with post. That's all Jason's job. I just have to attend screenings with Mike every now and then," Kelsi smiled.

"Are you going to be staying out here or what?"

"I'll be going back to my apartment in Los Angeles," Kelsi answered as Ryan opened the door. "What about yourself?"

"Back to New York for me," he said with a soft smile. "I've already had a few offers for some new shows."

"Mike told me not to schedule anything. He's hoping Disney will want to do an EHDC 3," Kelsi chuckled.

"Good luck with that," Ryan smiled as he stepped out onto the stoop. "See you on Monday, Kelsi."

"Bye, Ryan," Kelsi said softly as she watched him walk away. She suddenly felt like time was moving way too fast. She wanted the next six weeks to slow down. She shut the door and turned to face her lovable clumsy dog. "What do you think, Gersh? You like him?"

Gershwin barked once loudly and waved his tail wildly.

Kelsi laughed, "Good to know."

"Hey!" Martha asked eagerly. "How did it go?"

Ryan quirked an eyebrow at the table. He had been expecting Martha but he hadn't been expecting the added bonus of Taylor and Gabriella. He also noticed a lap top sitting in the middle of the table. All three girls were sitting at one end of the table facing the lap top.

"Wait! Ryan is there? Where?" A voice said from the lap top. Ryan chuckled.

"Shar?"

Martha turned the lap top to face him and he saw Sharpay's face on the webcam.

"Ryan! How'd your conversation with Kelsi go?"

"Some one told you about that, huh?" Ryan asked as he tossed Martha a pointed glare.

"Oh, yeah, Martha told all of us," Taylor smirked.

"Mar!" Ryan said with a shake of his head.

"What? You knew it was gonna happen. Don't pretend like you didn't," Martha said with a shrug.

"C'mon, Ryan, it's us. You HAD to know we'd all talk about it," Gabriella laughed.

He shrugged, "You're right, of course."

"Hello? You still haven't answered my question, brother dear!" Sharpay exclaimed.

He gave his sister an amused look, "It went fine. It was a little awkward but we got through it. Did you guys know she has a great dane? He's HUGE."

Martha smiled, "I helped her name him. He was such an adorable puppy. He tripped over himself ALL the time."

"Yeah, yeah. Kelsi's a tiny person with a very large dog. Adorable," Sharpay said hurriedly. "Can we get down to business?"

"Business? What business?" Ryan asked in confusion.

"Kelsi's birthday," Taylor smiled. "It's the weekend before filming ends and we're thinking we should throw her a party."

"Like a surprise party?" Ryan asked.

"Yes, like a huge FABULOUS surprise party," Sharpay said happily.

"Mr. and Mrs. Evans already have the where covered," Martha said.

"What about the who?" Gabriella asked.

"Well, all of the gang, and all of the film's cast and crew, and her family of course," Taylor added. "And that should be plenty of people."

"And now for the most important part," Sharpay said reverently. "The theme."

Ryan grinned, "That's easy."

"Oh yeah? What's your brilliant idea?" Sharpay asked sarcastically.

"Fred and Ginger," He stated with a proud smirk. Martha and Sharpay gasped simultaneously.

"THAT is perfect!" Martha exclaimed.

"Wow, okay, Ry, I have to hand it to you that idea is pretty brilliant actually," Sharpay said with wide eager eyes.

"Fred and Ginger?" Taylor asked cluelessly.

"Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. They're a really famous dance team that was in a series of films back in the thirties. All the best composer wrote songs for their movies. We'll have to have a marathon for research," Gabriella explained in excitement.

"Okay, so we have our theme," Martha said. "So now what about our present?"

"Well, I think it should go with the theme," Taylor said as she wrote down on the details that they had nailed down.

Ryan grinned and looked at Sharpay, "Hey, Shar, you know that white dress Ginger Rogers where's during 'Can't Take That Away From Me' in 'Barkleys of Broadway'?"

"Yes, it's gorgeous. What about it?"

"It's Kelsi's favorite Ginger Rogers dress," He told her pointedly.

"Ryan, once again you are brilliant," Sharpay squealed. "I know some one who could make one exactly like it for a very decent price."

"Make one like what?" Gabriella asked.

Martha smiled, "Ryan is suggesting that we give Kelsi a dress like one in one of the Fred and Ginger movies."

"Not just any dress. This dress is the most beautiful dress she ever danced in. At least it is in my opinion," Sharpay said with a smile. "I'll get a price from Libby and let you guys know if we can swing it."

"Sounds good. We've got a few weeks before we have to have everything nailed down so we have time," Taylor said as she scribbled down another note.

"What about you, Tay? How's the wedding planning coming?" Martha asked.

She sighed, "Chad is being no help, of course, and my mother keeps asking me to order greenery to decorate the church with. I mean I realize greenery may have been very popular when she got married but I personally think it looks tacky. She's not listening to me though. All the plans are pretty much done I'm just working on the tiny details like decorations for the reception and rehearsal dinner and WHERE to have the dancing. We've rented out Old Millstone Creek for the reception and it's looking like the dancing will have to be outside. So cross your fingers that it doesn't rain. But other than that it's going pretty well. Oh and your bridesmaid's dresses are in at Dawn's so you guys need to go have them measure you while you're here. We probably need to call Kelsi and do that today."

"Well, then I'll leave you girls to it," Ryan said as he stood up.

"Oh you have things you probably need to do today too, Ryan," Taylor said sternly.

He scrunched up his nose, "Like what?"

"Chad is supposed to get the groomsmen together to go be measured for the tuxes. That includes you."

"Today? I haven't heard from Chad in a week," Ryan told her.

"Really?" Taylor asked with a blank expression. "I swear, he's just TRYING to drive me crazy. Excuse me."

"Ooo, Chad's in trouble!" Sharpay said with a wicked grin as Taylor walked a few feet away from the table and pulled out her cell phone.

"What are you doing about your dress, Shar?" Gabriella asked.

"Dawn's is sending it to my apartment and then I'm having my friend, Libby, alter it for me," Sharpay said.

"So the weekend before filming ends we've got Kelsi's birthday and then the NEXT weekend we've got Chad and Taylor's wedding?" Ryan asked. "Wow, that's gonna be crazy."

"Tell me about it. Jason's supposed to start working on post production the morning after the wedding," Martha sighed before her eyes widened and she groaned. "You know what I just realized?"

"What?" Gabriella asked.

"I'm gonna be six months pregnant by the time Taylor's wedding rolls around," Martha said miserably. "I'm gonna look like a blimp."

Ryan rolled his eyes, "Mar."

"What? I am! Oh gosh, can I opt out of the bridal party photos?"

"Martha, you'll be fine," Gabriella said with a smile.

"And how can I get my dress altered? My measurements are gonna be different by the wedding anyway!" Martha cried as her eyes began to water. She wiped her face in frustration, "Damn hormones."

"Martha Cross, calm down," Sharpay said sternly. "You're pregnant and you're beautiful. And anyone who says otherwise will have to deal with me. Which, believe me, they won't want to do."

"Besides when that little one is older you can tell them they were in a wedding before they were even born. Which is pretty cool if I do say so myself," Ryan chuckled.

Taylor rejoined the group with her phone in had. She spotted Martha's watery eyes and looked around at everyone else, "What did I miss?"

"Martha's hormones made her freak about being a pregnant brides maid," Sharpay said plainly as Gabriella slipped an arm around Martha shoulders and squeezed them.

"Martha, you'll be beautiful. Don't even worry about it," Taylor smiled supportively. She turned to Ryan, "You are going to meet the boys at the tux place in an hour."

"Okay, sounds good," Ryan said with a nod. "And with that I'm gonna go. I need to run a few errands before then."

The girls said bye as Ryan stood up from table. Sharpay spoke up from the lap top.

"Ryan!"

He turned and glanced at the screen, "Yes, Shar?"

"If I get down there in five weeks and you and Kelsi haven't made any progress then I'm gonna have to take things into my own hands," She threatened sweetly. "Got it?"

His eyes widened and he nodded, "Got it."

"Okay then, tootles!"

Ryan shook his head and waved before he walked away. His sister was insane.