Hi! sorry it's been a wee while guys. I may have got distracted and started writing a series of Rylsie oneshots... Which I'll hopefully post in the next few days! In this chapter, Ryan and Kelsi are heading home for Christmas. Ryan's boss 'Pierre' is based on my own boss in the French restaurant I waitress in. A formidable character!

Thank you again for reading and to everyone who reviewed! I promise reviews give me a kick in the ass to keep updating so keep em coming!

Enjoy!

Kelsi

"Voila!" Jen announced with a flourish as she whipped the makeshift blindfold from Kelsi's eyes. Kelsi blinked a few times, letting her eyes adjust to the light, then beamed at the sight in front of her. She was seated at the kitchen table, a huge fried breakfast steaming before her. She looked at her room mate, who was smugly pouring the tea, in awe.

"Best going away breakfast ever!" Kelsi grinned, grabbing her knife and fork.

"Well I couldn't let you go back to New Mexico for three weeks without making you one of my famous breakfasts." Jen smiled, pushing a mug of fresh tea towards her. Kelsi noted that the smile looked a bit forced.

"You know, if you wanted to come home with me for Christmas…"

"I'll be fine. Christmas in New York is phenomenal. Next year you'll be begging to stay with ME." Jen chuckled, digging into her own breakfast. Maybe it was Kelsi's imagination, or the fact that she couldn't comprehend being anywhere but with her family on Christmas, but there did seem to be an element of sadness buried somewhere under Jen's smile. When Kelsi had asked her where she would be spending Christmas she had been quite taken aback to learn that Jen had spent the last two Christmases alone in New York. All she had divulged was that she had done that ever since she had moved from her home town in Minnesota two years previously.

"And I'm not usually alone." she had stressed defensively. "I usually find some sort of party to go to… It's amazing how many loners you find on Christmas Day in New York."

Kelsi wasn't sure if that statement was supposed to make the whole thing sound less depressing or not, but either way she had immediately insisted Jen spend Christmas with her in Albuquerque. Jen had politely declined again and again.

"I kinda wish I was here for New Year." Kelsi commented wistfully. "Ryan's parents are having this big party…"

"Oh yeah they're pretty well off aren't they." Jen said, shoveling her bacon into her mouth.

"You know the bacon isn't going anywhere right?" Kelsi joked. Jen was the only person Kelsi had ever seen that could eat as fast as Chad.

"Yeah says the slowest eater ever. I once had to wait a week for you to finish a bagel…"

Kelsi snorted with laughter accidentally spitting bits of egg onto her plate, which then set Jen off into a fit of giggles. What Kelsi liked about Jen was that she never felt self conscious or embarrassed in front of her. Jen didn't care about what anyone thought about her and Kelsi was sure some of this attitude had rubbed off on her. It was refreshing being around someone and having barely any inhibitions. Especially when you lived together.

"I hope your table manners are better at Blondie's house." Jen smirked when their laughter had subsided.

"He's not that wealthy." Kelsi said, though she noticed right away how unconvincing and high pitched voice sounded. She never could lie. Jen raised her eyebrows at her and she rolled her eyes in return. "Ok so his parents are quite wealthy." she sighed.

"I could tell straight away. He always looks so… pristine. I'll say this for him though, he's pretty down to earth. Sometimes you get the most AWFUL yuppie students in New York." Jen said darkly. "You know, mommy and daddy paid for private lessons since before they could walk and now they have this sense of entitlement…"

Kelsi nodded but was uncomfortably reminded of Sharpay…

"Yeah I guess… But Ryan's never been like that. You know his parents offered to put him up in a penthouse apartment but he insisted on staying in a dorm and getting a job." Kelsi said proudly. To her satisfaction, Jen looked impressed. "And he works so hard at the restaurant. Honestly, I don't know how he has so much energy."

Sure enough, Kelsi was sure her boyfriend was being grossly overworked at the restaurant he worked in. It had taken him a while to get used to waiting tables. The first couple of weeks had been the most difficult. the boss was, as Ryan put it, 'The Frenchest person on the planet'. From what Kelsi gathered, the first two weeks of Ryan's employment had mostly involved the owner, Pierre, forcibly pushing him between tables and shouting 'I thought you said you could carry plates!' amongst a variety of colourful profanities. He had also admitted that he was sure the only reason Pierre hadn't fired him was because, after dropping their dishes all over the floor, Ryan had managed to charm a group of women into staying at the restaurant instead of storming out.

"He calls me 'Mon Favori'" Ryan had said glumly. "Apparently it means 'My blue-eyed boy'…"

However, once Ryan had displayed some use and was now in the swing of things, he and the owner seemed to have a fun, playful relationship. Having said this, now that Ryan was in a position of trust, it meant he got roped into opening or closing the restaurant which involved a lot of late nights and early mornings.

A knock at the door interrupted the girls' breakfast.

"Speak of the devil." Jen said brightly, strolling over the door. Sure enough…

"Blondie!"

"Does that need to be my nickname?" Kelsi heard Ryan grumble from the doorway.

"I don't know… Mon Favori."

"Kels!"Ryan whined from the hall.

"Sorry!" Kelsi called as she turned in her seat to meet Ryan's offended face. She felt so comfortable with Jen now that she tended not to filter and just tell her everything.

"Maybe I should just go home without you." Ryan said, teasingly edging out the door.

"Oh no you don't!" Kelsi leapt up from the table and ran through to her bedroom to collect her suitcase. Once she was ready to go she gave Jen one last pleading look.

"Sure you don't want to come with us."

Jen just shook her head but gave her a fond smile all the same.

"Not this time. But I'll see you in the new year."

After the girls indulged in a parting hug, Kelsi closed the door, crossing her fingers that her room mate would have a happy Christmas season regardless, and made her way down the stairs with Ryan.

"Has Mitch gone?" she asked Ryan curiously. "Yeah he's back in New Zealand already. It's sad though. He had to choose between going home for Christmas or summer because the flights are so expensive. I guess he'll be in New York over the summer. Dom''s in the same boat. She can't just pop home to South Africa." Ryan said solemnly. Kelsi nodded, but felt a pang of regret for the people she hadn't known longer than a few months.

"It's strange to think we didn't know all these people, just a few months ago." Kelsi speculated. "It's weird, I can't imagine not seeing Jen every morning now."

"Yeah it's going to be so unsettling not hearing a constant drum solo when we're home." Ryan joked.

Then his face came over all serious. He looked down at Kelsi fondly, grasping her hand.

"It's going to be weird not waking up with you every other morning." he said softly. Kelsi felt her face fall. She had gotten so used to sleeping in the same bed as Ryan at least a few times a week and now they would be living in separate neighbourhoods for at least three weeks!

"Will it sound completely ridiculous if I say I'm going to miss you?" Kelsi asked, looking up at Ryan from under the bill of her hat. Ryan just smiled and shook his head.

"No. Suddenly summer in New York looks quite attractive…"

Sharpay

Sharpay glared at the boy in her living room. He had made himself quite comfy, lounging on the couch and even resting his feet up on the glass coffee table. She marched over, reached out to the mass of curls on his head and yanked hard.

"Ow! What was that for?!" Chad looked irritably over his shoulder.

"You're supposed to be helping." she hissed, narrowing her eyes to make them as scary as possible. Her supposed 'helper' glowered back at her.

"This was NOT in our arrangement." he grumbled, pushing himself up from the couch and following her huffily out the room.

"Well whatever. It's ONLY for your friends that have been gone for the last three months." Sharpay snapped sarcastically. As she looked back to make sure Chad was following her she saw him raise his eyebrows at her.

"Is the ice-queen lecturing me on friends?" he asked, an amused grin creeping onto his face. Sharpay just rolled her eyes. She had spent enough time with Chad by now to know not to rise to his antagonizing comments. They worked better that way. And they had to work fast. Their old group from high school or the 'wildcats' (Sharpay hated referring to them like that but Chad insisted) were having a reunion of sorts at The Evans household. Unfortunately it was James the butler's day off so Sharpay had managed to guilt trip Chad into helping. She halted in the kitchen, causing Chad to skid to a stop behind her.

"We need to get all this out into the living room." she said sharply, gesturing to the plates of nibbles that covered every surface of the Evans kitchen worktops. "And quickly! Mom and dad are going to be here with Ryan and Kelsi any minute!"

"If you hadn't taken so long to get ready…"

"The agreement." Sharpay said, cutting over Chad in a quiet but dangerous voice. Chad looked at her dryly for a few seconds before taking a dramatically big breath.

"No complaining about how long I take to get ready." he said, in what Sharpay judged to be a very poor imitation of her voice, as he twirled one of his curls round his finger in a girlish fashion.

"Correct. And in return I won't mention to anyone about the special shampoo I so kindly sought out for you." Sharpay replied with a mischievous grin.

Chad would never have dared mention it, but Sharpay could always tell when someone was having a hair nightmare. One day, having been in one of her kind moods, and sick of how grumpy the situation seemed to be making Chad, she had slyly left the product in his locker with a note saying 'Thank me later'. And thank her he did, when they were safely out of earshot of anyone. Chad was considerably less grumpy and his hair had quite a shine to it now. Luckily, although Chad wasn't overly eager to have anyone know about his 'special shampoo', he could at least see the funny side of it with Sharpay.

"Correct." Chad grinned, comically flicking his hair. "Can't have anyone thinking this is less than natural right?"

"Exactly." Sharpay replied, returning his smile. "Now. Pizza first."

Chad started to carry two pizzas through to the living room without complaint. It was like she said. They worked better when they didn't argue. Sharpay followed him with a few more trays of nibbles but when she entered the living room she found him standing stationary looking down at his cell.

"Hello!" Sharpay said sharply. He didn't move. She couldn't see his face clearly, but there was something not right about how still he was.

"Is everything ok?" Sharpay asked, trying to take on a gentler tone. She couldn't help glancing at the clock on the mantlepiece though. They didn't have time for this! Chad seemed to snap out of his daydream and looked up at her.

"Oh… nothing. Just a message from Gabby. Taylor's running late so she's not coming with her and Troy anymore. She's just gonna come round herself."

It took Sharpay a minute to understand why this was in any way important. Then she realised. Seeing Taylor was going to be awkward either way, but her arriving with a group could have made greeting her marginally easier.

"Ok." Sharpay said curtly, unsure of what to say to get Chad back on track. "Well we'll cross that bridge when we come to it." Chad nodded, but still stood still. Sharpay was unsure if he'd even heard her.

"Hey!" she said snapping her fingers in front of his face. His face snapped up to look at her. "You need to be… You need to get your head…"

"In the game?" Chad suggested with an amused grin. Sharpay rolled her eyes but let herself chuckle in reply. "If that helps then sure. Get your head in the game Danforth."

Kelsi

"Oh Kelsi your neighbourhood is lovely!"

"Look at those trees Derby! I bet they look great in the spring."

"Oh Ducky why have we never been here?!"

Ryan and Kelsi were sitting in the back of Ryan's parents' Mercedes. James had the day off and his Dad had opted to drive. It felt a little strange. They had felt so grown up, living in New York by themselves, making their own meals and managing their own lives, but now that they were being driven by Ryan's parents back to the Evans household, Kelsi felt a bit childish sitting in the back seat with the adults in the front. Vance and Derby Evans were practically giddy about their son being home. They had talked non-stop since meeting them from the airport, in a way that reminded Kelsi of Sharpay's nattering. Ryan had barely been able to get a word in edgeways but he didn't seem to mind. He was simply following the conversation, a contented smile on his face as he clasped Kelsi's hand. She could tell by the look on his face that he was just glad to be back with his family. She felt a little flutter in her stomach as she thought about her parents and brother whom they had left ten minutes ago. Ryan's parents had suggested picking them up from the airport and taking the couple to Kelsi's house first, giving her a chance to catch up with her family before spending the evening with their friends. However, Vance and Derby had seemed even more excited about seeing them than she had. It was comical just how well Ryan's parents had got on with Kelsi's. Their mothers had instantly taken to one another, shamelessly gushing about their respective children. Vance's easy going nature had appealed to her father's calm disposition and once they found they had a mutual interest in golf there was no separating them. Even Thomas had made a good impression. On entering the house, Kelsi had been mortified to find flecks of paint all over the floorboards, a sure sign that Thomas was home and 'working'. Despite the mess, Ryan's parents had beamed when they saw the canvas her brother was currently working on and instantly commended her parents on having TWO talented children.

Kelsi hadn't realised just how much she had missed her family. She called and skyped them regularly and, as a result, she hadn't felt particularly homesick whilst in New York. However, the minute the front door had opened to reveal her mom and dad, Kelsi had barreled into them and held them as close as possible, paying no heed to the presence of Ryan and his parents. In the end, Thomas had to prise her away from her Dad's shoulder. before grumbling in embarrassment as she simply transferred her soppy hug to him instead. She had felt a little embarrassed herself when she had finally detached herself from her brother but her mother, as usual, managed to outshine her by pulling Ryan into a choking hug and kissing both his cheeks. Kelsi's mother adored Ryan and he usually milked this sentiment for all it was worth, being sickeningly charming whenever he encountered her. This time it had begun with,"Mrs Neilson! Did you get a haircut? You look fabulous!" Kelsi's mom usually hit him playfully and told him to stop whilst her cheeks burned red, making it painfully clear where Kelsi had inherited her blushes from.

Now they were en route to the Evans Household for a reunion of sorts with the other wildcats. Both Ryan AND Kelsi had received a number of threatening texts from Sharpay, demanding to know why they hadn't arrived yet. The latest said, 'I have no one to talk to except from my 'helpful' assistant so PLEASE hurry up! xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx' To Sharpay's credit, no matter how rude she appeared, she would always embellish any text message with an excessive amount of kisses.

The minute the car pulled up next to the house, Ryan leapt out the passenger seat at lightening speed. Kelsi just watched him resignedly as he ran up to the front door. As she expected, he lifted his hand to knock and the door swung open before his hand even made contact with it. From the car, Kelsi saw Sharpay stand in the doorway, grinning from ear to ear.

"Aaaah!"

With a deafening squeal she threw herself into his arms and continued to scream excitedly as Ryan enveloped her in a tight hug. For a second it was like there was no one else around. Seemingly forgetting everyone else around them, Ryan screamed happily with her as they jumped up and down ecstatically.

"Some things never change." Kelsi heard Derby murmur as she nudged her husband and nodded over to the twins who were now jokingly going through their 'vocal warm ups'.

"Mah!"

"Mah!"

"MAH!"

Kelsi loved her brother, but it was hard at this moment not to feel a little jealous of the connection Ryan and Sharpay seemed to share. So many aspects of their personality were drastically different, to the point that Ryan had confided to Kelsi that if he had no relation whatsoever to Sharpay and had met her on the street one day, he doubted they would even become friends. Despite this, Kelsi knew that his sister was an essential part of who Ryan was, the same way that he was for her. It was a bit disheartening to Kelsi to accept that she would never fully understand their relationship. She couldn't even begin to imagine the level to which the twins had depended done each other and shared their lives together.

As Kelsi approached the front door and caught Sharpay's eye over Ryan's shoulder, she was suddenly aware of how little she knew Ryan's twin sister. Of course she had been her dedicated (albeit overworked) pianist for years but if she was honest with herself Kelsi had spent more time trying to find ways to avoid Sharpay rather than get to know her. However, that was before Ryan had become such a pivotal part of her life. Yes, the twins had become less reliant on each other over the years, becoming increasingly more independent individuals but, at the end of the day, it was clear that The Evans Twins were still a package deal...

"Kelsi!" Sharpay exclaimed as she drew near. The blonde girl scurried down the porch steps and promptly kissed Kelsi on both cheeks. Kelsi automatically stiffened in alarm at the gesture and found herself just staring blankly at Sharpay's warm expression.

"I'm so glad you're wearing the clothes I bought you." Sharpay said brightly, seemingly unaware of Kelsi's sudden inability to communicate. "Though between you and me Ryan needs some work. What… what is this?" Sharpay subtly pointed at Ryan's outfit as he ran to help his parents get his bags from the car. Kelsi unsuccessfully tried to stifle a laugh. Ryan had taken to wearing sweatpants EVERYWHERE. Kelsi realised that this was practical when he had a full day of dance classes at college, but soon the sweatpants had started to appear other places. Places sweatpants weren't exactly necessary. Like when he visited her dorm, when they went for coffee. Mitch had slyly revealed to Kelsi that Ryan had been planning to wear them to a party one night and that he had taken it upon himself to refuse to let Ryan leave and insist he changed. Kelsi had been utterly confused by this strange phase Ryan seemed to be going through until she started to be a bit more observant around campus.

"It's a Julliard Dance Student thing." Kelsi muttered aside to Sharpay, playfully rolling her eyes.

"Seriously? Since when does Ryan care about fitting in?" Sharpay scoffed. Kelsi just smiled and shrugged it off but, in all honesty, she had been thinking the exact same thing.

"So, you mentioned a surprise?" Ryan asked, joining them at the porch with his bags in tow.

"We're only doing the surprise if you change." Sharpay said, her face unsmiling. "No sweatpants allowed during the surprise."

"Princess…" Vance interjected as he and Derby joined them. "Your a hostess remember…"

"Sorry Daddy." Sharpay sighed. She turned back to Ryan and gave him her sweetest smile. "There is a certain dress code in place for tonight but please do come inside and make use of our excellent changing facilities." she said, sweeping her arms in a grand gesture towards the house and giving her parents a smug look in the process.

"You're ever so kind Shar…"Ryan said grimly.

"Hate to intrude on the reunion guys but… where does this go?" a familiar voice called from doorway. To Kelsi's utter bewilderment, none other than Chad Danforth appeared on porch next to Sharpay, holding a large cake emblazoned with a Wildcat logo.

"Hey Ryan, Kelsi." Chad said brightly, smiling at them each in turn.

Kelsi glanced quickly at Ryan who was wearing a puzzled expression that mirrored hers. When Sharpay had mentioned a helpful assistant they had naturally assumed she was talking about Zeke...

"Hey… Chad." Ryan said, glancing at his sister uncertainly.

"Hi." Kelsi squeaked, finding herself wordless with surprise for the second time in five minutes.

"The centre of the dining table." Sharpay said brusquely, as if Chad Danforth helping her set up for a party was a completely normal occurrence. "I left a space!"

"Ok Shar, see you guys inside." Chad replied before vanishing inside. Kelsi and Ryan shared another quick glance at each other, their eyes wide.

Shar?

"Princess… " Vance said again, jerking his head to the doorway where Chad had just retreated into.

"Oh of course! Come in!" Sharpay trilled excitedly, grabbing Ryan's hand and dragging him down the hallway. Kelsi followed them in a daze, her mind still wrestling to understand what was going on. Chad Danforth… What on earth…

"You'll be so proud Ry. It's James' day off so I did EVERYTHING myself…" Sharpay said happily.

"Everything?" Chad called indignantly from the dining room.

"Oh… Well Chad helped. If you can call carrying a few things in between watching the basketball game 'helping'?" she muttered, rolling her eyes.

Kelsi watched Ryan as he narrowed his eyes at his sister, as if trying to solve a difficult problem. Kelsi would have bet all ten of her piano fingers that this 'problem' that needed solving had curly hair and loved basketball. Clearly his 'twin telepathy' wasn't working with this conundrum.

"Look!" Sharpay spread her arms widely as they entered the dining room. Kelsi gasped and for a second forgot trying to figure out what was going on with Chad. The long dining table was completely covered in food. From pizza, to muffins, cocktail sausages to cake, Sharpay seemed to have thought of everything. There was upbeat music already issuing from the stereo in the corner (the massive one that Kelsi had previously admired in the music room). The room was also decorated in lots of silver hangings, draping from wall to wall over their heads.

"Oh Sharpay! It's beautiful!" Derby exclaimed, clasping her hands together in rapture. "You have your mother's eye for decorating." she said with a fond smile. Sharpay beamed in response.

"And well done to Chad too, of course." Ryan's Dad added, giving Chad, who was adjusting the snacks around the cake, a big thumbs up.

"Oh Vance, Derby, I left you guys a plate of everything in the living room." he said, flashing them a smile and a small wink. Kelsi and Ryan exchanged another look. It was brief and subtle but they understood each other completely.

Vance?

Derby?

Did he just WINK?!

"Great stuff kid! We'll leave you to it." Vance replied putting his arm round his wife and escorting her out the room.

"James didn't help you with any of this?" Ryan asked, looking around incredulously. Sharpay paused for a moment and bit her lip guiltily.

"He made the cake." she admitted. "In fact, he did all the baking, but everything else was me! Even the hangings! Chad said they should be red, but I'm wearing pink and… well it was impossible of course." she said matter of factly. Ryan frowned in response to this and Kelsi instantly caught on why.

"Why would James do the baking? What about Zeke?" Ryan asked slowly, looking at his twin curiously and, if Kelsi was reading him correctly, a bit anxiously?

Just then the doorbell rang throughout the house.

"Troy and Gabriella!" Sharpay chirped and sped out the room. Ryan went to call after her but before he had the chance, Chad was by their side.

"C'mere small person! Let me give you a hug!" Kelsi smiled gratefully to her friend and threw her arms around him, letting him pick her up off the floor. However, she couldn't help but look worriedly over at Ryan over his shoulder. His expression mirrored hers. She couldn't help but think that they were in for an interesting evening…