The balloon touched down amid Wildflower Park where a large red blanket and basket sat amidst the colorful, desert flowers as the balloon wrangler assisted them out of the basket then proceeded to ground it until the next time. A quick sideways glance showed Ryan that the BMW had been already been delivered by Fulton for when the date was over.

'That was such an incredible ride,' muttered Kelsi as Ryan took her hand to help her from the basket,' the view was so breathtaking. The girls will be so envious when I tell them ….'

' Good ,' said Ryan, leading her to the blanket ,' well, good unless their respective boyfriends get angry at me for setting the dating curve ' He rubbed his chin, thoughtfully ,' if there is such a thing as a dating curve . I know there are codes about being bros but I've never actually gotten the gist of them …..'

Kelsi couldn't hold back the laugh that bubbled up and didn't try to either.' I think this is the first time I've ever heard you babble like a normal person, Ryan. As for the guy codes, I have no idea but I am sure that you could ask one of the guys and they would enlighten you.'

'I was trying to impress you. Did it work? '

Kelsi blushed then squeezed his hands.' I think you're doing just fine, Ryan '

They settled together on the blanket and Ryan began pulling out food for their feast including the baguette, cheese, dried fruit, cold roasted chicken, and strawberry mousse. Ryan also produced a bottle of Italian Soda, a bottle of French sparkling soda, and two plastic cups.

'I know that you were kind of, I don't know how you were when I mentioned us having a picnic but I thought it went with the balloon ride. I honestly wasn't trying to copy off what Troy Bolton does,' replied Ryan as he poured the sparkling soda in a glass for her,' I don't pay that much attention to him. I did however make the strawberry mousse – well, Zeke helped me because that isn't something I have ever made before in Home Ec class '

Why did he get all twisted up around Kelsi ? He considered himself a confident sort of man but lately, he found himself turned into a blithering fool when his thoughts turned to caring for the pretty pianist. He raked a hand through his blonde hair making it spikier and offered her a plate figuring that offering to fix it for her wouldn't appeal to her.

Kelsi was an independent girl.

'I love strawberries,' confessed Kelsi, her eyes sparkling behind the frames of her glasses,' I can't believe Zeke taught you how to make this mousse for me. It's really sweet, Ryan '

It was also unexpected and Kelsi couldn't help but to wonder how much more there was to Ryan than what she thought she knew. She had been nervous and anxious all week for this date, one part of her had debated about chickening out and cancelling and now Kelsi felt wonderfully swept 0ff of her feet.

'I try '

'Did you make the chicken too? '

' No but to be fair , Zeke was a very demanding teacher and I was busy ,' Ryan flashed her a sheepish grin that made her laugh at him ,' I bribed the chef to make it for me but Mom okay'd the man an extra day off so it's all good .'

'You could have brought us box lunches and I would have still thought it sweet,' admitted Kelsi, nibbling on a bite of the cheese,' I've got to tell you I've never had anyone go to this much trouble for me. Not that I date so much …..now I'm babbling '

'You're a cute babbler '

Kelsi ducked her head to hide the color rising up to her face but Ryan tipped her face up so he could brush a light kiss across her mouth. She sighed smiling through the kiss.

'Ryan, how is this going to work between us? I hate drama ….and you're a drama major ,' rattled off a nervous Kelsi, cutting right through to the heart of the issue ,' I mean I am a musician and we both do spend a lot of the time in the theatre except that its summer and we're on vacation . I don't want everybody to know all of our private business …not that I think we are anything torrid. Oh God, make me shut up!'

Ryan took her hands into his own, gently rubbing his thumb over hers in a reassuring gesture.

' I'm happy that your already thinking of us as a couple cause I was afraid I couldn't talk you into a second date ,' answered Ryan , gnawing on his lower lip,' I am pretty sure the whole secret dating thing wouldn't work for us since all of your friends know about us already . Do you want us to fight in private? '

'Well, it sounds silly when you say it like that '

'How about we just spend time together and go from there 'suggested Ryan, not wanting to analyze this date at all. He could probably wind up either complicating something simple or making it worse,' I mean, I am not aspiring for us to be some sort of power couple or anything. We don't need to impress anyone …..Right?'

Kelsi fixed him with a rather withering look.' Why would you even ask me that? '

Ryan shrugged as he tore off a hunk of bread.' I can be stupid so why don't we forget this whole ridiculous conversation and talk about something else. Did you know I play the ukele ? I do a decent take on Somewhere over the Rainbow and some sixties tunes from old beach movies.'

It was random but then they didn't really know all that much about each other and he definitely wanted to know more about her. He figured he barely knew enough to scratch the surface of Kelsi Nielsen but that would change soon.

Kelsi nibbled at the sandwich that she had put together as she listened intently to him.

' Ukele ? Hmm, interesting but why haven't you ever tried out for orchestra or band? '

'I can play the ukele but I'm not that good,' admitted Ryan with a shrug,' Fact is I'm more comfortable in the theatre onstage. I know Sharpay and I are considered a triple threat talent wise but I've been thinking a lot lately about maybe just focusing on my dancing …I have killer dance moves '

Ryan had been studying all of the great musicals of all times especially the choreography considering it a possibility of breaking into something new. Something more, rather than just being second fiddle performer to his sister. Mentioning it to Kelsi made it seem more real.

' I think you should dance then and let Sharpay worry about her own life for a change,' says Kelsi then bit her lip as she realized what she had just said ,' Sorry, I know she is your sister but it doesn't mean you always have to be joined at the hip, Ryan '

Ryan played with her fingers as he waited for the anger to come and was surprised that it didn't come. Maybe he was really growing and changing this summer.

'I'm not mad. I think I am figuring that one all by myself,' replied an earnest Ryan ,' it's way past time for me to make some changes in my life , take charge of it . Okay, your turn, Kelsi, how about your favorite color? '

'Ivory '

Ryan gaped at her.' Ivory? Seriously, for real, ivory is your favorite color? '

'Well, yes, but I like peach too '

'I never would have guessed either of those colors,' said Ryan, shaking his head,' I mean, you're always decked out in bright colors like me. I would have gone with red or maybe green but never ivory and peach …. I like that you're unpredictable.'

Kelsi just grinned at him. ' I could say the same about you as I don't think I've ever seen you in the same outfit more than once '

Ryan wagged a finger, playfully at her.' Aha but you have because I am hardly as obsessive as my sister. Can we please stop bringing my twin into this? Since we are playing twenty questions , I prefer turquoise blue .'

'Well turquoise does go with your blue eyes '

'So, you know what color my eyes are,' replied Ryan, the picnic forgotten as he moved closer to hold Kelsi in his arms, 'I wish we had talked like this in school, we might have gotten here sooner '

'We did run in different circles besides Ms. Darbus drama class '

Kelsi snuggled in closer, as he enfolded her in his arms.' Or the time wasn't right for us, Ryan, until now. Call me a dreamer but I'd like to think that fate brought us together '

Ryan didn't care if it was fate, God, or the stressed out pianist that had quit Lava Springs opening up the job for Kelsi, he couldn't have been happier than he was now .

This was their own start of something new and they fit beautifully .