Jumping out of the car, he landed firmly on his feet and smiled towards the school, glad to be back.
"That's a nice car, stranger. Wanna screw in it?" a voice behind him asked seductively.
Ryan smiled and chuckled as he felt Chad wrap his arms firmly around his waist.
"Good morning, you." Ryan said, reaching behind Chad's head and pulling him in for a kiss.
For a second, the two forgot where they were, and let their passion get the best of them, but the second they remembered that they were in the East High parking lot, they slowly pulled away from each other, leaving a small gap between their bodies.
"It's now or never, Chad. Remember?" Ryan said, holding out his right hand, watching as Chad shakily took it into his left.
Ryan smiled, giving Chad's hand an encouraging squeeze.
"Now or never." Chad said under his breath, letting Ryan lead him to the doors of the school, ignoring the looks of his classmates and fellow students.
Once inside the building, Chad found the courage and strength in him to not only hold hands with Ryan, but to bring Ryan's arm around his own waist, letting others know that this was how it was going to be.
The first person that stopped them in their tracks was Sharpay, who was walking from the end of the long hallway, a shocked look on her face.
"I can't believe it. You take a lot of chances, Danforth." she said, merely passing them by.
Chad could only laugh at her words.
"That was just pitiful." he said as he and Ryan came upon their assigned lockers, which were, ironically, right next to one another.
At that point, Kelsi made her appearance, a bright smile on her face, as she pushed her way in between Ryan and Chad, splitting their conjoined hands.
"Excuse you." Chad sneered.
Ryan gave him a shocked look.
Chad shrugged in response.
"Sorry." he mouthed.
Ryan nodded down to Kelsi.
"Apologize to her, not me." he mouthed back.
Chad rolled his eyes, tapping Kelsi on the shoulder.
Kelsi looked up at him eagerly.
"I'm sorry about the snide remark, Kelsi." he said through gritted teeth.
Kelsi nodded, resuming digging in her locker.
"I have to meet up with Mrs. Darbus in a few seconds, Chad." Ryan said, leaning across Kelsi's now beant body and giving Chad a peck on the lips, pulling back just as Kelsi stood straight.
He nodded towards Chad and walked past him, bumping his hip against Chad's as he did such.
Chad laughed silently.
"That was sweet." Kelsi said, looking up at Chad as she shut her locker.
"Huh? What?" Chad asked.
Kelsi chuckled.
"Don't play innocent with me, Chad. I saw it when you were playing baseball with him. I was just wondering if you had finally made the move or not." she teased.
Chad blushed.
"I just wish others could be as accepting as you." he pointed out.
"I know, Chad. I do, too. But we live in a world where homosexuality is outcast." Kelsi stated.
"I would know." she said under her breath.
Chad's jaw dropped.
"Repeat?" he asked.
Kelsi blushed, biting at her lower lip.
"Chad, I'm a lesbian. There. I said it." she said softly.
Chad opened up his arms and let her make her way into them, hugging her tightly.
"Looks like we've both got a welcoming year ahead of us." he teased back.
Chad looked down at his right wrist, catching the time, and let out a hiss.
"Coach Bolton is going to kill me! I'm late for our first day meet!" he said to Kelsi, who frowned up at him.
"Be careful, Chad." she said as Chad took off the opposite way Ryan had, running towards the gym.