Take Me There
Chapter 11
Warning: For this chapter only: Mild language. Small amounts of violence..like, tiny small. Derogatory remarks. This is just a story people, just because I have the characters act this way does NOT mean it is how I really feel. Just a little 'FYI'. On with the story...
Previously...
No one dared to speak a word, no one except Chad.
"Ry, calm down. There's no need for you to get upset." Chad had gotten up out of his seat and was slowly making his way to Ryan.
"No, Chad. They have a right to know. Isn't that why we invited them here today? So, I could tell them."
"Tell us what, man?" Troy finally spoke. Turning to Troy, Ryan spoke.
"The reason my family no longer have anything to do with me, it because I am gay!"
No one spoke. Chad stopped in his tracks. He turned to look at his friends.
Still no one spoke.
"Well, doesn't anyone have anything to say? I mean, I just came out to all of you. Someone, please say something."
Ryan waited. Chad waited.
No one said anything.
HSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSM
The silence seemed to be never ending. No one was speaking. Ryan was nervous. He looked to Chad. Chad was watching everyone else, waiting for someone to speak up.
Deciding it wasn't worth it anymore, Ryan spoke up.
"So that's how its gonna be. Fine. At least now I know." Ryan turned to leave but a hand on his shoulder stopped him. Expecting it to be Chad, he was surprised when it turned out to be Jason.
"Stay Ryan. Please. Listen, I can't speak for anyone else here but I'm cool with it. I have a cousin who is gay. Its not a big deal in our family." Jason smiled at Ryan and held his hand out. Ryan took it.
"Thanks, Jason." Ryan smiled.
"I know we aren't exactly what you would call friends and I know a lot of people think I'm kinda dumb, but I know a good person when I see one. I hope we can be friends, Ryan."
"Yeah, Jason. That would be great." Jason sat back down. Ryan still stood, waiting for someone else to speak.
"Ry, you have to know I'm ok with it. I couldn't believe it when Sharpay told me. Not what she was saying about you, but that she would treat you like she did. No matter what, you are still her brother. And you're my friend, even if you like guys. Actually, I think it's kinda hot." Kelsi blushed. Ryan laughed.
"Thanks, Kelsi. I figured you would be ok with it. I was still nervous though."
"You have nothing to be nervous about. You are like my best friend." Ryan pulled Kelsi into another hug.
This time Chad spoke.
"Well, doesn't anyone else have anything to say? I mean, come on. Its not a big deal guys." Chad looked at Troy, Gabriella, Taylor and Zeke as he spoke. This time it was Taylor who made the next move. Getting out of her chair she walked until she was standing in front of Ryan. He smiled at her, hoping it would ease the tension.
"You like guys." Taylor stated.
"Yeah, I do." Ryan answered.
"And your family kicked you out of your own house because of it?" She asked. Again, he answered.
"Yeah, Taylor, they did." Taylor paused before she spoke again.
"I always knew Sharpay was a cruel Ice Queen, but to treat you like this, its unbelievable and unacceptable." Ever so carefully, as though she thought Ryan might not be comfortable with it, she placed he arms around his neck and hugged him. Ryan smiled and hugged her back.
"Like Jason said, I know we aren't exactly good friends, but no one deserves to be treated like that. You are a good person, Ryan. Anyone who is around you for longer than 30 seconds can tell. Hey, wanna know a secret?" Taylor asked, with a small smirk on her face.
"Uh, yeah, I guess so." Ryan had no idea what she wanted to tell him. He was a little surprised when she leaned in to whisper in his ear. Obviously she didn't want anyone else to know.
"I'm bi. As in, I like guys and girls." She pulled back and smiled. Ryan was floored. He had not been expecting that.
"Wha..? Seriously?"
"Yep. And now it's our little secret." She kissed his cheek and returned to her seat, leaving Ryan even more shocked.
By this time, Chad had walked to Ryan and was standing behind him. He caught exactly what it was Taylor had said. He looked to her with wide eyes. She only laughed.
It was starting to look like things were going to be ok. Like everyone was going to be fine with it. They were not, however, ready for what happened next.
"You have got to be kidding me!" It was Zeke. "You are ok with this fag! What's wrong with you people! Its disgusting!" He was beginning to shout now.
"Zeke, man, calm down." Jason said.
"No, you're just as bad as HIM! Its bad enough he's a freaking faggot but for you, a straight man, to be ok with it! Its just as bad as being one!" Zeke, who always seemed to be so calm and understanding, was loosing it. No one had expected it to be him.
"Listen, Zeke, if you can't sit here and deal with this situation, then you may as well get your shit and leave. We didn't ask you here so you could jump him." Chad spoke, defending Ryan.
"Chad, man, come on! We've been friends and teammates forever! How can you stand there and defend him! He's not natural!"
"How can you stand there and be so close minded about it? What's the big deal? So he likes guys, big deal. Get over it. Its his life."
"Exactly and he's gonna burn in hell for it!" Zeke shouted causing most everyone to jump.
"Damnit, Zeke! That is enough!" What was even more shocking was it was Kelsi who shouted at him. She blushed and sat back down.
While Chad, Zeke, Ryan and Jason were all yelling at one another, no one saw Gabriella lean over to Troy and speak.
"Troy, are you ok?" She asked.
Troy just continued to watch as his best friend fought in front of him. He couldn't believe it.
"Yeah, Gabs, I'm ok. You?"
"I'm fine, Troy. Can you believe it?! Ryan's gay! I mean, I know most everyone at school thought he was already, but wow, it took a lot of courage to tell all of us today. And its not like we've all been the best of friends. I wonder why he wanted us to know?"
"I don't know, Gabs. Maybe since he and Chad have spent so much time together, maybe they are like, friends now."
"Well, it would explain why Chad's clothing options have improved." She snickered a little. Troy smiled. They turned their attention back to their arguing friends.
"Zeke, come on man! You can not stand there and tell me that's how you believe!"
"Oh, yes I can and oh yes, I am! It's not natural! I mean, my God, how can you stand there and tell me you are ok with it? What happened to you? You are not the same person you used to be."
"And how would you know? We've never talked about anything like this before! How could you possibly know how I feel about it?"
"Guys, come on. Can we please not fight over this." Ryan stepped between Chad and Zeke, placing a hand on both of their chests to move them apart. Zeke snapped.
"Do not ever touch me, you disgusting faggot!" He screamed in Ryan's face, pushing him and knocking him to the ground. That was all it took for Chad to snap. He lunged at Zeke. Knocking him to the ground, he punched him once, twice in the face before Jason pulled him off.
"DON'T YOU EVER TOUCH HIM AGAIN! DO YOU HEAR ME! NEVER AGAIN!" Chad was screaming. He had broken his promise to Ryan. Someone had touched him again. He couldn't believe it. Breaking out of Jason's arms, he turned to Ryan. He was still sitting on the floor, with Taylor and Kelsi kneeling one either side.
"Ry, oh God, Ryan, I'm so sorry!" Chad rushed to his side, dropping to the floor. Ryan looked up at him.
"I'm ok, Chad. Nothing's hurt. Just my pride." He tried to make a lame joke, as always.
"Damnit, Ry, its not funny. I told you I would never let anyone lay another hand on you again. I didn't stop him this time! I'm so sorry!" Hearing what Chad had said, Taylor spoke up.
"What are you talking about, Chad? Who hurt Ryan?" She asked.
"Some asshole. I have no idea who he was, but he had a hold of Ryan and was trying to get him to...uh..." Chad wasn't sure if he should tell them or not. Ryan did anyway.
"He thought just because I was gay I would blow the first hot guy who asked. He told, I declined, he got a little physical. Chad stopped him before it got out of hand."
"Hey! You never told me you thought he was hot!" Chad spoke, as though he was offended. Ryan laughed.
"Hot yes. Hotter than you, never." It was out before he could stop himself. His eyes were huge. He looked from Chad to Taylor and Kelsi. Their eyes were just as wide.
"Shit." He mumbled under his breath. Looking behind them, he saw that Zeke was now in a heated conversation with Troy, Gabi and Jason. None of them had heard Ryan's slip up. He looked back to Chad.
"Oops. Uh, listen guys. You never heard that, right? I was just joking with y'all. Haha." Ryan spoke.
"Ry, its ok. I was gonna tell them today anyway."
"WHAT?" He yelled. Chad shushed him.
"Yeah. I was gonna tell them. I guess seeing as we know how Tay and Kels feel, I can tell them first."
Chad turned to face the girls.
"Taylor, Kelsi, I'm gay." He smiled, hoping they would be ok with it.
Turns out...they were. They both threw their arms around Chad, tackling him the rest of the way to the floor. Laughing, they kissed his cheeks and hugged him.
"Oh, my God, Chad! Good for you!" Taylor spoke first.
"So, you two are ok with it?"
"Of course we are!" Kelsi spoke this time.
"So, are you and Ryan like together?" Kelsi asked, with a slight high pitch to her voice. She was excited and already thinking about what kind of plays and songs she could write for them.
"Uh, no. We are just really good friends. Best friends. Oh and he is living with me and mom now." This time, Zeke and the rest heard him speak.
"WHAT? This queer is living with you now. Oh my God! Chad, are you out of your mind? Does your mother even know! She must not or else there is no way she would let him live with you guys. Dear God!" They had never seen this side of Zeke before. It was starting to remind them of Sharpay. Maybe they were meant for each other after all.
"Zeke, that's enough!" This time it was Troy who spoke. Everyone got quiet. He had yet to speak and they were all waiting to hear what he had to say.
"Troy, you can not tell me that you are ok with this! You can't be!"
"And why not, Zeke? Just because Ryan likes guys. Give me a break! Newsflash, its not a big deal." Zeke couldn't believe what he was hearing. Troy Bolton, East High's Golden Boy, Captain and Star player for the East High Wildcats, was defending Ryan.
"What is wrong with you people!? You are all ok with this?" He asked and was shocked when everyone, Troy, Gabi, Taylor, Kelsi, Jason and Chad all nodded their heads yes. Ryan smiled.
"Looks like you're out numbered. 7-1, in favor of the fag! Now you listen to me and you listen good, I am not the same person as I was the last time you saw me. I'm not some damn lap dog who is just gonna follow you around and do whatever you say! In just a few short months I have lost everything! My parents, my sister, my home! Everything! I have no patients for narrow-minded people in this world and I sure as hell will not stand here and take anything from you! What makes you better than me? Just because you will be able to give your parents grandchildren and a pretty little wife, you think you have more rights then someone who is gay! Bullshit! I am not listening to anything else you have to say. I'm done." Ryan turned to Chad.
"Can I please, Chad?" He asked, with those darn puppy dog eyes. Chad smiled and answered.
"Go for it." He said.
"SECURITY!" Ryan shouted. Within seconds, two security guards came running into the dinning hall.
"Would you be so nice as to escort this young man off of the premises, please? He is disrupting the peace and we no longer want him here." Ryan spoke.
"Yes, sir, Mr. Evans." Taking Zeke by the arm, the escorted him out. All the while, he was shouting and yelling.
Ryan and Chad broke out in laughter.
"Oh, God, I was soo hoping I would get to do that today!" Finally calming down from the laughing fit, Chad and Ryan turned back to everyone. Ryan spoke first.
"So, can I take it that you and Gabi are ok with me?" Ryan asked Troy.
"Yeah, man. We're cool." Troy walked to Ryan and stuck his hand out. Ryan shook it, smiling while he did.
Gabriella walked up to Ryan and pulled him into a hug. Just as Taylor had done, she kissed his cheek before sitting back down.
"So, um, is it true then? Is Ryan living with you now, Chad?" Gabriella asked.
"Yeah. He is. We've already got all his stuff moved into the house. Actually, we just got his stuff moved in a couple days ago."
"And your mom was ok with it?" This time it was Troy who spoke.
"Well, yeah. I mean, it would be kinda hypocritical of her if she didn't." Ryan jerked his head in Chad's direction.
"Now?" He asked Chad.
"It now or never, Ry. May as well get it over with."
"What are you guys talking about?" Troy asked.
"Listen, Troy, there's something I need to tell you guys. Its kinda the main reason I asked you all here today."
"Ok, then. What is it?"
"Troy, I'm gay." He said it. There was no need to hum-ho around it. He wanted Troy to know. Now, he did.
And there it was. Finally out. Chad felt relieved. It was like a giant weight had been lifted. Everyone knew, which meant he could finally be who he wanted to be.
Ryan reached over and placed his hand on Chad's. He smiled at him.
Everyone was waiting for Troy to speak. After a few minutes, he did.
"One question."
"Yeah?"
"You've never, like, had the hotts for me before, have you?" Troy asked, as seriously as he could.
That was all it took for Chad and Ryan to break down in laughter.
It seemed like things were going to turn out all right after all.
A/N:..So..how did everyone like it? Love it? Hate it? Like it? Whatever you thought, leave a review and let me know! Next chapter will be up tomorrow! Until then, Tootles:)