Almost four months later, and the couple was still going strong. The first month or so was tough for both of them. Chad was still trying to get used to the idea of having a boyfriend and Ryan was dealing with the fact that for the first time in his life he had a boyfriend who wasn't openly affectionate. They also had to find time in their busy schedules to hang out with each other. One of both of them were always running around doing something. Chad picked up a job, realizing that he depended on the income from the Lava Springs job, but now that that job was no longer available, he took a job working at a local restaurant, using his waiter experience from the summer.

After about two months, when their relationship was finally in a stable place, Chad finally came out to his dad. His mother had left them, before Chad even started kindergarten, so she was not a concern of Chad's. He hadn't spoken to or heard from her since she left. Chad and his dad sat down one night and Chad told him everything. Chad was nervous about telling his dad, but it turned out his dad supported him one hundred percent. As he figured, his dad wasn't sure how to react at first. In the end, however, he told Chad that he was still his son, and nothing would ever change that. He wanted to meet Ryan, and asked Chad to bring him to dinner the following night. Dinner with his dad and his boyfriend went smoother then Chad thought it would. Ryan and Chad's dad really clicked, and Mr. Danforth enjoyed having him around the house.

Mr. and Mrs. Evans also enjoyed having Chad around. It was easier telling Ryan's parents then it was telling Chad's, because they already knew Ryan was gay. Chad was always at the Evans's mansion, whether he was hanging out with Ryan or with Sharpay. Chad and Sharpay had grown close since their shopping experience. Ryan was thankful for that fact. It was important to him that his sister and boyfriend got along. The three of them also hung out a lot, though Sharpay felt like the third wheel at times.

One afternoon, Chad was at the mansion hanging out with Ryan. Ryan was lying on the couch with Chad laying half on top of him, his head on Ryan's chest. They lay quietly as the music that was playing was white noise in the background. They were content just being in each other's company. Ryan was lazily running his fingers through Chad's hair. Chad's eyes were closed, but he was awake, listening to the beat of Ryan's heart. Ryan was really beginning to grow on him. After four months, he couldn't picture his life without Ryan. He loved spending time with him, but he missed him terribly when they were apart.

The tranquility of the room was interrupted when Sharpay barged in, "You ready to go?"

Ryan, not sure who she was directing the question at, asked, "Go? Go where?"

"Bowing, duh." She said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "Did you forget?"

"I was never informed."

Sharpay cut her eyes to Chad. "You didn't tell him? That was your job."

He didn't open his eyes but by the look on his face you could tell that he forgot to tell Ryan. "Oops," was all Chad said.

"So what exactly is going on? Who's going bowling? All three of us, or just you two, or what?"

"No, we're all going. Us three, Troy, Gabriella, Taylor, Zeke, Jason, and Kelsi," Chad spoke up.

"It was a last minute thing, but I told your forgetful boyfriend to tell you," Sharpay snapped looking at Chad.

"Sorry… hey Ryan, we're going bowling with the gang," Chad informed sarcastically.

"Thanks, Chad." Ryan said just as sarcastically. He pushed Chad off of him and stood up himself. "Let me go change real fast, and then we can go."

Twenty minutes later, they arrived at the bowling alley, with the whole gang already there. Chad was glad they could all hang out and be friends even though half of them were dating and the other half had crushes on someone in their group. Ryan and Chad were dating, Troy and Gabriella were dating, Zeke followed Sharpay around like a puppy, Jason and Kelsi had an on-again off-again relationship, Chad and Taylor used to date, Sharpay used to like Troy, but none of it mattered. They were all such good friends, the drama never got in the way.

When the first game ended Chad announced he was going to get something to drink, Taylor volunteered to come with him. Chad instantly knew she was going to grill him for relationship updates, she always did. As soon Chad received his soda, Taylor asked, "So how's your relationship with Ryan going?"

"Good." Chad briefly paused, "I really like spending time with him. I like him more and more every day."

"But…" Taylor prodded.

"But nothing…"

"Come on, you can't hide anything from me." Taylor smiled.

"I hate that fact. It's just… like I said, I love hanging out with him, but we don't get a lot of chances to be alone together. I always have basketball, or work, or hanging out with you and Troy. Ryan has dance rehearsals, and drama practice. We don't have a lot of free time and when we do, we usually hang out as a group with all of us. Plus college is quickly approaching. I have no idea where he applied to, what his plans for the future are."

"You've been dating for almost four months, and you guys haven't talked about it?"

"No. He brought it up awhile ago, but I avoided it and it was never brought up again."

"It's probably a good time to do it then, since you have all these questions."

"I guess you're right."

"Of course I am. Now let's go hang out with our friends, you can worry about all of those things later." She hooked her arm through Chad's, and led them back to their friends.