Disclaimer: Nope , nada, I still don't own High School Musical , just having fun playing around in East High and New Mexico .

" It's over . Breathe, Kelsi "

The petite dark haired young woman pushed her curls off her shoulder as she examined herself in the mirror , touching the slight bruise that was starting to form on her neck then at her red rimmed eyes from crying with disdain . She looked horrible .

It hadn't been a pleasant experience breaking up with Max , not that the composer had expected it to be a walk in the park. Her last two attempts had failed but Kelsi was proud of herself for holding her ground and ending it for good . Max had been furious but she wouldn't think about that part right now . She just hoped Max would be true to his word and be mature when it came down to working on the musical with her and Ryan . They didn't have but a few classes together and she could avoid him in the halls if it came down to it .

Kelsi sniffled then gathered her composure , breathing in , out , until she felt calm.

She reached for her blue bag rifling through it - scraps of songs she was working on hastily scribbled on a the back side of a note from Martha , two pencils, a wallet, two crunched up dollar bills, an apple , lip gloss , a handful of tea bags, and a compact . The musician pulled out the compact and carefully applied the light powder across the bruise then covered it back up with her hair .

Thank goodness , she was wearing it long this year !

Her eyes still looked red and gross though and too noticeable behind her glasses . One look at her and her friends were bound to know that she had been crying .

Kelsi dabbed powder beneath her eyes and considered borrowing eye shadow from Martha at lunch since she must have forgotten to throw some in her bag this morning .

" No. This will have to do " said Kelsi to her reflection ," I'm fine '

" Is everything alright ? ' called out Josie , entering the girls room and joining the pianist by the mirror. She flicked a glance at the small young woman with the quirky style and the nondescript glasses that somehow seemed to capture Ryan's attention . There was nothing that really stood out about Kelsi which continued to baffle the actress .

The actress made a careful show of brushing her red hair until it shone then drew out her perfectly cherry red lipstick and reapplied it . There . Perfect .

.

" Um, yeah , I'm good " managed Kelsi, managing a small smile ," How are you liking East High so far, Josie ? "

" Well it isn't nearly as exciting as Sharpay led me to believe however I' m adjusting well enough ," replied Josie , as she took out her Chanel #5 and liberally dabbed her pulse points with the expensive perfume ," Ryan has procured us seats with Troy and Gabriella at the popular table for the lunch experience . Will you be joining us , Kelsi ? '

Kelsi smoothed her lips together in a thin line , thought about Ryan's kiss and proclamation this morning , and decided maybe she was making too much out of Josie's very obvious statement . Ryan wouldn't say what he didn't mean .

" I always sit with my friends "

" Will that hunky hunk boyfriend of yours be joining us ? I haven't been to New York in simply ages and wanted to chat with Maxwell " implored Josie , tucking a strand of hair behind an ear . Maybe she was playing it too femme fatal as Kelsi certainly didn't appear to be reacting with jealousy or laying claim on Ryan for that matter either .

.

Back to guileless and oh so likeable Lana Lang it was as Josie switched tactics

.

Kelsi slung her bag on her shoulder as she collected her books ." I broke up with Max so, no , he wont be joining us. Though I'm sure if you wanted to talk to him about New York, he' would probably like that ."

Josie frowned , stepped forward as if to offer comfort ." Oh I am so sorry ! You must be hurting so and here I am going on and on about my silly plans with Ryan "

" No ," muttered Kelsi , backing out the bathroom ," Max and I weren't really together all that long . It was for the best …the break up because I care about someone else and you know , I really have to get to class now . "

She shot out the bathroom eager to be away from Josie and made a run for it to the music room . She had a bottle of water and an apple in her bag that would do for lunch .

There was only ten minutes left to lunch anyway and Kelsi wasn't quite as ready as she let on to deal with the gang and whatever it was that Josie was playing at with Ryan .

Josie peered around the corner , watching the retreating figure of the little musician and knew that she had gotten into her head . Now she just had to remind Ryan why they were perfect for each other and make him forget about his little crush on piano girl .

********************Wildcats ********************************************

" Are you hiding from me , Kelsi ? I've been looking for you all day " called out Ryan as the last bell of school had rang for the day and students scurried eager to make their escape . He found his favorite person holding court by their lockers, a hopeful expression on her face as she waited for him or he hoped that was what she was doing .

" No," Kelsi lifted her eyes up to his ," I wanted to talk to you too, Ry'

Ryan opened his locker and tossed his books in then leaned against the door to simply look at her . She really was so pretty . Soft , sweet mingled with the funky .

He didn't even think she was aware of her prettiness, that was his Kelsi , so wrapped up in her music and helping her friends she didn't pay attention to such things like that .

It was one of the things about Kelsi that appealed to him .There was no pretense about who she was and she didn't pretend to be anything but herself .

.

" I told Maxwell the score with you and me '

' I broke up with Max "

Ryan's blue eyes lit up with happiness as he felt himself propelled to move closer to her , daring to hope this meant what he wanted it to mean . He cocked his head to peer into her expressive face and lightly placed his hands around her hips .

' Kelsi , does this mean you and me can be together ? '

Color bloomed pink in her cheeks ." If you ..do you…still want to be with me ? '

A big, goofy grin spread across his face as Ryan pulled her closer in his embrace completely oblivious to everything happening around them . The marching band could have been playing a mariachi number down the hall and they wouldn't have known it as wrapped up into one another that they were .

.

" Kels, how can you even ask me that ? Or do you need time to , you know, get over Max ? I still really don't understand that relationship but if you want us to wait , we don't have to rush for us . I mean, we can go really slow if that is what you want , Kelsi , and what ? "

Kelsi giggled ." Your cute when your babbling , Ryan '

Ryan pressed his forehead against hers ." What else is new ? Haven't you noticed that I've been babbling around you since the club this summer , Kelsi ? '

" It wasn't just me you babbled around over the summer, Ryan . I honestly didn't know what to think until you told me …I thought you were crushing on Gabriella '

Ryan sputtered a half laugh, half snort ." No way ! I thought we already had this discussion earlier, Kelsi, and cleared it all up "

Kelsi grew serious and ducked her head ." We did "

Those stupid insecurities of hers reared up and Kelsi did her best to tamp them down .

Kelsi bit down on her lower lip and stared back up at him ." I don't know how Max is going to be about us , Ryan . I was honest with him about us so , um, maybe we should try to act professional when we're working together on the play . No romance "

Ryan nodded ." We can totally be professional "

" Good '

Ryan lowered his lips to hers in a slow , deep kiss that had Kelsi clutching the lapels of his jacket to be closer to him as the world spun around them . The kiss shimmered , it shone , it was warmth , it was emotion radiating between them both .

' Whoa '

" Yeah ,' muttered Ryan , dropping a kiss on the top of her hat ," that was almost better than our first kiss '

" Well its about freaking time , you two ! Finally ! " exclaimed Martha , happily as she and Jason walked briskly to join the new couple . She had just finished up cheerleading practice and her boyfriend was coming out of basketball practice when they spotted their friends kissing by the lockers .It was the highlight of the whole boring day .

Kelsi groaned and buried her face , embarrassed , in Ryan's chest ." Martha "

Ryan just grinned , stupidly, happily .' Hey guys , isn't it amazing ? Kelsi and I are together ' He flicked his glance back at the petite girl he was holding ' We are together . Right ? Or do you not want us to tell our friends we're a couple now ? '

Kelsi removed her face from his chest , smiled ." Now your being silly, Ryan '

" I just want to be sure , didn't want to make assumptions . Bad stuff happens that way and its already been a very strange month as it is ' said Ryan, placing a hand on the small of Kelsi's back ,' maybe give us a break, Martha , with the gossip . Kelsi doesn't want to rub it in to the ex-boyfriends face that we are dating . Not to mention, I don't want hurt '

No one noticed the color drain from Kelsi's face after Ryan's innocent statement ." It's just that its going to probably be awkward and all since Ryan and I have to work with Max for the play . I don't want us to be super uncomfortable or make everyone else around us feel bad too '

" Good point "

Martha hip bumped Ryan out of the way pulling Kelsi into an enthusiastic hug .

" Girl, I am so proud of you! '

Kelsi just laughed .' Thanks, Martha , but could you hold off on the I told you so '

" Oh, I suppose so but only for a couple hours "

Jason pushed his shaggy hair off his face and slapped Ryan on the back ." It's really good news about you and Kelsi ,' replied a easy going Jason ," Martha's been like worried about Kelsi since she started dating that Max dude so we should probably give them some girl time for a few more minutes .'

Ryan's brows furrowed ." I think Max was like this huge wall that Kelsi and I needed to conquer to make each other understand our feelings , if that makes sense '

Jason opened his mouth , choose his words , with thought and consideration ." It does ,' replied Jason ," I know Kelsi broke up with Maxwell but I think you should maybe be careful around him, dude . For Kelsi 's sake … '

" I'll give Max wide berth if I have to, Jason "

" He is still really creepy " uttered Jason under his breath. Maxwell wasn't a good guy but what bothered him was that he had caught the dude giving Martha a look that felt , well, bad . Not like he was checking his girlfriend out but it weirded him out .

" I'll be mindful of the guy but he's smooth , I bet Maxwell will move on from Kelsi easily enough ' replied Ryan, feeling more confident now that he and Kelsi were together,' I'm actually kind of surprised at how easy it was this time considering how things have been sort of rough between me and Kelsi for a while .'

" Kelsi probably just needed the time to think about everything before having to choose '

' Your probably right , Jason " decided Ryan , finished with analyzing it .

" Could you tell that to the guys , Evans ? " replied Jason, earnestly then laid a hand on his girlfriends arm ," times up, ladies , some of us are starving ! "

Martha rolled her eyes but linked her hand with his ." We're going to Hubs for dinner , you guys wanna join us ? '

Hubs was the local diner in town with the best cheeseburgers in town and one of the gangs hang outs . Not to mention it had the best cheese fries in New Mexico and five bucks could get you a whole meal .

" Thanks but I cant ," says Kelsi, apologetically ," I've got a ton of homework and I promised Mom that I would help her address invitations for the benefit to raise money for the halfway house in town . She's in charge this year and I said I would help but I kind of got busy writing lyrics and got distracted the last couple of days but still I promised Mom …."

Kelsi's mother ran the local halfway house in town working as both director and counselor providing shelter , clothes , meals, an a willing ear , to those in need in the community . Kelsi sometimes volunteered there to help out and bring music with her to liven the mood at the center as well.

Ryan placed his hand on her back ." So I guess me asking you out on a date tonight is out ? "

" I'm sorry , Ryan ," rambled Kelsi, hating that she was letting him down already ," you know I would love to go out with you , just not tonight . . Its just that I already promised my Mom I would help and if I bailed again , she wont be very happy with me .'

Ryan smiled at her , sucked up his disappointment, and took it in stride . ' I wouldn't want your Mom to hate me either '

" Oh brother , we're out of here " Realizing they weren't missing anything earth shattering exciting , Martha and Jason left school for the diner leaving the couple alone .

" Oh please , Ryan ," Kelsi chuckled as they walked out of the school towards the parking lot to their separate vehicles ," Mom thinks you're the nicest , most polite boy that she has ever met and that is a direct quote .'

Ryan rocked back on the balls of his feet , pleased . " Your Mom is pretty cool . How come you've never bothered mentioning that to me before ? "

They stopped in front of Kelsi's old blue jetta which was parked between Troy's clunker of a truck and Ryan's Dad's BMW. The lot had cleared out relatively fast since school had let out and the couple was basically alone with the exception of the few stragglers .

A twinkle appeared in Kelsi's eyes as she couldn't resist teasing him ." We weren't dating, Mr. Choreographer, and there are some things that are private ."

Ryan reached out , caught a strand of her hair with his finger , and caught a curl twining it around his finger . Her hair was really soft .

" My Mom loves you "

Her lips curved, slightly ." Ry, your not mad because I'm rain checking our first date . Are you ? '

" No , " admitted Ryan , dropping a kiss on her nose ," I'll miss you like crazy tonight , Kels, but I understand ." He paused , hesitant," I meant what I said , if you need time to get over Maxwell, it's alright . I'm just really happy that you want to be with me .'

" We don't have to date at like a snails pace, Ryan , but slow is good '

" I'll call you later " Ryan leaned in to kiss her as Josie studied them from the steps .

" You'd better " Kelsi climbed into her car , tossed her bag in the front seat, and with a wave at Ryan, drove towards home .She couldn't wait to tell her Mom about her change in relationship with Ryan and knew she would be happy for her .

Ryan sighed , content ." I will '

" That was fast ," purred Josie , lowering her thick lashes towards Ryan ," Why I ran into Kelsi just crying her eyes out after her tragic break up with Maxwell and now a mere two hours later , you and she are an item .'

Ryan jiggled the car keys in his hand and fixed her with a knowing look ." Don't goad me, Jo . I wont let you spoil this day for me and Kelsi '

Cherry red lips formed a pout .' Now don't get all twisted up, Ryan, I'm just looking out for you . You never did understand girls '

Ryan opened the car door for her ." Leave me and Kelsi alone and tell me about your first day here . I understand half of the freshman class guys are falling at your feet '

" Naturally! ' Josie slid her expensive sunglasses on," They all want me as it should be . It's flattering but there is only one guy that I want .."

Ryan rolled his eyes and groaned ." Still not going to happen '

************************East High School *****************************

Three blocks away from the Evans estate was a spacious brownstone reminiscent more to New York than the homes around the New Mexico desert but that had been the appeal to his parents when they had transplanted here . Max was still on the fence about the move , hated the dry air and the good ole boy mentality was so far away from New York but he was trying, dammit . His sweet Kelsi had made it all worth it and bearable .

Letting her walk away from their love affair had been a snap judgment in a moment of weakness and one he intended to rectify as soon as he reevaluated his plans .

Kelsi would regret throwing a catch like him away , she would cry and beg for his forgiveness , and he would take her back but only after he punished her for betraying him

.

He would allow her to be happy and flaunt her relationship with the dancer before he made good on his promises . A broken leg would be a nice start at that .He had all day to work out a solid plan and now he needed to set the ball in motion and for that Max would need some assistance from his father .

.

Maxwell strode inside his fathers office which was tastefully decorated with a dark cherry wood desk , oil paintings by renown artists hung from the walls , and the Waterford decanter held his best scotch . Or it might be whiskey this month , Tad Donovan changed his preferences every other month upon mood it seemed .

His father , a handsome man in his mid thirties sat behind his desk absorbed in his latest business venture as always . Illegal under the guise and paperwork of a legitimate businessman of a vast coffee venture , along with his side ventures .

.

" Son, how was school ? I didn't expect you home this early ' said Tad , closing the file in front of him ,' Your mother and I figured you would be busy rehearsing for the play for a few more hours ..'

Maxwell tossed himself into the leather chair , scowled ." Miss. Darbus had an appointment today and that daft old bat wouldn't allow us to use the theatre without her presence ! '

Tad folded his hands together ." A break wont kill you , Maxwell, enjoy it . You should take advantage of the free time and spend it with that new girlfriend of yours '

Anger vibrated through the young man as he glared up at his father .' Kelsi had the nerve to break up with me today for that stupid Ryan Evans ! A dancer ! Can you believe that ? '

" I'm sorry about that , son, but there are other girls out there I'm sure who would love to go out with you. What about the Evans girl ? She's a beauty and you are directing her ' suggested Tad, dismissing his sons anger as teenage angst .

Maxwell had always been much too melodramatic over the smallest of details .Being a musician and drama major hadn't help his son either only made it worse .

" Sharpay is dating that meathead chef basketball player ! Kelsi is my muse , my love, don't you understand ? I must get her back at all costs ….'

Tad stood , moved from behind his desk to the bar to pour a drink ." You just need some time to get over the girl , son , and it'll be fine . That little piano player is too mousy for your brilliance anyway and in time she would have bored your muse to death '

Maxwell ground his teeth together as his Dad brushed off his confidence as if it were nothing , a meaningless fly in a all to serious conversation . Didn't the old man understand he was really sharing with him , confiding in him ?

" Kelsi belongs with me , she is mine . I will get her back ' Max drummed his fingers against the arm chair, annoyed ,' I thought I might enlist Maurice and Gus to help me with making several accidents happen ….'

Tad gulped the alcohol and stared hard at his son ." What the hell, Maxwell , the guys aren't going to help you orchestrate accidents of teenagers because you are having issues ! Get a new girlfriend ! '

Maxwell was on his feet , anger vibrating through his entire body .' They are your lackeys , Dad , you pay them to do your dirty work for you! I'm not asking for much , just helping me set up Ryan Evans for a literal fall , not kill him . Just get the dork out of my hair '

' Seriously , son , get over it ," snapped back Tad as if Maxwell had lost his mind ,' I have been wheeling and dealing practically since we moved here to get a meeting with Vance Evans . The man has connections here , I'm trying to do a legitimate business venture with the man and I cant have you trying to exact some stupid teenage revenge ploy against the mans son '

Max set his jaw , tasted blood .' There isn't anything remotely stupid about this '

" No ," Tad cut him done ," Drop it and get over it . Cozy up to the daughter if you want , play nice with Ryan , but forget this ludicrous revenge scheme of yours, young man . Go to the gym, take it out with some boxing , but this is the last I want to hear of you wanting to hurt anyone . I expect much better from you , Maxwell Donovan '

Maxwell understood that arguing with his father wouldn't earn him anymore brownie points , let alone his help and so with a grimace , he smoothed his lips together and dropped it . He didn't need the old mans help, his lackeys would have allowed him the freedom of not getting his hands dirty , but since that was now off the table, it was all up to him now . It might take him a bit longer to pull off but Max knew what he wanted .

He wanted it all and he would have it .

. .