Boy Disease 20
It was something Chad knew.
He'd known for a while, in fact. He was Ryan's best friend and he could see how happy Ryan was when they were together. Maybe Ryan didn't mean it as much as Chad wanted, but god it felt good to actually hear it.
Chad could pretend Ryan said it the way he wanted. It was easy to watch the way Ryan smiled softly and imagine he was as gone over Chad as Chad was over him.
Ryan confided in him and challenged him and wanted Chad to never let him go. And if there weren't things like school and curfew and mothers who would wait up and worry, Chad so totally would. He wanted to stay with Ryan snuggled against him and wrapped around him and he'd definitely do it forever. Especially on the baseball field at Lava Springs. It was somehow poetic.
But the light faded and the air grew colder and the world just wouldn't listen to him when he implored it to stop turning.
As he held Ryan tighter, he had to worry. He could practically feel how much Ryan was aching from unrequited love. And fuck if Chad didn't empathize.
It was all he could do not to kiss Ryan and beg him to forget everyone else. Chad would love him the way he deserved.
Maybe now that Ryan was feeling better and opening up more, he would see things differently. Maybe Ryan wouldn't want anyone else. Ever. Maybe he'd realize how much Chad loved him.
And how much Chad was not going to let him settle for anything less.
After waiting mostly patiently for homeroom to end on Monday, Chad sauntered up to Ryan and draped an arm over his shoulders. "Hey, you," he said with a beaming smile.
Ryan leaned away to pick up his bag. "Hey."
When Ryan turned to start for his next class, Chad followed eagerly. "You want to study with me later?"
"Study?"
Chad laughed and nudged Ryan's arm. "Yeah, didn't McCann give your class an essay, too? I was thinking we could do it together. Well, not in the 'they nail us for plagiarism' sense, but you know. Sitting next to each other and writing. That kind of together."
Ryan stopped walking and made a dash toward the lockers and out of the flow of traffic. "You want to study? With me?"
"Yeah," Chad grinned, squishing up close to him. "I mean, no, I don't want to study, but McCann's always going 'Danforth, you have so much potential, so if you sit down and do your goddamn homework, I won't have to yell at you!' I figured I should humor her this time."
"Oh," Ryan said and jumped back into the droves of students.
"So, free period? Meet me in the library?" Chad asked, trailing him without question.
Ryan sighed. "Sure."
"Sweet," Chad bounced and affectionately slapped Ryan's shoulder. "Later."
Happily spinning, Chad turned and made his way through the crowd in the direction of his class.
While fidgeting in his chair, Chad almost tried to focus on his homework. But staring at Ryan was far more interesting.
Ryan's eyebrows would narrow and crinkle his forehead when he concentrated and his mouth would curl into a frown that just made Ryan's lips look even more pouty and sometimes Ryan would hold the end of his pencil between his teeth, and it was all Chad could do not to leap over the table.
Or Chad could just keep staring. Because Ryan was totally adorable when he was thinking really hard.
Though, when Chad thought about it, there wasn't a time when he didn't think Ryan was adorable. Or kissable. Or just plain sexy. And it was really a wonder that Chad could accomplish anything that wasn't fantasizing.
He imagined kissing Ryan's face, his cheeks and his nose and the corners of his eyes.
He thought about sucking a red mark into Ryan's pale throat and leaving it for everyone to see.
He wondered if the skin of Ryan's stomach was soft and what it would be like to taste it. And if it would sound musical if he made Ryan moan.
He thought about Ryan kissing him back and what those wet kisses would feel like all over his body.
Chad sighed again and went back to his English essay because in no way was it a good idea to get so turned on in the middle of the school day.
Especially when the object of his affections didn't want to indulge in such things with him. But whatever. It wouldn't stop Chad from thinking about it.
Quickly, he scribbled something out on his paper that was sure to be brilliant and insightful. And if it wasn't, Chad didn't really care. He was so over high school homework.
Not that he'd ever given it much attention. Mindless busy work was sure to kill your brain faster than anything. But the important part was that he was now finished, and he scooted around the table and closer to Ryan.
Slyly, Chad slipped his hand underneath Ryan's left one that had been resting on the table. "How you doing?" he asked with a grin.
Ryan stared for a moment, either at their hands or at his paper, and then lifted his hand away and tucked a fallen lock of blond hair back up under his cap. "Fine."
When Ryan moved his hand, Chad slipped a finger under the hat and flipped the hair back out.
Ryan tipped his head away, smoothed his hair behind an ear, and then rested his head on his hand, preventing any more tampering. Undeterred, Chad wriggled closer and pressed their sides together. He stayed as still as he could, watching Ryan think and basking in his warmth.
After a few minutes, Ryan dropped his hand and looked at Chad. "Are you done already?"
Chad nodded and Ryan sighed frustration and slumped lower when he turned back to his homework.
"Do you want help?" Chad asked, sliding the back of his hand down Ryan's arm.
Ryan shook his head, then folded his arms on the table and sank down onto them, resting his head.
Chad reached out and took off Ryan's royal purple cap, setting it carefully on the table beside him. A slight flicker of appreciation crossed Ryan's face and Chad wondered if he could get away with stroking Ryan's hair. Softly, Chad asked, "Are you still tired?"
Ryan nodded.
Frowning, Chad leaned down to Ryan's level and rested his chin on his hands. "You look skinnier."
"I do not look skinnier," Ryan said, clearly defensive.
"Okay, fine. But I'm still… I'm worried about you."
Ryan immediately lifted his head and sat up, back straight and his whole body perfectly poised. "Why?" Ryan asked dismissively before turning back to his homework.
Chad followed and sat back in his chair. "Because you're really quiet. And impassive."
Ryan raised an eyebrow. "Impassive?"
"Detached," Chad clarified. "Emotionless. Opposite of expressive."
"You sound like Gabriella," Ryan said calmly, looking at his paper.
"But see," Chad pointed to Ryan and tried to explain. "You are very expressive. You have a million different smiles and… and you're bubbly and flamboyant and you sing about everything." Before Ryan could respond, Chad added quietly, "And I love all that about you."
Ryan closed his eyes for a moment, his face contorted with pain. He sighed and turned to Chad with an almost glare. "You want me to be glowy and cheerful and dancing on the tables?"
Chad swallowed hard even though it hurt. "I want you to be happy."
"Well, I'm not," Ryan retorted. "And I might be a good actor, but I can only pretend so much."
"So, don't pretend. Just let me… let me do something," Chad insisted, tentatively touching Ryan's thigh. "Let me help."
Ryan moved his leg. "You can't help. It's not your problem. I just need to get over it. I'm trying to get over it but when you keep dwelling on it, I can't do that."
Chad shrunk away with defeat. He knew he wasn't helping, he knew he probably couldn't. But it felt like he was losing Ryan and he sure as hell wasn't going to do nothing while he did.
Ryan shook everything off and turned back to his work. Chad remained silent for a few minutes before it hurt too much to keep doing so.
"You're shutting me out," Chad said quietly.
Ryan stopped writing and made a small noise like it was hard to breathe.
"You have this whole wall up and I can't…" Chad swallowed and knew his voice was going to break. "Don't do this. I can do something. Let me do something."
Taking a deep breath, Ryan straightened and looked at Chad with blank, distant eyes. Softly, he asked, "You want to do something?"
Chad nodded uncertainly.
"I can't," Ryan started. "I need. To not…"
He watched Ryan falter and could see how torn his friend was even with trying to conceal it.
Before Ryan could attempt to finish, Taylor appeared and placed a hand on Chad's shoulder.
"Hi, boys," she smiled, then looked at them fretfully. "I'm not intruding, am I?"
Ryan curtly shook his head, going back to his essay.
Chad sighed dejectedly and wrapped an arm around Taylor. He looked up at her and murmured, "I miss you."
She looked at him with kind sadness and ran a hand over his hair. "I miss you, too."
Ryan dropped his pencil.
He stood suddenly and refused to look at Chad as he shoved his book and papers into his bag and left.
Chad stared after him for a second, unable to figure out what had just happened. Pushing his chair out from the table, he stood and told Taylor, "Wait for me here? I'll be right back."
He wasn't sure if she nodded or said anything or even if she would actually wait, but he raced out of the library and tracked down Ryan.
Lightly, he touched Ryan's shoulder, keeping up with his brisk pace. "What was that about?"
Tersely, Ryan said, "I don't want to talk to you."
"Why? What did I do?" When Ryan didn't answer, Chad jogged ahead and blocked Ryan's path. "I'm sorry she interrupted. What did you want to tell me?"
Ryan still refused to look at him, but Chad could see him practically shaking.
"What is up with you today?" Chad asked gently, thoroughly concerned. "Did I do something? Did I say something? Because last I checked, you wanted me to–"
"I know what I wanted you to do," Ryan snapped.
Chad shifted from one foot to the other and asked, "Is it because you cried? Because that's okay. You know, it's okay…"
"I know that it's okay to cry. I'm the gayest fag in the school. I'm in touch with my feelings," Ryan mocked. "It doesn't mean that I like to do it. I hate doing it. It makes me feel broken and helpless and I'm tired of always feeling like I'm two seconds away from doing it."
Feeling helpless himself, Chad watched Ryan run a hand over his face and struggle for a breath.
"I'm tired of it," he said quietly.
Cautiously, Chad reached out, placed his hand on Ryan's arm, and pleaded, soft and loving, "Ryan…"
Ryan recoiled like he'd been injured. "You never call me that," he said in a cold, broken laugh and left Chad alone and dumbstruck in the hallway.
Slowly, Chad made his way back to the library and found Taylor actually sitting and waiting like he'd asked.
"Is he all right?" she inquired gently.
Chad collapsed back into his seat and shook his head. He picked up the cap still resting on the table and held it delicately.
She looked at him with worry and rested a hand on his shoulder. "Are you all right?"
Chad shrugged, feeling the soft purple material between his fingers. Nervously, he looked up at her. "How've you been?"
She smiled. "I'm good."
"Good," he echoed and then looked away, not sure what he should do.
"Chad," she said, resting her hand in her lap. "I know you like him."
Immediately, Chad jerked his head toward her. "You do?"
Taylor nodded.
"How?"
With her best, knowledgeable smile, Taylor lifted his hands. "Besides this?" she said, inclining her head toward the cap he clasped tightly.
Chad blushed.
She grinned as she let go. "You talk about a lot of things. And the more you love something, the more you talk about it," she informed. "Like basketball. You talk about basketball… So. Much."
He grinned sheepishly. "Sorry."
Smiling, she said, "Now, please tell me your boy disease isn't so bad that you don't know what you talk about more than anything. Even basketball."
He looked down at Ryan's hat and then at Taylor. "Oops?"
She giggled and shook her head.
Impulsively, he told her, "I'm sorry."
"Don't be. It's okay."
He sighed heavily, not quite comforted. "I do like you."
"I know you do."
He clutched the hat close to him. "I miss you, too," he said sadly. "Maybe I never loved you like I wanted, like I tried to. But next to my mom and sisters, you're the girl I… love most. I didn't want to lose that."
She scooted closer and wrapped her arm around his shoulders. "You haven't lost that. Okay? I'm still here. We're still friends. I still love you, too."
Sighing, he gave her as much of a smile as he could and leaned into her, letting her support him.
He sat up after a moment and looked at her. "You know, I used to worry that you'd put me on your list. 'Cause I broke your rules or something."
With a smile, she shook her head. "You kind of broke them a little, but you're not on my list."
"So, that means I don't have boy disease?"
Taylor laughed. "Oh, no, baby. You've got it really, really bad."
Rolling his eyes, he gave her a halfhearted glare.
She grinned victoriously then rested her hand on his back. "So, sweetie? What's wrong?"
He stared at the cap in his hands and sighed. "I don't know what to do. He's miserable. And he's shutting me out and he's not talking to anyone. I don't know what's wrong. But I can't stand to see him hurt so much."
Her hand skimmed over his back in soothing circles. "You don't know what happened…" she said like she was analyzing. "Have you tried… helping?"
"I've tried being there for him, I've tried reassuring him. I've given him space. I held him when he cried. Nothing's worked. Gah," he shook his head. "Leave it to me to fall for an actor."
Taylor snickered. "It's probably your karma."
Chad grumbled, managing to glare harder.
Crossing her arms, she stared at him supportively. "I wish I could give you answers."
"Me too," he said. "Are we really okay? I mean… we can really be friends?"
Nodding, she smiled brightly. "You're one of my best friends."
Cradling Ryan's hat with one hand, Chad reached out and pulled Taylor to his side with a solid, one-armed hug.
At the end of the day, Chad waited outside of Ryan's last class, pacing and worrying and hoping he could figure out something he could do.
When Ryan stepped outside of the classroom, he didn't look at all surprised to see him there waiting. Quietly, he motioned for Chad to follow him back inside.
After waiting for everyone to leave and shutting the door behind them, Ryan turned to him calmly, but didn't even bother to hide the sorrow in his eyes.
Terrified, Chad stared at him and hoped like hell that he didn't know exactly what Ryan wanted to say.
Breathing deeply, Ryan tilted his chin up.
Chad swallowed and choked out, "Don't say it."
Ryan glanced down and then tossed hair out of his eyes. "I need to."
Chad shook his head, feeling hard wrenching in his chest.
Ryan walked toward him and placed his hands near Chad's elbows, then slid them up and wrapped Chad in his arms. "I can't do this anymore," Ryan said softly. "We just… we can't. Be friends right now."
Chad locked his arms around Ryan and buried his face in Ryan's shoulder. He was going to lose Ryan. He was going to lose Ryan.
He was going to lose Ryan.
He heard a broken sob escape his chest and couldn't stand anymore with his whole body aching.
Carefully, Ryan sank down to the floor with him, guiding Chad to a relatively comfortable position. He pressed himself close, holding Chad tightly to his chest.
Chad shook and didn't care if anyone saw – he couldn't stop crying. And wouldn't let go for anything.
Ryan's hands moved gently over his back then lifted his head and brushed curls and tears away from his eyes. "Chad," Ryan said, quiet and gentle. "Chad, look at me."
Clenching his fingers in Ryan's shirt, Chad sat up enough to meet Ryan's eyes.
"You're the best friend I've ever had," Ryan promised. "I care about you so much. And I want to be a good friend to you." Biting his lip, Ryan swallowed and squeezed Chad. "But I can't do that right now. It's too hard and… and I don't want to hurt anymore."
Chad looked down and fresh tears fell on his shirt, but he whispered determinedly, "Don't make me leave."
"But I owe you more than that," Ryan insisted even though his words were full of despair. "You're so wonderful to me. You deserve better than just… You deserve your bubbly, flamboyant, singing friend. You deserve to have that." He stroked his fingers over Chad's face, wiping away more wetness. "And I want to be that for you."
"Please, don't make me leave."
"But I want to be your friend. And I want to be able to sing. I want to be able to breathe without my chest hurting. I want to be able to look at her and not feel so sickeningly jealous because I can never... I want it to stop. I just want to get over it." Ryan trembled and looked at him with glistening eyes. "Please, let me get over it."
"Why do you have to cut me out? Why?" Chad demanded. "I would stay. I would help. I don't care if you're broken, I'll be here and I'll hold you together."
"But I would never be fixed if you did that. I'd always need you."
"But I always need you," Chad said, soft and shattered.
Ryan's lip quivered and he pulled Chad close. "I'm so sorry." He turned his head, pressing his cheek against Chad's. "It's not forever. I promise."
Chad shifted and looked at Ryan. "How long?"
Ryan shrugged. "I don't know."
Glancing away, Chad sniffed and rubbed a hand over his face, then wound his fingers through Ryan's hair, bringing their foreheads together. "I love you, too," Chad whispered.
Ryan moved and looked at him for a long moment. He hesitated but then leaned closer, placing one long, soft kiss on Chad's lips.
He bent his head after he'd pulled away, hiding his face and squeezing Chad in his arms.
Chad pressed his lips together, wanting to still feel Ryan's kiss. But he wanted more than anything for it to be real and not one Ryan bestowed for Chad's indulgence.
When his eyes finally dried and Chad had been filled with numbness, he let go of Ryan and scooted over to reach for his backpack.
Carefully, he pulled out the purple hat and indecisively handed it back. "I tried to take good care of it," he said as it left his fingers.
Ryan took it and ran a hand over the fabric. "You did a good job."
Unsteady but calm, Ryan helped Chad to his feet. He gathered his things, waited for Chad to do the same, and walked downstairs by his side.
When they reached the ground level of the school, Chad reached out and squeezed Ryan's hand, then let go and watched him disappear into the distance.
Chad sat on the bench in the locker room, staring but seeing nothing.
He knew Zeke was looking at him worriedly. He knew Troy was really looking at him worriedly. But the only thing he could even think about was Ryan.
He kept picturing those anguished looks, kept seeing blank blue eyes that attempted to hide all his suffering. He remembered how tightly Ryan had clung to him on the baseball field. He remembered the last time he'd seen that bright, glowy smile he loved so much. The morning Chad kissed him. Which felt like weeks and weeks and weeks ago.
He ached thinking of how different and devastated Ryan was. He wouldn't even blame Sharpay for warding off anyone who could hurt Ryan that much.
Chad wished he could do something. He didn't want Ryan to have to do anything alone. More solitude didn't seem like it would help anyway.
Chad was so lost in thought, it took him a minute to realize Troy was trying to get his attention.
"Chad?" Troy said with concern. "Chad?"
Chad lifted his head and turned a little. "Hmm?"
Troy's eyebrows furrowed. "Do you wanna chill with us after practice?"
"Yeah, whatever," Chad said and slumped back to where he was.
He knew his friends shared their worried looks, he could see Zeke looking at him, but Chad ignored them and worked on untying his shoes.
"Dude," Troy said softly. "You okay?"
Chad nodded mechanically, attempting to pull the laces completely free.
Troy frowned. "Did something happen?"
Chad sighed and might have confessed if he thought he could explain everything so they'd understand.
"Martha said he and Taylor broke up," Jason offered.
Chad froze and glared at Jason. The last fucking thing he needed was to answer questions about that. Scowling, he braced himself for whatever Troy was going to dish out.
"Man, Chad," Troy said sadly. "I'm so sorry."
"Don't. Be," Chad snipped. "I don't care."
He watched Troy's sympathetic frown deepen and turned toward Zeke so he didn't have to look. Zeke scrunched his face like he was deep in thought.
Tentatively, Troy asked, "When did it happen?"
When Chad didn't answer, Jason again informed, "Over a week ago. The Friday we played Crossville."
"Dude, how do you know?" Chad said irritably.
"Martha told me."
Chad rolled his eyes and caught Troy looking like he'd figured out why Chad had been so upset that night.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Troy asked, hurt seeping into his tone.
"Because it doesn't fucking matter, Bolton. I don't care. It was never going to work and I'm sorry to ruin your perfect vision of the world, but I never wanted to be with her. I never loved her like that."
"But…" Troy said, confused. "You told me she was the only one you wanted to be with."
"No, I didn't," Chad retorted and was sure he had been careful to not mention any names. "I never said it was Taylor."
Zeke burst into laughter and all three of his friends stopped to look at him.
"Sorry," Zeke grinned proudly. "I knew I was right."
After narrowing his eyes and shaking his head at Zeke, Chad turned back to Troy. "Look, I didn't tell you because you are all set on 'best friend-couples' and double dates and you're too wrapped up in your girlfriend to care about anything else anyway."
"That's not true! I tried to be there for you! I tried to make it possible so you could work things out with Taylor!"
"How the hell did you…" Chad immediately stopped and narrowed his eyes.
He turned his head warily, scrutinizing Troy.
"You said something," Chad stated coldly. "That's why you had my sweatshirt. That's why he gave you my sweatshirt." Jumping off the bench, Chad stood menacingly over Troy. "What the fuck did you say to him?!"
Troy's face grew more confused. "What do you mean?"
Chad grasped the blue sleeve of Troy's shirt. "Ryan, Troy. What the fuck did you say to Ryan?!"
"I don't know. It was weeks ago," Troy responded and shoved Chad's hand away.
"Weeks ago?!"
"Yeah. Just after break."
Shocked and shaking with rage, Chad stepped backward.
"I just said something about how he shouldn't mess with you. And I know you better than anyone," Troy said.
"You don't know shit, Bolton," Chad spat and tore out of the locker room, leaving all of his belongings and abandoning practice and not caring about any of it.
He started for the drama department, but remembered they weren't rehearsing today and sprinted for the student parking lot, hoping maybe, maybe Ryan hadn't left yet.
He burst through the school doors and scanned the rows of cars for Sharpay's pink mustang.
His heart pounded harder when he couldn't find it and he started down the stairs, ready to check every parking spot, but a voice behind him made him stop and want to tear his hair out.
"Well, if it isn't the fabulous Farrah," Sharpay smirked as she sauntered down the stairs behind him.
Chad clenched his fists because he so could not handle her right now. But if she was around, it also meant that Ryan was.
"I do not have time for you, Princess," Chad gritted. "Where's Ryan?"
She scoffed and cocked her head challengingly. "If you want to see to Ryan, you're going to have to make time."
Chad groaned and scrubbed both hands over his face. "Fine! You want me to make time, Shar?" he said angrily. "You want me to prove it to you? All those things you told me about him, I knew. I know he feels left out because he's different and it makes him lonely. I know he stopped making friends because he couldn't really be friends with a girl and didn't know how to be friends with a guy. I know his favorite color is yellow. I know he loves Hairspray because he loves Seaweed and Penny. I know he's so concerned with how he looks that he won't eat for like a week just to compensate."
Sharpay quietly stared at him with her arms crossed, but didn't attempt to say anything so Chad kept going.
"I know he loves you and your mom more than anything. And he wishes your dad knew how to talk to him," Chad said, somber and slower. "I know he was ten when he first had a crush on a boy. I know he won't listen to music he can't sing with. Or dance with. I know he's petulant and vain and so thoroughly clueless, and he tries so hard to act like nothing's wrong when something is just killing him."
Taking a hard breath, Chad pleaded with everything he had. "I know his eyes look bluer after he's cried. I know what he wants more than anything is to be loved. I know he loves with everything he is and in a forever kind of way. And I know he deserves to be loved the same way."
Sharpay glanced at the ground, and when she turned back, looked softer and more like Ryan than Chad had ever thought possible.
"He deserves to have everything he wants," Chad asserted earnestly. "And I don't know if I'm what he wants, but I know I want to make him happy. He makes me happy. I want to love him the way he should be."
Sharpay sighed slowly and then swallowed, head held high like she was ten feet taller than he was. "It's a wonder you don't like theater. Because you are awfully dramatic."
Chad closed his eyes tightly, resisting the urge to yell or cry.
"Here's one you don't know," she said in an overly controlled voice. "There is no other guy."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, he doesn't want anyone else," she said, full of sincerity. "He's in love with you."
Chad tilted his head warily. "You're messing with me."
"No, I'm not."
"Why else would you tell me something like that?"
"Because! He won't talk to me. He won't talk to Mom. He doesn't want to eat, he can't sleep, he won't even sing." She straightened and tried to compose herself with an exasperated sigh. "If he were crying that would be something. But he's never acted like this before. It's never been this bad. And if you're all gushing and starry-eyed and say you didn't do anything then I don't know what's wrong!"
Chad considered it for a long moment, watching the way she quivered angrily, and confessed, "Troy said something to him."
Her eyes narrowed. "What?"
"I don't know, but he did something. And I'm betting that's why Ryan is… like this."
"Why would Ryan care about something Troy did?"
"I don't know but if neither of us can come up with anything else, then I'm going with this." As she didn't argue, he stared at her. And wondered. "Is he really… He loves me?"
After a theatrical, pained sigh, she met his eyes. "Have you even said it?"
"What? That I love him?"
"No. Well," her forehead wrinkled and she waved her hand. "Sort of."
Chad crossed his arms. "That I'm gay?"
She quirked an eyebrow.
He rolled his eyes and threw up his hands. "I'm gay. Okay? Totally, completely gay." He tipped his head and smirked. "I'm really gay for your brother."
She huffed and rolled her eyes back at him.
"Look, I didn't think I was. You know, I'm not… like Ryan. Not that there's anything wrong with that," he added just so she couldn't say anything. "But I'm into hoops and I never liked theater."
Sharpay smirked. "Farrah, liking theater has nothing to do with liking dick."
Chad glared at her and sneered, "Obviously."
Her grin didn't falter. "Well, you're a smart guy. Granted, you're not an observant guy, but think about it," she persisted.
She waited for a second, but got impatient and confirmed, "He is so hopelessly, desperately, ridiculously in love with you. There's never been anyone else."
Chad stared and didn't know what to think. He swallowed hard, feeling a horrible sinking in his chest.
If it was all true... then Ryan wanted to get over him.
Again feeling frantic, Chad asked urgently, "Where's Ryan?"
Sharpay opened her mouth, but music that sounded suspiciously like "Glamorous" interrupted her. She reached into her purse and retrieved her cellphone. "I don't know," she answered, replying to the text she'd received. "But he says to tell you that you're late for practice."
He peered over to see her screen and then looked around the parking lot. "I need to talk to him."
"No, you don't," she said and before he could protest, added, "You need to find out what your Boy Wonder did."
Chad placed his hands on his hips. "Why do I have to do that?"
"Because I doubt that Troy would trust me alone with him for even five minutes," she said, baring her teeth as she smiled. "And I– we can't do anything if we don't know."
Chad frowned fiercely.
"Now, go be a good angel," Sharpay insisted as she walked past him. "And I'll go talk to Ryan. Don't get yourself kicked off the team. You have to look good in your new clothes."
He eyed her suspiciously. "What new clothes?"
She spun and winked. "The ones we take you shopping for."
Chad huffed and rolled his eyes, figuring it must be Sharpay's weird way of accepting him. Sighing and still not feeling comfortable with leaving his fate in her hands, Chad rushed back to practice, determined to get a confession out of Troy.