CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

Ryan and Kelsi didn't get the chance to talk again until after the championship game against West High. "Why aren't you dancing?" Ryan asked her at the after party. Kelsi just shrugged. "Where's Jason?"

"With Martha," Kelsi said like it wasn't a big deal. Ryan grabbed her arm and took her to the dance floor. "Ryan!"

"Just because your boyfriend's neglecting you doesn't mean you shouldn't have fun," he said, starting to dance with her. It was a fast song, and their bodies were close. Kelsi was starting to feel heat rush through her as Ryan danced next to her. She was fighting the urge to drag him inside, out of sight, and tear his clothes off. She knew she had to stop herself.

The song ended and Kelsi was dazed. "Um, thanks for the dance," she said. "I'm gonna go back to the turntables... I'll see you later, Ryan." She excused herself before he could say anything. Ryan couldn't figure out what he had done wrong.

They didn't talk again until after the announcement of the spring musical. Everyone was mad at Kelsi for signing them up for the musical without asking for their permission, and they'd all been yelling at her. Ryan didn't care, because Ms. Darbus announced that Ryan would be doing the choreography and that Kelsi would be doing the music for the musical. They would be working together to produce the show, and they were both excited for the chance to really create something together.

Then Ms. Darbus handed out their Julliard information, announcing that Kelsi, Ryan, Sharpay, and Troy were all being considered for a Julliard scholarship, although only one of them would be able to get it. They all talked about their goals and aspirations before the bell rang for them to go to lunch. Ryan and Kelsi agreed to meet later to talk about the musical and headed to lunch. While Ryan was talking to his sister at lunch, Jason pulled Kelsi aside.

"What is wrong with you?" he demanded. Kelsi didn't know what to say. "You know how busy I am this year. You know how much shit I have to get done—I don't have time for your stupid musical and you know it. I'm sorry I'm not more like your precious Ryan, but I'm not a fucking fag like these drama kids. I'm only doing this because Martha wants me to. You should be lucky Troy is so whipped or no one would've agreed to this stupid show. I'm going to be retaking all of my finals already and if I fail this year, it's on you." Kelsi couldn't take it anymore. She was tired of being yelled at all the time.

"Fine. If you're going to be that way, Jason, maybe we should just break up. You already have Martha anyway."

"Fine, fucking bitch," he said. Kelsi couldn't believe how her sweet, innocent Jason had turned into such an asshole.

What she didn't know was at the same time, the only guy she still seemed to trust was listening to his sister plot against her.

"Polish her glasses, buy her some ruby slippers, take her to prom—I don't know. Just do it." Ryan thought that asking to Kelsi would be a very good idea, except for the fact that Kelsi was with Jason. He thought about it a lot. Now that Sharpay mentioned it, he couldn't think of anyone he'd rather go to prom with. He didn't care about Sharpay getting a song. This was his last year at East High, and his last chance to try to win Kelsi over. He saw Jason storm into the cafeteria and sit next to Martha.

Ryan went to rehearsals early the next day to talk to Kelsi. "Hey," he said. She smiled slightly. "Are you alright?"

"I guess. I don't really feel like being around Jason today," she admitted.

"Yeah, you never told me what was going on with you two," Ryan remembered. Kelsi shrugged.

"Well, we broke up now. He was kind of a huge jerk about it." Ryan felt his heart lift insanely.

"You're serious?" he asked. "Why? What happened? When?" Kelsi shrugged, taking a deep breath and shaking her head.

"We broke up yesterday, at lunch. He was yelling at me for signing him up for the musical so I told him maybe we should just break up. Then he called me a bitch and left. I don't see why he even cared—he was already cheating on me for months now..."

"With Martha?" Ryan guessed. Kelsi nodded and rolled her eyes.

"Gee, how'd you guess? It figures, the moment I start to trust him, he turns around and uses it against me. I told you once that I had trust issues—there's a good reason for that. Oh well. I didn't like him much, anyway."

"Why were you with him then?" Ryan asked. "I could tell he flirted with Martha, but I never saw why you were with him."

"He was a safe option," Kelsi said. "I didn't really like him, so I knew he couldn't hurt me. He seemed innocent and clueless and drama-free. For the first few months, he was. The moment I started letting my guard down and he saw how weak I am, he turned around and started using me. I wish I could believe that every guy wasn't like that, but from my experience, I don't think I'm ever going to be able to really trust someone. You, I mean, you're easy to talk to, but I've seen first-hand the kind of deceit you're capable of. No offense, but I don't know what it would take for me to ever fully trust you. Still... I'd call you my best friend," she told him. Ryan felt his heart speed up. He had a best friend. Kelsi was his best friend.

"Yeah, you're my best friend, too, Kels," he said quietly. "What Jason did was messed up, but you can't base your opinions of all guys on him, you know. You just haven't found the right one yet. Jason's just a stupid jerk and if he honestly thinks Martha is better than you than he's also out of his mind. Anyway, I know I haven't exactly been trustworthy in the past, but I'll do whatever it takes to earn your trust, Kels. I'm not expecting you to just give it to me when I don't deserve it. Jason's an ass. I just want you to know that I'm not going to hurt you. If that takes time, then I'm willing to wait."

Kelsi had never felt butterflies so intense before. There was no denying it in her mind. Ryan Evans was perfect.

"Hey guys," Gabriella smiled, walking in hand-in-hand with Troy. "Working hard?"

"Of course," Kelsi smiled. "Ryan's in charge of practice today. I'm still in the writing process."

"Sounds good," Troy said. The others started walking in. "Oh, me and Chad have to leave for a few to take care of some basketball business. We won't be gone long, though." Kelsi and Ryan nodded, not knowing what he was up to.

Ryan organized everyone and started doing yoga warm-ups to help with their movement and energy. He couldn't help it—after what Kelsi had told him, he was picking on Jason some. It wasn't entirely his fault; Jason had awful coordination.

Kelsi sat writing, watching Ryan lead the group with a small smile on her face. Sharpay sat on her piano blabbing on the phone to someone. Kelsi ignored her. She was glad to be single again, because she didn't feel guilty thinking about Ryan anymore. She was working on writing a basketball themed song for the Wildcats and cheerleaders. "1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8," she heard Ryan count. "1-2-3-what are you doing?-6-7-8..." She smiled as Ryan scolded Jason for his incompetence. Then Troy and Chad returned, leading two naked boys in towels through the middle of Ryan's group. Everyone burst out laughing as Gabriella and Taylor rushed to take pictures. This is how Jimmie Zara and Dion became involved with East High's drama club.

Author's Note: I have no idea what the little skinny black kid's real name actually is in the script. It sounds like Jimmie says Dion, though. And if I spelled Jimmie's name as Jimmy anywhere and I missed it, let me know. (: