Hi guys! Big shout out to ambinlovewlove, fallinrain, rocky shadow, The Little Violinist Composer, krfan, digigirl02, ylc, AmethystDancer for reviewing the last chapter. Thanks to everyone who reads and reviews regularly, even when I take ages to get an update up. It's really really awesome! :D I'd hug you all if I could!
Anyhoo, on with the chapter. It's named after the title of the story because... well you'll see :) Hope you enjoy it!
Ryan
Ryan was lying back on a white deckchair, a glass of cool lemonade in one hand and a book in the other. The sun was beating down on him but a cool breeze prevented the heat from being uncomfortable. It should have been bliss, but Ryan was miserable. He had now not seen Kelsi for almost three weeks. She didn't seem to be holding a grudge over him cancelling their date two weeks before, but Kelsi wasn't exactly renound for confronting people. For a few days after, although they didn't speak about the event, he heard the small hints of disappointment in her voice when they spoke on the phone. In any event he was glad she was at least talking to him. It was probably more than he deserved. Yet he wanted to see her so much…
Unable to concentrate anymore on his already dull novel he thumped it down on the table next to him. He heard his sister let out an irritated exhale next to him. She had her sunglasses on but he was certain she had just rolled her eyes at him.
"Please cheer up Ryan! This is vacation remember." she moaned. He ignored her and tried to take a dignified sip of his drink.
"Hey!" his sister snapped, snatching his sunglasses away from his face. "I was talking to you!"
"I'm not seeing Kelsi for another whole week." he muttered, staring into his drink. As he predicted, Sharpay let out a frustrated sigh.
"Man up Ry! You don't hear me moaning about not seeing Zeke all the time." she stressed. Ryan met her gaze in annoyance.
"Zeke's working in the kitchen! He's about five minutes away!" Ryan said incredulously. Sharpay didn't even flinch.
"Details." she said vaguely as she slumped back onto her chair and picked up her magazine. "If you're so bothered you should ask her to come visit."
"She's working full time right now. She's really busy." Ryan murmured. It had been weeks since he'd hugged her. Kissed her… What sucked the most was the fact that Ryan had really wanted to tell Kelsi something. Something that he wanted her to know before they went to Julliard. But it wasn't exactly something he could tell her over the phone.
"You're so boring like this." Sharpay muttered, interrupting his thoughts. "We can't have any fun when you're all moody."
Ryan felt a bit bad. His sister was right. Without the Sharpettes and with Zeke always working, Ryan was the only person she had to hang out with. And he WAS being really unresponsive. Maybe he could think of something for them to do together. Then suddenly a light bulb switched on in his brain and he sat straight up.
"Sis… Maybe you could help me with something actually." he said tentatively.
"Ugh what?" Sharpay asked, her eyes still fixed on her magazine.
"I need you to help me form a plan."
As Ryan predicted, his sister sat up immediately. He saw a mischievous grin spread over her face and she lowered her sunglasses to reveal eyes full of anticipation.
"So… kinda like a scheme?" she asked. Ryan grinned. He had her hooked.
"Yeah kinda like a scheme." he said, turning on his side to face her. Sharpay squealed and clapped her hands together excitedly.
"Ok tell me what it is!"
"I'm going to tell Kelsi that I love her." Ryan said happily. Sharpay's grin instantly faded.
"That's it?" she asked blankly. Ryan opened his mouth to speak but she cut him off. "And PLEASE don't tell me you've just realised because then I really will think you're slow. You're spelling's bad enough!" she said in frustration. Ryan frowned.
"Low blow sis, you know I'm dyslexic."
"Details Ryan! How is this a scheme exactly?" she asked impatiently.
"It'll be great Shar. We can get her out of work somehow and down here. And I could surprise her. It'll be great!" he said trying to make the idea sound more appealing. Sharpay seemed to ponder this for a minute then sighed, but with a smile on her face.
"Ok it does kinda sound like fun." she agreed. "And we can get Zeke to help!" she added excitably.
Twenty four hours later a plan had been set into motion and Ryan was looking around at his creation with a satisfied smile. He was in one of the large music rooms at lava springs. Kelsi had adored the white grand piano there and had always said it was a joy to play it. Sharpay had put a lovely bouquet of colourful flowers in a vase on the piano. Zeke had prepared a meal for Ryan and Kelsi which would be placed on the small table Ryan had set up a small distance away from the piano. It was perfect.
"She's gonna love it." Sharpay breathed at his side. "Okay, Kelsi starts work at 9am, we don't want her going home when she realises she has the day off . So lets send the car for around 9.05." Sharpay said, all business now.
"When do you want me to go down? It's eight now." Zeke asked walking into the room. "Hey it looks great guys." he said, looking around the room in awe.
"You'll go down to the car in half an hour." Sharpay replied immediately.
"Great, then I have time to make the table look nice." Zeke said enthusiastically. "Then I bring Kelsi here."
"Tell her nothing!" Ryan reminded him. Zeke rolled his eyes.
"Don't patronise me… I bring her here…"
"Hand her over to me." Sharpay butted in. "I take her to the music room, tell her that our pianist can't do the ladies luncheon today and we need her immediately."
"Knowing Kelsi she won't be able to say no." Ryan continued. Hopefully Kelsi didn't suddenly decide to use her backbone this morning.
"And we make it clear to her that you're not here." Zeke finished. "Where are you meant to be again?"
"Golfing with dad!" Ryan and Sharpay stressed in unison. Zeke nodded.
"Got it… and then?"
Sharpay looked up at her brother and smiled.
"Then Ry plays from inside. She'll HAVE to go in and see who's playing her song. And she finds Ryan with flowers and a meal…" Sharpay sighed romantically. Ryan laughed.
"Look what you've done to my sister Zeke." he said jokingly. "Sharpay's NEVER been this mushy." Sharpay tried to glare but her deep blush ruined it. Zeke just looked pleased with himself. Not quite as pleased with himself as the blonde beside him though. He planned to play the song he had once ruined in front of her, hoping that this would not only show her how sorry he was for the other week, but show her how much she meant to him.
"And even if she doesn't realise," Ryan thought, "I'm going to tell her anyway."
Kelsi
Kelsi sighed as she re-strung yet another guitar. That was she seemed to do in that shop. In general Kelsi didn't really mind her job. Leo was a good laugh and as a result of his zoology training, Kelsi learnt something about a different animal on almost every shift. As nice and laid back as he usually was, he'd asked her to come in an hour early today for some reason. So here she was at 8.30am, restringing more guitars. The other assistants were Jack (the drummer that had played for Senior year) and Christine. Christine was… difficult. To Kelsi it was clear as day the girl didn't like her, even if she never told her to her face. Kelsi guessed this was because she was going to Julliard. Whenever Christine mentioned Kelsi and the performing arts school in the same sentence, she said 'Julliard' as if it left a bad taste in her mouth. The girl also had a tendency to be a little arrogant. She was always saying how she thought something was coming up and she'd be leaving soon she just had to sort out this and that etc. then the week after, she'd say she wasn't really interested in it or she could do better. Kelsi tried to look for the best in everyone, but there was no denying it… the girl was lazy and seemed to think an opportunity was just going to land in her lap. As far as Kelsi was concerned, if you wanted success you had to work hard for it.
"Like spending all your time restringing guitars so you have enough money to eat in New york." Kelsi thought darkly.
"Kelsiiiiiiiiiiii!" a high pitched whine came from the next room. Kelsi closed her eyes in frustration. Christine seemed to suddenly value her company when she wanted to moan about something. Sure enough, when Kelsi entered the back room, Christine was sitting there pouting.
"I have a problem." she simpered.
"Aren't Jack and Leo around?" Kelsi asked, hoping she sounded reluctant but not rude. "I'm kinda busy…"
"No they're trying out the new drum kit we got in." she sighed, inclining her head to the sound proof room the store had. Sure enough Kelsi could hear the faintest thumps coming from within.
"So THAT'S why he needed me in early." she thought, glaring at the door.
"Alright, what's the drama this time?" Kelsi asked, sitting down next to Christine. It couldn't hurt to help the girl out surely.
"Well you know my boyfriend?"
"Yeah."
"And you know how we went to that concert last night?"
"Yeah was it good?" Kelsi instantly asked. Alberqurque's university had held a classical concert to showcase the music faculty's talent. Kelsi had really wanted to go but she really had to save money right now. Christine just rolled her eyes.
"Was good. First violinist wasn't great. Anyway, walked in and first person we see is HER."
Kelsi gave her a sympathetic look. She'd heard enough of Christine's rants to know that 'HER' was her boyfriend's ex who he had dated while the three of them had been at college.
"And she's all 'Oh Hi Christine, long time no see' trying to be all NICE."
"Can't believe she tried to be nice." Kelsi commented dryly, but Christine was already absorbed in her rant.
"Then it's 'oh still no luck getting work then? Maybe the violin just isn't your thing.' And I couldn't let that slide so I was like 'Excuse me? Principle study at college! That's like me saying cello isn't your thing' And SHE… ugh I could kill her." From the look she gave her, Kelsi was sure Christine probably could have killed whoever this girl was.
"She says 'I can actually make a living out of playing the cello.' And I'm gob-smacked so I was like 'And I can't make a living out of playing the violin?' And she goes 'I don't think you're cut out for it honey.'" She managed to make her voice even higher and annoying for her impersonation of the girl's voice.
"Hello!" Both the girls jumped at the voice. It was a customer. Kelsi rushed out to the counter and her face lit up.
"Taylor! What are you doing here?" she squealed. Her friends never came into her work!
"I was driving past and I thought I'd pop in and say hello." Taylor said warmly, though Kelsi could see her looking warily at Christine. Had she heard the story?
"So what have you been up to?" Kelsi asked, leaning over the counter. "I haven't seen you since…"
"Uh guys, before this gets all cosy, can I just quickly finish my story?" Christine butted in bluntly. Kelsi was about to ask to hear it later when…
"Sure, I got kinda caught up in it back here." Taylor said in an off-hand voice. Kelsi looked at her apologetically but Taylor just smiled to show it was ok.
"Good you already know everything!" Christine exclaimed, eager to have a new listener for her drama. Taylor raised her eyebrows quickly at Kelsi who tried to show with her eyes how much pain she was in.
"So anyway, HE just stands there like a moron. Doesn't say a WORD to defend me. Even though she's clearly assaulting me and…" Christine trailed off in disgust, glaring at the floor. Kelsi was about to say something generally comforting but was cut off again by Christine.
"And we've discussed it before! And he said he'd changed but that was obviously bull!" she ranted, her voice getting higher all the time. Taylor just shook her head.
"You NEED to get rid of that boyfriend." she commented seriously. Christine sighed.
"I know… but he's so sweet and strong and funny and…"
"If he doesn't respect you and doesn't defend you… he's got to go." Taylor said bluntly. Kelsi gave her a chiding look. She could be so harsh… Taylor rolled her eyes.
"Don't give me that look miss I-think-there's-good-in-everyone. How can you be with someone that won't defend you? Or someone that breaks their promises? Or does both these things, knowing it will hurt you?" she challenged her. Kelsi just gave her a weak smile. She was right.
"Christine, I think Taylor's right." Kelsi said comfortingly. "He must know how much it hurts when he does that to you." Kelsi meant to stop there, but she felt like she needed to say more. Thoughts were entering her mind thick and fast.
"And yeah, he probably is a nice guy but I guess you need more than that. You need more than just a charming funny guy. You need someone that will fight for you instead of pretending that he doesn't like you just because he's of afraid of upsetting his sister that's at least a foot shorter than him. Or his parents who are probably really nice people. But what would you know about that if you've never met them? He must know that's hurtful. Especially when he knows how hard it is for you to open up and trust people. An especially when you thought he was changed for the better." without thinking she frantically turned to Taylor.
"Why did he have to hide it? Why is liking me so bad?" she asked almost hysterically. Taylor looked back at her in shock and Kelsi looked at herself in shock. Had all that just come out f her? She thought she had dismissed any doubts she had about Ryan, considering them of little importance. Evidently not…
"We're not talking about her anymore are we." Taylor said, gesturing to Christine who was looking completely bewildered. Kelsi couldn't reply. She couldn't believe what had just happened. It was like she had just lost control of her voice. The words had just kept coming out. She just stared at Taylor, who gazed back worriedly.
"Guys! This was meant to be about me." Christine complained. Kelsi saw Taylor's eyes flash dangerously. She strode up to Christine.
"Tell your boss Kelsi is taking the rest of the day off." she said firmly. Christine looked completely scandalised.
"No!" she shouted. "I never get a day off whenever I want it!"
Taylor ignored her and started to drag Kelsi towards the door.
"He'll fire you!" Christine yelled in desperation. Taylor stopped in her tracks, turned round and looked Christine up and down in disdain.
"Honey, I think he'll fire you before he even thinks about firing Kelsi." she said finally and led a completely shocked Kelsi to her car.
Ryan
It was 9.10am and Zeke still hadn't texted him to confirm he had Kelsi. He was already pacing the music room.
"Anything?" his sister asked, poking her head round the door. Ryan shook his head worriedly. Suddenly his phone started to buzz in his pocket. He grabbed it right away and frowned when he saw Zeke was calling him instead of texting him like they'd agreed.
"Hello?" he answered nervously, hoping he wasn't ruining the surprise.
"Uh… we have a problem dude." Zeke said uncertainly. Ryan felt himself freeze. His sister instantly noticed and strode over to him.
"What it is it?" she asked urgently over Ryan's shoulder.
"Emmm… she's not here." Zeke replied.
"What?!" the twins shrieked in unison.
"Guys! My ears! I dunno this girl says some girl took her away. Black skinned, short hair, really bossy…"
"What's Taylor doing with her?" Sharpay snapped. "Let me speak to that girl."
Ryan quickly handed the phone over, having no idea what was going on.
"Hey what's your name?" his sister began. He winced at her rude tone.
"Christine? Hmmm pretty… Don't you remember Kelsi was supposed to be off today?" she asked. Ryan couldn't hear the other end of the conversation but his sister frowned.
"Ok well even if she had to be in earlier, you knew someone was coming for her at five past nine right?" she asked. Ryan heard a shrill giggle the other side of the phone but didn't hear what else this Christine had said. However, he saw Sharpay's features darken.
"Excuse me? I can tell from your tone that you did NOT forget!" she growled into the phone. "What is your problem? Jealously I'll bet if you work in a music store and your co-worker's going to Julliard." his sister snapped. Ryan felt his eyes widen and he pressed his ear as close to the phone as he could.
"You know nothing about me bitch." Christine replied in a voice even higher than one of Sharpay's champion screams. "I could go to ANY music school I want…"
"Don't you talk to her like that!" they heard Zeke in the background and then a scuffle. Sharpay just kept shouting.
"Yeah whatever! Where the hell is my sister in law?!"
"Hey princess it's me again."
"Oh… sorry Zeke."
"I'll get the driver to go to Taylor's okay."
"Thanks honey."
After Sharpay had hung up the phone the twins exchanged a worried look.
Why would Taylor, the woman with the most cynical outlook on men, drag Kelsi from work?
Kelsi
Kelsi sat on Taylor's bed nervously. Where had all those thoughts come from. It was like she had been bottling them up, hiding them from even herself. She didn't want to think that she couldn't trust Ryan. She knew he was a good guy, wasn't that enough? Kelsi shook her head. No it wasn't enough. She needed to know that she wouldn't be trampled into the dirt again. She needed to know that he was proud of her, and that he didn't feel the need to hide her from anyone else.
"I was actually on my way to Chad's before. Do you mind if I invite him round?" Taylor asked. Kelsi shook her head silently as Taylor quickly texted her boyfriend. She then sat beside Kelsi.
"Okay, tell me everything."
Kelsi took a deep breath and started to spill out what she had been bottling up since that fateful day in the auditorium.
"If he had said to me the day he asked me to prom about all this then everything would be fine." she said softly. "Because then I could believe that he didn't care what his sister or anyone else thought. The fact that he felt the need to hide that he'd invited me to prom because he liked me…" Kelsi trailed off as he voice broke. Taylor quickly wrapped her arms around her.
"You're so right Kelsi." she commented. "I'm so glad you've not just decided to let this go but… why did you wait this long."
"Because I wanted to let it go! I just wanted to forget about it because I know he's genuinely an amazing guy. He's just scared!" Kelsi rambled. "And I really don't want to face up to the fact that there's something wrong with us because I like him so much. More than that I…" Kelsi stopped abruptly as she felt her eyes widen. Wow… this really was the day for noticing feelings she'd kept hidden from herself. Kelsi looked at Taylor's shocked face.
"Yes?" she asked apprehensively.
"I think I love him." Kelsi whispered in disbelief.
"Wait this is big Kels. Are you sure?" Taylor asked her seriously. Kelsi thought about Ryan. How after years of being unnoticed and taken advantage of, he had made her feel like the most valued human being on earth. How her heart skipped a beat whenever he moved closer to her. How she could never say no to him if he looked her straight in the eyes. How she could work with him and talk about music with him at ease. How amazing she had felt dancing with him. The way he made her laugh. The way his eyes lit up when he danced. How they could talk for hours and get lost in their own little world. They way he kissed her… The way the word 'love' had nearly slipped from her mouth so easily.
"Yeah… I'm sure." Kelsi eventually replied faintly.
"Well this just makes things more complicated." Taylor sighed, staring at her bed covers.
"There's another thing." Kelsi continued, remembering what else had been bothering her. "It's not just Sharpay. I know Sharpay's pretty much ok with me. There's his parents."
"Have you even met his parents?" Taylor frowned.
"Not really." Kelsi said meaningfully. Taylor looked at her for a second then realisation dawned on her face.
"Oh I see." she said tentatively. "You think he's purposefully keeping you from them?"
"I didn't want to believe it, but he could have introduced us at the graduation party for a start." Kelsi began. She then took a deep breath for the next part of her story.
"Two weeks ago, I had ONE day off from work before I'd be back working full time for three weeks. It was going to be our only chance to see each other for ages and.. He cancelled!" Kelsi stated, her voice cracking slightly at the end. Taylor's jaw dropped open.
"He WHAT?!" she screeched. "Was there even a good reason?!"
"I suppose." Kelsi said carefully. "They had family friends round at lava springs that they hadn't seen in ages and Ryan had to be there…"
"Wow what an amazing excuse." Taylor said sarcastically, folding her arms huffily.
"The daughter was Ryan's ex." Kelsi said quietly. She had been nervous about bringing this up. She didn't want to make accusations. That wasn't the issue. Taylor opened her mouth to speak but Kelsi quickly cut in.
"I'm not saying he'd EVER cheat on me. I don't believe Ryan would do that." Kelsi said hastily. "I'd like to say I don't think he has feelings for her but I have no idea. I've never met her and he managed to blow me off easily enough to be with her family."
Taylor then grabbed Kelsi's hand compassionately.
"As much of an idiot Ryan is being right now, I would bet anything he has eyes for no one else." Taylor said sincerely. "I know we know nothing about this girl bit… I just can't see it."
Kelsi smiled at the reassurance but kept her eyes on the bed, determined not to cry.
"Thanks. But either way, he just wanted to keep his family happy at my expense." Kelsi whispered. She then looked up at Taylor in alarm, realising how that must have sounded.
"Not that family's not important! It's just… was there no way to see me? Could I not have gone up there too or…"
Then the doorbell rang through the house and Taylor leapt to her feet.
"Sorry Kelsi, that'll be Chad." and she bustled out of the room. As she heard Taylor run down the stairs, Kelsi flopped back onto Taylor's bed. For the small minute she had to herself she tried to ignore all the problems for now and concentrate on the much more important epiphany she had just experienced.
"So I've fallen in love." she whispered to the ceiling. It was a hard thing to comprehend. She had witnessed it in dozens of books and movies, yet she never realised the real thing would feel like this. So strong and definite. It was wonderful. Pure bliss in fact. However, it was also unnerving. In admitting this to herself she felt as if she had made herself completely naked and vulnerable. She couldn't help thinking that Taylor was right. This had made things a lot more complicated. He was more or less holding her heart in his hands and if he hurt her now it would hurt a hell of a lot more than it had a few months ago, if that was even possible. As if she had a sudden urge to see Ryan's face, Kelsi fished her cell out of her bag and found her pictures. The first five were of her and Ryan at graduation. In four they were making goofy faces and Kelsi let out a small laugh as she remembered how fun that day in the field had been. Then she found another picture from graduation of Ryan kissing her cheek and herself smiling gleefully as she held the camera towards them. Her face fell, but not because the memory was bad. On the contrary it was one of the happiest of her memories. She felt saddened because she suddenly realised that if Ryan didn't respect her or was ashamed of her, then she couldn't stay with him without getting hurt. Which would mean… letting him go. For the first time that day Kelsi let go and let her tears fall freely onto Taylor's bed sheets.
"Ok small person let's sort everything… Oh!"
Kelsi turned to see Chad standing in the doorway looking slightly embarrassed that he'd walked in on her crying.
"Sorry." she sniffed, trying to wipe her face. She hated crying in front of people. She appeared weak and vulnerable enough with her height and shyness.
"Don't just stand there." Taylor scolded as she pushed past her boyfriend to sit on the bed. "She needs our help." she stressed, whilst putting a comforting arm round Kelsi.
"I take that it's all hitting home now." Taylor said softly.
Chad
Chad wasn't sure what to do with himself. Kelsi looked in an even worse state than she had when she had crashed into him in the school corridor all those months ago. Yet he couldn't understand why he didn't feel the anger he had felt towards Ryan that day. Taylor had briefly explained the situation to him downstairs and there was no doubt Ryan was being a complete tool. Chad distinctively recalled warning Ryan not to make another mistake. However, he also recalled something Ryan had quietly admitted to him, and only him.
"I'm falling in love with her and I would never intentionally cause her pain."
Chad remembered the sincere look in Ryan's eyes. There was no chance he had been lying. The way the couple had looked the last time he had seen them together… Well it was love if ever he saw it. He saw the same thing in Troy and Gabriella. He felt the same thing right now as he watched his beautiful girlfriend comfort Kelsi, concern swimming in her deep brown eyes.
"Kelsi… He really cares for you, probably more than you think." he said softly. His heart ached a little as he saw the timid and almost unconvinced expression that Kelsi gave him. He wanted so badly to tell his small friend what Ryan had told him in the auditorium, but it wasn't his place. If Kelsi had just admitted to herself that she loved Ryan, he probably hadn't told her yet. Ryan would tell her when he was ready.
Kelsi
Taylor sighed impatiently.
"Of course he CARES for her Chad. But if she can't trust him…"
"Well he apologised…"
"I thought he'd changed." Kelsi butted into the debate in a whisper. "After the summer, but… he hasn't."
Taylor and Chad fell silent and Kelsi knew why. They couldn't argue with her. In the silence that followed Kelsi started to feel the sadness become replaced with anger. Not anger at Ryan, but the situation. She was going to college after summer with her boyfriend, whom she was in love with… And this was the time fate had decided to show her she might have to… Do what? Kelsi groaned in frustration and let her head fall into her hands. She felt the people on either side of her shuffle a little and she could tell they were conversing silently. Then she felt them leave the bed and stand in front of her.
"Kelsi?" She raised her head and saw Chad and Taylor standing in front of her, their hands intwined.
"Remember we're in a relationship too." Taylor began. "And we've had our issues too."
"Take it from us, maybe you just need some time." Chad interjected. "Ryan's a good guy, he just needs to…"
"Maybe you just need a break?" Taylor suggested warmly. Kelsi just looked at them blankly. The couple exchanged a nervous glance.
"Well that's just our opinion." Taylor said hastily. "But we've done ok so far…"
Kelsi screwed up her eyes in frustration. She was normally a patient and kind girl but right now she didn't need a happy couple pushed in her face. This on top of the emotional turmoil she was keeping bottled up in her system, made Kelsi snap. Who made them the relationship experts?!
"Really? So you guys have figured out what you're doing about living thousands of miles apart next year?" she asked icily. Kelsi instantly regretted speaking as she saw the effect it caused. Chad and Taylor suddenly looked extremely awkward and gave each other a sad glance.
"Well… we've talked a bit about it…" Taylor began softly, looking at the floor. Kelsi shook her head sorrowfully.
"Guys, I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have said that. I'm just so confused right now and I think part of me is kind of annoyed at how happy you two are right now…"
"Kels, it's fine." Chad laughed but Kelsi ignored him.
"No it's not, I was taking my anger out on you. It's just, my own relationship's isn't exactly going swimmingly right now and… I don't know what to do!" she eventually wailed, falling back onto the bed. Taylor and Chad didn't speak but just sat on either side of her again.
"We decided that after summer we're going to effectively split." Taylor murmured. "If we're meant to be together then we'll find each other some day."
Kelsi sat up to see Chad reach over to squeeze Taylor's hand as she smiled warmly at him.
"You'll be ok." Kelsi said, managing a small smile. "You guys are… perfect."
Chad and Taylor burst out laughing.
"I'd say that's the last thing we are." Chad sniggered. Kelsi just shook her head with a smile. They were never going to find someone else as suited for either of them.
"Yeah… and that's why you're perfect." Kelsi smiled at Chad. He grinned back then draped an arm round her shoulders.
"Enough about me and Tay. It's you we're talking about. Ryan's at lava springs right now right?"
Suddenly the doorbell went again. The three teenagers looked at each other in confusion. Taylor's parents were out so she went to answer the door. She reappeared in the room with…
"Zeke?!" Chad and Kelsi exclaimed, looking at him in confusion.
"Yeah!" he said brightly. "Though that delight of a woman at your work didn't tell you, you have the day off work today!"
Kelsi let out a long sigh of relief.
"That's great news! Now Leo won't get on my back. That's the last thing I need right now." she said cynically.
"Yeah I'd feel bad having to work with that Christine in that tiny store for hours on end too. Anyway, the reason I'm here is…" he paused dramatically. "To take you to lava springs!"
Kelsi, Taylor and Chad all stared at him in shock. Zeke frowned.
"What? Who died?"