Disclaimer : I still do not own High School Musical, East High , or Roswell either .

Whispers and gossip spread throughout the not so hallowed halls and corridors of East High School but most notably was the news of Ryan Evans and Kelsi Nielson's break up streaked its snake like tendrils like wildfire amid wild speculation of the cause . A few random younger classmen had also been out at the park over the weekend and had brought back with them their own inspired insight of what they thought might have transpired which whether fact or fiction didn't matter to the curious students who followed the most popular gangs rise and falls through the drama and angst .

What could have possibility torn the soul mates apart from each other ?

Had the dancer been stringing along the shy, trusting composer all this time while he hooked up with the hottie redhead from California ?

Alicia Whitcomb , a on-off again Sharpayette, hovered around the dazzling pink of Sharpay's lockers impatiently while the diva patted a stray blonde hair in place then adjusted the oversized Prada bag on her arm. She wanted to be the first to get the deets straight from an actual Evans and hoped to be there to comfort poor Ryan .

' You have to tell me , Sharpay, is it all true ? Is that yummy brother of yours back on the market ? '

Sharpay slammed the double doors of her locker with annoyance turning to meet the devilish gaze of the mayors daughter with an even one of her own . She really wished Zeke were here and not stuck in the gym playing basketball with the guys because he would restrain her from wanting to kick this little chickie's butt for being a pain .

Alicia was the only one of her little fan club that had her own agenda .Most of the time Sharpay could distract her with a compliment and shoo her on her way like a pesky fly but lately it seemed the girl was working on another angle of her own .

' My brother and Kelsi are having problems , Alicia ,' snapped Sharpay, briskly ,' it isn't an open invitation for you to have a go at Ryan .'

Alicia bristled at the insult .' Well, I would have thought you would have preferred me with Ryan rather than that weird music girl ' She made a face ' Or is he with Josie now ? Do a girl a favor and give me the juice , Shar ..'

Sharpay wished she could bat away the vapid cheerleader with her manicured hand but a glance towards the lockers showed her that Kelsi was trying to avoid running into Ryan at all cost . Since their lockers were side by side , it would be interesting to see how long that would actually last before they actually saw one another .She watched as the pianist glanced furtively towards the doors then figuring it was clear ambled away and out of sight .

' Oh, just go away '

' Ryan isn't with me ,' snapped Josie , interrupting the conversation as she swept into the school with intent of trying to repair the damage she had caused before heading back to California ,' I was merely acting and he made a wonderful leading man. I wouldn't trouble yourself, sweetie , Ryan only has eyes for dear Kelsi Nielson '

' Well…..well ' muttered a miffed off Alicia striding down to her first hour class leaving Sharpay holding court with her old friend ,' I've never …don't know why the both of you think you are soo much better than anyone else here '

' I really should reconsider who I let be in my little fan club '

' Do you think I dissuaded her from sinking her claws into Ryan ? ' inquired Josie , looking as close to normal as she ever got in a pair of jeans and a blue silk sleeveless top .

If she was going to try to repair the damage that she caused here then she wanted to look humble and contrite , not the overly gorgeous temptress .

' She isn't the brightest crayon in the box ,' mused Sharpay , surveying her critically ,' add in the side note that Alicia went out a few times with Ryan in the past and it didn't exactly work out in her favor .' She lifted her slim shoulders and let them fall,' I don't know and apparentally Martha Cox has put out warnings in regards to said break up, today is just going to be a barrel of fun.'

She folded her arms across her chest and took her measure .' Mother said you were going back home . I assumed she meant sooner rather than later so I have to ask why are you here ? You want to sink the knife in a little bit more ..make sure Ryan regrets his stupidity down to the bone ? Hurt Kelsi'until she bends and breaks ? '

She wasn't feeling particualry sympathetic towards her old friend or her brother at the moment . Zeke probably would have told her to cut them some slack but her boyfriend was much kinder than she was at the moment .Sharpay had knew this was going to happen but no one listened to her and now it sucked for them .

' My flight leaves at three then I will be out of your hair ,' reassured Josie , feeling

the sharpness of Sharpay's anger deserving ,' I thought the least I could do was try to salvage some of this mess that I helped cause . ' She slid her gaze towards the lockers where Ryan checked his watch for the fifth time as he hovered by Kelsi's locker , wistfully .It didn't look as if the composer would be showing her face by the locker any time soon or else he had missed her .

' Ryan wouldn't say two words to me this morning though he knows my intent clear enough . How bad is it, Shar ? '

' I'm sure Ryan has a ton of his own guilt for his involvement with you ,' Sharpay made a face of disdain ,' not to mention all of the death threats he has received from the jocks . The rumors are pretty ripe and equally as nasty ,, hell, some of them are worse than anything I could have made up.'

She was planning on helping to put out some of those fires the best that she could to help her brother and Kelsi out . Maybe give the loud mouth Martha a word or two herself and she was supposed to be Kelsi's best friend so what had she been thinking ?

' Shit '

Gabriella spotted Josie chatting up Sharpay, squared her shoulders, and strode across the hallway to confront her so called friend . She had done plenty of thinking and reassessing the whole situation from another angle with some point blank input from Taylor had really helped her see things more clearly .

' Excuse me, Sharpay, but I would like to have a word with Josie . Alone .'

Josie smoothed her lips together in a thin line , turned to note the beautiful genius looked slightly put upon towards her , understanding the shit had indeed hit the fan .

Crap, looks like karma was a bitch, after all .

' Gabriella , can it wait ? Josie was just on her way to find Kelsi to apologize '

Gabriella lifted a brow .' Really ? I don't know if that would be wise as my friend is still quite fragile and vulnerable from breaking up with Ryan as I am sure you are aware of , Josie . It'd be in your best interest if you left well enough alone and don't bother Kelsi at all as I am certain you are the last person she wants to see today ..'

It wasn't a threat, Gabriella didn't even raise her voice but her body language stated that she meant business . Having been on the receiving end of one of Montez's little rants, Sharpay recalled with clarity how small it had made her feel .

It wasn't pleasant but Josie had it coming .

' I know you all blame me for that and you should , Gabi , but I think its relevant for Kelsi to know that I drove Ryan to respond to me . I had on seduction gear and I pushed , he is only human ' Josie bucked up and told the truth ,' I know that ranks Ryan in the asshole mode for that alone but I've been playing this cat and mouse game since I got to town

.'

Sharpay considered giving them privacy to hash it out but curiosity got the best of her . She wanted to see how this played out and how sweet little Gabriella Montez accepted being played by the pro as well .She may act all sweet and innocent but Sharpay understood that she could be a spitfire when she got mad as she had gotten blasted by dear ole Gabi over the summer .

Awful memories .

Gabriella held her books closer to her chest .' That sob story you've been sharing with me , Josie , was that a game too ? Were you and Ryan ever really in love in the past or did you make that up so I could feel sorry for you and want to help you ? '

Shame rose as two spots on the actresses bronzed cheekbones .' I wanted us to be friends, ' replied Josie , with a slight nod ,' You didn't treat me like a star and liked me for me . I'm sorry , Gabriella , for involving you in all of this ..I ..I just thought it would be nice if you believed in me .'

Sharpay tapped a heel against the tiled floor .' She asked about the whole truth about you and Ryan, Jo , since obviously my word means zero to the in group .'

If there were bitterness, there it was and couldn't be helped .She had been truthful all along yet not one person but Zeke had ever really listened to her .What was she chopped liver ? Jell-O ? One of the rare times she hadn't lied and still no one would believe her .

' I am very sorry I didn't believe you, Sharpay '

' About time '

Neither Gabriella or Sharpay expected them to suddenly become instant besties but on this matter they were on the same team . All in it together as Troy might remind them.

The brunette nodded at the blonde then focused back on the redhead who used all so carelessly . Now wasn't the time to lock horns again with Sharpay and Gabriella knew she didn't have the time or the energy for it . There was still her own unsettled love life to deal with and it hadn't felt right groveling an apology to Troy via the phone .

' I know I deserve you two ganging up on me with the snark but I am trying to make things right ' interrupted Josie , resigned . If she hadn't genuinely felt like a horrible skank , she could have already been on a plane headway to L.A. by now .

Sharpay cocked her head towards her old friend ,' Is that what your doing ? Cause I thought you were debating with Gabriella instead ..'

Gabriella pursed her lips , a note of anger in her tone .' I was your friend and I didn't need blatant lies . Are you and Ryan together now ? Did you get what you came for ? Kelsi's a wreck ..God, I've never seen her looking so lost '

More guilt washed over her feelings as she accepted her responsibility in the whole thing and knew this wouldn't be fixed easily . It wasn't a teen soap , it wouldn't be fixed with tears and romantic gestures three episodes later , and worse, Josie knew it had been for nothing . Everyone including herself had gotten hurt through her mechanisms .

' No,' stated Josie , forcing herself to meet the other girls anger ,' Ryan is still crazy for Kelsi and nothing I could ever do is going to make him be in love with me . I know that now, a little too late . I'm very sorry for using you and dragging you into my acting .'

' So that's it ? All of the games , the lies, and deliberately hurting people meant nothing to you ? You destroyed a relationship and poof , your just going to walk away ..'

Josie wished she had a locker to slam as it felt like slamming it might help her feel better However, Sharpay made it a grand gesture to block the doors of her pink clad lockers as if sensing where her thoughts were which she probably did , come to think of it .

' Yes, yes , I am ,' Josie threw up her hands, defeated ,' I cant force Ryan to be in love with me . Lord, I've been selfish enough since I got to New Mexico because I wanted Ryan to be that guy , that knight on the white horse to make me his princess and make me forget my own broken heart . Clearly none of that worked and if I continue staying here , my presence will just make everything explode ! .'

Sharpay sucked air out through her teeth .' I don't know if you could make it any worse, Jo . It's pretty horrible right now …its imploding all over the place'

' Is Kelsi even here today ? ' Gabriella turned to the diva , a question in her own caring eyes,' She was feeling pretty rough the other night . I can't imagine that she would want to come to school and have to chance seeing Ryan ..'

' I saw Kelsi earlier before she scurried off like some frightened rabbit ' confided Sharpay , quietly ,' I suggested to my brother that he give her some space but Ry seldom listens to me ..'

Josie bit down hard on her own lower lip, tasting blood . ' I could apologize over the intercom ? That way the entire school would know of the truth and it might make things less painful for everyone involved .'

' Or humiliate Kelsi even more . I don't think it's a very wise idea, Josie '

' For once , I agree with Gabriella ,' Sharpay crinkled her perfect nose at the admission,' whatever you do, don't go ambushing Kelsi either. She'll just run …'

Josie heaved a heavy hearted sigh , resigned .' Fine . I will get myself a cup of that horrible dreadful coffee that is served in the café and wait until next period to find Kelsi '

It wasn't the best plan but it seemed to satisfy both girls besides Josie figured treading very softly into the apology mind serve her purpose better than barreling in all guns blazing with hopes said apology would even be accepted .

Wasn't there some heart wrenching , honest apology that she could maybe adapt from Brooke or Peyton from One Tree Hill ? Marissa from the OC ?

Josie clenched her fingers together , untangled them .' Just be yourself .'

*********************************Status Quo*************************

Kelsi tried to shrink down as far as she possibly could in her desk as Miss. Darbus droned on citing examples of reinventing oneself through the themes of the play citing everything from Wicked to Hit List . She scribbled notes absently as her brown hair tumbled from out of her crocheted hat and for once the musician simply didn't bother tucking it back under but used it to avoid meeting everyone's eyes upon her .

Troy kept shooting her sympathetic looks from the second row and she could feel Ryan's blue eyes upon hers even though she refused to look up at them . They may have some classes together but Kelsi had zero intentions of having to have a full out conversation with him unless it was absolutely necessary .With any luck they might be able to manage that until the end of the school day and then they would be forced to work together for the good of the musical but Kelsi would just have to buck herself up and manage . She worked side by side with Maxwell as well and it was working alright .

No one had gotten hurt and it was all very professional .

She just needed to forget that she was in love with Ryan and think of all of the reasons that she used to hate him when he had been a shallow , self absorbed jerk .

Satisfied with her thoughts , Kelsi was the first one to sprint out of class when the bell rang and kept on speed walking until she hit the corner and almost ran into a worried looking Troy who had blocked her exit .

' Hey Kelsi how's it going ? How are you doing ? '

She pushed her glasses up on the bridge of her nose and fiddled with the strap of her bag , feeling as skittish as a newborn kitten . She knew her friends were just looking after her but it had been a bad idea coming to school today .

.

' I'm here , Troy, I'm fine . I'll survive '

Troy slung a friendly arm around her shoulder and directed her down an empty hallway to talk more privately . The Home Ec rooms were never that busy this early in the morning and he knew this floor was mostly occupied by freshmen and was also Zeke's private home away from home at East High . No chance in her running into familiar faces who would want to bug her about her and Ryan .He didn't intend to bug but gently question.

' That isn't what Gabriella told me ,' replied Troy, stepping on his own words unsure how to help her but needing to do something ,' You know , I don't want you to worry about Evans , I'll handle him . I warned him , I was cool , but he didn't listen .'

A small smile formed on her pink lips .' Thanks, Hoops , but please don't do anything '

' Ryan hurt you, Kelsi '

' Maybe Ryan and I were a bad fit in the first place , Troy ,' Kelsi's voice trembled ,' I don't have the energy to talk about it . I don't want to talk about it right now . I appreciate you wanting to beat Ryan up for me but it isn't worth it . It's just over ..'

Troy didn't consider himself the violent type , Danforth had a temper when provoked but he felt about helpless . Kelsi had cheered him up when he and Gabriella were having troubles and now she wouldn't let him return the favor . It sucked .

' If you change your mind , Play maker ' Troy pulled her into a hug ,' just say the word .'

' Your going to be late for class , Troy '

' Crap ' Troy bolted the other direction taking the steps two at a time and in his rush not to be tardy, he just missed running into Josie who had seen them and bided her time .She didn't want to deal with the jock either .

Kelsi was still contemplating skipping Biology to escape to the Music Room when the sultry redhead strode purposely towards her . She darted her eyes around the hall and considered making a run for the home ec classroom , not giving a damn if that made her a coward or not . She was already a fool, so, coward went right along with it .

' Kelsi, could we talk '

Kelsi considered scratching Josie's eyes out momentarily then figured she would be the one that would end up in detention . She didn't think she could handle that either and her parents would probably ground her for life .

.

' I have nothing to say to you . You won. Ryan and I broke up ,' replied Kelsi, trying to be breezy when she felt anything but that ,' He is all yours . Leave me alone .'

' I will but let me have my say then I'll be on a plane back to L.A. and you'll never have to see me again . I wanted to apologize to you for well, being a scheming bitch right from the start and all of the games . I thought that Ryan was the answer to all of my problems , that he would mend my broken heart , but I was dreaming big . Alternate reality type big .

It really pissed me off when all my flirting got me zilch with the man because Ryan is crazy about you.'

Kelsi judged the distance between Josie and the empty room , it wasn't that far .Running seemed much more preferable to having a conversation with Josie .

' I don't want all of the gory details . He wants you. Believe me. I get it '

She felt tears on her eyelashes and absently wiped at them with the back of her hand. .' Just leave me be .'

' Only because after Ry rejected me at the beach , I put on a slinky negligee and tried to seduce him ,' continued Josie , vowing that the truth would make her a better person . ' He caved and kissed me back. It didn't go any further than that because of you . '

Kelsi waved a hand in the air with a pained moan .' I don't care anymore , just go away and leave me alone ! Ryan hasn't changed at all is all that your telling me and I figured that one on my own when he confessed on your little nighttime …hook up. '

' Believe me , Kelsi, Ryan has changed more than you would ever know ,' countered a frustrated Josie ,' I've been scheming and acting since day one . It isn't Ryan's fault .

Will you please try to think about giving him another shot ? You have no idea how awful I feel about the whole thing, how sorry I am that I helped to hurt you .'

Kelsi turned away from her .' I don't want anything from you , Josie , so just take your apologies and lies back to California with you .'

Josie lifted her shoulders, shrugged, sighed . ' I am '

Turning and holding her head up as regally as she could and understanding her role as the so called reformed bad girl wouldn't be getting the benefit of that at East High . Too much damage had been done through her own mechanisms and she couldn't force the musician to accept her well meaning apology then expect them to do a Joey/Jen friendship circle . It was time to go back to the real world , her world .

' Before I go, Kelsey, ' called a thoughtful Josie , over her shoulder ,' you might want to think about second chances . Ryan isn't the villain , I am .'

Kelsi wished she had some brilliant retort to respond back with but she felt too numb from her still hurting heart . It didn't matter anymore .

At the bottom of the stairs, Josie paused to add,' Kelsi, you can hate me all you want but make sure you have the right regrets .'

Feeling numb , her gait missing the cheerful spring in her step , Kelsi went through her classes in a sort of dazed motion , not really paying mind to any of the teachers lessons or contributing either . Martha kept patting her hand sympathetically and was quick to make sure that she and Jason walked the hallway with her chatting about silly things like the new hip hop club that opened up in the next town over or Jason wanting her help in French class so he wouldn't flunk out .

She somehow managed to nod and smile and answer enough to satisfy them until it was time to show her face into the theatre, a heaviness of dread seemed to be lodged in the pit of her belly then in her throat . Kelsi told herself she was being ridiculous as she loved the theatre as much as she loved the quiet of the old music room , the comfort of the keys on the piano, and she wouldn't let a break up take the music away from her .

She could hear Ms. Darbus puttering and yelling directions about the set design to the stage crew backstage as she forced herself to put one foot in front of the other to the piano .

Onstage , Ryan froze as Kelsi walked down the aisle , his feet stopped moving , the choreography he had been working with Zeke on only moments ago disappeared from his brain as she accidentally looked up. Their gazes collided and sadness thickened , clogged the air around them .

How could they be over when they had only just begun ?

At the edge of the stage , Maxwell dropped the script he had been studying to study the curious tableau happening between his muse and the choreographer . He had heard the news of the break up and was mindful of how he could use it to get Kelsi back .

Kelsi lowered her eyes and moved quickly to take her seat behind the piano , arranging her sheet music and generally trying to avoid looking at Ryan .

Ms. Darbus rejoined them in the seats. ' Kelsi, dear, your late . You know how I feel about tardiness in these glorious walls of the theatre ? Are you alright ? '

Kelsi was always punctual and diligent so it gave the older woman pause to worry about her favorite student . She took her music very seriously which meant obviously there was a problem this morning .

' No, Ma'm ,' apologized Kelsi, in a soft tone of voice ,' I'm sorry , Ms. Darbus . It wont happen again ….'

' Very well ….'

Ryan stared at Kelsi, willing her to look up at him again, and wished he could have a do over , wished he could fix all of the stupid mistakes he had made , and tell her that he was in love with her .

Zeke jabbed him in the arm , hard .' Dude '

Ryan cleared his throat and nodded .' Uhh, Kelsi, I wanted to try something new for Zeke's part in All of my Heart . Could you start from the top of the bridge ? '

' Okay '

Painfully aware of one another and unsure of how to mend the break up neither of them really wanted , questioning all that had happened and their own insecurities , Ryan danced and Kelsi played , each note, each move, brutally painful to those around them .

It doesn't matter what I want

It doesn't matter what I need

It doesn't matter if I cry

Doesn't matter if I bleed

You've been on o road

Don't know where it goes or where it leads

If you've made your mind to go

I wont beg you to stay

When two hearts were tore apart , they might have been strangers .