This story is not by FluffyDog02

But by one of her best friends... Kaitlyn!

Enjoy!

When I First met You

When Zeke Baylor was younger, he didn't know what being gay meant. He would always overhear the word from someone, but he never knew what it meant. He never questioned it, even though he was always curious. But one day, when he was in 2nd grade, he asked his older cousin Michael (who was in 5th) what it meant.

"It's when you like the same gender as yourself." Michael explained. "Most people find it gross, so I wouldn't date a boy if I were you." He shook his head. "And knowing your parents? They'll kill you if you were gay." Jeez Michael, tell it like it is.

But Zeke's little cousin Zara (who was in 1st at the time) shook her head when Zeke told her what Michael said. "It's nobody's business what gender you like." Zara had said in her usual sassy voice. "You just got to be yourself. That's what Barbie always says." She had waved her doll in his face with a smile.

Now Zeke was confused. Was being gay ok or not? Do people answer these questions? How do you even ask these questions? How many gay people are there in Albuquerque anyway? Nobody even talked much about their sexuality like it was some unspoken agreement: "I do solemnly swear to never talk about my sexuality and if I do, cursed be my children sevenfold!" So Zeke thought, hey, nobody cares enough to mention it, so no need in wondering what it is.

That was until 5th grade.

Zeke met Jason in 3rd, so he was excited to see his best friend be in the same class as him. When they saw each other, they immediately started catching up. They talked about all they did that summer and how fun camp was. And in the middle of the conversation, somebody walked in. No two people.

They looked rich. Like the children models Zeke sees on the Barbie boxes Zara had at the house. And boy, were they well dressed. They looked like celebrities, and Mrs. Drews announced them like it. "Everybody, this is Ryan and Sharpay Evans. They will be joining the class! Say hello everybody!"

"Hello." The 5th graders said in union.

"Find a free seat." Mrs. Drews told them. Sharpay walked to a seat by Troy Bolton (she's been chasing him ever since) and Ryan saw a free seat by Zeke.

"Is this taken?" He asked Zeke.

Zeke looked at him, and for the first time ever, his heart started beating really fast and he wasn't running or scared. His face felt hot, and his stomach felt like how it felt when he used to get tickled by his mama, but not funny. His legs shook under his desk as he looked Ryan directly in the eyes. Oh crap. He has pretty blue eyes. Zeke didn't know what was wrong with him. He never felt this way. He just nodded after a while and tried to keep his cool. "N-no. Go ahead. It's all yours."

Ryan smiled at him and sat in the chair. "Thank you." He said. "I'm Ryan by the way." He turned to Zeke showing off his beautiful smile. He was adorable. "What's your name?"

Zeke only had to say one word, but he couldn't even say it without stuttering. He doesn't have a stutter, he just can't control himself when he's nervous. But he knew that if he kept acting like this, his mama or dad would start to question his behavior, then probably take him to the doctor, because it feels like he needs one. But Zeke Baylor hates the doctor. "Zeke." He finally said.

"Zeke." Ryan repeated (which made Zeke's heart speed up) "That name is awesome!" He straightened his hat and looked around. "Is this place nice or no? I always somehow get stuck in a mean school. Well... since I was in Elementary in California."

Zeke still couldn't think straight. (pun intended) He could only think about how cut this new kid was. He had to say something or Ryan would think he was a weirdo. "I like your hat!" He blurted. That's the only thing he could say.

Ryan's smile widened. "Thank you!" He said. "I wasn't sure if I should wear my hats to school, but then I thought 'why not'. I always wore them when I went to my old school and my teacher didn't care. Turns out the teachers here don't care either!" He studied Zeke, then giggled. "So the people here are nice, or is it just you?" He asked.

Zeke shrugged and started to speak. "Everybody here is nice. I think that you'll like it at East Elementary. I mean, some people are rude, but the nice ones outnumber them. So you'll like it." He looked around and saw Sharpay. "Is that your sister?" He asked.

Ryan nodded. "Twin sister. We're drama kids."

"Drama? Oh." Zeke said a little disappointed.

"What?" Ryan asked, immediately noticing how sad Zeke sounded.

"Nothing.. it's just..." God, how is he going to explain this? "Well... at East Elementary... the different groups don't get along." Zeke explained. "For instance, the Brainiacs don't like the jocks. Or the skater dudes and dudets don't get along with the art kids. I don't know why, but ever since preschool, it's been this way."

Ryan had a confused expression, then he shook his head. "Why can't everyone just get along? What happened?"

Zeke was about to talk, but Jason interrupted him. "You want to know why the groups don't get along?" He said. Before Zeke or Ryan could answer, Jason started talking. "Long ago... at the East High School, there was 6 different groups: the drama kids, the jocks, the Brainiacs, the art kids, the skater dudes and dudets, and the nature kids. They all hung out in harmony despite their differences. But one day, there was an announcement over the intercom: 'Dear students of EHS! Due to budget cuts, we will have to shut down one of the clubs = The theater club, the sports appreciation club, the science club, the art club, the skate club, or the nature club."

"No!" Zeke and Ryan said in union.

"Yes!" Jason said. "So when the groups heard that, they were tipped off. They knew that on of their groups had to get shup down, but all wanted their group to stay open. So they started to turn on each other. Some even started to do stuff and blame it on the other groups! So when the day came to decide which group would be closing, it was all of them for the rest of the year." He explained. "They got in trouble for messing with each other, and it was called bullying. So they couldn't be in any clubs until the year was over. So ever since then, the different groups never got along."

"Wait, so if it happened at High School... how did it somehow come to East Elementary too?" Ryan asked.

"Word gets around." Jason raised his eyebrow at Ryan. "Say, where do you fit in on the scale my friend?"

"I'm a drama kid." Ryan answered.

"Gah!" Jason shrieked. "Zeke, why didn't you tell me I was talking to a drama kid?!"

Zeke shrugged. "I didn't think you would care."

"Well I do!" Jason rolled his eyes. So for the rest of the year, Jason made sure Ryan didn't talk to Zeke anymore, and it always kind of was that way, since Jason is really against drama kids.

And when they broke the status quo? Jason told Zeke it would be ok if he talked to drama kids, but Zeke still knew if he told anyone he had a crush on Ryan they will be mad. He already broke the status quo once. They let it slide but twice? No. He remembered what Michael always said. 'Gay is wrong.' So he had an idea. Pretend to be attracted to another Evans: Sharpay!

He's been doing that for a while. Everybody believes Zeke has a thing for Sharpay now. Which was the whole point of his plan. But he actually likes Ryan Evans. But how does he tell him? He probably can't tell the guys. Troy maybe, but not Chad or Jason, or the rest. So he must keep it a secret. So secretly, Zeke has been breaking the status quo long before he could bake. (which he started in 6th grade)

To Be Continued...