The Geek In The Pink Chapter 1: The Last Love Song, a high school musical fanfic

It had been years since the last time she had seen him in person. Years since she had had him close enough to touch, but he had always been around; his music was everywhere after all. And even now, there he was, always just a click away, singing with all the pop and pazazz she remembered. She watched Ryan Evans intently on the screen, his voice pure and beautiful as it had always been and couldn't shake the fact that after so many years he still made her knees quake. She really had loved him.

Not being able to take much more of it Kelsi exited the screen and sighed sitting back in her chair. Her thoughts went back nearly ten years to how her life had once been in comparison to what it had come to right now and it unnerved her. Everything was different. Julliard was ages ago and, though she still considered it to be the best time of her entire life, due to one Ryan Evans, every story has an ending; every song a resolve; and going their separate ways had apparently been theirs. Of course, that wasn't to say she was happy about it. The decision to break up had been one of the hardest she had ever had to make but she had to do it. For him.

At the end of graduation Kelsi was set to intern as an assistant to one of the greatest broadway directors of all time Terry McManis. She was to be among many professional accompanists and get hands on experience working in Broadway and, while Ryan should have been on that track as well, during the senior showcase he had been discovered.

His talent for dance had elevated him to a substantial standing in the broadway community, but somewhere over the course of their time at Julliard his dancing had become adaptive to all different types which made him a good choreographer for any style.. His showcase piece had attracted the attention of Drew Seeley, a new upcoming artist that was sure to have a booming career. Drew and his manager wanted Ryan and Ryan likewise felt a good vibe with Drew, taking the job and feeling like it was the right career move. It wasn't until later that he learned Drew would be flying him all the way to LA just like he had always dreamed as a child with his sister. The only drawback was that Kelsi was meant to stay in New York.

She remembered the day vividly when he was supposed to leave for Los Angeles. They had refused to say goodbye until that day and it was bittersweet for her. How could she be sad when everything he had ever dreamed was coming true? How could she wish for him to stay if she knew that it would only hold him back?

"I love you." She said, not meeting his gaze as the hustle and bustle of the airport continued around her. She heard him sigh and suddenly his arms were wrapped around her, pulling her close in a gripping hug, "I love you too Kelsi. I love you so much."

"But we're doing the right thing. Distance would only spoil things, at least doing it this way we can always remember each other without any regrets." He nodded, "I don't want to hold you back Kels. I want you to do well and become successful." She met his gaze, "I want the same for you."

"But..." His voice trailed, "I don't know if I can say goodbye to you. I don't want this to be the end." Kelsi sighed and pulled him close, "This is hard for me too Ryan, but...we have to do this. We've both spent our lives working for other people. Ms. Darbus, your sister, even Troy and the rest of them. Julliard was a way to truly test our talents and now this is our chance to do what we want."

He pulled back, "What if all I want to do...is be with you?" She couldn't help but smile, "You stole that line from me." He chuckled, "It was a good line." But soon his chuckle died out and he dropped his gaze, "But it's also the truth." She nodded, fiddling with the buttons of his shirt before sighing and softly singing, "You're on my mind you're in my heart. It doesn't matter where we are. We'll be alright. Even if we're miles apart..." She could barely take it, she buried her face in his shirt and sighed, "Just kick ass Ryan."

He nodded, "For you? Anything."

"No." Kelsi said firmly meeting his gaze which was surprised at her response, "Not for me Ry. For you. Kick ass for you." His eyes softened, "Yeah. You too."

The two vaguely heard the monotone voice of the airline calling for his flight and they knew it was time. Their gaze met for one last time before he swooped down and kissed her with everything he had. And she responded just as fiercely taking her time to truly show him how she felt. When they pulled away both were panting and she rested her own forehead against his. "Kick ass." He could only nod and pull away hating the lack of her in his arms but he didn't look back until he got to the gate. She still stood there, her arms wrapped around herself trying to fill his void and it took everything in her not to run to him and deny everything they had just said, but she refrained. In a final goodbye she tipped her own cap to him watching as he did the same and then turned, leaving her to be everything she imagined he would be.

For a while they had kept in touch, he had called and emailed her often and it seemed as if they weren't apart; the distance didn't seem so bad. She related how Terry McManis could be a pain in the ass to work for with no pay but she was doing well. She had found a good place to start that put her right in the heart of many major Broadway productions and she overall enjoyed it. Likewise he wrote about how some of the directors he worked with were pains in the ass, but he had met up with Martha Cox in LA and she was now his co-choreographer, the only person he could really trust and be comfortable with.

But soon enough Drew went on a nationwide tour and it got harder and harder to stay in contact. It then came to the point where they only corresponded once in a while and soon life moved on because it had to, though neither one let a day go by without the other plaguing their minds. It was easy to try and just convince themselves that it was finally over, that their lives were no longer intertwined, but then Ryan came back to New York for a show and the truth was dangerously apparent.

It was a year after he had left and even though her life wasn't moving as fast paced as his she was making connections with produces, actors, dancers through being Terry McManis' hired assistant. Even snagging a boyfriend, her first since Ryan. But with wind that Drew Seeley was coming to New York everything changed. She paid more than necessary for seats and lied to her boyfriend Daniel about going with a bunch of girl friends only to become extremely nervous and almost chicken out. But she found herself there, staring up at the stage as the lights dimmed and a single spotlight found Drew and Belinda, the featured artist on the song with their back turned to the audience.

Belinda took her skirt in her hands and in a flourish of complicated tango moves before Drew took her hand and they began to dance together. It was when the music changed to add a percussive intro and the stage was lit fully and the other dancers were shown in similar partner positions. The fans were screaming, the music was loud, and her eyes found Ryan immediately. Even though they were all hidden behind masks she knew it was Ryan and he looked amazing.

'Follow me into my world
Let your worries fade with every
step you take
Baby whatcha' waiting for
Let the tango take control
Feel the music inside your soul (Oh)
My hand is out, just grab a hold

Watch time fade away
My arms will keep you safe
It's just you and me
Dancing in this dream

Whatever you do, don't wake me up
The feeling's real won't let it
stop, no '

Ryan and his partner, who Kelsi believed was Martha, danced together flawlessly, he playing the male lead perfectly and she following before singing out on the chorus.

Don't be afraid, take my hand
Forget the world
Will you dance, dance with me
Podemos bailar eternamente
Trust in me, take a chance
Feel the Tango
When you dance, dance with me
Podemos bailar eternamente

Now I have you next to me
Everything is how it should be (ooh yeah)
Baby, don't fight the feeling
We're floating on the clouds
If I could, I'd never come back down (no no)
Baby just keep on groovin' groovin'

As time fades away
My arms will keep you safe
It's just you and me
Dancing in this dream

WHatever you do, don't wake me up
The feeling's real, won't let it
stop, no

Ryan was singing out adding his voice to the strength of Drew's and even though it was the young man's show, Kelsi's eyes were trained on Ryan. If it was possible he was even more amazing than she remembered and she had to catch her breath as she remembered what it felt like to be pulled close to him like the way Martha was being pulled close.

Suddenly Drew and Belinda were on opposite sides of the stage singing to the audience in echo and Ryan and Martha took center stage and did a sensual tango that tugged at Kelsi's heart painfully. She had never wished to be anyone more in her life than Martha Cox at that very moment.

Dance with me
(I'm dancing with you)
For this moment in time
(My dreams have come true)
My darling just dance with me
If only one night

It was then as he reached his last pose from the intense dance segment that he caught her gaze. He was surprised, she could tell, but none the less held her stare for what seemed like forever before pulling back and hurried off stage. Drew turned to address the crowd, "How's everyone doing tonight?" The audience erupted in cheers and he was brought a stool from off stage. Drew finally took hold of his guitar and smiled at the crowd, saying something about winding down a bit. But Kelsi wasn't listening since she really hadn't come to the concert for Drew. But as he began to strum and sing she could feel herself feeling pulled into the song.

I think about you everyday
Sit down, pick up my guitar and play
You serve, serve as the inspiration
In so so many ways
But now why is it that I find
My well of inspiration has just run dry
Deep down, know I know the reason why
Just keep turning a blind eye

Not this time
Not this time

She could see why so many girls loved this boy. He spoke from his soul, or at least sang from his soul and he was obviously very talented. She couldn't help but hum along, the song being slightly familiar from the radio and took her seat, swaying to it. She wasn't aware of the pair of eyes off stage that were watching her intently, focused on her with the intent to imprint to his memory how she looked now.

Cause I, I've sang to you a thousand times
This is the last love song
I get the feeling that you want to fly
This is the last love song
I'm not gonna sit around and wonder why
This is the last love song
Cause mainly I don't know to say goodbye
So I'm doing it this last love song

The rest of the concert was amazing and the fans loved Drew, but throughout the entire show Kelsi kept her eyes trained on Ryan as he walked on and off the stage. After the first song she realized that after a year apart he was here now and she still loved him, but what did that mean? What would happen next? When the show ended it took her a while to shake herself from her reverie, even though fans upon fans passed her by in a flurry to catch Drew elsewhere. But she stayed, feeling lost.

'What now?' She thought.

Then a hand tapped her and she whirled around to see an old familiar face beaming at her

"Martha! Hey!" The girl laughed and waved, "Hey Kels, it's been a long time." She hugged her friend and the girl chuckled again before pulling away with a sigh, "I should have known you would be here. Well, come on. Come with me." Kelsi stared, "What? Where to?" Martha only smiled, "He wants to see you."

Her heart had been racing so fast and when Martha led Kelsi through the massive security backstage she almost couldn't breathe, but soon enough they were face to face. He smiled, looking nervous as well, before finally saying, "Hey Kels. I've missed you."

The rest of the evening was a blur. It was as if they had never parted ways and she marveled at how he seemed to remember every little thing about her.

"So, what's new with you?" He had said, late into the evening when no one else was around. They had moved their catch up to his hotel room. "Well, I'm working for Terry now as his paid assistant, I think a year of being his intern has made him a little attached to me, but it's good money and I've got to see the inner workings of every major show he works on."

"Well that's good, learn everything you can."

Kelsi smiled, "Yes. That's my plan and though it's not as glamorous as I would have hoped it's a good stepping stone. Terry's not that big of a pain anymore, I think he trusts me more than anyone else and lately he's been calling on me to play and give feedback more often than the actual Musical Directors of his shows. He's a good boss."

She dropped her gaze nervously, "I've also been working on a new project..."

At this he looked intrigued and she swallowed hard, feeling rather self-conscious since she had not shared this fact with anyone. "I...I'm writing a new musical....About us."

She heard him chuckle and met his gaze, "About us?" He asked, "What about us?" Kelsi sighed and leaned back in her seat, "Well, not necessarily about you and me, but about all of the wildcats. About our time at East High, starting from when Gabriella came." Ryan raised an eyebrow, "Why from there?" And Kelsi could only smile, "Well, that is where it all really began and I wanted to start at the beginning."

Ryan smiled, "That's great Kelsi. Have you shown Terry?" She shook her head, "No...I mean, I plan to, but not until it's finished." Ryan nodded, "Well, has he seen any of your music?" Kelsi sighed, "He's seen some stuff from my intern application, but otherwise I haven't mentioned it." He looked surprised and raised his brow, "Well why not?" And at this she only shrugged, "I don't know. It's just...not my place." Ryan sighed and took her hand, "Kels, if you want things to happen for you, you've gotta make them happen. You have the talent and the drive, you just need the push." She chuckled and shook her head, "Things will happen in time Ryan, don't worry, they will. I just have to be patient. And besides, I'm on the right track, don't worry."

He smiled, "Alright, it's good you're staying positive, it's just I know how great your own stuff is Kels. And the world deserves to see it. Hopefully one day soon we'll all be seeing your shows on stage, just like you always dreamed." She nodded, "Yeah, maybe. But, enough about me, look at you Ryan. The show was amazing tonight and it's all because of you. Looks like everything is coming together and you're getting everything you've ever dreamed of." He nodded, "I guess career wise, but...you know my career isn't everything." She looked up and caught his piercing gaze, his blue eyes intense with something strangely familiar but entirely new at the same time. They were silent, "Ryan--"

"No. Kelsi, I have to say this. I still love you. I never stopped loving you. And seeing you tonight confirms that I don't want to stop." She sighed and bowed her head, "Ryan I-I...I have a boyfriend." His jaw tightened, that obviously not being what he wanted to hear. "Oh...well...is it serious?" Kelsi sighed, "Yes--no..well...we've only been seeing each other exclusively for a month but...he's really nice." Ryan nodded, "I see well...do you love him?" She looked up, "Ryan, like I've said we've only been dating for like a month." He nodded, "I know, but we were only dating for a month the first time I told you I loved you. And you said it back, so...do you love him?" She narrowed her gaze, "Now that's not fair. You and I were different, we'd known each other for years. I had liked you for years!"

"Yes, but this guy, this boyfriend of yours Kelsi, tell me. Do you love him?"

She sighed and turned, "I don't know. I suppose I could. One day. Maybe." To be honest, she wasn't quite sure. Daniel was nice, he was a dancer and seemed to genuinely enjoy Kelsi's company. He made her laugh, but they hadn't known each other that long and her feelings for him at the moment could never compare to how she felt about Ryan. He was silent, contemplating her response before she felt him sidle up to her, "Well do you love me? Do you still love me Kelsi?" She caught her breath in her throat and bit her lip, knowing if she answered what was screaming in her head right now there would be no turning back.

He moved even closer toward her on the couch and she felt him breathing in her ear, "Or...better question...if you could supposedly love this guy, one day, maybe...could you ever love him more than me?" He was begging for an answer, she knew there was only one and there was no denying it, but could she really say it out loud? "Please." He whispered, "Please Kels. Answer me." With a sigh she shook her head, "No. I could never love him as much as I love you. I could never love anyone as much as I love you." And with that he had her turned around so fast it was as if she was moving at lightening speed and his lips were on hers. His hand reached up to stroke her cheek the same way it had done so many times before and she let him, every thought of Daniel leaving her mind. She was lost for a second time that night. Lost to Ryan Evans.

When Kelsi awoke she found herself tangled in sheets with an arm wrapped firmly around her and it took her a moment to gather herself. But when she looked up to see Ryan sleeping soundly she couldn't help but sigh. It hadn't been a dream. He was still there. She watched him silently as he slept and tried to commit everything to memory, wondering how she could have gone a year without him when the alarm on her phone rang. She turned quickly to get it and silenced the vibrating, but noticed that she had gotten a new text message from Terry. In a flash she opened it, wondering if anything was wrong since Terry usually respected her days off. Her eyes widened at the message.

"Kelsi,

Brandon Wilcox is an idiot as a Musical Director. I've decided that I can't trust him and that you are the only one I can trust to get anything done. The job is yours kid. Don't mess this up.

-Terry"

And she squealed, waking Ryan from his stupor, "Wha-Kelsi is everything okay?" She could only thrust her phone at him and he steadied his gaze enough to read it before a grin erupted on his face, "Kelsi that's amazing! Musical Director? For what show?" She sighed and fell back onto his chest, "It's a revival of Gypsy. Oh Ryan! This is fantastic!" He laughed, "Yes, yes it is!" He touched her face and caught her attention once more feeling his heart swell with happiness and love for her as she illuminated the room with her excitement. He pulled her down to him and pressed his lips to hers, fully intending to congratulate her when another phone rang. Kelsi pulled away and realized that it wasn't her phone but Ryan's, "Just ignore it," He said, kissing her shoulder in an attempt to pull her back but she noticed the caller caller ID and shook her head. It was Martha, "It might be important." She offered it to him but he shook his head adamant about ignoring the call and she sighed chuckling to herself before answering, "Hello? Martha?"

"Kelsi? Oh man. I should have known..." Kelsi blushed.

"Yeah, hah, Hey. How are you?"

Her friend chuckled on the other end, "I'm good, but apparently not as good as you." Kelsi blushed a deeper shade of pink, "Martha!" She heard only laugh before Martha replied, "I'm just kidding Kels...well...not really, but anyway, is he there? I need to speak with him." Kelsi could only chuckle as Ryan pouted sadly at her hoping she would relinquish the call, but she didn't. "Yeah, he's here." She held it out to him and giggled as he groaned, "Okay okay, here." He took the phone and settled back into the cushions as Kelsi fell back into his arms, "Hey. Good morning." He chuckled and she could hear Martha talking, probably making a joke at his expense, "What can I say? All those years she melted my heart with her songs, there had to come a time when I would return the favor in kind."

Kelsi smiled and met his gaze as he looked at her lovingly, thinking that a year was way too long to be away from that face. Suddenly his focus was elsewhere as Martha began to talk again and he sat up, "What? No way?! He got the tour? You're kidding?" He had a huge grin as he looked at Kelsi and she smiled confusedly back. He suddenly kissed her fiercely before pulling back and getting out of bed, "Let me just look at the email alright?" He found his boxers on the ground and quickly put them on and winked at Kelsi flirtatiously who watched him go with a smile. As he walked out of the room excitedly she heard him open his laptop and continue on in his conversation.

"So when does it start?"

"Wow, so soon?"

"Hah, you're right, but that's really amazing Martha, an international tour! Drew must be really popular and it feels good to reap the benefits of it."

"Oh ha-ha real funny."

"Yeah, I'm looking at it now. WOAH! This is a boat-load of cities Martha, everywhere from London to Korea, how long is this tour going to be?"

At this Kelsi sat up and listened, "A year and a half?" Her heart stopped. Suddenly the reality of everything came crashing down around her and she felt more naked than she already was. A year and a half? He would be gone for a year and a half on an international tour that would take him all over the world! She had never been so proud of him, but at the same time she knew what that meant. His life was moving forward, his career was taking him places and she had been so stupid to think that anything would be different.

In a flash she got up and quickly found her clothes, pulling them on piece by piece painfully as she tried to steady her breathing. She knew she loved Ryan more than anything and the year apart had torn her apart but she would only hold him back. She knew that. "Kelsi? What are you doing?" She turned and saw him in the doorway, the afterglow of sex and good news still on him and she blushed, "I...I've got to get to work Ry, I have to call Terry and meet up with him over scores, and there are a million charts to look over, even Terry's dry-cleaning needs to be picked up. There is...so much to do." He walked towards her and wrapped his arms around her middle to stop her, but it only caused her to shiver in his touch, "Oh Kels, stay with me. Come on, We both just heard some fantastic news and I want to celebrate with the only person worth celebrating with."

She sighed and almost submitted to him but quickly remembered 'A year and a half' and pulled away, "No. Ry, I really need to go." He was confused, "Kelsi what's going on? What's wrong? Aren't you happy for me?" She met his gaze affectionately and reached up to stroke his cheek, "I am very happy for you Ry. I've never been so proud of you but...what exactly do you think can happen now?" The question caught him off guard but he only stepped closer seeing as she tried to leave, "What do you mean?"

She sighed, "You're going on an international tour for a year and a half. Where does that leave us? What are we supposed to do? Stay together? Try to start our relationship fresh with you out of the country? Not a very good start if you ask me." She saw it suddenly hit him too and he looked down, his mind working fast but he knew she was right. He looked at her and stepped even closer, "We can make it work, I promise I'll try harder. We'll call each other every night and it'll be like I've never gone." Kelsi sighed, "Ryan...it may start out like that but sooner or later it's going to take it's toll on us. I'm going to miss you and call all the time and you're going to miss me but be really busy. Then all that frustration will turn into annoyance, then we'll argue and then resent each other and I would rather die than have that happen!"

"Then I won't go!" He tried again taking her by the shoulders, "I'll stay here work the Broadway circuit, I've gotten calls for shows. I'll stay here with you and we'll get married. Start a family, just like we always planned." She felt tears well up in her eyes she was tempted to accept that but she shook her head, "This is important Ryan. Drew and Martha are both counting on you, they can't do it without you."

"Yes they can!" He interrupted, "They don't need me, they'll be fine--" But she only silenced him with a kiss. A painfully blissful kiss that she was reluctant to pull away from but did anyway before resting her head against his. "You have always been meant for great things Ryan. I've known that since the first day we met back in junior high and I will not let you give up this chance to be great. Not for me."

He took her by the shoulders, "I can't lose you again Kelsi. Don't you see that I would give it all up for you because I love you that much!" She sighed and pulled him into her arms, "I know. But I can't let you do that, because I love you that much." He gripped her closer, "Please, don't do this."

She felt the tears coming and buried her head into his chest, "You have the opportunity of lifetime. You can't just let this pass Ryan, and even past the fact that Martha and Drew are counting on you. I know in my heart that this is the right thing for you." She brushed her tears away, "I'm sorry."

That had been one of the hardest things she had ever had to do. She knew he had tried to contact her, tried to find her in the big city that was New York but she had kept her distance knowing that it was what he needed. But she did send him a letter, hoping he would really come to understand why she had done what she had done.

"Please, just give it to him."

Martha looked at her friend skeptically and sighed, "Kels, he loves you, why are you doing this? We can figure something out." But Kelsi sighed and dropped her gaze, "Martha, you need him more than I do right now and I can't let him give up this opportunity for me. You know he should do this tour and I want him to do it, I want him to do this because he deserves this shot."

"But he deserves to be happy too Kelsi and you're the only one that can do that for him."

Kelsi looked up and felt tears well up in her eyes as she tried to steady her breathing. She met Martha's gaze and said the one thing that throughout her entire relationship with Ryan had plagued her, "Ryan Evans deserves more than me."

"Oh Kels--"

"Please Martha," She begged, "Please. I know him, he's thinking of not doing this tour and trying to find me and throwing everything away and I don't want that. Just give him this letter and make him understand that I love him more than words could ever describe. Please."

With a sigh Martha nodded and took the letter, "Okay. I'll do it."

She had agreed. She took the letter the next thing Kelsi knew Drew Seeley had launched his international tour with a concert in London with Ryan Evans as his Head Choreographer. That had been seven years ago and her life at the moment was vastly different. 'Incredibly different' she thought. Suddenly the phone rang startled out of thought Kelsi picked it up and checked the caller ID. She smiled and answered, "Hello?

"Hey Kels, we're downstairs."

Kelsi smiled at her friend Peter's voice on the other end and sighed, "Oh, great, I'll bring her right down." As she hung up Kelsi let out a sigh of relief before standing and stretching her arms. Her eyes flitted to the computer screen one more time, slightly debating whether or not to look for him again but she refrained. She had to get ready. "Riley!" She yelled, "Honey where are you?" She heard a pair of feet begin to scurry from their place across the apartment and a giggle erupt as she caught sight of a little girl with dirty blonde hair and blue eyes, "Yes mom? I'm coming!" Kelsi smiled at the girl and squatted down to eye level before brushing her hear back affectionately, "Daniel and Peter are here. Are you ready to go?"

The little girl grinned and nodded excitedly, "Yes, but are you sure you don't want to come mommy?" Kelsi smiled, "I wish I could angel but I have work to do, someone's got to write the music. Now go get your coat and I'll walk down with you."

She watched as the girl ran back to her room, hair flying behind her in a fit of giggles and couldn't help but sigh at the fact that there were some things in her life that she wouldn't trade the world for. Riley was fiery and over dramatic and always thinking about the next big idea non-stop on the go, which was more from her father than from Kelsi. But she also could be reserved and shy, calculating and a dreamer, which made her a chip off the old block, even at seven. And yet, every time Kelsi looked into her daughter's eyes she felt something break inside because they looked at her the same way her father's eyes did, with love. And it was the closest she would get to ever being looked at by Ryan Evans ever again.

Kelsi hadn't told Ryan she was pregnant. Mostly because at the time she found out she wasn't sure if he was even the father. When she had come home from the concert the next day she had asked Daniel to come over, fully intending to tell him what happened and break up with him but he never gave her the chance. He had pounced her the minute he stepped through the door, and Kelsi, feeling lonely and missing Ryan had let it happen.

When she had woken up a second time in two days, naked and beside a naked man, she didn't feel the same afterglow of happiness and love. She felt dirty. But when she turned to see Daniel sitting up looking as if someone had just died he surprised her by apologizing first,

"Kelsi, I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have taken advantage of you like that. It was wrong I just...I needed to be sure."

"Be sure?" Kelsi said, sitting up next to him, "What do you mean?"

He sighed and rubbed his face in frustration. "Well," He sighed, "I went out the other night too, with a bunch of the dancers from the show. It was just all in good fun but we ended up at this bar and a guy sent me a drink." Kelsi raised her brow, "A guy sent you a drink?" He nodded, "It was so random, I thought about sending it back but then I looked at him and I couldn't think to. I just...I just accepted it. Soon enough he had made his way over and we were talking and drinking more and then the next thing I know I wake up and..."

She faced Daniel now, him looking so confused and lost, "Daniel, what happened?" He sighed deeply and bowed his head, "We slept together." Kelsi didn't know what to think, "You...you slept with a man?" Daniel nodded, "And I...I think I liked it. I like him." Kelsi nodded, "I see...but then why...?"

"Because I didn't understand what was happening! I've never felt this way about anyone and then when I woke up next to Peter you were the first thing that came to mind. I mean, how could I do this to you? You're so sweet and I really like spending time with you and...I thought I had just gotten drunk. There was no way that I could be...could be..."

"Gay?"

"YES!" Daniel buried his head in his hands and Kelsi watched him steadily before giggling, "Oh Daniel, honey, it's alright." At this he looked up, "It is?" She nodded, "It's alright if you're gay and it's alright that you took advantage of me because...I kinda took advantage of you too." With this he sat up, "What? What do you mean?" With a sigh Kelsi relayed the entire event of the evening from lying about the concert to spending the night with Ryan and Daniel listened intently, rubbing her arm comfortingly as she teared up. When she finished he was silent, taking it all in before sighing and shook his head, "Wow. We're really messed up huh Kels?"

She laughed through her tears and nodded, "Yeah, a little."

"And I guess we're broken up...right?"

She smiled and took his hand, "I think so Dan. I mean...it would be pointless to stay together if you're really not into me and...my parts." At this Daniel chuckled, "Sorry...I tried." She nodded, "I know you did and thank you, especially for being so understanding." He shook his head, "You're the understanding one. I can't believe you're cool with this." Kelsi only shrugged, "I guess it helps that I was going to break up with you anyway. But we're still friends right?" Daniel sighed and sat back, "Yeah. Still friends." Kelsi leaned against him and the two sat in silence as they took in the whole situation before Daniel spoke again.

"I can't believe you told him to go though Kelsi, it seems like he really loves you."

At this Kelsi sighed and pulled the blanked tighter around her, "I know he does, it's just...I can't hold him back. He needs to do this on his own. His whole life he's had someone there to kind of stifle him, in high school it was his sister, in college it was me. He would do great things, but always let the people around him dictate his decisions. I mean, he could have studied abroad our sophomore year at Julliard and gone to Paris but he said he didn't want to, because it would mean a semester away from me. At the time I couldn't have been happier, but now that I think about it, how many other times had I stopped him from becoming as great as he was meant to be?" She sighed, "He has to do this on his own, just like I have to pursue this broadway thing on my own. It's for the best."

Daniel nodded, "If you say so. But what's going to happen when he comes back?"

Kelsi pulled her legs up to her chest, "I don't know...I guess we'll have to see."

"Mommy! Are you okay?"

Kelsi was thrown from thought so suddenly that it took her a moment to realize that Riley had been standing in front of her for quite a while, "Sorry love, just was thinking, come on let's go." She took her daughter by the hand and made her way to the door. The whole way down the elevator Riley hummed and sang, her fingers moving constantly as if playing the piano and Kelsi couldn't help but smile. But as her little voice let out a pure melodic line she felt her heart tug once again at the thought of where she got that character trait from.

When Riley was born Kelsi knew that she couldn't be Daniel's on sight. The Evans eyes were shining and the lung capacity apparent as she entered the world. He had offered to be as much of a father to her as he could be but Kelsi had denied him hoping Ryan would come into the picture because she didn't want her daughter to be paternally confused. But her hopes were dashed when she found out that Ryan had been back three months early and hadn't contacted her. In her letter she had said if he still wanted to be with her when he got back to come find her, but he never called.

In fact the newspapers began claiming that Ryan Evans was probably the most brilliant choreographer of his time and when Kelsi finally resigned herself to the fact that he obviously didn't love her anymore, she realized that an illegitimate child would only hurt his life. So she kept it to herself. She cut off contact with anyone who might be in touch with him and began to use the Pseudonym Paige Aker for work in case anyone started looking. From there, she settled into a new life, one without Ryan Evans.

Even still, she had been heartbroken.

But recently, Ryan Evans seemed to be popping up everywhere but in person, because after years of being Drew Seeley's choreographer he was found to be a closet songwriter, and a good one at that. The papers were now saying that Drew, believing that Ryan had spent too much time in the background, deserved to be in the forefront and was doing everything in his power to make Ryan a big star, which resulted in his first single, Sleeping To Dream. It was her favorite song. Slowly but surely Ryan came out with his own album and was climbing the charts alarmingly fast. Now, everywhere she went, she heard his songs. She felt like she was going crazy.

"DANIEL!" Quickly Riley flew from Kelsi right into her ex-boyfriend-now-best friend Daniel's arms who scooped her up lovingly and blew a raspberry on her cheek, "Hello beautiful, my have you grown, She's grown hasn't she Peter?" Daniel's boyfriend smiled and nodded, "Into a stunningly beautiful woman, just like her mother." Kelsi shook her head and walked towards them, "Aw, if you weren't so in love with my best friend I might just blush." Peter and Daniel chuckled and she gave each a hug before kissing Riley on the cheek, "Have her home as soon as possible please, someone has a piano lesson early tomorrow morning." The two nodded and with that she watched them go waving one last time.

She made her way back up to her apartment, opting to take the stairs so as to clear her head from all the thoughts that were constantly circulating in it. Thoughts that ranged from her work in the orchestra for Chorus Line, to the recent call she had gotten from an old friend of hers about a possible new job offer, then to Daniel and Peter who had been amazing friends and the closest thing to a father that Riley had ever had. She finally reached her door and pulled out her key, thinking how drastically changed her life was now from where it had been ten years ago, when a voice shattered those thoughts and proved that her world would be changed once again.

"Kelsi? Is it really you?"

She turned and dropped her keys in surprise, "Troy? Troy Bolton?"

AN: So there it is! My first chapter. I know it's really really long, but it's all important as a beginning chapter. This is the prologue. =P I've been debating whether or not to post this story, but now that I have please review! Let me know if it was worth it or if I should just crawl under a rock now. =P

I LOVE RYELSI!
-scribbling wordsmith