So far only Taylor and Sharpay know about the pair, it'll be exciting to explore the rest of the feelings as we move into the High School Musical 3 phase of this story. The next chapter after this one will be a Ryan chapter, as I'll be flipping it to be Ryan and then Chad chapters in the next part. Maybe it'll flip back again for the end, I guess we'll see.

This one is shorter but I didn't know what else to say. They have the summer, and that should be enough, right?

Ryan collapsed on his mattress and could barely contain the squeals. He hadn't said much to Chad before dropping him off, they hadn't texted more after that, just left things as they were, but the way things were-

It was unreal.

Ryan wasn't the one who had summer romances, Ryan wasn't the one who got the boy. The fact that Chad had seen him, had liked him enough to break things off with Taylor- it made him feel like he was glowing from the inside out.

He was glowing all the way through breakfast the next morning. No one seemed to pick up on the change in demeanor, too focused on Sharpay and her boy problems. Ryan excused himself early and slipped away to the kitchen, glowing still.

His attention was mostly directed towards the show he was directing, made to feel invaluable by the staff who looked to him for ideas. He let Kelsi step in when he couldn't lead and stole glances at Chad when neither of them was busy. Chad looked really happy. He wanted to capture a snapshot of that smile and hold it forever. He wanted to capture Chad in his arms and hold him forever. He wanted to crash together, taste those lips once more, but he wasn't sure where he stood. All he knew was that it seemed like they had the summer, that for the moment, Chad had chosen him. For the moment, Chad was smiling.

No one but Sharpay was smiling when they found out she had sabotaged the staff's chance of being in the show, just so she and Troy could have their show-stopping moment. Ryan tried to salvage what he could, but everyone seemed really hurt. Chad looked at Ryan with injured eyes and Ryan wanted to slap the smirk off of his sister's face.

"I was really looking forward to being up on stage with you," Chad said, as they met in secret. Chad was staring down at Ryan's hands as he held them, and Ryan wanted to make everything right so that Chad would look him in the eye again.

"I was looking forward to dancing with you," Ryan said, taking back one of his hands so he could cup Chad's cheek. Chad was the one to stop the kiss this time, not in the mood for making out in the wake of this revelation.

"I don't dance," Chad mumbled, sighing and dropping Ryan's other hand, "I guess I should get back to work."

"Wait-" Ryan said abruptly, calling him back, "I'll make it right. For you. For us."

"Can you?"

"I'll stand up to my sister. I'll do whatever it takes."

Chad pressed a kiss to Ryan's cheek now, "I know you never meant for her to hurt anyone. Whatever you can do… It's enough. You're enough."

Ryan couldn't do everything, but he could pull a few strings. He could make sure Troy showed up to the talent show, ready to give Sharpay just one more shot. And he could make sure that Troy ended up singing with Gabriella, instead. Everyday was a beautiful song that Kelsi had done a wonderful job on in such a short time, but the real magic happened when everyone got on stage together. For a moment, Ryan and Chad were holding hands, in front of everyone. And for a moment everything felt okay.

When the moment ended, reality came crashing back down. His sister might not get the boy, but she'd get what she wanted. She'd get the trophy and the acclaim, it was a popularity contest, and Miss Evans was Miss Popular. Even if Chad was the shining star in Ryan's eye, Sharpay would sweep the vote.

Then, when the winner was announced, Sharpay gave the trophy to him instead. He held it high, and Chad pulled him into a hug.

"I'm so proud of you, Ryan, you deserve it, you deserve it," Chad whispered to him in the midst of all the excitement. Ryan held him tight until they were pulled apart by their friends, who wanted to celebrate. Ryan would've preferred to celebrate in private, but he supposed they would have the whole summer to get close. For now, he let people pull them away, and dreamed of what the next few months would bring.