This chapter is from Ryan's perspective and the next will be Chad's, I switched the order when I switched to the third movie. Not sure what chapters 9 and 10 will be about so I'm not sure what order I'll go but we'll figure it out. I'm excited to get into this section of the fic and I hope you enjoy!
Summer was never long enough. It hadn't been long enough before Ryan had someone to love and it wasn't long enough now. Eventually, summer has to end. Eventually, summer flings have to end.
Ryan assumed it was unspoken between them that it had just been a summer fling. It wasn't like they were out to anyone other than Sharpay, Taylor, and Kelsi. And Kelsi had been a complete accident after she'd caught them making out in the rehearsal room after hours. Kelsi was one of the only other gay people at East High and wasn't going to blow their secret, but it was still very much a secret. They couldn't exactly waltz into East High like they were the new Troy and Gabriella. Summer flings were for summer and Ryan was used to being someone's secret.
Chad was swept up in a flurry of basketball practice and college applications and for a while, it seemed like they'd parted on easy terms. Maybe there was still a pang of longing on Ryan's part, but he'd never expected it to last. It was enough that they had the summer, and that Ryan's new gig as team mascot meant he got to watch Chad running across the basketball stage covered in glistening sweat.
Sharpay quickly moved on to other targets, not going after Troy as much but still attempting to antagonize Gabriella whenever possible. There were other plays to star in, other mind games to play. They were busy, they were fulfilled. And any heartache Ryan might have been left with went unnoticed.
Or at least, he thought it did.
Then, at the start of the second semester, Kelsi drew his attention to something that should have been obvious.
"You two stare at each other. When you think no one's looking, you're practically lost in each other's eyes. So what's wrong, why aren't you making your move?"
"I'm not the one who makes moves," Ryan said quickly, feeling a little embarrassed.
"You're a choreographer, that's exactly what you do."
"He wouldn't want me to…"
"He looks at you as if he's waiting for you."
"Waiting for me to do what?" Ryan scoffed.
"Commit to him."
"Why's he waiting for me, then? Why doesn't he make his move?"
"Didn't he break up with Taylor for you?"
"For the summer, yeah."
"Well, it's not summer anymore, and they're not back together. It's not summer anymore and he's not with anyone."
"Huh." That was something to think about...
"I think he really likes you, Ryan. You should go for it."
"Huh… Maybe I will."
"Love is worth taking a shot for."
"Right. Thanks, Kels. You know, you'd make a pretty good matchmaker."
Kelsi laughed, "Well if this music thing ever falls through I'll keep that in mind."
Ryan still couldn't bring himself to outright confront Chad about the stolen glances. Maybe it was because he was comfortable with glances, maybe because confronting these feelings would mean confronting something even bigger, confronting how other people perceived him. He coasted on a wave of nebulous compulsory heterosexuality. If he was out and with Chad, everyone would see. His family would be forced to deal with who he was, and that terrified him.
Of course, there was that other thing, the thing that scared him more than his father's bigotry. He was afraid that Chad had only wanted him for the summer, and those stolen glances were nothing more than pleasant recollections.
The first chance he actually got to confront him about it was after the biggest game of the season. Ryan had been on the sidelines, cheering on Chad the whole time. Then, as if they'd coordinated it, the two slipped away into a back part of the locker room and found their bodies pressed together against the wall. They didn't end up talking, instead choosing to kiss like it was summer until they were startled apart.
"Chad, do you want a ride or not?" Troy hadn't noticed Ryan, thank goodness.
"I do," Chad said, not able to tear his eyes from Ryan's lips.
"Go on," Ryan whispered.
"I'll see you at the party." Ryan didn't really believe that, though. Chad would be busy with his team. Plus, Chad's parents would be there. Ryan would hang out with Kelsi like he usually did before leaving early. He wouldn't be missed.
"You're staring at him again," Kelsi pointed out.
"We might have had a moment after the game," Ryan said with a small shrug, tearing his eyes away from Chad and Chad's parents.
"That's great! Now you know he still likes you. Make your move, ask him to prom."
Ryan snorted, "No way. He'd never do it, Kels. Not in front of the whole school. Not in front of his parents. We even have to hide in front of his best friend. He might like me but I'll always be his secret."
"I wouldn't be so sure about that, Ryan."
"Whatever. I appreciate your advice but I don't think either of us is ready for that. Hey, if you're not doing anything, we could go to prom together. As friends, y'know. We could be each other's beards."
"Sounds romantic," Kelsi said with an eye roll, but then she nodded, "Unless one of us gets a better offer, I'm in."
Ryan glanced over at Chad and let out a little sigh. There was no better offer, summer flings were for summer, and Ryan was always going to be somebody's secret.