The final chapter. All good things must come to an end. I loved writing this story. If anyone thinks there should be a sequel, let me know!
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Ryan sat down at his lunch table pondering over many things. He hasn't seen Gabriella today except for when he saw her down the hall as she dashed the other way. In homeroom, she hid behind her books.
'If I didn't know any better, I'd say she was avoiding me,' Ryan thought as he made a sarcastic laugh.
She didn't even give him a chance to reply. She just ran off. He thought it was hilarious.
"Ryan!" Sharpay called his name as she sat infron of him with a suspicious look, "I heard that you kissed Gabriella."
Ryan laughed at this, "She kissed me."
"Did you kiss her back?"
Ryan hadn't thought of that. He had never asked himself that question, 'Did I kiss her back?'
"I honestly don't know."
Sharpay scoffed at this, "How could you not know?"
Ryan shrugged. He thought about the kiss. She had put alot into it. He knew she must of liked him a lot. She even went as far as claiming to love him.
Ryan looked up to notice Sharpay gone, and in her place, sat Gabriella.
"Where's Sharpay?
"She left a second ago. She didn't see me."
"I thought you were ignoring me," Ryan said with a mocking grin.
"I was," Gabriella sighed, "but curiousity got the better of me."
"Ah..."
"I'm sorry about the kiss."
Ryan looked at her with the look of a person listening intently.
"It's just that I care about you so much. I couldn't help it."
"Why?"
Gabriella looked at Ryan, "Why what?"
"Why do you like me?"
Gabriellia sighed, "It's a long story."
Ryan smiled, "We got some time."
"In that case...when Troy and I got the lead for the winter musical, I was beyond thrilled. I liked Troy alot, more than you could ever imagine. Then saw him with Sandra, he was hugging her. I thought that it was ok, they're friends. Until...he kissed her."
Ryan's eyes widened as she continued.
"He told me it was a heat of the moment thing. He promised it'd never happen again. It meant nothing he said. I forgave him. I called his house the next day. His mom told me he was out with her. After I found out, we broke up. We said we'd always be friends, but I couldn't handle it."
"What does this have to do with me?" Ryan asked confused.
"I was so upset. I needed to think. I went to the music room. I was about to open the door when I heard someone singing. I peeked through the window and saw you. You were singing a song from the same song that's in the upcoming musical. You were with Sharpay. I wanted to be her, to sing with you. It gave me something to look forward to. Recently, Troy asked me back out. He told me that he was sorry. I told him no. He asked me and I told him it just wasn't there anymore."
"I see," Ryan said not knowing what else to say.
"But it doesn't matter."
"Why is that?"
"You rejected me."
"Did I say anything?"
"No but..."
"Did I tell you that I didn't like you?"
"No?"
"Then how did I reject you?"
"You didn't reply to the kiss. You just looked at me."
Ryan laughed, "You kissed me. I wasn't expecting that. It took me a minute to realize what happened. Then you ran off before I had the chance to reply."
"I better go."
Ryan stood up and looked down at Gabriella. He grabbed her by the shoulders and lifted her so she was standing.
He got an inch from her face and whispered, "You're always running away. I wonder, what happens when you come to a dead end?"
"Find another route."
Ryan laughed, "You're always afraid."
Gabriella was breathing rapidly by now, "I just don't see the point of staying where I'm not wanted."
"Ryan raised Gabriella's chin so that she was looking into his blue eyes. She almost melted in her arms as she felt her knees go weak. He put his arms around her waist.
Still speaking in a whispered tone, he said, "I promise you, that's not the case. Troy was stupid to hurt you."
He pulled her closer to him, pausing only for a second when he reached her lips. He kissed her with force and passion all in one. Everybody in the lunch room stared at them. Troy stomped out of the lunch room as Sharpay just walked away in digust.
Ryan continued kissing her putting all of his feelings into one kiss so she'd know.
Even he knew, he was stupid to deny it for so long.