Chapter 2: Chemistry

I looked over at the cars passing under the bridge. I forgot I was sitting there until just then, and at that moment I heard, in an excited voice, "Hey, Troy. Ready to get our Science on?" He laughed, and I looked up at him--laughing and smiling, and he looked gorgeous. All I could do was laugh, too. We were working for probably half an hour on trying to decide what to do our project on.

We were sitting down next to each other, leaning against the railing of the bridge, and I was moving my hand down to scratch an itch on my leg, and my hand hit Ryan's knee. For some reason I could not think of, I left it there, and suddenly, the itch on my leg went away. Ryan looked at me in a surprised, yet understanding way, then he looked down at my hand, which he covered with his own. I didn't know what to think, and I wondered what he was thinking.

Suddenly, reality hit us both, and we jerked our hands away and buried our faces in our Chemistry books. Neither of us said a word for about ten minutes, then Ryan broke the silence.

"Umm...do you think that was weird?"

"Yeah..." I said, kinda laughing, hoping it would break the mood. But it didn't.

Ryan smiled and said,"Well, just so you know, you put your hand on my knee."

I replied "And just so you know, you put your hand on my hand."

We both laughed for a few seconds, then there was another awkward silence.

"We should go home" I said."Want me to walk you?"

"Yeah" said Ryan.

So we picked up our books and started walking. I didn't know where Ryan lived, so I just assumed that he was leading me there.

As we were walking, I was trying to think of something to say. It looked like he was doing the same.

"Wow, Drama Club has settled down now that the musical is over." I managed to say.

"Yeah...it has.." Ryan said back to me.

After another short moment of silence, I said "Are you still mad at me for beating you for the role?"

"Huh? No, not at all...it's all good...you're officially forgiven." He said, and smiled, hiding a small laugh behind his face.

I smiled, too. "Good..." I said back.

Just then, I noticed that we were walking kinda close, then Ryan slowly moved his hand towards mine, and without thinking, I entwined my fingers with his. For some reason, it felt so...right...

We got to his house, and I walked him to the door, where we were standing in front of each other, still holding hands. Ryan looked at the door and said "Well, I'm home."

That was a signal for me to let go of his hand, but it only made me grip it tighter. He then moved in a little closer to me, returning the signal I was sending. We just looked at each other, and I knew that we were both confused about what was happening. Just then, Sharpay opened the door and Ryan immediately shot back and our hands dropped. Sharpay looked at us in a way as if to say 'what the hell?' But she said "Ryan, are you coming in? Dinner's ready."

"Uh...yea, in a sec..." he said. Sharpay walked off, leaving the door open, and Ryan waved good-bye and walked in, and I began walking off. It hurt my heart so bad that he didn't kiss me...that he didn't get to kiss me. And somehow, I knew it hurt him, too.

"Ryan, you're late for dinner!"

"I know, sorry Mom. Troy and I were studying."

"Yeah...studying each other's eyes!" Sharpay snickered. I shot her a look of disgust and disappointment, but she just returned the look and went on eating.

I sat there at the table, pretending to eat, but I was really just looking off into the distance, thinking about what happened...what almost happened, and what I hope Troy wanted to happen just as much as I did.

Troy's P.O.V.

I couldn't eat when I got home, so now I'm just sitting here in my room, wondering what just happened. It was amazing while it was happening...while I was caught up in the moment. But now that I think about it...I'm not sure. I mean, Ryan's great and everything, but I never would have thought I'd ever want to kiss him! And just fifteen minutes ago, he was about two inches away from kissing me! Maybe I just need to sleep this off...

...but it's only 7:30...I'll never fall asleep now...

Ryan's P.O.V.

Wow...that's the only word that could possibly begin to describe what just happened an hour ago. I really enjoyed spending time with Troy, and I can't wait to see him again. But, I'm scared that he doesn't feel the same. What if he tries to avoid me? What if he asks Mrs. Wood to change partners so he won't have to talk to me?

On the other hand, what if he enjoyed it as much as I did, and he can't wait to see me tomorrow!

...I'll just have to wait and see...