A/N: One of my loyal reviewers mentioned that the beginning was pretty typical and I'll admit this story is pretty much a cliché typical romance but it's Tryan and it's slash so why not? Right? I'll try to spice it up a bit but I'm still unsure of this story and it just seems to write itself, also, it's as much mine as my readers' so if anyone wants to see something just ask, I really don't mind, just nothing too crazy : D
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The Problem with Ryan
Chapter 2: Book bag blues.
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It was his free period and here he was hiding in the library in the dusty health section where no one ever comes in.
Ryan pretended to look at different titles when the librarian walked past his aisle. As he looked at the books in front of him, he realized he was in the sexual health section and blushed, quickly turning to the yoga and exercise section.
Meanwhile, Troy was in the aisle behind Ryan's, wandering around the library, not really looking for anything.
"Yoga? Huh," Troy heard Gabriella say, "Is it really good reading?" she sounded amused. Troy leaned closer to the shelves.
"Heh, well, I wasn't actually looking for anything to read," Ryan's voice filtered through the shelves, "This is just a good hiding place," he laughed.
Troy peaked through the shelves, sliding two books to the side, he watched Ryan pick out a book and Gabriella lean in to see it.
Why is she so freaking close to him? He fumed internally. He watched behind the bookshelf as Ryan and Gabriella laughed about something, their heads bent close, Troy growled.
"Did you hear something?" Gabriella said, turning around. Troy slinked down and sneaked a peak through a lower bookshelf to find Gabriella and Ryan turned in his direction.
"No," Ryan said, "Oh, no, maybe Sharpay found me," he whispered frightened, looking around anxiously.
"If that was Sharpay we would have heard her loud and clear," she laughed, "Besides you shouldn't be afraid of your sister," Ryan gave her an incredulous look, "Okay, maybe she is scary but she's still your sister."
"Yeah," Ryan said, "But sometimes I wish she was more…" He trailed off, looking at Gabriella for help.
"Nice?" She supplied.
"Yeah," he agreed.
They both laughed again. Gabriella leaned in to inspect Ryan's shirt, "Nice shirt," she said. Troy glared at the back Gabriella's head.
"Yeah, unfortunately it's the reason Sharpay is so angry with me," he said.
"Why would she care about what you wore? It's not like it's a plastic bag," she laughed.
"Well, I'm supposed to match with her outfit," Ryan said reluctantly, "I'm sort of like a –"
"Accessory?"
"—reflection of her," he smiled awkwardly. Gabriella winced, maybe she shouldn't have said accessory. She looked at Ryan sympathetically, it's not fair how Sharpay treats him, she thought.
Troy was increasingly getting irritated by Gabriella's proximity to Ryan. He silently berated himself, why was he acting like this? Suddenly, Troy stood straight, hearing foot steps, he backed away from the shelves and hid behind the shelf wall, hiding himself from whoever happen to pass his aisle.
"Hey guys!" He heard Chad's voice. What the hell? Troy yelled internally, is there a party in the health section that no one invited him to? Troy stealthily went back to the book shelves to view Chad, Gabriella, and Ryan talking.
"Hey Chad," Gabriella's cheerful voice rang. Troy had to smile at Gabriella's eternal brightness, seems like she's always upbeat.
Chad put his fist out and Ryan gave him a pound awkwardly, still not used to having many friends, Troy thought that was cute. Just like any other straight male teen would think, he thought firmly.
"Yoga?" Chad nodded toward the book in Ryan's hand, "Don't tell me that's your secret to baseball," he laughed.
"Actually," Ryan said, "It's very relaxing and great for the body."
Chad looked skeptical, "Sure," he said, "And ballet is great for basketball," he laughed.
"Actually—"
"Um, why don't we sit at a table," Gabriella said quickly, nodding towards the irate librarian making her way towards them, "Before we get kicked out."
"Yeah, great idea," Chad agreed, raising one eyebrow at Ryan, who seemed a little oblivious. Gabriella shook her head and smiled at Chad and Ryan, sometimes they had a bit of a barrier problem but they both didn't seem bothered by it.
Meanwhile, Troy thought this was a good opportunity to sneak out, without getting noticed by the others since the aisle they were in was closest to the exit.
He took one last look at the trio before shaking his head and leaving the library.
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In the auditorium after school, the leads decided to practice the dance portions of the fall musical. Since this musical required more variations of music genre, Kelsi provided them with CDs of different songs they would need.
The song that was currently playing was fast, high tempo, and required a lot of movement. Troy looked around to find it came easier to everyone but him. He felt awkward and stiff, as he gazed at Gabriella she moved fluidly, twirling into each step seamlessly, while Sharpay seemed a bit provocative even as she had the same steps as the brunette girl. Troy shook his head at them, amused at how the same steps could be danced so differently, especially when it came to Sharpay.
Soon the song changed to something slower, Troy glanced at Ryan at the corner of the stage in the back, the blond boy's movement's were fluid, a bit subdued almost as if he wasn't practicing but just reacting to the intense beats of the slow music. Troy watched as the blond moved a bout with grace, his limbs loose and relaxed as he moved his hips and shifted his feet, he watched as the blond tipped his head back slightly, revealing his smooth neck under his shirt collar, his eyes closed as he swayed before shifting again, almost sensually.
Troy's breathing became hallow, his eyes were glued to watching Ryan's body, he noticed his feet were bare save for his socks, Troy felt he was witnessing something intimate, something he wasn't suppose to see, his lithe and firm body moved against his slightly sheer t-shirt and dress pants.
"Ryan, what the hell are you doing?" Sharpay's voice ripped Troy out his trance. He looked around quickly to make sure no one noticed he was staring at Ryan before trying to concentrate on his own steps, now what where they again? Hell if he could remember. His thoughts kept drifting back to the blond boy.
Sharpay was still a bit mad at him for the shirt switch this morning but tried to rein in her anger. If he wanted to wear it that badly, she remembered saying, then he could wear the monstrosity, it was his outfit to ruin. She sighed, her brother seemed like he was in his own world half the time. "Ryan!"
Ryan blinked owlishly, stopping his movements and seemingly lost in thoughts of his own, "What?" Ryan looked at Sharpay's irate state, "Oh, Um I was just warming up," he said, blushing as he turned to pick up his dance shoes. Something about the music made Ryan move, it was as if the intense beat synced with his heart's pump, the slow tempo relaxed his body and made him free. He shook his head at his own actions, maybe he watched a musical too many.
"Well get over here," she snapped, "Some of us," she looked at Gabriella as if to emphasize who she was referring to, "Can't get the steps," she nodded over to the brunette rudely. Gabriella glared at the blonde girl.
"Excuse me," the Gabriella said, annoyed, "Just because I don't dance so… provocatively" she strained the last word, as if it were a curse word, "Doesn't mean I don't get the steps." She said with her hands at her hips.
The blonde girl turned her head away from her, as if she didn't hear a word, "Teach her the steps," she handed Ryan the remote to the stereo, "I can't be bothered with amateurs," she walked down the steps of the stage towards the exit, the knock of her heals echoing in the quiet auditorium.
Ryan sighed as he walked over to the stereo, he looked over the CDs, picking up one that was written all over, he smiled as he saw Keli's swift script, slow song # 2 scene three it read with a long arrow pointing to practice underlined repeatedly.
"Well, I guess Kelsi wanted you guys to practice this," he said holding up the CD, "Scene three," he read, putting it in the stereo.
Troy sighed, "Not that one," remembering how he stepped on Gabriella's feet, embarrassed at his lack of coordination, "Can't we go over another one," he asked.
Ryan smiled at the brunet, kindly informing that he had no choice. Troy felt his face heat in anxiousness. He did not want to do this, not in front of Ryan.
Gabriella giggled, "I'm sure it'll go better than last time," she said lending her hand out to let Troy take it. He sighed deeply as his head dropped, taking the brunette girl's hand, slightly comforted by her reassurance.
Ryan chuckled, "I'm sure basketball players have great coordination," he pressed play and walked over to watch the two teens dance.
Instead of concentrating on his partner Troy kept glancing at Ryan in the corner of his eye. Ryan sat at the edge of the stage watching them with furrowed eyebrows, as if examining their movements. His blue eyes were almost navy in the dim light, Troy tripped over Gabriella's feet, causing the brunette girl to stumble back. Troy apologized and Gabriella shook it off, offering another chance without even stating it, they went over the steps again …1 2 3 4… 1 2...Ryan brought his knees to his chest… 1 2… he tucked his knees under his chin…'wait, what number was I on?' Troy thought, his foot knocked into Gabriella's ankle.
"Troy!" She hopped away from him, "What is with you?" She sat down, "It's like you're not even trying." Troy winced, that must have hurt.
He walked over to her and leaned down, "I'm so sorry," he looked at her ankle, not finding it greatly injured but slightly red, "I suck at this," he looked down. Her eyes softened as she looked at his slumped form.
She sighed, "It's fine, we'll just keep practicing," she smiled up at him. He wasn't this bad before, she thought.
"Let's try something different," Ryan's voice broke in, Troy looked at him surprised, almost forgetting his presence. "Gabriella, try dancing with me for a second," he said kindly, he looked at Troy for permission. Troy stepped back, allowing the blond to take the brunette girl's hand.
Troy felt that odd feeling rush back when he saw them dancing, he found himself very unnerved at how the blond was so close to Gabriella. They danced perfectly, Troy thought with slight disdain. He watched as they moved across stage, Ryan seemed to just twirl Gabriella a bout with ease.
When the song ended, Ryan bowed and Gabriella giggled as she curtseyed. Troy crossed his arms, show-offs. "I guess you don't have any problems," Ryan said to Gabriella. Then he turned to Troy, who stood awkwardly, his shoulders stiff as the blond gazed at him. "We'll work on it together," he said, smiling at Troy. The brunet boy swallowed thickly, alone? Troy thought frantically.
Gabriella grabbed her bag, she hugged Ryan good-bye before heading to Troy, "You'll get it," She said rubbing his arm in comfort, Troy smiled at her in reassurance, "I'll see you guys tomorrow," she waved at both boys, wishing them a good night.
Troy turned to Ryan and found the blond with his hands on his hips, analyzing the brunet. Troy felt his anxiety wash over him, his face felt hot.
"Well," Ryan said, his lips quirked up, "We have a lot to work on," he said as he started the song and placed the remote on the floor before walking over to the brunet.
The music started and Troy started his steps with his pretend partner, Ryan shook his head, moving Troy's arms mid level as the brunet continued counting.
"Stop," Ryan said, "Troy," he said gently, "Don't focus on the steps, focus on the music," he looked at the brunet, finding him confused, "Remember how you danced at call-backs for Twinkle Towne, you were a natural."
Troy's eyes widen, he hadn't realized the blond saw him, "Yeah, because there were no steps to memorize," Troy said, recovering from the revelation.
"It wasn't that," the blond started the music again, "It's the reaction your body gets when it's in sync with the music," Troy felt himself get warm, maybe it was all this dancing, he thought distracted. "Start again," Ryan said, breaking Troy's thoughts.
"Troy," Ryan stepped closer to the brunet, placing his hands on either side of his hips, "You need to move your hips," Troy stiffened at the contact.
"W-whoa," Troy breathed, his heart hammering in his chest, Ryan was just too close. He stepped away from the blond, trying to rein in his shaky limbs. Ryan tilted his head in confusion, looking over to the stereo, the CD was skipping causing the song to repeat one verse over and over again. Troy thanked the stereo internally for the distraction.
"Maybe we need the other stereo," Ryan said, turning to Troy, who jumped at the attention the blond was giving him.
"I'll get it," the brunet said quickly, grabbing his book bag off the table and running towards the exit.
He was planning to ditch Ryan and run home but half way down the hall he realized how stupid he was being and headed for the music room.
As he walked briskly down the hall, his thoughts started to jumble as he remembered how he reacted to the blond back in the auditorium.
He stepped into the music room and leaned against the door, trying to catch his breath. It's just hormones, he thought to himself, it doesn't mean anything, he thought repeatedly. He stepped away from the door, both hands on his hips as he tried to will his heart to slow its beating. He dropped his book bag and looked out the window, finally at peace. Ryan had such an affect on him and he couldn't understand why he can't control himself. Suddenly the door creaks open and he spins around.
His eyes widened as the person of his thoughts enters and walks towards him, "It turns out it was just the CD," the blond said.
"Guh," Troy backpedaled, tripping over his book bag, "heh," his breathing started to quicken.
"Troy? Are you okay?" Ryan offered his hand only to find Troy quickly trying to back away on the floor towards the door.
"I'm fine!" Troy stood up quickly, brushing his pants roughly, "I need to go."
"Go where?"
"Out there," Troy pointed to the window behind Ryan as the blond turned around Troy ran out the door.
Ryan turned back only to find the door ajar and Troy gone, "That's odd," he said to himself. Why was Troy so jumpy? He sighed, he was about to leave when something blue caught the corner of his eye. He looked down and found Troy's book bag lying on the floor forgotten. Ryan shook his head, "I guess Troy forgot you," he said to the book bag, which replied by staying flat on the floor. He picked it up and decided to give it back the next day.
x x x TBC x x x
A/N: Does anyone else notice how stealthy Troy is in both movies? Seriously, he could be a ninja or something.
Remember suggestions are welcomed and as always reviews are loved.