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The Problem with Ryan

Chapter 5: Treading the waters.

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As Troy walked into school, he held the straps of his book bag on his back tightly, his thumb dragging across the material, as he went to his locker. He still felt a little groggy but he was well enough to go back to school, unfortunately.

He looked around and saw no sign of Ryan or Sharpay, although, it was early morning, so he couldn't be relieved yet. He stuffed his books into his locker and proceeded to take out his notebook for History.

Meanwhile on the other end of the hall, Sharpay was fixing her hair in the mirror inside her locker, tittering with the same section of her hair repeatedly as Ryan zoned out beside her locker, staring just ahead.

…footloose...cut footloose…If you'd only cut loose….

"RYAN!" Sharpay yelled, she was turned to him, her cheeks pink, from applied blush or anger, Ryan wasn't so sure, "I was telling you something!"

"What?" he replied calmly, he was used to her outbursts; he waited for her to calm down.

"I have a plan to get Troy," she said, her smile turned into a smirk. Ryan sighed, not this again.

"Well, good luck," he said, as he walked past her to class.

He learned the best way to deal with his sister was to just walk away from her. She tended to not realize that he was not her lap dog. He sighed again as he entered his History class, he sat in his usual seat in the second row, taking out his notebook and—

"RYAN!" He turned to find an agitated Sharpay at the threshold of the classroom door. The few students that were in class early turned to face her. She didn't seem to mind, "Are you out of your mind?" she said when she sat down next to him, angry to be having this conversation with the one person that was supposed to always be on her side, always, no matter what.

"No," he replied tired, which seemed to irritate her even more. Ryan had thought his sister was over Troy and now he just thought she was doing this out of pure tradition. He sighed again, looking at her bored.

She narrowed her eyes, "I don't like this passive aggression, Ryan, it's very unattractive," she opened her notebook and wrote the date, then turned to him, expectantly.

They stared at each other for a moment.

"What?" Ryan asked, "I have something on my face?"

Sharpay's lips thinned, "My water?" she put her hand out.

Ryan raised an eyebrow in question, "What water?"

The blonde girl glared at him, "The water I asked you to start bringing me for my throat," she said annoyed.

"Oh," he said, as if he remembered her telling him that, "I must have," he looked down at his bag, realizing he hadn't placed it there, he smiled sheepishly, "Left it at home?"

The blonde girl sighed irritably, "Can't you do anything right?" she turned to her notebook, annoyed and obviously bothered.

Ryan looked down…that hurt…he doodled mindlessly on the edge of his notebook, trying to take away his focus on what his sister said. I know she means well, but sometimes…

He wondered.

As Troy walked into class his eyes landed on the blond, he noticed he looked a little down, his hat creating a shadow over his eyes. He wondered about the blond, Gabriella told him Ryan was gay but at the time he didn't think much of it, it just left a funny feeling in his belly. Now he knows what that feeling was and what it is right now. He wondered if the blond had a boyfriend, well, it's not like Troy is going to ask him out or anything like that, it is just curiosity.

He sat at his desk, and he glanced at the blond again. Ryan looked sad. He didn't like that look on the blond, shoulders slightly slumped, almost forced, as if he didn't want anyone aware of his feelings. Suddenly Troy wanted to make the blond smile, he had urge to make him happy.

He bit his lip as his thoughts drifted away from him, he imagined kissing Ryan. How would he respond to me? Would he let me hold him close? Would he let me touch him?

Blood rushed down through his body, making him shift in his seat awkwardly, what am I thinking? He thought shocked. Do I really want to…? Am I like that?

Troy didn't have time to consider his internal questions, class had begun.

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Ryan walked beside his sister, as he often has. Ever since he was little he could remember walking near her, she had a habit of never walking alone and he thought suddenly that it must be a phobia, a fear of walking by ones self. He couldn't think of the specific name, though. He sighed as he realized his sister was ranting about something but he couldn't bring himself to listen.

Thoughts kept drifting inside his brain and kept interrupting Sharpay's words. He thought of this summer, he thought of his life, and he couldn't for the life of him remember a time when he felt he could safely say she cared about him. And he's had moments of care, moments of little signs of love, but what did it amount to? Him following her around or her dragging him, it's not like he cares either way.

But what scared him was the moment where he felt betrayed. And he was the type of person to always remember, he never liked the uncertainty of things. And his sister has always been his solid foundation, someone he could depend on. But now, he felt off, this summer has completely thrown him off.

Can I trust her...? What kind of question was that…Can I trust my own sister?

I've always trusted her. He thought firmly. Why would I even think..?

"And ten O'clock I need you to drive me from the spa because you know what steering does to my nails," she finished.

Ryan looked at her blankly, realizing they reached her locker already, maybe I should have paid attention, he thought idly.

"On Saturday," he said slowly, guessing the day she mentioned.

"Yes," she said, annoyed at repeating herself, "Saturday, Ryan, it's not that hard of a concept to get," she rolled her eyes, "You think you can handle remembering that?"

Ryan's lips thinned, "I'll manage," he looked just beyond the crowd of students and found himself staring straight at Troy, he averted his gaze. That was odd.

He hadn't forgotten that awful encounter with Troy at his house, he should just give Sharpay his stuff next time, but he felt even he himself was better than dealing with Sharpay, no matter how annoying he can be. He sighed, maybe I need to just stay in my dance studio all day at least there it's safe.

"I don't know if lilac is pushing it, maybe I should go with lavender," his sister talked on, seemingly unaware of her brother's lack of attention.

Ryan had no clue what she was talking about but he felt it was safe to just pretend he's been listening the whole time and pick up on what she may have been talking about for the last few minutes.

He walked her to her next class. Then he went to his own.

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Troy heard laughing as he entered his next class a little early, two bubbly and light laughs mixed together. He couldn't place their owners until he was faced with Gabriella and Ryan in the back of their English class, looking at what seemed to him as a script.

He felt like an intruder suddenly, watching Ryan's eyes light up with mirth, his chin high and hat to the side. His smile was bright and beautiful, he seemed to be so happy. And it bothered Troy that it was with Gabriella, he couldn't shake the feeling even though he knew it was wrong.

"She's good," Gabriella said, "I can't believe she wrote this," she laughed, "It's s-so funny!"

"Hey guys," Troy walked up to them, a bit awkward, he stood by their desks, as they sobered up.

"Hey Troy," Gabriella' chirped, "You have to read this!" She handed him the script, "It's Kelsi's addition to the musical, it's too good," she smiled.

Ryan smiled at him as well, he seemed a little shyer than before, "Hi Troy," he said, looking up at the brunet. He was still insecure from his abrupt leave from Troy's house.

Troy felt his heart swell, hammering faster than a minute before, "Hi," he said as well, his throat dry as he swallowed thickly. His eyes dropped to the script Gabriella handed to him, his eyes scanned the page.

Music starts and actors start to sing

Laura: I know you think you're great but I know I'm better.

Smith: Well, I know you think you're better but thoughts don't always speak true, sometimes your thoughts get away with you.

Troy's lips quirked up, he could hear Sharpay singing Laura's part well. As for himself, he couldn't imagine telling Sharpay off. He knew he got the role of Smith but so far all he had were parts with Gabriella and one with Ryan.

Professor Laura steps in front of Professor Smith, blocking the exit.

Smith: I don't mean to be rude—

Laura: You will listen to me!

Smith: I don't mean to presume—

Laura: You will learn from me!

Laura and Smith dance for dominance

Smith: You will see life is not always what you perceive, you will learn it is not what you think that defines, you will know it later and you will think of me.

Laura: No, you will be the one to learn and I will be the one that will teach and you will then remember me!

Smith and Laura: You will see!

Troy looked up suddenly, class was beginning so he sat down in front of Gabriella, handing her the play, "It's good, but do you really think Sharpay will go for it," he smiled.

Ryan laughed, "She'll love it" he looked at Troy, smiling. Troy's eyes locked with his and suddenly the brunet looked away. Ryan became quiet.

Gabriella didn't notice, however, "Oh, yeah she'll love a dance scene with you, Troy," she winked. Suddenly, Troy felt dread. He hadn't considered the actual practice time he'd have to spend with the girl bent on dating him.

As their English teacher began lecture, his thoughts went straight to Ryan. And suddenly he realized this problem was not going to resolve itself. And he really didn't know what to do.

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A/N: Sorry for the delay!! But I just really needed to focus on school. So, don't worry, now that it's winter break I'll be working more on both stories way more! Oh and I know the part of the play Troy reads is not in play format but for some reason the brackets wouldn't work. And thanks for the reviews guys!