Disclaimer: I don't own HSM.

Chapter 9: Fight for love

Gabriella walked into the cafeteria, searching for a place to sit. Ryan walked in the opposite direction, nearly colliding with her. "Sorry," he mumbled. They both tried to step out of the other's way, just getting in the way again. Finally, they both stepped to their left and walked past each other.

"Ryan!" Sharpay's voice filled the music room as Ryan messed up again.

"Sorry, Sis," he replied quietly.

"You know what?" She snapped. "Forget it. I'm done with rehearsal for today." She grabbed her backpack and stomped from the room.

Kelsi looked at Ryan who sat on the ground, his mind racing. "What's got you down?" She asked.

He looked up at her, his eyes telling her a story. "I just can't get her off of my mind."

Sharpay stormed into the cafeteria and went up to Troy. "Okay, now it's reaching panic level," she said.

"What is?" He asked, clueless.

"Ryan's misery. He's totally messing up. He's not even trying."

"What do you want me to do about it?"

"Talk to Gabriella."

"I've tried that already. She's too stubborn to listen to me."

"Make her listen! Get her to talk to Ryan."

Troy opened his mouth to speak but Sharpay said, "Don't you dare say that she's tried because I know she has. Ryan was upset before. Maybe he'll listen now."

"I'll talk to her but I can't guarantee that she'll listen."

"Just get her to talk to my brother!" Sharpay demanded.

Kelsi slid to the floor by Ryan, a hand resting on his shoulder. "Maybe that's because you don't want to get her off your mind."

"But it hurts," Ryan muttered. "Just thinking of her hurts."

"Why?" She asked. "You love her, it shouldn't hurt."

"That's why it hurts. Because I love her."

Troy found Gabriella sitting alone in the drama room. "Hey Gabby," he said, sliding into an empty chair.

"What do you want?" She snapped.

"I want you to talk to Ryan."

She shot him a confused but angry look. "Why? You broke us up. Why should you want us to get back together?"

"Sharpay says that Ryan's miserable. He misses you."

"He won't talk to me. It doesn't matter that he misses me."

"Maybe he will now."

"I doubt it. He was really hurt by what I did. He wouldn't listen."

"You'll never know if you don't try."

"Why do you care?"

"You're my friend. And I want you to be happy. Go talk to him."

Kelsi locked Ryan in a hug. "Love stinks, doesn't it?" She asked. "Okay, so I wouldn't know personally since Jason and I are doing okay but I can just tell."

"I just still don't get how someone can be kissed and not feel anything. Especially when it's from their ex."

"She didn't feel anything because she doesn't love him. She loves you."

"Does that really matter? Can love triumph actual physical attention?"

"Of course. The power of love can defeat anything."

"I just don't know."

"You want proof."

"I do."

"Then close your eyes."

"What?" He asked.

"Just do it."

He closed his eyes which shot open when he felt Kelsi's lips against his.

She pulled away from him, smiling. "Did you feel anything?"

He shook his head. "Not a thing." He gave her a hug. "Thank you, Kels."

"What else are friends for?"

There was a loud clash as the piano keys were hit angrily by Gabriella.

Ryan shot up from the floor. "Gabby, this isn't what it looks like."

"Oh really?" She cried, tears welling in her eyes. "So you weren't just kissing Kelsi?"

Kelsi stood too. "Gabriella, we can explain."

"What about you, Kels?" Gabriella continued. "Are there problems between you and Jason?"

"No!"

"Then how could you do this?" She turned around, storming from the room.

AN: It just gets more complicated. Anyways, please R&R!