I allow my gaze to linger into Nadine's deep green pools for a few moments longer. Eventually, I tear myself away, breaking the stare, the contact...The spell. I turn and dart back into the building, blocking out everything else going on around me. I duck into the gent's and lock myself in the stool nearest to me.

"Stupid," I say aloud to myself, in a hushed tone. "You stupid, stupid boy!" I add, my voice gradually rising, becoming a shout. Thank God there's no one else in here. I just can't really believe what happened out there, though.

"But it felt...okay?" I voice my thoughts, feeling sick from the guilt that comes with it, after I admit it to myself. It was more than okay. What does it mean, though? I know it was all really weird with Nadine, even though I think I like the way that we both seem to be so familiar with each other. But we only met yesterday...I feel so lost and confused. And what would Kelsi say if she knew I'd hung around with Nadine?

"I hate this," I remark through my hands that are now covering my face. My cell phone beeps and I let out a groan, taking it out of my pocket.

'where r u? uve bin ages :s xx", I read silently, immediately realising it's from Kelsi.

'2 secs. i went 4 a walk,' I text back, quickly tapping the buttons, lying. I seem to be doing that a lot lately. I can't help it, though. Every time I tell a lie, it tears me up inside, but I don't know what else I can do. It's not like I can just go and say, 'Hi Kels, you know when I went out and said I needed some fresh air? Well, I saw Nadine, and things got pretty intense between us'. I might not know that much about girls and relationships, but I do know that I would be totally dead if I said that! Which is kind of hard to imagine because Kelsi is so sweet and caring.

"I hate myself," I unlock my stall and kick the cheap door open, for once, having next to no respect for the school and its property. 'What is wrong with me?!', I demand inwardly, angrily opening the main door, rampaging down the hallway, and back toward the auditorium. I slap a few lockers on my way to calm myself down. I don't want to give Kelsi any clues that something is up.

"Hey!" I embrace Kelsi when I get into the auditorium, tenderly kissing her soft cheek. I hold her close to me, even lifting her off the ground a little. When I release her after some time, she blushes bright red, toying with her hair.

"Erm...R-Ryan, what was...that for?" she stammers, her gaze alternating from me, to the floor, and back to me again.

"Do I have to have a reason?" I laugh. "I kind of felt bad for you getting dragged into all of this Sharpay business, too." Well, at least it's kind of true, not an out-and-out lie...for once.

"It's okay," she insists, a smile twitching at the corners of her full lips. "Although...I did enjoy that." She brings her lips to mine again, and holds onto me once more. Nadine escapes my mind, and it reassures me. It will be okay; I don't know what I was worrying over, now.

"Hey," an idea strikes me when we break apart for air. "My folks are having a dance at the country club next Friday. How about you come with me?" I try not to sound so carefree and as if this is an everyday occurrence, even though it feels like it sometimes. I truly would love Kelsi to come, it would help me keep my mind on her, the play...what I need to stay focused on. And I don't want Mom to pick people to accompany me to one of their dances. There's never any kind of connection, and I don't know what to say to them. It feels so awkward and unnatural.

"Okay..." she replies uncertainly. My eyes mist in confusion.

"What?"

"No, it's nothing. I just...I don't really know anything about your parents, your family, I mean. The dance, that kind of feels foreign to me. I don't quite know what to do, what to say to your parents if they speak to me, nothing."

"Okay. Well, Mom will speak to you, but as long as you're polite, she'll love you. Remember to laugh at my dad's jokes, and just stick with me, and it'll be fine," I list simply. "To be honest, I never really do much at these things. I don't even know the guests, most of the time!" I admit, with a chuckle. "Oh yeah, and ignore anything my mom or dad may say about me. Just go along with it at the time." Kelsi giggles to herself, and I can see she's trying to think about what my parents might say. I'll just have a word with Mom when I get home today. This is important. To me, anyway.

"I'm not really that great a dancer. Not like...Gabriella, or Sharpay, or anyone like that."

"Doesn't matter. I still want you to come. So...will you?"

"Yes. I'd love to."

"Great," I grin, gently playing with her locks of hair that fall around her shoulders. "Maybe we can shop together and get new outfits for it. We don't want to clash, now, do we?" I inwardly cringe at how much I sound like Sharpay there, and that I'm bragging about money. Kelsi doesn't seem to notice - if she does, she doesn't show it.

"That sounds great," she agrees, confirming it by placing a hand on the back of my neck, pulling me toward her, and giving me a peck on the lips.