Gabriella knows that Ryan likes Rachael. What will she do to put these to together? Read and Review!!!

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Sudden Realization

Tuesday Morning, October 17th, Homeroom 7:59

Still furious and wondering how Gabriella found out, Rachael was a little cranky in homeroom.

Ryan, still hiding his feelings from Rachael, just sat there, thinking back on yesterday.

"Gabriella knows. I wonder what she'll do with this information," Ryan thought to himself.

Gabriella was chatting with Troy about the Ryan/Rachael situation.

"Do you think that it's worth it?" Troy questioned.

"Yes. Ryan helped us and we're going to help Ryan."

"Alright."

With the plan in mind, Troy got up to talk to Rachael about Ryan.

Rachael saw Troy get up and saw him start walking her way.

Upon his approach, Troy said, "Rachael, I need to talk to you."

"Yeah," she answered, excited.

"Is there any guy you have your eye on in this school?"

"Yeah, but he's kind of….unavailable." She was wondering where Troy was going with this.

Ryan saw Troy get up and start talking to Rachael. He was worried about what there conversation was about.

"Well, I know this guy. And he really likes you. And he's really close to you , too. Would you be interested?"

Rachael thought about it. Troy was already taken, so it wouldn't be him. The only other guy she talked to on a regular basis was…Ryan.

"Would you be interested?" Troy asked when he didn't receive a response.

Rachael remained silent and deep in thought. Ryan? Why didn't he say anything before?

"Rachael? Are you here?" Troy said.

"Yeah. Is it Ryan?" Rachael asked to make sure that she got the right person.

"Well, yes."

Rachael, again, slipped back into her deep thinking. Ryan. He's been her friend since they were practically in diapers. Ryan had always been there for her before they moved her and he was supportive of her, even in her little schemes.

Troy saw that she was gone again. "Do you want me to say anything to Ryan?"

"No. I'll talk to him."

"Okay." Troy headed back to his seat next to Gabriella.

Upon his arrival, Gabriella asked, "How'd it go?"

"To be honest, I don't know the answer," Troy answered.

"Well, we tried."

"Nothing left but to let fate take it's course."

Ryan, in his seat, was feeling the pressure. From what, he didn't know. But he had a feeling he knew what Rachael and Troy were talking about.

RRRIIINNNNNGGGGGGGG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Something was odd today, Ms. Darbus didn't even ask her usual "Was that a cell phone?!" question.

There had been some definite changes in the last 5 minutes of homeroom.

Lunch

Rachael was going to talk to Ryan about her feelings for him.

The truth was Rachael always kind of liked Ryan but was afraid to tell him. That's why she was always chasing guys. The guy she honestly wanted had no clue and was also considered off-limits.

"Rachael, you look occupied. What are you thinking about?" Ryan asked.

"Do you really want to know?" Rachael answered.

"Rachael, you should know by now that you can tell me anything," Ryan said reassuringly.

"Well, let's say I like this guy, not Troy, but he is kind of off-limits. How do I tell him?"

"Well, I'm kind of in the same situation. I would just go up to them and tell them how you truly feel."

"Well then, Ryan?"

"Yeah, Rachael?"

"I know how I've been obsessing over Troy for a while, but the one I'm truly in love with is… you." Rachael braced for rejection.

"Seriously?"

Rachael heard this and thought that Ryan really didn't like her. "I guess you don't really like me that way at all."

"No, Rachael. I've been hiding my feelings for like, ever. But I was afraid to tell you because I didn't want to ruin our friendship."

"Me, too!"

"Wow. We've both been hiding our feelings for no reason. Well, do you want to head out somewhere this afternoon, after musical practice?"

"That'd be nice, yeah."

They both finished their lunches in silence, but they both knew what the other one was thinking.