It was another sunny morning at East High. Ryan Evans was making his way down the school's hallway, dressed in a white and periwinkle blue button-up shirt, periwinkle pants, and matching blue hat, when his eyes laid on the sight of Gabriella Montez grabbing a book from her locker. Suddenly, she looked up, smiled and waved at him. He returned the smile, but it was quickly faded as he watched Troy Bolton walk up to Gabriella. They exchanged words he didn't hear and it ended in Troy walking her to class. The very sight of Gabriella with Troy made his stomach churn in jealously. But, he pressed on, heading to homeroom.
Afterschool, Ryan stayed behind, practicing a song on the piano in the music room. He usually came there to clear his head or if something was troubling him. And something was definitely troubling him after seeing Troy and Gabriella.
His thoughts were broken by the sound of footsteps behind him. He turned around quickly, finding the very girl that was always on his mind.
"Hey Gabriella. What brings you here?"
"I don't know. I just felt like coming here I guess, knowing I'd find you."
"why would you want to find me?"
"Because. You're like my best friend Ryan. I love being with you. But if I'm interrupting"
"No, no! You're not. In fact, I'd love for your opinion on this new song I wrote. Will you listen to it?"
"I'd love to."
They seated themselves side by side on the piano as Ryan began to play a slow melody and sang from the sheet of paper in front of him.
Maybe I've convinced myself
I've really been in love
And I've been wrong, all along
For all I know, the feeling and the picture
That I've tried so hard to find
Isn't mine
Could be just a waiting game
Want to share my everything
And on my own
It's hard to tell my heart it'll be alright
This love it holds
Will one day find a home
As hard as love can be
It's harder still it seems
To be a lover all alone, without love
Picking up the pieces makes me wonder if
I only build it all
To watch it fall
The faster it can go means the less of me is gone to stay
And I'm okay
But lonesome tomorrow comes anyway
I'm alone for another day, another day
And on my own
It's hard to tell my heart it'll be alright
This love it holds
Will one day find a home
As hard as love can be
It's harder still it seems
To be a lover all alone, without love
And on my own
It's harder to tell my heart it'll be alright
This love it holds
Will one day find a home
As hard as love can be
It's harder still it seems
To be a lover all alone, without love
Maybe I've convinced myself
I've really been in love
But I've been wrong, all along
When Ryan's hands left the piano keys, he turned towards Gabriella seeking her opinion. But she just sat there, emotional eyes staring into his soul.
"Ryan, that was, that was. It was so beautiful."
"Really?"
"Yes. It was so passionate and meaningful. It was so different from the normal songs you sing."
"You mean the songs Sharpay chooses for me to sing."
"Right. Well, this was something very different. And I loved it."
They sat there, he wasn't sure how long for, not that he cared. He loved to be with Gabriella this way, bearing his heart and soul to her.
Just then, she looked down at her watch and gasped.
"I should really get going. But thank you for sharing your song with me Ryan. It meant a lot to me."
"Thank you for listening."
"Anytime. Bye."
"Bye."
She smiled over to him shyly before exiting through the door. And Ryan simply smiled.