Chapter Eleven: Back Together

The gang was worried about Haylie's behavior after what Troy had told them.

Gabriella was especially was struck with this piece of news, so she tried to cheer her friend up by placing a piece of paper of Haylie the next day at lunch.

Kelsi and Gabriella worked on a duet for Haylie and Ryan to sing. Of course, if Haylie wanted to do a solo, she could, but Gabriella had a feeling that Haylie wanted to sing a duet with Ryan for the upcoming auditons.

Haylie looked at the piece of lyrics and sheet music that went along with it.

"What is it?" she asked Gabriella.

Gabriella and Kelsi smiled at each other.

"It's your audition. Actually, with Ryan." Kelsi replied.

Haylie handed the two pieces of paper back to them.

"No, guys, I'm sorry...I'm not auditioning, and I'm certainly not-"

"What? Tell me I'm not hearing what I think I'm hearing!"

Gabriella and Kelsi smiled, while Haylie looked up.

Looking down at her was Ryan, and he was smiling.

"Ryan!" Haylie said.

Ryan sat down, to Haylie's amazement, and looked at Kelsi and Gabriella.

"I heard you got a duet for me and Haylie to sing?" he asked them.

Kelsi smiled, and handed it over to him.

"Of course! Me and Gabriella worked on it, so really it's both of ours." Kelsi commented.

Ryan looked at it, and muttered, "Your The Music In Me."

Haylie had many questions that were running through her head:

Why is Ryan here?

Where was Sharpay?

Why was he interested in doing the musical, when she just said she wasn't?

She smiled, and tapped Ryan on the shoulder.

"Can I see you for a moment?" she asked.

Ryan nodded, and left the papers on the table.

"What's wrong?" he asked when they came out of the hallway.

"Nothing's wrong." Haylie commented.

"Oh...well, what was it you wanted to tell me?" he asked.

"First of all, why are you at my table? Shouldn't you be with Sharpay?" Haylie asked.

"Me and Sharpay had a fight...she told me I couldn't hang out with you anymore." Ryan told her.

Haylie's eyes went into bug-eyed mode.

"What? How could she have-" Haylie was broken off by Ryan's hand.

"I told her I went to the basketball game with you, and that's how she knows." he explained.

"Oh..." Haylie said.

"But, we got bigger problems to worry about. Apparently, since I'm not her partner anymore, Sharpay's out looking for a new one." Ryan replied.

"Who could she want, though? Your her brother, and I thought you guys stuck together!" Haylie stated.

"Not anymore." Ryan said.

Haylie shook her head.

"Who do you think she would want?" Haylie asked.

"Knowing her, it'd be Troy. She had her eye on him for a long time, and she's furious because Gabriella and him are dating." Ryan explained.

"We have to tell Gabriella." Haylie replied.

As she was about to enter the lunchroom, Ryan grabbed her arm.

"No, we can't. It will get around, trust me." Ryan stated as he let go of her arm.

"But, we have to do something!" Haylie said.

"I know, but what can we do? It'd be better if Gabriella and Troy handle this one. For now, let's just worry about the musical, okay?" Ryan asked.

Haylie was still unconvinced.

Gabriella was one of her friends. Haylie wanted to help out Gabriella because Gabriella was her first and best friend since moving to New Mexico.

"Oh, okay...but, if things start to happen, that's when I want to do something." Haylie commented.

"You got it." Ryan replied, as they headed back into the lunchroom together.