Chapter Twelve: The Piano Lesson

"Haylie?" Ryan called out.

He was in the music room, looking around for Haylie or Kelsi.

But, he didn't see them.

Kelsi told the both of them that she'll be in the music room at three o' clock this afternoon to pratice, but he didn't see them.

Ryan looked at the clock on the wall, and he realized it wasn't even three o' clock yet.

School just got out a few minutes ago, but Ryan was still excited.

"Boo!" someone said, and Ryan jumped.

He twirled around to find Haylie standing behind him.

"Haylie!" he yelped, and Haylie giggled.

"Hey. Kelsi told me she's running abit late, so were here by ourselves until she comes." Haylie replied.

Ryan nodded.

"Okay."

"Does Sharpay know your doing this?" Haylie asked.

Ryan told Sharpay that after school, he had to do something for history, so she left without a glance, and with the car too.

So much for his ride back home.

"I kind of lied to her, but she doesn't know." Ryan stated.

Haylie frowned as she sat on the piano beach.

"Why didn't you tell her the truth, Ryan, instead of lying?" she asked.

"Haylie, she dislikes you, and already hates me for hanging out with you. How could I have told her the truth?" he asked as he sat next to her.

"It's better than lying to her, Ryan. Sharpay's still your sister." Haylie pointed out.

"I know, but...it's hard telling the truth to someone like Sharpay. She can't handle the truth." Ryan stated as he leaned his brown fedora brim to cover his eyes.

Haylie smiled as she tipped the hat, and competely swiped it off his head.

"Telling the truth isn't easy, but it's good once you get it off your chest, Ryan."

Ryan returned her smile, and snatched his hat back from her hands.

"Maybe, but I hung around with Sharpay all the time, so telling the truth was outlawed. Telling lies were in."

Haylie sighed, and twirled around so she was facing the piano, and struck a few notes.

Ryan realized what she was playing:

Breaking Free, written by Kelsi, her first compose.

"How...do you know that? Everyone who goes to this school knows it, but new students shouldn't!" Ryan said, in awe.

Haylie smiled as she stopped playing.

"I took a peek at it when Kelsi was showing me her pieces from past years that didn't make it. Her music was pretty good." Haylie explained, as she turned around to finish what she was playing.

The familiar melody filled the room as Ryan watched her, her fingers swaying from key to key.

When she was done, Ryan clapped loudly.

"That was amazing! How did you learn to play like that?" he asked.

"My mother was a piano teacher when me and my sister were growing up. We were her students sometimes, so we got to play some pieces that her regular students got to play. I thought it was fun." Haylie explained.

Ryan nodded.

"I never learned how to play an instrument because Sharpay said they were nerdy."

"Did you always listen to what Sharpay told you?" Haylie asked.

Ryan looked at her sheepishly.

"Maybe..."

Haylie sighed, and rolled her eyes playfully.

"Okay. I'm going to give you a quick piano lesson. Right here, right now."

Ryan looked startled as he looked at the door.

Haylie noticed this, and smiled.

"Troy and his buddies aren't going to see you, Ryan. And they won't make fun of you while I'm here."

Ryan smiled as he turned around to face the piano that was used for plays and school functions.

Haylie played a piece that Ryan was familiar with, and looked at him.

"Do you know that?" she asked.

Of course he did.

It was Silent Night, a favorite his parents liked to play on the CD player during Christmas.

"Yeah, of course." Ryan replied, placing his fingers on the piano keyes.

"Alright. Play excately how I showed you." Haylie said, sitting back with her hands folded in her lap.

Being watched under Haylie's eye made Ryan nervous.

It was like being watched by Sharpay.

He noticed his hands were shaking, and Haylie noticed that too.

"Ryan...are you okay?" she asked.

"Of course...I'm just nervous." Ryan told her as he started to play.

Music filled the air when Ryan began to play.

The music brought back memories to when Ryan was younger. His parents weren't always busy, and Sharpay still wasn't the evil mountain lion that she was known for today. There was a pang of sadness that tugged at Ryan's heart as he contuined playing.

Suddenly, he felt something heavy on his shoulder, and he smiled when he found out it was Haylie, her hair of curls streaming down his shoulder like a waterfall. Her eyes were closed, and it looked like she was sleeping.

She's cute when she's sleeping...Ryan thought as he played.

Haylie's eyes fluttered open, and Ryan was disappointed that the moment was over.

"I must have fallen asleep...my mom did say that Silent Night had that affect on me...good job, Ryan." Haylie stated, lifting her head from his shoulder.

"Yeah. Me too." Ryan said.

The door swung open then, and Kelsi was standing there.

"Sorry, guys. Ms. Darbus wanted to see me about the musical..."

Ryan was upset that the moment with Haylie was gone, but he was also glad for the distraction.

He just wished the moments were longer.