I awake the next morning. How I got myself into my bed I'll never know. Suddenly there's a squeak behind me and I quickly turn to find Ryan in my dresser. I get over the shock of having him in my room and smile. "Morning!" I exclaim with a stretch and long sigh. "What time is it?"

He looks at his watch and responds, "5:45. We've got an hour still before you need to get up. Go back to sleep." He's such a mother too me. Is that weird? It's almost incestuous, isn't it?

"What?! 5:45? I have 15 minutes to deliver my papers! How could you let me sleep?" I'm running around the room, attempting to get dressed at the same time. I trip over the leg of my jeans and fall directly in front of him.

"Dude, relax! I called the Gazette last night and told them I was picking up the papers from your house and doing the route for you. They gave me a list with all the houses on it and I got it done about an hour ago." He was stroking my back and almost massaging my shoulders as well. I don't know what I'll do if I ever lose his touch. Upon realization that I'm no longer royally screwed, I collapse onto the carpet and noticeably relax every muscle in my body. Well, not every muscle. He is still touching me after all.

He sits from the crouching position that he'd previously held. I lean up and he's smiling. Not a wide toothy grin but a genuine I'm-glad-you're-feeling-better grin. I begin to undress again and head into the bathroom. After showering, I notice that Ry hasn't moved yet. He's still sitting there but he's staring at my discarded underpants. How could I be so stupid as to disrobe in front of him? He looked seriously freaked. I clear my throat and it breaks him from his trance. He looks into my eyes like I had caught him with his hand in his pants but I give him a huge you're-such-a-0dork-sometimes grin and he relaxes.

"I promise I'm not a slob. I'll get those picked up after I have clothes on." I declare trying to lessen the tension. It works.

"I'll wait downstairs. Maybe we can walk to school today, considering we have the time." He suggests from the doorway. I nod in response.

HSM – SY HSY – SY TRYAN HSM – SY HSM – SY

We reach the far end of the student parking lot when Eddie pulls up to his normal spot. Chris is already waiting for him. As soon as the former stands outside of the car door, the latter wraps his arms enthusiastically around his boyfriend's waist and they kiss longingly. They turn to walk into the school, hand in hand.

I look at Ry and say, "I don't care who you are. Gay or straight, that was hot."

His eyes go wide and his cheeks drop. He recovers and replies, "I want to want some guy that badly. That's a true display of affection. To wait for him to show up, just to declare his love again. That's what makes it hot." He looks longingly at the entrance that has since swallowed the party in question.

"I knew you were a romantic, Ry. But seriously, could you be any gayer?" I chuckle, attempting to cheer him up, but he gives me a dejected look and starts to walk away. Oh shit. What have I done? "Wait, Ryan! That didn't come out the right way!"

He turns sharply and speaks with an edge to his voice that is completely foreign to me. "And how, Mr. Golden-Boy, was I supposed to take that statement? Please enlighten me. I will enjoy watching you dig your own grave." I have now seen Ryan pissed. It honestly scares me more than I've ever felt. That includes when I think of coming out to my dad.

"What I meant to say was, 'That was so stereotypically a gay comment that if I didn't already know that you were attracted to guys, we'd be spending the final 45 minutes before homeroom discussing your sexuality in an open and caring fashion.'" He smiles and silently tells me to catch up. "I'm guessing you liked the second comment better?" I half-ask.

He rolls his eyes and responds, "Je pense qu'oui." Of course, my heart skips a beat and I swear that he notices.

We enter the school and head to my locker. I switch the books in my messenger bag for the ones in my locker. I never thought of having such a satchel slung across my chest, but it was a birthday present from Ryan. Therefore I love it. He leads me to the auditorium. We always hang out there before school.

"Troy," he starts. "May I borrow your bag? I need to pop my back." I gladly give of my most wonderful present and watch intently. "My chiropractor says I need to learn how to carry my weight differently." He lays flatly on the stage and places the bag behind the small of his back and leans backward. I hear a sickening pop and he sits up. I take my bag and throw it onto a seat. "Thanks." He mentions. I respond with a smile.

He leans back again, using his bag as a pillow. Unconsciously, I lean back as well and rest my head on his right shoulder. He softly snorts. "You know, if someone were to walk in right now, this would look rather damning." He smiles.

"I really don't care. We share this unspoken intimacy between us that just seems so right. I don't care what anyone else thinks." I roll onto my side so I can see his face.

"I never thought of it like that, but I agree." With those words, I nuzzle into his neck and he shifts to accommodate me.

"Hmm. You smell good, Ry." It was the truth. His natural scent was very inviting.

He laughs heartily. "Okay. Now that was gay." I join in his reverie. Sadly, the bell rings and we go to homeroom. "I'll meet you here before try-outs after school. Is that okay?" I nod in accordance. I try to read his intentions. Was he mothering me again, or was he afraid to walk in alone? I was comfortable with either situation.

I suddenly chuckle to myself. I imagined Ry and I romancing together and mutter to myself, "Troy Bolton: Actor, Athlete, and MILF!" Oh it's going to be a long day. The thought of Ryan in a singlet gets me through, though.