I sat in my car thinking. I have been parked outside Ryan's house for almost 10 minutes. It was now 12:14 pm. I keep telling myself to go in. What's the worst that could happen? I slowly collect my belongings and get out of my car. I walk slowly up the front of the house. Each step I took I got more and more nervous. I got to the front door and as I was about to ring the doorbell the door opened revealing a very agitated looking Sharpay.
"I saw you sitting in your car for like ever." She said. I didn't know what to say. "Well come on. Ryan's waiting for you upstairs."
"Upstairs?" I asked. Why upstairs? Sharpay looked at me like I was stupid.
"Yeah in the study." She led me up the stairs to the second floor. She took me to a room that had two large doors. We walked in and I was amazed. The room was full of bookcases and there was a giant table in the middle of the room. Ryan was sitting at that table. He noticed us come in and he waved. "Okay have fun" Sharpay she said sarcastically and left slamming the doors behind her. I stood at the front of the room awkwardly.
"You can come sit down." Ryan said kindly. He was wearing a light blue polo, a brown hat, and had on brown plaid shorts. This seemed okay. I walked over to the table and sat down beside Ryan. "So let's get started." He said clapping his hands together. As we worked I grew more and more comfortable with Ryan. He was kind, funny, and sweet. I was having trouble figuring out who he was trying to be though. How many Ryan's were there? After a couple hours we were sitting in silence and he started singing a familiar tune quietly to himself.
It's hard to believe That I couldn't seeYou were always there beside me
I looked at him curiously. I don't even think he knew he was singing.
Thought I was aloneWith no one to hold
But you were always right beside me
His voice was so clear and perfect. As much as it killed me to say this, Ryan was a better singer than Troy and he should have gotten the lead in the musical. Without knowing it I cleared my throat and Ryan looked up and stopped singing. He flushed when he realized he had been singing.
"Sorry," He laughed nervously. I smiled.
"No, it's fine. You have a really nice voice." I could see his face go red, which made my face go red. This was the Ryan I liked. I felt so comfortable around him. I was scared that he would go away. I prayed that he wouldn't.
"Thanks, you have a really nice voice too. I'm glad you got the role in the musical" he said and grinned. I had never been happier to hang around with Ryan. I took out a bottle of water from my bag and as I opened it because I'm such a klutz I spilt some of it on my self.
"Ah!" I laughed as I attempted to wipe some of the water off. I looked over at Ryan and he was trying not to laugh. "Haha um where's your washroom?" I asked him.
"Last door on the right down the hall." He laughed. I quickly got up and rushed out of the room. I walked to the end of the hall and opened the door on the right. I couldn't see anything so I searched the wall for a light switch. I found one and flicked it on. I looked around the room. This was not the washroom. This was a bedroom and from the looks of the music posters on the walls and the wall of hats this must be Ryan's room. I glanced around nervously.
"Oops… I meant last door on the left." I heard Ryan's voice from behind me. Part of me was terrified and part of me was in awe. It still amazed me how quickly he could change. I slowly turned around to face him. He had taken off his hat and was leaning against the doorframe. He started to move closer to me. I backed up until I was right in the middle of his room. "Do you like it?" He asked.
"Um yeah I- I guess" I choked out. He smiled. I was starting to love it when he smiled no matter what the situation. Suddenly he grabbed my waist and brought me closer to him. This was going to be a repeat of the other day. "Ryan let go." I said as calmly as I could.
"You don't want me to." He stated. He was right. In his arms is exactly where I wanted to be but at that moment, Troy's face popped into my mind.
"Ryan I have a boyfriend," I said trying to pull away from his grasp but he wouldn't budge. I was getting more scared. Ryan could see it in my eyes. He let go of my waist and walked to his bed and sat down. I was so confused. What was with him? "Ryan?"
"Just get out." He said quietly. What the hell?
"Why do you keep doing this, Ryan?!" I shouted at him hoping no one would hear me. He seemed to know what I was thinking.
"No one's home. Don't worry they won't hear you." He put his head in his hands. I sighed and walked over to the bed and sat beside him. "I'm sorry. I don't know what I'm doing. I just… I change sometimes and I can't help it." He said sadly. I was more than confused now.
"It's okay, Ryan. You didn't hurt me or anything." I tried to assure him it would be okay. "And… You were right… I do want to be here." He looked up at me and smiled. There was that smile again. "But… I you know I'm with Troy." And all of a sudden he jumped off the bed and walked angrily to the other side of the room.
"Troy BOLTON." He snarled. "Mr.Perfect at everything. He gets the friends, the grades, the sports, the popularity, MY musical, and now the girl." I could feel tears forming in my eyes but I wasn't sure if it was because I felt sorry for Ryan or if it was because I was frightened of him. Suddenly he stopped and slammed the wall with his fist. He turned towards me and I could see the fear on his own face. "SEE, Gabriella! I don't know where that came from. I just… I just get angry and cocky and I hate myself for it." He fell to the floor and started crying. I slowly made my way towards him. I placed my hand on his cheek. It was cool and smooth.
"Don't worry, Ryan. We'll work this out, okay?" I said softly. He gazed into my eyes and slowly he bent his head towards mine. I felt our lips touch softly and only for a moment. I pulled back. How could I feel this way about Ryan but still love Troy? I looked into Ryan's sad face and I knew he needed me. I helped him up and brought him over to the bed. "I think you should maybe get some rest, Ryan," I said. He nodded and lay his head down on his pillow." I'm going to go now, okay?" he nodded. "I'll see you tomorrow." I kissed the top of his head softly.
" Thank you Gabi and I'm sorry," He whispered. I nodded and left the room. I went and retrieved my things and left the house. I don't know what was happening to Ryan but I knew that he needed someone to work this out with and that person would be me. Even if I had to sacrifice some of my own needs I would help him.
