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Kelsi and Ryan were partaking in the most awkward walk known to man. It would have been rude for Kelsi to not follow Ryan back to the stage, especially when he had come looking for her. And after all, they did have a tentative truce. There was only one possible thing the tiny composer could do to help loosen the present tension...small talk.
"So...um...how's Sharpay?" Kelsi asked, wincing over her awkward tone.
Ryan seriously thought the tension between him and Kelsi could be cut with a knife...an extremely sharp knife. True, they had come to a mutual understanding concerning their relationship, or lack thereof, but apparently that did nothing to lesson the tension present. Ryan remembered how it used to be...so easy. Neither of them even had to think before they spoke. There was such complete comfort and understanding that no filter was necessary and every topic was okay. Ryan immediately saw that his last thought was not at all true. If it had been, Kelsi never would have felt the need to leave. Ryan literally shook his head, attempting to ward off his mind from going to the night Kelsi shared she had feelings that surpassed friendship. All of the sudden Ryan noticed that Kelsi had stopped walking...and was looking at him strangely.
"Ryan...are you alright? It looked like you left for a moment." Kelsi stated, concern lacing her tone.
Ryan attempted to bring himself back to the present. The past was done, there was nothing he could do to change it. There really was no use dwelling over the possibilities that regarded "what if" scenarios.
"I'm fine Kels, my mind just wandered. You had asked about Sharpay right?" Ryan said, sneaking a glance at Kelsi while resuming their walk towards the theater.
Kelsi was wearing her worried expression. The one where her big blue eyes grew in size and a tiny wrinkle of concentration formed right between her eyebrows. Ryan loved that expression, he had always found it to be one of Kelsi's most endearing traits. Without her even verbalizing her thoughts, the person she was conversing with could always tell when she was concerned for them. Ryan felt his heart jump with the realization that Kelsi was possibly worried about him. And with that discovery, came the instant need to put the tiny composer's mind at ease.
"Of course you asked about Sharpay. My sister is....still my sister. She's doing great though. She is in New York, working the Broadway circuit. She and Zeke are still together." Ryan found as he continued to talk, the tension that had previously been present started to lesson...naturally.
Kelsi quickly became somewhat wrapped up in hearing about her old East High friends that she hadn't stayed in contact with.
"That's great. God, I miss Zeke. What has he been up to? Besides being thrilled that he finally captured the Ice Queen." Kelsi gasped over her last comment pertaining to Sharpay. She hadn't meant to refer to Ryan's twin that way. She had just become so comfortable with the short session of reminiscing. There was a time Kelsi wouldn't have worried about offending Ryan with such a comment, but things had changed...they had changed. She no longer knew what consisted of being an okay comment compared to one that was offensive.
Ryan couldn't help but laugh at Kelsi's slip-up.
"It's okay Kels. While I love my sister, even I have witnessed her "Ice Queen" in full form. Her relationship with Zeke is one of the best things that has ever happened to her though. He seems to have a real calming effect. The Ice Queen has definitely thawed. There are still moments when the old Sharpay comes out, but for the most part I think you'd be pretty surprised at who my sister has become. I know I am extremely proud of who she is now." Ryan said easily, calming the tiny girl's nerves.
Kelsi couldn't get over how good Ryan was at easing her mind. He had always been able to do that in what seemed like a completely effortless manner. Kels felt her feet halt as she realized the truth...she had missed him. And not just a few of his traits, like his ability to calm her, or maker her laugh, or get lost in the music. She had missed every single small and huge thing about Ryan Evans. A sounding alarm went off in Kelsi's head as she felt one of the perfectly constructed walls surrounding her heart crumble. And as that hypothetical wall came tumbling down, Kelsi knew there was presently nothing she could do to resurrect it. Kelsi quickly brought herself back to her original question, attempting to shake off the warm feelings that were currently encompassing her body.
"Zeke!" Kelsi literally shouted his name. "What about Zeke, what happened to Zeke!" The odd nervous outburst stumbled from of her mouth and there was nothing Kelsi could do to stop it.
It seemed at the moment she was incapable of coherent conversation. And who could blame her really? She had spent 2 years taking care of herself, protecting her heart from Ryan Evans. And now, out of nowhere, in what seemed like a spur of the moment surprise, he was back. And not just geographically back as in here, in Chicago. He was back in her life, working with her, haunting her....Kelsi trailed off the inner ramble as realization hit her. Oh God...this was not good. Everything she had worked so hard to protect and secure was in definite jeopardy.
Ryan was aware of the fact that Kelsi was going through some kind of internal struggle. He was just torn as to whether or not he should address it. It looked to be very personal. There were all levels of panic running across her features. And his gut instinct told him that he was a huge part of this panic attack. And while most of Ryan felt horrible about causing Kelsi any kind of distress, there was one teeny tiny part that was feeling hopeful. It looked like he could still get under her skin. Perhaps all of those barriers she placed around herself in the last two years weren't as strong as he first thought. To protect Kelsi from any further embarrassment, for he knew she would be feeling quite a bit when she was done with her internal panic attack, Ryan directed the conversation back towards their verbal dialogue.
"Zeke's doing great." Ryan started, watching Kelsi's internal struggle to bring herself back to the present. "He is the assistant chef at a 4 star restaurant in Manhattan. I would say sooner rather than later, our tall friend will be the head chef at his own restaurant...that is after all his dream."
Kelsi forced herself to only concentrate on Ryan's words. She figured if she was able to do that, she could make it to the stage in one piece.
"That's great." Kelsi started softly, attempting to make her verbal and motor skills work at the same time as they drew nearer to the stage's entrance. "I am so happy for him. He deserves every perk life has to offer."
Ryan could sense the sincerity in what Kelsi said about Zeke. As they walked through the doors that led to the stage, Ryan felt regret over the fact that they had reached their destination so quickly. He wished he could have had just a few more minutes of Kelsi's time. And chances were she was going to be steering somewhat clear of the theater now that she knew he was here.
Kelsi thought that was the longest walk she had ever participated in...it seemed to last forever. And she seriously doubted her aching heart could have taken another moment with out some sort of break down. Right now the only thing Kelsi wanted to do was gather up the kids and get the hell out of there...in a somewhat graceful manner that didn't seem as rushed as it was, Kelsi mentally added. Her mind was quickly taken over by Lauren and Matthew as they soon realized she was back.
"Kels bells!" Lauren yelled, her shining red hair a blur as she ran from the stage and towards Kelsi.
"KELSI!" Matthew roared (it seemed most of Matthew's conversation consisted of roaring), as he quickly followed his sister's trail.
Kelsi felt her heart fill, as it always did, when four small arms wrapped around her middle. She wasted no time in getting down to the kid's level, immediately enveloping them in a huge group hug. Kelsi's bottom quickly hit the floor, as the weight of two children bowled her over. There was no way she could even attempt to stop the tears that clouded her vision as she rewarded Lauren and Matthew with smacking kisses, followed closely with raspberries. (This never failed in making the children erupt in laughter.) And of course once Kelsi had introduced the raspberry war, the kids had to retaliate.
The scene unwrapping before Ryan was so intimate, and that was unexpected to the young man. He had known Kelsi was close to the children she watched, but until that moment he had no idea how specifically "close" they were. As Ryan saw the group hug and inside jokes take place beside him, he recognized what he was witnessing....a family. These kids had provided Kelsi with a purpose and a family. And Ryan was shocked to discover, Kelsi seemed as able to get lost in Lauren and Matthew as she did her music.
"Are you guys ready to get bundled back up and hit the road?" Kelsi asked. "Maybe we can make pizza for lunch?"
Kelsi's lunch option was met with the enthusiastic response she expected.
"PIZ-ZA!" Matthew yelled...again, taking a comedic turn with his pronunciation of the word.
"Oh yes, can we make the crust ourselves, like last time?" Lauren asked, her green eyes huge and bright.
"Let me think about that, hmmm...darling Lauren, I think that is a grand idea." Kelsi supplied, laughing as Lauren and Matthew began to perform their impromptu happy dance.
Charlie and Reilly walked up to the two young dancers.
"What's going on here...happy dancing? What could have brought this on?" Reilly asked, laughing as Matthew decided her question should be answered by him shaking his booty and murmuring "Bow-chicka-bow-bow-chicka-chicka-bow-bow."
"I am a little offended that I wasn't included in this dance of happiness." Charlie added.
At Charlie's urging, Lauren was instantly by his side, falling into step easily as Charlie twirled her around.
Kelsi turned to take in Ryan's bemused expression. She could guess he had never seen anything like this before.
Ryan had never seen anything quite like this before. He had definitely never witnessed a "happy dance", and he was a little playfully disappointed that he had not come up with the term. He found his feet naturally wanting to join in the dance, moving in time to Matthew's acapella version of a song, he was sure the little boy had made up.
Kelsi stifled a laugh when she noticed Ryan's foot tapping out the rhythm of Matthew's song. Unbelievable...he wanted to join in. And with that thought, Kelsi knew it was time to go. There was no way her heart could survive watching Ryan dance with the kids.
"Okay tiny dancers...let's head out. The Kelsi train is leaving the building. Who's coming?" Kelsi started.
She turned to see Ryan giving her an expectant grin as his hand began to raise. Kelsi burst out laughing, it was impossible not to.
"No, not you Evans. The Kelsi train only takes passengers who are 5 feet or under in height." Kelsi supplied, still smiling.
Charlie walked up to Kelsi, draping his arm around her shoulders.
"Yep, Reilly and I have tried to hitch a ride on the infamous Kelsi train and have been turned down. In fact I think little K here is the only adult who meets the height requirements." Charlie said, making a point to look down and smile at Kelsi.
"You're funny." Kelsi said with a mocking deadpan tone.
"I try." Charlie responded, smiling.
Reilly focused her attention on Kelsi, as she helped Lauren and Matthew get into their winter gear.
"Hey Kels, are you meeting us at Pequod's for pizza tonight." Reilly asked.
Ryan's ears all of the sudden perked up to an even higher degree. Was there a chance he may be able to see Kelsi again...tonight? He tried to seem nonchalant as he brazenly listened in on the conversation going on between Reilly and Kelsi. He was interrupted by a sharp tug on his pants leg. He looked down to see Lauren's little heart shaped face turned towards him. Ryan quickly bent down to the young girl's level.
"Yes?" Ryan asked, wanting to give Lauren his attention, but also not wanting to miss any of the conversation that was going on above him.
"It's not polite to eavesdrop." Lauren supplied, her tone and demeanor prim and pretty as a picture.
Ryan felt a heat wash over his features as he realized he was just chastised by a five year old. He gave Lauren his utmost attention, as he responded to her accusation.
"You're right. And in normal circumstances, I would not stoop to eavesdropping, but I believe it may be my only chance at figuring out a way to see Kelsi again."
Ryan was as shocked as Lauren by the truth that came stumbling out of his mouth.
Lauren's eyes widened dramatically at Ryan's confession. She had been unsure as to her feelings for the blond haired man, but after his last comment, Lauren decided she liked him. It was obvious he liked Kelsi...a lot. Lauren leaned over to whisper quietly to who was now going to be her co-conspirator.
"We will probably be going sledding on Monday on the hill behind my school, as long as the snow is still on the ground." Lauren mumbled, before quietly adding where her school was.
Ryan looked at Lauren, surprise evident in not just his expression, but also his voice.
"Why are you telling me this?" Ryan asked in wonder.
Lauren responded with the truth.
"Because I have decided to like you." Lauren started, quick to add, "Even though Kelsi looks uncomfortable when you are around."
Ryan was touched and honored that he had somehow miraculously won not only Charlie's trust today, but this young girl's as well. He made a mental promise to himself that he would not screw this chance up.
"Well, I like you too...very much." Ryan stated honestly, smiling gently as he noticed the soft pink blush that heightened Lauren's cheeks. "And I promise to work very hard to make Kelsi not have that uncomfortable feeling around me anymore."
Lauren smiled a full smile at Ryan, showing off a full set of baby teeth. Matthew came over to stand beside his sister, followed closely by Kelsi.
Kelsi had been so wrapped up making dinner plans with Charlie and Reilly, she didn't notice until a second ago the private conversation taking place between Ryan and Lauren.
"C'mon kids, let's go." Kelsi said, gripping the hands of her two young charges, while giving Ryan a suspicious look.
Ryan tried to look as innocent as possible...he didn't think it was working though.
Kelsi could tell Ryan was up to something, and she didn't like the premonition she was having that Lauren was somehow involved.
"Bye Ryan." Kelsi said uneasily, looking at Ryan in a way that seemed to say "what are you up to?"
"Bye Kelsi." Ryan responded way too innocently, looking at Kelsi in a way that seemed to say "I don't know what you are talking about."
As Kelsi and the kids walked towards the entrance of the theater, she couldn't shake the feeling that Ryan was up to something....and that something in question most definitely involved her.
Quick disclaimer...I also don't own the restaurant Pequod's. Even though I highly recommend anyone visiting Chicago to try their deep dish pizza...I think it's the best in the city. :-)