Thank you guys for reading and reviewing. As I've said this is only going to be a short fic and I'm affraid the next chapter will be the last :)
Chad had noticed how distant Ryan was getting throughout the rest of the day, he wasn't too sure why as it could have been a selection of things; the comments, his fight with his sister, Kelsi, or the upcoming talk with his father. Or maybe it was everything and the usually happy go lucky boy was finding it hard to handle. "You okay?" Chad asked, they were walking to their class together as they both had history as did Troy but he was some where with Gabriella.
"I'm... fine?" Ryan seemed unsure himself and stared at Chad as though he could give him all the answers in the world. "My dad's going to disown me isn't he?" Chad stopped walking, he couldn't believe what he was hearing. He hadn't spent a lot of time with Ryan's parents but from what he saw at Lava Springs he could tell both parents loved their children very much.
"He isn't going to disown you," Chad stated. "He loves you."
"There's a fine line between love and hate, Chad." Ryan stared at the floor. Chad grabbed hold of his shoulders and tilted Ryan's chin so he was staring at him.
"If he says anything you're too stay at mine, you got it?" Chad smiled. "You're dad will love you no matter what, and so will your mum."
"My dad's always tried to make me straight." Ryan muttered bitterly. "I was never good enough for him."
"Then he's an idiot." Chad smiled hoping it would cheer his boyfriend up, when he didn't see the familiar light in his partners eyes he tilted his head once again and placed his hand on the side of his face, running his fingers over his cheek softly. "You're amazing, talented, funny, completely beautiful and you're father will be okay with it. And if he doesn't, you're more than welcome at mine." Chad placed a gentle kiss on Ryan's lips and saw a smile appear on his pale pink lips. "That's better."
History was boring, Ryan sat at one end of the class next to Kelsi who had finally started to talk to him after she had listened to the full story. Chad was relieved when he saw the short composer wrap her arms around him in a comforting hug. He could practically see the weight lifted from his shoulders. Chad was also relieved when Troy started to talk to him as though nothing had happened, though he wasn't naïve he knew that he'd have to have a serious heart to heart with his best friend.
When the bell rang two hours later Chad put his book under his arm and headed over to Ryan's table. "Want a lift home?" Ryan asked.
"Love one." Chad grinned. Ryan smiled a private smile and picked himself up from the table smiled at Troy who left to find Gabriella. They walked hand in hand to Chad's locker and once the big haired jock put his books away they headed towards Ryan's where Sharpay was standing at hers. She looked over at Ryan and groaned, Ryan looked at his locker and sighed. Across the blue metal was 'Dirty Fag'.
"What the fuck?" Chad shouted, his locker hadn't even been touched. When Ryan opened his locker it was full of water and his clothes, hats and books were completely ruined. Chad saw the defeated look on his boyfriends face and he pulled him away. "Come on we're getting to the bottom of this." Chad's voice was determined and Ryan was actually scared of what Chad was going to do, he felt a little relieved when they reached the principals office.
"Chad come on leave it, please." Ryan pleaded, he knew if he was to tell a teacher it would just end up being twice as bad, but Chad wasn't listening. He knocked rather loudly on the door and the principal opened it a little stunned. He smiled at them and welcomed them in calmly.
"So what's the problem boys?" He asked as he sat around his desk.
"Ryan and I have been getting a lot of shit today," Chad stated angrily. "And I think you should do something about it."
"I understand that you two have come out as a couple, is that right?" Chad nodded he wasn't surprised that the principal had heard about the newest couple. "First of all congratulations," Chad and Ryan both smiled shortly. "Secondly, I understand it must be hard for you." Chad noticed that he was saying that mainly to Ryan. "But there isn't much we can do about it, unless we catch them at it. Then we can punish them."
"So you're not going to do anything?" Chad asked a little astounded.
"I didn't say that," The principal sighed. "We'll do what we can, but you just have to remember that East High is a big school, and sooner rather than later there will be more gossip for everyone to use against other people."
"So we just wait it out?" Chad growled.
"Yes,"
"But Ryan's locker was vandalised. His stuff was ruined." Chad shouted. "How can you just let people get away with that? What if they hurt him?"
"Vandalism is a different matter." The principal said sharply, "And as for anyone hurting either of you, if this becomes the case we will deliver the right punishment, we will sort out your locker and we will replace the school stuff damage. And we will find out who did it and we will punish them."
"Thank you sir," Ryan smiled.
The principal smiled at both boys and silently told them it was time for them to leave. Chad took hold of Ryan's hand and they headed towards the car park. "Why don't you think people will hurt you?" Ryan asked as he slid into the passenger seat.
"I don't, I mean they might..."
"But there's more of a chance of me getting hurt." Ryan sighed.
"No. I mean, well yeah. I'm on the basketball team and every one knows not to mess with players."
"But I just don't matter?" Ryan sighed.
"I didn't say that, Ryan!" Chad said a little aggressively. "But that doesn't matter because I'm not going to let anyone hurt you, ever." Chad promised.
"I'm sorry," Ryan mumbled. "It's just been a long day."
"How about you go home, talk to your dad. Then come to mine."
"I've got a lot of work to do," Ryan sighed.
"Well bring that too. We can study or what ever." Chad smiled.
"Okay," Ryan agreed. "Thanks."
Three hours later and Chad was starting to get worried, Ryan had dropped him off and after a lot of kisses goodbye he drove off to talk to his dad. He had tried phoning but it had gone straight to voice male, he was just about to go over to Ryan's house when the door bell rang. Chad's mum answered it and instantly opened the door when she noticed Ryan's tear stained face.
"Dear boy, what happened?" She asked and watched as the blond rushed to Chad's arms. She smiled as her son held the boy tight, she knew exactly who he was. Once Chad had told her he was spending all that time with him in the summer she hadn't missed the way his eyes sparkled when he spoke about him.
"Ry, you want to go upstairs?" Chad asked, Ryan nodded into his shoulder. Chad looked up at his mum who nodded silently. Chad took his hand and they headed upstairs.
"I hate him, Chad. I really fucking do!" Ryan spat as he threw himself on Chad's bed.
"What happened?" Chad asked as he sat down, Ryan instantly moved so he was being held by the strong arms he loved to be wrapped around.
"He said that me being gay affects what happens in his family," Ryan muttered.
"What he said that?" Chad asked eyes wide.
"Yes. He said that he could accept me, just not who I chose to spend time with."
"Me?" Chad asked a little hurt.
"He said if I was to be in a relationship it should be with a son of one of his friends. He wouldn't listen to me when I told him I wasn't interested." Ryan cried harder and Chad felt his own eyes watering. His boyfriend was in a state because of him. "Sharpay was there and as always had to rub her two cents in." Chad knew that wasn't good and he was almost scared to ask what she had said. "She said that you didn't mean anything you said. That's why you haven't got stick at school because every one is in on the joke. She thinks its all a plan to ruin her musicals."
"What an idiot," Chad muttered.
"It's not a joke though." Ryan insisted.
"Nope, it isn't," Chad smiled. "This is forever, okay."
"Promise?" Ryan stared up at Chad through tired blue eyes.
"I promise." Chad kissed him softly on the lips. "What else did your dad say?"
"He wants me to end this," Ryan said sadly. "If I don't then I can't have anything to do with his family name. An Evans should be seen with rich wealthy people, not jocks." Chad felt his heart rip apart slowly. "I told him where to go and stormed out of the house."
"You did?" Chad asked proudly.
"Course," Ryan smiled as he leant closer to Chad. "I love you." He whispered.
Instantly Chad's heart was sealed back together beating a hundred times faster as he grinned back, "I love you too, baby." Chad kissed Ryan's forehead softly. "We'll be okay."
"I know."
"You can stay here for as long as you want," Chad grinned.
"Your mum wont mind?" Ryan asked.
"No. she wont," Chad smiled. "Why don't you come down and we can talk to my mum. She always knows what's to do in these situations."
"You mean you've had more then one distressed boyfriend needing to crash here?" Ryan asked curiously.
"Nope just you," Chad smiled. "Come on." With that Chad took Ryan's hand in his and they walked back downstairs. Chad's mum was waiting for them with two glasses of hot chocolate and a plate of cookies.
