Chad realized that he hadn't seen Ryan in the cafeteria this year. Sharpay had probably manipulated an administrator into letting the two of them eat in the teacher's lounge or something, after the food-spilling-on-her incident last year. Chad tried to not be bothered, but he wanted to see Ryan more. They only had a couple of classes together, and Chad felt the need to expand his social repertoire.
At least, that was his excuse.
Whatever. I'm still stuck here, no matter the reason.
"Hey guys," Zeke said, "How much would you pay me to eat a grasshopper?"
Enter a minute of serious pondering.
"Five bucks," Jason finally said. The others gave various grunts of agreement. Chad rolled his eyes.
"Each or total?" Zeke asked. Eye rolling was not enough to express Chad's disdain, but he did it anyway.
"Total."
"Okay. Let's go find a grasshopper." Zeke bounced to his feet, followed by the team, and they ran outside.
"You coming, Chad?" Troy asked.
"Nah. It, uh, grosses me out." Chad nimbly lied.
Troy nodded and left. Chad slammed his head on the table.
"Comfy?" Chad looked up. Ryan, in all his fashion-forward glory, had taken a seat next to him. Chad grinned.
"After 45 minutes with the ol' Wildcats, medieval torture chambers are 'comfy'."
"Well, who would you rather be related to, Troy or Sharpay?"
Chad considered this for a moment.
"Okay, you have it worse."
"Thank you."
"But the Wildcats are still really fucking annoying."
Ryan smirked.
"Ooh, bad boy, using the F word."
God, that was hot.
"I know, right?"
"Right!"
There was a moment of silence.
"So where do you eat, anyway?" Chad asked.
"Art room. Sharpay doesn't want to be among the Great Unwashed."
"She really uses that phrase?"
Ryan snorted.
"No."
Chad grinned. Ryan reciprocated.
"Had me worried for a second there."
"I tend to have that effect on people, make them worry that I may spontaneously combust with awesome."
"You too?"
They laughed, and Chad had never felt so…free. Not at school, a place he had come to associate with oppression and conformity. And idiocy.
"I better go," Ryan said, standing, "Before your friends get back. See ya." He patted Chad's back as he walked away, causing Chad to pretty much melt.
He touched me. Intentionally!
But you're not gay.
…that's contradictory, isn't it?
Yup.
Well…you're stupid!
Brilliant retort there.
Oh, shut up.
The team had returned.
"He really did it!" Troy said, "He ate a grasshopper!"
Zeke just grinned as everyone rejoiced over his bravery and strong gag reflex. Chad rolled his eyes. He did that a lot. He sometimes worried that he might pull a muscle, but didn't care enough to stop.
The bell rang.
Hallelujah.
Chad left the table, unnoticed. He'd have to explain later, but whatever. He wandered the halls for a while, just kind of observing, before finding his way to Science. There was no one else in the room. First one to class. Didn't exactly coincide with his rep, but again, whatever.
He couldn't stop thinking about Ryan, as he leaned back in his chair, staring at the pocked ceiling.
Maybe I am gay.
Finally!
Or maybe Ryan's just an anomaly within my tendencies of attraction.
So close…
I guess there's only one way to find out.
Kiss him?
Yes.
…really?
Yes.
…seriously?
Yes.
Hah! I am vindicated! I am validated!
Chad sighed.