Okay, yeah so this fic is no longer a One Shot but every chapter will have a new song added to it. Just like the last chapter was to Hilary Duff - Now You Know, this one is to Simple Plan - Holding On.
Disclaimer - I do not own any of these lyrics or anything to do with High School Musical
Warning: Contains abuse but not of a family or domestic nature.
Once again I'm falling to my knees. (I try to escape cause I just can't take it.)
And now this feeling is spreading like a disease (I fake another day and the wheel keeps turning)
Ryan closed his eyes, begging for the tears to not seep from beneath the lids. Knowing that would just cause him more pain. He grunted as another kick was landed to his chest. "Why do people like you even exist?" The voice above him said spitefully. "Homosexuality isn't natural. You're a freak Evans. You're sick."
'Maybe he's right.' Ryan thought to himself as he did his best to wrap his arms around his chest to try and protect his ribs and already bruised and battered chest.
This wasn't the first time this had happened either. Josh was the guy who lived two doors down from them. He'd seen him driving back with Chad once and then seen them kiss. That's when this had all started. Every day or so for 3 weeks, when he was alone.
Suddenly Josh backed off. "Sorry fag. Gotta bounce, but I'll be seeing ya." With that and a cruel laugh he walked away.
This place is so pathetic
Doesn't anybody get it?
Is there anybody home? (Is there anybody home?)
Ryan gasped in pain as he forced himself to his feet. Then he started to run, just to get back home. Get back before he could change his mind. He'd been hiding this from his parents and Sharpay till now but the pain in his chest was so bad today he knew he should tell them. No, he needed to tell them.
He fumbled with his keys at the door before finally sliding them into the lock and letting himself in.
"Mum?" he called. "Shar?" No reply. "Dad? Anybody?"
Ryan felt the tears sting his eyes again and clutched at his ribs. Then he spotted a note on the hall table.
Ducky,
Taken Sharpay to Zeke's. Then your father and I are going out to dinner. Yours in the fridge all ready for you.
Love Mum.
There's nothing left
We're just a shadow of what we used to be
Ryan sighed deeply before heading to the bathroom. He stared at himself in the mirror for a long moment. Though there were no injuries to his face. Ryan could see the stress and upset of the past few weeks were taking their toll. His eyes had big, black bags underneath them and his eyes were dull. Broken. That's how he felt right now.
In the night
There's a fire in my eyes
And this paradise has become a place we've come to cry
The one time he truly needed them...why of all nights did they have to go out tonight? Ryan felt the tears begin to roll down his cheeks.
When I open your letter
The words make it better
He slid his hand into his jacket pocket to feel for his phone. It was then that he felt a folded piece of paper. He unfolded it and read what was written within.
Hey gorgeous,
Just thought I'd leave you a little note to make you smile later when you find this. Can't wait till tomorrow. Remember, I'll pick you up at 7 and no guessing alright? This is a total surprise so just sit back and enjoy.
Chad xx
It takes it all away
That's when Ryan knew who he could go to. Chad. He needed his boyfriend in that moment. Just to hold him and tell him everything was going to be okay. So he dug his phone out of his pocket and slid it open. He scrolled down to Chad's number and then pressed call. Shakily pressing the phone to his ear he anxiously waited for the answer. "Hey you."
Ryan sighed in relief. Thank god he picked it up. However, when he opened his mouth to speak. His voice was so choked up he couldn't make a sound. "Ryan?" The voice on the other end said, this time with a bit more concern. "Ryan baby? You there?"
Finally he managed to clear his throat. "Chad..."
"Hey...god, scared me there...what took you so long?"
"I...umm..." Ryan didn't really know what to say. It was a stupid idea to call but he had no-one else to turn to.
"Ryan? Are you okay?"
"I...umm...no, not really...is there...would you be able to..." It was then the tears took over again and he began sobbing down the phone. "I'm sorry...I just..."
"Ry...calm down okay? I'll come round. Gimme 5 minutes." Ryan made a small approving noise before hanging up the phone.
It keeps me holding on
Chad ran up to the front porch of the Evans' mansion, banging on the door. "Ryan! Ry! You in there?!" He tried the door handle and to his relief found it unlocked. "Ryan!" he called again as he entered the house. If the house hadn't been so quiet Chad might not have heard Ryan's weak reply. "In here."
Chad followed his voice into the living room and found Ryan sitting on the sofa, his face stained with tears.
"Ry? God...what happened baby?" Chad slid down next to him and before he knew it Ryan was buried in his chest, crying softly.
Here we are
Pretending we're okay (you can say what you want but you still can't fool me)
The life we're living, it's all a masquerade (I try to smile but I can't remember how)
After a moment or two of Chad rubbing Ryan's back and whispering soothing noises in his ear, Ryan pulled away. "I'm sorry...I guess...I needed..."
"Ryan. You have nothing to be sorry for. Okay?"
"But I do! I shouldn't have brought you into this...it's my mess I should clean it up."
"What do you mean?" Chad asked and Ryan avoided his eyes. Chad brought a hand up under his chin and softly brought his eyes up so he was looking at him again. "Ry...?"
Ryan sighed before beginning to tug at his shirt. Chad saw him wince and frowned and helped him lift it up gently, revealing the bruising beneath. "Oh my god..." Chad whispered. "Ryan...what..."
So how'd we get so jaded?
Is it so complicated to not give up on me?
Chad was so stunned, but he could feel his eyes water slightly at the thought of someone doing this to his boyfriend. "Who did this to you baby?"
Ryan avoided his eyes once again. "I...it doesn't matter really...I shouldn't have asked you to come...I just..."
"Ryan! Don't be like that okay?! I'll always be here for you...but if you want my help...you're going to have to tell me what happened."
Ryan bit his lip before nodding solemnly and explaining the whole story from the top, from when Josh had first seen them together to when the beatings had first started and then to what had happened earlier.
"I'll kill him." Chad was fuming by the time the blonde boy had finished, starting to get to his feet.
"No!" Ryan grabbed at his shirt frantically. "Please! You can't!"
"But Ry..." Chad turned to him, tears welling in his eyes. "He hurt you...and I can't stand it..."
"I know...but please...for me? Just don't. Just...hold me?" The last admission was so meek that Chad couldn't help but sink down next to him and take him in his arms, both crying silently.
At night when I need you
You're right where I run to
I know where to find you
Chad rocked Ryan gently into an uneasy sleep. His head sliding down his chest to rest in his lap. He leant down, placing a butterfly kiss on his forehead. "I'll always be here for you Ryan. I love you." He whispered, his fingers gently brushing Ryan's hair in a soothing motion, before lying back on the sofa to fall asleep himself, Ryan in his arms.
You keep me holding on.