Wow, I didn't realize that I didn't open up the last chapter with anything. Or close it with some chatter either. Well, I guess I saved you from a bit of my nonsense babble. I'm sorry it's taking me so long! I really am sorry. I just haven't been able to type anything for a while. At least anything that wasn't school work. But, I do have many chapters already written out... But, just not typed. xD Anyway, here's the next chappie. Enjoy darlings!
Sharpay sipped coffee that matched her own mood: bitter and cold. She scowled at anyone that crossed her path. Taylor sat in a folding chair next to the bathroom. She held her head in her hands. Zeke and Chad watched the girls confused as to why everyone was either grumpy or quiet just because of the bathroom. Ryan was pacing by the sliding glass door.
"That's it!" Sharpay screeched, slamming her coffee mug on the table. "I need the bathroom!" She strutted down the hallway and stopped abruptly in front of the entrance to the bathroom. She hammered on the door in spite of the soft, reassuring words from Taylor. "Ashley Harrison, get out of there right now! I'm hideous!" she yelled groaning in her spoiled way.
Taylor sighed and shifted in her chair, nervous and guilty. After all, she partly caused the dilemma. Well, at least that's what Ashley thought. Sharpay scoffed loudly and glared at Taylor and anyone else she could hit. Zeke backed away a little seeming a little defeated.
Sharpay sighed and turned to Ryan. "Lure her out or something!" she exclaimed crossing her arms. Obviously, she was convinced that Ryan could be used as some sort of juicy steak dangling in front of a vicious tiger.
Ryan shook his head solemnly, "I'm pretty sure I won't be able to get her out of there..." Obviously, Sharpay was wrong.
"Why? What did you do?" she asked narrowing her eyes at him. She stared him down, suspiciously and nosy as always.
Taylor looked down at the floor in an attempt to be ignoring the conversation in front of her. This was a mistake when Sharpay, the living breathing lie detector, was standing closely.
"Nothing..." Ryan replied finally. This was also a mistake. He had given a predictable answer and one that perked Sharpay's snooping senses.
Ashley's POV
I stood up, a little wobbly and outstretched my arms. I was stiff from sitting curled up in the bathroom and rarely managing to sleep. After a long debate with my mind, I decided to reach out for the doorknob and turn it slowly. I smiled weakly at Sharpay whom I had anticipated would start yelling at me. I was startled when she squealed with excitement and pranced through the door. I stood there bewildered a bit by her reaction then eventually proceeded to the living room.
I waved hello to everyone silently as if I hadn't just locked myself in the bathroom for hours. After a few blank stares from Chad and Zeke, I turned around to get myself ready for the day. I opened the door to my room and yelped as Taylor followed me in.
"Ashley... Stop," she said looking me in the eye. .
I broke eye contact by staring at my feet. "Stop what?" I asked quietly, leaving my smile behind.
"Stop pretending you don't know what I'm talking about! Let me talk to you please?" she said walking in front of me as I stepped away to dig through my luggage. I found this funny about Taylor. She always had to ask to talk to you about something, then she would. Really, if it was that important... Why not just say it right then?
"There's nothing to talk about," I said, snatching the first outfit I could pick out.
"Yes there is! I didn't..."
I cut her off by slamming the door. I walked away, barely hearing the end of Taylor's sentence. I grabbed my jean jacket and went into the bathroom to the disappointment of Zeke.
"Ashley... Haven't you been in there enough?" he asked meekly and sighed. I ignored him and changed quickly, opening the door without a word. Wiping away some newly found tears, I headed to the main lobby.
I tried to sustain my tears that just kept flowing. I opened the door to the lobby where chatting students were scattered about. I just wanted to get away from my own cabin and anyone in it. I sat down i one of those uncomfortable hotel chairs. The ones that were probably intended as decoration. Taking a deep breath, I leaned back in the hard armchair and buried my face in my hands to think a little.
'Maybe it could be a misunderstanding... But I saw what I saw! What could be misunderstood? "Oh, oops I fell and landed on the lips...'
I felt a hand gently placed on my shoulder. "Aw, now don't tell me that some guy broke your heart..."
I tilted my head a little to take in the face through my tear-filled eyes. I rolled my eyes, seeing the look on Jack's face. He looked almost amused, which disgusted me. I remained quiet and shifted in the chair to avert my eyes from his gaze.
"Tell me. I want to know," he said kneeling down and resting his chin on the arm of the leather chair I was in.
I shook my head keeping away from eye contact. Pure cold shoulder. "You don't care about me or my stupid problems," I said turning away.
"Sure I do. I don't like seeing pretty girls cry."
I rolled my eyes at his cheesy response and sighed looking at him reproachfully. I sat up a bit more normally in the chair. "Just girly mood swings," I mumbled coldly, trying desperately to keep up my frigid attitude toward Jack. I wanted to scream at him to go away. I'd show him my girl mood swings. Yet, it was somehow slightly comforting to have someone talking to you when you were clearly hurt. Again though, the last person I wanted around was Jack.
He stood up putting on his concerned face. "Okay..." he said deciding not to press any further on the matter. A wise choice. "Well, you can tell me if you want to share the real reason."
'Fat Chance.' I thought, but instead I took a bit less snippy response, "Sure," I said highly sarcastic, watching him leave the lobby.
It then occurred to me that our group was heading to lunch right about know. I was dreading it, but I had to go or else I'd be in trouble That was the last thing on my list for a class trip. Trouble with the teachers that I would deal with everyday.
I sat there in that horrible chair for a breif moment and stood up reluctantly. I went off to the cafe inside the hotel where the 'gang' would be assembled. I averted my eyes from all of them and sat nonchalantly with a chair inbetween myself myself and Sharpay. A space was also in between Chad and I.
Of course, everyone was staring at me, I knew it. I could feel it. I looked up from my lap and glanced at heach face consecutively. "You don't have to stare at me like I'm in a zoo. I already feel like an idiot right now," I snapped and crossed my arms, acting a bit childish.
Zeke looked around confusedly at the rest of them. Chad looked equally baffled and Sharpay just smirk, obviously amused.
Zeke spoke, "Ashley, What are you..." he began then shook his head retracting the statement. "I'm sorry," he apologized unnecessarily.
I sighed looking at Zeke, "Don't be," I mumbled then continued, "If you'd really like to know, then maybe you should ask one of them.," I said glancing from Taylor to Ryan. I don't know why, but the world just seemed to spill out of my mouth. I had truly intended to remain silent.
Chad sat up straighter in his chair. "Yeah! I want to know!" he exclaimed, clearly intrigued.
Sharpay looked to Ryan, "What did you do to the poor girl?" she asked smirking at his nervousness. "Did you kiss her again? Well, that explains it. I'd be upset too. Gross."
I shook my head and got up from the table. "Yeah, me too..." I replied thinking about the kitchen earlier. "I'm not hungry," I added and headed out of the cafe with a quick glance at Ryan.
"Ashley!" Taylor called after me, beginning to stand up to follow me. Ryan got up before she did though and jogged in my direction. Once catching up to me, he grabbed my arm so I would slow down. I twisted away from his grasp and spun around.
"Ash..." he began softly.
"What Ryan?!" I huffed at him, frustratedly, preparing to head off on my way again. I fought myself hard to keep in any tears that threatened to fall.
Ryan looked down at the ground, "I didn't... Well when you... I just..." he sighed.
I rolled my eyes, turning away impatiently. "Let me know when you can put together a sentence." I shook my head and walked up a bit farther ahead.
Ryan followed me up to where I was. "Ashley, just wait," he said stepping in my path. I crossed my arms and nodded barely for him to proceed. He took a deep breath, "Look, Taylor came out to eat then we talked... about you. And, and then I, well the two of us were still talking and you came out. Well, I really don't know why, b-but I kissed her. I just panicked, well not panicked but... I don't know. I guess it was to make you jealous. It worked didn't it?" he said adding a small, nervous chuckle at the end. He buried his confused face in his hands.
"I'm sorry," he said, his voice quite muffled. He peeked through his fingers at me to see my response. I tried my hardest to keep in my smile. It broke loose anyway and I sighed, pushing Ryan's shoulder.
"What?" he asked smirking slightly at how I hadn't blown up at him or anything.
"Here I am trying to be made at you, and you go do something like that!" I answered, shaking my head.
"Like what?" Ryan asked, tilting his head obliviously as a puppy does when it is curious.
"Stop that!" I said while giggling. "Stop those cute little things you do!"
He smiled and raised his eyebrows interestedly. "Cute?" he asked, playing dumb once again. I turned away and walked closer to the cabin.
"Hey!" Ryan followed me and caught up once again. He picked me up from behind. I let out a squeal of surprise and tugged at his hands wrapped around my stomach. He set me down and I turned to face him. He left his hands around my waist, keeping me captive so I wouldn't run away again. I stepped backward as far as I was permitted in Ryan's hold.
"Just because you stuttered and pulled the puppy dog look doesn't mean I forgive you," I said, crossing my arms stubbornly.
He pouted a little, "What will then?" he asked, watching me closely.
I looked at him for a moment, "Why does it matter to you?" I asked with an amused smirk at how he wanted my forgiveness so badly. He looked to the ground, silent.
"I believe... nothing will," I said with a short nod, deciding to revert back to his question.
"You don't mean that..." he said and pulled me closer to him, only slightly.
I shook my head, deep in thought, "Ryan, I freaked out... There was no reason to be mad or even care really. I just thought..."
He put a finger to my lips, "Now who's stuttering?" he asked with a smirk.
I moved his hand away and wanted to depart again. Before I got too far I spoke, "I don't know what is wrong with me. I confused myself and I just..." Ryan interrupted me by pressing his lips to mine. He pulled away after a few seconds.
"Always wanted..." I trailed off, trying to finish the sentence I had babbled before. I stepped as close as I could to Ryan and placed a hand on each side of his face, returning the kiss. I pulled away reluctantly and sighed as I held him tight and leaned my head on his chest. Ryan gave me a small squeeze and just held me there, rubbing my back in a comforting manner.
"You," I whispered finally, to finish my broken up statement. Then, I glued it all together. "I just always wanted you." Ryan kissed the top of my head and I couldn't even count the minutes that we stood together like that.
Well like I said, I can't handle conflict for too long, so... I hope you liked it. Tell me if you did. OR, tell me if you didn't. I can handle it. I love any feedback I can get and I'm oh so sorry for taking so flippin' long on this chapter. Gah! Alrighty, I'll be off and the next one will be sooner I promise!
-Ali x3