Chapter Four: The Duet

It was lunchtime again at East High, and Ryan avoided another going out to lunch talk with Sharpay.

"Why don't you want to eat with your sister? I know I would." Haylie replied when Ryan sat his tray down.

"I told you, she'll try and talk me into one of her schemes. The last I want is more drama around this school." Ryan told her, which was his way of telling them to forget it, and drop it.

It was silent untill Kelsi asked, "Are you and Ryan trying out the musical that's coming up?"

Ryan coughed, and everyone looked at him, excepting him to jump up and say yes. But, he didn't. Not after when Sharpay was still mad at him for auditioning with Haylie last year.

"Uh...I'm thinking about it." Ryan stated, and that got him weird looks from everytone, including Haylie.

"What?" he asked when noone responded.

"'Thinking about it'? No, your the whole reason why musicals were ever here at East High. You have to audition!" Zeke said.

"Don't you mean Sharpay too?" Ryan asked.

"Well, Sharpay too, but your part of the reason, and you know it." Haylie stated.

See, why didn't he make these kinds of friends during the years?

Oh. Right. Sharpay, of course!

"But, if we were to audition, what kind of song would we sing?" he asked, and he directed this question at Kelsi, because she was mastermind behind the winter and spring musicals of junior year.

"I haven't thought of one yet...of course, you don't always have to use my pieces, you know. You can use another song." Kelsi replied, surprised that Ryan asked her about one of her composes.

"Kelsi, your great at them! It wouldn't be the same." Haylie said.

Kelsi glanced down at her food, and Gabriella looked at them.

"Hey! I know this may sound cheesy, corny even, but what about Can You Feel The Love Tonight from The Lion King?" she asked as Haylie and Ryan looked at eachother, and that's when Zeke and Jason burst out laughing.

"So, what is Ryan going to sing for his solo act? 'I Wanna Be King'?" Jason joked, and they laughed even harder, and Haylie glared at them.

"No...I'm sorry, it's just..." Jason replied, and Haylie rolled her eyes while Ryan smiled.

"Drama King? The Lion King? King of the--"

"Yeah, yeah. We know!" Haylie stated.

"Actually, that wouldn't be a bad idea. Considering everyone knows Disney." Kelsi replied, glancing at Gabriella, and then over at Haylie and Ryan.

"I guess that's good...all we have to do is learn the song and do a dance to it." Ryan explained, and that got Jason and Zeke laughing again, and everyone rolled their eyes.

When lunchtime was over, Ryan went to his locker, and he was surprised to see Connor standing there instead of Sharpay.

What does he want? Ryan thought as he made his way over.

"Hey, Ryan." Connor said casually, but Ryan didn't respond back as he spun the dial on the locker, and opened it.

"Your not suppose to be dating her." Connor whispered suddenly, and Ryan sighed.

"Says who? Sharpay?" he asked.

"No, me. She should be dating one of the basketball players! Not a drama geek."

Ryan slammed his locker so hard, that it rattled, and nearly made Connor jump.

"Do you know how many times people looked down on us just because of that? A million times! I get that from my sister, and she almost risked our relationship because of the fact that me and Haylie weren't suppose to be dating, but in reality, we are." Ryan stated.

"I'm just stating what I know." Connor replied.

"Well, don't. I don't want anymore drama around this school." Ryan said.

"Ryan, you'd be better off dating Kelsi than Haylie. Haylie's popular, and your...not."

Ryan felt like punching the guy, but he knew if he did, Haylie wouldn't want to be around him, and he would get into trouble.

"Well, Haylie's more of my type anyways. Kelsi's more of a friend." Ryan told him curtly.

"She's my type, and you know it. She's been my friend longer than she's been your girlfriend." Connor said.

Ryan rolled his eyes at him.

"Look, I don't want to start a fight, okay?"

Connor gave him a steely glance before strutting off down the hallway, and Haylie came up to him just then, giving him a smile.

"What were you and Connor talking about?" Haylie asked as she took hold of his hand.

Ryan smiled down at the girl, forgetting about his conversation with Connor for just a brief moment.

"We were just talking...nothing you should concern yourself with."

Oh, and like she hasn't already?