Author's Note: Here's chapter six! Enjoy!

Chapter Six: Mixed Messages

Haylie had to talk about the musical with Miss Darbus, so Ryan was free to talk it over with the Wildcat gang.

"Wow...it sounds like he's black-mailing her or something." Troy said when Ryan was done with the story.

"I know...what am I going to do? She wants him to stop judging me, but only if she went on that date, and I think he still likes her." Ryan said.

"Well, Ryan, I don't know what to do...when is the date?" Troy asked.

"Tuesday at seven." Ryan prompted.

"Then we'll have to see how it goes." Troy finished saying as Haylie came over to their table, and sat herself down between Ryan and Gabriella.

"Sorry...Miss Darbus can talk alot when you get her on the ball." Haylie stated, and Ryan smirked, because he knew what it like to get Miss Darbus talking.

"It's okay. We've been waiting for you to get here, so now let's eat." Chad stated, and the gang got up, while Ryan and Haylie stayed behind.

"So..." Ryan asked, taking her hand, and pulling her up from the table.

"So what?" she asked.

"What about the date? Are you going?" he asked.

"Of course, Ryan. How else am I going stop him?" Haylie stated.

"I'm just afraid something is going to happen...maybe you'll realize he's the right guy for you, and you'll dump me." Ryan explained.

Ryan saw Haylie bit her lip, and she looked at him.

A smile appeared on her lips.

"Ryan, you told me this wouldn't bother you."

Well, it is now!

"I know, but now it is...Connor's been telling me that you and I didn't make a very good couple, and--"

"Ryan, it's okay. Nothing is going to happen." Haylie told him, but Ryan was still unconvinced about the whole thing.

He didn't want to this is a repeat of what happened with Alyssa, his childhood friend from New York, and he didn't think Haylie wanted it to be neither, and that was bad enough, but, he knew Haylie loved him as much as he loved her, and she told him the night that they were at Lilly's that she never betray him.

Right?

As last hour just got out, Haylie told him that they couldn't work on their duet right away, and Ryan was abit crestfallen. He wanted to some spend with her before she went on her date with Connor, and this might be the only chance he got before he really lose her.

"Ryan, don't look so sad...we'll find a day to work on it. Just not right now." Haylie said, giving him a kiss on the cheek before pulling away.

Finally, Ryan's frown turned into a smile, and he asked her, "Do you need a ride? I have my car parked in the parking lot."

Haylie shook her head. "I'm bringing Gabriella home, but thanks for the offer, Ryan."

Ryan still smiled, and he nodded. "That's okay. So, I guess I'll see you later?"

Haylie nodded as she pulled her backpack to her shoulder.

"Yeah. Of course."

As she walked down the halls with Gabriella now to her side, Ryan watched her for a few moments before turning around, and saw that Connor was standing behind him.

"Connor!" Ryan gasped, and nearly laughed.

"Sorry I scared you...but, I couldn't help but to overhear with your conversation with my girlfriend."

Ryan's eyes suddenly turned angry.

"What is with you and Haylie? She isn't some prize on display, you know!"

"She was everything I wanted untill she turned her back on me! I was surprised when I learned that she was dating you!" Connor explained, and Ryan could easily say that Connor and Demtiri could become best friends.

"Maybe she had a good reason to turn her back on you like she did."

Like being a overly protective jerk?

"She never had a reason to hate me. She always pointed out my flaws, but never my faults." Connor replied.

"Well, maybe if she did, she would afraid you'd get mad at her." Ryan explained curtly, while Connor gave him a steely glance.

"What do you know? All you got is a poor fashion sense!" Connor stated, and Ryan felt the heat raise in his face.

Of course, everyone knew about Ryan's weird fashion sense: had to wear glittery, sparkly shirts with matching pants and hats because Sharpay declared, no, commanded Ryan to wear the outfits because she wanted them to dress alike.

"I wear these kind of outfits because my sister wants me too."

Connor sneered.

"Well, I guess Haylie must be blind as well, because she obviously--"

At that point, Ryan had Connor pinned against a red and white locker.

For a guy who was small, Ryan was sure strong.

"Don't you ever talk about Haylie like that!" Ryan whispered angerily, but Connor still had that smirk on.

"Now, what if I were to tell her that you did this to me? One thing I can remember is that she does not like bullies, Ryan. Didn't she tell you that?" Connor asked as Ryan slowly pulled away from Connor's gaze.

"Yeah...of course she did." Ryan told him.

"Then I suggest you do as I say, and not mess with me. I'm taking Haylie on a date whether you like it or not." Connor replied, unpinning himself from the locker, and walking away from Ryan's view.

Ryan sighed, and picked up his backpack that was seated on a bench, and pulled it over his shoulder, thinking about what Troy had said during lunchtime:

What if Connor was black-mailing everyone? It seemed likely, with proof of thier earlier conversation.

Ryan sighed once again, and headed towards the auditorium, where he knew Sharpay was waiting for a ride home.