AN: I'm sorry this chapter is so short. I would normally combine it with the next chapter (especially since I haven't updated in almost two weeks) but real life is cutting into my writing time and I want to make sure you guys get new chapters in a reasonable amount of time. But, I'm toying with an idea that I need your feedback on. I need to know how many people would like a reader's guide type reference for either PR or HSM (for those of you who are only fans of one or the other). So please, tell me in your review (or PM me if you forget) if you want one and if I get enough of a response I'll start making one. And when you decide, keep in mind that the next chapter is when PR really starts making an impact on the story. If the response is high enough I'll post the guide in my LJ in the next few days.

Men and Monsters

Chapter 4

Ryan finally gave up attempting to eat his lunch and walked over to the ledge. He leaned against the railing, watching the students below him talking and eating.

He knew Kelsi was wrong, had known it the moment she said it. The idea that he liked Gabriella as more than a friend and occasional dance partner was so absurd that he'd almost laughed aloud, probably would have if he hadn't been talking to Kelsi at the time. He knew her well enough to know that laughing outright at any of her ideas, no matter how completely wrong, was a bad idea. Kelsi would never seek revenge for something like that, but she'd get this look on her face every time he was around and … well, he had to rehearse with her for basically the rest of high school and he wasn't about to do something that would ruin his senior year.

But she was wrong. And so was Gabriella. He would never hurt Kelsi. Or any of them for that matter. It didn't escape his notice that he was ignoring the other half of Gabriella's pronouncement when he made that argument and he quickly reminded himself that he did love Kelsi. She was his friend and one of the only friends he had who really understood why theater was so important to him. And coming from a life that had taken place almost entirely in an evil pit several miles deep, friendship was not something he was about to take for granted.

But … if Kelsi was only his friend, even a true, forever friend, what would make Gabby confuse that with something more?

"Ryan?" a tentative voice asked.

"Hey, Seth," Ryan said, smiling. Seth was one of the Drama Club's best actors. He couldn't carry a tune to save his life, but he could out-monologue anyone at the drop of a hat. "What's up?"

"Do you know where Sharpay is? I need to ask her about the rehearsal schedule."

Ryan sighed. "Ask Ms. D. I know my dear sister acts like she's in charge all the time, but she's not. Trust me."

"Okay," Seth said with a sheepish smile and returned to the table.

Ryan frowned and scanned the room for anything bright pink but Sharpay was nowhere to be found. He suddenly remembered the book she'd been reading the day before and wondered if she was up to something less than ethical. He quickly grabbed his tray and headed to the trash cans. Kelsi might know where she was, but asking Kelsi meant Gabriella would hear and he didn't want to deal with her disapproving expression. He would just have to search for her on his own.

"Hey," a small voice said when he set his empty tray on the pile. He whirled to see Kelsi. A quick glance towards the cafeteria at large told him that no one at the girls' table could see them.

"Hey," he echoed, relaxing.

"You know," she said, stepping past him to throw out the remainder of her own lunch, "I'm not really mad at you. You're allowed to talk to me."

"I know, I just -- it's been a weird couple of days. Hey, do you know where Sharpay is?"

Kelsi smiled cheekily. It was odd for the twins to lose track of each other. "I think she's in the computer lab. Why? Don't tell me she's up to something again. Gabby was just saying that she thinks Sharpay might be a good person underneath it all."

Ryan paused at that. "What about you?"

"What about me?"

"What do you think? About Sharpay, I mean."

Kelsi sighed and looked at a point just over his shoulder. "I think Sharpay … can be anything she wants to be. But I don't think she knows that."

Ryan gaped.

"No, let me finish," Kelsi said, holding up a hand. "Sharpay knows she's a good actress -- when she wants to be -- she knows she has a good voice, she knows she looks good enough. But she doesn't know that that's enough. I think she really believes that if she doesn't make sure that she gets the part she wants she'll go unnoticed. And that's why she always has to manipulate everyone. She's afraid of being left behind."

Ryan nodded slowly. "She thinks she has to be evil."

"Well, I wouldn't go that far," Kelsi laughed. "And you still haven't answered my question."

"Promise you won't tell the others?" At her nod he said, "I think she might be up to something, but I have no idea. I'll tell you when I know more."

Kelsi nodded. "Hey, you better get going. Lunch is over in five minutes."

"Oh, crap!" Ryan hissed and ran through the red double doors.

A look from a teacher as he rounded a corner in the halls forced him to slow down and by the time he reached the lab he was mentally reciting words that he wasn't even sure were words, let alone curses. He caught sight of his sister's blonde locks over the monitors and made his way over to her as quietly as possible. As it was, he only caught a glimpse of the image on the screen before she closed the window and turned to smile at him.

"What's up?" she asked sweetly.

He fought to keep his temper in check as he grabbed the rolling chair from the computer next to hers and brought it over, sitting down as close to her as he could.

"What are you doing?" he hissed. "That was the symbol of the Master!"

"Ryan," Sharpay started but he cut her off.

"No, Shar. I knew you were still … but no! He is dead and gone and even if he wasn't, we are not those people anymore. We made a choice. We're not going back."

Sharpay closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "We'll talk about this when we get home."

The bell rang before he could take a breath to argue. "Fine," he ground out. "But I'm not changing my mind."

"I know," she said, gathering her things.

#

When the final bell rang Ryan kept pace behind his sister, not willing to risk her finding some way of avoiding their conversation. At their lockers he kept one eye on her as he loaded up his backpack with the books he'd need for the weekend.

"Stop scowling at me like that," Sharpay snapped.

"I'm not scowling," he said.

"You'll give yourself wrinkles."

"Hey, guys!" Kelsi said, coming around the corner.

Ryan forced a smile and Sharpay waved without turning around. As she opened her locker, Kelsi elbowed Ryan in the back.

"Ow," he said, finally taking his eyes off his sister. "What was that for?"

"So?" Kelsi asked, nodding over his shoulder. "What's up?"

He cast a glance back at Sharpay who raised her eyebrows sarcastically as if to say "I'm still here."

"I don't know yet," he said slowly.

"Well, find out. I don't want her ruining Faust."

"Hey," he said, a thought occurring to him, "are you going to start working on the score this weekend?"

"Yeah," she sighed, loading up her bag. "I like to have as much time as possible."

"Mind if I come over and help?" he asked. Spending time alone with Kelsi would give him a chance to test Gabriella's theory.

"Um, sure, I--" Her phone rang and he recognized the tune from Oklahoma. "Hold on," she said, giving him an apologetic smile. "Hello? Oh my gosh! Seriously? Oh wow. Have I ever told you how much I love you? Okay, I'll be right over!" She closed the phone and held it to her chest.

"What's up?" Ryan asked, taking in her giddy smile.

"Only the best thing ever! Okay, I have to go." She slammed her locker and shouldered her bag. "I'll call you later about practice," she called, already disappearing into the crowd.

"Wow," Sharpay said, coming up behind Ryan. "I don't think I've ever heard anyone actually squee before."

Ryan turned around slowly. "Don't think this means you're off the hook."

Sharpay shrugged and sauntered past him. "I've never seen Kelsi so happy. I wonder who she was talking to."

Ryan clenched his fists, telling himself he was only angry because of his sister's flippant attitude.

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