Standard Disclaimers apply.

So here is Chapter three, we're back to Chad's POV. Thanks to everyone who reviewed it's greatly appreciated. I'm glad that you liked the story, I'm having tons of fun writing it. Their might be more interludes of Ryan/Troy fluff in the future, I kind of like it.

Petting the Mountain Lion

HSMHSMSHMSHMSHMSHMSHMSHMSHM

So, it was another Wednesday. Coach Bolton has this weird rule, no practice on Wednesday. Something about hump day being bad enough already? Usually the team does some conditioning laps around the track, and then most of us go to the local coffee shop, The Supreme Bean. It's good for team bonding and just chillin'.

Lately it's been more than the team, but that's cool. Taylor usually comes along with us, so does Gabriella and Kelsi, who are super good friends with Troy, not to mention Jason has an enormous crush on Kelsi. Today though, Taylor couldn't make it, and there was a bit of a surprise. When Troy showed up he wasn't alone, there was also Ryan, his new "special friend". Yeah, Troy is gay, the whole team knows, and for the most part we're pretty okay with it, but Troy is... afraid. He hasn't told any of us yet.

But not only did Ryan Evans follow him in, but so did IT, the Mountain Lion herself, flouncing on in with little, silver shoes, and a snarl on that pretty little face face. Whats THAT doing here?

Ryan and Troy sat down next to each other, closer than most guys would have. Troy poked Ryan slightly and he giggled in response, that's right giggled. Yeah, Troy's not a faerie at all... Who's he trying to fool? The she-beast sat down next to IT's brother, and Zeke promptly sad across from the she-beast, "So Sharpay, what's new with you?"

The Mountain lion tossed IT's mane and snarled, "Do you have any cookies?"

Zeke grinned broadly, "Of course! I always have cookies for you." He handed over a package of brightly wrapped, heart shaped, sugar frosted cookies. IT took one and ate the cookie with the up most care. The predator had begun to eat the first catch.

The Supreme Bean is really cool. It's in our down town, which is full of all these local stores. It struggles occasionally because a lot of big companies are moving in, but so far it's surviving pretty well. But the cafe is super comfortable, has a lot of game boards, and even a piano in the corner, which, of course, is Kelsi's favorite spot. She was sitting there quietly humming to herself, when Jason sat down next to her, a pained look crossed her face.

Troy, in attempt to save her, quickly went over and asked Kelsi to teach him the lyrics to her new song. She pulled out her notebook and the began singing softly, everyone turned to look, and Gabriella joined in making a really wonderful harmony.

The beautiful moment was ruined, when the she-cat used one of her paws to flip her hair back, "Ugh, why is the lighting in here so bad?"

I rolled my eyes, of course the creature always has something to whine about. But apparently my action was seen.

"What?" IT demanded.

"Do you always have to complain about something? Can't you appreciate this place?"

"What's there to appreciate? The musky air? Old furniture? Beat up cups?"

"How bout the fact that they use fair trade beans? That they were named the best small business in downtown Albuquerque two years in a row?"

"Why does all of that matter, it's still a dingy little shit hole."

"And where would YOU prefer to go, Starbucks?"

"At least Starbucks is clean."

"Yeah and every time you order from Starbucks it's like... fucking capitalism."

IT smirked, "And what would you prefer, communism?"

"Communism isn't the opposite of capitalism."

"Please! That's what the Cold War was all about."

"Wasn't the Cold War about Iceland?"

Everyone laughed, and Troy cringed a little bit. The She-Lion smiled triumphantly and let out a growl.

"Well... What's so wrong with communism anyways?"

"Mao Ze Dong? Stalin? Mussolini? Kim Il Jong? Hitler Youth, need I go on?"

"But those all aren't real communists, real communism is sweet."

"And when has that ever happened?"

I thought... and thought, no that's not really it... no that ended in genocide...

The beast roared in victory, "See! That's what I thought."

"I was thinking!"

"Like that's believable."

"What about the bartering system."

"Oh, so communism worked for the cavemen, great. And that's not even real communism, the barter system is based of the notion of fair trading between two agreeing parties. Communism is more of an all for one principal, you take, and then someone else takes from you, the trade between parties no longer exists, instead the trade is between you and the state. And what does that sound like? Oh yeah, a very crude version of CAPITALISM!"

I opened my mouth to speak, but my mind can't even begin to wrap around the snarls coming out of the Mountain Lions mouth.

"And do you even know what real capitalism is? I'm not talking the Deleuze and Guattari bullshit. I'm talking the competition, the trading, and the globalization of it all. We trade with other countries you know. And if it weren't for capitalism, places like this wouldn't exist, because then their would be monopolies, and a tiny place like this wouldn't be able to survive."

"Yeah... well..."

But the feline was on the prowl now. IT was really going, "And what's so bad about Starbucks anyways? Fucking capitalism? HA! Did you know that every single employee there works 30 hours or more, that's right 30, not even 40 gets free health care? That the owner started out dirt poor, from a big family as a traveling sales man, that he built up the empire from basically NOTHING. Or how bout that before Starbucks there were no places like your beloved Supreme Bean?"

I returned with my best I'm-a-dumb-jock-and-didn't-get-any-of-that blank stare. It was the only thing I could think to respond with. Humiliating, I know.

The Mountain Lion threw up IT's hands in frustration, "UGH! Ryan!" He looked up from his conversation with Troy and Kelsi, "I'll be in the car!" and stomped off. Ryan gave Troy a sheepish look, and quickly followed.

You won this round Lioness, but just you wait, just you wait.

HSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMSHM

so? Tell me what you thought. Oh, and I am personally not a big fan of Starbucks, (I'd prefer the Fair trade stuff and local businesses any day). But the Facts in the story about Starbucks are all true (I think, I saw a interview with the founder once and I think I remembered all of them right).

And for those who are wondering Deleuze and Guattari, are professors that write about how bad captialism, but they kind of write in a very circular fashion, so you have to read them slooowly.

Oh, and for those who have ideas what Chad and Sharpay should argue about, do share.

And as always Lots of love to Danielle (TillThatTime) for beta reading