A/N: Alas, although it pains me to admit, I own not a thing from High School Musical.

Chapter 8: Ambition

"Did you miss anything from school over the summer?" Troy queried, rubbing Ryan's shoulder as the frail adolescent lay against his chest.

Recalling all the joy and pleasure he had derived along with the rush of adrenaline from performing onstage alongside his sister and the golden boy, he relayed, "Performing, I guess." If basketball was anything to Troy like what being onstage was for him, the brunette probably felt the same about the sport. Yet, that wasn't entirely the truth. There was something else that he had been missing; a person. A boy. And not just any boy for that matter. "Would you like to know a secret… if you promise you wouldn't get upset?"

Troy blinked, nodding silently.

"I missed you most of all."

He did not have to look up. He could feel happiness radiating from the being of divinity in the form of a glorious smile.

"I missed you too. I missed watching you stare out of the window with that dreamy expression. I missed watching you bite the tip of your pencil in thought and seeing you writing, forming words in delicate, refined strokes of the pencil, a thoughtful look on your face instead of scribbling furiously just to be done with it."

Ryan blinked, feeling heat creep across his face. Obviously, he was not the only one that was guilty of scrutinizing other boys while they were unaware of what they were being subjected to. Troy described all these characteristics that many demeaned and referred to as "annoying" with a fondness to his voice almost as if he considered them to be cute. The blond was embarrassed, but at the same time, a feeling of glee swelled in his bosom. Perhaps the god of East High is as smitten with this crownless king as this king is with him.

"But most of all, I missed watching you perform. You're so passionate and animated. Every role you take on, you embody, bringing the character and the entire show to life. You're so much better than me!"

Averting his gaze, humbled by the praise, Ryan sighed. "I was. But not anymore."

Troy's eyes widened in shock. "What are you talking about?"

"It's Sharpay's theater, Troy. Her drama club, her stage, her spotlight. I don't even have a portion of it. To her, I'm neither an intimidating competitor, nor an equal." Another sigh passed out of him. His voice hardened almost inaudibly. "I'm just her singing partner." Trapped in the shadows, eclipsed while she shines in the light.

"Hey." The athlete took the boys hands into his and with his free appendage; he cupped the actor's chin, tilting it toward him. 'There'll be none of this talk. You are not just Sharpay's singing partner and you are not her equal. You trump her in everyway."

Now it was Ryan's turn to blink in astonishment as Troy began to list all of the reasons he surpassed his sister.

"You're beautiful, selfless, elegant, graceful…" Trailing off, the brunette stared at him with impassioned reverence. "There's no one else like you out there. You're unique and amazing and Sharpay will never, ever be able to compare to you."

"Oh Troy…" Light-headed, his heart thumping, a starry-eyed Ryan stared into the other boy's ocean colored orbs of blue, rejoicing at the raw honesty he found glimmering on their surfaces.

"And while all of that bull about Sharpay owning the stage may have been true in the past," Troy went on, "this is our senior year! We rule the school now; we don't have to take crap from anyone anymore. This is your chance to rise up, Ry!"

Ryan was transfixed by the insanities spewing from the mouth of the god-like boy. Once upon a time, I used to think that way. I used to dream.

"And you don't have to do it alone." The brunette's voice dropped to a tenderness. "I'll be there for you, every step of the way…"

Was that what it sounded like?

"If you'll have me…"

Confidence stirred within Ryan's lesser frame, a confidence that had been displaced. Maybe you can't live on dreams… Luster returning to his listless gaze, he squeezed Troy's hands, his resolve firm as his vice. "I wouldn't have anyone else," he whispered. Leaning in, he kissed the jock with no hesitation.

Troy smiled into the lip-lock, returning it full-heartedly. After several moments, the blond broke off and the brunette spoke. "We do this together, yeah?"

A smile curling his lips, Ryan's eyes gleamed softly with an ambition to match his counterpart's. Or was it boyfriend now? 'Together."