Later that night, they were all getting ready to go to sleep. They had all washed up before and after dinner. As the girls waited in Rachael's room for Ryan to change, they were talking about boys. They'd already changed into their pjs.
"So," Cloe was saying, "who do you like in school besides Troy Bolton." "I'm not really sure." Rachael answered, "What about you?" "Hey, Troy's cool and all, but he's kind of…not my type." Cloe answered. "Oh, so you have a type?" Rachael cooed.
"Yeah," Cloe repeated, "I want someone who's into the things I'm into. You know, singing and acting. They don't need to be strong, just…nice, calm, and collected." "You mean, someone like who?" Rachael smiled. "I guess someone more like…if not…Ryan Evans." Cloe whispered a little bit too loudly.
"Howdy." Ryan said as he walked into the room wearing a blue t-shirt and a pair of blue flannel pants. On his head was a huge cowboy hat. "Wow." Rachael said. "Giddy up partner." Cloe stated rather amused, "That's quite the set of pjs."
"I know. It's one of the few outfits that Sharpay didn't pick out for me." Ryan laughed. "Well," Rachael told him, "that's a new record. You've managed to humiliate and be humiliated all in one night." "It takes practice." he bowed, "But I think the hat looks better on Cloe."
He took it off his head and placed it on Cloe's. She grinned and said, "Thanks. I feel so special right now!" Then, she looked at Rachael. "That's just about it." Rachael yawned, "Tomorrow's Saturday and it's time to sleep. Who wants the bed?"
"I'm fine on the floor." Cloe responded. "It's your room so, you choose." Ryan stated, "Plus, I'll be all right on the floor." "Well, all right then." Rachael smiled knowingly, "But only if you're completely sure." "Positive." Ryan and Cloe reassured.
"All right. Just take some of the blankets and pillows I left in a pile in the corner." Rachael explained, "You can set them up however you feel most comfortable." When Ryan turned his back to grab the blankets and pillows, Rachael winked at Cloe who removed the hat and placed it on the floor.
"Here you are." Ryan said returning with some blankets, "I got you some." He handed a blanket to Cloe. "Thanks." She responded standing up and taking it. She started setting it up on the floor. "Let me help you." Ryan offered, taking one end of the blanket. "Sure." Cloe smiled at him affectionately.
"Well, you kids have fun." Rachael said standing up, "I'm going to get ready for a night of much needed sleep." She walked over to her bed and started plumping up the pillows and smoothing out the covers. When everyone had settled down in their preferred sleeping place, Rachael got ready to turn off the lamp next to her bed.
"Is everybody ready?" she asked. "We're fine." Ryan responded. "Never better." Cloe agreed. "If you want me to keep the light on, I'll understand." Rachael teased. "Good night, Squeakers." Cloe urged. "Good night, Angel." Rachael answered turning off the light and crawled under the covers.
"Good night, Ryan." the girls said. "Good night, girls." Ryan laughed. They all lay there in the dark for a while. Cloe heard Rachael's breathing get heavier and slower. She was sure that Rachael was asleep. There was rustling behind her and then she felt warm breath on her neck that sent shivers down her spine.
"Hey." Ryan whispered from behind her. "Hey." she whispered onto her back so she could see him better. "Mind if I stay over here for a while?" he asked her softly, "It's a little cold over there." "If it makes you happy." Cloe told him quietly, "And I'll protect you from the dark as well." They laughed softly.
"I'd like that." Ryan said looking at her in the dark. Cloe could tell he was smiling. Then, all at once, he leaned over her and kissed her on the lips. Cloe found herself wanting it to last forever. Her breath was taken away and glowing warmth filled her. She reached up and touched his face. He grabbed her hand and held it there.
When they finally separated, they just looked at each other and a connection was made between them. Cloe thought to herself, 'My first kiss. This is what love must feel like.' "Wow." She said softly. "Was that okay?" Ryan asked lying next to her on his side. Cloe rolled over on her side to face him.
"Not another word." she whispered to him and kissed him back. When they separated, Ryan looked at her and said, "You're not such a bad kisser." "Well, you're not so bad yourself." she smiled at him. "Do you believe in love at first sight?" Ryan asked her.
"Not until I met you." Cloe answered. "Same here." Ryan admitted, "I really do care about you." "I never doubted it for a second." Cloe reassured, "And you're not the only one who needs protection from the dark." "Then, come closer and I'll protect you." Ryan told her.
Cloe moved closer to him and he pulled the blanket over the both of them. He put his arms around her. She lay there in his arms as he held her close to him and they lay face to face. "Cloe, they call you Angel for a reason." Ryan stated, "You definitely have the lips of an angel."
"How would you know that?" Cloe asked him. "Because I've just kissed one." he told her. She smiled and asked him, "And do you have a problem with that?" "Not if you'll be my Angel." he said as a matter-of-factly. "Wasn't I always?" she retorted.
"Only in my dreams." He said. "You're a sweet guy, Ryan." Cloe said looking up at him, "I can understand why a girl would call herself lucky to be with you." "Then, consider yourself lucky." Ryan told her as she rested her head on his chest, "Because I won't let anything come between us."
Cloe lay listening to his heartbeat: steady, calm, collected; loving. More importantly, he was loving her. "You're the first girl I've ever liked this way before." Ryan told her as she closed her eyes, "I want you to know that I would never hurt you…I promise." The words 'I promise' echoed through Cloe's head all night long.
(A/N) I'm sorry, but I just had to add this scene in. I know it might seem kind of wrong…the mental picture, I mean…but I had to put it in like this. Believe me! Anywho…(yes that is an actual word I created to replace the boring word 'anyway'. Yes, I have no life! What do you think I'm doing here? Just Kidding.) Just keep reading through the story. Trust me, it's not going to be over for a long while. I write novels…and very rarely short stories (like one-shots). R&R!