Ryan did not feel good about any of this at all. The school had erupted into all-out chaos, with Troy and Gabriella in the middle, and Chad in the line of fire.
That was the part Ryan was most worried about. Chad getting caught in the crossfire. Chad was still new to this world of secrets and not being straight. And since it seemed like everyone was sharing their secrets, Chad was more on edge than ever.
Ryan hated to see his boyfriend all wound up. He wished he could do something to ease Chad's nerves, but the last time he'd tried that they'd been caught by Chad's biggest fan.
Ryan didn't totally trust Taylor and her anti-matchmaking scheme. And Sharpay was so furious and stuck in her head, he couldn't exactly ask her for advice right now. So he turned to the one person who might actually know what was going on.
"Kelsi, don't worry, I'm not my sister, I don't bite, I just have a question. Do you know how Troy and Gabriella got a callback?"
"I was just showing them the original arrangement and they started singing. It's not my fault, I swear."
"I'm not mad at you. I don't mind the idea of a little competition for once. I just don't like that the whole school has turned upside down. Try to stay clear of all the sharks."
"Sharks?"
"All those clique-y losers who can smell blood in the water." Ryan implied but did not explicitly say that his sister was one of those clique-y losers.
"I don't know why it's so wrong. Troy and Gabriella were so nice…"
"The theater is a safe place for everyone. My sister just hasn't gotten the memo yet. It's going to be okay, just try to keep your head."
Ryan needed to talk to Chad. He was very concerned about operation break up, and what the whole thing meant for them.
He did the only thing he could think to do and blew off Sharpay and their rehearsal time to wait for Chad at his home.
If Yolanda Danforth seemed surprised to see him so quickly after the party she didn't say so. She seemed happy to see him, actually. She was a bit concerned when he said he was worried about Chad, though.
"Don't worry, ma'am, I'm going to do what I can to help. I just need to talk to him."
"Chad has never been too concerned about what people think about him," Yolanda said with a wistful sigh for Chad's carefree days.
"Well, he's never had a secret like me."
"He's not ashamed of you, Ryan."
"I know. He's just scared, it's natural to be scared. I'm just worried…"
"Worried about what, dear?"
"People do stupid stuff when they're scared."
Yolanda nodded with a frown. "I know I raised my son right, but he's not perfect. Please look after him."
"I will," Ryan promised.
They chatted some more, mostly about musical theater, until Chad finally arrived home after practice.
"Ryan," he said in surprise.
"I needed to talk to you somewhere safe," Ryan said.
Chad nodded, "Let's talk in my room."
They sat on his bed, and Ryan stared at the posters for a minute while he came up with the right words to say.
"I just wanted to check on you, this whole Troy thing has clearly rattled you."
"Well, yeah, we just got together, Ryan, and now one of our classmates already knows. I don't want anything else to happen to us."
"We don't control what happens, Chad. We just have to go with the flow."
"What if we drown? There are people at that school who would eat us alive," Chad pointed out.
"How'd things go with Taylor?" Ryan asked, wondering if the brainiac was one of those people.
"It's… Fine. She said that if we could break up Troy and Gabriella and let things die down she and I could start fake dating so that people don't catch on to you and I's relationship."
"So she'd be your beard?"
"What?"
"A beard is someone you fake date so society thinks you're straight."
"Oh, then yes. She'd be my beard. So you and I'd just have to lay low until things blow over. Troy has liked girls before, this really isn't that serious."
"What if it is that serious, though? What if he feels the way about her the way you feel about me? You were willing to risk it all just to ask me out, not knowing what I would do or say. Now Troy is putting himself out there for someone. Who are we to say how serious it is?"
"It's different," Chad said, shifting uncomfortably.
"Maybe you think it's just a phase for him but that's what my dad said about me being gay. Just think about it, Chad. Don't do anything too rash."
"It's too late," Chad admitted. "We already screwed things up for them."
Ryan took a long breath.
"You're upset with me, aren't you?" Chad guessed.
Ryan took Chad's hand. "No, I'm not. I've been where you're at. Everyone makes mistakes when they're motivated by fear."
Chad buried his head in Ryan's shoulder.
"I wish it was easier. I wish we could say we were in love and not have the whole world freak out on us but if East High can't even accept a math nut and a basketball bro singing show tunes it will never accept us."
"Maybe, maybe not. But maybe things are changing. And maybe Troy and Gabriella being a part of this callback will turn out to be a good thing after all. I'm sure there's still time to fix it, Chad."
"I hope you're right, about all of it."
Sharpay certainly didn't think he was right. She was furious when he got back from Chad's house.
"Where have you been?"
"I was with a friend."
"You missed our rehearsal!"
"No biggie, we'll do great."
"It is a biggie, Ryan. A hugie, even."
"That's not a word."
"I don't care! We're competing with Troy and Gabriella and we have to be in tip-top shape."
"We will be, Sharpay, chill."
Steam was practically rising from her bright red face. "I can't believe you right now! We have work to do, a legacy to secure, but you're too busy galavanting off with your basketball boyfriend that you can't take anything seriously!"
Ryan stood there in utter disbelief.
"What, you think I didn't notice?"
"Sharpay, please don't tell anyone," he started.
"Oh please. Like I want to see daddy angry. Your secret is safe with me. But I expect you to be at rehearsal tomorrow."
"I will be," Ryan promised, feeling like he had just narrowly survived a shark attack, and that the shark in question could circle back any time she wanted to finish the job.