Chapter 16

Vanesa was startled to see Dylan standing there, but even more so to see him looking so serious.

"What's up?" Vanessa inquired cautiously. She remembered him as a goofball from their younger days, and even at the Oscars, he hadn't changed, so this sudden shift in energy felt exceedingly strange.

"Hey, I'm sorry… I didn't mean to weird you out or anything… but I just thought I'd take a chance to talk to you."

"Of course… what's on your mind?" Her curiosity was piqued.

"I know you guys haven't said anything yet but is it safe to assume you're back together?" he asked.

"Haha, ummm I guess you could say we're figuring things out…" She admitted. She hadn't said it out loud to anyone yet, but she felt a sense of comfort confiding in Dylan.

"That's… really awesome. Truly."

"You don't sound entirely convinced," Vanessa teased, still unsure of Dylan's intentions for the conversation.

"No, no - don't get me wrong I am. Honestly, I was so excited to know you guys stayed in touch after the Oscars. I haven't seen Zac smile so much in ages… honestly. I just want to tell you that he really likes you."

"Aww, well I sure hope so! Haha."

"I guess when I saw you guys reconnecting I got excited because I love the idea of you guys together…" he trailed off.

"But…?" she prompted.

"But… then I had a moment where I thought about how things could go south and I really didn't like that I couldn't shake it, so I wanted to say something. I guess… I wanted to ask you to go easy on him."

"Go easy on him? How so?"

"Yeah. Look, I know my brother and I know when he's happy and I can see that he is right now. Truly. But I also know this past decade has been challenging for him. He's…different… He has been in a couple long term relationships but he hasn't really been in a really healthy relationship since you guys broke up. The guy you once knew is in there - the one who doesn't care about what anyone thinks and the one who commits to the relationships in his life one hundred percent - but he's also jaded because he's been hurt. He's also not the best communicator at times so if and when you guys take things to the next level, just promise me if he freaks out, you won't give up on him - you'll give him a safe space to talk things through. You'll work through everything together."

"I…understand but I don't want to pressure anyone into anything…" She understood what Dylan was trying to tell her, but she didn't want to cause any problems either. Did Zac need time to heal from previous relationships? Had she been too impulsive?

"No no, I'm sorry if I'm not making sense or freaking you out. I guess, sometimes I feel like Zac can get in the way of himself and what he truly wants. I know he wants this relationship with you to work - even if you haven't labeled it yet - but he might take a minute to get there. But when he's there, I know he's going to be in it one hundred percent."

"I do understand what you're trying to say. But honestly, we haven't had a discussion about where things are headed right now. We're just taking it day by day."

"Of course. Sorry, I didn't mean to -"

"You didn't. I totally get it. You're looking out for both of us. Thank you." She smiled at him to reassure him that he hadn't upset her in any way.

"I AM excited for you guys to reconnect and I know it's only been a day but I also want you to know that you definitely have someone rooting for you," Dylan concluded.

"Aww, Dyl. Thank you. I mean yeah, there's definitely a lot we have to talk about. It's not just him - I have my own scars and situations to filter through, so I'm not planning out the next ten years right this second, but it's nice to know if we do decide to go all in we have your support."

"Definitely! Just please promise me you'll be patient with him."

Vanessa looked up at the younger Efron and felt proud of the mature young man he had turned into. Unable to deny the boy who was like a younger brother to her, she confirmed, "I promise."

"Thank you…"

Vanessa gave Dylan a grateful sisterly hug just as Zac rounded the corner.

"There you guys are! Umm.. am I interrupting something?" He asked amusedly looking at their embrace.

"Just needed some sisterly advice," Dylan grinned.

"Yeah? Outside the bathroom?" Zac raised an inquisitive eyebrow.

"No! We just happened to bump into each other here!"

"Oh kay…." Zac observed his brother skeptically.

Vanessa took the opportunity to sidle up to Zac as he instinctively wrapped his arm around her.

"What if we were talking about your birthday?" she asked looking up at Zac.

"My birthday's in October…" Zac replied, still skeptical.

"That's why we have to plan the surprise now! Duh," replied Dylan.

While Zac was still confused about what they were up to, his mind went somewhere else.

He tugged Vanessa closer as he asked her, "You plan on sticking around until then, Hudgens?"

"If you'll have me…" she replied shyly as he gave her a kiss on the cheek.

"OH! And only if you have some really good cake," she continued.

"Well…. I guess that's on you guys since you're the party committee, right?" Zac teased.

"You got it. We're on it. See you guys out there," replied Dylan as he gave Vanessa a quick wink before he left.

"Do I even want to ask?" asked Zac, referring to his brother's antics as he looked down at Vanessa in his embrace.

"Nah, just tell me what cake you like."