FIC - From Where I'm Standing - Chapter Seven
Title: From Where I'm Standing (Chapter 7)
Rating: PG-13 (a little bad language, sexual behavior)
Summary: Ryan tries to get closure.
Disclaimer: High School Musical's not mine, sorry. Also, the title's from the Schuyler Fisk song.
Author's note: Thanks for reading!
---
Friday came, and Ryan was fed up. He felt as if he had been living in a bubble for the past week because of Sharpay's refusal to let most people come near him, and what was even more aggravating was the fact that he still could not get Chad Danforth out of his head, and Ryan still couldn't hate him.
"Enough," he announced after he got home on Friday. "I'm done with this."
"What?" Sharpay asked quizzically.
"This...hiding, or whatever I'm doing," Ryan said. His voice sounded stronger than it had the past week. "I'm done. You know, Chad doesn't like me. Even as a friend. He thinks I have the gay plague or something and he doesn't want to have anything to do with me. And...whatever. I'll find new friends."
"Ones that aren't complete jackasses, too," Sharpay added helpfully.
"Exactly. Moping around is going to get me nowhere. Next week at school, I'm going to be the new, improved Ryan Evans."
"Or just having the old one back is OK, too," Sharpay said. "So...has he called you?"
Ryan looked down at his feet. "Nah," he answered truthfully, "just that one time. But who cares, right?"
"Who cares!" Sharpay echoed happily, a big grin on her face. "Now, come on. What says 'I'm over him' better than a day at the spa with your darling sister?"
Ryan looked at the ceiling, as if thinking. "Nothing comes to mind," he concluded.
"Just give me a half hour to change," she said, grabbing his hand. "I'll be so quick."
Ryan grinned and nodded. If anything had come out good out of this whole mess, it was the fact that he and Sharpay were now almost inseparable, but actually getting along really well in the process.
He reached in the refrigerator to get a bottled water when he heard the doorbell ring. A few seconds later, he heard his mom go to the door to answer.
"Oh, hello, Chad," he heard her say, coolness lining her voice. Ryan closed his eyes and leaned against the fridge, trying not to listen to his heart beating.
"Hi, Mrs. Evans," Ryan heard Chad say, in his polite adult voice, although there was a sound of despair. Good, Ryan thought bitterly. Maybe he realizes what he's lost. "Is Ryan home? I really, really need to talk to him. It's really important."
"You know, Chad, I don't think Ryan can come to the door right now."
"Look, I know I was a jerk, all right? I'm here to apologize. I think he deserves it."
"I don't think you have any right to say what he deserves," an icy voice said, joining the conversation by the door. "You get away from this house, and you stay away from my brother."
"Please, Sharpay, I just need to talk to him for one second, I swear, that's..."
"You really think you're going to get through me to get to him?!" she said, her voice rising. "You really think I couldn't just kill you, right now?"
"Stop," Ryan said, appearing behind them. He didn't look at Chad. "Just let him go. Come on, Shar. We have plans."
Ryan turned to go back into the kitchen, still refusing to look at Chad.
"Ryan..." Chad started to say.
Ryan whirled back around and faced Chad head-on. He was taken aback for a second, because Chad looked just as miserable as Ryan felt this week, and for a millisecond, Ryan actually felt sorry for him. He quickly regained himself and said, firmly yet quietly, "Just go, Chad."
Chad looked as if he had been struck. His mouth moved as if to say something, but after a moment of no words coming out and an intense look at Ryan, he turned and left the house.
Ryan and Mrs. Evans turned to go back in the house, but Sharpay stood by the door, and yelled out, "Way to fuck everything up, Danforth!" after his retreating figure.
She turned back around and slammed the door, looking angrier than Ryan had ever seen her before. "I need pampering," she snapped, and turned back to go up the stairs to change.
Ryan sat down in the kitchen. "Ducky?" Mrs. Evans tentatively asked.
"I'm fine, Mom," Ryan said, putting a smile on his face that actually felt half-genuine. "Really."
"OK," said Mrs. Evans. "If you're sure."
She left after a moment's hesitation, and Ryan hated himself for actually feeling guilty for sending Chad away.
---
Ryan was waiting in the parking lot for Sharpay to finish her Shiatsu massage. He checked his watch, and looked out over the pool. No one was there at that moment, and Ryan squinted in the sun. He frowned, checked his watch again, and looked towards the resort. Still no sign of Sharpay.
He looked back at the pool, and with no other thought, he ran and jumped in, clothes and all. He briefly heard the lifeguard yell something indistinct, but he submerged his head and let the water wash over him.
After a moment, he emerged, taking in a deep breath. He squinted, focusing, and saw the lifeguard hurriedly rushing towards him.
"Mr. Evans, are you all right?" he called out, breathing a sigh of relief at seeing Ryan alive and breathing.
Ryan waved to him. "I'm fine, thanks," he said, a grin on his face. He stepped out of the pool, his clothes sopping wet. "See you later."
When he got back to the car, Sharpay was there waiting impatiently. "What happened to you?" she asked. "You...you snapped, didn't you? Oh, God. I'm going to -"
"Shar, I'm fine," Ryan said, grinning. "In fact, I feel...invigorated."
She looked at him doubtfully. "Ryan, it's OK," she said, taking his arm. "I'm here to help."
Ryan's smile stayed put. "Go get a seaweed scrub," he said. "I have to go somewhere."
"Oh, no, you don't, Ryan," Sharpay said, her voice menacing. "Get those thoughts out of your head, or I will tear them out myself."
"Sorry, Shar," he said, getting into the car. "Closure is calling me."
She stood there huffily, and said, "Just promise me you're not going to beg for him back. That would be disgraceful."
"That's not why I'm going over there," Ryan said, "But thanks for the vote of confidence."
Ryan knew the quickest way to the Danforth's from Lava Springs. He had driven it at least a dozen times. But he chose the long and winding route, the one that traveled around the mountains and the speed limit was high, so he could open the windows and let the breeze mess up his hair a little.
When he arrived at the Danforth's, his hair was dry, but his clothes were still damp. But for once in his life, Ryan wasn't paying impeccable attention to his appearance. He rang the doorbell without a moment's hesitation.
Mrs. Danforth answered. "Oh," she said, a look of relief on her face. "Ryan, it's good to see you."
"Hi, Mrs. Danforth," Ryan answered politely. "Is Chad home?"
"He is," she answered quickly. "He's just...lying on his bed upstairs. Let me get him."
He heard her go upstairs and knock on Chad's door, saying something softly. A door opened immediately in response and Chad came down the stairs quickly.
"Hey," he said, stopping at the door, looking flustered. His hair was still disheveled, and if possible, he looked even worse than he did that afternoon. But there was something about his look that was different, like he could release some of his infectious energy at any moment.
Ryan gestured with his head for Chad to come outside. Chad nodded and closed the door behind him. Ryan caught a glimpse of Mrs. Danforth in the hallway before Chad shut the door, her hands clasped together.
Chad looked Ryan up and down. "You're all wet," he observed.
Ryan laughed mockingly. "Really? That's all you have to say?"
"Of course not!" Chad said hotly. "I --"
"No," Ryan said, cutting him off. "You didn't want to say anything to me after our little run-in last weekend, so I think I should get to talk." Chad shut his mouth and hesitated for a second before nodding.
Ryan took a deep breath. "You are such a hypocrite," he said. "You say that you like almost everyone you know, the single exception maybe being my sister, and then you pull something like you did last weekend. I mean, do you have any idea how glad I was to finally have you as a friend? I mean, I told you stuff. I told you everything. And I thought you were actually cool with the fact that I was gay, something that not many guys are actually cool with. And then you went and..."
Ryan paused, and Chad took the opportunity to start saying, "Hey..."
"I'm not done," Ryan snapped. "And I just wanted you to know, just in case you haven't figured it out yet, that you were way worse that all those guys that just outright hate me. You were ten thousand times worse, and this isn't just something that you can put on a charming smile and say 'sorry' and have me fall to the ground forgiving you, because I can't just be friends with you again, knowing every time we get in a close situation that you think I'm a freak."
Chad bit his lip, and a sound came from the back of his throat involuntarily. His head shook almost indistinctly. Ryan took a deep breath again. "OK, I think that's it," he said, turning to go.
"Don't I get to say anything?" Chad asked. "I did try to talk to you, and I've got the battle wounds from Sharpay to prove it."
Ryan turned around, and crossed his arms. "Must not have tried very hard, then," he said sarcastically. "You're still alive."
Chad managed a small grin, but Ryan's face was stoic. "Kind of," he whispered, looking down at his feet. There was a small pause before he continued. "I wanted to call you all week, but I couldn't. I just...I knew you hated me, because you thought I was a jackass, and I guess if I were you I'd think I was a jackass, too. I just wanted to give you space. Before, you know, anything else happened..." He trailed off, not really knowing where he was going with that. "I guess it was hope, that we'd be friends again, and I wouldn't screw things up more than they already were."
Ryan nodded, squinting his eyes in a way that made Chad think that he was doubtful. "I'm sorry, all right?!" he exploded. "Is that what you needed to hear? That I was scared, and I'm sorry?!"
"Oh, yeah, that's exactly what I needed to hear!" Ryan answered, raising his voice to a dangerous degree. "Who doesn't want to hear that someone's scared of them just because they're gay?! Really, Danforth, a week to think about that, and 'I was scared' was all you could think of?!"
"No, not like that, you just...you don't get it!" Chad said, his voice angry and frenzied at the same time. He looked like he was trying to collect his thoughts, and Ryan stared at him, cursing himself for actually loving his passion at that moment when he was this mad. That thought made him falter a little, and he decided he'd better leave before he screwed up one of the best moments of standing up for himself in his life.
"You're right, I must just not get it," Ryan said, turning to go.
He took two steps to his car before Chad said, "Ryan," his voice soft and breaking and desperate.
And something in Ryan broke, and he managed to swear under his breath, swerve back around, and crush his lips against Chad's all in one movement. One hand twisted its way into Chad's hair, and his other hand wound around his waist, pulling them closer together.
And it really was a wonder that all those romance novels that Mrs. Evans hid in her closet were right when they said that electricity could travel between bodies, because when Chad started kissing Ryan back and their tongues met halfway, they could have solved the energy crisis for the whole damn planet.
Ryan pulled away after a few moments of bliss, convinced that Chad could feel his heart pounding through his chest. Suddenly, it was as if the last week hadn't happened, as if Ryan hadn't sat up every single night trying to hate Chad just to realize that he still loved him, and Ryan wondered who exactly Chad was who could hold that kind of power over him.
Chad's hands were on Ryan's face, and he held him there so he couldn't get very far, although Ryan didn't think he was able to move even if he could, and did Chad Danforth really just kiss him back?
Chad smiled, the happiest Ryan had seen him in a really long time. "You dork," he said playfully, his fingers brushing the skin on his neck where it met his hairline. "The one time you don't let me finish my ranting."
Ryan was barely able to breathe properly, not really knowing what was going on, but figuring that it must be good because Chad was smiling. He clutched the fabric of Chad's shirt in his fingers. "What?"
"It was very important, too, so if you could just reign in those hormones for a second and let me say it..." Chad really couldn't stop grinning, and suddenly Ryan couldn't either, even though his face felt weird stretching out the underused muscles. Chad's voice grew a little softer. "I was scared that day because I came so close to kissing you, because I wanted to, and that was something I had no idea how to deal with. I've seen what happens to guys on basketball teams who are gay and I...I was repressing a lot of stuff. I'm sorry that it got twisted into a 'Chad hates gay people' thing, because, really," he continued, leaning in towards Ryan again and dropping his voice to a whisper, "it's the exact opposite."
Ryan brought his hand up to Chad's face, as if he needed some kind of confirmation that all this was real, that he was there and actually wanted him, and Ryan started to feel almost giddy. "So..."
"Yeah, I'm gay," Chad said, and he nearly giggled, and Ryan shook his head, grinning all the while, not believing that anything was actually happening.
"You have no idea how happy that makes me," Ryan said. "I just...I missed you."
Chad leaned in to kiss Ryan again and it took every single ounce of self-will that Ryan had to avoid it. "Chad..."
Immediately Chad looked worried. "What, did I do something wrong?"
"No," Ryan answered quickly. "It's just...Taylor?"
"She dumped me," Chad said. "Well, it was pretty mutual. She and I work a lot better as friends."
Ryan grinned whole-heartedly. "You and I, on the other hand..." he began to say, then trailed off as Chad's mouth clamped onto his.
---
A week later, Chad and Ryan were hanging out at the Evans'. "So, this is the dance studio," Ryan said, bringing him into the only room Chad had never been in before.
Chad looked around him warily at all the mirrors and bars and mats. "Dude," he said. "I told you I'd never go in here."
"And yet, here you are," Ryan said. "Imagine that."
"It's not my fault you've got extraordinary powers of persuasion," Chad remarked, giving Ryan a grin. "Why are we here, anyway?"
Ryan closed and locked the door behind him. "It's soundproof," he said simply with a straight face.
Chad opened his mouth as if to say something, but he was left speechless and opted for a grin and yet another glance at how good Ryan looked right then.
"Well, come on, then!" he said when he regained his power of speech, and Ryan broke out in a huge smile and kissed him.
---
Final author's note: Hey guys! Thanks so much to everyone who made it this far. I really hope you enjoyed everything. I loved hearing your feedback!
So, this is where the story ends for now. I might continue it later, but for now, I'm just really happy that the boys are happy and together and making out in dance studios. Thanks again for reading! :)
Rating: PG-13 (a little bad language, sexual behavior)
Summary: Ryan tries to get closure.
Disclaimer: High School Musical's not mine, sorry. Also, the title's from the Schuyler Fisk song.
Author's note: Thanks for reading!
---
Friday came, and Ryan was fed up. He felt as if he had been living in a bubble for the past week because of Sharpay's refusal to let most people come near him, and what was even more aggravating was the fact that he still could not get Chad Danforth out of his head, and Ryan still couldn't hate him.
"Enough," he announced after he got home on Friday. "I'm done with this."
"What?" Sharpay asked quizzically.
"This...hiding, or whatever I'm doing," Ryan said. His voice sounded stronger than it had the past week. "I'm done. You know, Chad doesn't like me. Even as a friend. He thinks I have the gay plague or something and he doesn't want to have anything to do with me. And...whatever. I'll find new friends."
"Ones that aren't complete jackasses, too," Sharpay added helpfully.
"Exactly. Moping around is going to get me nowhere. Next week at school, I'm going to be the new, improved Ryan Evans."
"Or just having the old one back is OK, too," Sharpay said. "So...has he called you?"
Ryan looked down at his feet. "Nah," he answered truthfully, "just that one time. But who cares, right?"
"Who cares!" Sharpay echoed happily, a big grin on her face. "Now, come on. What says 'I'm over him' better than a day at the spa with your darling sister?"
Ryan looked at the ceiling, as if thinking. "Nothing comes to mind," he concluded.
"Just give me a half hour to change," she said, grabbing his hand. "I'll be so quick."
Ryan grinned and nodded. If anything had come out good out of this whole mess, it was the fact that he and Sharpay were now almost inseparable, but actually getting along really well in the process.
He reached in the refrigerator to get a bottled water when he heard the doorbell ring. A few seconds later, he heard his mom go to the door to answer.
"Oh, hello, Chad," he heard her say, coolness lining her voice. Ryan closed his eyes and leaned against the fridge, trying not to listen to his heart beating.
"Hi, Mrs. Evans," Ryan heard Chad say, in his polite adult voice, although there was a sound of despair. Good, Ryan thought bitterly. Maybe he realizes what he's lost. "Is Ryan home? I really, really need to talk to him. It's really important."
"You know, Chad, I don't think Ryan can come to the door right now."
"Look, I know I was a jerk, all right? I'm here to apologize. I think he deserves it."
"I don't think you have any right to say what he deserves," an icy voice said, joining the conversation by the door. "You get away from this house, and you stay away from my brother."
"Please, Sharpay, I just need to talk to him for one second, I swear, that's..."
"You really think you're going to get through me to get to him?!" she said, her voice rising. "You really think I couldn't just kill you, right now?"
"Stop," Ryan said, appearing behind them. He didn't look at Chad. "Just let him go. Come on, Shar. We have plans."
Ryan turned to go back into the kitchen, still refusing to look at Chad.
"Ryan..." Chad started to say.
Ryan whirled back around and faced Chad head-on. He was taken aback for a second, because Chad looked just as miserable as Ryan felt this week, and for a millisecond, Ryan actually felt sorry for him. He quickly regained himself and said, firmly yet quietly, "Just go, Chad."
Chad looked as if he had been struck. His mouth moved as if to say something, but after a moment of no words coming out and an intense look at Ryan, he turned and left the house.
Ryan and Mrs. Evans turned to go back in the house, but Sharpay stood by the door, and yelled out, "Way to fuck everything up, Danforth!" after his retreating figure.
She turned back around and slammed the door, looking angrier than Ryan had ever seen her before. "I need pampering," she snapped, and turned back to go up the stairs to change.
Ryan sat down in the kitchen. "Ducky?" Mrs. Evans tentatively asked.
"I'm fine, Mom," Ryan said, putting a smile on his face that actually felt half-genuine. "Really."
"OK," said Mrs. Evans. "If you're sure."
She left after a moment's hesitation, and Ryan hated himself for actually feeling guilty for sending Chad away.
---
Ryan was waiting in the parking lot for Sharpay to finish her Shiatsu massage. He checked his watch, and looked out over the pool. No one was there at that moment, and Ryan squinted in the sun. He frowned, checked his watch again, and looked towards the resort. Still no sign of Sharpay.
He looked back at the pool, and with no other thought, he ran and jumped in, clothes and all. He briefly heard the lifeguard yell something indistinct, but he submerged his head and let the water wash over him.
After a moment, he emerged, taking in a deep breath. He squinted, focusing, and saw the lifeguard hurriedly rushing towards him.
"Mr. Evans, are you all right?" he called out, breathing a sigh of relief at seeing Ryan alive and breathing.
Ryan waved to him. "I'm fine, thanks," he said, a grin on his face. He stepped out of the pool, his clothes sopping wet. "See you later."
When he got back to the car, Sharpay was there waiting impatiently. "What happened to you?" she asked. "You...you snapped, didn't you? Oh, God. I'm going to -"
"Shar, I'm fine," Ryan said, grinning. "In fact, I feel...invigorated."
She looked at him doubtfully. "Ryan, it's OK," she said, taking his arm. "I'm here to help."
Ryan's smile stayed put. "Go get a seaweed scrub," he said. "I have to go somewhere."
"Oh, no, you don't, Ryan," Sharpay said, her voice menacing. "Get those thoughts out of your head, or I will tear them out myself."
"Sorry, Shar," he said, getting into the car. "Closure is calling me."
She stood there huffily, and said, "Just promise me you're not going to beg for him back. That would be disgraceful."
"That's not why I'm going over there," Ryan said, "But thanks for the vote of confidence."
Ryan knew the quickest way to the Danforth's from Lava Springs. He had driven it at least a dozen times. But he chose the long and winding route, the one that traveled around the mountains and the speed limit was high, so he could open the windows and let the breeze mess up his hair a little.
When he arrived at the Danforth's, his hair was dry, but his clothes were still damp. But for once in his life, Ryan wasn't paying impeccable attention to his appearance. He rang the doorbell without a moment's hesitation.
Mrs. Danforth answered. "Oh," she said, a look of relief on her face. "Ryan, it's good to see you."
"Hi, Mrs. Danforth," Ryan answered politely. "Is Chad home?"
"He is," she answered quickly. "He's just...lying on his bed upstairs. Let me get him."
He heard her go upstairs and knock on Chad's door, saying something softly. A door opened immediately in response and Chad came down the stairs quickly.
"Hey," he said, stopping at the door, looking flustered. His hair was still disheveled, and if possible, he looked even worse than he did that afternoon. But there was something about his look that was different, like he could release some of his infectious energy at any moment.
Ryan gestured with his head for Chad to come outside. Chad nodded and closed the door behind him. Ryan caught a glimpse of Mrs. Danforth in the hallway before Chad shut the door, her hands clasped together.
Chad looked Ryan up and down. "You're all wet," he observed.
Ryan laughed mockingly. "Really? That's all you have to say?"
"Of course not!" Chad said hotly. "I --"
"No," Ryan said, cutting him off. "You didn't want to say anything to me after our little run-in last weekend, so I think I should get to talk." Chad shut his mouth and hesitated for a second before nodding.
Ryan took a deep breath. "You are such a hypocrite," he said. "You say that you like almost everyone you know, the single exception maybe being my sister, and then you pull something like you did last weekend. I mean, do you have any idea how glad I was to finally have you as a friend? I mean, I told you stuff. I told you everything. And I thought you were actually cool with the fact that I was gay, something that not many guys are actually cool with. And then you went and..."
Ryan paused, and Chad took the opportunity to start saying, "Hey..."
"I'm not done," Ryan snapped. "And I just wanted you to know, just in case you haven't figured it out yet, that you were way worse that all those guys that just outright hate me. You were ten thousand times worse, and this isn't just something that you can put on a charming smile and say 'sorry' and have me fall to the ground forgiving you, because I can't just be friends with you again, knowing every time we get in a close situation that you think I'm a freak."
Chad bit his lip, and a sound came from the back of his throat involuntarily. His head shook almost indistinctly. Ryan took a deep breath again. "OK, I think that's it," he said, turning to go.
"Don't I get to say anything?" Chad asked. "I did try to talk to you, and I've got the battle wounds from Sharpay to prove it."
Ryan turned around, and crossed his arms. "Must not have tried very hard, then," he said sarcastically. "You're still alive."
Chad managed a small grin, but Ryan's face was stoic. "Kind of," he whispered, looking down at his feet. There was a small pause before he continued. "I wanted to call you all week, but I couldn't. I just...I knew you hated me, because you thought I was a jackass, and I guess if I were you I'd think I was a jackass, too. I just wanted to give you space. Before, you know, anything else happened..." He trailed off, not really knowing where he was going with that. "I guess it was hope, that we'd be friends again, and I wouldn't screw things up more than they already were."
Ryan nodded, squinting his eyes in a way that made Chad think that he was doubtful. "I'm sorry, all right?!" he exploded. "Is that what you needed to hear? That I was scared, and I'm sorry?!"
"Oh, yeah, that's exactly what I needed to hear!" Ryan answered, raising his voice to a dangerous degree. "Who doesn't want to hear that someone's scared of them just because they're gay?! Really, Danforth, a week to think about that, and 'I was scared' was all you could think of?!"
"No, not like that, you just...you don't get it!" Chad said, his voice angry and frenzied at the same time. He looked like he was trying to collect his thoughts, and Ryan stared at him, cursing himself for actually loving his passion at that moment when he was this mad. That thought made him falter a little, and he decided he'd better leave before he screwed up one of the best moments of standing up for himself in his life.
"You're right, I must just not get it," Ryan said, turning to go.
He took two steps to his car before Chad said, "Ryan," his voice soft and breaking and desperate.
And something in Ryan broke, and he managed to swear under his breath, swerve back around, and crush his lips against Chad's all in one movement. One hand twisted its way into Chad's hair, and his other hand wound around his waist, pulling them closer together.
And it really was a wonder that all those romance novels that Mrs. Evans hid in her closet were right when they said that electricity could travel between bodies, because when Chad started kissing Ryan back and their tongues met halfway, they could have solved the energy crisis for the whole damn planet.
Ryan pulled away after a few moments of bliss, convinced that Chad could feel his heart pounding through his chest. Suddenly, it was as if the last week hadn't happened, as if Ryan hadn't sat up every single night trying to hate Chad just to realize that he still loved him, and Ryan wondered who exactly Chad was who could hold that kind of power over him.
Chad's hands were on Ryan's face, and he held him there so he couldn't get very far, although Ryan didn't think he was able to move even if he could, and did Chad Danforth really just kiss him back?
Chad smiled, the happiest Ryan had seen him in a really long time. "You dork," he said playfully, his fingers brushing the skin on his neck where it met his hairline. "The one time you don't let me finish my ranting."
Ryan was barely able to breathe properly, not really knowing what was going on, but figuring that it must be good because Chad was smiling. He clutched the fabric of Chad's shirt in his fingers. "What?"
"It was very important, too, so if you could just reign in those hormones for a second and let me say it..." Chad really couldn't stop grinning, and suddenly Ryan couldn't either, even though his face felt weird stretching out the underused muscles. Chad's voice grew a little softer. "I was scared that day because I came so close to kissing you, because I wanted to, and that was something I had no idea how to deal with. I've seen what happens to guys on basketball teams who are gay and I...I was repressing a lot of stuff. I'm sorry that it got twisted into a 'Chad hates gay people' thing, because, really," he continued, leaning in towards Ryan again and dropping his voice to a whisper, "it's the exact opposite."
Ryan brought his hand up to Chad's face, as if he needed some kind of confirmation that all this was real, that he was there and actually wanted him, and Ryan started to feel almost giddy. "So..."
"Yeah, I'm gay," Chad said, and he nearly giggled, and Ryan shook his head, grinning all the while, not believing that anything was actually happening.
"You have no idea how happy that makes me," Ryan said. "I just...I missed you."
Chad leaned in to kiss Ryan again and it took every single ounce of self-will that Ryan had to avoid it. "Chad..."
Immediately Chad looked worried. "What, did I do something wrong?"
"No," Ryan answered quickly. "It's just...Taylor?"
"She dumped me," Chad said. "Well, it was pretty mutual. She and I work a lot better as friends."
Ryan grinned whole-heartedly. "You and I, on the other hand..." he began to say, then trailed off as Chad's mouth clamped onto his.
---
A week later, Chad and Ryan were hanging out at the Evans'. "So, this is the dance studio," Ryan said, bringing him into the only room Chad had never been in before.
Chad looked around him warily at all the mirrors and bars and mats. "Dude," he said. "I told you I'd never go in here."
"And yet, here you are," Ryan said. "Imagine that."
"It's not my fault you've got extraordinary powers of persuasion," Chad remarked, giving Ryan a grin. "Why are we here, anyway?"
Ryan closed and locked the door behind him. "It's soundproof," he said simply with a straight face.
Chad opened his mouth as if to say something, but he was left speechless and opted for a grin and yet another glance at how good Ryan looked right then.
"Well, come on, then!" he said when he regained his power of speech, and Ryan broke out in a huge smile and kissed him.
---
Final author's note: Hey guys! Thanks so much to everyone who made it this far. I really hope you enjoyed everything. I loved hearing your feedback!
So, this is where the story ends for now. I might continue it later, but for now, I'm just really happy that the boys are happy and together and making out in dance studios. Thanks again for reading! :)