Me and My PlayMaker (Chyan)

Best Friends Help Each Other

  After sharing a knowing smile, Kelsey and Chad eventually parted ways.

Chad headed to the garage to catch a ride, and Kelsey headed to the front parking lot to catch her ride; who happened to be Ryan Evans.

   Ryan was leaning up against the hood of his baby blue Honda mentally going over his lines when he spotted Kelsey walking up to him quickly.

"Sorry! So sorry! I got caught up helping Mrs. Darbus and I totally lost track of time!" She explained quickly. Of course, this was a lie, but Kelsey knew if she told him the truth right away, he would ask questions and spoil his plan.

  Ryan smiled kindly, "It's fine Kelsey, peace and quiet is very rare these day with Sharpay's constant chatter about the play." The two shared matching, exasperated looks before getting into the car and exiting the parking lot.

Kelsey waited until they were on the road to begin the next phase of her plan, as she didn't want to appear too eager and thus raise suspicions.

  As soon as they made the left that directed them away from the school, Kelsey jumped to action,

"So," she started casually, glancing at Ryan, who had his eyes glued to the road, "You and Chad have been spending a lot of time together, eh?"

  Ryan sighed tiredly, already knowing where this was heading. "Oh not you too. Look, we are just. Friends. That's it. Even if I did feel anything - which I don't by the way -" Kelsey nodded, unconvinced, "It would never happen. He's not wired that way and I'm not gonna be one of those creepy gay guys who try to convert him, alright?"

Kelsey leaned against the car door, taking in the side profile of her best friend. He looked dashing, as always. But also- nervous. Exasperated. Exactly how Kelsey looked in her Freshmen year while she was still head-over-heels for Sharpay.

"Alright, alright, I hear you. I'm just saying, maybe there really is a reason for his and Taylor's break up. And I don't mean that lame-ass excuse they gave us at lunch."

Ryan laughed quietly before sighing again. "Don't- don't do that, ok?"

  Kels scrunched her eyebrows up in confusion, "Do what?"

"Get my hopes up." Ryan muttered quietly, and Kelsey's heart broke. Ryan hadn't really had luck in the relationship department - being the only openly Queer guy in school - and his crushes on straight guys did not help. He really deserved an epic love story.

  "I'm- I'm not trying to, ok?" Kels tried, but after seeing her totally unconvinced best friend, she continued, "C'mon, when have I ever been wrong?"

Ry rolled his eyes, "When you thought my sister was crush material?"

  Kelsey's face fell. "That was a low blow." She muttered, sinking lower into her seat. That unrequited crush still stung. Sharpay knew Kels wasn't straight - she had made that quite clear - but didn't know about how whipped Kelsey was over her. And the brunette planned to keep it that way.

Ryan glanced at his companion, and immediately knew he had overstepped. "You- you're right. I'm sorry, that was uncalled for. I'm just- scared, Kels."

  Kels gave a small smile as she leant forward to put her hand on his shoulder. "I know you are, I just- I want you to keep the option open, at least, okay? I don't want you to miss out on anything because of some sort of internalized homophobia or something." Ryan opened his mouth to protest, but was cut off by the pianist, "If anyone deserves some sort of great romance it's you, Ry."

Ryan smiled, "Oh Kels, I love you. What do you think about stopping for food before I drop you off at your place?" Kelsey grinned,

  "I think that's a brilliant idea."

Kelsey settled back in her seat, content with how her plan was going. Now that she had planted the idea in both of the boys' minds - giving them that small push she knew they needed - she just needed them to act on it.

*************************************

  Troy shut his Chemistry book with a heavy sigh. Since Basketball season was over (A/N: Idk shit about sports pls don't @ me), and his lines for the play were quite easy to master, Troy had a lot of free time. Normally it'd be spent with Gabriella, but alas he had fallen for a brainiac who encouraged him spending extra time on his homework.

And time on homework he was doing - spending? Troy didn't know, he had yet to do English homework today -, but there was something on his mind.

  'Talk to Chad, Troy'

  He didn't have time to follow Gab's advice before his dad picked him up - well besides Chad completely shrugging him off in class after lunch.

Finally, Troy picked up his phone. If something was really wrong with his best friend, he'd hate himself forever if he didn't find out as soon as possible.

  Troy waited patiently for Chad to pick up, knowing that he would. He just would. He always did. He- ok maybe he won't.

Finally, on the last ring, Troy's ears were suddenly enveloped with a very hoarse, "Hello?". It had to be Chad, but it wasn't hyper, enthusiastic wild cats Chad. It was what Chad sounded like when they were kids and his parents had been fighting.

  It was Chad who had been crying for a good hour.

"Hey, Buddy- you ok?" Troy tried to approach the situation as delicately as possible, and that was not his forte. He was suddenly very nervous, as it became abundantly clear that something was very, very wrong.

  Chad gulped, choking out a reply that made Troy's nerves amp up even higher, "Actually, I'm not. Think we can meet up?"