Sugar

CHAPTER 1 “Hey Evans…I'm not saying I'm gonna dance in the show. But if I did…What would you have me do?” Getting out of the comfort zone had always been a problem for Chad Danforth. It seemed like saying those words had cost him all the energy he had left from the baseball game he had just finished. The sun was scorching that morning, and adding to the sweltering heat was the unpleasant sensation of the ground rubbing against his skin. He couldn't tell if he really expected a response. He only knew that the outcome of that match had filled him with adrenaline so much that it led him to think about trying something new. Ryan Evans listened to the question from behind. He hesitated a few moments before walking away and leaving him in doubt, cheered by the Wildcats crowd. What the brunette didn't see was the smile with which the other boy took his leave. — Everything at Lava Springs exuded class, even the ballpark locker rooms. The room was completely made of beige stone, with high arches and Ancient Greek style lateral pillars. Trying hard not to appear dazed at the sight of the structure, Chad approached one of the cabinets, matching the walls, and placed his laundry there. He loosened his voluminous hair that he had tied up in a pigtail for the match and took off his clothes before getting into the shower. When he had finished, he looked around trying to detect any uncomfortable presence and, having made sure he had free reign, he wore a Club towel around his waist, which he wasn't sure he would be able to use as an employee. However, he did not notice some footsteps that reached him within a few seconds. He was already prepared to apologize in case it was someone from security, but to his surprise it wasn't that. “You've already changed your mind, Danforth. You can see it on your face." Chad turned and saw Ryan, who gave him a half-smile. He wasn't sure whether Chad was happy to hear this, so he stared into the brunette's eyes almost challenging him, curious about his reaction. The latter looked at the blond boy, who was only wearing a bathrobe and flip-flops. “So you take your hat off when you shower, I never would have bet on that.” Chad blurted out, laughing to himself. It was immediately clear to Ryan that he had hit Chad, so much so that he changed the subject. “Well yes, I have some hair to wash, you know…”. Chad smiled, genuinely amused by the situation, and suddenly seemed to remember the previous sentence. “What makes you think I'd be a good addition to your show, Evans?” Ryan thought for a moment, mentally scrolling through what he had seen during baseball. And during all the Wildcats games he attended. After all, basketball was the only way he could admire boys unnoticed, without attracting suspicious looks, even if he was almost completely sure that the whole school knew he was gay. “You have determination and sinuous movements. And you're also very flexible, from what I've noticed. I'd say you'd be a great addition to my dance troupe.” Chad seemed pleased by the description, but inside himself a conflicting feeling blocked him. His experience with dance had begun and ended with the elementary school play and he had absolutely no intention of going back to it, especially after the teasing of his classmates who didn't like dancing. Because Chad actually liked it, but he would never admit it. He pushed these unpleasant thoughts away and focused on the boy in front of him. He had a calm and deep gaze, and his blue eyes never stopped meeting his hazel ones. “You still haven't told me what I should do though.” Ryan huffed a smile and lowered his gaze for a moment, before looking back up at him. “Look for a stage. Stay at the center and listen to your sensations. Based on that you will understand if you are ready.” Hearing those words, Chad's stomach lurched. He was probably right. He would have liked it but he wasn't ready. Ryan seemed to sense this insecurity and continued. “You don't have to rush. The important thing is that you are comfortable with yourself. It doesn't have to be a stretch. “ Chad looked Ryan up and down. He waited a few seconds before speaking, his tone uncertain. “Was it always this easy for you? Do what you want without thinking about people's opinions?" Ryan didn't seem affected by the question, but rather by why he asked it, and kept his calm tone, despite the fact that he was crossing a personal side that was still stinging for him. “In reality it has never been easy to be myself, but I have always decided to follow my desires. But if you ask yourself if I have ever thought about fitting in with the masses... Yes, many times." Chad's expression changed and his heart sank for a moment. Ryan paused briefly, hesitating for a moment, but continued, “You come to a point where you think about giving up on yourself to please others. At first it seems like it's the right thing to do, you see your family, your friends, who are suddenly prouder of you, but then the magic ends, and you feel a boulder that almost suffocates you." The blond's gaze darkened slightly, and he lowered his gaze a couple of times, but continued to maintain his usual calm. “So I tell you, it's often not easy. But if you think it's worth it, go for it." Chad stared at the boy in front of him. It was the first time he had heard him speak like this, in fact, perhaps the first time he had heard him speak without Sharpay. In reality he had never had the opportunity to speak to him directly, but he had always had the idea that Ryan was a bit snobbish and spoiled, given his spectacular and expensive outfits. But now, practically in a bathrobe in front of him, he was simply a boy who had just exposed his uncertainties. He stared into his eyes intensely, almost as if he wanted to try to delve more into his soul. “I don't know if I have enough courage to do it. You're probably better at this than me. “ Ryan smiled shyly at him and blushed slightly. It wasn't a very easy situation to handle, he had to be honest. He couldn't remember when was the last time he found himself in such a particular situation with another boy. Probably only in the swimming locker room in middle school, considering the fact that he had never had the courage to approach anyone, but he had never been the object of interest from others either. In his class at East High, he wasn't very close to his classmates, in fact, he would have said not at all. But for some time he had begun to think that this disinterest on the part of others towards him depended on Sharpay and how she controlled him everywhere, so much so that at times it became difficult even to slip into the bathroom or to lunch alone. If he had to be honest, he was tired of this treatment. He felt the need to somehow show that he also existed in the world, and the show with the Wildcats was proving to be a truly excellent opportunity. However, having Chad Danforth shirtless in front of him made him uncomfortable. He was afraid of not being able to maintain concentration on the speech, but fortunately he came out unscathed. “If you need support, count on me. Outside sources have told me that I am a good motivator.” He gave him a wink. A wink. He didn't even know how it came out or where it came from. He hoped Chad hadn't noticed, but it would have been impossible not to. Chad saw the blond wink and looked him up and down again. He'd done it enough times already, and he didn't know why. There was something about Ryan that invited Chad to look at him. His physique was lean and his skin pale, as if the sun didn't touch him for any reason. At that moment his hair was messy and wet, and his blue eyes emerged from the whiteness of his face. The white of the bathrobe he was wearing probably made him look even lighter than he already was. “What do you have to propose to me then?” Chad muttered as he dried his hair using another towel. Ryan paused for a moment and took a chance. “Pretend to be someone else. Get out of the role of Chad Danforth, or whatever he has been up until now.” He didn't know what it really meant either, but it simply seemed like the right thing to say at that moment. Chad frowned back at him, wondering what he meant. Seeing the latter's indecision, Ryan continued, having an interesting idea. “You told me I'm better at courage than you. Well, become me.” The brunette still didn't understand. He tried to come up with some sensible ideas but his brain suggested absolutely nothing. "What do you mean?" “When you step on that stage you will be Ryan Evans, no longer Chad Danforth who is afraid of dancing and anything related to the performing arts.” Ryan laughed as he saw Chad's perplexed expression once again. “Meaning, should I start walking behind a certain ice queen and wearing flashy clothes?” The curly raised an eyebrow. “Well, maybe only the second part would make more sense”. Ryan felt like his brain was talking without asking him for permission first. "Are you kidding? What kind of idea would that be?” Chad shook his head wondering what was going on in the blonde's mind. Although, honestly, he would have tried anything to free himself from that little thing that blocked him every time. “You'll never know if it works if you don't try.” Ryan tried to look Chad straight in the eyes but for a few moments his eyes rested on his pecs. A few drops of water ran down his abdomen and the blond felt uncomfortable with what he was feeling when observing them. His heart began to accelerate and it seemed as if oxygen was struggling to make its way into his lungs. He couldn't lose control now, especially not with Chad Danforth. He was internally cursing himself for those thoughts when the brunette woke him up from that moment. “Then let's do it. I'm in." Ryan emerged from his stupor. He hoped in every way not to reveal anything from the outside, but unfortunately his ears had taken on a color similar to the Wildcats' hat. Chad looked at him quizzically for a few moments. “Everything okay, Jazz Square?” Ryan nodded. “It's dying of heat here, better to go outdoors” he dissembled. "Yes you are right…" “But first, remember that out of here you will be Ryan Evans. We have time before tonight's party for your victory, you have time to practice.” “What should I do then?” Ryan took his clothes and handed them to him. “Put them on” "Are you joking? Do I have to walk around with that hat?” Chad looked at the striped cap in horror. “Thanks for appreciating my hat, you're welcome.” Ryan said, pretending to be offended. Chad noticed the stupidity he had just done and continued stammering “No...it's just...it's just that it wouldn't suit me as it would for you. “ Ryan blushed. It was a compliment? He didn't know, he wasn't understanding. Chad realized what he had just said and decided not to say anything else and go and put on Ryan's clothes. He didn't understand how the blonde had managed not to get dirty during the game, in fact his clothes looked like they had just come out of the washing machine. In fact, there was still his scent imprinted. It reminded him of powdered sugar. “Really, Evans? Powdered sugar?" he thought to himself and smiled. He certainly had courage. That courage that he had never had and that he hoped to bring out from somewhere. He hid behind the lockers to change after they decided Ryan would wear the Wildcats uniform in return. Chad leaned out of the lockers for a moment to call Ryan to challenge his bold choice of perfume, and saw the blond already in Wildcats shorts, trying to figure out the direction of the jersey he would be wearing. He couldn't help but notice how graceful and with an almost unreal lightness he was, even in the simple gesture of wearing a t-shirt. He therefore decided to complete his dressing before re-emerging from the lockers with Ryan's outfit. He looked at himself in the mirror and agreed that the flat cap didn't look too bad on him. “Evans, powdered sugar?” Chad said with a chuckle, once he was sure Ryan was fully dressed. “Yes, what do you think? I imagine definitely masculine and virile.” Chad continued to be impressed by how naturally Ryan spoke. He wasn't afraid of being judged, of what others thought. Or at least not anymore, according to the previous discussion. For him, being considered unmanly would have been an insult, a reason to argue. Ryan didn't care at all. And that annoyed Chad. Because he wished he didn't care too. “If Sharpay saw you dressed like that she would disown you” Chad looked at Ryan in the Wildcats uniform and thought about the face his sister would make. “Ah well, not bad. She would even disown me for much less. Hats off to you.” Chad was taken by surprise and was pleased, while Ryan approached him to tilt his visor and give him a shy smile. "Much better" Chad returned the blonde's smile, not taking his eyes off him. "If you say so…" As soon as Ryan looked away, Chad pinched his arm. He wasn't understanding why, but his presence wasn't indifferent to him. It's as if his gaze couldn't move away from him, and he didn't like that at all. “When you're ready, let's go.” "Where?" “There's a buffet for the Wildcats' victory, right? We will have time for the stage soon after.” Ryan opened the door to the locker room, waiting for Chad, and together they joined the other boys to celebrate the match that had just happened.