Chapter Text
The way that people loose their cheer is the largest indicator that schools started up again. And- don’t get him wrong, Chad’s always hated school- but it was particularly sucky when it’s interrupting his glorious summer with Ryan Evans.
How was he supposed to know that things would continue during school? And how was he supposed to know what even was or was not continuing when he’s too chicken to communicate properly?
I wouldn’t even be surprised if Ryan was done with you after all the dancing around serious talk you did this summer, Chad.
“Hey! What’s your problem? It’s not like you’re involved here.”
Chad has always been a little defensive, but this was a particularly touchy subject.
So it’s no surprise that he was comfortable enough to talk to nothing in the middle of class.
“What was that Mr. Danforth?” His teacher called out.
She walked towards him slowly enough that he could answer her
“Nothing Ms, ‘m sorry.”
“Hmm. What do we think, class? Should Mr. Danforth be exempt from punishment because he apologized?”
Oh. Of course Chad was also brave enough to do this in his politics class where democracy rules above all else.
They were voting on his fate.
Now, for context, Chad is a popular dude. He’s got friends of all kinds and everyone in his class liked him enough to say hi in the hallway.
But for Chad, that’s not enough. And since he’s so popular, the people want to see him suffer.
Just to see what he’d do if he missed practice.
They know he’d never hold a true grudge against them anyways.
The vote was unanimous and his fate of missing practice was guaranteed.
“Thanks guys. I really appreciate it.”
He snarled but only halfheartedly. After all, he wasn’t a mean guy unless someone really had it out for him.
“You’re barking up the wrong tree Mr. Danforth, if you really want to see a change, you can make it happen.”
“Thanks…. but no thanks. I’d just like to continue the lesson now please.”
Chad buried his face into his hands and brushed them into his hair.
After school detention 3:00pm
Chad was at his locker moping about having detention instead of doing the one thing he’s actually good at-
-And then he saw Ryan enter the detention room.
Chad’s lips parted slightly as he tried to settle his breathing. His eyes barely moving from the door as he shoved anything in his reach into his backpack and shut his locker.
This isn’t something he had to worry about in any other moment, but Chad wondered if his breath stank or if his pheromones were controlled enough.
He sniffed himself, not wanting to overwhelm anyone- but all things considered Chad was actually really good at controlling his pheromones-
That is, if Ryan wasn’t involved.
The door opened and Ryan stuck his head out, leaning on the door.
“Hey Jazzy you coming? I know you’re due for a detention today.”
Jazzy was a nickname that Ryan developed for Chad over the summer.
Chad was so insistent he didn’t dance, but he sure caved fast after some baseball and hot dogs.
The reason he called him Jazzy of all things.. well… you’ll see.
When the two got settled, it was apparent why this goodie-clean-shoes was in detention.
Ryan’s the supervisor.
The blonde boy pulled up a chair and leaned on the back of it, facing Chad.
He wasn’t wearing a hat today which had Chad staring at his hair to the point of Ryan noticing multiple times.
His hair was longer and spiked up a bit to give him a sort of Peter Parker vibe.
Chad sort of assumed that he was bald underneath all the styles he wore to make it seem normal. I mean- the guy was practically allergic to a bare head!
It’s no wonder he was so confused.
Chad inhaled really softly…. Just looking for Ryan’s pheromones. They were usually hard to smell since Ryan’s a recessive omega and all.
It doesn’t help that his particular sent is light and fluffy. Comparable to that new furniture-but-not-couch-smell.
Like a freshly aired out t-shirt and shoes.
It didn’t sound romantic… but it was to Chad. He found himself more often than he’d like to admit in a clothing store just smelling the shirts to think of him.
Or hanging laundry to dry because it smelt more like him and somehow someway thats all Chad wanted.
To be closer to him. It was an alpha thing sure, the protectiveness, the touching. A light shoulder grab, elbow brush, or something as big as long intimate hugs.
But it was also due the clashing of their personalities. The way they spoke to one another, and how quickly they snowballed from friends to…. Whatever they are now.
Chad wanted to hold on and just melt into Ryan. He wanted Ryan to seek him with the desperation he felt every single day. And for them to become one once Ryan made that decision…. That meaningful, heavy decision.
“I like your hair.” He managed to muster up after that dragging monologue.
Ryan ran a hand through his Hair- now obviously aware that Chad hadn’t seen it like this yet- and gave his goofy smile.
Not goofy as in dumb- but crooked, lovable and genuine.
“Thanks. It took a lot of hairspray.”
Chad began to fiddle with one of his watches since the time was off.
Why did he have so many watches anyway? Who wears four on each arm?
“How did you get detention anyway?”
“I blame democracy. But now I’m starting to think it wasn’t such a bad thing… seeing as we’re getting some time together.”
Chad said this very low in his voice, just like Ryan liked, but he didn’t look up from his watch. Not once.
“I’m starting to think the same thing.” He replied trying to not react to Chad’s pheromones in any way.
Or to his voice… his stupid hot voice…
The air sort of swirled around them and Ryan stood up to walk away from the boy, who was no longer paying attention.
He was sort of in a huff about it, and I guess Chad could tell because he got up right after and followed him to the other side of the room.
Ryan’s head throbbed as he got farther from Chad… and that worried him.
“Chad… somethings changing in me… I can feel it.”
Ryan was choking back a tears as he continued and Chad pulled him into a strong hug- nestling his face into Ryan’s neck.
“Like what?”
“I don’t know.. it’s a little early maybe to tell but… I’m scared.”
Chad was now rubbing his back softly to comfort him- omegas crave comfort through physical touch especially when they’re distressed-
Actually they can affect Alphas productivity and responses when in proximity to an omega in distress. Even a recessive one.
So obviously Chad could tell this was a serious topic.
“Okay….” Chad whispered- barely audible.
Chad rubbed Ryan’s scent glands which oddly comforted him even when it shouldn’t.
“My sister says that my pheromones have been out of whack lately.”
He chuckles dryly, slowly realizing that this is the first time they’ve talked without joking around.
Chad’s barely said anything yet Ryan knows somehow what he’s thinking.
And His several watches click away, barely out of sync as they stay there in the class waiting.
Waiting for each other to break apart and leave- yelling about how weird it was that they were just standing there- and how weird it was that this was more intense than any kiss they’ve ever shared.
Which was to be fair, only two kisses. But they really saved them for important moments.
They broke apart and sat back into their chairs but this time, Chad leaned in to look at Ryan, so he could sit normally.
Ryan’s a tough guy. Probably tougher than Chad- when somethings wrong he generally doesn’t say anything- that kind of complacency was taught growing up with his sister.
So Chad needed to take his mind off of this topic, since he obviously is seriously affected by this.
“Hey Ryan…”
“Mmmhmm?”
He says with his eyes closed, and his arms crossed so adorably.
“Why did you start calling me Jazzy?”
“What?” He sat up- now clearly interested and feeling a little more playful.
“Earlier. You- you called me Jazzy. in public I might add.”
Chad wagged his finger in Ryan’s face with the addition of that last bit.
“Yeah, that’s your nickname.” He teased, pushing Chad’s finger away.
“Uh-huh… and I want to know why.”
“You want to know why, lover boy?”
“Lover boy?-“
“Because Jazzy references Jazz squares.”
“Jazz…squares?”
“You remember that box-step move that I taught you for the show?”
“Yeah, but that’s only because you were gushing over how much you loved them-“
Chads face turned red as a smile drew across his cheeks.
He huffed out a couple laughs at the realization that his Ryan had been declaring how much he loved him through his nickname.
Everyday, anyway, any-where? He was saying it all along and Chad just never put it together.
“Well then, I’ll just have to come up with an equally clever one to declare my passion for you too.”
“Don’t hurt yourself trying Chad. You could also just tell me directly. Or like- with a card.”
Gosh all of this has Chad on the edge of his seat. Talking with Ryan was the best part of his life because he never knew what he’d say.
Chad loved unpredictability.
“….but then where’s the suspense? You already introduced this option… YOU are to blame if I pop a blood vessel trying to figure this out.”
“No way, you’ve gotta have some self control man.”
He giggles as he turns his head away, leaning back again.
Just then, the door opens and Sharpay walks in.
“Ryan! What are you doing? We have a nail appointment scheduled for 4:00 and it’s already 3:50 we have to go!”
She barked out at him. She’s very impatient, but Chad no longer thinks of her as the evil ice queen trying to take his best friend away.
Now she’s the evil ice queen trying to steal all of Ryan’s time.
Ryan exhaled and turned back to me.
“I guess these aren’t pretty enough.”
He says flashing his fingernails at Chad. He notes that Ryan’s fingers are quite pretty and long… and pink. How did Chad not notice Ryan’s nails were pink this whole time?
“For what it’s worth I don’t think you need to be declawed just yet! Sharpay on the other hand….”
Ryan laughs as Sharpay huffs.
“Listen… Troy’s friend… even if my beautiful nails were to be taken from me.. and that’s a BIG if, I still have my fangs. HISSS. Back off of my brother!”
She actually hissed, and dragged Ryan out of there, Ryan clearly laughing as quietly as he can, or he might be bitten next.
…aaaannnd it’s nice to know Sharpay can’t be bothered to learn my name. Even though we’ve gone to school together for like 5 years.
All of thar doesn’t matter, because Sharpay makes Ryan happy, and anything or anyone that makes Ryan happy is on Chad’s good list.
Which means he’ll protect them if given the opportunity. And anything important to the things important to Ryan…. And the list gets too long.
It’s nice to know Ryan’s always got some company. Chad himself is going to be driving home… alone again.
Which isn’t a bad thing… teenagers love their independence, no?
But Chad doesn’t really love independence. Some may guess it’s why he doesn’t love high school. It’s too… individualized.
He’d never admit it, but his father’s mainly to blame for this. His father’s never been… there for him.
More absent than not, and Chad even had to illegally drive his motorcycle to get places.
Like the hospital… to visit it his mom, or school, or whatever.
So he really appreciates Sharpay. No matter what he said before the summer, or during, or whatever little jokes he made.
Sharpay is a good sister and a better dancer than he’ll ever be no matter how hard Ryan tries.
Chad checks his mirrors, and when he sees they’re fine, he starts his drive home. His house is farther from the school than the busses reach, so he always has to drive.
‘S why he wanted a car so badly over the summer. His dad finally got his promotion which meant he’d be needing the car during the school year.
And he worked that terrible job just for this used one. But, that job wasn’t all bad…. It brought on some.. *ahem* nice baseball games.
And fireworks! The fireworks were pretty cool.
Tonight was just as dark as that beautiful night of fireworks… which was strange since it was only 4:15.
He’d gotten far enough away from the school that the street names were no longer recognized by any of his classmates.
Daryll Rd. Winder Avenue. Not close enough to his street though.
He was actively turning right when he saw a small dog in the middle of the road.
He stopped turning to avoid it, but slammed his car right into the ditch of an old wheat field.
He would have been fine, since it was a soft landing, but the impact of the car hitting the ground was just enough to send Chad’s head forward into the steering wheel- knocking him out.