A/N: WOW! This year has been majorly crazy for both me and my friend, and we've had a hard time trying to get new chapters and stories out to you guys. We're so sorry this took so long, but here it is. Chapter nine of Go the Distance. Finally! Again, we apologize for the extremely long wait and hope you guys will understand and enjoy this chapter.
Ryan was bored. He hated to admit it because he normally was very good at entertaining himself after years without friends. He could amuse himself for hours by writing a song, creating a story in his mind, or playing the piano, but here he was, stuck inside the massive house with a mind empty of ideas.
Sharpay was at school with the rest of his friends but Ryan had been told to "take it easy," which meant staying home to amuse himself. After his PE scare, Ryan had been trapped in the hospital for a week, and was released only to be told that he would be stuck at home for another couple of weeks at least. Three weeks had passed so far.
Ryan was still incredibly sore, presumably from the emergency surgeries, but breathing was getting easier day by day. He had noticed improvement even while he was still in the hospital, and now he was certain he was well enough to return to normal life. Unfortunately Dr. Collins didn't agree, and so now Ryan was stuck sitting on his bed, strumming his guitar hoping inspiration would come to take him out of his current slump.
The first day that Ryan had been home, his mom had come to see him and pretended to dote on him. Ryan tried to convince himself that she really cared, but try as he might, he could see the look in her eyes that searched for a means, any means, of escape. Although he longed for her to stay and be a real mom, Ryan had told her that he was feeling good and that he would prefer the silence. She was packed in minutes and out the door within the hour.
Something that hadn't occurred to Ryan for a couple of days at the hospital was that he had missed a chemo treatment. When he first realized it, Ryan was extremely happy that he had dodged the worst part of his month. After he had contemplated it more, he realized that the lack of a chemo treatment also meant the lack of something that could cure him. He understood that he would have to be physically better before he could restart treatment, and in that time, the cancer could have time to spread.
The weakness his body was experiencing was probably from his latest escapade, but he now wondered if part of it was his body losing the battle. It terrified him to think of it, but it was a very real possibility.
But even as all of these ominous thoughts drifted around in his mind, Ryan could honestly say he didn't care, because the most imminent problem he was facing was the boredom. The day before, Ryan had tried to learn a tap dance routine for fun, but less than half way through he had doubled up with pain and given up, hoping that Sharpay wouldn't find out how stupid he had been.
Ryan had never really enjoyed watching TV for hours on end, yet he had spent two days last week channel surfing and had discovered that he had good reasons for keeping the TV off. He was certain he would never enjoy watching movies again after he had watched them all at least once. At this point, most people would pull out a book to read, but Ryan had dyslexia, and reading could be a struggle. He was better at reading than he had been when he was little, but it was still more difficult for him than your average person, making reading "for fun" not nearly as much "fun."
Going outside and practicing basketball or pitching was out of the question on many levels, and when he had gone outside for a walk, he had been ordered by Fulton to remain indoors. Ryan hadn't ever been one to long to be outside—he usually just went outdoors without a second thought. But now, he stared outside at the gorgeous sunny day and learned what pining felt like.
The word pining sounded to him like a cat scratching at the door and releasing desperate mews with a sense of calm craze. Yes, it sounded like an oxymoron, but it was the idea that, on the outside, you seem calm, but inside you are so ready to burst that your head feels light, your sight is hampered, and you want something so much that you are nearly in desperate tears. Looking outside, Ryan could feel himself ready to lose it.
But one of the most irritating things about his predicament was that Sharpay had thrown every article of clothing that Ryan owned into his closet and locked the door, keeping the key with her. She only left plenty of flannel pants and t-shirts for him to wear. She had simply explained that she was making sure he would be comfortable while he rested at home, but Ryan knew that it also acted as a means to keep him from leaving the house. Ryan would never go anywhere wearing flannel pants and a t-shirt.
It also meant that he tended to hide in his room when anyone stopped by to say "hi." Ryan had every reason to be furious at Sharpay, but he found he couldn't be. Sharpay was just worried about him and was doing her best to take care of him.
Checking his watch again, he giddily noticed that school should be out, which meant Sharpay would come home soon. This filled him with hope and dread at the same time. He longed for human company, and he loved his sister dearly, but she would have him lying down for the rest of the day, and he would do it because it would make her feel better.
Suddenly, Ryan jerked up on his bed at the sound of the doorbell. Company! Shar never came through the front door, so it had to be someone else!
Ryan jumped out of bed (though it was more a pained roll off of his bed) and made his way as quickly as his battered body could move, forgetting the blue t-shirt with "Lava Springs" printed neatly on it and his matching plaid flannel pants.
Ryan threw the door open without checking who it was and became excited at the sight of Kelsi standing before him. Just as Kelsi lifted her arm to give a nervous wave, Ryan cried out, "Kelsi!"
At Ryan's unexpected greeting, Kelsi's nervousness vanished and she just smiled back with a, "Hey, Ryan."
Flushed with happiness Ryan stepped back from the door, gesturing Kelsi inside. "Come on in!"
Ryan led the way into the living room. "Sharpay should be home any moment, so—"
"Actually," Kelsi cut in, "that's why I'm here. Sharpay is hanging out with Zeke today, so she asked that I come over to check on you and keep you company."
Ryan's mouth slowly formed into an 'O' and then he grinned, "I can live with that." Kelsi sat down on one couch and Ryan took the one facing her.
Kelsi smiled shyly before saying, "I haven't seen much of you since the … erm … accident. How are you feeling?"
Ryan shrugged, "I was pretty miserable for awhile, but I'm good as new now. And I am so sick of this house, its not even funny. Shar and Fulton won't even let me go outside."
Kelsi looked at him sympathetically, "That stinks. But I know they just want to protect you. They were really worried when you were sick."
Ryan nodded guiltily, "I know."
Kelsi looked at Ryan seriously, "Sharpay was really nasty to everybody the entire time you were in the hospital. You couldn't get anywhere near her without her snapping your head off. Just ask Gabriella."
Ryan smiled a little, "She snapped my head off as soon as I was well enough that she thought the stress wouldn't kill me."
They both fell quiet, both deep in thought. Kelsi's voice broke the silence.
"It was really weird seeing you in the hospital."
Ryan nodded, "I'm sorry."
Kelsi tilted her head to the side. "You don't have to be sorry—it wasn't your fault. I was just … I was really worried."
Ryan nodded again, eyes never leaving his sock-clad feet.
Kelsi paused, "I guess it was more than worried. I was scared, Ryan. I thought you were going to die. Not when you were in the hospital as much, I guess, but in the gym and when we were waiting at Troy 's house, I just kept thinking I would never see you again. I mean, you died right in front of us, and … I didn't want to lose you. I don't know what I would do without you …" Her voice trailed off.
Ryan looked up sympathetically and said softly, "Kelsi … I'm so sorry. I wish people wouldn't worry. I'll be fine."
"Right," Kelsi murmured sarcastically.
"Kelsi," Ryan paused and took a deep breath. He got up and knelt on the floor trying to catch her eyes. "Can you look at me for a sec.?"
Kelsi looked up curiously seeing the seriousness written on Ryan's face.
"Kelsi," Ryan began again, "I … I think I like you!" he blurted out. Kelsi's eyes went wide in surprise, and Ryan's face turned bright flaming red, and an uncomfortable silence fell throughout the room.
As Kelsi didn't answer, Ryan began to get more and more uncomfortable. Sharpay had been wrong; Kelsi didn't like him and now their friendship would be over. And even if Kelsi would never date him, he needed her friendship.
Feeling humiliated under Kelsi's shocked glance, Ryan began to rise and turned around in an attempt to leave the room with some dignity intact.
"I like you, too." The voice was so soft that Ryan wasn't sure he had actually heard it, but he stopped anyway without turning around. His imagination had been running wild from his days of being alone in this big house; Kelsi couldn't actually have said-
"I like you, too." The voice was louder this time, and, although still embarrassed, Ryan turned around and saw Kelsi standing in front of the couch looking at him with shining eyes.
Ryan paused, heart pounding in his chest, but he walked a step closer to her as he tried to keep his voice steady, "Kelsi … will you … will you go on a date with me?"
Kelsi smiled, "I would love to, Mr. Evans."
Ryan just stared back at her, grinning. Suddenly, his face fell, and Kelsi grew concerned as she watched him.
"What is it, Ryan?"
Mournfully, Ryan said, "I can't go anywhere. I'm not allowed out of the house."
Kelsi had trouble containing her laughter at how sweet and serious Ryan was. "I have an idea. When I was little my Mom and I would have indoor picnics on rainy days. She'd get a big quilt and spread it on the floor and we'd eat all sorts of picnic-y foods like sandwiches and chips. And then we would play indoor volleyball with a balloon."
Ryan grinned, "That sounds like fun!"
Kelsi smiled, "Then it's a date!"
The two laughed and blushed in unison at the thought of their time together being "a date."
"We could do it now," Ryan suggested. "It's almost dinner time."
Kelsi grinned, "That sounds great! Just let me call my mom and let her know I'm staying here for dinner."
"And I'll call Sharpay and try to see when she's coming home."
They smiled in true embarrassed teenager form before Kelsi broke off their shared look and pulled out her cell phone. Ryan grabbed his phone, too, after watching Kelsi leave the room.
The phone rang five times before Sharpay picked up.
"Ryan?" Sharpay answered, sounding a little concerned. "Are you okay?"
"Oh, yeah, I'm fine! I was just wondering when you were going to be home."
"Well, Zeke's mom invited me for dinner so we can study more."
Ryan grinned, "That's great Shar."
"Do you need me?"
Ryan smiled, "I think I'll be fine. Kelsi said she'd be fine hanging out and eating dinner here."
"Great! Then I'll see ya later!"
"Thanks, Shar. See ya."
Kelsi wasn't back, so Ryan went over to the linen closet and pulled out a quilt to spread on the floor before laying out placemats, silverware, and placing a flower arrangement in the middle. Then he practically ran to his room and searched through his drawer, found what he was looking for, and hurried back to the kitchen to begin the sandwiches.
Kelsi appeared back in the kitchen, saying, "My mom says I can stay. What can I help with?"
Ryan turned from where he was spreading mayonnaise onto his bread and said cheerily, "You can tell me what you'd like on your sandwich."
Kelsi smiled, "I can make the sandwiches if you can get everything else. I don't quite know my way around the kitchen or what else you take on picnics."
"In that case," Ryan handed Kelsi the knife with mayonnaise with much ceremony. "Your utensil of sandwich-making." Then he walked to the refrigerator to pull out a pile of baggies with various cheeses and sandwich meats which he set carefully on the counter.
Kelsi's eyes widened when she saw how many choices they had. Ryan grinned sheepishly, "I can't cook anything beyond a sandwich, so we stocked up on deli foods when we found out I'd be homebound for awhile."
Kelsi was intently looking at each package with something akin to wonder before catching Ryan's amused eyes and blushing furiously. A moment later, Ryan's laugh filled the room followed closely by Kelsi's short giggles. Though it really wasn't that funny, both Ryan and Kelsi felt so full of happiness that it didn't matter.
Before Kelsi could even open her mouth to ask Ryan what he wanted his sandwich to be, Ryan said, "Surprise me," before turning to rummage through cupboards for Bugles, Cheetos, cottage cheese, strawberry yogurt, and the fudge he had carefully hidden beyond the codfish oil since he had found it in his Christmas stocking last year. With arms full, Ryan stumbled into the family room to set them tidily around the quilt, adding a battery powered lantern in the middle for light.
Kelsi came in moments later with their sandwiches, and Ryan anxiously helped her set them at their places and sit down. With a wide smile he couldn't seem to wipe off of his face, he peered at Kelsi.
In confusion and amusement Kelsi asked, "What?"
Ryan flicked on the little lantern and quickly walked over to turn off the regular overhead lights. The lantern gave off a warm glow in the darkness, and Kelsi smiled, "It's like being outside."
Instead of answering, Ryan hastily made his way back towards the blanket, but instead of joining Kelsi, he bent over by a little round machine and flicked another switch. Suddenly, stars danced above them on the ceiling, spinning slowly around like a lazy disco ball.
"Oh, Ryan!" Kelsi said in awed delight. "It's … it's perfect."
With the same wide smile on his face, Ryan took his seat beside her on the blanket, and soon, the two were laughing at some silly joke that no one in the world would understand. But when you're that happy and in good company, the most mundane things can fill your belly with that gurgling laughter that can't be choked back.
Ryan practically inhaled his sandwich, never bothering to find out what it was, and waited for Kelsi to finish. He was practically bouncing with anticipation to play balloon volleyball like Kelsi had suggested. On top of that, he was feeling better than he had for weeks, perhaps even months. Having Kelsi gave him a strange strength and put him in a good humor.
Kelsi seemed to understand what Ryan wanted to do and quickly finished up her meal, then the two carefully put away every jar and baggy and put every dish in the washer without the thought crossing either mind that usually you didn't do dishes during dates.
Turning to Ryan, who was just starting the dishwasher, Kelsi asked, "Do you still want to play balloon volleyball?"
A grin split Ryan's face, "Yeah!"
A line of throw pillows from the couch soon acted as a net and a blue balloon had been mysteriously procured from somewhere in the hall closet. It slowly floated up in the air when Kelsi served it giving Ryan ample time to reach the falling balloon. He hit it back up and watched its twisting course back over to Kelsi.
After several long volleys, Kelsi, in a desperate attempt to hit the poorly placed balloon, hit it and watched in fascination as the balloon started to fall short of Ryan's reach; but her gaze turned to horror as she watched Ryan try to dive for it. Ryan's momentary triumph turned to burning pain as he hit on his stomach and his already bruised organs.
Giving a little groan, Ryan turned over onto his side to relieve the pressure on his stomach and chest as Kelsi hurried over the pillow barricade, concern evident in her face and verging on terror.
"Ryan, are you okay?" she asked, kneeling next to him.
Ryan smiled in an attempt to alleviate that worried expression in her eyes. "I'm fine, Kels. Really."
Kelsi watched him while he began to get his breath back before saying, "You win … and we're done with that for tonight."
"Good plan," Ryan agreed with a grimace as he sat up.
"Hello?" A door slammed and Sharpay's voice called from the foyer.
"We're in here, Shar!" Ryan answered back, quickly getting himself into a more casual position, hoping that Sharpay would still be too much on cloud nine to notice his pain and ask what he had done.
The click of heels sounded on hardwood floor, and Sharpay entered with a glowing, eerily happy face, sitting down on a couch and looking down at her brother and Kelsi sitting on the floor.
After looking them each in the face for a moment, she grinned, "So, what, are you guys together?"
Two identical blushes lit up Ryan and Kelsi's faces before Ryan caught Kelsi's eyes and said, "Yeah, I guess we're together."
If possible, Kelsi blushed even more with the happiness that those words filled her with.
Sharpay just smiled and walked away, but not before Ryan and Kelsi heard her say, "Finally."
And I'm sure everyone echoes Sharpay's little sentiment there (in more ways than one). Again, apologies all around. Reviews, good or bad, are always appreciated. Constructive criticism and encouragement are most welcome. Thanks so much for reading, and hopefully we can churn out chapter 10 more quickly!
Also, there's a poll up on my homepage --right now my friend is torn between a few potential endings. So your input would be helpful. See my profile page for the poll, and, again, thanks so much for reading. We hope you enjoyed it.