Lunch Time (Character fest!)

[Ryan Evans]

Ryan entered the lunch room. He hoped to see Gwen and talk to her but knew that he would sit with his sister of course. He had to tell her about the musical! He was so excited! She had been slightly obsessed with getting back at Troy and Chad. Ryan just wanted to move on, he would be all honky-dory with Chad and Troy, cause they hurt him badly, as well as his sister but, he wanted to get his mind on other things. The dance was one of those things, he was just waiting for someone to ask him. He kinda hoped Gwen would ask him, he really enjoyed her company and could show her some more dance moves. He knew Shar wouldn't be too happy about it though.

He walked to the lunch line and selected a few things, putting them onto his tray. The food had improved greatly since this Ned guy had come to the school, replacing the lunch demon-lady. He was quiet but not scary, which was nice. He paid with his Visa and head toward the drama table. He stopped in his tracks when he saw Chad standing next to Troy, laughing about something.

Chad saw Ryan and nodded in his direction, "Hey Tinker-bell, how's it going?"

Ryan raised his eyebrows and nodded his head slightly. He didn't answer Chad. He just continued walking, avoiding the jocks.

"Chad, lay off it, the girls aren't too happy." Troy said.

Chad rolled his eyes, "Come on, he's a wimp, he deserves it. I think Tinker-bell's a great nickname."

Troy shook his head and smiled slightly, "Got a nice ring to it."

"Ha, that's what I'm talking about!" Chad smiled.

Ryan ignored them, keeping his eyes straight ahead. Amazing what jealousy could do to a person. He shook it off, looking for a friendly face.

(( I figured, canons that aren't taken are open for our manipulation, hehe ))

[Xander Donova (Scott)]

Xander entered the lunch room and hoped his dad wouldn't randomly be there. In the old office that his dad worked in he tried everything to get closer to those he worked with, forming some sort of second family. Xander actually was brought into the old office at times and knew everyone there as well. The guy named Jim was his favorite, he learned a lot from him.

Xander looked around and didn't see his dad which was good. He hoped everyone didn't know the principal was he's dad. If he didn't have a bad status before it would totally go down the toilet now! He really had to work hard now to even get Sharpay to look his way. She seemed confused by him which was better than hating him.

He entered the lunch line and got a tray, he went down the line getting the chicken dish on his plate. "Wow, since when was the food eatable here?" he said and paid for it. He turned and stood looking from table to table.
He saw Chad and Troy making fun of Ryan. They were really starting to annoy him. "Hey, looks like I'm missing out on the dumb nickname party." Xander coming over to them.

"You only wish you came up with it." Chad said.

"No, I actually have better things to do with my life." Xander replied.

Troy and Chad liked Xander actually, he was good for a laugh. "Yeah and what's that?" Chad asked.

"Skipping class, eating, sleeping, not beating up people for no reason or being a jerk. You know, career enhancing stuff." Xander replied.

Chad rolled his eyes, "Whatever. He was asking for it."

"I don't really think he would ask you to beat him. 'Oh Chad, could you please beat me up?' yeah, I'm not picturing it." Xander shook his head.

"Look, Dolvi or whatever your last name is, you weren't there so I would just shut up now." Chad got up in his face and grabbed a hold of his shirt.

Xander swallowed, "or-or what Chad, you're going to beat me up? In front of everyone, one of your friends?"

Chad glared at Xander and withdrew his hand from his shirt. "Just, watch yourself."

Xander smoothed down his shirt and looked at Chad and then at Troy who was looking down at the table, not making any attempt to do anything. "Wow, guess, "Were all in this together" is just a saying now." he shook his head, "Nice knowing you guys."

He walked away from them and over to Ryan, "Hey, how's it going?"

[Ryan Evans]

Ryan was continuing on his way to the drama table, aka his and his sister's table as no one else had been deemed worthy to sit with them yet. He heard Xander and stopped and turned around, watching him and Chad. The strange kid whom Ryan had seen around and never talked to was standing up for him. Why? He wasn't sure.

He grimaced when Chad grabbed Xander in a threating manor. Xander looked visibly shaken but stood his ground. The jerk jock backed off. Ryan hadn't realized he had been holding his breath, the sight of Chad about to beat up Xander brought back memories and that ever present fear. He sighed in relief and Xander walked over to him.
He spoke to Ryan, and Ryan looked confused, why was Xander talking to him?

He raised an eyebrow, "Good..." he paused, well, he might as well thank him, "Uhh, thanks for," he nodded his head toward the jocks, "that." he smiled. "I'm Ryan Evans, you probably know that though."

[Sharpay Evans]

Sharpay Evans, superstar, sat at her and Ryan's table. She was overlooking her kingdom-well, what was left of it. There were jocks mixed with drama geeks mixed with nerds...it was horrible. But she wasn't really paying attention to the status quo. Her mind instead wandered to two topics that had recently overwhelmed her.

Ryan being hurt, of course, took over her thoughts, as it had since the 'incident'. She just missed him so much. Everyday there were reminders of how he wasn't there. Seeing the musical flyer, which normally would have sent her adrenaline pumping, instead made her moody. Even Gwen-Stacy made her more sad then mad lately. She wanted to make it better...make Ryan better, and herself better. Thoughts of revenge normally stormed her mind during these times, but they had been overtaken by thoughts of someone else, instead.

Xander...what was up with that kid? What was up with HER and that kid? She didn't understand it. The only reason she could find to justify her thoughts of him lately was that she was afraid of him 'telling' on her. The whole 'ice princess' thing had served her well over the years and if that dissapeared...if people knew she could be hurt...? She could guarentee they would.

Surely that was why she was thinking of him so much. That was what the feeling in the oitt of her stomach was.

As Sharpay stared, looking but not seeing, the cafeteria, she finally noticed a flash of movement. Chad...the devil jock, was picking on Ryan. Sharpay stood and began to make her way down the stairs to attack. No more holding back-blond hair would be flying and-wait? No, was that Xander?! She stopped in her tracks, visibly confused. Why was this happening? The two things she had been thinking of nonstop.

Sharpay composed herself and took a deep breath, smoothing over her pink polkadotted sundress, and walked to the two. She was clearly guarded, as she neighter smiled nor seemed remotely warm toward Xander when she arrived. But she wasn't outwardly mean, either. "Oh, hello Ryan! Did you forget where we sat? I can walk you up there.." She nodded at Xander. "Xander." She was grateful for his protection toward her brother but she wasn't going to mention it. She oculd have done that."

[Kyle Tripper]

The busy lunchroom, full of hungry students ready to eat the fare found down the lunch line. Kyle hadn't been at the school very long but he already knew that the lunch was supposedly great. He would be the judge of that, as his dad was a chef. It was ingrained in him to know good food, he grew up with it. He wasn't as picky about food as his father but, he did prefer to eat healthy, it helped him in sports to do so. He sighed and grabbed a tray, he took a salad which looked like any pre made salad and the baked chicken breast. He was surprised to see a baked chicken breast in a school setting but happy that the Principal hadn't been lieing. That Principal had said some really weird stuff. Kyle didn't know what to believe, his assistant seemed nice enough though.

He paid in cash and slightly tripped over his feet as his exited the line. (hehe) Kyle was able to catch himself though, not falling and he looked at the expanse of the large room. Who to sit with... Everyone had their clicks it seemed and he could easily spot some of them. He didn't see any of the kids or the coach that he had P.E. with earlier yet. He didn't want to stand around too long. He saw a slightly empty table and decided to sit down at that one.

[Xander Donova (Scott)]

Xander had set his tray down already at a nearby table. He had done this before Chad had decided to hang him up by his shirt. (had to explain his hands were free and his food is still intact) He smiled back at Ryan, "Yeah, I recognize you from all the theater posters. Xander Donova." he nodded his head in introduction. "Don't worry about them." Xander gestured over to wards the jocks, "Think all of that Gatorade has finally melted their brains. Not much left up there but eat, find girl, and beat with club." He noted the slightly confused expression on Ryan's face as he was processing the joke. "So, uh, where are you sitting?"

Just then he saw Sharpay approaching, his heart skipped a beat and he couldn't take his eyes off of her. Xander noted she wasn't overly cold toward him but, she wasn't overly friendly ether. He didn't expect her to be. Sharpay seemed like the kind of person who didn't trust someone right away. She spoke to Ryan first and then turned her gaze on him. His crooked grin lit up his face, "Sharpay, hey." His hands were nervously in his pockets. He wanted to say something else but he didn't know what! "Just talking to your brother about the lower sub-species of human known as the jock. Unfortunately, not a very rare sub-species. Found in abundance in schools and gyms everywhere." Why did he always resort to sarcasm? Maybe because his father always did. Xander put a hand on the back of his neck and turned his attention on Ryan, "Anyway,” his hand slipped down, “I heard about the whole mall thing and that sucks, I'm sorry you had to deal with that.” He paused then continued, “They had no right to do that to you and I'm gonna to deflect any lame rumors I hear. No worries, I've got a trusting face, people listen to this face." he smiled. "Chad and Troy are jerks." Xander was making eye contact with both of them now. He knew he might lose some friends for talking to the Evans in public but, he had lots of friends, the ones that mattered wouldn't care.

[Sharpay Evans]

Sharpay narrowed her eyes on Xander as he began to babble about subleves=ls and jocks... What was he babbling about? He was so...weird. A moment passed where she just stared at him with a furrowed brow, not saying anything. Finally she raised her eyesbrows and looked down and away, as if to say "oookay." He seemed to have felt the uncomfortable moment-which he had brought upon himself.

Next he looked to Ryan and began speaking to him about what had happened. Sharpay again narrowed her eyes, allowing them to brun into him. She hoped he would remember to keep his mouth shut about their 'conversation', or whatever. Luckily he said nothing, and neither did she for a moment. Ryan seemed to be a little uncomfortable with the topic but he was grateful for the support. She was too, it was nice. But she wasn't sure how genuine it was, or if it were just for show. "Agreed." She muttered, looking over her shoulder at the 'jerks' afore mentioned.

"Well, thanks for the chat. Ryan, let's go." She smiled and took her brother's tray from him, already walking to their table.

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[Ryan Evans]

Ryan looked confused at Xander's reference to jocks being Neanderthals. He was about to answer where he and Sharpay were sitting when his sister walked up. Ryan turned to her and smiled, clearly happy to see her. He wanted to talk to her about the musical. He didn't mind Xander being there ether since he seemed to be on his side, and Ryan kind of wanted some guy friends. He had mostly girl friends that he hung out with and talked to, it would be great to have a guy friend to do guy stuff with. Also, so maybe the dumb jocks would stop assuming certain things about him. He was not gay! He liked girls; he just was shy and not focused on getting a girlfriend. His goals didn't include that. If it happened, it would happen, just like in "The Sound of Music" with Maria and the general, or "Westside Story" with Maria and Tony. Her name wouldn't have to be Maria but, he would know his Maria when he saw her.

Ryan was about to introduce Xander when Sharpay said the boy's name. Oh, so Shar knew him, well of course! She had to know everyone in the school; Ryan mentally nodded, thinking that had to be it. He thought Sharpay was so smart. Xander started to ramble about jocks again, it sounded like an insult but Ryan wasn't too sure. Sharpay didn't appreciate rambling, so hopefully Xander would stop. It looked like the skater caught the vibes and he paused, turning to Ryan.

Ryan felt slightly uncomfortable talking about the whole mall thing. He gaze shifted downward. Ryan hated that the whole thing had happened. Then Xander stated to say how he was going to help him. He looked up at him in slight shock; Xander was going to help him? He didn't know what to say. In Ryan's mind it was definitely an offer to be a friend. Ryan didn't notice his sister's reaction. He nodded at Xander's statement about Chad and Troy. Ryan was still in slight shock and Sharpay, unknowingly sensing it or not, took her brother's tray, as he was seemingly immobile. She headed off to their table and Ryan smiled at Xander, "Thanks, see ya around." he headed off and followed Sharpay to their table.

[Xander Donova (Scott)]

"Yeah, anytime." Xander replied to Sharpay, he watched her go. Ryan smiled and followed shortly after, "see ya."

He picked up his tray from setting it at the cheerleader table.
"Ew, watch where you put that lard." Cordelia sneered, she was appalled he had even set the tray on their precious table.

"I was unaware that chicken was lardy." Xander said back, "Sorry to have touched your table your grace." he bowed slightly and headed to the skater table.

Cordelia watched him leave, "whatever! Loser."

"Hey guys! What up?" he set the tray down noticing the disapproving look from Theo. "Uh, do you think the chicken has too much lard too? I can return it."

"Dude, were you talking to the ice babe?”

"The who what?" Xander grinned nervously.

“You know we don't associate with their kind foo!" Theo shook his head, "Only with the outsiders.”

Xander looked around at the skaters, at their relaxed demeanor, baggy pants and...did he see a pog collection? “Do you guys ever get dates?”

Theo looked at Xander in announce,“Hey, dates aren’t as important as the skates.”

“Did you coin that, or can I use it? It sounds like a wonderful slogan for ice skaters.”

Theo stood up, "Bro, why you so worried about girls? Is this what," he pointed over at the drama table, "that was all about? Are you crushing on the ice demon?"

Xander didn't say anything, how did this guy come to that conclusion! It was the right one, he was crushing on Sharpay but, Theo figuring that out, surprised Xander. Theo wasn't super observant. He was caught off guard and didn't have a quick enough answer.

"Oh you are! You be crushing on the ice demon!” Theo laughed and shook his head.

“Hey now I’m definitely not crushing on any demons.” He replied, that wasn't a lie. Xander didn't think of Sharpay as a demon. "She barely spoke to me, I was talking to her brother about the fight."

Theo nodded, "Well, that makes more sense then crushing on ice, dude."

"Yeah...Theo, I think I'm going to take a break from the skater table, need to, hang ten elsewhere, cool?"

"Be a leaf on the wind bro." Theo replied and turned back to his lunch.

Xander raised an eyebrow, "Leaf on the wind..." he took his tray and walked away from the table. "what does that even mean?!" he said under his breath. Sometimes his own click confused him. He headed to the table Kyle was at.