Chapter Text
It has been three months since the class of 2019’s graduation. During the first month the group chat was filled with excitement, encouragement, and engagement from everyone in it. Everyone was participating but the most active were Clay, Tony, Jessica, Tyler, Zach, and Alex. It seems as they never ran out of topics to discuss, from their previous trauma or upcoming collage plans. Their texting never ended, until it did by the end of the second month.
By then everyone’s classes had started and it seems liked nobody had time for their high school friends. Each off making new and more close/convenient friends with their collage peers. Most were anyways.
Clay’s mental health has been improving since seeing this new girl. They’ve been getting coffee everyday, it always gave Clay something to look forward to. Since they always seemed to have the time of their lives together. They navigated collage together, talked deeply about their pasts, and cared about each others more than each thought was possible.
Tony was thriving as well, surprisingly. After venting to Caleb over the phone for about the hundredth time Caleb decided it would be best if he was there with Tony. Caleb was able to relocate his gym to a new location only a twenty minute drive from where Tony was staying at collage. It was a hard decision that took time but Caleb believes that Tony is worth it. Tony felt guilty about this but after weeks of being reassured by Caleb, he felt much better. Tony left his dorm to go back to living with Caleb. Their relationship was as secure and mature as ever.
Jessica stopped talking to Diego recently, she felt as if they weren’t a healthy match. She broke it off after a few weeks of texting, she told him she wanted to focus on herself. And that was the truth. After Justin and everything traumatic that had happened in her high school career, she wanted her college experience to be drama free. Since then she’s made a couple friends in her classes.
Tyler and Estella also broke up, as it seems to be the best choice long term. Before Tyler’s collage classes started he visited Estella’s home. And met her family, which Tyler wasn’t ready for. Upon meeting Mr. De La Cruz he had a horrific panic attack. All he could see was Monty, it was all he’d ever be able to see in him. Estella brought him down but Tyler decided that this just wasn’t going to work out. They’re still friends but communicate much less than before. Tyler feels horrible knowings it’s his fault they aren’t together but Clay reassured him Tyler should be putting himself first, as he was still healing.
Zach still hadn’t told his mom about this music class, although he still visited home often. His mother and little sister were always excited about his visits, which he did often. Although exceeding his academic standards, his social status was quite the opposite. He was still burnt out from high school so he wasn’t really interested in talking to others. He didn’t hang out with people much but thrived by himself.
Alex was still dating Charlie but… it was complicated. Charlie was a great guy, but Alex didn’t know if he was in love him anymore. He was beyond grateful for all Charlie had done for him, especially figuring himself out sexuality wise. Although the long distance relationship wasn’t really working on Alex’s side. Charlie was constantly calling and blowing up his phone with sweet messages, it was starting to drive Alex crazy.
Everyone had seemed to move on but Zach couldn’t stop thinking about them. Which made sense, he was the only one that had nothing going on the last few months. He decided he’d reach out in the group chat to suggest a hangout. He send a text-
“Hey guys. Umm let’s all hang out?” ~Zach
Alex was the first one to answer, taking only two minutes. He was growing tired of Charlie and thought hanging out with his high school best friend would be good for him.
“Oh that sound sick, ideas?!” ~Alex
“Well there’s some old rock band concert back in town next week. They are going to play for three days sooo like we could stay in the area. Book a hotel, listen to them play, hangout, and do whatever else in the area. Thoughts?” ~Zach
“Some old rock band?! I just looked it up, you mean one of the best ever bands to exist right?!” ~Alex
Zach knew it was one of Alex’s favorite bands. He saw their poster every time he visited Alex’s room, it was on the back of his bedroom door. Alex used to talk about them on end, even recommended some songs to Zach. He listened to them but it wasn’t Zach’s things. Still he used to hype them as much as Alex did back in junior year. Although it was more fun to mess around with Alex than admit that.
“Ummm… I guess someone could say that. Sooo we on?” ~Zach
“I’m down” ~ Alex
Within the next few minutes the rest of the friend group answered too, most in agreement.
“Sound cool! I’m in” ~ Tony
“Yeah same here!” ~Tyler
“Ok” ~Clay
“Wdym ok?? Don’t come if you don’t want to Clay!” ~ Jessica
“Huh?? I said I wanted to!” ~Clay
“That’s definitely not how you said it” ~Jessica
“God you too are already arguing, we’re so back” ~Alex
*Zach loves Alex’s message*