Disclaimer: All Drake & Josh characters copyright their proper owners. I just wrote this.
A/N: Well, it has been nearly a month since I finished uploading part two of my trilogy. I've finally gotten part three generally the way I want it, so here it is. If you haven't read "We've All Made Promises" and "Truths Revealed" yet, I suggest you do before reading this story or you're going to be very confused with what happens. Now, I hope you enjoy. The first chapter is just some Drake and Josh brotherly bonding. You see, Josh is leaving. I haven't kicked him out of the story completely, don't worry. He will return. He pops up more often than you'd think. And I do have story ideas for when this is complete. One is more humourous and a one shot while the other is something I have up my sleeve that I hope you'll enjoy once it's written. Anyway, for now, I hope you enjoy "Life's Decisions." One note about this story: foreshadowing plays a large part in this story. Just letting you know. Please read and review.
Chapter One: As It Stands
Drake watched the cars pass him on the road. Josh wondered why Drake was driving slow. Actually, Josh wondered why Drake was driving him at all. Normally, if Josh wanted to be taken somewhere, it would be an inconvenience for Drake. Drake had quickly jumped at driving Josh up to the college campus, though.
"Say, Drake," Josh said. "That old lady just passed you."
"Huh?" asked Drake.
"Why are you driving so slow?"
"Can't a guy enjoy a nice car ride to his brother's new college campus?"
"Well, sure he can, but I wondered why you were," Josh responded.
Drake was silent for a moment. Josh was about to question him again when Drake pulled the car over to the side of the road.
"Something the matter?" Josh asked.
"Josh, are you going to miss our family when you're gone?" Drake questioned.
Josh looked surprised at Drake's question. He didn't know why Drake was asking that.
"Well," said Josh. "Sure I am. I mean, I'll miss everybody."
"Everyone?" Drake asked.
"Well, yeah. I'll miss Mom and Dad. I'll even miss Megan. It just won't be the same without someone to dye my underwear pink."
"I see," Drake said.
"Hey," Josh said. "You didn't let me finish. I'm gonna miss you the most."
Drake glanced over at Josh who had a huge smile on his face.
"Come on," said Josh. "You're my brother. My best friend. Leaving you behind is the worst part. Even if my roommate and I get along well, I'll still wish I was back home in our bedroom with you playing your guitar so loud that I can't think straight to do my homework."
Drake smiled a little.
"I'm going to miss you too, Josh," Drake replied.
"Hey, I'll be home for Thanksgiving," Josh reminded him.
"Sooner than that," Drake responded. "I'll probably be driving up to the campus on your long weekends to get you the moment I find out you have one."
"Yeah, you better leave as soon as you find out. You're driving really slow. I'd be careful, you don't want to beat that turtle that just crawled by."
Drake and Josh looked at each other and started to laugh.
"Besides," Josh said, "you have Christine now."
"I can't tell her everything. There's a lot of guy stuff," Drake said.
"Email," Josh replied. "Or phone. I'll still be there for you. Um, Drake?" Josh asked.
"Yeah?"
"Can we go? I'm supposed to be at the campus in an hour and a half."
"Oh, yeah," Drake laughed. He turned the car on again and continued to the campus. Drake pulled into the parking lot of a large building and got out with Josh.
"I didn't tell you this before," Josh said. "But I'm really proud of you for finally telling Christine how you felt about her and for talking to your dad again. I know both of those took a lot of courage."
"Thanks," Drake replied, smiling.
"I'll miss you, brotha," Josh said.
"I'll miss you too," Drake replied.
The guys looked at each other. Normally, now they'd give each other a quick hug and act like it didn't happen. However, when they went to do their normal slap on the back hug, they didn't let go as quickly as normal. A couple girls walked by them.
"Aw, that's so sweet," one of the girls said. "I wish I could find a guy sensitive like that."
Drake and Josh heard what was going on and by now they were both a bit red in the face.
"The redhead is pretty cute," the other girl said to her friend.
"He's taken!" Josh yelled. "So am I!"
The girls looked a bit startled. They walked away from them.
"You just got rid of two good looking girls," Drake chuckled.
"I have Mindy," Josh said.
"Yep, and I've got Christine."
Josh noticed a spark in Drake's eyes when he said Christine's name. It was something new to Josh. Drake had never been this happy with a girl. Josh remembered how Drake finally told Christine he loved her after he had cared about her for a long time but couldn't do anything because of her boyfriend, David. Then David broke up with her--over a text message no less--and Ford, Drake's father, told him about why he left Drake and Megan without contact. Drake hadn't been happy the first time he'd gone to talk to Ford. In fact, he'd planned on staying in New York for a few days, but he came home the next day because he felt he was through with Ford. Then Ford came to San Diego. After a talk with Ford, Drake went to Christine's house and told her how he felt about her. The best part was, she loved him back. They'd gone to prom together and had spent a lot of their summer together. Actually, they spent some of it with Josh and Mindy as well since Josh and Mindy were the ones leaving for college. Drake planned on staying home. He was going to school, but he was only going to take basic classes and see if that did anything for him. Christine had no idea what she wanted to major in yet, so she decided the previous year that she would go to a community college and take a few classes to see what she liked. Josh was happy that Drake and Christine would be together. After how unhappy Drake had been when Christine was with David, Josh was glad to see her with Drake now. She made him happy.
"Yeah, you do," Josh replied. "Don't you dare let her go."
"I won't," Drake said. "I promise. Not without a fight."
"Tell everyone I'll miss them," Josh said. "I'll see you later." Josh picked up his suitcases and began to walk toward the building. He didn't get very far because his suitcase suddenly fell open, and several pairs of pink underwear fell onto the sidewalk.
Drake stood by his car, laughing at Josh's misfortune.
"I guess Megan got you a going away present," Drake said, still laughing.
"Oh, Megan!" Josh exclaimed.
Drake finally got back home. When he got inside, no one was there. It made things a bit lonely since Drake knew Josh wasn't coming back for a while. Drake headed upstairs. He turned on his laptop that his parents had bought him as a present for deciding to go to college. They really hadn't expected it. They'd wanted it, but they were worried Drake wasn't going to take that route. They were happy when he did, and they bought him the laptop since Josh had taken his to college, and Drake might need to do his homework alone in his room, so he wouldn't be distracted. Drake wasn't even sure how long he was going to stay at college. His hope was to finally go see Alan Crimm. However, his band had been steadily falling apart. Drake had promised them a shot, and they still hadn't gone to New York. When Mitch left and was replaced with Neil, Neil had been in the band for about a year, but he had to quit because his mom was starting to worry that it was affecting his school work. Drake finally replaced him, but eventually, some of the other members wanted to go to college, including his new drummer. Drake had practically begged Mitch to come back, but Mitch was going to college out of state. Drake still hadn't found a new replacement.
He opened his email and found a new one from Ford. Drake had been reluctant, but he'd decided to give Ford one more chance. In fact, Drake had made it clear to Ford that this was his last chance. Drake read Ford's email. It was pretty basic, like all of his other emails. At least he was trying this time. It was just difficult to find things to talk about. Drake had told him Josh was going away to college, and Ford simply replied with "that's nice." Drake figured he was trying, though. Drake started a new email. It was a little early, but Josh might like to see it when he first set up his computer.
Wow. It's really quiet here. Nobody's home. I've been home alone before but it seems even more quiet without you around. I guess I miss you already. Be sure to tell me all about your first day on campus. I want to hear if your new roommate is as cool as I am. lol. Oh, yeah, did he find the pink underwear? Don't worry if he makes fun of you for it. No one will ever understand what it's like having Megan for a sister except us. I just thought of something. Now that you're gone, she's going to target me for pranks even more. I should probably start sleeping in my car with the doors locked. Let's see her try to get me that way. Haha. Anyway, have fun. Don't study too hard. You'll end up like your girlfriend. Uh, just kidding. But really, try to have some fun. Just working all the time makes you crazy. Email soon. Bye.
Drake hit "Send" and opened Ford's email again to try to think of a reply. He hadn't asked Drake any questions he could answer. Drake sighed and started to tell him about how he had dropped Josh off at the campus that day. He told him about how he had two weeks until his classes started. He told him what he was taking and how he hoped his English professor would be nothing like Mrs. Haifer. Drake finished the email and sent it. He leaned back in his chair, thinking about what was going on with his life right now. Josh was gone. Drake was going to college. Christine was going to the same one. She was also his girlfriend that he was absolutely crazy about. However, Drake kept thinking about how much he wanted a record deal. Why couldn't he find a drummer? Not only that, but he had had to replace another member. Now there was someone to kind of get used to but it shouldn't be too hard. However, playing without a drummer wasn't good. If he didn't find a new one soon, Drake didn't know what he was going to do.
A small box popped up on Drake's computer screen. He smiled and opened the instant message from Christine.
jlhgirl: hey sweetie.
futurerockstar: hey what's up?
jlhgirl: not much, how's josh's campus look?
futurerockstar: okay
futurerockstar: i'm going to miss him
futurerockstar: i mean he's one of my best friends he's my brother
jlhgirl: i kno. it's sweet.
futurerockstar: glad u think so
jlhgirl: lol
futurerockstar: no one's home today
futurerockstar: it's kind of lonely
jlhgirl: i'd come by, but i have to go to work soon.
jlhgirl: sorry.
futurerockstar: don't worry i'll find something to do
jlhgirl: i know you're missing josh already. don't worry. time will go by quickly and you'll see him again soon.
futurerockstar: i guess u're right
jlhgirl: oops.
jlhgirl: i g2g.
jlhgirl: time for work.
jlhgirl: they want me to train someone today. this could mean disaster. lol
futurerockstar: ok good luck with that lol
jlhgirl: ttyl
jlhgirl: love you
futurerockstar: love u too
With that, Christine signed off of her computer. Drake thought about the things going on right now. They'd take some getting used to but he could do it. Josh had told him the previous night that he knew Drake had a lot of potential and could probably even become a doctor if he didn't hate school. Drake was glad to hear Josh say that. Maybe he could amount to something, but he really wanted his band to get their record deal. To do that, he had to find a drummer. Where would he find one, though? Maybe some things would be more difficult than Drake thought they originally would be. Even though it was said he'd get a meeting with Alan Crimm, that didn't mean it would be easy to make sure he had the band. Sometimes things grew more complicated as time passed.
Drake's screenname should be obvious, but Christine's is a bit harder. Remember, she likes Jon Heder...and she liked Just Like Heaven.
