Chapter Title: Separate Lives, Miles Apart
Summary: Sometimes everything you have just isn't enough. This is the story of holding onto a love worth keeping. Sequel to Wicked Game. Takes place four years later.
Nothing can prepare you for the last few months of college before you venture off into the Real World. The sudden realization that you are fast approaching adulthood is more mind numbing than the fact that everything you do from here on out will forever make a mark on your life. If you're lucky you will have a support system strong enough to help you through it all. This is the story of ten friends. And the trials and tribulations they have to go through to stay together. Every friend plays a role in this story. There is David, the strong one who everyone depends on for all the answers. There is Ryan, he is unassuming; and smarter than he lets on. There is also Jason, the pessimist who thinks the world will suddenly fall down around him if he doesn't keep things together. Then there is Jack, the leader and the one that keeps them all together. Michael is the optimistic one who keeps everyone from feeling like things are too hard to handle. Tony is the smartass who makes everyone laugh when things are too stressed. Sean keeps Tony in line when his mouth gets the best of him. Ethan is the peacemaker that hates when everyone fights. Sarah is the only girl in this group, but hates when she isn't treated like one of the guys. She's used to it by now. John is the loner, that doesn't keep in touch as much as he should. He's had a lot to deal with in the past few years.
These friends are spread out across the country and are desperately trying to stay friends despite the distance. Some are closer than others and some wish they were closer than others. They have given up a lot to be where they are. Jason gave up his dream school to be close to Sarah. He also took summer courses so that he cold graduate with her. Michael has moved out of his dorms and into an apartment close to Ryan's school so that they would be closer.
They seem to have it all. But some of them wished that they had more. Ethan isn't over the heartache of losing the love of his life. John is dealing with it in other ways. Jack misses David more than he has ever missed anyone in his entire life. They have separate lives that are at separate ends of the country. Sean wants more than Tony is willing to give. Tony would give him the world if he could. What he doesn't know is that all Sean wants is his trust.
Jason plans to move to California once he graduates to start his music career. Sarah is willing to go wherever he goes to see that he has everything he has ever wanted. David plans to stay in New York despite Jacks' pleads to move to California. Ryan still has more school ahead of him. He had surprised everyone by declaring that he was going to Medical School. No one is more proud of him than Michael.
Can these friends make it through the changes that lie before them? Only time will tell. But if they do they will be stronger and closer than they have ever been before.
XXXX
Blink was hunched over his desk typing his last term paper of the semester when someone knocked on his door. He called for them to come in without looking up from his laptop. He heard the door open then footsteps behind him. Hands rested on his shoulders as he felt fingers kneading the stiffness from them. He sighed in contentment as a smile spread across his face.
"I better not tell my boyfriend how much I'm enjoying this."
"I promise I won't tell him." Mush said with a laugh.
Blink lifted his head to look up at him still smiling. He could take a break; he was almost done anyway. He pushed his chair back before following Mush over to the bed. He looked over at the clock as he lay next to Mush on the bed. It was almost one; he didn't realize it had gotten so late. Mush had been staying over a lot recently. Blink was lucky he had gotten a single room this year. He didn't have anyone to answer to.
XXXX
Sarah reached for her alarm clock blindly as it rang shrilly. Skittery reached over her to turn it off himself. She turned over on her back with a groan. It didn't seem like that long ago they had gotten into bed. She would just have to put her foot down the next time he wanted to stay at the bar until closing time. He ran a hand down her arm trying to get her to open her eyes. She sighed before opening her eyes.
"Morning." He said with a smile.
"Morning." She said returning the smile.
One of these days she was going to have to tell her parents that they were living together. She had been putting it off for the past six months. It was a conversation she wasn't looking forward to. But she was going to enjoy things while they lasted. Skittery's lips brushed against her temple before he got out of bed. She watched him as walked out of the room. Things were definitely going good for them.
XXXX
David walked into his one bedroom apartment seeing the answering machine light blinking. He pushed the play button as he tossed his keys on the coffee table.
"Dave it's me, just letting you know you're it. And that I'm tired of playing phone tag. I miss you. Call me when you get a chance. I love you." Jack said before hanging up.
David smiled as he picked up the phone. He dialed Jacks' number from memory. The phone rang three times before Jack picked up.
"David?" He asked breathlessly.
"I thought your voice-mail was about to kick in."
"Sorry. I had to make a mad dash from the kitchen to the living room."
"I miss you too."
"There's this guy in my Economics class that sounds just like you. I swear I've almost slipped and called him David more times than I can count." He said with a laugh.
"How's studying going?"
"Slow. The good news is, I only have one paper this week. Then I'm free of this jail until April."
"Are you coming home for Spring Break?"
"Yeah. I should be home this weekend."
"I can't wait."
"Me either." Jack said with a sigh.
"I better let you go. Blink and Mush should be here soon. We're going out to dinner with Specs. He's back in town."
"Call me later."
"I will. I love you."
"I love you too Dave."
David hung up as the doorbell rang. He was out the door a few minutes later but he still thought about what Jack had said. They had the summer together. Then Jack would be going back to California. He had a job lined up starting in the fall. It was hard to believe that he was the first of them to find a job. The software design company had hired him without interviewing him because one of his professor's had recommended him. Things were starting to look up for him. Now if only that would happen to everyone else they would be fine.