I was sitting on the curb under the streetlight in front of my school. I pulled my knees to my chest, hugging them, and watching cars drive by me. Chloe and I bought food, talked for an hour, and then I was taken back in front of school. I was getting sweaty and almost felt myself fall asleep, but Kate arrived eventually, dressed out of her cardigan and into a really cute overall-skirt combination… with a sweater.

She shyly waved to me. "Hi Max. You found a compromise in your plan?"

"Yep," I stood up, dusting off my pants, "I might drag you to HUE… or did you just mean walking out with me and then going back in? I'm confused."

"If you feel too rude about leaving, I can leave with you. They won't mind, I promise."

"… Okay. Lead the way, Miss Marsh."

"Gladly, Miss Caulfield." She started to walk in the direction of her apartment, letting me catch up, "How are you feeling?"

"A little on edge, to be honest. I've been working on how to calm down, so I think I'll be fine."

"I already told them to not make fun of you… too much. We had to compromise."

"Great," I mentally prepared myself for whatever was going to happen. "How many people are there?"

"Would you like me to name them all? They all go by nicknames, actually."

"That would be good."

"Ledah, Erin, Blaziken, Scorch, Lover, Mud Monkey, Skada, Stinger, Picture, Anime, Meme... The names get weirder, but they're there. I would say about twenty people. Crazy to know so many people. They're nice, I promise."

"Chloe would get along with them with all the nicknames she gives me. You have one too?"

"Gay Jesus." She said without missing a beat. I pressed my lips to hold back a laugh. "You could laugh at it. It's just a joke; they never really use it."

"Good to know. I won't use it on you." I said through chuckling. When I stopped laughing, the rest of our trip was rather quiet as we took the stairs to the second floor and to an apartment directly above hers and Victoria's. There was a bunch of pair of shoes in front of the door, which was a mess and not next to their matching pairs anymore, with a sign on the door that said, "take your damn shoes off before you come in here" in marker.

"It's Ledah's," Kate told me. "You knock first and then you start taking them off."

"That's a lot of people, Kate." There had to be about twenty people in there and it sounded hectic in there. "Just soda, huh?"

I made sure no one had anything else, but I'm sure Ledah was looking too. Just for my sake, of course." Kate knocked two times.

"I could only imagine." I forcefully laughed. I felt uncomfortable meeting them for the first time, but that was because it was so obvious they were protective of Kate, I felt powerless, kind of. The thought of everyone else nearly made me lightheaded.

The door opened and Ledah stood on the other side, still wearing all-gray like before and was holding a red Solo cup in hand, "My daughter's back! And Max is here, welcome! Did you read the sign?"

Simultaneously, Kate and I took off our shoes and went inside. I felt myself freeze up for a moment and just blink. I shut off almost immediately, seeing how full and loud the living room was, but I cleared my throat, and wiped my hands on my pants. Okay, calm down. You'll be fine. They're not even paying attention to you.

"Whoa, you guys do this every quarter?"

"Yep! This one is very special because we're going to talk about the project for the festival. You've already seen more of the film than everyone else."

"Damn, don't I feel special."

Ledah patted my back, "Yup." And they left into an angry circle of people, surrounding a table in the middle of the living room. Around the table were couches, so it was clear the table was moved there to be played on.

"Max!"

I searched around for the voice. Feminine, but it wasn't Kate or Ledah. It sent a shockwave through my body, like when I got called first during the icebreaker. I saw a hand waving from the table and I recognized the white beanie already.

"Steph!" I went up to her, peering at the table covered in Dungeons and Dragons characters and board. "Are you working on the film too?"

"Nope, it's strictly a them thing." Steph waved around a character sheet. "Which makes me kinda mad. I've been a stage manager and post-production for them. Finally, it's gay and they didn't ask me."

"Messed up." I shook my head in disappointment. "Do you think they felt like they were asking for too much?"

"I don't think that's it. Whatever, there's always other projects." Steph took one glance at Kate in the kitchen, talking to someone wearing a hat indoors, wearing all-white, and holding two red cups. "Is Kate your "other friend?'"

"Yeah, she is."

"Had a feeling. I feel like everyone has a tiny crush on her. Not you, though, you're crushing hard."

"Yeah... I am." Learn to be less obvious, Max. "Is this the gaming club you were talking about?"

Steph chuckled, "No. I just didn't think mentioning this party would be important. However, this doesn't look too different from a gaming club meeting."

"Good to know."

"Ever played?"

"Oh, no, Chloe doesn't admit it, but she's into playing these things."

I played these things too, but in front of all these people? Dog, I'm dying just standing around.

Another voice, which I figured out was Erin's, interrupted, "Punch him in the dick!"

"Just..." Steph was hesitant. "Right in the dick?"

"Right. In. The. DICK!"

I chuckled as I stared at the board, a wizard and a rogue stood with a large bull character. Erin and Mikey were playing together as everyone else watched.

"Want to get in on the action?" Steph asked me.

"No, I think I'll pass."

"Alright, suit yourself." Steph went back to the character sheets and resuming the game. I continued to watch for another minute and decided to leave when Mikey's character died. Everyone, including me, comforted him after. When I left, they scolded him for using a specific power move too soon in the game.

I felt a hand grab my arm. "Max, wait for me!" I turned around and it was Kate, who had stopped talking to her friend. "Are you doing okay so far?"

"Oh, yeah, I'm doing fine." Fine isn't the right word. "How do you know Steph and Mikey?"

"Steph is a great post-production editor. So, I met her through a previous film, then I met Mikey through her. How do you know them?"

"Magic/Ritual class, which is uber boring, by the way."

"That's a shame. That class sounded exciting."

"Tell me about it."

We ended up sitting together on the couch, black leather, and way nicer than mine, where a few people already sat. They were too busy talking to each other to notice us. We were still close by to the table where the intense battling was going on, so we had to raise our voices just enough to hear each other. A few times, Steph had bumped into my knees and had to apologize.

"Is this considered a party?"

"If you want it to be," Kate crossed her legs and nodded. "But, if you ask any of us, it's not. We all just call it a hang out. This isn't what Victoria has in mind whenever she tells me to go out more, so she never really cares whenever I mention it."

"Maybe 'cuz a board game is involved?"

She giggled. "Most likely. It became a thing to start off with casual talking or a game, maybe two, and then we start talking about... you know, anything. Future plans, mostly."

"Wowser…" Don't panic. Don't panic. Talking is scary. I can barely talk about myself, let alone my problems. It's like one big support group!

"It's an honesty night and what is said in here, stays here." The phrase reminded me of Long Beach. "You don't have to. I know it's difficult for you." She placed her hand on my shoulder. I have to leave when it starts. But, I don't wanna look like an ass.

"Good game, better luck next time," Ledah came out of the crowd as it separated. "Alright everybody, gather around! It's time for the best part about these get-together things—us talking about our problems!"

There were cheers and whoops coming from every part of the room, like they knew it was going to be one huge self-deprecating joke. I mean, that was how Chloe and I talked about our problems. Right now, I was convincing myself that I was talking to about thirty Chloes. Steph and Mikey moved the table and then sat on the floor near my feet. I cleared my throat as I counted every head in the room: exactly thirty. Everyone looked like an art student, down to the bags under their eyes. I had to assume a majority of them were film majors.

The feeling bubbling in my stomach was similar to the one I felt at the beach. I balled my hands up into fists, suddenly out of breath, but I didn't tell Kate or leave.

You'll be fine... Breathe, Max, you're gonna be okay.

"Welcome, I'm so glad you could join on this random Tuesday night and I know some of you have class."

"Whatever, mom, I'm dying about debt either way!" A voice yelled from the circle. It caused everyone to chuckle and agree. I was agreeing too; whether I was coming along or not, I was going to feel regret.

"Anyway, before we get to the gay shit, let's start with introductions! We have a lot of new faces and I'm feeling anxiety, so I'm going first! Hi, name is Ledah, I'm actually a writing major with a minor in film. Next!"

All of us were unsure about how the cycle was going to go, so it was uncomfortably quiet for a good minute.

"Uh," the person Kate was talking to stood up, "Blaziken, also majoring in English, mostly for script and screenwriting. Gay as fuck and—"

"So is ninety percent of this room, you ain't special!" The crowd roared in laughter.

More introductions, I thought those were over with. I was fucking dying as everyone was quickly going through their turn. I tried to count the majors to keep me at ease: twelve film majors, two photography majors, eight animation majors, six were culinary majors, one fine arts major, and one game design major. It was going clockwise and by the time it was ten people away, I only remembered a guy named Daniel DaCosta, a fine arts major with a slight accent and wearing a t-shirt with a m'lady hat tipper dude on it, and Alyssa Anderson, a photography major I saw in a previous class with cool purple hair. There was also Evan from fucking Nutrition, apparently his last name was Harris and I didn't know that at all. There was a familiar face and I had to blink and rub my eyes to make sure it was her.

Juliet Watson, fine arts in writing major, and transferred recently from Chicago after getting enough credits.

"Max, it's your turn." Kate placed her hand on my knee. I was out of my trance, but I saw for one second that Juliet was looking back at me with the same amount of shock. Wait until Dana hears about this. Oh dog, oh dog, oh dog—

"Oh, it's my turn now?" I stood up nervously, my legs were shaking a lot. "Max Caulfield, photography major and design minor." I sat down again with a heavy exhale, relieving myself of all the air I held in my damn body. Great, Max. That was good enough.

"Then I'm last," Kate stood up, "Kate Marsh, animation major. Alright, we're now all acquainted we can start with talking about the film festival."

Everyone cheered and took a quick drink to that. I clapped along with the few people who did.

"So, I'm so excited to say that the script has finally been finalized and won't be going through any more changes!"

"Alright!" A voice cheered from across the group. A wave of applause and whoops went on as she smiled and nodded. Kate waved her hands down and the applause lowered along with it.

"On top of that, the film is halfway done! That means the film will be done by the time of the festival!"

I couldn't help but smile seeing Kate talking to everyone so confidently and casually. I felt jealous—a strong jealousy, boiling within me. I hate this feeling. I bet she's still nervous.

"I could feel it in my bones that we'll win." She said with hope. "I've never been so proud to write something until this script."

"Talk about your inspiration!" Another random voice yelled out. Everyone agreed.

"Yeah, Kate, where did it come from?"
"Who is the other girl supposed to be?"
"Yeah, Kate."
"Tell us!"

Kate giggled, "I would, but I don't kiss and tell."

Sounds of awe and cheering commenced, banging feet and hands on the ground, chanting, "Tell us! Tell us! Tell us!"

She shook her head, but she was still laughing and waving her hands down to shut up. When we did, she waved her hand to another person in the crowd, Blaziken.

She fixed her beanie, a matching white one to Steph's, and cleared her throat, "Okay, yeah, also, sorry Steph, I took your job as post-production editor. Now is a great time to announce that."

We applauded and I saw Steph shook her head in disbelief as she clapped her hands too.

"So, some shit I want to get off my chest is your roommate, Kate. She sucks... so much. I cannot believe how someone so attractive could be so... her? I don't hate her, but—"

This led to a discussion among everyone in the room; apparently, everyone had their very own Victoria story. I listened to Juliet as she recounted her time with today's class and she was a "whole ass and a half." Her words, not mine. I didn't exactly have one, not the kind everyone else had, and when the spotlight was on me, I wasn't sure which story to choose.

"Would you like to hear the story with just me and her other one with Rachel Amber?"

I was bombarded with Rachel's name being yelled and cheered at me. Victoria would kill me and my offspring for retelling this, but did I really care right now? I was feeling a little more comfortable now that I was in a room filled with people who felt the same way. I told the story, from planning it to when Victoria jumped on the couch, causing a thunder of laughter to fill the room. Remembering it was funnier a second time and actually telling it made it way better. I could make her as dramatic as I wanted. But, it was dramatic enough already.

After that, it somehow led to arguments about pasties (not the food, to the culinary majors' disappointments), to stories about tripping over the literal balls in front of Target, to getting on top of Starbucks counters, and lastly, to the sadder portion when we talked about our fears of our futures. We all agreed, with a couple of optimists, that a majority of us will end up working nine-to-fives involving food or store. It was the sad truth of art majors, but at least we did something we enjoyed while we were able to.

"What about you, Max?" Ledah nodded her head to me. "What are you afraid of? Now? Later?"

"W-what? Oh, no, I don't really want to—"

"Come on," Someone from the group called out, "What you say, it's safe with all of us."

Is this really happening? It feels like everyone's eyes are glued onto me. Are you really okay, Max? I balled my hands into fists, avoiding eye contact with everyone. I have to leave. Stop looking at me. I have to get out.

"Actually!" Kate cut the silence, acting like she got a text on her phone. "We have to go. Max said she had to meet a friend again and you know, Victoria."

"Nah, it's cool."
"It's fine!"
"There's always next time!"
"She's annoying, but wouldn't want to piss her off."

Kate helped me to my feet as she waved and said goodbye to everyone. I was dragging her, or at least it felt like I was, out. When the door closed, next thing I knew, I was hugging her so tight, trying to hide in her shoulder. My fingers were digging deep into her sweater.

"You're okay, Max." Kate hugged me firmly, "You can breathe. It's okay."

"I'm so sorry—"

"You don't have to apologize. You did good in there."

I still wasn't coming back into reality. I felt like I was still being stared at. My breathing hasn't calmed down.

"Do you want to stay in my room for a bit?" She started to comb my hair with her hand.

I refused to raise my head, so I nodded it, rubbing my forehead into her shoulder.

We tiptoed inside, staying quiet to not wake Victoria up from her beauty sleep. We went through the dark, turning on the light after closing the door. She held me the whole time, holding my arm to keep me on my feet. She helped me onto her bed, letting me take off my shoes and lie down.

She sat on the edge of the bed, continuing to run her hand through my hair.

"Everyone was staring at me." My heart sped up just at the thought.

"It's very scary, but you did very well." She smiled down at me. "You were able to go inside. You were able to introduce yourself! Those are amazing feats to me."

"Really?"

"Absolutely."

Her voice is so nice. I could listen to her for hours. Talking about whatever she wanted.

It felt like another moment coming on, even when I was a total mess. I saw Kate's face change from smiling to realization, ending on her leaving the bed to check on Alice. There was a weird tension, to me there was. I was tempted to bring up Long Beach, maybe because I was still in a daze. I couldn't bring up my problems. What makes me think I could talk to her about us? She's clearly not okay. The silence was killing me.

Before I could do anything about it, my phone started to vibrate. I looked to my phone, thinking it was Chloe wondering where I was, but it wasn't her name or her picture on my screen. Instead, it was Dana. A million thoughts went through my mind, spiraling from realistic to worse-case scenarios.

"Hello?" I answered, trying to not sound paranoid. "Dana, what's wrong?"

I heard her sigh, tired and was rather quiet on her side. Holy shit, what happened? Do I have to go? What was happening?

"I drove Chloe home," she started, "She didn't drink, but she started to become angry. She took a whole bottle and told me to drive her. She kicked me out before I could offer to stay."

Oh no. "Dana, you have to pick me up. Now."

"On it, just send your address."

I hung up, breathing heavily as I looked towards Kate, who was looking back in worry.

"Thanks for letting me stay, Kate."