Michael's POV

I lean back in my seat, head resting against Blake's forearm. We chat meaninglessly about sports and home while the girls get ready and Charlie tunes his guitar, and sound mixed with cursing heard faintly from the room next , Blake and I just break from what we're talking about and listen to him, so focussed.

"It's not that often we experience this" Blake jjoked earlier once he'd peeked into the kitchen. As we're on the topic of girlfriends- god forbid- Robert comes in holding a clipboard. I notice that he's dyed his hair as well, so now it's the shade of mahogony. I smile at him and call for everyone else to come in. Nellie's first, briskly followed by Shanna and Aylin. Charlie enters through the door to our right and smiles at Robert.

"Hey Robert, there's something different about you..." He pauses, his eyes thoughtful. He breaks into a smile and raises his voice. "Is that a new clipboard!" We all laugh and Robert chuckles, signalling for Charlie to sit down. Robert clears his throat and shrugs his shoulders.

"Hey guys, so well done for getting this far. But it's about to get a whole lot harder." I shallow. Great.


Nellie's POV

After last week, I'm immediately worried about what's coming next. I mean, I was so close to leaving. I thought I got my confidence back, but I feel as though it's failing me, so close to shattering into a million miniscule shards. I intake a sharp breath, praying that it's not as awful as I expect.

"This weeks theme is one which is hard to genuinely master. Your theme is..." I bite my lip, anxious. I look around: Michael and Callie, like me, look terrified while everyone else looks the obvious. "Sexuality!" Yep. This has gone from bad, to worse.


Aylin's POV

Shanna and I squeal with joy and give each other a hug.

"Okay, I can die happy now!" I exclaim, causing everyone to laugh. Charlie has a look in his eye... I try to ignore it. Robert calms us all down and continues.

"I'm glad to see at least some of you guys happy. Anyway, your homework is... Kiss by Prince!" And now? My life is complete.