February 2, 2023
It is the last year of high school for Stella Zhau. But while the rest of the kids are excited to graduate and rest easy before their college days, Stella is focused on being enrolled into the best universities in the East Coast. Ivy League colleges are her biggest bets. But she only received follow-ups from several universities around Michigan. She tries not to be disenchanted by her lack of progress in her college prospects. So, she occupies her time repairing her cousin's PS5 and dusting off the circuits to make it fresh.
Her mother is concerned by her mood recently, as she expects Stella to be proactive on preparing for college. She enters her room as the now-eighteen year-old is placing back a capacitor one of the motherboards of the PS5, using a soldering iron. She asks, "Stella, you are not going to the football game this afternoon?"
"No thanks," Stella replies casually, as her eyes on a monocle magnifier are laser-focused on the brandishing the circuits, piece by piece.
"I thought you were looking forward for it," her mother recalls.
But Stella gives a nonchalant response, "Yeah, I was."
Concerned for her sudden detachment, Stella's mother asks her, "Anything wrong, hija?"
"Nothing wrong, mom," the now eighteen-year-old stresses as her eyes are focused on the three-year-old game console. "Just needed to fix Jun's PS5. Maybe I can drop by at the game, if ever."
Her blunt answer kind of disappoints Stella's mother. The latter responds, "Oh. I was hoping that we could go together. You know. Weeks for now, you're graduating. And I just want to cherish time with you." The pleas of her mother softens Stella's hands that she slowly loses focus of her repairs and turns her face towards her. "I am not prepared for that day. But I just want to be happy instead of crying for you, anak."
Mrs. Zhau wipes her tears, but she switches to be understanding of her daughter, as mothers should do. "But not to matter. I can handle my grievances. But I am concerned with you. I know you're just coping about college enrollment with fixing your cousin's stuff. But I just want to see you happy that you're…about to go to college."
Stella could not bother but lend a crooked smile. Feeling for her mother, she promises her, "Okay, mom. We can watch the game together. I just need to finish this right away."
"You really mean, sweetie?" Mrs. Zhau asks tearfully.
"I'll just speed this up. I just need to clean one capacitor…"
Mrs. Zhau cheerfully but unintentionally cuts her, "That's great. Take your time while I finish some papers and wait downstairs."
However, Stella hurriedly suggests, "Mom, you can go ahead. I'll just meet you in the game…"
But Mrs. Zhau's excitement overlaps her concern as she exits her room. "Don't worry, hija. We're going to have a great time."
Stella does not want to spoil her mother's joy. But at the same time, she feels nauseous of the derailment of her plans. Fixing her cousin's PlayStation console is just a cover for her plans. She quickly closes the door and locks it for security. She then quickly opens her closet where her unused sports and electronics equipment are stored, where no one other than Lincoln Loud is hiding.
"Man is it hot inside there," the white-haired teen remarks as he emerges from the slightly dusted room and pats off them cobwebs.
"Maybe hide under the bed next time," Stella suggests. "It is full of shoes anyway." She then double checks outside for any sign of her mother. "You sure it's okay at this time of day?"
Lincoln is confident that they can have their "session" together since Stella's room sound-proof, due to it being used for production of their news program. "No choice. It's our last moment, you and I," he tells her. "Comic-Con Club is fully packed until graduation. And there are finals. Then…you know."
When he stutters about the thought of graduation, Stella feels uncertain as well that her body shudders. While she enjoys the thought of college life, separating the perils of enrollment, entering it is a scary part since it involves leaving childhood and high school behind.
"I just cannot imagine a brand new life outside of here," she shares.
Lincoln sympathizes to her. "Hey, I am nervous. I could not for a tiny bit imagine a life outside of high school. Even Clyde. Or Liam. Or Zach. Or Rusty. Or even Girl Jordan. But hey, we're together in feeling the same way. And that's why we can overcome it. We'll stick together, just in some other capacity. And we always have memories to cherish."
Hearing his assurances lets the heart of Stella get warmed up. She places her forehead on Lincoln's shoulder, feeling his comfort. Lincoln just freezes as Stella cuddles from the heat of being inspired by her friend's words. While that could be the result of her friendship, Stella somewhat overlooks for the fact that she has "feelings" for Lincoln. However, their "sessions" are anything but gestures of their secret, deep friendship. And both of them promised to themselves that they will not dive into any serious relationship. It is nothing more but a "mutual understanding". Or, in a logical sense, a foolish heart.
Lincoln kneads and pats Stella's hair, then glides on its silkiness. "Well, we don't have all da…" Before he can finish, Stella plants her lips on Lincoln's, and Lincoln locks his lips into hers. They share each other's warmth as their bodies collapse to the bed. A growing heat covers them for the remainder of the little time they have.
Gladly, Stella and Lincoln did not last long to raise suspicious for Mrs. Zhau to check on her daughter. The mother and daughter are able to attend the game together, which is another match between the Royal Woods Roosters and the Hazeltucky Hockers. Most of the students from Royal Woods High School watch the game to cheer for the students participating in their home team. Meanwhile, Lincoln, Clyde and Stella cheer for Liam, Zach and Rusty as the Rooster mascots, who either get stomped on by fans or booed off by the rivaling team.
Needless to say, the Hazeltucky Hockers win the match, and thankfully not because of Lincoln's mishap. However, the rest of Royal Woods are disappointed. It is another losing streak for the Roosters since "The Loudest Yard".
After the game, the gang converge to a local Denny's to drown their grievances on a plate of flapjacks and bacon. Several fans are also inside the diner to indulge their time on bottomless volumes of root beer.
"First, the North American Fortnite Tournament, and now this game?!" Rusty pours out his complaints, "Can't live get any chances for me to feel like a winner?"
"To be fair, you weren't in any of those games," Zach responds.
"Oh what does it matter, Zach?" Rusty retorts. "It is the end of high school. And this is how it ends." He then throws the headgear of his rooster mascot suit to the floor, making a waiter carrying a tray of onion rings trip to the floor. He never flinches back to show any concern. But Zach does with irk on his shoulder.
Suddenly, a panting Girl Jordan joins the gang on their table. "Hey guys, can I sit?"
"Sure," the boys quickly respond, and Liam, Zach and Rusty, still wearing the half of their heavy mascot suits, squeeze themselves to give a spot for Girl Jordan to sit.
"Are you okay, dear?" Mrs. Zhau notices.
"Sounds like you're heaving," Clyde tells her.
"Just feeling heavy. Not to bother," Girl Jordan assures them, but her heavy gulping and continuous gasping do not give confidence to the rest that she is alright.
Concerned, Mrs. Zhau calls out for a waiter or waitress. However, the diner is packed that it is unlikely any of them will hear her. "Okay, stay here. I'll get some water. And also follow up on our order. Okay?"
After so, Girl Jordan takes Stella to the ladies' room. The boys are left with concern, wondering what is going on with the blonde. But that is answered for Stella when, secured inside the single-toilet quarters, Girl Jordan breaks down in front of her. Girl Jordan pours out her tears, never caring feeling vulnerable in front of a friend she can trust.
"What happened, Girl Jordan?" Stella tries to ask, but all she gets are tears from the former.
Girl Jordan releases her grievances. She cannot take the heavy feelings that occupy her. They are too heavy that she leans to the cold wall and slides slowly to the floor. Stella consoles her, wiping her tears and patting her back.
"Just let it out," Stella assures her. She stays patient over the blonde as her tears prevent her from sharing to her what really happened. Stella tries to surmise what could be the cause of Girl Jordan tearing up. Having known her enough, she only thinks of the little sum of her assumptions: was it the game? Or her upcoming college life? Or leaving high school? Or was it the game? Or her grades? Or her parents quarreling? Or was it the game, again?
Girl Jordan clears her throat, even if tears run from her eyes. After controlling her heaving, she opens up to Stella. "Am I a good enough person?"
Stella confidently answers, "Of course you are. Why would you even ask that?"
"Just a thought…" Girl Jordan's tone goes far from the bright and cheery popular girl that she actually is in front of her peers.
"Why? What happened?"
Girl Jordan take a deep breath before she confesses to Stella everything. "It is pretty heavy." But Stella pulls her up and lets her friend sit near the sink.
Here is Girl Jordan's story:
"My dad is proud of me being the president of the student council. He boasted it to the dean of University of Michigan. And he is willing to offer a scholarship for me once they evaluated my performance. But it got scarier when dad invited him to the games. He knew for sure that I would support the Roosters in the game since, as Student Council President, I can encourage the team.
But I asked him, 'Why is it a big deal?'
Then my dad shared how he was president, and he was behind several of Royal Woods' successful high school sports teams, including the Roosters. And they thought I could turn around the losing streak of the team.
So, expectations are on me.
Before the game, I went full 'Any Given Sunday' and encouraged the team to do their best. I did my best. But, it happened. We lost. I thought my dad and the dean can take it. But I heard them chatting, with the dean reconsidering my scholarship. He never gave a final word about my status for UMich.
But after the game, I went back to the locker room of the Roosters. I gave them another speech. But, they were not impressed. They were just blank. I tried my best but I guess they are just burnt out. Though that's not the worst part.
As I walked out of the lockers, I forgot my phone from the coach. But before I knocked the door, I overheard the team, just mocking me and…sharing thoughts of…degrading me. They were just…" Because of that trauma returning to her, Girl Jordan tears up again. Stella consoles her with a tender embrace. They let that heavy ordeal slide out of their system.
Controlling her heaving, Girl Jordan continues, "I went back for my phone later. I just waited for my dad to finish his conversation with the dean. Suffice to say, the dean has nothing to say. But a non-answer really means he is denying me." She heaves more to her friend's shoulder. Her sorrow truly makes her question her worth.
Stella lets Girl Jordan release her gripes. Sooner, she assures her, "Girl Jordan, you are the brightest, happiest and liveliest friend I ever had. And let me tell you, your worth is not based on them, but you. They can hurt for real. But they can never take away your worth. I even question my worth when I got turned down by almost all colleges in Ivy League. I wanted to make my parents proud but I don't know how. Maybe that's one of the reasons why I am scared of college."
Feeling her, Girl Jordan also embraces Stella as they share their grievances.
Stella promises her, "Few weeks before grad. But we're in this together…"
Girl Jordan nods her head in slight relief. The two then take their time to relax from the trauma that filled their minds.
Minutes later, the girl emerge from the bathroom and return to the table. Their food has been set, with the boys waiting for them to arrive so that they can eat together.
"Thanks guys for waiting," Stella expresses.
"We wouldn't eat without you," Clyde says.
The entire gang just share just one simple moment, despite the heaviness they carry.