What happened before Julie came in to the studio after Stand tall?

"You know what guys, it was really good life" said Alex quietly, while he was laying in the studio's floor "I mean how many people can say the they make it till the end of the line with his friends twice"

Before a big situation that generates a great pain and/or the feeling of loss, it is scientifically proven that people go through different stages. They say that you cannot predict how a person will react to this stimulus. As in Alex's case everyone would think that the boy would go into a complete panic, because of their knowledge of Alex's anxiety. But all that was going on in his head were the following sentences. It couldn't be that bad, could it? To not exist meant no more suffering. No more heartbreaks. No more fights with parents. And if that wasn't what people call resting in peace then he didn't know what was. He had accepted it.

"the acceptance of loss and the arrival of a state of calm associated with the realization that death and other losses are natural phenomena in human life." -Elisabeth Kübler-Ross

"This can't be happening," said Reggie with some anger, "We can't just NOT exist, fuck our pride let's go with Caleb," after that his friends gave him a look of confusion. Maybe because they didn't understand how Reggie wanted to go with Caleb. Or maybe because it was the first time they heard Reggie say a bad word. The bass player realized he had to explain his point "I told you guys, you're the only family I have. I'd rather work for Caleb for the rest of my life if it meant you guys will be safe".

Reggie's response was inexplicable to those who knew him well. Reggie, the guy who hated it when people raised their voices and swearing, doing so. The one who said that everything would be okay because "we are never alone if we have each other" willing to trade the life and freedom of not only himself but also his friends to stay (if we can say so) alive. On the other hand his response was just like him, inexplicable. What did he feel? What did he want? How was he? In denial. Angry at life for not giving him a break. Willing to negotiate.

"Denial, anger and bargaining are the three most complicated stages. Since in these the person does not understand. No, he doesn't want to understand the situation. He doesn't want to cry. He wants everything to be magically fixed." -Elisabeth Kübler-Ross

"You're right Alex we had our good times," Luke said completely ignoring what Reggie had already said, as if he knew the boy wasn't thinking straight. But there was something in Luke's tone of voice. It was very familiar. Like when something hurts to the point where he doesn't want to leave his room ever again. That it's no good enough, and everything he does is worthless. But instead of getting depressed he ignores it. That's how he is, he never knew how to handle the feelings of others because he doesn't know how to control his own.

"Deep sadness and a feeling of emptiness are characteristic of this phase, whose name does not refer to a clinical depression, as a mental health problem, but to a set of emotions linked to natural sadness." -Elisabeth Kübler-Ross

"Yeah, and you grew that ugly mustache" said Reggie now being a little more himself, "We laughed so hard at you when we saw you come in with that monstrosity on your face" it wouldn't hurt him to laugh at Luke one last time, would it?

"We laughed so hard that time we ended up on the floor practically crying" said Alex still thinking about his great moments in his life "Like now" said Luke letting out a little of the sadness he had accumulated "You know guys there were so many things I wanted to do with you guys, we were going to be rock stars" he announced trying mostly to cry.

"And maybe Reggie is right and it would be so much easier to go with Caleb. But he's not worth it. I'd rather have ten more minutes with you guys than an eternity working for him," she said with all the confidence she had left.

"No regrets...?" He said opening his arms for a hug that he thought might be his last.

"No regrets" answered Alex and Reggie with confidence.

You know...there are friendships that can last more than one lifetime. And Alex, Luke and Reggie are not living proof of that.