It was Sunday, and Nur was grounded.

Not that it meant anything, but she still felt guilty making her mother worry. Though did it matter if it was all a dream?

She texted Connor, who replied instantly.

They're still asleep. Mom is pissed, but at least it's not at me. Dad says it's my fault Zoe got high.

Nur shook her head.

Zoe can make her own decisions. How's Evan?

Already went home with Jared.

Can I come over? Nur texted

Oh god, yes. I need reinforcements

Nur sent a text to Alana.

Hey, how are you? Hanging in there?

Three dots.

Would it be rude to say I'm not? Ugh, how is this hangover worse? I didn't even drink that much!

Nur sent a crying emoji. She knew she was being a bit of a bitch, but hopefully Alana wouldn't mind.

The comedown is going to be rough, especially since you're already on antidepressants! That's a lot of serotonin!

I don't need a lecture, I feel bad enough! I just want to sleep.

Nur sighed.

I can come over, I'm going over to Connor and Zoe's, I can stop by.

A pause.

Can I come with? I think it would be nice, if we both stopped by. I can bring bagels.

You just want to see Zoe! Nur texted back.

…Ok maybe I do. I like her. Maybe I want to get to know her better.

Nur sent a string of unintelligible emojis, then told Alana she was going to pick her up in twenty minutes.

Zoe and Alana! Nur never expected this to happen, but she was all for it if they were happy. And she wanted to help them- might make being stuck in this dream world worthwhile.

Nur grabbed her keys and headed out the door. Her dad was watching soccer in front of the tv, and absently waved goodbye as she quickly blurted she was going to Alana's.

She drove on autopilot to Alana's house, and bounded inside. Alana was right, there were so many kids running around in the foyer, screaming from the stairs. An older man stopped Nur.

"Can I help you?" He was wearing a polo shirt and khakis, he was greying at the temples.

"I'm here to see Alana? My name's Nur, I'm here to study with her?"

The man chuckled. "She's a bit indisposed I think. If you can get her up, be my guest. I'm Alana's father, you can call me Keith." He extended his hand and Nur shook it.

"Thank you, sir. And don't worry, I think if we get some coffee in her, she'll be fine. Do you mind if I take her out to breakfast? It might be a good motivator."

"I don't see why not. Just be safe."

Nur headed up the stairs, careful not to trip on toy cars and legos until she reached Alana's room.

Alana was huddled under the covers, scrolling on her phone.

"Hey!" Nur greeted.

"Hey," Alna replied morosely.

"What's with this? I thought we were going to go get some bagels and storm the Murphys' place to see Zoe."

Alana grimaced.

"I was looking at her Instagram. I sent a follow request she hasn't responded. Am I being too clingy? How do I even know she's into me?"

Nur walked over to the bed and threw off the covers to Alana's protests.

"You don't. Not until you find out." She pulled out a water bottle from her purse. "You're going to need to stay hydrated, especially as you're coming down. Do you want to go out? We can just Postmates something if you're tired."

Alana thought about it. "What if she doesn't like me, she's just sorry for me?"

"I was there, and I can tell you that's not how someone acts when they don't like someone." Nur replied.

Alana sighed. "Ok, I'll get dressed."

After haphazardly trying to get her sweater on, Nur helped just a little.

As they were driving over, Nur asked Connor if they should bring over Einstein or Dunkin.

Neither. Connor texted. Just come over, I know a good diner that'll be perfect.

"Change of plans," Nur said as she put away her phone. "We're picking up Zoe and Connor and going to a diner."

Alana bit her lip. "Doesn't seem weird does it? Like a date?"

"Not with two other people. Then it's a group thing." Nur said.

When they arrived at Connor's house, Nur texted.

Connor and Zoe emerged after a few minutes, Zoe looking worse for wear in a hoodie with the school mascot on the front, and Connor in a black t-shirt with a collared shirt over it and jeans.

Connor sat in the front seat, while Zoe joined Alana in the back.

"Hey," Zoe greeted, as if they hadn't last met in a huddle- high as a kite.

"Hey," Alana replied nervously.

The two of them started to talk, while Nur fiddled with the radio.

"What are you into?" Nur asked Connor.

"Oh you know, metal, rock, and experimental stuff that's a bit more out there." Connor replied casually. "What are you into? Let me guess, One Direction?"

Nur scoffed. "I like other stuff too! I like the Killers, and Muse, and Death Cab."

"And Coldplay?" Connor teased.

"Yeah, actually, I do." Nur replied.

Connor laughed.

They ended up at a run down diner by the metro stop that had seen better days.

"The Georgetown Diner? This is nowhere near Georgetown." Nur muttered.

"Yeah, but they make pretty good pancakes. Our dad used to take us here all the time." Connor said.

"Looks like one of those places you'd see two spies wearing sunglasses meet up and start talking about secret blueprints or something," Alana added.

"It looks sketchy on the outside, and ok it's not great on the inside either, but this place is an institution," Zoe interjected, siding with Connor. "It's a part of history. In another few years this is probably going to go too like all the other diners in DC."

Nur nodded. Most of the Bethesda area had changed pretty drastically in these few years. This probably would become a juice bar or a bank pretty soon.

The place smelled like disinfectant. They were able to get a booth, and sat bunched together. Alana ordered a coffee and an egg white omelette with whole wheat toast. Zoe ordered French Toast with a fruit cup. Connor ordered chocolate chip pancakes, and Nur ordered the same.

"I didn't expect you to order that," Nur commented.

"This is my go-to order, you are being a copycat." Connor replied.

"I'll text Evan, see if he wants to join us." Nur said.

She waited for his response, only to get a short apology.

Have to do homework :(

I'll bring you some pancakes? Nur offered.

Thumbs up emoji. Ok, that works. Lots of driving today.

Their orders arrived quickly. Alana and Zoe were still talking to each other, Zoe had reached over and taken a bite out of Alana's omelette, while she took part of a French Toast.

"They're kinda cute together, right?" Nur murmured to Connor.

"That's my sister you're talking about." Connor whispered defensively.

Zoe laughed at a story Alana told about the write-in candidates for Homecoming.

"Yes, Left Shark is currently winning for Homecoming Queen."

"I, for one, welcome our Sharky overlords," Zoe giggled.

"Ok, they are." Connor admitted.

"Are either of you going to the dance?" Nur asked.

Both looked surprised.

"I hadn't thought about it." Alana admitted.

"Same." Zoe replied.

"Well, I'm going. Do you guys want to go as a group?" Nur offered.

"I'll go with you, if you don't mind another Senior cramping your style," Connor said.

"Really? I thought dances weren't your thing?" Nur goaded.

"Maybe it won't be so bad after all," Connor replied reluctantly. "And I'll ask Evan to come along with us. Though that's three girls, two boys. You'll be the odd one out, Nur."

Nur shrugged. "I'm fine with that."

They finished up their meals and Nur ordered an extra set of pancakes to go. She mentioned she was going to stop by at Evan's place after dropping off Alana.

"I can take her home," Zoe offered. "You're doing enough driving as it is."

"Are you sure?" Nur asked.

"My house is down the street. We can hang out there and by mid afternoon I'll be sober enough to go, don't worry," Zoe reassured her. "Plus, I'll need someone to explain quadratic equations to me." She grinned at Alana, who couldn't help but smile back.

They dropped Zoe and Alana at the Murphy residence, and headed to Evan's.

"Evan! You there?" Nur asked as she opened the door. "I brought pancakes."

"Hey guys, sorry to keep you waiting," Evan said as he jogged over. "Jared's still here, he's sleeping in my room."

"Does he want any of this?" Nur asked.

"He probably should eat something," Evan reasoned. "I'll call him down."

They set the table while Evan brought Jared from upstairs.

"I didn't think I'd be seeing you two anytime soon," Jared said as he scooped a pancake directly out of the takeout container.

"We just wanted to check on you," Nur replied.

"I'm fine," Jared insisted.

"I'll go make some coffee," Evan declared, leaving them to their own devices.

They sat quietly.

"So…" Connor said, looking at the two of them. "What happened?"

"None of your business, Murphy." Jared replied. "I didn't need you to come rescue me."

"Whatever, we weren't there for you anyway, Evan only took you home because he cares for you, though I don't know why you're kind of a dick."

"Oh? I'm getting lectured to by you? It's not like you're a paragon of virtue. You beat people up on the reg, when you're not threatening to kill someone." Jared scoffed.

"You want to take this outside?"

"Guys! Settle down, we're getting nowhere fighting like this." Nur exclaimed, standing up and placing her arms out.

"No one asked you," Jared snapped.

"Don't talk to her like that!" Connor shouted.

"Evan's taking a while, I'll go see what he's up to," Nur interrupted.

The two of them kept bickering as she headed into the kitchen. The coffee pot was lit, and fully brewed. Everything seemed still, the cups motionless on the counter.

Nur made her way upstairs, to find Evan hiding in his room.

Nur knocked on the door. "Can I come in?"

Evan opened the door. "Sorry for leaving, I just needed some space - I just couldn't deal with all that…"

"You don't like hearing your friends at each other's throats. I get that." Nur sighed. "It's kind of a mess, huh?"

Evan nodded. "Reminds me too much of my parents."

Despite her better judgement, Nur leaned over and gave him a hug. She felt the plaster on his arm as it pressed against her back, returning it.

"Hold on." Nur said.

She climbed down the stairs, and stood in front of the pair, staring angrily at each other.

"I hope you two are happy, you upset Evan. He's gone out of his way to try to be nice to both of you, and you're ruining what time he has left with both of you!"

"You make it sound like he's dying," Jared snarked. Nur blanched. She hoped she didn't trigger another attempt for him.

"Just…go up there and apologize to him. Even if you don't like each other, hug it out and try to be friendly - for his sake."

There was a stalemate as both boys waited for the other to go first. Finally, Connor stood up. "Ok, let's go."

"I'm not hugging though, that shit's gay." Jared insisted.

"Aren't you gay?" Nur asked. Unsure if movie canon still applied.

Jared rolled his eyes. "Yeah, but I'm masc gay."

Connor snorted. "You're definitely pulling it off."

Jared shoved him. "Shut up, Murphy. At least I'm not a closet case."

"I'm not though? I just don't believe in labels."

"Fuck off, you're gay?" Jared asked in disbelief as they climbed the stairs. "I knew it. Evan owes me like $20."

"More like heteroflexible." Connor replied. Nur didn't hear the rest of the conversation as they rounded the corner to Evan's room.

She tidied up the table, and wondered if she should go upstairs and eavesdrop.

Deciding against it, she waited.

When the three of them descended down the stairs, there was an uneasy peace. Connor and Jared still looked pissed, but Evan seemed happier.

"You good?" Nur asked.

"Yeah," Connor replied.

"So, Connor, Zoe, Alana and I are all going to Homecoming together. You guys want to join us?"

Evan paled. "I'd be going to Homecoming with Zoe?" He asked in horror.

Oh no. Was that still a thing?

"Will that be a problem?" Nur asked.

"No! It's fine, it's just…I…" He looked nervously at Connor. "I kind of like her?"

"Could you not make it weird, Evan? We were just having a moment." Jared jeered.

"Oh.I forgot." Nur replied. "I thought your feelings might have changed by now."

"In two weeks? I've had a crush on her for years." Evan replied. "I mean, I'll be fine, honestly. I just don't want to mess this up."

"Should we tell him?" Connor asked.

"Tell me what?" Evan looked at him suspiciously.

"I think Zoe and Alana might be a thing, though it's too soon to tell." Nur confessed.

Evan's face scrunched in disappointment, then he sighed and flung himself on the couch. "I think I'm going to need a moment."

"I guess I'll head home then." Jared said to no one in particular. "I'll walk back." He grabbed the takeout box with the remaining pancakes. "Oh, and I'm in by the way. I'll see if I can hit up my uncle. He has a car rental business- maybe we can score a stretch limo."

"Cool, text me when you know for sure," Connor shouted back. Jared have a thumbs up as he headed out the door.

"You have his phone number?" Nur asked.

Connor shrugged. "We exchanged them upstairs. Made sense."

Nur nodded, and wondered how she should approach Evan.

"You ok there, bud?" Connor asked.

"Yeah, well no. I had been building up something, this version of my life that I was going to get it together- ask Zoe out, be a more confident person, have a normal life. I guess I thought that I'd start talking to her and that would be the first step. And if I held it off, maybe I'd get there eventually- just not today." Evan confessed. "Oh my god, saying out loud I sound like a psycho."

"It's a bit much to put your hopes on one person, especially Zoe of all people." Connor said as he sat down next to Evan. "And from all of that, it sounds like it's not even about her anyway."

"And you've already grown so much!" Nur added. "You are so much more confident since that first day I met you, and you have us, and Jared and Alana - and Zoe, if you're willing to be her friend."

"I am," Evan replied. "I guess I'm just mourning? It's just a lot, letting go."

"That part's kind of easy to me," Connor said. "I never wanted to expect anything from anyone because I thought they'd let me down, but I don't know…you guys are making me want to reconsider that."

Nur stood motionless. Should she say something?

"I never told anyone this, but…that day we met, I wanted to end things. And I was going to. I bought some pills, I was going to go to the park and…" Connor trailed off. He looked away. "I know, it sounds dumb, but sometimes it happens I just feel this crushing feeling of just not wanting to go through this anymore. Just to stop feeling the way I do. And there's nothing that changes it, I might want to do it again, but now it scares me because I don't want to let go of you two."

"I…that happened to me too." Evan replied softly.

Connor looked at him with concern. "Really?"

"Yeah. My arm. I didn't fall, I jumped."

The silence was deafening.

"I…didn't expect that from you." Connor confessed.

"Neither did I. But I guess it's good to know I'm not alone," Evan declared.

"I've had similar thoughts too," Nur confessed.

Flashes of her old life appeared in front of her.

She had been in a depressive phase for months during her senior year.

She'd failed all of her classes, she'd stopped attending them. She had received a letter from the Dean telling her to pack her things.

Nothing mattered anymore, everything was dulled. She just felt this numbness in existence.

She was driving home for Winter Break and knew her parents would be so disappointed in her. She'd failed them, they wouldn't love her anymore.

So, at midnight on an empty highway…she just let go.

Nur gasped, hyperventilating as she came to.

"Are you ok?" Connor asked. Evan jumped up to check on her as well.

Nur reached out her hand in protest. "I'm fine, just…had a flashback. It's nothing."

"That was not nothing." Connor said angrily.

"Yeah, I've had a few panic attacks in my day, they're not something to brush off." Evan added. He ran over to the kitchen and poured a glass over water and handed it to her. "Drink this."

Nur accepted the glass and drank it.

"Well, that was a lot all at once." Connor said. "Being friendless was much less exhausting."

"Am I being too much of a burden?" Evan asked.

"Of course not. If anything Nur is."

"Hey!" Nur shouted.

"You know I'm kidding, right?" Connor said, trying to placate her. "Don't get me wrong, you both are really weird, but I wouldn't trade this for anything."

"Likewise," Evan agreed.

Nur nodded, but was lost in her thoughts. What did it mean, why was she remembering these last moments? And how did it relate to her predicament?