Otis

'It's just not fair' I say to Eric. 'It was supposed to be our time, we finally avoided all the bullshit in our way and now look. I have no school, the girl I love is going to America of all places and I'm out of options.'

Eric slaps me and stares me directly in the eyes. This takes me completely by surprise and I stare at him dumbfounded.

'First of all, stop complaining, you're gonna burn a hole through my ear' he says while I'm still trying to process the preceding slap. Second, it's not like she's gonna be gone for a long time you stupid fool, she's coming back what by Easter? It's only a couple of months. Some couples go long-distance for months or even years. And another thing, some of us aren't even in relationships anymore thank you very much.' He adds his usual flamboyant hand movements to his point and waits for me to respond.

I rub my cheek and say, 'that really hurt.'

'Good' he says back with a wry grin on his face.

Jackson

I know that Cal and I have a bond that is more than friends, but the nature of that bond prevents us from becoming anything more, no matter how much I or anyone else wants it. It comes down to Cal wanting to be identified as non-binary, whilst me, being a heterosexual male viewing them in a way that goes against their identity. It's a tricky one to navigate and I must say that I felt bad after I left Cal the way I did, but they know that I never meant any harm on that front. But Cal is right, I don't feel attraction towards LGBTQ+ people, and that's the bottom of it, we can't be together because of that. So, I'll just keep vibing with her and hoping that our weed supply doesn't get cut off. I just know that I won't be taking any mushrooms, or anything really from Kyle anymore. My head hurt like a bitch after that experience. I just hope the school situation will be sorted out soon though, I love the idea of staying at home all day, but I need this to go smoothly for my university prospects.

Maeve

The coach ride to the airport isn't exactly comfortable, the 2-hour journey to London Heathrow on this coach is taking forever. I don't really understand why East Midlands Airport didn't serve flights to America, it just inconveniences everyone, but I guess if it must be done for the programme then so be it. My flight doesn't leave for 3 hours after the time google maps predicts I will be at Heathrow. My suitcase isn't heavy, but it is a nuisance to wheel around and I just hope I can check it in quickly and go and get something to eat, I'm bloody starving. Inside I'm buzzing, I haven't ever exactly been able to afford to go abroad and America seems like such an exciting prospect. After what seems like hours, the coach pulls into Heathrow coach station, and I disembark before following the signs to the departure hall. A couple of people hurry past me as I walk towards my future. On my way I notice a sign that says smoking area, and I head in that direction, ready to light my last cigarette before being whisked away to the bright lights of New York City.