As they look forward to graduating, the boys search for their ideal home. Hope you guys enjoy! ;)
The boys were getting ready for prom night.
Today's the big day. Graduation day. It has finally arrived, and now it is here at long last. From this day onward, no longer would they have to worry about grades or curfews or doing as their parents say. From this day forward they were becoming real strong independent men! The kind that pays their own bills and can eat ice cream for breakfast without judgment.
However, first they have to get through the boring graduation ceremony and the dreaded prom night.
"Come on, guys! It will be fun!" Matt said encouragingly as he checked his fancy royal purple tux out in the mirror, adjusting his bowtie. "Even if we don't have dates to accompany us we can still dance and drink and whatnot."
Edd raised an eyebrow. "Wait, you didn't get a date for prom?" He asked. "I mean, I know Tord and I certainly didn't; but I did not expect you to go single tonight."
Matt shrugged. "What can I say? So many girls were practically throwing themselves at me and begging me to take them as my date; I just didn't have the heart to choose only one and leave out the rest all sad and disappointed. No no. This handsome angel is free and ripe for the taking, and I intend to give each of my admirers at least one dance."
"Why am I not surprised?" Tord crossed his arms.
Although Matt's story sounded incredibly wild and egotistical, Tord knew he wasn't faking it. He himself had his fair share of admirers gathering the courage to ask him to go to the prom with them. But Tord refused them all. Firstly because, while he is considered handsome to the female eye, he was still somewhat awkward around them. The second reason being his secret unrequited feelings for Tom. He wouldn't have been able to focus at all if he had some random partner, so he and Edd decided to go single for the night.
"Huh, I guess that means all of us are going together single." Edd mused.
Tom scoffed from the other side of the change room as he tried on his tux. "All of us a comma, my friend." He boasted. "Believe it or not, I got myself a date for prom tonight."
Tord stiffened for a split second before he burst out laughing. "Yeah, right! Who would ever want to go with you, Jehova? The poor girl must've been truly desperate for a date if she accepted you of all people!"
"Her name is Susan!" Tom went on, ignoring Tord's jabs. Adoration thick in his voice. "She is sweet, loves music; and best of all, her eyes are just like mine!"
"Hold on... there is no Susan in our class." Edd pointed out, his eyes narrowed. "Do either of you know who he is talking about?"
Tord and Matt exchanged looks and shook their heads.
"What does she look like? Describe her." Tord demanded.
"She has brown hair, eyes like mine, freckles, and tanned skin."
"Still have no idea who he could be talking about." Edd muttered.
"Oh she's not from school." Tom added. "I met her by the beach around two weeks ago. I had accidentally tripped over her as she was sunning herself under a palm tree. We talked and hung out together, and then I invited her to prom and she said yes."
"Awn. That's really cute, Tom!" Matt squealed. "I can't wait to meet her tonight. She sounds lovely!"
Tord grinned. "Can't wait to embarrass you in front of her all night."
"Yeah, that's really great and all, but can you hurry up in there, Tom?" Edd demanded, holding up his wrist watch and tapping his foot anxiously. "We have like twenty minutes to meet up with the real estate agent about our home."
"You guys can go on without me, if you want." Tom said as he stepped out of the changing room, adorning a light blue tux with a red bowtie. "I need to go to work my shift at Burgerama before the graduation ceremony anyway."
"I thought you got fired from there after you set the stove on fire?" Tord pointed out.
"Nah, they just put me on the timeout corner. They gave me another chance after I cleaned all the restrooms." Tom said. "I need to be able to pay my part of our rent, after all."
"But we can't just buy any house without your input!" Edd exclaimed.
"You know my demands. We've looked at several houses before this. All I ask is my own room, and more than two bathrooms." Tom admired himself in the mirror, adjusting his tie. "I trust…" His gaze flitted over Matt and Tord briefly before setting on Edd, staring hard at the brunet. "You to find us a place to live."
"You sure?"
"Definitely. How hard can it be?"
The boys switched out from their tuxedos and back into their regular clothes. Tom went off to work and bid them good-bye; promising to meet up with them in time for the graduation ceremony. Edd, Matt, and Tord left together to meet up with the real estate agent. Tord got his driving license earlier this year, and ever since then he always drove the gang to places whenever they needed. Sort of their own personal chauffeur at times. Edd was already preparing and looking forward to getting his own license after they move into their new home.
They spent the rest of the day looking at several houses the real estate agent offered to show them, but none of them fit their criteria. Some houses were too small, others far too big and expensive to afford rent, others lack enough bathrooms for everyone or sometimes even enough rooms for each of them. Tord in particular was the most picky, looking at the houses for something in particular, though he did not share what exactly with the others and refusing all available homes. Edd even texted and took pictures to Tom, but even their eyeless friend was unsatisfied with the offers.
"This is hopeless!" Edd said, sitting on the passenger's seat, looking out the window as they drove away from the latest house they looked at. "At this rate we will never find our ideal home."
"What's the rush, anyway?" Matt asked, in the backseat. "We can still look for potential homes long after our graduation."
"I want to get things moving, and get out my parents' house as soon as possible. Be free to be a real man at last!"
"Ditto." Tord grunted without taking his eyes off the road.
The whole time as they drove, the radio was turned on as background noise. "And now for this week's grand contest – find the elusive silver key that's hidden inside a single can of cola to win a brand new HOUSE; with four bedrooms, three functioning bathrooms, a backyard, a spacious living room, and kitchen. A perfect opportunity for any group of friends looking to move out of their parents' basement and live together for shenanigans! Hurry up and don't miss out on this opportunity of a lifetime!"
The three boys stiffened. Tord and Matt slowly turned their heads to look at Edd, light bulbs flaring to life in their brains.
"Edd." Tord said with clear conviction in his voice. He placed one hand over his friend's shoulder. "Today is your lucky day, my friend."
Edd teared up and lifted his chin. "My time has come."
Tord turned the car a sharp right and arrived in the closest supermarket. Together they binged bought all the cans of cola in stock. As they drove to another grocery store to buy even more, Edd drank all the cans they bought but with no luck. They went through at least five different stores to bleed them and their vending machines dry of all their cans of cola. Tord and Matt encouraged Edd to keep on drinking by chanting "Chug! Chug!" over and over again, though they knew their support wasn't really needed. Edd was really testing his limits; reaching a point between sugar high and growing sick, until he drank the last can of cola they had only to choke and spit out a key into his hands.
Edd slammed the can of cola down on the table. "WOOOHOOOO!"
"We did it!" Matt cheered. "Hurray!"
Feeling whoozy and full, Edd glared at him.
"Oh, well… I guess you did it for us." Matt corrected.
They wasted no time collecting their reward. Following the given address, their prize awaited them in the form of a moderately big cream coloured house in the middle of the suburbs in a little street called Durdam Lane.
The boys looked around the house with intrigue. It was moderately simple, but good enough for all of them. The bedrooms were small but adequately spacious for their things. Aside from Matt - who immediately announced the biggest bedroom as his own for all his trinkets - they were all mostly light carriers.
While Tord investigated the room down the hallway, located behind the kitchen, Edd took pictures and texted Tom for his input. He knows what Tom said and that he is probably busy at work, but it was important that everyone was in agreement.
Matt liked the house and was already growing quickly attached to it. Tord seems interested, but Edd knows that unless they fit exactly with his mysterious requirements, all their effort in getting a free house will have gone to waste. Frankly, Edd wasn't sure what Tord was looking for in specific, and the Norwegian boy wouldn't tell him no matter how many times he asks.
Edd, on the other hand, started to imagine what it would be like for the four of them to live here together once they move in. Their promise from long ago was finally coming true. They would stick together forever, and go on crazy adventures whenever the chance arises. Their bond will last forever.
His pocket trembled, snapping him out of his daydream to pick up his phone and see a message sent from Tom.
(TT): House looks great! Just make sure I get a room as far away from Commie's as possible.
Edd smiled. That was three votes for yes. Now they just need a confirmation from Tord to give them the 'go ahead'.
He scanned the vacant building for his eccentric friend, finding him turning the corner at the end of the hallway.
"Edd, this place is perfect!" Tord's eyes shone. His voice was trying to convey calm, but there was an undeniable edge of excitement to it.
"You like it here?" Edd asked.
Tord's enthusiasm faded. "You don't?"
"Oh no, of course I do. I think this place is perfect for us. Nice and simple to house all four of us." Edd went on. "I just didn't think you would agree. Did you finally find whatever you were looking for in a home?"
"Yes! It's great here." Tord's eyes gleamed. "Perfect for my tinkering needs. Lots of room. I will take the bedroom at the end of the hall."
"Well, then I guess it is settled."
With a brand new house under their belt and not a single penny wasted in the process (unless you count all the cans of cola they bought just to acquire it for "free") they won't have any need to ever pay rent at all! And they owe it all to cola for this privilege.
Now they have a graduation ceremony to get to.
They got into Tord's car and drove to school. They changed into their gowns and put on their caps before joining the rest of their classmates by the backstage of the auditorium as they rehearsed the ceremony.
But no sign of Tom.
Edd sent several urgent text messages, but he got no reply.
"Maybe he didn't pass." Tord spoke up next to him. "Tom was retaking finals, remember? His grades were too low. How much you wanna bet he failed miserably and he's got no balls to show his face here?"
"Why would you say such a thing?" Edd said.
Tord shrugged nonchalantly. "He was studying all on his own for five different subjects. Of course he's gonna fail." He muttered. "I offered to tutor him, but he refused me. So… yeah, sucks to be him right now."
Edd opened his mouth to jump to his friend's defense, when Tom burst through the doors, panting as he drifted to a stop beside them; already adorning his gown and cap.
"Sorry, I'm late!" Tom said breathlessly. "Did it start already?"
"No, but you missed rehearsal." Matt replied.
"So? Did you pass? Are you actually graduating like the rest of us, or are you going to lag behind?" Tord asked mockingly. "Poor little jehova… all alone with a bunch of toddlers with IQs higher than his own! How humiliating and fitting."
Tom bristled, glaring at him. "I passed, if you must know."
Tord sniffed. "Barely, I bet."
"Enough!" Edd stepped between them. "Be nice, remember? Let's just get through this night without any incidents, okay?"
The two boys turned away from one another with a grunt. Tom fixed his gaze on Matt as they talked about the house they settled for, asking him for details.
"Why do you constantly pick on Tom?" Edd asked, making sure his voice was level quiet so that the others wouldn't hear him. "He's having a hard time enough as it is. Cut him some slack, please."
Tord grinned. "Can't help it if Tom's outright adorable when he's angry. He really should control his anger issues better if he expects me not to pick on him."
Edd chortled. "Tom is the one with anger issues? You seriously need to take a good long look at yourself there, buddy." He said. "Or have you forgotten the time we went mini golfing and you threw a fit whenever the ball got stuck in the contraptions?"
"That whole course was dumb though."
"You threatened to pull out your gun and shoot everything to smithereens!"
"It deserved it for being so dumb!"
They broke into a fit of laughter at the fond memories they recalled, clapping each other in the back heartily.
The laughter slowly died down. Then Edd paused, his tone softening. "No, but seriously – you remember the promise we made all those years ago. We're going to live together in a matter of weeks at most. If we want this arrangement to work out you need to behave and stop picking on Tom all the time. Be nicer!"
"Nicer than I already am? Impossible!" Tord protested.
Edd chuckled. "Just promise me you will do your part, okay? I will talk to Tom separately about it later." He said. "Now that we're all gonna live together in the same house, we have to stick close more than ever."
"Yeah, fine. Whatever you say, old friend."
Edd gazed at him meaningfully. "Tord, we've been best friends for as long as I can remember. And ever since the four of us made that promise to each other all those years ago, I have been looking forward to this day the most." He admitted, eyes glistening. "Now our dream to live together and go on wild adventures is closer than ever. You are a good friend when you want to be. A bit of a prick and a pain in the #$$ at times, but my dear friend all the same."
Just as Tord was about to laugh the speech off and make a joke, he noticed the seriousness in his friend's face as he uttered those words and stopped short. He really means it.
Tord licked his lips, anxiously searching for words. "We'll always be together, Edd. No matter what. A little in-fighting between Tom and I won't ever get in the way of our bond." He paused, considering his next words at great length. "There are times where I find myself yearning for more out of my life. A burning wish to accomplish great things! But then I remember everything we've been through together already, and I wouldn't have it any other way."
Edd smiled at him warmly. "Jeg er glad I deg." He murmured.
Tord's heart swelled up with emotion hearing those words directed at him of all people. He grinned and clapped Edd on the shoulder affectionately. "Jeg er glad I deg også."
The ceremony went on smoothly without any hitches. They lined up and each stepped forward when called to grab their diploma and shake hands with the principal for a photo.
Edd spotted his family in the crowd and waved at them enthusiastically.
Matt grinned when he got his diploma, his mother clapping and cheered him on alongside his aging grandparents, who, despite their health issues, went out of their way to attend the ceremony.
When it was Tord's turn to receive his diploma, his eyes eagerly scanned the watching crowd, looking everywhere for one person in particular.
But she was nowhere to be seen. Her reserved seat was vacant amidst the crowd.
Tord's shoulders slumped with disappointment. What did he expect? That she would finally show some semblance of care for him after years of neglecting him altogether? It was stupid to hope. From this day forward, his only family are his friends.
He smiled as he rejoined them.
Then it was Tom's turn at last. He walked on stage, head held high as he waved at his mom and-
"Is that uh… is that a coconut sitting there?" Matt questioned, confused as to why there was a fruit sitting in the front row.
Everyone was already used to the bowling ball that was Tom's mother, but the coconut sure was an unexpected surprise.
Then it dawned on Edd. "Hang on… is that Susan?"
Tord doubled over in a fit of laughter. "Of course! Damn Jehova is going to prom with a f#cking fruit!"
"Awn. They make a cute couple!" Matt gushed.
Edd frowned. "To be fair, I am not surprised in the least given Tom's heritage."
"If he makes out with it I am gonna walk home alone, man. No way. You can't make this sh#t up on the spot and expect me to deal with it!" Tord wheezed with laughter.
"You can't walk home. You are our designated driver for the night." Matt pointed out.
That made Tord stop mid-laugh. "Wait… does that mean I can't get drunk tonight?"
Edd grinned. "Consider it your punishment for the evening after you made fun of Tom."
"Oh great." Tord droned, crossing his arms. "Just what I needed. To carry the drunk jehova home after he sloppily makes out with a fruit."
"What's the matter? Jealous of my hot date, Commie?" Tom asked as he joined them, smiling fondly and waving at Susan.
Tord floundered for words, fighting back the blush creeping up on his cheeks. "Ha! In your dreams, Thomas."
The ceremony came to a close. They got to toss their caps into the air alongside the rest of their classmates, and drove off into a night of fun for the whole gang.
(Two weeks later)
In the following days, the boys eagerly worked on renovating their new home and moving their stuff over. They picked their respective rooms, designed the kitchen and living room together, and even went shopping for decorations.
When everything was set, the day finally came for the four of them to move in.
Edd bid a hearty good-bye to his family, who offered to drive him over and help carry his bags, and he vowed to call and visit whenever he can. Matt had a hard time getting away from his overbearing doting mother, who insisted he stay a few more days before leaving her forever; but he talked her out of it, reasoning he was old enough to make his own life choices, and hugged his grandparents on the way out. Tom gave his mother a tight, tearful hug as he said good-bye to her knowing this would most likely be the last time they will see each other. Tord left his house without a word, and didn't look back with bags in his hands.
Does she even know I won't be living in the same house as her anymore? Tord briefly contemplated but didn't think too much about it, eager to finally leave to a place where he actually belonged.
"This is it." Edd said as they met up in front of their new home. "This is going to be amazing, I just know it. This is quite possibly the best decision of our lives yet."
"I sure bloody hope so." Tord affirmed.
"I think you should do the honors of opening the door for us, Edd." Tom suggested. "This whole thing was your grand idea, after all."
He handed Edd the keys to the home. The brunet smiled, filled with excitement as he unlocked the door and twisted the doorknob, swinging the door open. The view of their living room greeted him along with the scent of dried paint and stale air proving this house has yet to be lived in and was just waiting for them to occupy it. Edd breathed in deeply. He was finally home with his friends where he belonged.
Matt slipped in beside him, placing his enormous bags down on the floor for just a moment as he took in the scene as well. Behind them, Tom and Tord were fighting each other by the doorway over who gets to go in first.
"You know what this occasion needs?" Matt asked. "A photo!"
Edd nodded. "I like it. A way for us to record this special day."
Coming to an impasse, Tom and Tord both fell to the floor, exhausted from their previous struggle. "So long I don't have to stand next to Commie, we're good." Tom muttered, face planted.
"Come on, guys. Let's group up for a picture." Edd beckoned them to stand and come closer.
Setting up the camera, Matt suggested they take it in front of the bland wall that has yet to be filled with picture frames, reasoning that this photo could be the first of many in the collection to decorate their home. Edd strategically positioned himself between Tom and Tord to keep them as far apart as possible. Matt rejoined them soon after the camera had been set to go off automatically. He placed one arm around Tom and Edd each, while Tord posed for the photo on the far right while doing little horns behind Edd's head with his fingers as his best friend wove one arm around his shoulders in return.
The camera flashed.
When the group inspected the photo later, the comprehension of their situation finally dawned on them.
They were living together now. This is their home. Now they can do anything they want. They were masters of their own destinies, and nothing is going to stop them from making the most of their lives.
"Wait a minute!" Edd exclaimed out of nowhere. "We can't move in just yet."
"Why not?" Matt asked.
"There's nothing in the kitchen for us to eat!" Edd pointed out, beaming. "Let's leave our stuff in our rooms, go to the grocery store, and come back to unpack later."
"While we're at it, why don't we order ourselves pizza tonight to celebrate?" Tord suggested.
"Wonderful!"
In case you're wondering, "Jeg er glad I deg" is basically a platonic "I love you" in Norwegian. If you are literatelly translating it would be something along the lines of "I appreciate you" and Tord replied back to Edd with "I appreciate you too".