Disclaimer: All characters, etc., belong to their owners...yep...just wrote this story here.
We're going back in time a little bit to begin things. Meanwhile, glad you all like the idea. Time to see where it goes (I definitely know how I want this to end, but I'm not sure how far I'll take it first...we'll see, won't we?)
Chapter 1
One week earlier...
Josh stood in the middle of his bedroom, dressed in his cap and gown. This was it. High school graduation. How did it all go by this fast? Josh had loved high school. He hadn't been the most popular kid, but he'd gotten a new step-mom, step-sister, and the best step-brother he could ask for. He'd also done well in all his classes. He even helped Drake win the talent show one year. And then he'd done the one thing most people wouldn't have expected him to do. Josh Nichols got a girlfriend.
Even with all of this, Josh was unsure of something. He'd been dating his girlfriend, Mindy, for about two years now. Would they really stay together during college? Would their lives take an unexpected twist? How often did high school couples stay together? And even if it wasn't that often, would those statistics apply to Josh and Mindy? As excited as Josh was to graduate and begin his life, he had no idea what he and Mindy would have.
Josh pulled the cap off of his head. He twirled it in his hands. There was a lot to think about. He sighed. He and Mindy needed to have a long talk.
"I can't believe it," said Megan, holding the video camera. "Drake actually managed to graduate high school on time."
"Megan!" said Drake, covering the lens with his hand.
"What's the matter? Don't want all the girls to see you with hat hair from your cap?"
"Knock it off," Drake replied.
"Drake, leave your sister alone," said Audrey, walking into the living room. Drake rolled his eyes. Never mind that Megan had been tormenting him in the first place. He got the reprimand. Again. This would never end, would it?
Josh finally climbed down the stairs.
"Are you ready?" asked Audrey. "We were wondering what was taking so long."
"Oh, yeah," said Josh. "I'm ready. Sorry. I just had a couple things on my mind."
"That's okay," said Audrey. "It's a big day. Walter! The boys are ready!"
"I'm coming," Walter said, walking in from the kitchen. "Well, it's your big day. Finally out of high school..."
Walter droned on as Drake and Josh shot each other "we're never going to get out of here, are we?" looks.
"Okay, Walter," said Audrey. "I think we need to go. The boys can't be late for their graduation."
"I know, I know, I just wanted to say..." said Walter as Audrey pushed him out the door.
Josh sat attentively in his seat at graduation. Mindy was giving her valedictorian speech. Josh didn't mind much that Mindy was valedictorian. He didn't care. Mindy had often asked if it bothered him. In fact, she'd asked about everyday since they found out. Josh assured her it was fine. She always did better than him. It was fair.
He hung onto Mindy's every word while still thinking that he really needed to talk to her tonight. He was worried about what the future would bring, and he didn't want to lose her. He glanced over at Drake who was sitting next to a "hot blonde." It looked like Drake was trying to make his last rounds before they all graduated. Drake wasn't going away to school. No, he was staying home. He was only taking classes at the community college because their parents were making him. They told him he could stay at the house if he went to school. Otherwise, he'd have to get a job and find an apartment. Josh didn't think this would help at all. If Drake didn't want to do the work, he wouldn't. He just wanted to get a record deal and move to L.A. That was all Drake wanted from his life. Didn't he want more? Didn't he want a meaningful relationship? Marriage? A family? No, that wasn't Drake. Drake would stay home, take his classes, pass on a miracle and charm, date as much as possible, and never make a commitment in his life. No different than what he'd done in high school, really.
Josh turned his gaze back to Mindy. She looked beautiful. He didn't want to let her go, but maybe it was inevitable. Well, it didn't have to be. An idea began to fill Josh's mind. Maybe it was the stupidest idea he'd ever had, but at the same time, it was the most wonderful idea he'd ever had. Josh shook it off for a moment. No. It was ridiculous. Who in their right mind would make that decision upon graduation? Apparently, Josh would.
The thoughts ran rapidly through his mind. It might be a dumb idea, but he and Mindy wouldn't be apart. He couldn't handle the thought of losing her now. It was too much. They'd been together for a while. Josh was afraid of losing that connection. He wouldn't have anyone familiar when he went to college. Drake was staying home, and Josh would be by himself. To tell the truth, he was really concerned about meeting new people. Josh had been a bit of a loner. He only ate at the loser table in elementary school because he had no where else to go. There was no way he'd ever be friends with Randy Schnitman. A lot of the smarter kids in school looked up to him, but they weren't his real friends. Sure, Eric and Craig were nice, but they were always together and argued often. Drake was the only real friend Josh ever had, and now he was going to lose him. Josh didn't want to lose Mindy too. He wouldn't be alone if he did this. Besides, he and Mindy loved each other, and they'd been together for two years. It wasn't like they were rushing into anything, right?
Josh paced the bedroom floor, thinking over his decision. Drake was already in his bed fast asleep, but it was nearly impossible for Josh to sleep. For Drake, tomorrow was an ordinary day. It wasn't for Josh.
It wasn't like Josh to make a completely spontaneous decision. A little thought would be involved at the very least. He stopped pacing and collapsed on the couch. Josh was really going to miss this room. He was going to miss his family. He was really going to miss Drake. If it wasn't for him, Josh wouldn't be where he was. He knew it. He wouldn't even have Mindy right now. Josh was torn. Should he or should he not? Maybe it was a terrible idea. It seemed more like something Drake would do. Or maybe Drake wouldn't since any thought of commitment sent him running for the hills.
Josh frowned. He had to decide. He picked up the scrapbook of notes he and Mindy had written to each other in class. Turning through the pages, he read of a high school relationship. Was it meant to survive the real world? Possibly. Josh sighed. He read the last note that was in the scrapbook. Maybe it was a silly little high school romance, but Josh couldn't let it go. He loved her. He knew that. There was only one way to be certain of this, he'd talk to Mindy.
He hesitated when he went to grab his phone. He glanced over at Drake who was still asleep. He didn't have much to worry about. Drake fell asleep to Josh's talking all the time. He called Mindy and prayed that she would agree with him.
An hour later, Josh was running around his room, trying not to wake Drake. Josh grabbed some paper off of his desk and quickly wrote a note to Drake. He glanced around, wondering where to leave it. Josh taped it to the television. Drake was certain to notice it there.
He finally packed a small bag of clothes and grabbed his car keys. He tried to get out of the house quietly when he realized Walter had woken up for a late night snack. Josh froze for twenty minutes until his dad finally went back to bed. He quietly slipped out of the house and made sure the door was locked. He sighed. To him, there was no turning back now. He and Mindy were going to get married.