Thank you for sticking with this story until the end! It was fun to write! Reviews are appreciated

Chapter Text

Homecoming was on a Friday, the Dance would be the next day.

Zoe had been preparing for the game for weeks, and Alana would wait for her after band practice, where they'd drive home together. Nur didn't want Alana to be alone for a few hours, so she offered to stay with her and do homework. Evan joined them, and so did Connor.

Connor would take his car off campus and pick up food and bring it back, usually on a vote. This week, it was Z Burger. Though Cava was a close second.

"So do you two know what you're going to wear?" Nur asked as she took a bite of the crispy fry.

"We're matching!" Alana exclaimed. Zoe's going for a purple dress, and I've found this teal suit I think is perfect!"

"Mermaid vibes, I love it!" Nur replied. "I'm going to wear this cute dress with floral print, and maybe try to wear heels? We'll see. What about you guys?"

Evan blinked. "Um, I have a suit I guess. Whatever I wear to Church normally."

Connor agreed. "Yeah, it's not a big deal."

"Is Jared still coming with us?" Nur asked.

"As if he wouldn't take the chance to show off that stretch limo he's been bragging about for weeks." Connor replied.

"Sounds good! We can take pictures and head out at 9."

Connor frowned. "Do we have to take pictures? That's so…lame."

"I wouldn't mind taking pictures," Evan remarked. He had spent the past five minutes folding up a piece of scratch paper into the shape of an origami frog.

Connor shook his head and relented. "Ok, why not."

Nur smiled and clapped her hands. "Perfect! This is going to be so much fun! And if you guys want to, we can meet up at Connor and Zoe's house before the dance!"

Connor glared at Nur in annoyance, but didn't say anything in protest. Zoe and Alana were already discussing what poses they would strike for pictures.

"You could have asked me before deciding on my behalf," Connor remarked gruffly.

Nur shrinked away in embarrassment. "Sorry, I just got caught up in the excitement."

"That's the problem, Nur. You're always getting caught up in something." Connor said. "Hey Zo, you want a ride back?"

"No, I took my own car, I'll see you later," Zoe replied dismissively.

"Evan, you coming with?" Connor asked.

Startled, Evan looked at Nur, then back at Connor. Nur was looking at the floor in shame, and Connor stared expectantly in Evan's direction. Evan gulped. "Um, sure. I guess. See you later, Nur."

Nur waved back half heartedly and watched as her friends got up and headed their separate ways.

Once again, she was alone.

Nur wondered what was her purpose, what was she really doing here?

Well I hope you're proud of your big decision
Yeah, I hope it's all that you want and more
Now you're free from the agonizing life you were living before

Connor seemed to be cold, distant her her and she didn't know why.

Well, she could guess. She was pushing him to be too social too fast. Same with Evan. You can't drastically change a person in a month or so. As for Zoe and Alana, that was probably a coincidence at best. And Jared…well the jury was out on him.

The week dragged on. While Nur was able to hang out with her friends, it seems like everyone was getting busier before the game. Zoe had practice, Alana was planning Homecoming Court, and Evan needed for focus on his college applications. Connor was just…well Nur wasn't really sure what was going on with him anymore.

Nur sat in bed and watched her friends posting on their Instas. Even Evan had an Instagram? Curiously, Nur scrolled through a few posts and saw it was mostly pictures of trees, and a few of him, Connor and Zoe.

Hello world! Finally caved in thanks to ZoeShreds - stay tuned for amazing tree facts!

Nur couldn't help but smile. This was the kid who hated the idea write a letter to himself a few months ago and he was now posting selfies with Zoe. Connor was also the least likely to ever be on any form of social media, but there he was, maybe not smiling but present in the picture with them. (Nur had heard quite enough on his opinions on Facebook to know that- though he still hadn't deleted his profile. He was more likely to use Twitter.)

So maybe it wasn't her meddling…was it just her? Nur knew she could be a bit…much. Maybe that was it. Maybe she'd finally served her purpose, and she was done.

Nur closed her phone and lay down on her bed. She stared at the yellow cracked ceiling and tried to familiarize herself with her bedroom. In the hospital, she had been placed on the vent in a tube, she could only look at the ceiling. She missed being able to move.

Idly, she lifted her hand and stretched her fingers, enjoying the feel of the stretch, and closing her fingers into a fist. It felt so real, but it couldn't be.

Could she will herself to wake up? She closed her eyes tightly, and tried to concentrate.

"Come on…"

Nur heard her phone buzz violently. Curiously, she opened her eyes and saw it was a call from Connor. Nur quickly pressed accept and picked up the phone.

"Hey Connor, what's up?" Nur asked cheerily, only half faking it.

"Um, fine I guess? Are you ready? I'm outside, we'll probably have to head out early if we want to go to this stupid game."

Nur blanked out for a moment until she realized what day it was. "Oh, right! The Homecoming game! I'll be down in five minutes."

Realizing she had no time to really look festive, Nur threw on a pair of jeans, some sneakers, and a school sweatshirt. She pulled her hair into a scrunchie, smeared foundation on her face, some haphazard eyeshadow, blush and bright lipstick before grabbing her purse and heading out the door.

She hastily said goodbye to her parents and slammed the door before they could ask where she was going

Connor stared at her as the slid into his car and closed the door behind her.

"What?" Nur asked.

"Um, what the hell are you wearing?" Connor asked.

"School spirit! Thought I'd look the part." Nur said cheerily.

"I didn't think you were the type of person to care about that stuff. And what are you wearing, makeup?"

"Do you like it?" Nur asked.

"No. It looks like a lot. But not in a good way."

In hindsight, Nur wasn't sure what she expected. She shrugged. "Thought I'd try something new."

Connor fiddled with the radio. "I just didn't think you were the type who cared about her looks."

"I'm not sure you really know me well enough to make that assessment." Nur replied.

Connor stopped at an alternative station as Viva la Vida started to play.

Nur snorted. "You hate this song."

"But you don't," Connor replied.

When they reached the parking lot, it seems the rest of the school was already there. The band was on the field and the shouting of the crowd grew louder. The lights were blinding as they headed into the rows to their seats.

"Hey Murphy, good to see you here!" Shouted Brent, a kid Nur barely remembered from homeroom.

"Yo, Murphy's here, this game is going down!" Shouted another kid.

"If the other team isn't scared of us now, they better be!"

Connor looked self-conscious, and angry. He looked like he was ready to fight someone.

"Hey," Nur said gently, placing her hand on his shoulder "Look at me. Don't pay attention to them, their opinions don't matter, you're here to see Zoe."

Connor looked away, staring down at the stands. "Yeah, you're right. Let's go find our seats."

When they arrived, Evan, Jared and Alana were already there.

"We thought you weren't going to show up," Jared remarked.

"You thought they weren't. I had faith in them," Alana preened.

"You two only cared because you had a betting pool on it." Evan interjected. Jared frowned and handed a crumpled ten to Alana, who was smirking in victory.

For the first time, Nur had noticed Evan's cast was full of signatures from all of his friends.

"How many more weeks do you have the cast?" Nur asked as they sat down.

"About another month." Evan replied. "I'm thinking of asking my doctor if I can keep the plaster when it comes off- it's grown on me."

"Look at you, getting all sentimental," Nur teased.

"I don't know. It just feels like it's a part of me now." Evan said. "I don't think I'd have gotten to know you guys so well without it."

Nur looked at the cast, and Connor's signature. Connor had gone to the refreshment stand to pick up popcorn and hot dogs for everyone.

The game went by slowly, or quickly depending on your love of high school football. Nur wasn't ever really a fan, though she had to admit the kids in this school were slightly better than the ones in her old high school. They couldn't throw very far, and most of the time they were in the end zone.

"What's going on?" Evan asked.

"Right now we're getting to the end of the second quarter, and the other team has scored a touchdown. Our team needs to catch up so we can have a chance at winning." Nur replied.

Connor was staring at his phone. "Yeah, something like that."

"I thought you'd be more into this! Come on, we're supporting Zoe." Nur urged.

"I'm here for halftime, which is in…" Connor checked his watch, "ten minutes."

Nur sighed, but admitted defeat.

Finally, the time had come.

The band formed onto the field and started to march as the standard tune of "Everybody Dance Now" started playing from the horns and the brass. The cymbals and the drums followed suit as the color guard danced on the field. Soon, it was followed by thumping of feet and clapping.

The attendants in the stand followed along with the clapping beat as the horns started to play the tune of "We Will Rock You."

As the chorus started to increase, they could hear the should of the guitar and the bass and they saw Zoe on the center of the field.

Alana screamed, "Woo! That's my girl!"

Zoe was too far away, but AV had the good sense to move the camera towards her, Zoe's face plastered on the tv screen. She gave a wink, then continued her chords to the attention of the screaming crowd (and Alana.)

Then silence.

The brass, woodwinds and percussion started the haunting melody of "We Are the Champions" reaching until it hit a crescendo to the chorus. Zoe resumed her playing, her fingers moving as if they had a life of their own, then towards her solo as the audience sang along.

"No time for losers, cause we are the Champions…of the world!" Nur, Alana, Jared and Evan were screaming off the top of their lungs. Connor didn't join in, but Nur noticed him smile. He couldn't stop staring at Zoe in amazement.

Finally, halftime was over, and they had to sit down.

"Dude, Zoe's amazing!" Jared said.

Connor nodded in agreement. "Yeah, she is."

Evan shrugged. "I could have told you that."

Alana shoved him.

"Hey! What was that for?"

"Nothing, just…lost my balance." Alana replied innocently. She and Nur shared a look, and Nur just shook her head.

The game started to wind down after that. Weirdly, Nur wondered if the show motivated the team or not, because they still lost. Perhaps it was too hard to top the performance - though Nur doubted that was the case.

After the game, they waited for Zoe, who rushed into Alana's arms for a hug as they spun around.

"Babe, you were fantastic!" Alana squealed.

"I was so nervous! I totally missed a note on the last measure!" Zoe exclaimed.

"We couldn't tell, you were great, Zoe," Evan insisted.

"Maybe a bit pitchy." Jared teased.

"Oh come on Jared, you don't know what you're talking about!" Evan exclaimed. "You were great, Zoe, honest."

"Yeah, you really were."

Zoe gasped. "Connor! You actually came!" She let go of Alana and approached her brother. "I know we've been talking a bit more but part of me still didn't think you'd…"

"You thought I'd bail? Well, maybe I would have. But, I know this meant a lot to you, and I'm glad I was here to share it with you." Connor said quietly.

Zoe looked at Connor and threw her arms around him. Suddenly, she burst into tears.

"Great job Connor, you broke Zoe." Jared said sarcastically.

Alana slowly wrested Zoe away from Connor. Zoe nodded, and swiped her face. "Sorry about that. So what are we thinking for after game munchies?"

"There's a diner a few exits over," Connor suggested.

Zoe laughed. "Pancakes for dinner it is then! You guys coming with?"

Evan nodded and Jared shrugged. "Sure, why not? I've invested too much in this not to see it through."

"Sunk cost?" Nur joked.

Jared grinned. "Something like that."

—

The next day was the day of the dance.

Nur didn't know why she was feeling nervous. She didn't know why she cared. It was just a silly dance, she hadn't cared much in her old life.

She looked at herself in the mirror, staring at her knee length, off the shoulder purple a-line dress. She had straightened her hair, and made sure to do her makeup properly, opting for a Smokey eye. (She had never gotten into it when it was actually trendy, so why not now?)

One last check, and she was ready. Nur heard her phone vibrate, and saw it was a call from Alana. It was time.

Alana looked beautiful in her suit, the teal fabric shimmered like water and her hair looked immaculate in her box braids, tied up with a blue matching ribbon and a pink purse. "Are you ready to go?"

"Just one moment," Nur lifted up her phone and snapped a picture. "I want to commemorate this moment."

"Save the pictures for later, we're going to be late!"

They arrived at the Murphys' just in time, though Evan and Jared were late.

"Oh Alana, you look gorgeous!" Cynthia cooed. "Larry, why don't you take a picture of the girls? Nur do you want to join in?"

Nur looked over at Alana, who nodded in agreement.

"Ok, maybe one or two, then take a few of Zoe and Alana together." Nur acquiesced.

"Do you want me to call Connor down and he can take some pictures with you?" Cynthia asked.

Before Nur could answer, Cynthia shouted, "Connor! Your friends are here!"

Nur heard Connor's footsteps thump down the stairs, and couldn't help but let out a small gasp at seeing Connor for what felt like the first time.

He was in a black suit, with a grey tie. Nur wasn't sure what she had expected him to wear (His usual clothes? Maybe a kilt?) But somehow she hadn't expected a suit. Somehow, he looked good. Not that she had any reason to notice, but for a boy his age he was very handsome, and it would be hard not to notice.

Oh god, was she developing a crush on Connor Murphy? Maybe Nur had more problems then she thought.

"Ok! Time for pictures! Alana, why don't you and Zoe pose like this, and Connor, you can hold your hand around Nur in the other direction…"

"We're not…Nur and I aren't going together, Mom. Don't make it weird." Connor mumbled.

"It's ok, I don't mind!" Nur replied. "It's just to make the pictures more uniform, it doesn't mean anything."

Connor nodded, and tried to be accommodating about the situation. They first opted for a traditional pose for the four of them, the couples leaning against each other, and a fun pose with the couples' backs to each other, arms folded.

"This is so dumb," Connor mumbled.

"Oh come on," Larry replied. "You're making memories! I bet you two will love to have these pictures in a few years, have fun with it."

He leaned over to Cynthia. "You remember when we went to our Winter Formal back in law school?"

Cynthia giggled and kept snapped pictures. "Oh don't remind me, you had a mullet!"

"I'm my defense, they were in style at the time."

Shortly after, they could hear the sound of a loud horn blasting "La Cucaracha" as a pink stretch limo rolled onto their driveway.

"What up playas! Now the party's really started!" Jared shouted as he got out of the car. He was rocking a tight suit jacket with a jewel toned shirt, a flashy striped tie, and taped suit pants. He also wore shutter shades, which for once Nur was aware were out of style.

Evan stepped out, wearing what looked exactly like whatever he would wear to church, a simple brown suit.

"You're late!" Alana shouted back.

"Fashionably late," Jared corrected.

They adjusted their formations to add in Evan and Jared, continuing more fun poses from Charlie's Angels, to the jumping up at once, to one where they sat in a circle laughing with each other. Finally, the last flickers of dusk disappeared in the horizon.

"We should probably get going," Evan remarked.

"You're right!" Alana replied. "I have to be there to present Homecoming Queen."

They gathered into the limo and Nur found herself squished between Jared and Connor. As they were jostled by the traffic and the sudden jerking motions of Jared's uncle's terrible driving, Nur found herself moving closer to Connor, worried she would fall on top of him. She rested her hand on his shoulder, the other close to his knee. "Sorry," Nur whispered as the limo went over a rough speed bump, the two of them pushed together even closer. She could smell that he was wearing cologne.

"It's ok," he whispered back.

When they arrived, they all took a second to readjust their clothes, and gain their bearings after the helish ride.

"I think I'm going to be sick." Evan said, woozily placing his hand on the hood of the limo."

"Not on the car." Jared warned. "I need to get this back to the shop or I'm done for."

Connor helped Nur out of the limo, and held onto her as she adjusted her bearings in heels. When she was ready, they walked into the auditorium together.

Nur wasn't sure what the theme to the dance was, but there were balloons and streamers, as well as lots of tinsel.

Immediately, Alana and Zoe split off to dance, leaving the other four to stand awkwardly together. They talked, mostly chit chatting until Jared found another group of kids he knew peripherally. Eventually, the three of them sat down by the tables. Evan went to get some punch, while Connor fidgeted in his seat. He scanned the room.

"I'm getting a bit bored, so you want to get out of here?" Connor asked.

Nur blinked. "Where?"

"Out by the bleachers. We could smoke a little."

"What about Evan?"

Connor scanned the room, and saw Evan had somehow struck an animated conversation with a girl in their biology class. They were laughing, which seemed like a good sign.

"He won't miss us."

"You sure?" Nur asked.

Connor sighed and grabbed Nur's wrist, leading her out of the auditorium. As they headed out the back door and into the cold night air, Nur shivered.

Connor walked under the bleachers they sat on top of last night and pulled out a bag from the inside of his suit jacket. He pulled out a joint. "I prerolled these for the occasion."

Nur smirked. "Aren't we fancy."

"You're lucky I'm willing to share." Connor pulled out a lighter and watched as the smoke whisper from the paper. Slowly, he took a drag, inhaled, and let out a puff of smoke.

He handed it to Nur, who accepted.

They were silent the whole time, staring at anything but each other. The time moved slowly as they took their puffs and passed it back and forth.

"You look really pretty tonight." Connor remarked.

"Oh, um thanks. You too. Not pretty, I mean…but like hot, I guess."

Connor chuckled. "You think so? My mom made me wear this."

"Well, you can pull off anything," Nur said. "Class hottie and all that."

"Oh come on, I know you were fucking with me." Connor scoffed.

"I'm not!" Nur insisted. "I never was. Since the first day I met you, I felt that I knew you. Because you reminded me of myself. And I don't know, now that I've gotten to know you, the real you, there's so much more about you that I've grown to love."

Nur knew she must sound stupid, but she couldn't help herself, the words were falling out of her. Connor just stared back. He exhaled, and extinguished the joint.

"Wow. I…I don't know how to say this Nur, but you've changed me too. You've opened me up to wanting to be involved, wanting to care. I don't know why, but I feel like what I do actually matters, which I hadn't felt in a while."

Despite the heartfelt moment, both of them started to giggle. They fell into each other's arms and started laughing, Nur buried her head in Connor's chest.

"Look at us, being such corny losers." Nur laughed.

"Yeah." Connor agreed, letting his head rest on top of hers.

"Should we go in?" Nur asked.

"Why not?"

They walked back into the auditorium, in the middle of a slow dance.

As the music swelled, Nur leaned closer into Connor's chest, burying herself in him. This was nice. Maybe she could get used to this….

Nur….

"Attention Everyone!" Alana tapped at the crowd stopped dancing to look at her.

"This is it folks, the moment we've all been waiting for. This year's Homecoming King and Queen." Alana lifted two envelopes in her hands.

"Our Homecoming King for 2015 is…Jake Hudson!"

There were cheers and whoops as Jake, the kid Nur recognized from the house party, fist pumped onto the stage. Alana placed the crown on his head and shook his hand.

"And…now, our Homecoming Queen. This race was hotly contested, but I want all of our contestants to know they're all winners." Carefully, Alana ripped open the envelope and opened the results, her eyes widened in shock. "No way. Well. The 2015 Homecoming Queen is my very own Zoe Murphy. Come up here, Zo!"

Zoe stood there in shock, then screamed in surprise, running up the stairs to the podium and wrapping her arms around Alana, kissing her to the cheers of the class. Judging from the angry looks of the administrators, they might have to deal with the repercussions on Monday.

Alana placed the crown on Zoe, who twirled her in her arms and dipped her, bringing her back up to the applause of the crowd. Connor was clapping and shouting along with the others. "You go, Zoe!"

Nur whistled.

After the cheers died down, the Homecoming Court was to have the floor for their dance. As Zoe and Alana danced side by side, their arms wrapped around each other, phones flashing from all the pictures taken of their victory, Connor turned to Nur. "So now what?"

Nur…

"I don't know," Nur replied. "Nothing could make this moment more perfect.

"Oh?" Connor replied facetiously. "What about this?"

Connor turned to face her, and for the first time Nur noticed they were inches apart. As he leaned forward, she could feel his lips brush against her, his hand resting on her head, stroking her hair as he went in for a kiss. Nur let go, allowing herself to feel the kiss as she wrapped her arms around his neck and just take in his presence. She could sense everything, the music, the feel of his hair and the fabric of his suit, the taste of his kiss, the smell of his cologne.

And with that, she woke up.

Nur blinked, groaning at the bright lights of the hospital.

She saw the nurse looking down at her chart. "There you are! Welcome to the world of the living Miss Masoud, you gave us quite a scare."

"I'm alive?" Nur asked. Her voice sounded raspy.

"Yes, but you still need your rest. Your parents are outside, if you'd like, I can let them in to see you."

Was she ready for this new chance to start again?

"Yes, I'd like that."