Chapter 9

TW: This chapter contains underage drinking. This is not something I condone, but this shows it in a safe way. If you drink, whether you're of age or not, know your limits, and be responsible.

*Seize the Day*

*Thursday, November 1, 11:34 A.M*

Davey: Guys, I'm really sorry but I can't host anymore. Les is having a big sleepover.

Specs: Wanna do it at my place? My parents aren't gonna be home for the weekend.

Race: *gasps*

Finch: does this mean what i think it means?

Specs: Yes but u have to bring ur own, there's not much at my house

Race: thats fair enough

Davey: Since it's been a while does everyone remember our rule if we drink together?

Race: if you decide to drink you either stay the night, or someone sober drives you home.

Davey: Just checking :)

At lunch, the group couldn't stop talking about tomorrow night. They hadn't been able to do anything like this since the summer.

"Me and Jack will bring some, our mom's cool with it." Race told everyone.

"Wow really?" Spot asked in disbelief.

"Yeah, we have a pretty good relationship with her."

Romeo spoke up next, "Okay, I might be able to sneak some stuff."

"Are there any movies we all want to watch?" Specs asked.

"Is Nightmare Before Christmas still on Netflix?" Crutchie asked.

"I checked last week, it's not," Finch said.

"Would you guys be opposed to a Disney movie?" Davey brought up.

"Who do you take us for? Of course we're not opposed." Race said.

"How about Moana then?"

The whole group gasped at once, "Alright that's settled then." Specs joked.

The excitement did not die down in the next day. Everyone was happily eating pizza on the floor of the living room while Moana was playing.

"Hey Katherine, you just applied to NYU right?" Specs inquired.

"I did, early action." She said with confidence, "Hitting that submit button was one of the most nerve-wracking experiences."

"I still only know one school I'm implying to," Jack said.

"At least you know what you want to major in." Albert added.

Jack turned to him, puzzled, "I thought you wanted to continue with theater in college?"

Albert sighed, "I know, and that really is what I want to do; I've just been questioning it because it's so hard to make a living out of it."

"That may be true," Davey began, "but, there are many other ways to be involved in theater than just performing. You could work backstage with props or costumes, with lights, sounds, or set building. You can also write, but that doesn't really sounds like you."

"No matter what, I always want to be able to perform." Albert explained.

"I say go for it." Race said, "If that's what you want then give it your best shot!"

Albert seemed to think about this for a while before he asked Race, "So what is it that you want to do?"

"Honestly, I've really enjoyed song writing when I've done it." Race admitted.

"Since when do you write songs?" Jack asked, shocked.

"A couple years now. They're nothing special just a few chords on my ukulele and very rarely piano."

The room burst with excitement, as everyone had just learned something new about Race. They all started asking him a million questions.

During all of the commotion, Romeo had left the living room, and moved into a quieter room of the house. He had never given any of this thought before, but now his mind couldn't stop racing. He and Elmer were the only juniors in the group of seniors. They would all be gone next year. All of them, every single one except for the two of them. What would happen? How would he get through his senior year without his friends?

Romeo didn't think anyone saw him leave until Elmer walked into the room, "Romeo? You okay?" They asked.

He nodded, "Yeah, I'm okay."

Elmer sat down next to him, "Come on, you're a terrible liar."

Romeo giggled, "I don't know I guess this is really my first time thinking about the future. What are we gonna do next year? We're the only ones who will be here. And Race-" He cuts himself off, "He's helped me through so much. I can't do this without him."

Elmer put their arm around Romeo, "You're not alone you know. I've been thinking this kind of thing for a while now too. Obviously we're still gonna be here for each other, but it's gonna be so different." They took a pause to think, "And it sucks cause there's nothing we can do about it. We can't stop worrying about it because this is a problem that will never go away."

"I'm just afraid to lose them entirely." Romeo explained.

"What do you mean by that?" Elmer asked.

"We're gonna be so far apart, what if we don't stay in touch? What if Race doesn't want to stay friends with someone who's still in high school?"

"You know that's not true." The boys turned around to see Race and Albert standing in the doorway, "Don't look so surprised, as soon as we saw you two had left we knew exactly what happened."

Elmer stood up and followed Albert out of the room, as Race sat down with Romeo, "I'm sorry Tony, I just can't help-"

Race cut him off, "Romeo, it's okay, I've been thinking it too. You know me, I was never too good at handling change. You remember me sophomore year, I was a mess. But we have to accept that change is a part of life."

"Yeah I guess so. I just don't want to lose any of you." Romeo said as he rested his head on Race's shoulder.

Race wrapped his arm around the younger boy, "You're not the only one who's scared. But who says we still can't be friends? We just have to put a little more effort into staying in touch."

"Yeah, you're right. I'm sorry, I know this is probably harder for you, but there's so many of you."

Race laughed, "Don't apologize for having feelings. If it makes you feel better, I think most of us are staying in New York."

"That does actually."

"Now come on, I need a drink." Race said starting to stand up.

"Have you eaten anything?" Romeo asked.

"Of course, who do you take me for."

While Race sat down with Romeo, Albert had led Elmer upstairs. "I know it was Romeo who was saying everything, but I know you've been thinking this stuff too."

"It's hard not to think about any of this. I mean, after this year, everything changes! Do you really think we're all gonna stay friends next year? Especially with me and Romeo."

Albert was taken back by this, "What do you mean by that?"

Elmer sighed, "Romeo said it; you're not gonna want to be friends with us while we're still in high school, and you've all moved on."

"Elmer how can you think that? Of course we're gonna want to stay friends with all of you. In addition to that, I don't think I told you but I'm applying to Pace."

Elmer looked up, "You are? You're serious?"

"Yes of course I'm serious. I'll only be fifteen minutes away if I go there. And the farthest school I'm applying to is an hour away. I'll be able to visit you all the time!"

"That actually makes me feel a lot better."

"Me too." Albert smiled at him, "Come on, we should join everyone."

Albert took Elmer's hand and they walked back to the living room and sat down next to Romeo and Race. "All good?" Romeo asked.

"Yeah, I'm good."

Note: I kept the setting the same as the musical- Manhattan New York which is where Pace University is located :)