Blake Yeun is a rockstar.

That's what people say when they ask about Blake in Blake's dreams. There, he's a king. He's Alexander, the conqueror of worlds and the author of his own becoming. He writes his fate with his own hands, crowns himself in glory, and answers to no one.

Here, he's less than an ordinary housecat.

"Stop pouting, your face is making me sick," Ian grumbled.

At least housecats get scratches. This house gives him nothing more than psychological warfare.

"My deepest woes," Blake replied, rolling his eyes. "Should I call the mayor?"

It was late Sunday morning, and the weather was beautiful, as it had been these past few days. In the middle of the living room, surrounded by bags and luggage, sat Blake, sulking over the fact that today was their last day in California. The others made a point of teasing him about it, but he knew they were just as disappointed as he was. They were all just too much of a bunch of jackasses to admit it and find more entertainment in his suffering.

Look, Blake liked seeing them happy, even if it cost him his pride and sanity. Today, though, he was far too sad to appreciate it.

Maybe he was the only one who saw this goodbye for what it really was: the start of college and the official end of his whimsy.

As in, ugh.

"Why haven't you changed your clothes yet?"

"I'm in a catatonic state of depression, Ian. I don't even have time to change my mind," he said with his mouth stuffed with cold leftover pizza. It tasted like shit, which was perfect.

A lightning strike might very well just make his day.

"Honey, you knew this was gonna end," Cate said softly, sitting beside him. "You made the itinerary."

"I know," Blake replied, pouting. "Doesn't make it hurt any less, you know?"

Ian and Bryce immediately looked at each other and started making exaggerated puking noises.

Cate humored his dramatics, pressing his cheeks between her palms and cooing, "I know, bub. It's okay."

Before Blake could say anything back, a pillow flew through the air and smacked him square in the forehead.

"Stop reeling Cate into your nonsense and help me carry the big bags outside," Asher called.

Blake peeled the pillow off his face and glared at the man. "Why do you always want me to help you carry stuff? There's literally four other people here."

"Hey, we were all busy this morning," Bryce said, prompting nods of agreement from Ian, Cate, and Allison.

Asher gave Blake a pointed look and gestured upstairs. "A few bags are waiting for you upstairs."

Huffing, Blake stood up begrudgingly and stomped away, squinting at Asher as he walked past him. "You know, if you were a natural disaster, you'd be rain on my parade."

"That's not a natural disaster!" Asher shouted as he headed outside.

"See what I mean?" Blake asked, turning to the audience.

The others just stared at him for a moment before collectively going back to whatever they were doing. Blake just let out an exasperated sigh and headed upstairs to find some big bags that need carrying or a balcony that needs jumping off of.

"I really am sad to go, you guys," Allison said after she heard a door close behind Blake.

"We all are," Ian replied with a grin. "Torturing Blake is just a surefire way to cheer up."

The door swung open, letting a sliver of sunlight into the room as Asher stepped back inside.

"He's gonna love what we got for him, though," Allison looked up at her brother. "What do you think?"

Asher looked around at everyone, the faintest hint of a smile crossing his face.

"Yeah, he's gonna love the crap out of it," he said.

Footsteps descended the stairs, followed by Cameron carrying the last bag from Emery's room. Cate nearly dropped her phone. Her eyes widened as she watched her brother haul yet another heavy bag, looking like he was about to volunteer for a fourth trip back.

"Are we being genuine right now?" Cate asked.

"It's just clothes and a towel," Cameron reasoned.

"Those were Abe Lincoln's last words," Blake quipped as he emerged from his room with a huge suitcase slung over his shoulder, the fabric of his sleeveless shirt pulling taut across his arms and shoulders.

"Ha-ha," Cameron replied dryly, glancing back at him. "Shouldn't you be thanking me right about now?"

"I suppose," Blake conceded.

"Yeah, if this idiot hadn't burst that stitch, we would've left two days earlier," Bryce said, looking at Cam. "I wouldn't even dare ask what you were doing."

Cameron smirked, fighting the urge to tell him just how right he was.

After making it through the first night, Cameron decided to test his luck again the night after, harboring the confidence of Caesar crossing the Rubicon. Emery was still adamant about prioritizing Cameron's recovery, but he stood no chance against his boyfriend's intoxicating power of persuasion. By morning, they had somehow managed to break the shower-curtain rod and leave a few unfortunate pillows and blankets worse for wear.

Eventually, their recklessness caught up with them.

Cameron and Emery fell asleep in each other's arms, both thinking they were finally in the clear. That lasted until Emery woke up to find his boyfriend's dressing soaked through with blood. Whatever sleep was left in the house vanished in an instant. Emery's shout sent everyone scrambling out of their rooms, and within minutes, the entire house was in chaos.

Their departure was pushed back another two days, which, to Cameron, meant two more days of Emery refusing to let him live it down.

Joke's on everyone, though, because he was right where he wanted to be for those two extra days.

Speaking of which, Cameron glanced around the room, scanning the familiar faces before his brow furrowed when he realized his boyfriend was nowhere among them.

. . . . .

Emery had gone out after he finished packing his stuff up. For some reason, he found himself drawn to the front steps, the quiet spot just outside the door calling to him.

The water stretched quietly into the distance, waves rolling onto the shore in lazy intervals as the beginnings of the afternoon light glinted across the surface.

Ever since Cameron's accident, Emery had found himself thinking about all the time he'd wasted during the period they'd been broken up, or, as Blake had so lovingly dubbed it, "Cameron's Great Emerussy Famine." Yes, everyone had told him to stop calling it that. But when had that ever worked?

Now, with college looming over them, that same fear had started creeping back in.

It seemed like the universe had spent half of their lives finding ways to put Cameron just out of reach. First, Emery had loved him from a distance, never quite knowing if he would ever get the chance to be with him. Then, after finally getting his chance, they had nearly lost everything in an instant. And now they were about to be separated again, except this time there would be thousands of miles between them.

It was hard not to wonder how many times life was going to make him let go before it finally decided to leave Cameron within reach.

He didn't have to say it out loud to admit he was scared.

Emery stared out at the water, swallowing hard as he tried to push the thought away before it turned into something worse.

Before he could spiral any further, the door behind him opened.

"Hey, what are you doing? Everyone's recuperating, and you're missing it," Ian's voice called from behind him.

"Recuperating from what?"

"Life." Emery felt Ian sit beside him. "It's mostly Blake, but we're helping him through it."

"I don't know if I'm ready for things to change."

"Wow, didn't even have to coax it outta ya," Ian said jokingly.

Emery barely reacted, so Ian scooted closer to his best friend until their arms were touching, the gesture coming as naturally as muscle memory. Emery rested his head on Ian's shoulder, and the two sat there in silence for a moment.

"Is anyone ever ready, really?" Ian asked after a while. "Things just smack-dab shit at you until you get used to it. That's how life goes."

Emery kept his eyes on the horizon, focusing on the sound of his best friend's voice as the sun washed the water in warm orange hues. For once, he let himself sit with the quiet instead of trying to push the thoughts away.

"How you go about it is up to you."

"Uh-huh."

"Is this about Cameron?"

"I don't wanna be like one of those people that get overconsumed by their boyfriends."

"You sure? It's pretty good, I'm telling you," Ian said.

Emery chuckled, but the smile soon slipped from his face as he looked back at Ian.

"What if the distance gets the better of us?" Before he knew it, he was rambling. "We haven't been together that long. What if he gets sick of being away from me? What if I get sick of being away from him? What if in three months he finds someone better? He's about to be surrounded by tall men with British accents, Ian. And I just introduced him to the wonders of being gay. What if—"

"Okay, stop," Ian cut him off. "Why are you realizing all this just now?"

"Really? You're not even gonna disagree with me?"

"Want me to lie to you?"

Emery rolled his eyes and gave Ian a playful shove

"I shouldn't even be talking to you. You're going to college with your boyfriend," Emery said.

"True. But your boyfriend has a million cars and an Amex, so who's really winning here?"

The two shared a laugh. Emery wanted to tell him Cameron's parents had just bought him a penthouse near Cambridge, too, but he didn't want to ruin the moment.

"Like I said, how you go about it is up to you. If he finds someone else, so what? He gets sick of you, so what? There's plenty of freaky fish in the sea."

Emery sighed. "That's easier said than done."

"I know. And I have almost zero belief in you."

The redhead let out an offended noise.

"But I also know you," Ian continued. "And even the most stupid person in the world wouldn't be stupid enough to let you go for anyone else."

Emery turned to look at Ian, his eyebrows lifting slightly as he took in the sincerity behind the words.

"And Cameron is far from stupid. That man loves the fuck out of you, Emery. He literally fought death to get back to you," Ian said, shrugging as if it were self-evident. "The closest thing Bryce ever fought for me was when I got mad at Marcus' microwave and he berated Marcus about it."

"How about when he got disowned by his family for you?"

"Eh."

Emery and Ian stayed for a couple more minutes outside before finally deciding to go back, and when they did, they found Bryce standing on top of the coffee table.

"In light of my recent trauma," the blond started, waving his arm still cradled in an arm sling around like he was presenting evidence in court. He was finally out of the wheelchair, though he still had a slight limp that the doctor said could last another couple of days. "you know, on top of my many other traumas..."

Emery found his way next to Cameron on the couch, who immediately snaked an arm around him and pressed a chaste kiss on the redhead's temple.

"I would like to thank each and every one of you for keeping your shit together, and most importantly, for helping my Ian keep his."

Ian rolled his eyes, smiling as Bryce reached for his hand.

"I know I can be a bit of a headache for some of you. I mean, not as much as Blake, but then again, what is?"

"Keep 'em coming, why don't you?" Blake said sarcastically. His best friend simply winked at him.

"And these last couple of days, with the accident and all, we know things couldn't have been easy," Bryce continued. "So, Cameron, Blake, and I thought we ought to show you what little token we have to express our appreciation."

Cameron stood up in the middle of his speech.

Emery blinked up at him. "Where are you going?"

Cameron didn't answer. Instead, he made his way around the couch and disappeared into one of the rooms down the hallway behind Bryce. Asher followed shortly after, jogging after the blond while the others exchanged curious looks, wondering if the boys were going to return with something heartwarming or come barreling out with Nerf guns and blast their way through the house.

A few moments later, Cameron reappeared, struggling to balance five bouquets in his arms. The flowers were so absurdly large that they completely obscured his line of sight, which, honestly, he had no one to blame but himself. He'd been put in charge of the flower budget. And Cameron, as he did with practically everything else, had decided to go all out.

"Oh my gosh..." Allison's eyes widened. "This is all for us?"

From the back of the room, Asher yelled, "No, it's for the Juggalos down the street!"

Emery wondered what the hell he was doing there and would've pried if he weren't too busy ogling his boyfriend. Cameron stood there looking like he'd been swallowed whole by a florist's inventory, his handsome face peeking through the arrangement, lower lip caught between his teeth as he struggled to keep the bouquets from slipping, his features softened by a boyish grin that made the entire ridiculous display considerably harder for Emery to make fun of.

"Seriously, when did you three even find the time to plan this?" Cate asked, staring at the flowers with wide, almost teary eyes. "I don't know what to say... I didn't even get you guys flowers when you were in the hospital."

"Yes, and we will never forget that, Catey," Blake said solemnly while Cate narrowed her eyes at him.

Cameron stepped forward and handed one of the bouquets to Bryce to give to Ian. He then passed the second to Cate and the third to Allison, setting down the fourth bouquet on the couch for Asher. And lastly...

"These are for you, baby," Cameron said, extending the bouquet toward Emery with a soft, almost reverent smile.

He handed Emery the bouquet, admiring how perfectly the swirl of colors seemed to suit his boyfriend. Though, honestly, none of the petals could quite compare to the one holding them. Cameron had originally wanted Emery's bouquet to be the biggest of everyone's, but he didn't want to seem overzealous

"Cameron..." Emery said with a laugh, the bouquet crinkling softly in his arms. "You didn't have to."

"Of course I had to," Cameron said with a smile, watching the grin spread across Emery's face and brighten his entire expression. "You guys pulled through for us, and no one's been through more than you."

"I mean, you were impaled..." Allison murmured, her nose buried in her lily bouquet.

"And I'm still in a sling," Bryce chimed in.

"And you guys are mean to me," Blake muttered.

Emery chuckled, his cheeks warming as he looked down at the flowers. He tried his best to identify every type in the arrangement, mentally naming each one he recognized before eventually giving up somewhere around the fifth.

There were simply too many, which Emery thought said quite a lot about the man assigned to pick them. And for some reason, he had no doubt in his mind that man was Cameron.

"You know I have no idea what half of these are, right?"

Cameron grinned. "I know."

"They are very pretty though."

"I thought you would think so."

Emery glanced back down at the bouquet, his smile returning.

"Thank you. I'm so lucky," Emery said, gazing at him affectionately.

Cameron shook his head. "Hey, no stealing my lines from now on."

Emery grinned shyly, rising onto the balls of his feet so he could reach Cameron's face and press a quick kiss to his lips.

"Ugh, shoot me in the face," Blake murmured.

"Alright, Blake, seriously, what did you expect?" Bryce asked. "A giant bouquet of mozzarella sticks and a cake with a heartfelt speech from all of us?"

"You know what—"

"'Cause we fucking hope so, or else you just set Asher back two hundred bucks."

"Huh?"

Blake barely had time to process that before Asher emerged from the hallway carrying exactly those things: a massive bouquet made entirely of mozzarella sticks in one hand and a giant candy-themed cake in the other.

It would have seemed unrealistic on any other day, but somehow, they figured it suited Blake perfectly—the most abnormal man on the most normal of days. If anyone was going to receive something this excessive and completely unnecessary, everyone agreed it should be him.

And if they were going to spend the next few years apart, they figured today was as good a time as any to remind him that they were gonna miss him, too. So, in a way, it was almost perfect that he happened to be such an abhorrent mess this afternoon.

Also, everyone was starting to feel a little guilty about making the poor guy the comedic punching bag of the group, so they figured today was the perfect day to remind him that, despite everything, they didn't actually think he was a total loser.

Of course, none of the letters said that.

Blake's jaw dropped as he accepted the gifts, like someone had just handed him a priceless artifact.

He sniffled.

"Oh, my God."

He leaned closer to read the lettering.

"'Congratulations on your baby girl!'" he read aloud, confused. "Nah, I'm just kidding. Would you please write, 'In honor of Blake's contributions to society. We love and appreciate your silly ass. Continue being your silly self.'"

He stared at the cake for another second.

"Wait, were you writing the whole time? Can you redo everything, please? What? Oh, come on, man, you've got to be kidding me."

He paused.

"Who's in charge here? Hey, stop writing. Stop. I said stop it."

Asher frowned, the memory of that stupid baker popping in his head like a sour grape. He vowed to never go back there again after leaving a one-star review.

To be fair, he might've heard Asher when he said their muffins look like the tip of a giant penis, but he wasn't lying.

"I'm gonna cry," Blake announced.

Asher grimaced. "Don't."

"I'm gonna hug you now."

"Don't."

"Here I come..."

"Blake—"

Blake dropped the bouquet and cake onto the coffee table before launching himself at Asher with all the grace of a man who had just discovered he had limbs.

Asher barely had time to brace himself before Blake tackled him straight to the floor, letting out a grunt as the two of them went down in a heap, Blake wrapping both arms around him in a crushing hug.

"You love me!" Blake sang.

"I told you not to—"

"You love me, Sanders. Admit it. Admit it!"

"Get off me, dude."

That, apparently, was the invitation everyone else had been waiting for.

Bryce was the first to join, throwing himself onto the pile with considerably less concern for his still-healing body than his doctor would've preferred. Ian followed, laughing as he tried to drag Bryce off only to end up getting pulled into the mess himself. Cate came next, then Allison, until what started as a hug had somehow evolved into a human pileup in the middle of the living room.

"Do you guys think we do this too much?"

"Totally."

Cameron and Emery stayed safely on the sidelines, watching the disaster unfold with helpless laughter. Half of the people currently crushing Asher into the carpet were still injured, recovering, or otherwise in no condition to be throwing themselves into a human dog pile.

Nobody seemed to care.

For a few minutes, there was nothing but laughter, limbs, and increasingly desperate complaints coming from the bottom of the pile.

"To be clear, we're all chipping in," Asher said, his voice strained.

"This was your idea," Bryce countered.

"And you agreed," Asher shot back.

"I think he loves it," Cameron said. "Good job, Ash."

"'Course he does; it's all about him, like everything is," Asher replied, earning himself an elbow to the ribs before trying to hide the laugh that escaped him after.

"I'm gonna miss you guys so much," Ian said suddenly.

The room went quiet before a small sniffle followed from inside the pile.

Allison was somewhere in the middle of the pile, her nose gone pink, her eyes glassy, and doing a terrible job of pretending she wasn't crying.

"Allison?" Cate spoke. "Are you okay?"

Allison drew in a small breath, wiping beneath her eyes before giving a small, embarrassed laugh.

"I just... I didn't realize how attached I got to you guys all this time." Allison blinked rapidly. "My heart is aching, like I can't believe this is really it."

"Told ya," Blake said.

The pile dispersed, and they shuffled toward Allison, who barely had time to look up before Cate pulled her back into another hug.

"What are you talking about? It's not like we're not gonna see each other forever."

"I know, but you guys going to college, you're all starting a new life, you know all that stuff," Allison said. "Nothing's ever gonna be the same again."

The group went silent, as if the reality of what Allison had said was beginning to dawn on them too. More than half of them were going their separate ways for college. Cate would be in New York for more than a year once this was all over, while Allison would be back home.

"I can't believe I have my knucklehead big brother to thank for this new family I found in you guys," Allison added, glancing around at everyone.

"Odd way to say thank you, but okay," Asher replied.

Allison laughed through the tears gathering in her eyes.

"I love you all so much."

"Goddammit, now you're gonna make me cry," Cate said, quickly rubbing beneath her eyes. "Come here, you guys."

Everyone crowded together again, arms going around whoever happened to be closest.

"Everyone must promise they won't lose touch," Ian said, his voice muffled by Bryce's shoulder. "I'm rallying to all of your houses if the group chat goes dry. I'm not kidding."

"But what if I become a famous pop star?" Blake asked.

"What's that now?" Bryce frowned.

"My manager's probably gonna be the one to handle my correspondence."

"I'm being so honest when I tell you this, Blake," Bryce said. "You'd sooner win a Pulitzer."

"The fuck is that?"

"Exactly."

The room erupted into a mess of bickering, everyone talking over each other as the group hugs slowly dispersed.

Cameron and Emery stood nearby, their hands still intertwined, exchanging a quiet look. 

Somewhere in Emery's heart, that ache from earlier still lingered, so he tried to remember his best friend's words, grasping for whatever resolve he had to get through the changes ahead.  He looked at Ian and saw the brunet looking at him, too with the kind of softness in his eyes that eased the knot in Emery's chest. Then, he looked at Cameron, imagining the quiet traces of everything they'd been through still lingering in his face.

As if noticing his unease, Cameron pulled him close, resting his chin on top of Emery's head.

Emery breathed out slowly, a small smile tugging at his lips.

"Who wants to go for a swim?"

"Blake, we have to leave in an hour," Bryce said.

"So?" Blake backed up, spreading his arms wide as if daring anyone to stop him. "All it takes is a few minutes for a good dip!"

He turned and bolted for the door before anyone could argue.

"He's really just an oversized child," Cate said, crossing her arms.

"An oversized child who's kinda right," Ian said. "Come on! Babe, keep your sling on."

Bryce groaned. "You don't have to keep reminding me like a child!"

"Like I have a choice."

The couple hurried after Blake, followed by Allison.

Cate, Cameron, and Emery were left inside with Asher, watching their friends hurl themselves into the open sea, knowing full well they were probably going to have to push back their departure by a few more hours.

Perhaps it was a good thing they weren't flying home. At least they'd saved themselves a couple thousand dollars in missed flights.

Cameron walked over to Asher, following his gaze toward Blake, who was trying to launch himself off Ian's shoulders like a human cannonball.

"Did you think this through?" he asked.

"No, but I'm broke, so I have no choice."

Cameron laughed.

"I honestly think he followed me to college out of spite," Asher added.

"You'll be fine," Cameron said. "I roomed with an insufferable woman-child for more than half of my life. I'm sure four years will be nothing to you."

Cate threw her shirt at him as she got ready to follow the others.

"Shut up." She turned to Asher. "I hope you won't have to pick up after a million dirty socks like I did with this one."

Cameron huffed, offended. "Hey, I think you're forgetting your hairpins all over the floor that almost killed me twice."

"Talk to the hand, coma boy."

Cate took off toward the beach, practically flying down the path, and Cameron immediately tore after his sister.

Emery watched them with a smile.

"I hope being roommates doesn't ruin your friendship," Emery commented.

Asher chuckled. "Oh, I'm counting on it." Blake was now attempting to balance a pool noodle on his head while Ian tried to knock it off with his leg. "I always wondered what freedom feels like."

Emery laughed, and Asher shook his head before the two of them followed everyone else down to the beach.

What was supposed to be a quick swim turned into an hour of messing around in the water. Blake tried to dunk everyone within reach, Ian retaliated by chasing him through the shallows, and Cate joined in just to make things worse. Cameron and Emery stayed close, splashing each other whenever they thought the other wasn't paying attention, while Asher somehow became the target of every water fight despite barely doing anything.

Bryce was stuck making sand castles on the beach due to his arm sling. Ian would occasionally include him by handing him seashells to use as decorations, but the blond was more than happy to listen to his boyfriend's laughter while he built an empire around him.

By the time they finally dragged themselves back toward the house, everyone was soaked, exhausted, and laughing about something that probably wouldn't have been funny to anyone else.

. . . . .

"When did you buy all this shit?" Ian grumbled.

"No one asked you to carry any of it, babe," Bryce said, glancing pointedly at his boyfriend.

He and the others continued loading the cars, luggage disappearing into trunks one after another. Duffel bags were shoved into whatever space remained, and the driveway slowly emptied of the clutter that had accumulated over the summer, leaving only a few stray bags waiting to be claimed.

Bryce paused, looking around at the mess of packed cars and familiar faces.

"So this is really it," he said. "Summer is finally over, huh?"

"It doesn't have to be," Blake said, tapping his forefinger against his temple. "Summer is a state of mind."

Bryce was speechless for a second before nodding slowly. "Okay."

Off to the side, Emery stood with Cameron as the others finished loading the cars.

The familiar rumble of an engine caught their attention, followed by Lucas' pickup truck coming into view. Emery smiled at the sight of it, the memories of the first time he'd found himself in that truck flooding back— that night he'd gotten lost in the woods.

"Who's your favorite singer?"

"I don't think I have one."

"Favorite song?"

"Don't laugh."

"I won't."

"Sweet Caroline," Emery muttered under his breath. "By Neil Diamond."

Cameron turned towards him. "What was that?"

"Your favorite song," Emery turned to him. "Sweet Caroline."

Cameron smiled, his eyes fixed on Emery's. "I was thinking about that night, too."

"Were you now?" Emery teased.

"Among other things," Cameron said, taking his hand as they headed toward Lucas. "Like how you never noticed me lying about losing my phone that day."

Emery's eyebrows drew together as the realization slowly sank in.

"You were!" Emery exclaimed. "I'm confused.. Why would you even lie about that?"

"I don't know," Cameron admitted. "I could've easily said I went back because I was worried about you. I guess, at the back of my mind, I knew that wasn't the only reason I went."

Emery stared at him for a moment. "Maybe you were realizing how stupidly you're in love with me."

"I have no doubt about it," Cameron said, not even considering for a moment that Emery was joking. "But I think at that time, I felt like if something happened to you and I wasn't there, I wouldn't be able to live with myself."

Emery's smile faltered, his fingers tightening slightly around Cameron's hand.

"If something had happened to you before I could even deal with the things I was starting to feel for you, I would've lost my mind."

"Oh."

Cameron let out a quiet laugh, glancing ahead at Lucas' truck.

"I guess saying that was harder than telling you I lost my phone."

"But was it though?"

Cameron raised an eyebrow, a grin slowly creeping across his face,  then reached over and gave Emery's sides a quick tickle. "You wanna say that again?"

Emery giggled out loud. He was still trying to process what Cameron had just confessed, so caught up in his own thoughts that he didn't even notice Lucas was already standing in front of them.

"Hey, lovebirds," Lucas greeted.

Cameron was the first to step forward, extending his hand toward him. "Hey."

"I'm glad to see you're okay, Cam."

"Thank you, Lucas." Cameron tapped him on the shoulder. "Did Blake badger you into coming here again?"

"The opposite, actually. He told me you guys were leaving today, so I asked him if I could see you guys off."

Cameron nodded in understanding, but Lucas' eyes soon darted toward Emery, a small smile playing at the corner of his lips.

"Hey, Em."

"Hi." Emery gestured toward his hair. "Got sick of looking like Will Turner?"

Lucas laughed, running a hand through his newly cut hair. "I'm gonna take that as a compliment."

"Lucasss!"

Blake's voice thundered across the driveway.

Lucas barely had time to turn before Blake came charging toward them, soon followed by the others. Within seconds, Lucas was swarmed, getting pulled into greetings and half-hugs as everyone talked over one another.

"Look at you!" Blake exclaimed, grabbing Lucas by the shoulders. "Looking positively dapper."

Lucas didn't even flinch at the unsolicited British accent, unlike the others, who immediately had violent reactions. "I'm not so sure about that."

Ian laughed as he stepped in for a quick hug. "It's good to see you, Lucas."

"You too." Lucas looked around him for a moment. "It feels like yesterday I was just meeting all of you for the first time."

Their eyes met for a second, and Emery couldn't help but smile. He was right. It really didn't feel like that much time had passed.

Emery thought about everything that had happened that turned Lucas from a new face into someone he couldn't imagine not knowing. In such a short amount of time, Lucas had become an important part of his life, and Emery knew he'd always be grateful for that.

Emery smiled to himself.

He had a feeling that, no matter how far everyone went from here, those memories would stay with him.

After a while, it was finally time to hit the road. Cameron leaned out from inside the car, holding a hand out to Emery.

"Ready to go?"

"Yeah." Emery took his hand, giving the house one last look before getting inside. "Bye, California!"

"You'll be back in a few days, right?" Ian asked.

Cameron smiled. "Oh, yeah. When can I come over to help you pack some stuff up for moving out?"

Emery looked at him, amused. "You mean when can I come over to help you pack your stuff up?"

"We can do both, love," the blond replied before kissing his boyfriend on the cheek.

"Why don't you ever call me that?" Bryce asked, nudging his boyfriend.

Ian looked at him once and said, "A, I'm not a British dad. B, you're not Polo."

Cate was the last to come in the driver's seat. "What did I miss?"

"Domestic violence," Bryce huffed.

Engines started up until the driveway filled with the familiar rumble of cars preparing to leave. Goodbyes were shouted through open windows, hands waved, and Blake stuck half his body out the window to wave the American flag for some godforsaken reason.

Soon enough, they were all pulling away. Lucas' pickup fell into the line beside them, giving them a small wave through the window as they headed out. Emery watched the big white house disappear down the road before his attention drifted toward the beach beside them.

The ocean rolled steadily against the shore, wave after wave meeting the earth before retreating into the blue. The wind slipped through the open windows with a soft whistle, carrying the salt of the sea through the house. It's as if even California seemed to know that something was ending.

Emery felt Cameron pull him close, the warmth of the blond's breath touching his ear as he whispered, "I love you."

The ocean kept moving, the breeze kept singing, and the whole coast seemed to hum a quiet farewell to the group of kids who had made this place home, if only for a little while.

FACTS AND Q&A

— QUESTIONS FOR ELLE

01 | "What is the next step after this?"

I will be announcing future projects on the next chapter, but just a little preview, you already know about the plan to publish RWB in paperback. The project second to that is a third book. Yes, it's still gay, and yes, probably gayer than I've ever gayed my books. I'm excited!

02 | "Are you still single?"

Nope! And I'm looking into never being single ever again.

03 | "I've always been curious about what the characters' majors and future jobs are."

I think I remember writing a few exclusive scenes on Patreon where I briefly mention Bryce and Ian's jobs, but I'm not sure I remember what they were correctly (forgive me I have the retentive memory of a bee). I think it was something akin to an office or professor job. I might have to revisit that now that you mentioned it.

Cameron and Emery work overseas in the future, and yes, they're together. I'd imagine them both in a field where they can travel for work, but both of them are in positions high enough that they could refuse a job if it requires them to be away from each other for more than a day (LDR was tough in college and they vowed to never do that shit again).

Blake and Asher's degrees/jobs are not decided yet.

Cate works in fashion in NYC, but before that she worked as a flight attendant for a year and stopped when she got sick of slick back buns. Lol.

Allison becomes a photographer/content creator, which unfortunately means her brother has been unwillingly promoted as her unpaid model. Blake eventually finds out and, naturally, has to invite himself into every single photoshoot. Her followers absolutely eat up anything she posts with the two of them and are constantly begging for more.

Lucas falls in love again (much harder this time) and gets married a year after the events of the book. He invites the gang to his wedding (everyone's schedule miraculously lines up and they all make it), which was officiated by all of his uncles.

04 | "What song or album would you say best describes the next couple's relationship?"

Think if you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love had a three-way with the Secret of Us album and I've Been Waiting by Matthew Sweet.

Listen to all of those, and you'll get pretty much the (not the entire) gist of the book.

05 | "What are some scenes you wish you could've added but had to cut out due to editing issues?"

My kiss scene with Michael. Gloria kept saying no.

06 | "What's your process when writing a chapter?"

Honestly? Just fucking around and finding out. It has worked so far, but I want to try a different approach for my future books. I want to draft more and edit a little better before publishing anything online.

07 | "When is Bryce and Ian's anniversary date if you ever thought of it? How about Emery and Cam's?"

They became boyfriends on December 20, 2018. No, they don't celebrate the fuckbuddies shit that happened before they became official (they do commemorate it though ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

They got married on the 20th of June, 2030.

Emery and Cameron officially started dating on August 15, 2019. This was before their legendary break-up, which Cameron insisted never counted because "he doesn't wanna."

"Do they ever get married?" Come on, you really think the man who started talking about mortgage payments and groceries wouldn't propose the moment an opportunity presents itself?

Yes, they get married. They get married a year before Bryce and Ian. I wrote no indication of this on RWB because I avoided mentioning Cameron in the Tailpieces. He used to be in the proposal and wedding scene, but I decided to edit him out so new readers would doubt him surviving the accident when they read OMWTY.

Yes, I'm evil.

It doesn't mean he wasn't there on both occasions! Bonus chapters of OMWTY will include new scenes of him in both. So stay tuned for that!

08 | "How do you deal with criticisms or hate for certain characters?"

For constructive ones, as every writer should, I think of it like my mom forcing me to stop going to bed past 3 AM. I don't particularly love it, but I know it's for my own good, and I should probably listen. To be honest, there are times I don't; there are times that I do. There are just some things that feel better to me than what others want, and that's okay!

In the case of hate toward certain characters, that's really unavoidable. People are bound to hate some characters whether the author intends them to or not, but the goal of writing, to me at least, is to bring a character to life. That means they shouldn't be immune to flaws, and it shouldn't be one's priority to make them likeable.

That's where I stand professionally. Personally, I'd go to war for my babies.

09 | "How's Vegas so far?"

It's... new. I'm adjusting to a whole different culture, and I'd like to think I'm doing a better job than I'd anticipated. I didn't expect it to be hotter than the devil's ass, even hotter than it was back home, though! That was certainly a shocker.

10 | "Is there a universe where Cameron dies, and Emery goes into a pit of depression and kills himself?"

— QUESTIONS FOR THE CHARACTERS

01 | "For Cam, have you ever heard Emery speak Russian?"

Cameron: Yes, and it's strictly for two things only: my left ear and my right ear.

02 | "Cameron, how were you so blind before?"

Cameron: It is my greatest despair and shame. I look at my boyfriend every morning and wonder how fast I can make a time machine and travel back to my younger self just to beat the shit out of him.

(awkward silence)

Cameron: What? He was an idiot.

03 | "Question for Cam–"

Cameron: Are all these questions for me?

03 | "–what was the biggest thing or moment Lucas did that pissed you off?"

Cameron: Just to be clear, Lucas and I are cool.

Lucas: Now, maybe. But you hated my ass.

Cameron: I wouldn't say "hated," per se. More... irritated.

Lucas: Sure.

Cameron: And off the top of my head, maybe, the closest thing I was to being – to use their words – pissed off, was when Emery went to your place and took so long to get home.

Lucas: How is that my fault?

Cameron: Could've driven him home.

Lucas: He insisted against it.

Cameron: I mean, if it was me–

Lucas: How about when we almost kissed?

Cameron: ...

Lucas: ...

Cameron: Where are these questions even coming from?

Cameron: Like are we really required to be here? I have more important things to do honestly, and– you know what?

Cameron: (stands up, walks out)

Lucas: There you go.

Cameron, in the other room:

04 | "Blake, are you obsessed with Asher?"

Blake: (serious) I wouldn't call it obsessed. See, the thing about Asher and I is we thrive on mutual chaos. He needs me to sustain the thrills of life. I mean, without me, his life would be bleak. Grey. Devoid of life and sunshine. So am I obsessed with Asher? No. "Is he obsessed with me?" would be a better question. My constant presence in his life has unfortunately led to something similar as drug addiction. I am the drug. But he can't just stop taking it, you know? In his life, I am a drug, but I am absolutely necessary. You know what I mean?

Asher: ...

Blake: What?

Asher: No, no. I agree. Truly.

Asher: (turns to the camera) Is there a drug that makes you wanna kill yourself?

05 | "Emery, why are you so perfect?"

Emery: Thank y–

Cameron: Isn't he?

Emery: I wouldn't call me per–

Cameron: You could look at him for days. I didn't even think that was possible. Have you tried it? I finally understand why people say they could look at art pieces forever. Would I call my boyfriend art? Art is divine, but art is made by mortal hands. No mortal hand could create something so... otherworldly. Otherworldly is even better than perfect. Won't you agree? That's you, babe.

Emery: ...

Cameron: (heart eyes)

Emery: I'm still trying to get used to this. I think the coma broke him

Cameron: I should thank that truck and ask the driver to do it again.

06 | "Bryce and Ian, how many times were you told to shut up in the middle of the night?"

Ian: Why do people always assume we're that loud?

Bryce: Yeah, we have respect for our friends. We're not cavemen.

Ian: Yeah!

Cate, Allison, Asher, Blake, Cameron, Emery, and the rats living in the walls of the house: Eight.

07 | "Blake, would you rather kiss Asher or Asher if you were held at gunpoint?"

Blake: My honest answer is–

Asher: Pull the trigger.

Blake: Actuall–

Asher: Pull the trigger.

Blake: Hey–

Asher: I steal the gun and I'm pulling the trigger.

Blake: ...

Elle: (materializes) I'm getting the urge to draw this interaction.

Blake and Asher: (horrified) Who the fuck are you and how the fuck did you get in here?

08 | "Cam and Emery, do you ever fight?"

Cameron: Only about who loves the other who more.

Emery: Yes. Sometimes when he says stuff like that.

Cameron: You love it though.

Emery: That, too.

09 | "When is Blake getting that ADHD diagnosis?"

Bryce: Does he really have to? I feel like I see those four letters hanging over his head constantly.

Blake: Nobody needs to diagnose me–

Ian: You're right. Earth would run out of doctors.

Blake: ...

Blake: This was not worth the mozzarella bouquet.

10 | "Cameron is so rich but his mother is a teacher so it doesn't make sense! What are his parents' job?"

Cameron: Oh, uhm. Well, to be honest, Mom is in between jobs most of the time. She says this teaching job is actually the longest she stayed in one work in her entire life.

Emery: Tell them why.

Cameron: I don't know, she loves teaching, I guess.

Emery: No, the other thing.

Cameron: She does it for fun.

Emery: You're not answering their question, baby.

Cameron: I'm not really used to sharing this information to the public–

Emery:

Cameron: (sighs) Fine. The details are kinda blurry to me because Mom never discussed this at length to Cate and me, but as far as I know, my family owned oil and railway companies in the 1800s. My great-great-great something or other married into a German industrial family and became a billionaire before the 1900s. My mom has an entire inheritance that dates back ten generations. She's an only child, and even if my grandparents had ten more children, her family, her children's family, and her children's children's family wouldn't have to take a single job to sustain an entire country. We're not well-known though, and I think that works in our favor. Grandpa would've hated being associated with famous "billionaires".

Emery: (grins proudly)

Cameron: Dad's a business owner.

Emery: (whispering to the camera) We're never getting a pre-nup.

Cameron: What was that?

Emery: I said I love you, dear.

Cameron: (smiles, giddy)

— 10 RANDOM FACTS YOU MAY WANNA KNOW

1. Lucas and Emery were supposed to date for a week before Emery and Cameron had their first kiss. So, yes, originally, Lucas was going to be Emery's first boyfriend.

2. The accident was originally supposed to happen to Emery.

3. In the original drafts, Blake had a summer girlfriend, and they were supposed to break up in the Epilogue

4. I had Bryce and Ian break up with Cameron and Emery to show how the two best friends handle it differently. I later scrapped it because I felt it was too much work lol.

5. Asher was supposed to be the one with Bryce and Cameron in that car before I eventually decided to change it to Blake.

6. Lucas' uncles were supposed to be more involved in the story, but I got too busy to see it through. Would've loved to write a scene of them with Michael.

7. The title came to me while I was with my ex-boyfriend. It was when I was starting to doubt the relationship and felt like there was someone better waiting for me out there. I was right; my current boyfriend is a dream I never want to wake up from. When you know, you know, ladies!

8. I loved writing Emery and Cameron's first kiss. I was so excited I think I spent too much time revising and imagining what my first kiss would've been like if it didn't suck. HAHA.

9. I read EVERY comment before it hits the 1k mark. Y'all are mad funny.

10. Cameron's original character design had tattoos. I think. Or was it Blake? I don't really remember why I didn't go through with it.

↳ TAILPIECE 1