“Was there something I could’ve said to make it all stop hurting?” ~ Lewis Capaldi
It had been three months since the first ever production put on by the company of Camp Reyes. Surprisingly the play was a success, with minimal slip ups, (and only a few people mentioning poor Jeremy’s viral fiasco). Everyone was back at school for their senior year, and for the most part everything was back to normal.
Rich and Abi finally learned to settle back down, and were friends again. Rich finally learned that he really blew his chances, but for the good of both of them, and their friendship which he missed so badly, he needed to let go of those romantic emotions he’d been harboring. Not that it wasn’t difficult.
There will still moments where he’d catch himself staring at her while she was rambling about something she was excited about, and he still got butterflies sometimes whenever she pushed up her glasses while she was focusing on something. But he didn’t feel the need to push those feelings on her anymore, he had come to terms with his emotions, and even started flirting with some of the guys and gals he saw around school.
There they were, the Squip Squad in its whole sitting at the lunch table in their usual seating arrangements. On one side of the table sat Christine, Abi, Brooke, Chloe, and Jenna, and directly across from them was Jeremy, Michael, Rich, and Jake in that order. The group sat around the table laughing and talking about everything from the huge party Jake is throwing in his parents' second house (Which they bought before fleeing for money laundering, it was very convenient.), to what play they think is going to be chosen for this year.
Students around them couldn’t believe the diversity of the table. Those who weren’t aware of the SQUIP and what actually happened simply thought they bonded over drugs, and don’t understand how the two biggest losers manage to get along with the coolest kids in the school, but no one dares pointing out this fact, knowing that the Squad tends to be very protective of its own members.
Abi was content, this year was by far the easiest school year she had when it came to her social life, which was great considering between classes and planning for college she had her schedule packed and enough stress already.
There was one person she was concerned about however, and that was Michael. Ever since that day she found his hoodie in the dumpster he seemed off. She didn’t give it back to him, afraid that it might seem stalkerish that she dug his hoodie out of a dumpster… although she did realize that keeping it was probably even more creepy.
She wasn’t really sure how to handle the whole situation to be honest. He’s been distant, moodified, grumpy, and hasn’t been eating, like at all. Plus, it was obvious by the huge bags under his eyes that he hadn’t slept in who knows how long. But she asked Jeremy and all he did was sigh and say he’s doing alright, he’s just going through a big change recently.
She considered texting him, and even mentioned it to Christine a couple times, but Brooke has been getting more and more possessive of him, ever since he started acting off. She’s afraid that maybe the others were talking bad about her to him, so she’s been more clingy, and glares at anyone who reaches out to him. Jeremy has asked Michael why he doesn’t stop her, knowing that Abi will avoid Michael just to avoid the confrontation but he’s just been too tired to deal with it.
Abigail watches him for a second as he pokes a sushi roll with his chopstick, concern written all across her face. She feels like a bad friend for not reaching out. But everyone is finally getting along, starting a war with Brooke over a guy was not worth it. I mean he had Jeremy didn’t he?
She sighs and looks back down at her food. That wasn’t enough justification and she knew it. Her heart was full of guilt for not showing more concern for the guy she liked so much, but her insecurities and fear screamed at her that it wasn’t her place.
She has enough to worry about anyway.
So just like every other day at the end of lunch she spared one last guilty glance and the dazed boy and stood to dump her tray, Rich following close behind as they had the next class together.
As they walk through the hallway the shorter boy pokes her. “You’re quiet today.”
She shrugs “I know I’m sorry, I’m just… concerned I guess. Have you noticed Michael acting weird lately?”
Rich nods solemnly. “Everyone has, dude used to be the loudest, funnest guy in school, now he just looks like another emo stoner kid.”
Abi nudges him, giving him a look. “Rich! That’s not nice.”
Rich chuckles sheepishly. “Sorry, I just mean he’s been really dark recently it’s not like him. But Brooke won’t let me near him without glaring at me like she’ll kill me in my sleep.” He shivers in fear. “And I thought Chloe was the scary one.”
It’s true. Brooke had always been so sweet, everyone liked her for that reason, even Chloe knew it. But when she was protective of someone, she was protective of someone. Her death glares made her look like a murderous doll, because she’d smile innocently while simultaneously giving the most threatening glare you’ve ever seen. It was concerning.
Abi scoffs. “She won’t even let you near him?”
Rich shrugs “I guess since she knows I like dudes too I’m still a threat.”
“But you’re the one who set them up in the first place!”
He shakes his head “Yeah, but I don’t think reasoning means much to her at the moment.”
Abi scrunches her forehead in concern, not for everyone else’s safety, but for Brookes. “That cannot be healthy…”
Rich smirks, flexing his arm. “Well can you blame her for thinking of me as a threat though. I mean look at me! I’m a catch.”
Abi rolls her eyes in playful annoyance, the one thing that Rich kept from his time with the Squip was his confidence, and while it was insufferable at times, she was proud that he learned that he was more than just the things he was insecure about. It looked good on him. “Yeah yeah, whatever you say Romeo.”
The boy shrugs, maintaining his proud demeanor. “Hey you’re just jealous you had a chance with this awesomeness and you let it go.”
Abigail laughs, “Hey, I think it’s better this way.” She adds in a teasing voice, “Maybe this way you’ll find someone who’s actually into the belly button thing.”
Rich’s jaw drops and his face turns beet red, his voice lowering in embarrassment, as he glances at the other students in the hall making sure none of them overheard the statement. “I told you that in CONFIDEN’THE”
Abi cackles at the embarrassment on his face. “I have no idea why, besides I told you I’d bring it up when you least expect it. I think three years is a bit unexpected.”
He rubs his forehead. “Why did I ever tell you that?”
She shakes her head. “I have no idea. When I asked what your deepest secret is, I figured you were gonna tell me you stole a piece of candy from a store, or drank some of your dad’s liquor once, I didn’t think I would get THAT piece of information!” She shudders at the memory and the pure awkwardness of the confession he had made. “I did NOT need to know that.”
Rich shakes his head in regret. “Yeah, I don’t know what I was thinking…”
She shakes her head pretending to look distraught. “My poor innocent brain.”
He rolls his eyes and jabs her in the arm. “Oh hush, your ‘innocent brain’ was just fine.”
She cackles once again, proud to be annoying him. As they spot their class coming up she sighs, bringing up the point of the conversation again. “I don’t know, Christine organized a ‘girls night’ tonight, I think Brooke will be there. Maybe afterward I can have a little chat with her and see if she’ll allow me to at least check in on him without her poisoning my lunch.”
Rich shakes his head with a chuckle. “Good luck.”
