"SO I WAS THINKING," Dayln excitedly thrilled from the phone as he rolled around his chair hyperactively, "First, we hit up Joey's Diner for some of those famous triple-decker burgers."

Dayln sat on his chair, drawing some sketch art doodles to keep his mind at ease while suggesting some ideas with his friend, Noah, since today was the big night before college,

"-Then, we head over to the old arcade, you know, the one with the vintage pinball machines and classic games. Let's ensure our high score!"

"Right..." Noah sighed through the phone, "You sure you don't wanna stop by my house and....you know...watch some cool movies? There's Scream and Star Wars."

Noah was always the more skeptical one; mainly due to the fact that this would be their first party ever in a while and he was always the stay-at-home guy for the fact that he had not many friends other than this one here.

Dayln snorted over the phone, "Bro we can do that anytime when we're roomies at the UC. We deserve a party!"

He crossed his fingers as he moved his feet on the chair like a child, he heard a slight sigh before being met with his friend's responce,

"Alright, so what's next?"

"I was thinking after the arcade, we could make a quick stop at Sarah's Ice Cream Parlor. Heard they got a new flavor that's supposed to be out of the world."

"No kidding?!" Noah's voice seemed intrigued which Dayln smirked,

"Yep!" He confirmed, "Then after that, we can round up the gang and head to Mike's place."

Noah let out a chuckle, "Alright bet. I'm in. Uh, you want me to get you at 12?"

"Sounds like a plan." Dayln looked at his clock which only was 10:30. "Love you, bro."

"Love you more."

Dayln smiled before he hung up. His heart raced in excitement; it's been a while since they both went out and now this is going to be the biggest night of their life. He sat back listening to some pop rock music before he heard a knock on his door.

"Dayln!" His sister's voice shouted through the door. "Come out!"

"What's up?"

"We ordered some Grill!"

"Coming!" He immediately shouted through the door. With that, he got up, placed his headphones over his shoulder, and opened the door out of his room. He walked through the hallway.

"Go brush your teeth first. Wouldn't want you stinking up the house."

Dayln scoffed, "As if!"

"I beg to differ."

Dayln let out a chuckle, scratching his messed-up curls as he walked into the laundry room, grabbing up a set of fresh clothes before making his way back to the hallway and into the bathroom.

After washing and freshening himself up, from shower to clothes to teeth and face, he walked out of the room.

As the boy walked out of the room, he made his way into the kitchen room. His eyes gazed at the wrapped breakfast sandwich that his mom had taken out of the bag.

"Does it have bacon?" He asked her.

"Yep!" She assured him enthusiastically as she sat the wrapped sandwich on his plate, "And I made sure that the bread was toasted just as you liked it."

"Yeeeees," Dayln gleed as he sat in his chair.

"Eighteen years old and you still act like a 14-year-old," Sophie remarked, sitting on the other side of the table.

Dayln huffed, "Please! 14-year-old me was cringing."

"You still are."

"No, I'm not."

"nO iM nOt!" She mocked, grinning.

"You're mean," Dayln let out a light laugh before unwrapping his breakfast sandwich which held the good stuff; bacon and baked eggs. He took a bite out of it and let out a satisfying noise; as if he hadn't eaten food like this in a while, "Thanks, mom!"

His mother, Melissa, returned the smile, "You're welcome sweetie. It's not every day that we get to have a proper meal together — and won't in a while."

Dayln let out a chuckle, "I'll come visit don't worry. Me and Noah are only gonna be 5 states away."

"Five states is still too long boo." His sister told him.

"Ya'll worry too much." Dayln rolled his eyes.

His sister shrugged, grinning. "Well, it's our job to worry about you."

"Heh," Dayln snickered. "Is that why you're still prattling about me living in a basement with a maid years later."

"It's you, Dayln," Sophie remarked. "You can't even cook. How are you gonna survive there let alone out there when you're always gonna be holding our hand."

Dayln paused, "I'll...survive. I always do." He turned to mom, "You thought I wasn't gonna make it through HS but here we are-"

"After I had to go on you about your work."

Dayln shrugged, "I don't know about that. I would've made it with or without you going crazy on me about my school life."

'Especially with Saint did most of the work on that......not that it was better...'

Sophie glanced at him, almost in doubt, "Would you?"

"I would," Dayln said with confidence, taking another bite of his sandwich. "Like I will at UCLA. Excited that I can finally take the courses I want without anything holding me back."

"Well," Melissa took a deep breath, "If you end up being sent back after the first semester, you'll always have a home here."

Dayln almost froze in a split second, a piece of his heart sank. It was probably his own pride being shattered at the thought of himself not doing the things he dreamed of and continuing to be sheltered, at least in his own eyes.

He'd personally hoped be be the person that he wanted them to see him as but after poor choices and missed opportunities, it seemed that their concerns reflected their own uncertainties.

'Which....I suppose I can't blame them...'

His sister chimed in, her tone more playful. "Yeah, don't forget that."

The conversation grew heavier as they continued. Dayln found it hard to voice the doubts that had plagued him for a while. "I know, but..."

"But what?" Melissa asked him.

Dayln shook his head, taking another bite. "Eh, forget it."

The room continued in silence as they continued eating on the table, Dayln just now finishing his sandwich as Melissa eyed' the news playing on the small TV sat on one of the left counters.

"So, Dayln, what was all that with Noah?" Sophie asked him, which had him upper his head a bit.

Dayln took a sip of his cherry juice as he considered the question. "Hmm? Oh uh, me and him are gonna be hanging out for the night. You know go to a few places like Burger Kong, the park, and then, uh, chill at his house."

Dayln almost frowned, he couldn't really tell them that he was going to party or at Bar Black now that he's 18. Back then he was underage to experience those sights which he saw as fun and interesting as compared to his ordinary days from school to home 24/7.

He could only imagine they'd be paranoid and think he couldn't handle himself, that thought almost made his skin tickle funny.

"That's cool. But why not here?"

Dayln let out a chuckle, shaking his head, "He insisted. Besides, we wanted to live out a bit more before we leave tomorrow."

Melissa raised an eyebrow, "Really?"

"Yeah," He confirmed. "I know we're gonna have all the time at college but it was just a simple hang-out night for us both."

"Sounds fun," Sophie commented, gulping down her juice before glancing at her little brother. "You two ain't gonna be doing drugs and all that shit out there are you?"

"What? No," Dayln glared in disgust. "Can't believe that's the first guess you have after 17 years."

As the family shared breakfast, they talked about Dayln's upcoming college plans with Melissa bringing up some fortunate and not-fortunate memories of Dayln's fun childhood. Emphasis on fun.

Dayln leaned his head back, just now finished up the last of his breakfast before he got up.

"Okay, I'll be in my room. Noah said he was gonna get here at 12:30."

"That early?"

"You say it like it's 10," Dayln replied, jokingly scoffing. "We'll be fine."

"All right." Melissa picked up her plate and got up. "When do you think you'll get back?"

"Probably nine." He said, his tone almost sounded completely unsure of that. But Melissa didn't have time to answer that as Soph shouted,

"You're shirt's inside out." She called out.

Dayln ignored her and walked inside his room and closed the door. Indeed she was right, his shirt was put on the wrong way as his sister laughed.

"He's probably cursing out right now." She joked as her mom shook her head before moving to the living room.

Dayln's room had a lot of space and at the same time messy. Especially with his love for music was especially evident and iconic posters like Nirvana, Scream, Transformers, and Star Wars adorned on the walls. There were also sets of bookshelves that held a treasure trove of science fiction novels. He had just finished rereading Harry Potter, the first book, and had started Dune.

Dayln grabbed his trusty sketchpad and a set of colored pencils, deciding to work on more of his sketches. The creation was that of a garden background with what looked to be an aesthetic tree around the center.

Two hours passed as he lay relaxed on his bed, his Sony Walkman in hand as his headphones were jacked on his ears listening to Nevermind by Nirvana. It was nearly 12:30, and Noah would be arriving soon.

With a sigh of satisfaction, he set the sketchpad aside and adjusted his inside-out shirt. About to grab another sheet of paper from his shelf when he heard the doorbell ring.

"I'll get it!" He called out, quickly speeding out of the room and towards the front door, opening it to see his best friend dressed in his normal-wearing attire, which included a fleece jacket and a cap.

"Ayyy!" He smiled, patting his friend on the shoulder, "Still alive from the road."

Noah couldn't help but roll his eyes "Don't get cocky, you little fucker."

"Ooooh. Bad word." Dayln mocked before he was enveloped in a chuckle.

Noah shared his chuckle which turned into a laugh before they wrapped into a tight hug as if it had been years since.

"God it's been a month since the last I saw you."

"A month?" Noah smirked, "You kept thinking of me?"

"Shut up."

"Hey, Noah!"

"Hey, Miss Young!" Noah greeted politely.

"Hey, Noah!" Melissa greeted him, walking up next to her son with a warm smile. "You're looking fresh today."

"Well considering I'm gonna be up all day with this one here, I have to have good looks before he dirtied it all up."

"I do not." Dayln protested.

"Tell that to Thompson's barbecue." He reminded him.

Dayln scoffed, responding with a smirk before stepping back, "Let me get my bag man."

"You two leaving already?" Melissa asked.

"Yeah! Want anything for tonight?"

Melissa shook her head, "No, I'm good. How long are ya'll gonna be out?"

"Hopefully I'll drop him off by 10 or 11. Mom's gonna be gone so we got the whole house to ourselves."

"By 11?"

"Don't worry, we'll still be fresh and ready for tomorrow. Sides, Noah's saying this-"

"And you're his friend," Melissa added, "How do I know that you didn't make him tell-"

"Trust me, I wouldn't if this was something else." Noah gave her a polite smile as his friend's mother sighed.

"Alright, you boys better get ready."

"Sweet!" Dayln exhaled excitedly.

Melissa still looked at her son as he walked towards the hall all the way to where his room is, with Noah slowly following behind. She was used to him always wanting to hang out with his best friend. Still, she knew her son was a bit of a...on-and-off-rebellious-type kid. He was always the rebellious one, especially in his freshman-sophomore years.

"I'll probably bring something back," Dayln told Noah as they both entered the room. There were so many things and almost all types of equipment around the room. The main desk was filled with pencils and a laptop with computer monitors beside it. Not to mention posters of sci-fi latched all around the walls.

"Aww you kept the Transformers poster, you-know-who brought you."

Dayln rolled his eyes and grinned. Noah continued looking around as Dayln brought out his bag that held so many questionable things....which Noah took a look at.

"Really?"

"Gotta stay protected just in case?"

"Dude-"

"You never know."

"At least you got the codas," Noah sighed as Dayln zipped the bag. "No beers right?"

"Jesus, I'm not that stupid," Dayln rolled his eyes and then chuckled. "Mom would've easily found out. I had Tony do it."

"Tony?"

"Yeah! Amy's boyfriend. He owed me a favor anyway."

"A favor?"

Dayln gave him a 'hmhm' as he made his way to the closet, "Had to keep him in my house after people were looking for him......got caught into a rough fight," He turned back to Noah, "Don't tell him I told you."

"Ay, lips sealed bro."

"Good." Dayln turned around and began looking through which jacket he was planning on wearing.

Noah took a deep breath before sitting on the soft sofa as his friend changed the topic, "Twins gonna be there?"

"Yeah, they said maybe."

"Maybe? Lame."

Noah shook his head, "Well, we could invite Richie...I suppose?" His face then turned into a smirk, "And Sam?"

Dayln shook his head, chuckling, his friend could've sworn that he heard a chuckle as he took out a red Slik hoodie.

"No, no. I'm not torturing myself in front of her. Especially in front of you." He continued, "We'll have it be the two of us?"

Noah shrugged, "By all means. I'm just saying that before we go maybe you could tell her."

"Noah," He stopped mid-way and looked at him, "This girl is....her. She's cool and smart, and fucking badass but she's way beyond my league, and trying would be suicide."

"Not by the way she danced with you a year ago." Noah chuckled.

Dayln rolled his eyes, "Yeah! And it was just that. A dance between friends she said."

"That didn't look like she was so sure about that."

"Whatever you say," Dayln snorted. "Sides there's....other hotties in the sea. Especially at Cali."

Noah shook his head disappointingly, "Always either caught up with one conclusion or completely oblivious."

Dayln sighed, rolling his eyes yet again as he zipped his hoodie up. He grabbed a denim jacket that laid on top of his chair's arm and wrapped it around his shoulder.

"Alright. Let's get going, wouldn't want to waste time already."

"For sure."

Once they were done getting his bag and money, Dayln went outside with his friend. Dayln bid his mom and sister goodbye as he walked over to his friend's car, and opened the passenger door.

"Ready?" He asked Noah.

Noah let out a deep sigh, "I swear if this goes wrong."

"We'll be fiiiiiiine," Dayln let out a laugh, "Drive."

Noah gave out one last sigh before placing his hand on the wheel.

"If you say so, Scott." Noah pumped up the music as his foot slammed on the pedal. Dayln recognized the music all too well and let out a huge laugh.

"OH FUCK YEAH!!!!!"

• • •

AS THEY DROVE TO THEIR FIRST STOP, Dayln sat in the passenger seat, the denim jacket providing some comfort in the cool evening air as the rhythmic beats of Nirvana played on the radio — which both crazily sung while driving until they both died of laughter.

"Oh shit man, that was fucking epic."

Noah chuckled, "I remember a time when I disliked Nirvana."

"And I remember when I had to smack you in the head and trap you in a pod until you liked Nirvana."

"Wasn't that in fifth grade?"

"The most wackyist year of all time?" Dayln let out a small laugh, rubbing his forehead, "Yeah I remember that."

Noah grinned mischievously, "You also remember that time when you tried to impress Katie with your magic tricks?"

"Oh, fuck you..." Dayln rolled his eyes, "You'd swore you'd never-"

"I'm sorry but that shit is still wrapped into my mind. Especially how you did it," Noah laughed as Dayln scoffed,

"The whole crowd laughed at me." Dayln crossed his arms with a sly pout.

"I told you participating in that talent show was a bad idea."

"I thought Lettan's art was the funniest event in our lives?" Dayln grinned.

"That...." Noah let out a snicker, "holds a special place in our hearts. I wonder whatever happened to him?"

"Hell if I know," Dayln leaned back, "For all I know, he's probably saying 'It's not a cuck! She'd neverrrrrrrrr'"

The two laughed as they approached Joey's Diner, parking the car as they made their way inside the diner. They slid into a booth, waiting for their food as Noah continued,

"You know....those magic tricks," Dayln turned to face him. "They really did impress Katie."

Dayln blinked, remembering his old elementary crush, "Really?"

"Yeah. She told me about it on graduation day. Even if she did figure out how you did them."

Dayln smirked, "Well that's not too bad then."

"If only you found out sooner." He laughed.

"Whatever happened to her?" Dayln asked out of curiosity.

Noah replied with a shrug, "Who knows? She could be helping them cows or fish, beats me."

Their burgers arrived, and they dug in with gusto. They continued more about how apparently next year there might be, with a mention of a new Star Wars movie coming out much to his shock,

"No fucking way." Dayln let out a sly laugh.

"Yeah..." Noah let out a chuckle before taking another bit, "Apparently it's gonna be a prequel series."

"A prequel?" Dayln raised his eyebrow. "Huh..."

"What's up?" Noah crossed his arms.

"I have a hard time with movies that expand after the good first one."

"Oh that's bullshit," Noah scoffed.

"What? It is? After the first movie, the sequels become a major risk! Some go out good but after 2 or 3, the others always go to shit. Remember Psycho?"

"Psycho was okay-"

"But both 2 and 3 were leagues before the first one," Dayln corrected, giving a confirmed nod.

"Okay even if that's true. It's Star Wars bro; all three of them were the bomb."

"I know but I still worry," Dayln admitted.

Noah let out a chuckle, "And you call me the worried one; look at you."

"Hey you get worried about shit ten times more than me, don't start."

"I do not!"

"You whining this morning and last night said otherwise."

"And for good reason!" Noah crossed his arms.

Dayln rolled his eyes in response before smirking, "Wanna make sure no one beats us in Pac Man though?"

Noah's eyes lit up. "Sure.....after we finish eating."

The two laughed as they finished their food. Once done they paid for their food, and they walked past the door — accidentally bumping past a nice father, holding a boy no older than 9.

"Oh! Sorry!" Dayln quickly excused.

"No it's my bad," the father smiled as he walked in and greeted the waitress as the boys left to the vehicle.

The arcade was their next destination, listening to the radio as they mentioned something about a virus and a laboratory....not that they were even paying attention.

Noah began to at least take some words about it to advice, despite not once interested in the news or radio.

"You know....we don't have to go to the Party," Noah suggested. "If there's a virus out there then maybe it'd be best to ya know....stay in the house?"

Dayln scoffed, "Fat chance! It's only a risk and I highly doubt we'll die from it. For all we now it's miles away from here."

Noah bit his lips, "I don't know..."

"We'll be fine. Besides, Sam'll kick our asses if we don't arrive with those drinks."

"Shit," Noah muttered. "You're right.....I mean...he wouldn't-"

"Maybe," Dayln shrugged. "But he could."

Noah sighed as he kept on driving, "I'm so gonna regret this."

• • •

THE FRIENDS WERE at the local bar Bar Blacks, playing pool. It was always fine for them to go in due to one incident that Dayln helped the owner with. They always stayed in the youthful area made specifically for teenagers, which didn't bother them.

"I almost had it." Noah groaned, talking about the arcade incident.

"I can't believe that fuckin red ghost caught us off-guard," Dayln muttered, tapping the ball with his pole as it moved towards it's destination.

"You think anyone's gonna take our spot when we're gone?"

"I hope not," Dayln shrugs. "Sides, ain't no one as fun as us. Everyone's all about basketball and jocks these days."

"Jake's a jock yet he's a nerd."

"Noted."

Noah raised an eyebrow at him, "You still believe in that 80s crap?"

"Dude we were born in the 80s."

"But we grew up with 90s," Noah tapped his forehead. "Hmmm?"

Dayln rolled his eyes, chuckling as Noah went his turn. That's when he got spooked — and by spooked, I mean grabbed behind-

"AHHH!" Dayln yelped as a pair of hands grabbed his shoulder and then was rapidly shaken around.

"WAZZZUUUUUUP!!!"

Dayln let out a laugh alongside Noah who nearly stumbled back as Jake Williams followed by his step-sister May.

"Shit!" Dayln choked. "Not funny!"

"Sorry bro, I had to!"

"What are you guys doing here? I thought you guys were at the house."

"I came out of work early," Jake told them. "Had to call May to give me a lift."

"Apparently this dumbass didn't realize his car needed to recharge." May pointed.

"It's an old car!" Jake claimed, "Not my fault that it was a hand-me-down." He turned to the brothers, "But yeah uh, then May gave the idea to let loose before the party."

"Right."

"Well by all means, join the party." Noah gestured as they joined. "We're talking about how we're kings of the arcade."

"Or gaming," Dayln added.

Jake raised an eyebrow, "You guys sure about that?"

"The fuck that's supposed to mean?" Dayln scoffed.

"I mean, weren't you guys having a hard time playing Mario 64."

"You talk as if you wouldn't have a hard time, especially with all those mobs."

"Right," Jake shook his head, then laughed, "Can't believe you were scared of almost everything."

"How wouldn't you not?" Dayln threw his hands up. "I got jumped by a fucking piano and had to face an eel!"

"You cried for weeks-" Noah snickered, and received a backsmack from his friend.

"Shut up!"

"I'm sure you'll beat it one day, Dayln," Jake told him. "Until then. Princess Peach will forever be mine."

"I hate you all."

Suddenly the group was called out by an unwanted attention-seeker. The man was born as some bearded older man who looked like he was in his early 20s and just come out of a strip club.

"Oh fuck, don't turn back," Noah muttered enough for the four to hear.

"What-"

"Yo, May. Do you want to have a drink or you staying at them kids' table."

May rolled her eyes, clearly uninterested, "Look Dud, I'm not in the mood today-"

"I didn't ask that." His voice hissed, as though she was saying the wrong answer. "Fuck baby, I just wanted to know if you want a drink or not."

"Hey Big D." Dayln greeted in a sarcastic tone. "How's you're gang going? You know I heard they weren't lookin' so good given the whole 'butterfly incident'."

"Butterfly?" Noah turned.

"Yep." Dayln snickered. "Apparently he has a cutie butterfly on his butt-cheeks. It was everyone on the streets last time I checked."

Dudley scoffed, "And I don't believe I was talking to you, kid."

"You and a whole bunch of people, but I don't think I needed permission to speak buttercup."

Dudley grew angry as he stepped forward towards the four before an older man called out from his booth.

"Hey, Riley." the man called out, stepping in front of him, almost shielding the kids while he was at it. "Why don't you leave the teens alone."

"Fuck you, Vickers!"

Vickers shook his head, placing a hand on his shoulder, trying to break up this engagement before it got worse — specifically on Dudley.

"Look, leave them alone. Come take a drink."

"Fuck off of me!" He pushed his hand away and pulled out his switchblade with his other hand.

Dudley pointed the knife in front of him, which didn't go so well as in five seconds his hand was grabbed and disarmed with ease. Dudley groaned in pain and was forced to drop the knife before being turned and kicked behind.

"Augh - fuck!"

Dudley went to strike at Vickers but he easily kicked him back which forced the young adult to fall on the ground.

"Kid, get out of here. These guys clearly don't like you, and neither do I."

"Ugh! I'll kill you!"

Dudley got up and was about to strike again but the bartender stopped the whole commotion, shouting at Dudley to leave.

"You're done! Out now!"

Dudley glared at them before scoffing and turning away. Dayln and Noah make some childish mocks as he does so before they giggle it off.

"Sorry about that-"

"You didn't have to," May told him, shaking her head. "I could've handled him."

"Then ya get kicked out." Vickers chuckled. "I'll leave you guys to it."

"I'll say that guy was a major asshole, everywhere anyone goes," Dayln shook his head, "Even his 'friends' don't like him."

"I figured as much," Vickers let out a laugh before his phone rang, sighing and muttering 'son of a bitch', he turned back to the late-teen and stepped back. "Well again, you guys continue having fun."

"Thanks uh..."

"Just call me Brad, kid. No sirs or anything," Brad chuckles, "Don't wanna make me feel old."

"As if I would even think of calling you, sir," Dayln snorted.

Brad laughed before walking away and answering his phone call, leaving the teens to themselves as they continued messing around for an hour or two before they had to leave to get to Sam's party.

• • •

THE PARTY WENT ON at 8. Red-colored lights lit the rooms and music filled within the house as the partygoers talked and drank. 

Among them was, of course, Dayln, Noah, and Jake dancing around the center while May was talking to another friend of hers around the drink center. Everybody there enjoyed snacks, drinks, and music.

Jake held out a shot glass, tapping it with a tiny spoon as the guests looked in his direction. Everyone gathered around as he held up the glass,

"Here's to the future!"

"The future!" Everyone responded.

Jake patted Dayln who was right beside him on the back he took the shot.

"You excited to head to UCLA?" He asked taking a sip of his soda.

"Aye," Dayln leaned back on the counter. "I've been waiting for college since I got in."

"You've been waiting to take acting class after being denied four times in High School."

"Correction," Dayln held up one finger. "I've been denied literally every year — glad I can finally be given a chance. Beats the hell out of some ordinary job at Denys right?"

"Trying to be what? Some live-action superhero?"

Dayln shrugged, "I mean...I could be the next Spider-Man."

"Spider-Man's white though."

Dayln shrugged, "I mean....I guess he doesn't have to be... I mean they could want a black Spider-Man out there." Dayln stated with a small laugh.

Nearby, Richie, another one of their friend group, was standing around with Noah. The duo had drinks in hand and looked on at the partygoers.

"How about uh...." Richie pointed at a Latina. "Amanda! She was from science class!'"

Noah shrugged, "Not sure."

"Not your type?"

"It's not like that. Just I heard she had a boyfriend."

"Oh...well that sucks."

"No kidding." He let out a small laugh before frowning, "Look I...I don't know if now's a good time to try finding someone to get laid."

"What you wanna die a virgin."

Noah shrugged, "I don't want meaningless sex."

"It's not meaningless sex," Richie rolled his eyes, "This is about losing your virginity before college! That's that."

Noah let out a chuckle, looking around at everyone as his friend continued suggesting some temperamental suitors for him. Noah never really cared much about girls - not at least the same length Dale and Richie were (even if his best friend would say otherwise). 

He's still into women, but he has his own preferred taste that sadly none to one met with, and even then it'd become exhausting,

"You know what..." Noah sighed, shaking his head. "I guess you might be right..."

He didn't like this but he might as well considering where they are......and his friend would NOT stop if he keeps up the 'right one' mindset.

"Give it a shot man."

"Rich-"

"Do it! Do it!"

Noah took another shot before sighing, "I swear this goes wrong..."

"You ain't gonna do anything man, get out there."

"Sure thing, four eyes."

Noah winched as he approached the girl. Dayln watched letting out a silent gosh before shaking his head and going back to the kitchen where he knew the cold coke can refreshments were.

He held the cold drinks in hand and closed the door, where he was startled by the presence of Sam.

"Oh, shit! Sam." He let out a chuckle. "Trying to spook me?"

"Sorry about that." Sam laughed.

"Uh....well you're here." Dayln gave one to her. "Here's for you."

Sam let out another laugh before taking the drink. "Thanks, nerd."

Dayln rolled his eyes, "Gee. I thought we were going for special originals, blonde."

"Hmm..." Sam gave into a mocking thought, "Nah. I think nerd works for you."

"Again gee.... technically Noah's the more nerd type than me. Insult anyone with that term, give it to him."

"Who said it was an insult."

Dayln's eyes widened, "Oh...." he wanted to smack himself. This was Sam he was talking about. She was always the type — and one of the only besides a few to catch him off-guard.

"Well uh...." his jaw dropped before shaking his head in shame. "I got nothing."

The two let out an awkward laugh before both were met with pure silence, neither one were sure what to say. Sam let out a sigh, pulling her hair back before looking to the side.

"Wanna head outside?" Dayln suddenly asked her. Sam gave him a questionable look in response which made him stumble a bit, "Not to be weird or anything. Just...loud music and all..."

Sam laughed, "You're fine, um, ...okay!" She shrugged smiling.

"Okay," Dayln took a sip as he and Sam walked out of the kitchen and down the hallway until they made it to the backyard.....at least to where they wouldn't get soaked in the rain. Dayln was worried at first but Sam assured him that Amy didn't mind.

"God, if I knew it was gonna be raining, I would've brought an umbrella." He wrinkled, groaning as he used his jacket to cover their heads.

Dayln watched out in the sky, there were some things that tickled his very bones and even made his stomach crawl. The sky was...fog. Like black clouds everywhere. Apart from him thought personally that it could be because it's nighttime and hard to tell...

"You'd probably just ignore the warnings anyway," Sam giggled.

"How would you know?"

Sam gave a soft laugh with a teasing glint in her eyes, "Well, for starters, you always look around and never seem to pay attention when the teacher's talking."

"Pfft," Dayln pushed that claim away, "Not...all the time."

Sam continued, ticking off her fingers, "Or the time you left your backpack on the bus in sophomore year and May had to chase the bus down to get it for you."

Dayln's face grew red remembering that, "I was distracted cuz I was talking to Noah." He sighed, "Though it was a miracle she noticed; saved me from a daily lecture with Mom."

Sam giggled, as Dayln grinned, "Since we're talking about embarrassing past mistakes; how about the time when you were trying to hide the fact you like romantic novels."

Sam rolled her eyes, "You swore you'd never mention that."

"I didn't," Dayln shrugged, his smirk still intact. "Despite times, you laughed at me for liking sci-fi."

"Never said that."

"You said, Star Wars was for babies."

"Cuz they are."

"And vampire romances are for drama queens."

The two glanced at each other before erupting into a laugh as the rain continued to fall. Dayln admitted that he was gonna almost missed tabs of this. Even if they felt lonely or distraught to him. He only had a few regrets.

"I guess we're both guilty of the same mistakes."

"Guess we are," Sam agreed.

"I wonder if someone will ever make a uh, sci-fi romance?" Dayln chuckled, "Maybe then our kinds could live in harmony — as my friend would put it."

"Ha," Sam grinned, "That'd be fun."

The two stared at one another before they heard loud noises. Almost as if it was raining with fireworks. Regardless he took a deep sight of breath as Sam asked out of the blue,

"So how's life going?" She asked him.

"Honestly feels like I forgotten about life." Dayln stretched his hands back. "Summer's quite boring when you're in your house all day — and no new games are out."

"It's that bad?"

Dayln shrugged. "Well, at least I'm excited to take the courses I want. Fuck High School."

Sam laughed, "Agreed. Fuck High School — though you know free time is gonna be very rare."

"Don't ruin what excitement I have," Dayln scoffed and the blonde laughed in response. "I'm just glad that I might make something out of myself. A name. A legend. After all a lot of people make names for themselves in Cali."

Sam's gaze softened, knowing Dayln's personal ambitions behind those shells that he always presented himself around.

"You're gonna be a great actor, Frank."

Dayln smiled, "Thanks! So how's it going for you?"

"Uh...it's fine. Been getting around, with my fam."

Dayln nodded, "And uh....what about you're...you know. College? I heard you got into Washington DC?"

Sam frowned, "Oh uh, yeah about that....I'm thinking of taking Colombia."

Dayln furrowed his eyebrows, "Columbia?"

"Yeah. I wanted to go to DC at first but...I don't know," Sam shrugged, taking another sip of her drink. "Just wasn't me, you know?"

"I get that but...why Columbia?"

Sam flexed her shoulder, before looking at him directly. "...I was thinking of taking Journalism. You know, study information and help others."

Dayln let out a small laugh, which Sam frowned, "And you think it's funny-"

"Oh- no no. I uh, just....wow," Dayln almost wanted to punch himself for that. "It's just...I didn't think...you know..."

"I do." Sam rubbed her forehead, "I know this was all sudden but....just after the whole situation with John...I..."

After some thought, Dayln smacked his lips and lowered his head, "....Right. Sorry. You don't have to continue..."

"You're fine, nerd," Sam told him, taking another sip before looking out into the sky.

Dayln sighed, his head still lowered as he but his lip for a moment, "...Dig fucking left."

Sam turned to him, "That's....you're dad-"

"Step-dad," Dayln hissed, before catching his tone and quickly changing it to an apologetic, "Sorry."

"No. No it's fine," Sam shook her head before catching on something, "Wait...Dig isn't your dad?"

"Yeah...." Dayln took out another breath. "After that whole fiesco. I found some old journal.... the good news is that that asshat isn't my dad. He had my sister but thank god, not me."

"So she was cheating?"

Dayln shrugged, "Could be? I'm just...." He sighed, "I don't care anymore. Mom finally kicked that creep out...for good."

"Oh..." Sam nodded, almost everyone knew. And she could tell Dayln wasn't one side of angry or sad but rather both.

"It's fine. I expected less of that bastard anyway." Dayln scoffed, "Glad he's gone and is not bothering my mom or sister anymore."

"How's your mom and sister holding up?"

"Fine. Things are getting better....sort of," Dayln shoved his hands in his pocket. "Sorry if what's going on bores you."

"No, no," Sam shakes her head, letting out a soft laugh, "You're uh...you're good."

Dayln gave her a small smile, "You remember uh, 8th grade?"

"Half of it, sorry," Sam's expression shifted. "But I do remember that one kid I had to sit across during science class; wild one he was."

"Oh?" Dayln took a shot from his drink, not liking where this was clearly going.

"And wouldn't stop monologuing Dirty Harry."

Dayln's eyes widened before his cheeks went red, "Uh...shit. Yeah that was uh....that was something else."

"Simpler times," Sam nodded, taking a sip from her drink.

"You'd probably thought he was a weirdo."

"I wouldn't say weirdo....okay yeah he was a weirdo. An ass — or arrogant one," Sam admitted, Dayln still watching. "But he's kind deep down, even if there's glimpses of it."

"I wish he could see that."

"He either can't or he's too dumb to see it." Sam gave him a small smile. God, she was pretty when she smiled.

Dayln looked away for a bit, watching the smoking sky that almost looked quite pretty?

"I wish he was confident enough."

"For what?"

"To shoot his shot, I guess." Dayln shrugged. "But who am I kidding, that'll never happen."

"Why's that?" Sam frowned, taking another drink of his coda.

"Because he.....wanted to do so much. But could even do a simpler things such as ask a fucking girl out." He muttered before taking another sip but it was quickly yanked by Sam as she placed them on a table right next to them.

"I want you to know something," She said softly, her blue eyes looking at his brown ones. "You did nothing wrong. And you're gonna prove all of them wrong."

Dayln continued to look at her as she continued, unbeknownst to her that her hands were locked with his.

"From what I've seen, you didn't need him. You never needed him," Sam told him. "Yeah, you have some downs with those annoying attempts to 'fit in'......but you made it. I'll admit."

Dayln let out a quick chuckle. Sam softly smiled back and continued, "I can already tell you that you're handling it better than anyone else. And you got your best friend going to college with you. I bet you'll do more than what you already dream of."

"Just you wait Sam," He silently stated, giving her a silly yet ambitious smile. "I'm gonna have people make a statue of me when I die. Or at least...a special burial."

Sam giggled and so did he. Then they stood there for a moment in silence, with both hands held tight.

Finally, Dayln leaned in and connected his lips with hers. Sam's eyes widened, almost taken aback that he even did it.

When he noticed that she didn't move back, he went further by moving one hand to her right cheek, savoring the gentle kiss.

Suddenly, a cough got their attention and startled them. They parted and looked back, seeing Jake with Noah beside him, right by the backdoor entrance.

"Sorry....am I uh, interrupting something?"

"Oh," Sam quickly looked at Dayln before turning to the others. "No. Sorry."

Jake let out a laugh before rolling his eyes, "I didn't see anything."

"Neither did I." Noah shrugged.

"Good." Sam cleared her throat and looked back at Dayln, pointing inside. "I—I'll-"

"Yeah," Dayln cleared his throat, standing by as she walked past the boys back inside. The two looked at the blonde for a moment before turning to the man himself.

"What just happened?"

"What did what happen?" Dayln grinned, smacking his lips.

"I'm not dumb bro, I just saw you nearly make out with Sammy." Jake grinned. "You go man."

"I guess it's a parting gift, I suppose." Dayln let out a soft chuckle. That's when his phone vibrated on the table. He looked at it and turned to the two.

"Shit," he muttered.

"What?"

"It's my mom." He quickly waved them off, "Out! Go! Go!"

The boys quickly ran inside as Dayln answered his phone. He could only guess it was possible that she wanted to know whee he was at. He wanted to curse himself for not seeing all of this through, he was certain she wouldn't call him at least until night....

'Oh...oh shit...'

He didn't realize the time. It was already around 9.

"Fuck," He muttered, walking around quickly, trying to pace his breath before stopping. He took a deep breath before he answered the phone.

"Hey, mom."

"David, it's me." His mom began. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, yeah, I'm uh," He turned back to the party inside the house, letting out a wince before pulling the phone away to let out a small sigh, then leaned his face back to the phone.

"I'm alright. I'm with Jack."

"David listen-"

"What? Hold on-"

"You need to get out of here." she instructed. David's eyes furrowed.

"What?" David exhaled. "Why?"

"David, whatever happens. Tell Jack and his family to get out of here and take you with them." She told him, her voice sounding as if she was panicking as if life depended on it.

"Mom you're losing me?"

"Just do it! Get to him, grab whatever you got, and get out of here now! The city is an outbreak!"

"Outbreak-"

Then there was a scream inside.