"Okay, what happened?" Ashlyn questioned when she walked into the room first.

"Who died?" Kourtney added in a panicked tone while rushing in.

"And will there be an estate sale?" Carlos chimed in, gaining a confused look from Dahlia.

"Why the heck would there be an estate sale?" She asked, raising an eyebrow at Carlos' morbid humor.

"Technically, a human didn't die." Miss Jenn confessed while her students gathered around her. Oliver remained standing by Gina's side, their hands still intertwined, needing the support and comfort the contact gave them.

"You texted us, 'there's been a death'." Maddox reminded.

"The drama club is dead." Oliver mutters, his voice thick with sadness and frustration. "So there was a death. Kinda." He finished bitterly, running a hand through his hair as he glanced at the floor. Gina rubbed his back soothingly, leaning her head on his shoulder.

At his words, the group rambled out panicked questions and reactions. "This is why I kept texting you guys that the drama club was canceled." Emmy announced.

Carlos pulls up her texts with a confused look. "All I got was a bunch of symbols."

Emmy nods. "That's because everything I write is encrypted."

"Yeah, guys, it's obvious." Dahlia spoke up by Emmy, the two grinning at each other and fist bumps each other.

Oliver sends his younger sister a look of disbelief. "You knew what these cryptic texts meant and didn't say anything?"

Dahlia chews on her lower lip, shrugging her shoulders. "I thought everyone else knew what they meant. I mean, the more I hung out with Emmy, the more I understood her language." Dahlia gestured to Emmy, who grinned.

Oliver sighs heavily. "So, Miss Jenn says because none of us except Emmy and Dahlia showed up for rehearsals the drama department is dead."

Everyone dramatically voiced what they had been doing lately to be so busy to not show up for rehearsals. But a bombshell for Oliver was learning Big Red and Seb had kissed. Maddox seemed surprised, almost hopeful that Ashlyn revealed she was single again and nervously stated who all was single after everyone looked at her.

"I got your text about something being dead." Mr. Mazzara speaks up, walking into the room to join the group. He pauses, looking confused. "You look alive."

"I am." Miss Jenn nods, shrugging. "Kind of. So, is it true?"

"It is. Principal Gutierrez gave your funding to my department, and yes, I have already spent the money on laptops for the local orphanage." Mr. Mazzara confirmed.

Maddox chuckles, not thinking he was serious, her eyes widening when she saw his serious expression. "You weren't kidding."

"He's never kidding, dear." Miss Jenn told her.

"Okay, so what's the big deal if we don't have that money?" Gina asked as she sat down on the piano bench. Oliver stayed standing by her, one hand on gently rubbing soothing circles on her lower back which she appreciated. She knew he was trying to help her stay calm, and his touch was reassuring.

"Gina, honey, it means we don't have the budget to make costumes or build sets. 'High School Musical 3' is a complicated 2008 period piece." Miss Jenn answered softly.

"Why don't we buy Obama yard signs and print out articles about the recession?" Ricky suggested. Everyone began agreeing with his idea and voicing their own, talking over each other until Miss Jenn got their attention.

"If there's two things I've learned during my many years in the theater, it's knowing when to enter and when to exit. Today we do the latter."

Oliver's heart broke at that, feeling like he had just been stabbed in the chest. Just when they had a small silver of hope of possibly getting the drama department back, it was crushed. He had a feeling it was very unlikely and highly doubtful that would happen. And he was right.

The group was still trying to process the news, all of them visibly upset and frustrated. Dahlia and Emmy were the most emotional, Dahlia trying to hold back tears. Emmy sniffles, wiping her eyes. "Um, would you guys, um, excuse me?" She turned and left the room.

Miss Jenn frowns as she walks off to the side. "I made a child cry today." 

Oliver notices his younger sister tying to hide her own tears and had moved off to the side of the room for some reason. "I'm gonna check on her." He murmurs to Gina, who nods in response. He walks over to his little sister, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Hey, you okay?"

"Fine," Dahlia mumbles, her voice laced with sadness and she wipes away a tear. "Perfectly fine. Not like I cared about this dumb club anyway."

Oliver knew she was lying, and his heart ached to see her so upset. He sighs. "C'mere." He pulled her into a hug and Dahlia didn't hesitate to return the embrace. She rested her head against his chest, her body shaking slightly. He could feel her tears dampening his shirt, but he didn't care. All that mattered was that his sister was okay. He rubbed her back soothingly, continuing to hold her as she cried quietly.

"It's okay. It'll be okay." He wasn't sure if he even believed that, he wanted to, but he had a sinking feeling it wouldn't be okay. He couldn't help but feel the weight of it all—the loss of a safe space where they could all express themselves and bond over their shared love for theater. Oliver stayed with Dahlia until she calmed down, her tears slowing to sniffles.

"You know," He said softly, pulling back just enough to look at her. "This club meant a lot to both of us. It's okay to be upset about losing it."

Dahlia nods, her lip quivering while she wipes her eyes. "It's just...It's not fair. We worked so hard, and it feels like it didn't matter."

"It mattered," Oliver reassures her. "To us, to Miss Jenn, and to everyone who was part of it. Nobody can take that away. And maybe someday we'll be able to get the club back."

Dahlia let out a watery laugh as she rolls her eyes. "I'll believe it when I see it."

"Hey," Oliver nudges her shoulder playfully, a smile tugging at his lips. "Have a little faith, okay? It might not happen now, but that doesn't mean it can't ever happen."

Dahlia rolls her eyes, but a hint of a smile tugged at her lips. "Alright, alright, I'll try." She takes a deep breath, wiping her eyes again. "I think I'm gonna get some fresh air for a bit-"

"Do you want me to come with?" Oliver asked gently, his concern evident in his tone.

Dahlia shakes her head, offering him a small smile. "No, I think I just need a moment to myself. Thanks, though."

"Alright," Oliver said, squeezing her shoulder lightly. "But if you need me, just let me know. And if you send a text please don't make it crypted like Emmy does, still don't understand that." He teased, trying to lighten the mood a bit.

Dahlia giggles. "Deal." She hugs him again. "Love you, bro."

"Love you too, sis." He murmured, kissing the top of her head.

He watches her leave, hoping she would be okay. He knew how much the drama department meant to her, and it was devastating to lose something that had become so important. He sighs heavily, turning to go rejoin the rest of the group, overhearing Ashlyn talking about how she and Kourtney first met the first day back to school a year ago. And that they were each others reasons they got into the drama department. He thought it was sweet and he was surprised at hearing Mr. Mazzara let Ashlyn skip first day of Robotics Club to audition for the musical. He stood back by Gina, who glanced at him in concern.

"Is she-"

"She's gonna be fine." Oliver assures her, leaning down to kiss the top of her head. "Just needed some time alone. I get it."

Gina nods in agreement, reaching over to intertwine her fingers with his, bringing his hand over to kiss the back of his hand. His face felt warm at the action and his lips curved into a smile. She smiled back at him, squeezing his hand before linking her arm with his instead. Miss Jenn voiced out her surprise that Mr. Mazzara hadn't left yet just as he was about to leave the room. Before he could leave, Jett noticed a sticker on his laptop.

"Wait, you're a Six Below Zero fan?"

"What?" Mr. Mazzara asks in confusion and then glances down, looking back at him with a nervous smile. "Oh, no. It's nothing."

"You have a Six Below Zero sticker on your laptop, bro." Jett chucked.

"You're grimacing." Miss Jenn cut in. "You look like an emoji." She added, gaining a laugh from Jett and a chuckle from Oliver. She really did have a point and the look was kinda funny. "Well, now I'm sentimental about our first terrible meeting."

"Look, I was not exactly in a good place on the first day of school last year." Mr. Mazzara sighed.

Everyone stares at him in disbelief or amusement after learning he was in the boy band Six Below Zero. Jett was excited, knowing that he recognized him from somewhere thanks to his obscure boy band phase he went through in middle school. Oliver thought it was kind of weird, and Maddox confirmed it was very weird. What surprised Oliver even more is the fact Mr. Mazzara apologized to Miss Jenn and sounded sincere.

"Um, so this has been really illuminating on so many levels," Gina remarks, standing up to stand by Oliver, wrapping an arm around his waist. "But we kind of have a musical to save."

"Yeah, I'm with Gina." Maddox agreed.

"Always." Oliver chimed in, wrapping his arm around Gina's waist and kissing her cheek, gaining a shy smile from her.

"Same. Love a good boy band sob story, but come on, Mr. Funky One." Ricky retorts. "Don't get us sidetracked.

"Sidetracked? This is the most shocking day of my life since..." Carlos paused, glancing over at Miss Jenn, who smiled and assured him he can continue. After sharing how Miss Jenn saved his life, the two shared a sweet hug that made everyone smile.

"Sebbie." Oliver smiled at the familiar blonde, pausing when he realized he was storming into the room. He ignored him and the others who greeted him, storming over to Carlos, who didn't look pleased to see him.

"Oh, great, are you here to kiss everyone?"

"Carlos." Miss Jenn scolded Carlos.

"I can't take this anymore!" Seb exclaims in frusturation. "Sit down, Carlos." Carlos reluctantly does. "For months, I've been channeling my guilt into latte art. I'm probably the only person who's drawn four thousand cows on a cappuccino."

Oliver's eyes widen in surprise. "Wow. Impressive." He knew nothing about making coffee, but he assumed it was hard to do that.

"Thank you." Seb says to him before continuing to ramble to Carlos out of frustration. "But every time I stare at a cow, I think about you."

An offended look is etched on Carlos' face. "Because I embody a cow? You've interrupted an emotional climax here and we're done."

"No." Seb argues firmly. "When I showed up three hours late to homecoming after my cow passed away, you were there fr me. And I know I haven't been there for you. But, look, when I was making one of my final lattes at Crafty, I overheard the most incredible duet between Lucas Gabreel as Ryan and Scott Huang as his partner, who never really got a name according to the script." He adds. "I want to sing the song to you today, to my Ryan. Miss Jenn is the one who encouraged me."

Carlos glares at the blonde teacher. "You did what?"

"Give him a chance, Carlos." Miss Jenn insisted.

"Maddox even helped me track down the sheet music." Seb added.

"To be fair, Emmy helped me." Maddox revealed.

Carlos grimaces. "That girl scares me." He looks at Seb with a sigh. "Seb, you have to move on."

"But I can't. You're the greatest person I've ever dated." Seb told him.

"Seb, I'm the only person you've ever dated." Carlos pointed out.

"That's actually not true." Seb admits, gaining gasps from everyone in the room. "I was once in a serious relationship." At that confession, everyone gasps again. He leans forward, adding, "With a woman." Carlos gasped at that.

"Hold on, you dated Natalie Bagley?" Ricky asked incrudously after Seb explained what happened.

"We made out a lot and spent the rest of our time together fantasy-casting the 'Wicked' movie." Seb confessed.

"But where is Natalie?" Kourtney questioned.

"North Hgih." Seb replies. "She made it less evil."

"You left Natalie Bagley for me?" Carlos inquired, looking at Seb with surprise.

"I would leave anyone for you." Seb assures him. "And now, I've said my peace."

"No." Ricky speaks up, pointing at the blonde boy. "No. You're playing the song." Seb looks hesitant as Ricky walks over to him. "He's playing the d*** song, Carlos." He firmly said, startling and amusing the group. "Come on."

Oliver chuckles at his best friend's outburst. "Just hear him out, Carlos." He chimed in, glancing over at the brunette hair boy with a reassuring smile while Ricky pulled over the piano bench for Seb. Seb sat at the piano and prepared to play the song after Ashlyn and Maddox had placed the sheet musc on the piano for him.

Everyone watched with fondness and anticipation as Seb took a deep breath, his fingers hovering over the keys. The room was silent, the tension palpable as everyone waited for the first note. With a soft but confident press of the keys, Seb began to play. The melody was gentle and heartfelt, pulling everyone into the emotion of the moment. As he sang, his voice trembled slightly at first, but soon grew steady, filled with raw emotion that made it impossible not to be moved.

Carlos, sitting stiffly at first, gradually relaxed as the song went on. His expression shifted from skeptical to touched, his eyes glistening. It was clear Seb's heartfelt performance was breaking through his defenses. Maddox had even given him a lyric sheet and Miss Jenn encouraged him to join the duet. Oliver smiled, glancing over at Gina and sharing a fond smile with her. Gina kissed his cheek, smiling softly at the scene unfolding before them. Oliver felt a rush of warmth in his chest, seeing the raw emotion between Seb and Carlos. It reminded him of the connections they all shared, of how the people they loved were always worth fighting for, no matter how complicated things got.

The room erupted into cheers at the end of the song, everyone clapping and cheering for Seb and Carlos. "There's so much I didn't know about you." Carlos confessed.

"Sometimes people put me in a box." Seb shrugged with a small smile.

Gina let out a small chuckle, grimacing when she saw everyone looking at her. "Oh I'm sorry. Was that out loud?"

Oliver chuckles as he nods. "Mhm, yeah, it was."

"I guess I also know what it's like to be put in a box." Gina admitted.

"Oh, thank God. Take the spotlight off us for a second." Carlos said in relief, nudging Seb.

Seb looks hopeful, smiling at him. "Us?"

"I..." Carlos started nervously and Seb finished his sentence with a bright smile.

"I love you too."

"Go on, babe." Oliver encourages Gina softly, gently squeezing her waist. "It's okay."

Gina gives a grateful smile to him before speaking up, drawing everyone's attention to her. "Okay, when I started at East High, I know I may have come off a little on edge."

Kourtney bursts out laughing, cringing when she realized what she was doing. "Ooh, I'm sorry, was that out loud?"

Gina chuckles. "Let's just say things were complicated."

**FLASHBACK**

After school was over, Oliver found himself walking down the stairs to the hallway where the doors to outside are at the end of them. He guesses he wasn't paying attention because he accidentally bumped into someone when he reached the bottom of the stairs.

"Oh! I'm sorry!" Oliver apologizes. "I didn't mean to bump into you..." His voice trails off as he looks at the person he bumped into her. He found himself in a daze while he comes face to face with the most beautiful girl he has ever seen.

The dark-skinned girl smiles a bit and shrugs her shoulders. "No worries. It's fine. I wasn't really paying attention either." She chuckled lightly at seeing his dazed expression. She waved a hand in front of his face to bring him back to reality and he blinks, shaking his head.

"I'm Gina Porter." Gina introduces herself, looking at him with a smile. "You?"

He mentally scolding himself for forgetting his name at the moment, continuing to stare at her while his mouth opens and closes like a fish. Why was his heart beating so fast? Are other people staring at him? Does Gina think he's weird? Was he blushing? Oh, he hoped that he wasn't blushing. That would make things more embarrassing.

"I'm...I'm O-Oliver." Oliver introduces himself after remembering his name and finding the courage to speak. "O-Oliver Dalwood."

Gina smiles at him, offering a hand for him to shake. "Well, it's nice to meet you Oliver Dalwood."

Oliver stares at her hand for a few seconds before finally bringing himself to shake her hand, wondering why he felt a spark when their hands touched. He was quick to pull his hand away, nervously smiling at her. "Yeah, um, it's nice to meet you too."

He then realizes that he doesn't remember seeing her and he knows for a fact he would remember someone like Gina. "Are you new here? I don't remember ever seeing you around."

Gina nods. "Yeah. I'm a transfer student. Sophomore."

"Oh, um, cool." Oliver nods and swallows nervously. He hated how awkward he was. At the moment wished the floor would open up and swallow him. "So...I'm gonna go now."

"Hey, you're not going to try out for the play are you?" Gina curiously asked.

"Uh, yeah, I was thinking about it." Oliver stammers. He shrugs, shaking his head. "Probably not gonna end up doing it. I'm not that talented. Plus I'm terrified of even trying out."

Gina gives him a sympathetic smile, her eyes softening. "I get that. It's really scary to put yourself out there, especially when you're not sure if you'll make it." She pauses, studying him for a moment. "But I think you should try. You never know unless you do."

Oliver blinks at her, surprised by her encouragement. He felt a little more at ease in her presence, her genuine smile making him feel seen. "You really think so?" He asked, his voice quieter than before. She was a stranger yet she seemed to understand him in a way that made him feel a little less alone.

Gina nods, her expression warm and confident. "I do. You never know what you're capable of until you try. And even if you don't get the role, at least you'll know you gave it a shot." She gives him a playful wink. "Besides, it's not about being perfect. It's about having the courage to put yourself out there. People will respect that."

Oliver feels a small spark of hope flicker inside him at her words. There was something about her, the way she spoke with such conviction and kindness, that made him want to believe in himself more. Maybe he could do this. "Thanks," He says softly, feeling a little less self-conscious. "Maybe...I will try out after all." He gave her a shy smile, grateful for her unexpected encouragement.

"Maybe I'll see you around? And perhaps at auditions?" Gina asked with a small smile.

Oliver looks confused. "Wait, you're going to audition too?" He asked, a bit surprised. He hadn't expected her to be involved in the play.

"I'm thinking about it now." Gina admitted.

She had to be honest she only thought about it because of him. She had to be honest: she'd only considered auditioning because of him. There was something about Oliver's hesitation, his passion despite his nerves, that had sparked something in her. She had always been the intimidating type—the girl who didn't show vulnerability, the one people steered clear of, the one who preferred to keep to herself. 

But seeing Oliver, his self-doubt and quiet courage, had made her reconsider a lot of things. It was odd—she had always thought of herself as someone who didn't need anyone else, someone who thrived in her own space. But Oliver... he was different. There was something about his vulnerability that seemed so real, so raw. She hadn't expected to be drawn to it, let alone feel an unexpected pull toward him. As she watched Oliver give her that shy, almost unsure smile, her heart skipped a beat. 

It was so simple, yet it sent a ripple of something unexpected through her. She'd always been the intimidating one, the girl who didn't get flustered, who kept her guard up around others. But there was something about him that made her feel different—something about his openness, his vulnerability, that pulled her in. She quickly looked away, trying to shake off the strange feeling. What was it? She hadn't expected this—hadn't expected to be moved by someone like him. The principal's words echoed in her mind: find a purpose, and try not to kill it. She'd never fully understood what that meant, not until now. Her life at her old school had been a series of missteps, keeping people at a distance, always being the tough girl, the one who didn't care about anything or anyone. 

It had worked for a while, but now, with Oliver standing there, uncertain yet brave, it made her question the walls she'd built around herself. She didn't want to kill this chance to feel something more, something real. Her words made Oliver pause for a moment. There was something about her—her confidence, the way she carried herself—that felt almost intimidating. Gina had a presence that commanded attention, and it was hard to imagine her being nervous about anything. But now, with her admitting she was thinking about auditioning, it caught him off guard.

"So, um, maybe I'll see you at auditions?" He asked, his voice a little more confident now that the initial awkwardness had faded.

Gina's smile softens, a little more genuine now. "Yeah, I think you will." She said, her voice quieter but still carrying a hint of playfulness. There was a subtle change in the way she looked at him, something a little softer than before, and it made Oliver's heart beat a little faster.

After he sees a smile on her face while she walked away, butterflies were swarming in his stomach and his heart was pounding in his chest. He has never felt this way before. What was this feeling? He couldn't figure it out. All he knew is that the more he talked to her, the more he wanted to talk to her and get to know her more. This girl was special feeling he had, it was new and intense, and it both excited and terrified him. Oliver had never really experienced this kind of connection before, and the more he tried to make sense of it, the more he realized he just needed to embrace it. Gina was something special, someone who had this magnetic energy that pulled him in, and he found himself wanting to be around her more and more.

**END OF FLASHBACK**

"So, if Gina didn't encourage Oliver, he probably wouldn't have joined the musical." Kourtney spoke up in realization after Gina retold her meeting with Oliver.

"Not probably, for sure, 'cause I was dead set thinking of just not going through with it before Gina showed up." Oliver confessed sheepishly.

"But if Oliver hadn't mentioned he was auditioning, Gina wouldn't have shown up, period." Ashlyn realized.

"This is like Murder, She wrote." Miss Jenn said in awe.

"I don't really know what's going on, but this is incredible." Maddox commented.

Oliver felt so many emotions, and he wasn't even the one who had to sing a song in front of everyone like Carlos and Seb. His mind was running wild, processing everything that had led to this moment. He never expected something as simple as a random encounter with Gina would set so many things in motion. It felt like destiny—or maybe just a chance that he was willing to take. Either way, it had brought him here, in this room full of people, and with Gina by his side, he felt like he was finally opening up to something bigger than just his fears.

"Yeah, it's funny how things work out," Oliver said with a small laugh, still trying to wrap his head around the chain of events that led to where they were now. He glances over at Gina, feeling an unexpected rush of gratitude for her—her courage had made him take a leap of his own. He walks over to her, she had been standing a few feet away from the others. "So...What I'm getting through this is that I'm the reason you tried out for the play?" He asked in surprise and disbelief. He saw a faint blush creep onto Gina's cheeks as she met his gaze while she shrugged, trying to seem casual, though the soft smile on her lips betrayed her.

"You had a vibe. I had an instinct."

Oliver felt like his heart skipped a beat at her words. A vibe. An instinct. The way she said it was so simple, yet it held so much meaning. It was as if Gina had sensed something in him that he hadn't fully understood himself. Maybe that was why their connection felt so natural, even in its unexpectedness. He shakes his head, moving to sit down on the piano bench and running his hands through his hair. He let out a soft laugh, still processing everything that had happened. "A vibe, huh? You know," Oliver said, turning to face Gina, his voice a little softer now, "I'm really glad we met that day. I know I wouldn't be here without you."

Gina's smile grows a bit wider at his words, the tenderness in his tone warming her heart. She moves to kneel in front of him, placing her hands on his knees and giving them a gentle squeeze. "And I wouldn't be here without you." Her gaze was soft, her voice filled with emotion. They'd come so far since that fateful day, and they were both grateful for the chance they had taken. Oliver smiled, his heart swelling with affection as he leaned in and kissed her forehead, gaining a fond but shy smile from her.

Miss Jenn watched the exchange between the two, a fond smile on her lips as she wipes away the tears from her watery eyes. "You know," Gina starts, standing up and turning to their teacher. "Miss Jenn, you're the one who brought us all together."

Miss Jenn shakes her head. "That's not true. You'd be here with some other drama teacher."

"Um, no, we literally wouldn't. Have you not been listening to us?" Carlos sassily asked her.

"Actually, wait, you neve told us how you ended up here or why." Ashlyn pointed out.

"It's not important." Miss Jenn chuckled.

"We'll be the judge of that." Maddox told her.

"Be nice, Maddox. Gina is the intimidating girl around here." Miss Jenn says in amusement. "It was one month before school started last year. I was still living in a neighborhood of New York called Hoboken."

Everyone is in awe and surprise at hearing Alyson Reed was the one who encouraged her to be a drama teacher. Oliver couldn't believe

"Full body chills." Ricky confessed with a chuckle as everyone nodded in agreement.

Miss Jenn smiles sadly. "And that's how the story ends." She pauses, glancing to the side when she remembered something. "Oh, wait. Goodness. I almost forgot. Gina, would you give me a hand with these?" She asked hopefully, moving to the side of the room where some gift bags were.

"Yeah, what's this?" Gina asked curiously, walking over to help her hand the bags out.

"Uh, these are wrap gifts. They're gratitude journals for all of you." Miss Jenn responds and Oliver's face softened. "For the movie. And I guess for our little show too." Miss Jenn hands two to Oliver. "Can you give this one to your sister?"

"Yeah, of course." Oliver nodded, his lips curving upwards in a warm smile as he fought back tears. He was grateful for Miss Jenn's guidance and support, and he was thankful for the opportunity she had given him. She had been a constant source of encouragement and inspiration, and she had played an important role in all their lives. How were they supposed to continue without her?

"So, that's it." Ricky shakily said with unshed tears in his eyes. "'High School Musical's over'?"

And of course the principal walked in at the worst time. "Jennifer, I thought we discussed this."

"I was just dismissing them, Prinicpal Gutierrez." Miss Jenn assures him. She glances at Ricky and nods. "Yes, Ricky, it's over. But you've got lives to live. And loves to love." With teary eyes, she gives the group a sad smile. "And all good things must come to an end."

"Well, guys, we had a good run, then." Gina managed to speak up, giving the group a small smile.

Maddox frowns, looking at her brother sadly. "We just got here though."

Ashlyn shakes her head, sniffling as she takes a step back after looking at her phone. "My dad's here. I should probably..."

"Yeah, I have to finalize layout for yearbooks, so I should..." Kourtney left after the red head, followed by Seb who revealed he had to clean up the coffee truck and give Corbin a vanilla latte before he left and Carlos offered to help him.

Jett scoffs. "Wow, I can't believe you guys actually tried to convince me there was a point to all of this." He left, quickly followed by his worried sister.

"Jennifer..." Principal Gutierrez started.

"Give her a minute." Mr. Mazzara firmly interrupts. "These are her children." He added in a more softer tone. If Oliver wasn't trying to hold back tears, he would've been surprised to hear Mr. Mazzara speak with such compassion. But all his focus was on the heavy weight in his chest, the lump in his throat that refused to go away. He didn't even register Principal Gutierrez leaving the room.

"Ricky, could you turn off the lights on the way out?" Miss Jenn inquired softly, gaining a nod in response as she began gathering her things. At the sound of a Six Below Zero song playing as Mr. Mazzara's ring tone, the trio exchanged a sad but amused look while Mr. Mazzara walked out to answer the call.

"Anything you're grateful for, honey." Miss Jenn softly answered.

"This is what I'm grateful for." Ricky mumbled.

"I am so grateful I got to be your teacher." Miss Jenn confessed.

"You were more than just a teacher." Gina pointed out.

Miss Jenn shakes her head, placing a comforting hand on her arm. "It's okay, Gina. Being your teacher was enough."

With a sniffle, Oliver wipes his eyes, beginning to back up. "I'm just, uh, gonna go...." His voice trailed off as he turned to leave the room quickly before the dam could break. He could feel his breathing start to quicken, the signs of a panic attack creeping in. His best friend shared a look with his girlfriend back in the bomb shelter, them and their teacher concerned for him. Gina was about to go after him, but Ricky assured her he had this and went after his best friend. He had dealt with helping Oliver through panic attacks throughout the years of their friendship, and this time wouldn't be any different. Ricky gave Gina a reassuring smile before following Oliver into the hallway.

Oliver was around the corner at the top of the stairs, taking deep breaths and trying to calm his racing heart. He closed his eyes, focusing on the sound of his breathing, gripping the cold metal railing as a way to ground himself. He could hear footsteps behind him, but he didn't turn around. He didn't need to. He knew it was Ricky. The sound of Ricky's shoes on the floor echoed softly as he approached, a steady presence in the midst of Oliver's chaos.

Ricky knew the signs of an oncoming panic attack, and he wasn't about to let his best friend suffer through it alone. "Hey." He said softly, reaching out and placing a gentle hand on Oliver's back, rubbing soothing circles between his shoulder blades. "Hey, it's gonna be okay." He forgot about his own emotional turmoil and focused solely on comforting his best friend. "Just breathe, Ollie."

Oliver opened his eyes, blinking away the tears that were forming. "How?" His voice cracked. "How is it going to be okay?" He didn't understand. It didn't make sense. 

All he could think about was the fact that he was losing something he loved, something he was passionate about, and it wasn't fair. Why did it have to end? Why did good things always come to an end? Well, that's not true though. He and Gina were doing so good, so that must mean something, right? Or is his relationship with Gina gonna end too because apparently all good things must come to an end? He didn't think he could handle losing her, too. The thought of his relationship with Gina slipping away on top of everything else felt like it would break him completely. His chest tightened, the anxiety rising again as the overwhelming weight of it all seemed to drown him.

He grasped the railing tighter, trying to steady himself, but the panic continued to rise. He hated this feeling, the tightness in his chest, the way his heart was beating rapidly, the shortness of breath, the inability to focus, and the constant fear that he was going to die. It was always the same—the physical sensations that came along with the emotional and mental anguish. He'd had his fair share of panic attacks throughout the years, and they never got easier.

Ricky could sense the panic building, and he needed to pull his best friend out of it before things got worse. He gently grabs Oliver's arm, guiding him to sit down on the stairs. "Here, sit." He encouraged, sitting down beside him. Oliver's shoulders slumped, his hands trembling as he sank onto the steps, his head dropping forward as he tried to catch his breath. The air felt thick, every inhale sharp and shallow, and it was like his lungs couldn't get enough of it. The panic wrapped around him like a vice, squeezing tighter with every second.

"Oliver," Ricky's voice cut through the storm in his mind. "Look at me, buddy. Focus on me. Just breathe with me, okay?" Oliver's gaze flickered up to Ricky, his eyes wide and filled with a mixture of fear and exhaustion. Ricky wasn't just a friend; he was his anchor. In times like this, Oliver needed him more than ever.

"You're not alone in this," Ricky continues, his tone firm yet gentle. "We're in this together. All of it, okay? I'm right here with you."

Oliver's chest heaved as he tried to focus on Ricky's words, but the swirling anxiety still threatened to pull him under. He could feel the tears threatening to spill again, but he clenched his jaw, trying to hold them back. He didn't want to fall apart—not now in the hallway. But the emotions were overwhelming, and he wasn't sure how much longer he could keep them at bay.

Ricky could see the struggle in his best friend's eyes, and he knew he needed to act quickly. "Okay, remember what we worked on before. "We're going to breathe in together, okay? Slowly. In through your nose for four counts...Then out through your mouth for four. I'll count with you."

Oliver nods shakily, his breaths still coming in quick, shallow bursts. He focused on Ricky's voice, trying to block out the rest of the world. "One...Two...Three...Four...Now out. One...Two...Three...Four..." Ricky continued, his voice calm and steady, helping Oliver to match the rhythm.

They repeated the pattern several times, and with each cycle, Oliver's breaths became a little easier. The panic that had once been all-consuming started to ebb away, though it lingered, just beneath the surface.

"See?" Ricky said, giving Oliver a soft smile. "You're doing great. You've got this. Just keep breathing with me."

Oliver's shoulders relaxes slightly, and he lifted his head to meet Ricky's gaze. His best friend's reassuring presence, his calm voice, and the steady rhythm of their breathing helped ground him. "Thanks, Ricky." He whispered, his voice shaky but grateful.

"No problem, man." Ricky gave him a quick squeeze on the shoulder. "You don't have to go through this alone."

After a few more moments, Oliver felt the weight in his chest start to lift, the tightness in his lungs easing. The worst of it was over, though the lingering sense of loss still hung in the air. He wasn't sure how to let go of everything, of the group, of the time spent together. But he knew he wasn't alone in it—not with Ricky by his side.

"Better?" Ricky asked softly.

Oliver let out a shaky breath, nodding slowly. "Yeah...Better," He admits, though his voice still carried the exhaustion of what he'd just endured. He leaned back against the wall, the cold surface grounding him further. "I just...I hate feeling like this, you know?"

Ricky nods in understanding, his eyes kind and steady. "I know, Ollie. I hate seeing you like this too, but it's okay. You're okay. And you're not weak for feeling this way—don't even go there," Ricky added quickly when Oliver opened his mouth as if to protest. "You care a lot, about all of this, about the people you love, and that's not a bad thing. It just means you're human. But we'll get through it, alright? Together."

Oliver manages a small, grateful smile, though his eyes were still red. "How do you always know what to say?"

"Years of practice," Ricky teases lightly, earning a playful shove and chuckle from Oliver. "But seriously, dude, it's because I know you. You don't have to hide this stuff from me. I've seen you at your best and your worst, and none of it changes how much I care about you."

Oliver looks at Ricky, the weight in his chest lightening just a little more. "I don't deserve you sometimes." He muttered, though there was a warmth in his voice that hadn't been there before.

Ricky rolls his eyes dramatically, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "You sound like a cheesy rom-com, man. But you do deserve it, okay? You deserve people who show up for you—always. Just like you show up for us." He nudges Oliver gently. "You're stuck with me, dude. And Gina too. She wanted to come after you, you know. But I told her I had this. Thought you'd need some best friend time."

Oliver huffs out a soft laugh, his gaze flickering up the hallway toward the auditorium doors. "You guys are the best."

"D*** straight, we are," Ricky smirks, standing up and holding out his hand to help Oliver up. "You ready to head back in there?"

Oliver hesitated for a moment, his eyes lingering on the practice room doors in the distance. The idea of stepping back into the crowded room, surrounded by the weight of expectations and goodbyes, made his chest tighten again. But this time, it wasn't unbearable. The panic didn't rise like a tidal wave ready to pull him under—it was quieter now, more manageable.

He takes Ricky's hand, letting his best friend pull him up. "Yeah," Oliver said, his voice soft but steady. "I think I am."

A/N so close to finishing this! :( gonna miss writing oliver & his story