Mikey sat backstage of the towns Theater House. He was rehearsing his lines in front of one of those mirrors that had the big bulbs around it. He had a big play coming up and he was one of the main characters. He was always one of the main characters because he had extraordinary talent and no one wanted to really pass that opportunity up.

"A best friend, someone who is their thick through thin; someone who, despite our flaws, is going to be there in a heart beat. Without one it's hard to understand how someone survives. Who's going to hold your dark, internal secrets? Who's going to pick you to be on their team? Who's going to share their answers on the homework, you forgot to do? Who's going to give you cheesy yet inspirational talks? Who's going to fight for you when you can not? That's why I need you guys..." Mikey let out, the words flowing past his lips like silk, the words deep enough, you could get to China.

The words he read off of the paper, left a hallow feeling inside of him. He wasn't hungry nor in physical pain, he just felt sick like he forgot something of extreme importance yet he couldn't quite put a finger on what it was. It ate at him, making his insides churn and that specific paragraph from the script didn't help. It made him remember his old friends; his secrets with Gus, Vince picking him to be on his team when no one else would, homework with Gretchen, cheesy, inspirational talks with Tj and Spinelli always offering to knock someone's teeth out for him. That was till it clicked on what he had forgotten, it was too late and he didn't know who actually showed... He couldn't help but have the guilt tear him apart...

∞

∞

∞

Gretchen stood on the podium, a number on a paper, pinned to her shirt. She fixed her glasses as the word was presented to her, "Your next word is, Piquant."

Gretchen smiled, another easy word, she was going to win for sure, "P-I-Q-U-A-N-T Piquant."

"That is correct."

She took her seat, she just had to beat Jenny Baker, who was competing from 47th high school. She and Jenny went on for about another hour, spelling words such as, 'Paraphernalia, Inequitable, Verisimilitude, Brobdingnagian, Pulchritudinous and Pandemonium.' In the end, Gretchen ended up winning because Jenny Baker ended up spelling, triglycerides with an I instead of a Y.

Gretchen couldn't erase the smile on her face as she held the medium sized, golden trophy. Pictures were taken before she stepped off stage. She made her way home with her parents, she received none stop congratulations. Even though tonight was one of the best nights of her life, she felt like she missed something super important and it just kind of left a hollow feeling inside. When she entered her room, she placed her trophy on her desk, sighing as she looked up, something in red caught her eye. Something was written on her calendar, something of great importance considering she wrote it big and in red sharpie. Something that made a horrified gasp escape her lips...

∞

∞

∞

Gus sat at his desk, a strict look upon his face as he went over his plans one more time for the night. He was creating new strategy for the freshmen coming into ROTC. He knew he was missing things but he was distracted, something kept nagging at the back of his head and he couldn't figure out what.

He decide a milkshake at Kelso's would clear his mind, so he grabbed his jacket and decide to walk. He didn't like the feelings that were picking and prodding at him. He entered and sat at one of the booths in the back.

Mr. Kelso walked over, "Hello Gus, the usual?"

Gus was about to tell him he went by Gustav now but he was just to distracted to put energy into explaining it, "Yes, thank you Mr. Kelso." He replied.

"Awe, I remember when you kids would come in here and sit at this table all together, the best of friends I've ever seen..." He sighed out before going to the back to get the strawberry shake.

Gus eye widened at Mr. Kelso's words, his old friends, his ex- best friends, this table. He got up and ran out the door, his combat boots slapping against the pavement as he ran to where it all began; 3rd Street School. He stopped when he reached the school, he saw a single figure disappearing, he was too late. He bit his lip before his eye caught on to something, a recently stepped on cigarette.