"I can't believe you're hanging out with your old friends," Gavin said across the line. "Dude, we could be turning up tonight."

"You mean drugs and alcohol?" I said.

"What other type of turning up is there?" he asked.

True. "I'll pass tonight."

Gavin scoffed. "Your loss."  

"When was the last time you hung with them, anyway?" Gavin said. "Isn't it going to be fucking awkward?"

"Camila will be there," I said as I rubbed my foot on the ground. "At least I would have her."

"Good luck, Darian," Aaron shouted in the background.

I hadn't hung out with my old friends in two years. I didn't know why I was doing it either, but I couldn't say "no" to Camila. Apparently, we were having a night and day of hanging out. It was scary as hell, especially facing the others, but it seemed necessary. A part of me missed them, but the other side was scared to approach them.

When I saw a blue SUV approaching my gates, I stopped breathing for a second. Shit.

"Okay, I gotta go," I said, and I hung up.

The SUV stopped outside my gates, and I approached the vehicle. I could see all of them in the car, with the exception of Camila. Kenji and Honoka brought their father's car, and they were supposed to pick up everyone and take us to the Alvarez house. When I entered the car, it was silent. Kenji was in the driver's seat with Honoka in the front. Clay and Alissa sat in the back while Arya sat in the middle section with one more seat available there. I occupied it and closed the door.

"Hey," I let out as they all stared at me.

Honoka and Alissa said "hi."

"What's up, Darian?" Clay grabbed a hold of my shoulder and shook it in a friendly gesture.

I always felt iffy about Clay due to what I saw in middle school, but it was nice to have someone be friendly. Clay was forgiving like that.

"Nothing much," I replied before turning to Arya, who had her arms crossed.

"I'm not saying "hi" to you," she said.

Honoka glanced back with a sad look. "Arya."

"What?" Arya said with her arms not coming down. She looked at me. "He can't just leave us for two years and expect everything to be dandy. He has to earn my 'hi.'" She looked forward.

I deserved that. It was typical of Arya. She never let you off the hook easily. However, what she said was way less painful than Kenji starting the car without even saying a word or peeking my way. As he drove, the others engaged in various topics, laughing and sharing inside jokes. Jokes they had after I left.

My eyes were on Kenji the whole time. He continued to ignore me, and all I could think about was how much I missed him. I didn't know why it was so hard to go back to him when all I wanted to do was hold him in my arms and kiss him with everything I had. I became very aware of my two-year hiatus because I couldn't have felt more out of place.

Maybe I should have turned up with my boys.

I was more than grateful when we arrived at the Alvarez house. Thank God. I was the first one out of the car when we parked, and all I wanted to do was see Camila, the one person I wouldn't feel out of place with.

Speaking of the Devil, Camila opened the front door with the widest grin on her face. Her eyes lit up when she saw me.

"Darian!" She opened her arms, and I embraced her in a bear hug while the others made their way into the house.

"I missed you." I released her, and she sent me a weird look.

"I'm right here," she said. "And you belong with us."

I shook my head. "Doesn't feel like it."

She wrapped an arm on my shoulder, despite being shorter than me. "You will belong here before this is over."

She led me into the house. "I don't know about that."

The house was just the seven of us. I guess Camila made the rest of the family stay upstairs or leave. Seemed like a Camila move. When we reached the living room, all the snacks were out.

Camila patted my back. "Stay with the others, and I'll get the drinks."

No. She left for the kitchen while I stood there, watching the others interact with one another with ease. It felt like a century ago when I could do the same with them.

Kenji and Arya sat on the couch while Clay, Honoka and Alissa stayed on the floor. After saying something to Kenji, Arya met my gaze.

She smirked. "You know you can come here, right? We don't bite."

Said by the same girl who refused to say "hi" to me. "Maybe you will."

She grinned. "Maybe."

"Darian," Clay said while patting the spot beside him. "Come here."

"And have some Lays," Alissa added.

I sent them a small smile as I walked over to sit beside Honoka. She turned to me. "Darian, I'm going to apologize now because if I don't speak to you much, it's not because I'm mad at you."

"I know," I said. Honoka was always shy and timid. I guess that didn't change.

Kenji stood up, catching our attention. "I'm gonna help Camila with the drinks." He made his way over to the kitchen with my gaze lingering on him, even with the others continuing with their conversations.

I wanted to talk to him. I wanted to apologize. Anything that would get his attention. But I couldn't do it. I felt stuck watching him from a far.

Arya crossed her arms with her eyes on me. "Darian." She had my attention. "What've you been up to?"

"I thought you were mad at me?"

"You know she's playing," Clay said.

Arya sent him a funny look. "Did I include you in this conversation?"

"I inserted myself into the conversation," he said.

"Maybe I should insert something up your ass."

The rest of us burst into laughter while Arya and Clay smiled at each other. The two of them were always at each other's throat, but they did it with love.

"What's going up someone's ass?" Camila asked with drinks in her hand and Kenji behind her.

"You don't wanna know," Alissa said, still chuckling.

"Okay." Camila and Kenji placed the drinks down, and Camila began to hand them out. "Dr. Pepper for Darian." Yes. She remembered. "Hi C for Clay. Root beer for Arya. Strawberry fanta for me. And pepsi for Alissa, Honoka and Kenji." Camila and Kenji sat on either side of Arya while the rest of us remained on the floor.

"What are we watching?" Alissa asked. "Or should I even ask?"

The rest of us said together, "Pan's Labyrinth."

"We can watch something else if you guys want to," Camila asked, despite the disappointment in her eyes.

"You know you wanna watch it," I said with a "no BS" expression.

"I do." She grinned. "Don't worry. After this, I have a surprise for you guys."

Clay raised his index finger. "Is it food?"

"Yes."

He grinned. "That's what I'm talking about."

I stared at him. "Your stomach is a bottom-less pit, Clay," I said without thinking. Fuck. Could I still say stuff like that to him?

"I second that," Arya said.

"Fuck you both. I'm gonna keep enjoying my food." There was no spite in his words, and I relaxed.

"Can you guys shut the hell up?" Alissa said with her back turned to us.

Arya scoffed. "Like we haven't seen this movie a hundred times, 'Lis."

Alissa glanced back at us. "You right." She turned to face the table, munching on the Lays.

"It never gets old," Camila said. "This is a classic."

"To you," Arya said.

I missed Arya being snarky. I missed all of their quirks.

"Okay," Honoka jumped in. "Let's watch the movie silently and then get the surprise."

"You know that's not going to happen," Kenji said.

"We talk too damn much," Alissa said.

"Right," Kenji agreed.

"It's all good," I said. "Talking makes everything better."

Kenji's eyes met mine, him acknowledging me for the first time. "I guess so."

We watched the whole movie, talking throughout it. When it was finally done, Camila stood up. "Time for the surprise." She looked to Kenji. "Coming, Kenj?"

"Yup." He stood up and walked out with her.

I wanted to talk to him. I wanted to say something, but I couldn't find my voice. How could I do this after those two years apart?

When Camila and Kenji returned, they had two boxes of Krispy Kreme. "Yes." Clay jumped up to take the box out of Camila's hands, and he placed it on the table.

We digged right in, feasting on the doughnuts. Clay ate the most, which was no surprise. "How are we going to do the sleeping places?" Honoka asked the question I was wondering, too. "I can sleep on the floor."

I shook my head. "No. The girls should sleep on the couch, and us boys can sleep on the floor."

Clay deadpanned. "Thank you for volunteering us, Darian." Sarcasm coated his words.

"I agree," Kenji said. "Honoka may be annoying as hell, but I don't want her on the floor." Honoka stuck her tongue out at him, and he did it right back.

Alissa planted her arms on the table. "Such gentlemen." Clay scoffed. Alissa fake-glared at him.

Camila stood up. "I'll get the blankets and pillows. That couch can become a bed."

Kenji and Arya got up, and Kenji began working on making the couch into a bed. I moved to help him.

"I got it," he said, and I backed off. It shouldn't have, but that stung.

"Damn, Kenji," Arya said, "and people think I'm the bitch."

Alissa smacked her arm with a smile, and Kenji made the bed all by himself. I knew he had every right to, but I didn't want him mad at me.

Alissa eyed the bed. "Will three of us fit?"

"One way to find out," Honoka said as Camila came forward with the blankets and pillows.

"I'll sleep on the other couch," Arya said. "You two take the bed."

Camila shook her head. "I have a bed. Two of you can sleep in it with me."

Arya rose her hand. "I call it."

Alissa turned to Honoka. "You should take it, Honoka. I'll stay with the boys and keep these guys in check."

"You sure?" Honoka wanted to confirm, and Alissa nodded.

"Okay, girls. Follow me." Honoka and Arya followed Camila up the stairs. "Goodnight guys and Alissa." We laughed.

Alissa turned to us boys. "Who wants to sleep on the bed with me? Or are you going to be little bitches too afraid to sleep in a bed with a girl?"

"Clay," I volunteered him, and he stared at me with wide eyes. I smirked. "You heard her. You don't want to be a little bitch."

He turned to Alissa with red forming on his cheeks. "Okay."

In all honesty, I only did that so I could sleep on the floor with Kenji. We all grabbed blankets, with Kenji and I getting more due to us sleeping on the floor, and in no time, it was time for bed. Kenji slept on his side away from me, and I turned towards him. As everyone started to fall asleep, I was wide awake.

Eventually, Kenji turned on his side, facing me. He stayed asleep with his mouth slightly opened, but he still looked beautiful. I wanted to kiss his cheek. I wanted to feel any part of him on me. It was so creepy, but I couldn't help but watch him. The only time I looked away was when I couldn't fight sleep anymore, and I gave in.

The next morning, we had breakfast. Camila and Kenji cooked while the rest of us sat around the table talking. I contributed to the conversation, and it didn't feel so awkward anymore. Kenji and Camila served us, and I smiled at Kenji, even though he didn't return it. The seven of us sat down, eating and talking. Kenji talked as normal with the others and he laughed with them, but he didn't stop giving me the cold shoulder. Even Arya warmed up to me, but Kenji persisted.

Once we finished eating, we headed for the road. Arya and I sat in the middle. Honoka, Clay and Alissa sat in the back, and Kenji drove while Camila sat in the front. We drove to the local fair that was in town. We planned on staying there the whole day, and I wasn't complaining. We decided that we were going to make a buddy system. Clay and Alissa. Camila, Arya and Honoka. And me and Kenji. I was thrilled, but Kenji didn't look like he was. I grabbed Camila and pulled her aside.

"What's wrong?" she asked based on my expression.

"Why did you put me and Kenji together?" I asked, even though I was glad. "Out of everyone, he's giving me the cold shoulder."

Camila pulled me in a more secluded area. "I know how you feel about him," she said, making me rub the back of my neck. "This is your chance to get him to warm up. I know Kenji. He isn't mad. He's just hurt." He was, and I hurt him. "Now, go on. Make him like you again."

"Are you done hogging Camila?" Arya asked with Honoka beside her as they approached us.

Clay, Alissa and Kenji came forward, too.

Clay snorted. "Look who's talking. If there's anyone who hogs Camila, it's you." Arya squinted her eyes at him.

He wasn't wrong though. I knew that back in middle school, Arya always wanted to be with Camila. When Camila went somewhere, Arya was probably close by. Arya and Camila always had more one-on-one sleepovers than Camila did with Honoka and Alissa.

If Arya was gay, I would have thought she had a crush on Camila.

"Well, let's go," Kenji said with his eyes on me. "I wanna get as many rides in as possible."

"Yes to that," Clay said. "C'mon, 'Lis." He dragged her away. "See you peeps."

"Let's go, girls." Arya linked her arms with Camila's and Honoka's, and they turned to leave.

Camila peeked back at me and sent me a thumbs up with a smile. I watched them go, too afraid to face, Kenji.

"I said let's go." I turned around and Kenji was already walking away with his hands in his pockets. I followed him.

We rode so many rides that my head was spinning. Kenji had a blast. He was even one of those people who rose their hands up. I couldn't. I would rather hold his hand. The more time passed, he became less cold. After a while, I stopped.

"Can we get funnel cake?" He stopped as well. "I'll pay."

He turned around. "Okay." He walked past me and led the way to the funnel cake vendor.

When we got there, I wanted to buy two, but Kenji said we should share one. I didn't mind, so I got us one. We sat on one of the benches, and at first, we ate silently, me wanting to say something but not knowing what to say.

"I know you're mad at me," I started, and he paused. "But I'm trying here, Kenji."

Kenji chuckled, but it seemed forced. He wiped his hands on one of our napkins. "Now, you wanna try." He turned to face. "Why couldn't you try freshman year? Why didn't you try when Clay had his appendix removed? Why didn't you try when that rumor circulated that Arya slept with the entire football team? Why didn't you try when my mother came back? Why are you trying now?"

"I know I missed a lot," I said, and he scoffed. "I can't take back what I did, but can we please move on."

He watched me. "You don't feel remorse."

"I never said that."

"You're only thinking about what's best for you. You don't give a rat's ass about what you did." He stood up.

"Kenji." I reached for his arm, but he jerked it out of my grasp.

"I'm not mad, Darian," he said. "I don't know what I feel. I just know that it hurts when I'm around you or when I see you."

That was a stab to the heart. I didn't want to be his source of pain. Knowing that caused me pain. "I'm sorry," I said. "I'm sorry to the others, and I'm especially sorry to you."

"You were my best friend." He crossed his arms. "I guess time changes everything."

I stood up as well. "It'll take time, but we can start making things better now." We stared into each other's eyes, silent.

"Let's find more rides." He turned to walk away. It hurt to know our conversation didn't have a resolution, but I laid my bed and I had to sleep in it.

With that in mind, I followed him, and we continued our quest to ride as many rides as possible. Kenji warmed up to me a little. We talked more, and he laughed at some of the things I said.

When it got dark, our group came back together. "Did everyone have fun?" Camila asked with a smile.

We all responded with a "hell yes." With the exception of Honoka, who only said "yes."

"Okay, then," Camila said. "Let's head out."

The seven of us walked out and entered the SUV. We sat in the same seats we came to the fair in. The ride back was loud. We talked about the food and the rides we rode. We laughed and made jokes. Everything felt perfect.

I was glad I didn't turn up with my boys. This was way better. I didn't realize how much I missed these guys until then. I didn't feel awkward and uncomfortable anymore. I felt right at home.

Camila glanced back at us behind. "We should do this more often. Right, Darian?"

I grinned. "Hell ye—"

Before I could finish my statement, all I saw was a bright light. Before I could change my words, there was a loud bang, followed by a sharp pain. The last thing I saw was Camila leaning over towards Kenji, and my eyes shut against their will.

——————————————————————————————————————————————————————

* Hope you guys enjoyed this extra chapter 😊