◌Epilogue◌
◌Three months later◌

"It was just... That constant nagging fear..." Ryan murmured. "It kept us up at night."

"That you would run out of food?" The woman asked, scribbling something down into a leather notebook.

She tucked a piece of red hair behind her ear and adjusted herself in her seat. She took her glasses off and had a sip of water.

"Yes." Gerard said, rolling over onto his stomach on his chaise lounge. "We were so desperate for food we even sent Dallon up in a palm tree to get us coconuts once."

"I see." The woman said, scribbling more notes into her notepad. "Dallon, how did that make you feel?"

Dallon squeezed his eyes shut harder and stared at the back of his eyelids. He tried to picture himself on the island. It had been barely twelve weeks ago and yet he struggled to remember the scenery. "I was terrified. And a little hurt, too. They chose me of all people to go up there. Just because I was tall. I fell and almost risked my life."

Frank's eyes snapped open and he sat up in his chair. "Hayley! It's not true! He offered to go up there! He wanted to!"

"Frank, lay back down. Close your eyes. Remember what I told you all about calming your body and mind to better access your memories?"

Frank scowled and laid down again in his chair.

"Group therapy with twelve people is difficult. I need everyone to cooperate and do as I say." Hayley said as she drew a star next to Frank's name at the top of her notebook.

"Just relax. This is low-key, no pressure."

It was quiet for a moment. The room was filled with quiet, peaceful binaural beats. Until Bob spoke up.

"It was scary when Billie brought me to the island. I was alone with seven strangers and four people who hated me."

"But we got used to you eventually." Gerard said, fluffing his pillow. Gerard often used the therapy sessions as naptime. He sometimes fell asleep but claimed he was still healing anyway. Hayley didn't mind as long as he was seeing improvement.

"It's now five o'clock. Our session is coming to an end. I'd like all of us to slowly open our eyes and sit up in our seats when we are ready. As you rise, listen to the theta waves. They are healing your mind and soul. Now picture your concerns and bring them up to the surface and out of your body. Now visualize them in the form of-"

Her voice was interrupted by a soft melody.

"Shoot! My phone's ringing! One minute please. Continue to open your eyes and sit comfortably."

She moved to the corner of the room.

"Hello? Yes, I'm finishing up my last session of the day. Yes, I know it's my night to have her. I told you, I'd be half an hour late to get her. Okay. Good to know. See you soon."

"I have to go pick up my daughter. How's everyone doing?"

She looked around the room. Everyone was sitting up on their chaise lounges looking calm and relaxed. Perfect. Another successful session. Well... almost perfect.

"Um... Frank. Can you wake up Gerard for me?" Hayley asked.

Just then, someone barged in through the door carrying a little girl and looking sweaty and disheveled.

"Oh hi, Billie! I thought you wanted me to pick her up at your place?"

"I know but I ran out of time. I have another hot date tonight." He whispered, covering the little girl's ears. He handed her off to Hayley and kissed her on the head.

"Daddy's gotta go. Be good, Helena. I love you!"

"Bye Hayley!" Billie Joe said while fixing his red tie. "How do I look?"

Hayley laughed. "You look awesome,  Billie. He's a lucky guy."

"Thanks. I'll see you tomorrow, right? We're taking Helena to the zoo?"

"Yes and then ice cream after."

"Sounds great, see you then. Bye!"

Hayley hugged Helena while her twelve patients swarmed her. Helena grabbed a chunk of Hayley's red hair and pulled. Everyone took turns greeting Helena.

"How is she doing?" Brendon asked Hayley.

"She's great! Billie Joe and I obviously aren't... together but we take care of her together. We are really good friends so we spend a lot of time with each other anyway. Some people think it's pretty odd that her parents aren't together but all families are different. It's no big deal, as long as she is happy and loved."

"That's amazing. I'm so happy for you two. Ryan and I were actually thinking about adopting. We are a little nervous about being dads. I'm really not that responsible and Ryan thinks-"

"You guys would be perfect dads. I wouldn't have a single doubt about your ability to raise a child. You'd do a wonderful job. And your kid could be best friends with Helena! Billie and I are dying to set up her first playdate."

Brendon walked away smiling. He grabbed his wallet and headed for the door with Ryan.

"Brendon, which frozen yogurt place are we going to? The one on Greenbank Street or Ash Road?" 

"Obviously the Greenbank one. The other one only has 6 flavors."

"Okay, see you there!"

Brendon grabbed his keys and Ryan's hand. They headed out to the parking lot.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
At Cherry on Top Frozen Yogurt
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The bell above the door jingled as Brendon and Ryan walked into the frozen yogurt shop.

"Looks like we're the first ones here." Brendon said, sitting down in a light yellow booth across from Ryan.

Ryan nodded while looking around. "It's a lot better than that place went to two weeks ago." He swallowed nervously.

"You mean that ice cream place called Milky Madness?"

"Yes. It was awful. They knew about my Milk PTSD and they still insisted we go there." Ryan groaned.

He sulked, remembering their last outing. After they started group therapy for their experience on the island they started a routine of going out to eat after each session. Sometimes it was for a meal, other times it was a trip to the movies. All twelve of them went, even Bob.

Two weeks ago Gerard thought it would be nice to go to an ice cream parlor near his home. He completely forgot the name was Milky Madness Ice Cream. The waitress had came over to their booth and said "Welcome to Milky Madness Ice Cream. What can I get you?" Ryan was on the ground in seconds, screaming and sobbing.

Ryan shuddered, trying to get the memory out of his head.

"You okay?" Brendon asked, reaching for Ryan's hand across the table.

Just then, the bell above the door rang again. In walked Gerard, Frank, Ray, and Bob. Gerard was fuming, Frank was beaming, Ray was happy as usual  and Bob was... staring off into space.

Gerard sat down heavily next to Ryan. "Some idiot cut me off back there!" He grumbled.

"But you didn't need to swear at him..." Frank laughed.

"Did Frank tell you guys the news?" Bob asked Brendon and Ryan excitedly. "On Friday Frank moves into his new home!"

"No way, Frank! That's amazing!" Brendon said.

"No more cardboard box for you!" Ryan cheered.

"I'm very excited. Bob has been super helpful picking out afforable furniture with me. I was thinking we could all hang out at my place this Saturday. It's small but I want to celebrate with everyone."

Next came in Andy and Joe.

"Hey guys, we need some cheering up. Andy crashed through the garage door again on Monday and we just got the bill. It's bad." Joe explained.

"Yikes. That's bad. Andy, aren't you taking driver's ed again?" Frank asked.

'Yes I am. It's the worst. I'm stuck with a bunch of sixteen year old boys and girls."

"That sounds like a nightmare. Teenagers scare the living sh*t out of me." Gerard said.

"Hey guys! How is everyone doing today?" Patrick said, sliding into the booth with Pete.

"We have some uh, news for you guys." Pete said, glancing at Patrick.

"Aw don't make a big deal!" Patrick said, blushing.

"Then you tell them!" Pete said, smiling.

"Pete and I are dating now." Patrick said. "It's been two and a half weeks."

"Congratulations!" Frank said.

"I'm so happy for you!" Ryan smiled.

"Called it." Gerard said.

Next to arrive was Mikey and Dallon.

"Sorry we're a bit late, everyone!" Mikey said, sliding into the booth.

Mikey had agreed to pick Dallon up at his apartment before they went out. He had told Dallon there was something he wanted to ask him, but when Dallon asked what it was Mikey wanted to say, Mikey said it was nothing.

"Is everyone here?" Gerard asked, looking around the table. "Let's go get some fro-yo!"

The group got up quickly to get their frozen yogurt. They filled their cups to the brim with frozen yogurt and loaded it with toppings.

The line got backed up quickly when they realized nobody was at the counter to weigh their frozen yogurt.

"Why is there not a single worker here?" Ray asked impatiently.

"We're so starving!" Ryan whined.

A stray tear rolled down Joe's cheek. "Mine's melting."

"Hello? Anybody there?" Gerard called out.

"I think I see people in the back room." Brendon said, pointing to the door with a sign that read, "Staff Only."

"There are people!" Said Gerard, squinting to see through the window of the door.

Brendon and Gerard realized what was happening at the same time.

"Oh god. Oh god." Gerard whispered.

"Are they... making out?" Brendon asked.

Gerard grimaced. "Look away!"

The couple inside the staff room seemed to notice people watching. They panicked, pulling away from eachother. One of them ran toward the door and heaved it open.

"Himynameistylerwelcometobrainfreezershowcanihelpyoutodaysorryforthelongwaitohwaitaminute IT'S YOU GUYS!" The man behind the counter said.

"Tyler?!" They screamed.

"Hi! Long time no see! I haven't heard from you guys in what? Three months? That's crazy! How you been? JOSH, IT'S SAFE TO COME OUT."

Josh muttered something from inside the staff room. Tyler turned towards the door and yelled "YEAH THEY PROBABLY SAW. BUT ITS OUR FRIENDS, COME SAY HI."

Josh sheepishly exited the room. "Hi guys."

"Hey Josh!" Everyone said.

"So what brought you here? To Brain Freezers?" Gerard asked.

"Well you see, our helicopter company..."

"Compamy." Josh corrected.

"Excuse me. Our helicopter compamy isn't doing too great. The FAA found out we didnt have our helicopter licenses. Our compamy is temorarily shut down. We're struggling to pay rent. So we both got jobs here. We still plan to fly rich kids around on their birthdays and fly banners through the sky but the government won't give us our liscenses. So we just have to have a side hustle too." Tyler explained.

"Yeah. And prostitution was not an option according to Tyler." Josh explained.

"Huh. Okay then. Well I'm happy you guys are doing well!" Ryan said.

"How about you guys, how have you been?" Josh asked.

"Pretty good! We are all slowly recovering from our little island vacation. We have moved on in our lives and we are ready for a fresh start." Pete explained.

"That's great! I'm glad to hear it! And enjoy the frozen yogurt. It's on the house!" Josh said.

Tyler perked up. "Josh you can't just say it's on the house. We'll get fired."

"It's fine. It's on the house guys, enjoy!" Josh exclaimed.

Tyler facepalmed.

While everybody went to sit back down, Frank remained at the counter with Tyler and Josh.

"So I just bought my first home and I'm having a little get together this weekend. It's at 1:00 this Saturday. Would you guys like to come?"

"We would love to!" Tyler said.

"Great! I live in town. The address is 57 Wessex Lane."

Tyler blinked.

Josh's head shot up.

"That's where we live!" Tyler shouted.

"Well not 57 Wessex. We live at 52 Wessex." Josh clarified.

"Looks like we're neighbors!" Josh and Tyler said excitedly.

"Yeah." Frank gulped. "Neighbors."

"See you around, neighbor!" Josh said, beaming.

Frank left to join the rest of his friends at the table.

"So we were thinking a reunion tour right around Christmas." Gerard was saying.

"Wouldn't that be a crazy comeback?" Mikey said excitedly.

"Wow, that's awesome!" Patrick said. "My band is actually working on a new album."

"If you ever need help or inspiration just let me know. We can totally write together or practice." Ray said to Fall Out Boy.

"Yeah, a collab would be wild, Patrick." Gerard said.

"WHO WANTS SECONDS?!" Brendon screamed, banging on his chest like Donkey Kong.

A large portion of the group screamed, following Brendon to the frozen yogurt machines. 

Mikey stayed put in his seat. He looked down the table. A few seats away sat Ray, Gerard, and Pete having a heated debate about whether or not they were too old to receive a Hogwarts letter. They were very invested.

Now was Mikey's time.

He looked across the table at Dallon.

"Hey, uh Dallon. I had something to ask you."

"What's up, Mikey?"

"It's just that... Well I really like spending time with you. And I think you're great. God, you're funny and interesting, and I have a blast every time we're together. I really, really like you Dallon. I was wondering if you wanted to be my-"

"LAST ONE TO THE TABLE IS A ROTTEN EGG!" Brendon screamed like a four year old.

Mikey looked over to see a swarm of people running back to the booth. He frowned as everybody filed back into their seats.

"LET'S HAVE A TOAST!" Brendon shouted!"

Dallon smiled and looked up at Mikey. "I would love to." He said as he squeezed Mikey's hand under the table.

"Cheers!" Brendon shouted, holding up his dripping yogurt cup. "Cheers to us. Cheers to new friendships, cheers to future memories, and cheers to survival!"

Everyone clanked their cups.

◌ The end. ◌

Thank you all so much for reading through almost 50 chapters of this insanity. Your support, votes, and funny comments mean the world to me. I'd love some feedback on anything, favorite parts, least favorite parts, characters, anything! Let me hear it!

I love you guys! ❤❤ Thank you for surviving with me on this journey 😄