R. Ross

"Hey, have you finished that writing essay yet?" I ask while calling Alex. 

"Dude, that took me forever, but yeah. What was your's about?" 

"I would get rid of all illnesses. Cancer's a bitch," I say, dead serious. 

He chuckles. "Mine was that everyone would accept each other- no matter what." 

"Dude, run for President," I laugh. 

"How is your dad?" He asks, changing the mood. 

"He has five months. I'm not ready to say goodbye yet. I mean, he's never been "the best dad of the year" but he's always been there." 

"I know, I don't know what I would do if I found out my mom had terminal cancer," he takes a sharp breath. "Sorry, not helping." 

"It's okay. I know what you were trying to express. I'm just so thankful I have so many people to lean on. Brendon's been so caring about it. How about your dad?" 

There's a pause. "I don't know. Tom's been living with us, so no one has contact to that son of a bitch-"

"I'm sorry. I guess our whole squad is going through so much shit. Like what about Kellin and Vic? That's the literal definition of rough." 

"Damn right! What kind of shitty parents beat their own kid? And then call some scientists to kill him? That's fucked up." 

"I wish we could be more help. But I don't understand any of it." 

"Hey what are you doing for Christmas? Sorry, the holidays? I was thinking the whole crew should get together." 

"Sure, but maybe not on Christmas? Maybe the day after. I feel like everyone should spend time with family- or in Kellin's case, Vic's family- for Christmas itself. You know?" 

"Yeah, sure. Spread the news around then? Christmas get together, day after Christmas, at the park?" 

"Which one?" 

"You know mine and Jack's park?" 

"Everyone knows that park, Gaskarth." 

"Fine, tell everyone to go there, Ross." 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

D. Weekes

"Hi, Breezy," I smile as she walks into the coffee cafe. She sits down. "How are you?" 

"I'm fine. Just caught up in school. You know, private school is probably better than public school." 

"I would argue, but I can't," I laugh. Holy fuck, she's so cute. 

"Thank you," she says. Oh shit, did I say that out loud? She giggles. "Yes, yes you did." 

"Dallon?" I hear someone call my name. Brendon walks over. "Hi! And who is this?" He asks, turning to Breezy. 

"Breezy Douglas, do you know Dallon well?" 

"Sweetie, this is Brendon, the one I told you about?" 

"Oh! Brendon Urie! It's nice to put a face to the name." 

"Okay, no, stop with the politeness. I know nothing about you-"

"Okay, Brendon?" I shoot him and glare. 

He looks at his bare wrist. "Oh! Will ya look at the time! I have to go cat my feed- I mean feed my cat! Have fun!" He runs out of the shop, earning a few glances. 

"Wow-" Breezy says, wide-eyed. "Nice friend," she shrugs. "He reminds me of someone." 

"Yeah, he's probably high," I say, completely brushing it off. 

"Seems legit," she nods her head. 

We make eye-contact before bursting out into laughter. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

V. Fuentes

"Vic?" Kellin walks into our room. "Alex asked if we could hang with the crew the day after Christmas. He says we need another squad meet that isn't at school." 

"Sure," I shrug, walking to him. I peck his cheek before sitting down. "So, my parents are out, and Mike is at a party..." 

"What do you want to do?" Kellin asks sitting next to me. I stare at his face. Most of the bruises are gone. Some are just faded. 

"How about we watch a movie?" I suggest. He grins and nods. "You get the movie, I'll make the popcorn," we both rush downstairs and I go into the kitchen.

"How about Love, Simon?" He shouts from the living room. 

"Sure!" I shout back, putting the popcorn in the microwave. There's a knock on the door. 

"I'll get it!" He shouts. I pull the popcorn out and walk to the door behind him. He opens it. 

"Are you Kellin Quinn?" A man asks. He looks like an officer, but I'm not entirely sure.

"Um... Yes?" Kellin says, more of a question rather than an answer. I stare at the man oddly. 

What he says next chills me to the bitter bone. 

"Kellin Quinn, you're under arrest for the murder of Andy Biersack."