“Then it doesn’t work out,” Topher said with a shrug. “Even if we end up as just friends, I can’t imagine anything worse than not having you in my life. So, I’ll always be here for you, for whatever you need, whenever you need it. It’s as simple as that.”
Topher’s words brought tears to Sam’s eyes, but for the first time in as long as Sam could remember, they were tears of joy. Sam gave Topher the biggest hug physically possible.
“You have no idea how long I’ve been waiting to hear someone say that,” he said.
“Was that okay?” Topher asked. “I’ve been practicing that in my head all freaking day. I hope it didn’t come across as too cheesy or desperate because I really meant it.”
“No, it was perfect.” He laughed. “And nothing would make me happier than being gray with you.”
Topher and Sam were so wrapped up in their conversation they didn’t even notice Joey had snuck up beside them.
“Seems like you guys are in good spirits,” he said. “Hope I’m not interrupting anything.”
“Nope, we were just regrouping,” Topher said. “Care to join in? I’m so bored of not speaking to each other.”
“Absolutely,” Joey said. “I’ve missed you guys. This city is beautiful but it’s terrifying by yourself. Last night I went to see The Rocky Horror Picture Show and a transvestite drew Vs on my face and wrapped me in a boa.”
“That’s a lot more excitement than either of us have had,” Sam said. “I say we find Mo and do something fun together—it is our last night on the West Coast. We should make the most of it.”
“Does that mean we’re going to be okay?” Joey asked. “Are we going to stay friends after all?”
Topher sighed. “Who the hell knows,” he said. “But I’m willing to put as much effort into keeping us together as I possibly can. When we first started this trip, I was afraid it was the beginning of the end for us, but after all the shit we’ve been through this week, I’d say this trip has just cemented our friendship. Let’s be honest, no one else is ever going to believe any of this happened to us. We need to stay friends for the stories alone!”
“I couldn’t agree more.” Joey laughed. “You know, I was furious when Cash put our lives on blast like he did—but I’m glad I don’t have to lie to you guys anymore. I didn’t realize how much it was killing me to be dishonest.”
“Me too,” Sam said. “It’s nice not having barriers between us anymore. It sounds like we’ve all got long roads ahead, but at least we won’t be walking them alone.”
All three of their phones buzzed at the same exact time.
“It’s Mo,” Sam said. “She sent us a group text.”
“Come to my room, there’s been an emergency,” Joey read. “Oh shit!”
The three left the pier at once and ran to the Sea Glass Inn as fast as their legs would carry them. Mo’s hotel room door was ajar when they arrived and they found her inside sitting on the windowsill. Her face was bright red and tears were streaming down it.
“Oh my God,” Topher said. “Mo, are you okay?”
“Do I look okay?” she cried.
“What happened? What’s the emergency?” Sam asked.
“Our friendship is the emergency!” Mo declared. “We’ve never gone this long without speaking and I can’t take it anymore! Our friendship is the only positive thing in my life! If we aren’t going to be friends anymore then I might as well jump out this window!”
She dramatically opened the window behind her and an ocean breeze filled the room.
“Mo, we’re on the first floor,” Joey said.
“I’m using it figuratively!” Mo said. “Look, I know we were all going to use Wiz Kids to stay in touch, but let’s be real—the show’s sucked since season three! It might be the reason we became friends, but it’s not the reason we stayed friends. We were just using it as an excuse to spend time together and I’m not going to let our friendship end just because the show is! You guys are more than just friends to me—you’re my real family! Who cares if we’ll be separated for college—I want to spend the rest of my life with you guys! I want us to be together for vacations, and holidays, and Zac Efron’s birthday just like a real family!”
“Aw, thanks, Mo,” Topher said.
“Yeah, that’s really sweet,” Joey said.
“We feel the same way about you,” Sam said.
“Good—because my dad and my cat are assholes!” Mo said. “So we need to promise each other that no matter what, after graduation we’re all going to move to the same city and keep this going! Topher won’t have to take care of his brother anymore, Joey will be able to live openly away from his parents, Sam will probably have transitioned by then, and I’ll be the only girl when we go out and will get all the attention—everybody wins! But it starts right here, right now! We need to make up and be friends again because I never want to live for another day without you guys in my life!”
Mo stopped to breathe for the first time since they arrived. None of her friends seemed overburdened by her requests. They shared a look and shrugged like it was perfectly reasonable.
“Sounds good to me,” Topher said.
“Me too,” Joey said.