Day 1:

The end of August was right around the corner and school had been in session for only two weeks. At last it was junior year for Maya, Zoe, Tristan and the others, who were still missing the summer that had brought high temperatures, new relationships, and eventually a happy ending that shuttled in what was to come for the fall.

It was 7:45 when the group of friends entered the school to see Maya, who had gotten there even earlier for her student council meeting and then her one-on-one with Ms. Pill about something that she was keeping a secret. She was on her tip-toes in front of the entrance bulletin board with a stack of posters in one hand and what could be assumed was a pushpin in the other. She was struggling and Zig was the one who practically rushed over to help her.

"Thank you," Maya said as she stuck the poster on the bulletin board and stabbed it with a pushpin. Zig grabbed the stack and the box of pins from her. She turned to her friends and waited for them to see what was on the poster.

"West Side Story?" Winston asked incredulously, looking around at the people surrounding him to see if they agreed with his confusion.

The pride on Maya's face fell and she looked down for a moment. "It's the fall musical. Pill said it would be a good idea to start with a bang. But it had to be legally recognized so…"

"It will be fun," Zig added, jumping to her rescue. He wrapped the arm that wasn't holding the posters around her waist. He continued. "This time someone won't be starring in their own musical," he looked at Winston as he spoke.

A thunderous silence filled the group for a few moments. Maya was starting to get even more disappointed. She thought that it was a good idea. She was the one that had suggested having a fall musical and accepted Ms. Pill's suggestion of West Side Story. It was the newest one of her options, which she was sure her friends would be thankful for. The rest were from the 40s, after all.

"It's…vintage. Old people will like it," Tristan reasoned with as much positivity as he could muster. The chorus of affirmative noises that followed made Maya's hope spark. She looked up at Zig to see what he was thinking and he gave her a supportive look. They would learn to love it. She certainly hoped they would.

"Are you directing?" Frankie asked, being the second to speak up.

"Matlin? Direct?" Grace's voice punctured their circle as she walked up to join them. She stood next to Zoe, who smiled knowingly at her. "I will unfortunately be the artist in charge."

Maya looked over at Grace with a thankful expression. She had been the first person she told about her fall musical idea. She had joined her in Pill's office that morning, assuring their principal that she was a competent director. This was only after constant berating from Maya for days before she finally relented and agreed. She was a good artist, why wouldn't she be good at this?

Grace rolled her eyes at Maya's face and proceeded to eye everyone in the circle with a severe expression. "You're all going to practice and try out, right?" she said as she met everyone's gaze. Another round of agreeable sounds passed through the group and Grace looked back to Maya with what could be considered a smile for Grace.

As the sounds died down, Grace nodded and nudged Zoe to follow her. The walked away like a queen leaving after she made am earth-shattering decree. Maya's face was starting to perk up right as she followed them with her eyes. The bell rang only moments after and everyone said their goodbyes before shuffling off the class. Maya gave a small wave as Tristan put a supportive hand on her shoulder. He walked off and she turned to Zig.

"They'll try out. Just give them time," Zig comforted before she could say a word. He was being supportive, which she was thankful for, but she didn't want him to force it. She grabbed the box of pushpins from him and smiled a little.

"Are you going to audition?" she asked instead of questioning his fake support.

His mouth opened and closed a few times before he sighed. "I want to but work and school and…"

"You were so good in Captain Who though!" Maya pouted, placing her free hand on his chest and balling his shirt in her hand casually. Zig swallowed and closed his eyes. She could tell that he had no more excuses left and would have to audition. Even if she wasn't directing, it was still her call to have it happen and she didn't want it to be a disappointment.

"Fine. I'll audition," her boyfriend agreed and Maya hugged him tight. He rubbed her back and kissed the top of her head.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" she exclaimed. She pulled him into a kiss, which he returned whole heartedly. It wasn't until they heard a voice breaking through the loud crowds saying "no PDA!" did they break apart.

"You're welcome," Zig wrapped his arm around her shoulders. He kissed her temple.

"Pill said I can miss part of first period while I'm putting these signs up. Want to join me?" she asked, nudging his side with her elbow.

"Of course. After all, you're a little short for the high up places."

Maya gaped jokingly and elbowed him harder. He laughed and rubbed his side. With positive grins, they went on the post the remaining signs.

"I can't believe you're directing a musical," Zoe commented as she and Grace walked down the hallway together. Her hand was itching to grab Grace's like she would when they were out of school, but she told herself that she was taking this slow. Taking all of this slow meant not letting the people around school know there was something going on between the two of them. They were simply lab partners who happened to become close friends.

Grace scoffed and stopped in front of her locker. She opened it and Zoe leaned against the one beside it to look at her. She gave her an expectant look when the other girl looked over at her for a split second.

"Matlin needed by help. I'm a sucker for puppy eyes," she said as she piled books into the crook of her arm.

Zoe gave a disbelieving look. "You want to do it. You enjoy it."

Grace slammed her locker and rolled her eyes. She leaned against it so she could get a good look at Zoe, who was giving her knowing eyes. She wanted to push the distracting hair out of her kind-of-girlfriend's face but resisted. They weren't out yet. Zoe wanted to go slow and she respected that. That still didn't prevent her from wanting to touch her twenty-four hours a day.

"Maybe I'm a little into it. But if you tell anyone, you're dead Rivas," she relented, pointing at her threateningly. Zoe could only laugh a little under her breath. Grace had stopped scaring her halfway through the summer. Her threats were empty and it was starting to be hilarious for her if she acted tough towards her. It worked on others, but no longer on Zoe.

"Whatever," Zoe shrugged, kicking off of the locker so she was standing straight in front of Grace. "As long as I get to be your Maria there won't be a problem."

"About that…" Grace began, taking Zoe's hand in hers when she saw that no one was looking.

Zoe sighed and nodded. "Of course. I can't be Maria because it sounds like unfair casting. Great."

"I don't make the rules, babe," Grace shrugged, trying to comfort her by squeezing her hand. Zoe let go and held her books with both hands against her chest. The hurt on her face made Grace's heart sink. Any enthusiasm she had about the endeavor seemed to leave, which made Grace feel something that was different than anything she had felt before.

"Fine. I guess they just don't deserve my talent," Zoe said in the voice that Grace knew was her pretending everything was okay. She would fall back into her bitchy, mean-girl routine to hide any hurt she was feeling.

"Please audition anyway," the blue-haired girl practically begged. Zoe looked at her hesitantly. "If not for me, for Maya? She really wants this to be a thing for some reason."

Zoe sighed, looking like she was contemplating the meaning of life. She finally nodded with defeat. "Fine. I will audition. But if I get anything less than one of Maria's friends in 'I Feel Pretty' I am quitting."

It was a tough compromise but Grace didn't sigh like she wanted to and just nodded. Zoe's beaming smile returned to her face and that was enough to make Grace agree to anything.

Tristan couldn't get the idea of West Side Story out of his mind once he saw the poster. More importantly, he couldn't get the idea of Miles as Tony out of his head. It made him eager for class to be unearthly boring so he could just enjoy his fantasy. Who could really listen to a lecture about imaginary numbers when the images of Miles in a tacky yet charming 60s sport coat were so easily accessible? Tristan concluded that no one could.

His brain had just concocted the image of Miles pushing him against the back stage wall when the man himself entered the room. He sat in front of him and Tristan straightened him so he could play it cool. His feelings for Miles had resurfaced during the summer when Gage stopped texting him and Zoe stopped feigning interest in the rich boy. But despite Miles recent single status, Tristan had to play it cool when he was in front of him. Save the daydreaming for when he was staring at the back of his head.

"Hey Tris," Miles greeted as he sat. He was flashing that charming smile that made Tristan practically melt. How he could smile like that when it was obvious that Zoe had left him for a girl was lost on Tristan.

"You should audition for West Side Story," Tristan blurted before he could think of anything intelligent to say. He scolded himself for being so forward and letting his fantasies run wild.

Miles laughed and shook his head. "Yeah, I don't think that's going to happen."

"But why not?" Tristan persisted with a furrowed brow. Now he was just curious why not.

"Singing and dancing? Not really my thing," he said as he glanced to the front of the class to see if their teacher had entered. His eyes returned to Tristan as he waited for some retort. He appeared to have grown used to it during the short amount of time they dated.

"Oh please. Grace is directing it. It's probably not going to have any dancing," Tristan remarked, though he didn't know if Miles realized it was a joke or not. He didn't laugh, which made Tristan's chest tighten with anxiety.

Miles shook his head again and turned so he could face Tristan better. "Even for you I wouldn't," he told him, his voice not sounding as harsh as his words.

Tristan huffed and sat back in his chair with his arms crossed. The image that he had been so satisfied with was only a small glimmer. He didn't know why he pegged Miles for the musical guy in the first place. They had dated and he never wanted to watch any of Tristan's movies. He rarely let him pick the station when listening to the radio in his car. It was no wonder he hated the concept of something that Tristan found so enjoyable.

"Don't be like that, Tris," Miles continued, his face looking more exhausted than apologetic.

Tristan sighed. "You would be really good though."

"Not gonna happen," the other boy persisted and Tristan's sigh returned quickly. He tried to think of something that might motivate him to audition. Another grand idea sparked in his head.

"Would you at least come watch me audition? You'll be a good luck charm."

Miles was silent for a moment. Tristan didn't know if he had crossed some sort of line. Their relationship had been odd lately. Miles was so into Zoe and then she left and he wasn't anymore. The two of them had remained civil and talked so there was that. It was only recently that Tristan's feelings towards him started to reignite. He felt like he was treading on dangerous waters with the threat of drowning almost imminent.

"I guess I could do that," Miles gave in. Tristan let out a breath of relief, but covered it with a smile.

"Great. I can't wait," he enthused, still shocked by Miles' answer. He wanted to add something but chose against it. If he said anything more he would seem desperate and that was the last thing he wanted to do. Even as Miles winked at him and turned he stayed silent. After all, he hadn't completely accepted that that exchange had really happened or if it was his overactive imagination again.

Jose was not a big fan of Zig and Tiny having girls over after school when he was still at work. Zig, however, was a fan of breaking that rule when it came to Maya. Especially when Tiny had to stay after school for detention. It was then that he and Maya were truly alone, seeing that her mother was not exactly keen on him being there when she wasn't.

He opened Jose's big front door and allowed his girlfriend in. She kicked her shoes off and he did the same. The second the door was fully closed he had his arms around her waist and was dragging her into a deep kiss. The kiss that had been so rudely interrupted that morning.

Maya kissed back and only pulled away when she decided she had something to say. "Jose's coming home late tonight, right?"

"I promise," Zig reassured her, attaching his lips to her jaw while she thought. She seemed to be nervous that the house's owner would pop in any time. Zig, however, had made sure that he was going to be out late before he invited Maya over. He wasn't stupid enough to get himself kicked out of yet another home. He also had no desire to jeopardize Tiny's place in the home as well.

"Okay, okay," Maya gave in, bringing their lips back together. They exchanged quick, yet somehow romantic kisses before she spoke again. "We still have to be quick."

Despite their rather egregious first sexual encounter, both of them were getting really good at sex. That was what Zig thought at least. Maya was getting more comfortable and he felt like less of a bumbling idiot. They were not experts by any means but it was really fun now. The nerves would always be there but now there was a sense of ease. They were no longer trying to impress each other but rather learning to please both the other and themselves.

Their kisses grew more urgent and Zig directed them towards the couch. Maya fell onto it first and Zig toppled on top of her. After a brief moment getting into positions that were relatively comfortable, they returned to their heavy, desperate kisses. Zig's hands found Maya's breasts and she didn't push him away. It was a silent victory for him as their bodies collided in a stream of passionate movements.

It was all thrashing hips and tongue from there on out. The couch was probably the most uncomfortable place to have sex, which Zig concluded when his body ached with cramps and scratches that weren't from Maya's nails when they had finished. He rolled off of her and was left sitting on the ground beside the couch completely naked.

The blonde was still catching her breath as Zig drew patterns on her thigh with his finger. She looked down at him with the most loving eyes he had seen from anyone. He reached up and grabbed her chin, which was the highest thing he could reach.

"I love you," he whispered, placing a kiss on her knee. She ran her fingers through his hair with a small chuckle.

"I love you too."

There was a long moment of silence as Maya closed her eyes in a contemplative look. Zig stood from his spot on the floor, not without kissing her thigh quickly. He helped her up from the couch and they redressed as quickly as they could. When they were fully clothed again, they stood face to face. Maya looked up at him with her genuine smile and he returned her gaze.

"I should go," Maya announced. She felt bad just popping in to have sex and then leave. However, her mother would be home soon and Jose was apt to arrive at any minute. So things were easier if she just went home.

"Yeah, yeah…" Zig agreed, though he didn't want her to go. He cupped her cheek and pulled her into a long kiss. They broke apart after a few beats and Maya fisted his shirt.

"I'll see you tomorrow?" she asked, as though it was still a question. Zig nodded and kissed her forehead. She pulled away after yet another long silent moment. With a final wave, she slipped her shoes back on and left the house.

Zig was left to rearrange the pillows on the couch. He flopped down on it after he was finished and opened his backpack. He surprised himself by grabbing the sheet music Maya had printed for him instead of his messy schoolwork folder.

"Something's Coming?" he whispered allowed, looking at the lyrics. He gave a small smile and opened up YouTube on his phone so he could get a listen to what he would be singing.

Zoe sat on the stage with her legs hanging off the side, kicking back and forth. Grace said she had to make a quick stop in the auditorium before she walked her home. She wanted to make some rough sketches of the stage and Zoe agreed to come with her. Unfortunately, these sketches were taking longer than she originally anticipated and she was starting to eye the clock precariously. She didn't want to be demanding but she wanted to get home sometime that century. She was about five minutes away from walking herself home.

"You don't have to stay if you don't want to," Grace pointed out from her seat in the audience. Her feet were up on the chairs that lined the room. It wasn't really much of an auditorium. It was more like a gym with a stage and folding chairs. They hadn't bothered to take the chairs down after Captain Who and Zoe noted that Grace was clearly benefitting from that.

Zoe tried to find a reason besides the sappy 'I'm here because I want to be around you' explanation. It was difficult to come up with anything else. She wanted to be honest to Grace, but she knew that if she was too honest mockery was to come. She loved that about Grace; she was never serious enough for Zoe, who happened to have a major flair for the dramatic.

"I don't like walking home alone," she lied, jumping down from the stage. She strolled down the aisle of chairs before deciding on the one in front of Grace. The other girl brought her feet down so Zoe could turn to face her.

Grace rolled her eyes and closed her notebook. "I'm done anyway. Get up," she said while tucking her notebook into her backpack. She slung it around her shoulders and grabbed Zoe by the waist when the other stood up.

Zoe allowed herself to be pulled forward, though the chair between them was preventing Grace from pulling her flush against her chest. Instead Zoe grabbed her purse and fixed it over her shoulder. She wanted to lean in and place a kiss on Grace's lips more than anything. They were at school though. Any PDA at school was strictly banned between the two of them. Zoe was too nervous to ruin what they had with outing themselves. She was thrilled that Grace was able to respect that.

Their eyes met for a brief second and Grace reached up to push a strand of hair behind her ear. Zoe looked down, blushing. Grace released her waist and walked around the row of chairs so she was standing beside her. She slipped her hand into the other girl's.

"Everyone's gone. I'll walk you home, alright?" she asked, though it sounded more like a command. Zoe nodded and the pair left the auditorium, Grace flicking off the lights as they left.

They left the school and walked to Zoe's house. It was a bit out of the way from Grace's house and for that Zoe felt bad. They had been doing this subconsciously since the beginning of school until it became a habit. That was why Zoe feared not making it into the musical. Grace would be after school which meant no after school walks. It was their only time they got to be truly together. It was selfish and a little silly, but Zoe felt it nonetheless.

They made it to the brunette's house and stopped in front of the door. Their hands had been linked since they left the school and Zoe looked down at them. It was almost like they were a normal couple. Long walks and romantic handholding. If she didn't think of school, she could think that they were really together. They didn't have anything to hide and she wasn't afraid of people finding out.

"Do you want to come inside?" Zoe offered, figuring that her mom had not come home yet. Grace looked up at the large house and shook her head.

"Nah, I'm good," she answered simply.

Zoe nodded, though she was telling herself not to frown. She was so afraid that Grace would grow tired of all this sneaking around and would leave her. They weren't even officially together and Zoe didn't want their relationship to end before it started. She didn't know how to voice these concerns to Grace properly.

She grabbed Grace's cheeks and pulled her into a long kiss. Grace seemed to be shocked at first but eased into it. They kissed for a few moments until Zoe pulled away shyly.

"I should go inside…" she whispered and the other girl nodded. Grace held Zoe's chin in a way that felt too gentle for her. She pressed their lips back together for a split second and then retreated.

"See ya, Rivas," Grace squeezed her hand and walked backwards away from her. Zoe gave a small wave and Grace nodded. She turned and sauntered down the walk. Zoe watched her slowly disappear behind the bushes at the end of the entrance of her house. When she was out of sight, Zoe sighed and turned to unlock the door. She couldn't allow a smile on her face when she felt so terrible for hiding them from everyone.

Miles skimmed the Hollingsworth pool with the only blue net, though he wasn't paying much attention to what he was doing. It was still August so the heat was just beginning to wane. The pool was getting its last days of use before it was covered up for fall and winter. He didn't like the idea that there was still a week left in August and leafs had already found their way into the peaceful water. He sighed as he shook the sticky leafs off so he could return to his task.

"Are you trying out for West Side Story?" Frankie asked from her place on one of the poolside chaises. She flipped through one of her shitty tabloid magazines, obviously ignoring the homework she had. Miles would comment but he was doing he exact same thing.

He scoffed. "Don't think so, Franks."

She looked up from her magazine curiously. She eyed him as he scooped the leafs and bugs out of the pool with what looked like great interest. She was thinking about something, Miles knew that by her face.

"It will be fun though. Even Hunter is doing the sets for it again," she pointed out. Miles wasn't completely sure why she was trying to coax him into this. He had already dealt with Tristan doing the same earlier in the day. Why did everyone really want him to do this?

"I'm going to watch Tristan audition. That's all," he clarified for her, looking back up from the pool.

Frankie seemed to be contemplating something really interesting after he said that. It was obvious that she was planning on trying out and he hoped she got something. She was still in a rut after everything that went down over the summer and her break up with Winston. He didn't want to be sappy and tell her that though. He had to remain the off-standish older brother.

"Are you two getting back together?" she asked, instead of mentioning the play again. Miles smirked. He didn't know how he felt about Tristan anymore. Their break-up had been so unfinished. They still talked and nothing seemed to change. There was only the lack of kissing and the like. Did he still like Tristan? He figured that only time would tell.

"I doubt it," he answered, skimming the pool once again. She made a small huff noise and returned to her magazine. Miles hoped the conversation was over. There was a silence between the pair for a couple beats. After processing, Frankie looked back up at him and he waited for her comment.

"You should have been nicer to him," is all she said. She closed the magazine and stood up. She didn't say anything or allow Miles to reply as she walked back into the house. Miles watched her walk inside and sighed.

With everything with his dad, he had pushed everyone away. That included Tristan. Did he miss their relationship? He didn't really know. He missed having friends for sure. He thought he and Zoe had something, but she had left him for Grace at the beginning of the summer. Everyone else was wary around him. He couldn't help but wonder if the musical would help him get friends back. That was a fleeting thought before he returned to his obstinate view that it wasn't for him.

He couldn't get the lonely feeling out though, especially when he looked up from the pool and saw the emptiness that surrounded him.