Max's POV

I was 10 when I first met Alex. He was the shy timid kid that always sat alone. While the rest of the kids were outside playing at recess, Alex was always sitting on his own reading a book. One day I got tired of playing on the slide with the other kids. Alex seemed like he was lonely and my friendly, bubbly self wouldn't stand for it. I ran from the playground and plopped myself right in front of him. I still remember how confused and scared he looked when he saw me. I tried talking to him, but I think he was too scared to talk back. So I talked the entire time, I kept speaking until the bell rang and it was time to go back inside. Alex hurried off, but before he went inside he turned and gave me a little wave.

That's how it went every day after that. Alex would be off to the side with his book and I would go and talk to him. He slowly started talking back and he became my best friend. Of course, 10-year-old me wanted to call everyone my best friend, but I really meant it with Alex. I was the only person he let call him Lexi. I remember when another kid tried to call him that and he gave them the angriest glare. He felt a little bad afterward, but I convinced him it was fine and he should be called what he wanted to. He was very appreciative of that. Alex has been anxious since he was little. It got worse as he grew up, but he always had us to help him.

-

Alex and I were in 6th grade when we met Bobby and Luke. Luke was this super enthusiastic kid. Well, he was enthusiastic about music. Everything else came second. Bobby was like his Anchor and his biggest conspirator at the same time. He tried to keep Luke grounded so he didn't do anything too stupid, but Bobby also liked to do stupid things. That's how we met them. Alex and I were walking around the park talking. There was a denser pack of trees we were passing when we heard a small yelp come from within them.

"Did you hear that?" Alex asked with a concerned look.

"Yeah, let's go see what it was." I started walking toward the trees when Alex stopped me by grabbing my arm.

"Are you crazy? You don't know what could be in there!" I almost rolled my eyes at that.

"Come on Alex, it sounded like a person made that sound. What if someone got hurt?" Alex looked as if he was mentally wrestling himself. He bit his bottom lip and looked up while he was thinking. He finally let out a sigh and conceded. I dragged him into the trees and we could hear shout-whispering as we got deeper. I kept looking back at Alex who had a slight blush creeping onto his face. Wasn't sure why at the time but I understand now. We eventually got to the source of the noise. There were two boys, one sitting on the branch of a tree, and the other on the ground.

"Luke, just jump down!" The boy from the ground shouted. Luke shook his head in the tree. His arms were wrapped around the base of the tree. His eyes were screwed shut and his face was pale.

"Is he okay?" I asked out loud. They both looked over to Alex and me. I felt Lexi shuffle more behind me, which was pointless because by now he was a good 2 inches taller than me.

"He'll be fine, he just needs to jump down!" The boy on the ground said louder this time.

"Shut up Bobby!" Luke shouted from the tree. I whisper a quiet 'I got this' to Alex. I walked up to the tree and hauled myself up. I climbed up and over until I was sat next to Luke.

"Hi Luke, I'm Max," I said and I gave him a bright smile. He opened his eyes back up and looked at me. "Are you stuck up here?" He nods his head quickly.

"I'm afraid of heights." He said. I stuck my hand out to him.

"Come on, we can jump down together." He slowly reaches out and grabs my hand. He lets go of the tree and closes his eyes again.

"Give me a countdown please." He said nervously.

"One..." I dropped off the branch and dragged him down to the ground with me. We both fell onto the ground covered in leaves. A few audible crunches could be heard. From the leaves, not from us.

"You actually got him down, thanks guys," Bobby spoke enthusiastically.

"It was nothing," I said as I picked myself up off the ground. "I'm Max, and that's Alex." I made sure to introduce Alex because I knew he wasn't going to do it himself. Meeting new people made him anxious and panicky. I made sure to walk back to his side so he doesn't get as nervous.

"You guys wanna hang out together?" Luke asked. Alex was about to protest, but I beat him to it.

"Yeah, sure."

-

I was by myself when I met Reggie. Alex was absent from school that day and Luke and Bobby weren't in this class with me. Turns out that they went to the same school as us. I was busy copying down math notes when another kid sat next to me. He had black hair and one of the brightest smiles I'd ever seen. Reggie's always had the best smile and friendly attitude, even now. Reggie introduced himself and we ended up talking for the entire class. He was jolly and bouncy even more so than me. It was refreshing. He was like a hyper little puppy.

Reggie was also very excited to meet Bobby and Luke. Bobby was a little apprehensive because of how bubbly Reggie was, but he eventually took a liking to him. Luke and Reggie clicked immediately though. Especially when Reggie told Luke that he played the bass. Alex was fearful when he met Reggie because he was afraid he and Luke would do dumb things together. Of course, that is what ended up happening and Alex and I had to make sure the 3 of them didn't get themselves killed. We were usually the voices of reason, but that doesn't mean we weren't convinced into partaking in said shenanigans. Those 3 could be very convincing.

Eventually, Luke had the epiphany, the idea that changed it all. He wanted to start a rock band. This was his big idea in high school. The four of them all played instruments so it was a perfect idea. I played piano, but my stage fright made me stay away from that. It didn't mean I wasn't there for every practice. I was there for everything. I even helped Luke write a few songs.

By this time I had started to notice how appealing Luke was, how his lack of sleeves swooned more than just girls. I had a fat crush on him, but I kept it to myself... mostly. Alex was still my best friend, so I admitted to him my crush on Luke. That's when he told me he also liked guys. He was so anxious to tell me so my telling him first really calmed his nerves. We both came out to the rest of the band not long after. They were all really accepting of us which we were so thankful for.

It took us a year to find a name. It actually came to me when we were all sitting on the roof of Bobby's garage. Bobby was sitting and reading a book. Luke was head deep in his notebook writing music. His head was resting in my lap and he was biting his pen. Reggie was laying behind me, bass clutched in his hands and lightly plucking the strings. Alex, who Reggie was laying on, was trying to balance drumsticks on his nose beside me. None of us were speaking, besides the light muttering coming from Luke. I was sitting up and looking outward. Admiring the setting sun over the city. The blend of yellows, oranges, reds, and pinks was beautiful. The sun seemed to curve ever so slightly towards us.

"Hey, I think I have a good name for the band," I said. I felt Luke look up at me and away from his notebook.

"What is it?" Luke asked. The others muttered in agreement and pushed me to speak.

"What about Sunset Curve?" They all took a minute to consider. Reggie was the first to speak.

"I... really like it!" He exclaimed with his unrelenting enthusiasm.

"Yeah I don't know why, but it's fitting," Alex said as he dropped his drumsticks and sat up.

"I think it's very... us!" Bobby spoke as if he was super sophisticated, earning a chuckle out of me. "What about you Luke, what do you think?" Luke pondered his answer. He sat silent for a few seconds. Then, he smiled and looked back up at me.

"I think it's perfect." He finally said. I smiled back.

"Well then, I think our band has its name." Alex cuts in.

-

We finally did it. The months of practicing music and writing songs. All of the gigs we worked hard to get. We worked our asses off to make sure we got where we needed to. And it's all paying off because the band is playing... THE ORPHEUM! This is the band's big moment, and I'm gonna be right by their side. Especially Luke's, who is now my boyfriend. Secret boyfriend actually.

It all happened so unexpectedly. Luke and I were alone in the garage. We were working on a new song, Now or Never. Luke put a lot into that song. It was full of emotion, you could feel it through the lyrics. We were standing by the piano and Luke was rambling about the song. I wasn't even listening, I was just... admiring him. I studied every part of his face. His bright smile, the excitement in his eyes, and the way his mood always brightened up when he talked about music. He must've noticed I was staring because he stopped and gave me a "what?" I don't know what made me do it, maybe it was the adorable look on his face or the feelings I had for him finally getting the better of me. Whatever it was I leaned in and gave him a quick kiss. As soon as I realized what happened I immediately panicked.

"Oh my god Luke, I'm so sorry, I-I don't know what came over me," I spoke quickly, maybe even too quickly. I kept rambling until he grabbed my hand to ground me.

"Max," He said softly. It was so calming and soothing like his voice was made of velvet. He has such an effect on me that just him saying my name calms me down. "I'm not mad at you or uncomfortable because you kissed me."

"Wait, you're not? Because if I were you and someone kissed me when I didn't want them to-" He cut me off again.

"Who said I didn't want you to?" I froze. I couldn't speak or move. Does he like me back? He put his finger under my chin and tilted my head up. Then he closed the distance between us. His lips were smooth and soft. If I thought his words were velvety, I was sorely mistaken. Our lips moved together in perfect harmony. It was the best thing I've ever felt. We finally separated and I hugged him tightly.

"Thank you, for, you know, not hating me." I say with a shaky voice. I was really afraid of losing him at that moment.

"Come on Max, you know I could never hate you. Even if I didn't like you back, I wouldn't hate you for kissing me." His words were so calming. They reassured me what I already knew. It was just... nice to hear. That was a month ago.

Back to the Orpheum, we had done it. Right now, Luke, Alex, and Reggie went to go get some hotdogs, I would be joining them in a few minutes, but I had to take a call with my mum. Bobby was talking to a really pretty girl named Rose. And he claimed he was a vegetarian. Like we would let that slide without saying something. As soon as I finished on the phone with my mum, I grabbed my coat and headed out to get some street dogs. I exited through the alley and passed the long line of people waiting to get inside. It brought a smile to my face.

I could see the car with the street dogs, but I could also hear... shouting? I picked up my pace until was I there. Surveying the space my eyes fell on the boys, on the ground, clutching their stomachs. Fear and panic took over and I was by their sides at light speed.

"CALL AN AMBULANCE!" You could hear all of the pain and anger in my voice. The man who made the hotdogs quickly got on the phone with the police. I turned all of my attention back to the boys. "Come on guys, you gotta stay with me." The sound of their groans and moans filled my ears. It was heartbreaking. "Reggie are you-" I was cut off by Reggie throwing up all over the ground. He was shaking and convulsing. I didn't know what to do, I'm not a doctor. The only thing I could do was be there for them. "Guys I'm here, I'm not going anywhere." And I was. I didn't move from by their side until the police came. The boys were loaded into the ambulance, I wasn't allowed to come since I wasn't family nor their girlfriend. Fuck homophobia.

I had to walk back to the Orpheum alone and in tears. As soon as Bobby saw me when I entered he went into protection mode.

"Woah Max, are you okay?" That's what I love about Bobby, he really cares. He's gotten into many fights on our behalf, even though we tell him not to.

"I- The boys... they... um... I don't know what happened Bobby. I went to meet them and when I got there... they were on the floor throwing up. They were shaking and- Oh god." I started breaking down more. I fell onto the floor and Bobby hugged me while I did. Right now, he's all I have left. With the others on their way to the hospital, he's all I can hold onto. Him and hope. Hope that the guys will be okay. That they'll push through and survive. If only.

-

Now it's present time. The guys all... died. That was it. They're gone. No more friends, no more band, no more boyfriend. When I found out I was heartbroken. I felt every single one of their deaths weigh on my conscience. If I hadn't gotten the call from my mom I would've been right there with them. I go to Bobby's every day. I have to make sure that he doesn't close himself off from the world. I can't let him do it, we need each other.

But today, I'm finally going back into the garage. I haven't been inside of there since they've passed. I couldn't stomach the thought. The thought of going in there and knowing that they'll never set foot in there again is just painful. But I have to. For me and for them. I approached Bobby's house and knocked. Bobby came to the door with a solemn look clear on his face. He hadn't been in there either. We're doing it together. They were our family, we have to continue on without them.

"You ready?" He held his hand out to me. I contemplated it for a second. Would I be able to handle this?. Whether or not I could, I had to. I reached out and took his hand in mine.

"Yeah." We walked down to the garage together. I stopped us outside of it. Bobby didn't push or press for us to go inside. He just stood by and squeezed my hand tighter. I took in a deep and shaky breath and pushed the door open.... The studio was exactly how we left it. Stepping inside, I looked around. Not a single thing was out of place. I let go of Bobby's hand and we both separate. I walked over to the garage where we had a picture of All of us.

"You know what?" I said to Bobby, who was somewhere behind me. "The hardest part about them dying isn't not being able to make music together or walking into an empty garage from now on. It's the smaller things. Like how Lexi would always fiddle with his drumsticks when he was anxious. So much so that you would try to take them away." I hear a sad laugh from him. "Or how Reggie would always come knocking at one of our windows when he couldn't be home anymore." I wonder if his passing got his parents to stop fighting if they even noticed. I wonder if they even care. Now I was fully crying. I couldn't keep it together anymore. Teardrops fell onto the glass of the photo. Bobby came and wrapped me in a side hug. "Or how Luke would kiss me whenever he got excited about something. God, what are we supposed to do now Bobby?"

"I don't know Max. But we're gonna do it together." He said. He's right too. I still can't believe it though. The shock has worn off, but I'm still in denial. I still hope that they'll walk through that door all fine and dandy. With Reggie beaming about some puppy he saw today and Alex trying to convince him and Luke not to steal it. But that won't happen. Because I went to the funeral. They were buried next to each other, immortalizing their friendship. Those 3 better rock the afterlife.

I'm not sure if I'll be able to come here after this. It just hurts too much. I should take some things with me. Something to keep with me whenever I miss them. They were my family, hell, they were apart of me.

"Do you think I could take a few things? Nothing big really, just some mementos." I asked. I knew he wouldn't care, but it was just for peace of mind.

"Of course, take whatever you like. I'm gonna go back inside, you gonna be alright on your own?" I could do this without Bobby. I was strong with the guys, and I'd be strong without them.

"Yeah, yeah I will." I smiled. I would be able to do that. It's like I said, they're apart of me. I have Reggie's loving nature, Alex's Intelligence, and Luke's music-loving spirit. They may be physically gone, but they're forever with me. Bobby exited the studio, leaving me and the ghost of my best friends. I take off the bag I had slung over my shoulder and set it on the piano. I knew exactly what I wanted to grab. The first thing I did was walk over to the instruments. I ghosted my fingers over the strings of Lukes's guitar, but I pulled my hand back. I couldn't. Instead, I grabbed Alex's sticks off of his drum kit and put them in the bag. Next, I went up to the loft and sat on the mattress we got from Bobby's parents. Reaching out, I grabbed a bag of clothes the guys had here. They all practically moved in and lived here.

I searched through the bag until I found exactly what I was looking for. Lukes orange beanie and red flannel, Reggie's leather jacket and flannel, and Alex's pink sweatshirt and fanny pack. I folded the clothes and set the fanny on top. I took them down and put them in my bag. I put it back over my shoulder and walk towards the door. Before I leave I turn and take one last look at the garage.

"I'm gonna miss you guys." Then, I turn and leave.