Tango's Perspective-

Over the course of Tango's middle school life, he made new friends. A couple from his classes, but he wasn't nearly as close to them as he was with his two best friends, Skizz and Impulse.

Impulse was only one year older than Tango while Skizz was two.

"I feel so stupid wearing this." Skizz muttered as he put on a badge at the end of his middle school years.

"You look great." Tango said sarcastically, chuckling (middle school was just his time of sarcasm).

"Is it really that bad?" Skizz asked Impulse, a worried look in his eyes.

Impulse opened his mouth to say something before shutting it again. He stared at it for a long time before he shrugged.

"Eh?" His voice cracked a bit, which normally happened when he lied.

Skizz sighed, his shoulders slumping.

"Hey, it's not awful. It just could be a lot better." Tango patted Skizz's back and Skizz smiled weakly.

The next year had begun, and Tango was now a seventh grader and Skizz was officially a high schooler at a different school.

Luckily though, Tango still had his friends Pix and Impulse.

Tango had spent a lot of time with the two of them (mostly separately) and they had a lot of fun conversations.

Tango and Impulse still went camping with Skizz some weekends while he and Pix mostly spent time running around the park.

Pix appreciated collecting rocks and exploring geography while Tango gave more of his attention to Pix's dog, Puddles.

"Have you thought much about eighth grade?" Pix asked, picking up a shiny white rock.

"Not really." Tango shrugged. "We're only halfway through this year anyways." He smiled as Puddles handed him the frisbee and he threw it again.

"Why?" Tango glanced over at his friend, who stood back up and put the rock in his satchel.

"I was just wondering. Been thinking about my future a bit." Pix said, trying to hide his worries.

"Hey." Tango knocked Pix's noggin. "You need to get out of that big head of yours."

Pix chuckled and smiled a bit.

"You're right, sorry."

Eighth grade flew by quickly and went by fine.

Since they were the top dogs, they had a lot of fun parties near the end of year since they were leaving.

A field trip to the water park, a whole yearbook signing party, and even a dance just for their year.

Sadly, Impulse had graduated by the time Tango was in eighth grade, but Impulse and Skizz made sure to go to his band concerts.

"You rocked up there!" Skizz said as Tango stepped off the stage.

Tango chuckled; a bit embarrassed.

"I don't know if I'm gonna still stick with the saxophone, but it's fun to tinker with." Tango explained.

"That's alright. And hey, maybe you could join my band as a backup singer." Impulse patted Tango's shoulder and Tango chuckled.

"I don't know...I don't really sing."

"Fair." Impulse shrugged. "But we'd always love to have you."

"Him but not me?" Skizz asked, acting offended.

Impulse laughed and elbowed him. Tango chuckled and followed the two.

Sadly though, it wasn't all smooth sailing.

Pix had worked extremely hard to get into the new high school that opened up: Orange Blossom High.

It was full of great teachers and taught trigonometry to the year 10s (which for some reason most schools stopped offering).

Tango met up with Pix the last week of school after Pix had the meeting with his counselor.

"So?" Tango asked urgently.

Pix sighed and looked down.

"She said I wasn't in the zoning for it, I'm going to Wisteria High instead."

Tango coughed on his drink. He at least hoped that Pix was going to the same high school as him, but getting sent to one of the worst schools for academics?

"Actually? Jeez I'm so sorry." Tango frowned deeply and Pix shrugged, clearly trying not to cry.

"It'll be fine, I'm just a football kinda guy now." Pix tried to laugh, knowing that the school was only big on one thing. Sports.

"Maybe it'll still work out! Maybe they still have good classes."

"Maybe..." Pix said defeatedly.

Tango frowned. As much as he hated losing another friend to the wretched school system, he hated seeing him sad even more.

"Here." Tango opened his bag and took out the Oreos he got from the vending machine. "I know these are your favorite."

Pix smiled weakly and opened them.

"Thanks." 

To find out more about Pix's journey, convince me and my motivation to work on that separate story.