When thunder clouds start pouring down
Light a fire they can't put out
Carve your name into those shining stars
He said: "Go venture far beyond the shores
Don't forsake this life of yours
I'll guide you home, no matter where you are"

        It was time. Michela looked at Jake as he exited his apartment,

"Are you ready?"

Jake sighed and softly smiled at her,

"As ready as I'll ever be,"

Michela patted his shoulder,

"I will be with you through this spiritual journey,"

They burst into laughter as they got into his car,

"You are the biggest weirdo ever, Ella,"

Micheal smirked,

"I thought we already knew that stranger,"

Jake chuckled and shook his head. Jake looked at her,

"You know, Bryce and I never got a chance to see the place yet..."

Michela smirked,

"That's cuz it's supposed to be a surprise,"

Jake rolled his eyes at her,

"You are so annoying,"

Michela smirked,

"Shut up, it's perfect weather for November,"

Jake sighed,

"I wish you were not off from school,"

Michela laughed,

"Shut up jerk, we got a long ride ahead of us,"

Jake sighed,

"Do you think they will be mean?"

Michela sighed and looked at him from the corner of her eyes,

"I don't know Jake. I hope not. They had a few years to get over you being Bi. You haven't talked to them since, right?"

Jake sighed and shook his head,

"No. Not since the argument. I'm worried that they will be mad or disappointed in me,"

Michela sighed and patted his hand on the steering wheel,

"If they don't, I'll yell right back at them and tell them how amazing you are and how proud they should be of you,"

Jake chuckled and smiled,

"I have no idea what I would do without you,"

Michela smirked,

"You would wallow in self-pity,"

Jake laughed along with Michela. They danced in the car and laughed. They missed this, just the two of them alone in the car. Jake sighed as he stopped the car a few hours later. Michela put a hand on his shoulder,

"Are you ready?"

Jake smiled firmly and nodded,

"Yes, I need this,"

They walked up, hand in hand, and stood in front of the door. Jake sighed and knocked. They heard shuffling around and then a door opened. A middle-aged man with brown hair and green eyes opened the door. He gasped when he looked at Jake,

"Jake?"

Jake smiled nervously and nodded,

"Hey, dad,"

Mr. Campbell opened the door more and gestured inside,

"Come in, come in...and you are?"

Michela smiled lightly,

"Michela Kastle sir, I'm Jake's best friend,"

Mr. Campbell nodded. Michela and Jake entered the small house. Mr. Campbell smiled nervously,

"Can I get you something?"

Jake shook his head,

"Uh. No, we are fine,"

Mr. Campbell nodded and rubbed his hands together,

"Okay, what can I do for you?"

Michela touched Jake's left bicep for comfort while Jake swallowed,

"Er, I need to talk to you and mom about something,"

Mr. Campbell's eyes widened and he nodded,

"Yes, of course. I'll go get her,"

Mr. Campbell left the small living room and Jake and Michela sat down next to each other, Jake sighed out his nerves while Michela wrapped her arm around his shoulder,

"Take it easy stranger, everything will be fine,"

Jake smiled weakly at her and nodded,

"I hope so,"

Then Mrs. Campbell came rushing in with small tears running down her cheeks,

"Jake!"

She rushed over to him and took him into her arms. Jake smiled nervously and hugged her back,

"Hey, mum,"

Mrs. Campbell pulled him away and looked him up and down,

"You got taller,"

Jake smiled and nodded,

"Yeah,"

Mrs. Campbell looked at saw Michela and she smiled at her,

"And who is this beautiful young lady?"

Michela smiled gently and stood up, sticking out her hand for Jake's mother,

"Michela Kastle, I am Jake's best friend,"

Mrs. Campbell smiled gently,

"Heather Campbell, nice to meet you, Michela,"

Michela smiled and nodded as they shook hands. They all sat down and Mrs. Campbell nodded at her son,

"It is nice to see you again Jake,"

Jake smiled slightly and nodded,

"Yeah, nice to see you too,"

Michela patted his hand and nodded encouragingly. Jake sighed and nodded,

"Er, I need to tell you guys something,"

Mr. Campbell nodded,

"What is it?"

Jake smiled slightly,

"I...I moved to New York...and I met someone there,"

Mrs. Campbell gasped and smiled,

"That is amazing sweetie, who is she?"

Michela frowned slightly along with Jake. Mr. Campbell smiled too,

"When do we get to meet the lucky girl?"

Jake looked at Michela sadly and she squeezed his hand. Jake sighed and looked at his parents,

"His name is Bryce,"

They gasped in shock. Michela nodded,

"Yeah, and he is an amazing guy. Your son loves him more than anything,"

Mr. Campbell squeezed his eyes shut and Mrs. Campbell put a hand on top of his hand. She looked at Jake and smiled softly,

"I'm happy for you Jake. We both are...this is just still new to us,"

Jake frowned and got up,

"I knew this was not a good idea,"

Michela grabbed his arm as she stood up too,

"Ja-"

Jake shook his head,

"No,"

Mrs. Campbell immediately stood up and grabbed his arm when he was almost out the door,

"Wait, sweetie. We are trying here. Please don't disappear on us for another few years. We missed you,"

Jake sighed and looked at his mother who looked like she was going to cry. He sighed and nodded,

"Alright,"

Mrs. Campbell smiled and the two sat back down. Mr. Campbell cleared his throat,

"Er. So how did you meet this...Bryce?"

Jake smiled immediately thinking about Bryce,

"Well, after taking Michela home, I walked around a park because I wanted to do some exploring. Then I saw him sitting around and not doing much. I asked him for directions because I got lost. We started talking and it was amazing. I had to go soon after cuz I had to pick Michela up from her best friend's place and I got his number. We talked a lot and when I got an apartment he hung out with me at my place and we figured out we liked each other after Michela kind of set us up and gave us a gentle shove. We started dating a bit...I realized I fell in love with him...he was one of the only people who understood what I went through. A bit over a week ago, he asked me something....and I said yes. I came here cuz Ella convinced me to make amends with you two because...tomorrow I'm going to be getting married,"

They gasped. Mrs. Campbell started crying and Mr. Campbell hugged her. Michela looked at Jake and smiled sadly. Jake smiled back at her. Mrs. Campbell got up and pulled Jake into a hug,

"I am so sorry sweetie. I'm sorry that we argued and pushed you away. I'm sorry I wasn't there for you when you were freaking out. I'm sorry that I didn't support you right away for being Bi,"

Jake's eyes widened as he held his crying mother. Michela smiled softly. Jake smiled into the hug after relaxing,

"Thank you, mom,"

Mrs. Campbell pulled away and wiped her eyes and she smiled brightly at her son,

"I'm happy you came home,"

Jake smiled and nodded,

"Me too,"

Mrs. Campbell turned to Michela and smiled at her,

"Thank you for everything you have done for my son,"

Michela shook her head,

"No, you don't need to thank me. He saved my life I owe everything to him,"

Jake blushed lightly and smiled at his best friend. Mr. Campbell finally stood up and walked over to Jake, they stared at each other. He then pulled a surprised Jake into a hug,

"I'm happy for you, son,"

Jake's eyes widened but he smiled and hugged his father back. Michela smiled warmly at the small family. Mrs. Campbell looked at Michela and smiled,

"What is your story, my dear?"

Michela's eyes widened,

"What do you mean?"

Mrs. Campbell chuckled,

"You are from New York, right? How did you meet Jake?"

Michela blushed and scratched the back of her neck,

"Er. It's a long story,"

Mrs. Campbell chuckled and nodded. She looked at her husband and son and nodded,

"You two should talk, Michela dear, will you be so kind and help me go shopping?"

Michela looked at Jake momentarily and he smiled and nodded. Michela smiled and nodded back, she turned to Mrs. Campbell and smiled warmly,

"I would be honored, Mrs. Campbell,"

Mrs. Campbell smiled warmly at her and shook her head,

"You don't have to call me Mrs. Campbell dear, Heather is fine,"

Michela blushed and smiled,

"Alright, Heather,"

Mrs. Campbell smiled warmly and the two left the house, leaving Jake with his father. Mrs. Campbell smiled at Michela,

"What is your story?"

Michela smiled gently,

"My best friends and I were walking across a bridge in New York. I met the oldest one, Nicholas, when I was six and he was sixteen...we have been best friends since. I became close to his youngest brother, Jesse, and Jesse's best friend, Brandon, too. We were walking when Brandon tripped. He fell over and Jesse caught him. I ran over to them and caught Jesse right when they started falling. We helped Brandon up but then...then Jesse slipped out of my grasp. I promised Nicholas that I would save Jesse. I let go of the edge and held onto Jesse as we fell together. Next thing I know? I woke up and I was on a beach. Jesse was nowhere in sight. I thought I lost him. Then I ran and went into a shop, I saw Jake and walked up to him and asked him where I was...He said Maryland and I started freaking out cuz I'm from New York and that is nowhere near here. Jake pulled me aside and we went inside his car. I explained everything to him. Then he looked me in the eyes. He said that he would take me home, to my best friend's house cuz I had to tell him that I failed him and his baby brother was gone. On the drive to New York, we got mad close. We sang, talked, and just enjoyed the company. He told me he was Bisexual and when I didn't act any weirder after he told me, he told me that I was the first one who accepted him for who he was. I asked about you and your husband and he said that you guys didn't understand. I knew that he was still lost about that. So, I knew that I wanted him to talk to you guys before he gets married to Bryce because he needed some closure."

Mrs. Campbell hugged her,

"You are such an amazing and kind person Michela, thank you for everything you have done for my son,"

Michela smiled and shook her head,

"We helped each other Heather. You have an amazing son, and an amazing son-in-law."

Mrs. Campbell chuckled and nodded,

"I guess I do, do you think we could come to the wedding?"

Michela smiled brightly and nodded,

"Jake would love that,"

Mrs. Campbell smiled,

"What kind of wedding will it be?"

Michela smiled,

"My other best friend, Ashley, and I planned everything for it. We decided it should be at the beach because they both love the beach and it is such a great view. The afterparty will be at Nicholas's backyard cuz we all are like a small family."

Mrs. Campbell smiled and nodded,

"I see, that would be amazing,"

Michela smiled and nodded,

"Yeah...and for their honeymoon, they are gonna go on a road trip for fun cuz they love traveling,"

Mrs. Campbell chuckled and nodded,

"I'm surprised Jake stayed in Maine for a while, he always talked about leaving and going somewhere prettier,"

Michela smiled,

"New York is truly beautiful in its own way,"

Mrs. Campbell smiled,

"So, are you dating anyone?"

Michela immediately blushed while Mrs. Campbell smiled wider,

"Who is it?"

Michela smiled brightly,

"His name is Justin Belasco, he is my best friend's younger brother. I met him at a tennis club because I volunteered there and he works there. I didn't know he was Nickey's brother until I saw him when I got home with Jake. That sure was a surprise,"

Mrs. Campbell smiled softly and nodded,

"When did you start dating?"

Michela blushed,

"We kind of had a rocky start,"

"How so?"

"Well....Both Jake and Ashley decided that Jake and I should pretend to date, which I disagreed with but Jake and I just apparently act like a couple at points but oh well. Er. So Justin dated this girl....Kenzee...She really did not like me at all...er...she was kind of a bully and I kind of stopped talking to Justin but then we got good again after he dumped her. I kind of kissed Jake twice playing would you rather and a dare but it was gross. It took a few pushes but Justin admitted he liked me by singing me a song. We kissed...which was so amazing and was perfect. We went on a date and got into a bit of trouble but it got fixed after I nearly died, long story. It was all worth it though...I really love him,"

Mrs. Campbell put an arm around Michela and smiled at her,

"You are a very lucky young lady Michela, you are powerful and I know you are going places,"

Michela smiled and hugged her,

"Thank you, Heather,"

Mrs. Campbell smiled and nodded,

"Of course dear, now when is that wedding?"

Michela laughed and gave her the details.

With Bryce and Ashley

Bryce looked at Ashley nervously and Ashley smiled and nodded. He sighed and knocked on the door. A younger girl opened it and smiled hugely,

"RYCE!!!"

Bryce laughed as he caught his younger sister in his arms when she threw herself at him. Ashley smiled in awe at the younger girl. The girl was a spitting image of Bryce. She looked at Ashley in confusion,

"Who are you? Are you friends with Ryce?"

Ashley smiled and nodded,

"Yes I am, my name is Ashley, what is yours?"

The girl smiled brightly,

"Sasha! It is nice to meet you miss Ashley,"

Ashley chuckled at the cheery girl. Bryce smiled and ruffled his sister's hair,

"Sash, is mum home?"

Sasha frowned slightly but nodded,

"Yeah, but I thought you and mum aren't talking anymore?"

Ashley frowned sadly and so did Bryce. Bryce smiled gently,

"I want to ask her something...and you,"

Sasha smiled brightly and nodded,

"Okay, come in and I'll get mum,"

Bryce and Ashley smiled and entered the apartment. They waited a little bit longer before a woman came in, she had blonde hair and blue eyes. She stopped hesitantly when she saw Bryce. Bryce stood up and nodded at the lady,

"Mum,"

The woman nodded,

"Bryce,"

Ashley felt awkward and stuck out her hand,

"Hello, my name is Ashley,"

Bryce's mother nodded,

"Moira Hernandez,"

Ashley nodded awkwardly. Moira looked at Bryce,

"What brings you here, Bryce?"

Bryce sighed,

"I have big news to tell you,"

Moira nodded for him to continue, Bryce sighed,

"I'm getting married tomorrow,"

Moira gasped in shock,

"What? You never even mentioned dating someone!"

Bryce glared at his mother,

"That's because you hate me! You freaked out when I came out to you for being gay. That was the last time I even saw you! If I told you I was dating Jake, you would have freaked out even more,"

Moira closed her eyes and looked at her son,

"I'm sorry Bryce. I know it was wrong of me to react that way to you. But understand, I never expected it at all! I messed up and I'm sorry Bryce. It's just so weird for me and new."

Bryce looked at Ashley momentarily and she nodded. Bryce smiled softly at his mother,

"I guess I'll forgive you...but only if you don't treat me different,"

Moira smiled and nodded,

"I will try the best I can,"

Bryce smiled and they hugged. Bryce looked at her,

"Can you come tomorrow?"

Moira sighed and looked at him,

"Are you sure I should? I don't want to make a scene. I have no idea how I will react,"

Bryce smiled and nodded,

"I'm sure. Plus, Sash is the flower girl,"

Moira chuckled and nodded,

"I would love to,"

Ashley smiled hugely,

"Yes!"

The two laughed. Bryce nodded at Ashley,

"Ash and my other best friend have planned the whole wedding. Michela also helped me propose to Jake,"

Moira smiled sadly,

"I'm sorry I wasn't any help to you,"

Bryce shook his head,

"Don't worry about it mum, I'm happy that we made up,"

They hugged again while Ashley smiled proudly. Michela and Ashley did it. They got the two boys that they both love to talk to their families and now they were going to come to the wedding.