A little bit later, we all sat at Salt Lake slices; we had the entire restaurant to ourselves. Gina and Ash had gotten here before us, informing everyone about their scheme. Everyone immediately bombarded us with questions once we got in, all mentioning that it was only a matter of time.

"Tonight is one for the record books," Ashlyn exclaimed once the questions died down, raising her glass; we all cheered in agreement, raising our cups for cheers.

"I literally don't even remember being on stage," Carlos admits, throwing his hands up as he speaks.

His boyfriend reached his hand over, giving him a reassuring squeeze, "the rest of us will never forget it."

The bell chimed, causing all of us to turn our heads over to the door; I'm not sure who I expected to see, but it wasn't these two. Lily and Antoine walk over, causing us all to boo; I don't think any of us really care if we hurt their feelings, "Easy wildcats," Lily holds her hands out in defense, "we just came to congratulate you all."

"It is true," The French boy nodded, "your show had a beginning, a middle, and an end. It was wonderful." We all share looks of annoyance, rolling our eyes, "And Big Red, you were also in it."

None of us know what to say, so I stand, shooting Lily an obviously fake smile, "You can leave now." I nod towards the door bluntly; I hear EJ choke on what I assume is his drink behind me, followed by a quiet laugh.

"Oh," Lily nods; I see her look behind my shoulder; I glance back to see she's connected her eyes with Ricky's, "we were kind of hoping, you know, since Howie is here too..."

"well, this is a private party," Ricky stands up beside me, "so, if you could uh..."

As Ricky motions to the door, leading Lily and Antoine out of the restaurant, we all yell goodbye, shooting them all sarcastic waves, "can you believe her?" I whisper to EJ, who sat on beside me, "and the way she looked at Ricky? She can't seriously expect him to like her, can she? Because I'm a supportive best friend, but if Ricky somehow ends up with that monster, I swear to-"

EJ places his hands on my knee, cutting me off, "Woah there, Garcia," He shakes his head, laughing slightly, "Ricky's smarter than that; he wouldn't go for Lily."

I want to believe EJ, I really do, but Ricky isn't known for making the best decisions, "Hopefully, if not, you promise you'll help sabotage the relationship?"

EJ nods, laughing slightly, "what are boyfriends for?"

"Can you guys imagine if they actually win the Menkies?" Big Red asks, addressing the entire group this time; if I'm being honest, I hadn't thought about the Menkies once tonight.

"Honestly, and don't sue me," Kourtney sighed, "but I kind of don't care anymore if we win or lose to the competition."

"I actually feel the same," Gina chimes in agreement.

"Me too," I raise my hand, "and I love a good competition."

Everyone laughs at that, "Okay, I thought it was just me." Carlos admits, relieved he wasn't the only one feeling this way.

"I mean, we did it, right?" Big Red asked, "we already got everything we wanted." I can't help but look over at EJ as he says that he means more to me than winning some stupid trophy, and by the way he looks at me, I can tell he feels the same.

"But just let the whole competition go, after all this work?" Ashlyn asks; she glances around at all of us.

EJ stands up, causing all of our eyes to drift over to him, "If I can have a, uh senior moment here," He chuckles awkwardly, "I've won a bunch of trophies over the years, you guys." He informs us, his voice cracking slightly; I interlock my hand with his, squeezing it comfortingly, "but I'd trade it all for this group right here tonight."

We all chatter in agreement, "I love you guys," I smile, tears pooling in my eyes; it's been kind of an emotional rollercoaster of a day, in the best way possible. "But what are we gonna tell Miss Jenn?"

before anyone can respond, Miss Jenn walks over, raising her hand, "the envelope, please." She sings, smiling nervously at us all; Mr. M follows behind her, "Wildcats, I have in my hands the nominations for the Alan Menken Awards for Excellence in High School Musical Theater... I haven't opened it yet, but who's ready for the biggest moment of the year?" We all glance around at one another awkwardly, was this the "biggest moment of the year"? It seemed so insignificant compared to everything else that had happened, "Am I muted?" Miss Jenn asks after none of us respond.

"Miss Jenn, we all talked, and we were thinking..." I drag off, glancing back at the rest of my friends to make sure they're sure; they all nod in response, "You know, maybe we already won."

"Yeah," Nini agreed, "maybe we don't need or want to see what's in the envelope?"

Miss Jenn doesn't react for a minute until eventually, she sighs, "Oh, thank god," she admits, relieved, "I had to stop four times on the way over here because I was physically ill."

We all laugh, relieved she feels the same, "Hey. I get it." Big Red pulls a bottle of Pepto Bismol out, holding it up for all of us to see.

"So, it's settled," Miss Jenn begins once our laughter has settled down, "we're dropping out of the competition." We all nod, a few of us replying, "But what am I gonna do with this?" She motions to the envelope.

Kourtney is quick to reply, "Oh, give me that, we got a pizza oven." We all cheer as Kourtney leads Miss Jenn and Mr. M into the kitchen to burn the papers.

After that, the party goes on; we laugh and talk for hours, none of us wanting it to end. You know those rare perfect moments, the ones that play on repeat in your head and can instantly make you smile? Tonight was one of those nights; these people were those people for me; each of them has impacted my life somehow. They're my people.

EJ reaches over, his fingers tracing patterns on my hand, "what's going on up there?" He uses his other hand to lightly tap my temple, an adorable smile on his face. "You thinking about me, Garcia?"

I laugh, I know he's only joking, but he isn't entirely wrong, "Always," I exaggerate my nod, EJ smiles, but I can tell he is waiting for me to elaborate, "I'm thinking about how grateful I am. At the beginning of this semester, I was fully prepared for it to be the worse few months of my life," I admit to him, chuckling at the irony, "but I don't think anything will ever top this; do you think we'll always be this happy?" I ask him, referring to our group as a whole and us; it's no surprise I don't handle change well, and despite how badly I wish we could all stay in this moment forever, I know we can't, "even when things change?"

EJ nods, squeezing my hand, "I do; I'm a much better person when you're around." He was right about that; he had the same effect on me too.

I reach forward for my red Salt Lake slices cup, holding it up to him, "here's to second chances?"

EJ grabs his cup, knocking it against mine, "to second chances."

Only one more chapter and then wildest dreams will be officially over:(