YOU CAN LET IT GO.

💊

Spinner’s smile dipped just a little when Ozzy corrected him. His euphoria wavering as his eyes scanned the crowd for said runner up captain. “What’s that supposed to mean?” He asked, un-amusement settling over him as he crossed his arms as though to change his demeanor to match that of the protective friend. “Do we need to shake this kid up? Can’t just all of a sudden get busy and drop my boy like that. Does he think this shits a game??” Spinner mused loudly, the frustration free flowing through him as he kept an arm wrapped around Ozzy’s shoulder. “When you say got anything do you mean like the good good? Or like the good warm and fuzzy speech about how I’ll wreck that fool Parker’s kneecaps next time I see him? I can provide both. Actually just rolled this.” He added as he pulled his joint out from behind his ear. “It’s got that south side charm for sure.” 

🌪

Not even his bad mood can stop the playful roll of his eyes at Spinner’s comments, a light scoff leaving his lips before he’s silencing it with the joint. He doesn’t hesitate in fishing the lighter out of Spinner’s pocket and burning it against the end, exhaling his words and the smoke all at the same time. “He fuckin’ left, transferred schools or something- I don’t know. But he’s gone.” He shrugs a lot more casually than he feels, taking another long drag before passing the joint back over to Spinner. “Whatever, his loss. You can leave his kneecaps intact, but I appreciate the offer. I just wanna have fun today, figured you’d know a thing or two about that.” 

who: @ozzyokala​ what: sküle spirit? idk her! where: hey alexa play ‘homecoming’ by 2008 emo group hey monday!

Emir was meant to show up at the potluck/homecoming. And that was where it ended. He was not obligated to show school spirit, nor would he. Not under Hargrove’s heavy hand. Certainly not under his Father’s heavy hand – he was already doing far more than he wished. If his voice were heard, he would have no foot on the campus. Alas, it was what it was… in a way… for the time being… From the side of it all, watching a mix of joy and annoyance, he caught sight of a young man he had not seen since the drive-in affair. “Austin,” he regarded, taking a step closer. “I should take it every year has been this… jovial?”

🌪

Sulking was about all Ozzy had been good for since Parker left town. It wasn’t like he didn’t have other places to spend his time now that the older boy was gone, but it sure did suck doing everything they were supposed to do together alone. Especially after the whole conversation they’d had about this exact fucking thing. He’s more on edge than normal, closer to the Ozzy that had been a part of the Southside gang than the one who cleaned up his act to become a social worker. And there’s Emir, insisting on using his full name the way he always had. It still drove him crazy. 

“Do you get some sick satisfaction out of calling me my full name, or is your brain so small that you can’t remember a nickname?” 

who: @ozzyokala​ what: doing him JOB 

To say that Spinner had successfully infiltrated the CCU campus would be an understatement. He had a dorm room. He was a member of a fraternity lead by none other than big man on campus himself. And he was doing his part to stay out of the public eye. He hadn’t even tried to president of the band club, although it pained him, but for once, the less recognition the better. The easier it made for him to sell and boy oh boy was he selling big. And events like this? Practically a gold mine. Spinner had safely earned a little over $200 in the short time he’d been there and was just in the process of rolling himself a celebratory joint when he glanced up to find none other than Ozzy Okala himself walking towards him. “There he is! The main squeeze of the runner up to college football captain Parker Purple.” He teased as he tucked the joint behind his ear and did a running motion as he jumped into his friends arms. “I hope today has been nearly as successful for you as it has for me.” He said excitedly, skipping out slightly on the mild disappointment he’d felt from not having run into Cris just yet. 

🌪

Moody. It was the word that best encapsulated the way Ozzy was feeling, moving through the too-bright sun at the homecoming potluck for some godforsaken reason. He’d only planned to go for Parker and well... “I’m not his anything anymore.” So Parker had left, it wasn’t like they’d ever pledged their eternal love to each other or whatever. But still, it hurt. It was the first time he’d opened his heart up since Dallas, and once again he’d been left. He should have expected it, especially from someone he was never able to be himself around anyway. Good riddance, right? Even if it didn’t feel that way. So not even Spinner crashing into him brings a smile to his lips, though it doesn’t stop Ozzy from catching him, “My day has sucked, but I’m glad you’re in a good mood. Got anything that’ll help get me there?” 

💊

If he was being honest, Spinner hadn’t given much though to the upcoming semester. He knew he’d been signed up for classes and even been put into the dorms by the Big Dogs, but other than that if he thought about it too much he started to stress and stress was not something that interested him. It resulted in a major buzz kill. So his guitar had his full attention as he thought about the series of names he’d written down on a small pad of paper that he’d obtained during his “back to school shopping.” “Oh dude don’t even worry. No pressure at all. Just the name billions of people are gonna be screaming when I make it huge you know?” He teased, winking in his friends direction and he sat down his guitar and moved to the floor to lay out his options. “Alright option one! We got Under The Bleachers. Option two! We got Star Factory. Option three! Eleanor’s Manor.” Spinner said seriously as he laid the three out in front of his friend. “Bet you can’t guess what they all have in common.” 

🌪

There’s a matter of seconds between Spinner joining Ozzy on the floor and Ozzy’s head landing in Spinner’s lap, closing his eyes while he throws the names around in his head and tries to think of their connection. After a few moments it clicks, and a burst of laughter erupts from his chest. “You’re twisted, dude,” he says, opening one eye to look up at his friend, “I mean, obviously I’m fond of the first two, there’s some great memories attached. I’d say Star Factory is the clear winner for me, all things considered.” When his laughter dies down, he lets his eyes slide closed again, a smug grin on his lips, “You miss me yet?” 

🎸

Parker had literally never been called ‘babe’ before. He’d never been in an intimate enough relationship for pet names. It still made him flinch, even seeing the word form on Ozzy’s lips. You’re lucky, Pantone. You’re really fucking lucky. There was a guy in his life who liked him…point blank. He always felt like girls who dated him before liked the idea of him more than him as an actual person. Parker was boring. He was stiff. Easy to anger. He was…a boy scout. Ozzy liked him anyway. He smirked at Ozzy’s confirmation. “As if.” He said in response. “I’d be the dumbest guy in Cherry. I think Mac Walsh has got that one on lock.” He jeered, shuffling textbooks into his backpack. He stood up and made direct eye contact with Ozzy, gesturing the boy follow him out. It was a good idea to head to the library so late. Less people fluttering about campus. Once they checked out their books and were hit by the open air…Parker reached for Ozzy’s hand. He’d never felt comfortable initiating it before. “We should do something fun before school starts and we’re busy all the time.” He spoke. He paused. “I’ll have football. And you’ll have…whatever you do.” He teased. 

🌪

Ozzy’s surprised when Parker takes his hand, but it’s a welcome one. Displays of affection with his ex were nearly nonexistent, even in privacy. It was all under the guise of nonchalance, like if he didn’t admit he liked Ozzy out loud it wasn’t real. Like if he only intertwined their fingers in the dead of night it wasn’t happening, like Ozzy’s whispered ‘I love yous’ were nothing but the wind. There was that disposable feeling again and there he was, holding on tight to Parker’s hand to remind him this wasn’t the same. Parker was there. “Oh, nothing much. Just two jobs, two clubs, and spectating your football games. Super chill year,” he teases, “What did you have in mind?” 

🎸

Parker took a deep breath. He wasn’t really good at confrontation or at hard conversations. Really…he just didn’t want things to change. He didn’t want to be as unhappy as he was before he and Ozzy started hanging out. “Are you gonna like…ditch me once school starts?” He asked. Ozzy and Parker likely wouldn’t have crossed paths if it weren’t for their summer employment. They weren’t exactly running with the same crowd even more than Parker knew. “If this was just summer fun, that’s cool.’ He said with a dismissive shrug. “Just tell me so I don’t look like an idiot.” He spouted, attempting to protect himself with some last minute machismo. Why was he so scared all of a sudden? Ozzy didn’t ever give him a reason to doubt.

🌪

“Babe...” the word comes out under his breath, his head instantly starting to shake. Ozzy is used to people floating in and out of his life like it was nothing, like he was nothing. His parents, most of his friends from the Southside, his ex. It makes him hold on tight to the people he has, it makes him want to lean across the table and pull Parker into his arms, to apologize for ever letting him think it was a possibility. He doesn’t and he won’t, not even when they’re in the privacy of his apartment. He’s never been good at doing reassuring shit like that, no matter how many Psychology classes he took. He wasn’t sure he’d ever be. Maslow would probably say it was because he wasn’t hugged enough as a child or something, Ozzy chalked it up being himself. “It’s not just summer fun to me.” I like the way you make me feel, I like who I am when I’m with you, I like how it feels like we’re the only two people in the world. “I like you,” it’s a start, “So if you’re trying to get rid of me, you’re gonna have to be the one to make that move.” 

who: @ozzyokala​ What: Helping Spinner Where: Somewhere at CCU (in which B forgot to reply to this starter and we are NOT letting it go to waste)

There was just something about the way the music felt when he was playing it with a buzz. He liked the way the guitar strings felt against his fingers, liked the way that if he tried hard enough he could practically see the melodies as they swam free like little fishes from his mind. And he liked it even more when he had someone there to vibe with him. Not that Ozzy really contributed much musically but he brought with him the sense of connection that Spinner was looking for. That and it kind of made him feel like he had a groupie which was super dope. “Alright Ozzy Ozzy Oxen Free. Moment of truth. I need your help picking a solid, DOPE ass band name that’ll make Mystic Cherry shrivel up like a Craisin. I have some thoughts but I need your professional, someone who’s not faded opinion.” He started as he leaned over and picked up a note pad. “Don’t laugh this is serious shit.”

🌪

There wasn’t a single musical bone in Ozzy’s body and he’d been told more than once that his tape collection was pathetic, but hey- he’d do what he could to help his friend out. Even if he had no idea what he was going on about half the time. Maybe they should have taken their free time opportunity for Ozzy to show Spinner around the campus or whatever, but he much preferred this to giving a grand tour. Especially when he still barely felt like he belonged anywhere close to the school. “This all sounds like a lot of pressure, but I think I can handle it. Hit me.” 

@ozzyokala​

Parker did not expect to meet his best friend this summer. But here he was…shopping for textbooks with the boy he spent most of august wrapped around. It was hard not to treat Ozzy like a possession. He was his own person and he would probably be just as happy if he never met Parker in the first place. At least…that’s what ran through the Pantone’s head. He liked that about Ozzy. How smart he was. How independent he was. It made it easier to cope with the fact that Parker’s dad would rather shit bricks than have a conversation about his son possibly liking boys. Parker wasn’t even sure if he liked boys…maybe he just liked Ozzy. All of this ran through his head as he grabbed the biology textbook he needed and popped out of the aisle. Face to face with his favorite person once more. “I think I got everything I needed.” He said, plopping himself down at a table they’d been keeping their finds. He gestured for Ozzy to sit down with him. “Can I ask you a question?”

🌪

Parker Pantone was the last person Ozzy had ever seen himself falling head over heels for, and yet... there was no one else he could imagine spending all of his time with. He was happy living in the little bubble they’d created for themselves over the summer- flirty glances tossed over shoulders at work to be unpacked hours later in the safety of Ozzy’s apartment, closing the door on a Friday and not opening it again until Sunday night, tuning out the rest of the world in favor of each other’s company. It was the happiest he’d felt in a long time and he’d be lying if he said he wasn’t worried about how the school year would change things for them. He’s always been good at burying his emotions, so it’s no surprise that his expression stays the same even as his heart picks up speed. “Yeah, of course. What’s up?” 

🍒

“Shit, my bad.” He huffed. He guessed things were pretty new. He didn’t know a ton about Ozzy. With how gung ho he was about the southside, he just figured he’d be excited for another event where everyone gets to mix it up. Parker smiled a little bit when Ozzy questioned his choice to show up to this event. “I was hoping to see you, neeeeerd.” He dragged on, shoving Ozzy gently. He shoved his hands into his pockets, knowing he wouldn’t be able to resist getting kinda touchy. He didn’t normally get this excited about…people. “Cheer the fuck up, man. This is what you wanted. Me. You. A perfect date backdrop. No mentions of southside crackbabies.” He teased. 

🌪

Ozzy would let the crackbabies comment slide this time... they could work on it, right? Besides, it was hard to get upset when words like date and see you were getting thrown around so easily. “Parker Pantone, are you asking me out on a date while we’re on the date?” he teases right back, his voice hushed, “Because my answer is totally yes, unless you try to do that cheesy thing where you help me roll a bowling ball.” He can’t help the smile thats pulling on his lips, the blush that’s covering his cheeks... he’d almost forgotten how good butterflies could feel. 

“ Oh, yeah, definitely, ” Rocky allowed with a smile when Ozzy suggested that she had caught some cooties since moving to the Southside. “ But it builds character, right? That’s what everyone tells me anyway, ” She joked, her tone remaining in that playful zone. Even a joke, she thought to some degree it was true. Not the cooties thing, but the building of character. Regardless of what you had been through, the Southside shaped its residents in a way she didn’t think people from Proper would ever understand. When he agreed, she pushed herself up with a wide grin, easily starting to make her way towards the Food Shack without even having to think about direction. “ So, did you get dragged to this thing or what? ” 

🌪

“Believe it or not, I brought myself here. Don’t ask me why, because then I’m going to have to ask you to smack some sense into me,” he teases, bumping her shoulder with his own, “Almost makes me miss it over here, but that must be the cooties in my brain talking.” He appreciated how easy it still felt with Rocky, it made him feel like he hadn’t personally betrayed every single resident of the Southside by moving to Proper. Even if he did still get constant dirty looks.  

— ☾ —

Debra didn’t know if she had ever seen the Drive-In so full like tonight. It got busy at times, but Proper kids only showed up every now and again, and it was a miracle the Drive-In made money at times. Then again, what other entertainment would they have? Knife fights in alleyways could only hold attention for so long before even that boredom set in. “I’m sure no one would care if you dipped out,” Deb shrugged, confused. She wasn’t expecting to see Ozzy in the Southside ever again, even with the whole fusing of both sides of town. “I’m surprised you’re even here. You sure it’s not like… unsafe of you to be here?” She wasn’t going to say anything to anyone, but the Big Dogs could be unforgiving at times. Even if they were all supposed to be on their best behavior tonight. 

🌪

“I ‘dunno, you tell me,” he says with a raise of his eyebrow, “Is it unsafe for me to be here?” Ozzy had never had anything against Debra, but he wasn’t sure he’d be able to look at any of the Southsiders the same after they’d dropped him so quickly only to push their way to the Proper side anyway. He’d known how bad of an idea it was to get involved in the gang, even back then, and he was kicking himself now that he was dealing with the repercussions. Like feeling unsafe on his own side of town. At the time he’d only wanted to feel like he belonged somewhere, and how ironic that was now that he didn’t belong anywhere. “You gonna sell me out, Debs?” 

💊

When Ozzy had told Spinner about his crush on Parker, Spinner would be lying if he said initially he didn’t totally understand it. Partially because it was hard to understand the appeal to someone who hates apart of who you are. But the more he thought about it the more it made sense. Pantone was a cool purple color. And Ozzy had really cool pink hair. And pink and purple just kind of made sense. “I mean shit bruh, here’s the thing though you know? There’s a fuck ton of Proper kids here tonight. Like a shit ton. Like more than I’ve ever seen you know? So there’s nothing keeping you from blending in if that’s what you need to do you know?” Spinner smiled, like his logic was the most sound thing ever presented, said smile only fading a little as Ozzy still asked about hiding. If he insisted. “Yeah absolutely. Coke’s like Klondike you feel? I’d do a hell of a lot for one right now. Grab me a coke and we can grab a junker and hide from ya boy.” 

🌪

Spinner was right, Ozzy knew that no one was going to bother him while they were surrounded by so many Proper kids, but it didn’t make the feeling in his chest settle. What happened if he was talking to Parker and someone mentioned something about him moving? Or even worse- his previous involvement with the gang. Ozzy claps Spinner on the shoulder gently before going to retrieve both their cokes, leading him to the closest junker and sliding into the driver’s seat. Once they’re settled, he lets his head rest against the seat, staring up at the screen in front of them. “My dad brought me here to see Star Wars when I was little,” he wasn’t really sure why that had been the first thought in his mind, or why he’d said it out loud, “Seemed so much more impressive back then.” 

🌊  

Winnie was wondering the same thing. Sure she could leave before it ended, but finding a way home that wasn’t her father coming to pick her up later that night was a little too much effort for her. “I hope not,” she responded, not entirely sure that the young man was talking to her (was there someone behind her that he knew better? probably!) but willing to voice her opinion regardless. 

“I can’t even tell if th-the m-movie’s gonna end soon,” she gestured towards the screen playing silent moving images for those not in cars. “If you’ve got your own ride, you can probably head out whenever you want, th-though. I don’t th-think anyone would judge you, th-this is pretty boring.”

🌪

Ozzy nodded along as she spoke. It wasn’t so much a problem of a ride, but of how much attention he would draw to himself by leaving early. No one was going to do anything to him at the drive-in, not with so many people around and the Southside trying to put on a good face, but without the crowd around him he was sure someone would probably be waiting in the shadows. His safest bet was to leave with everyone else, but it didn’t take away his urge to say fuck it and take his chances. Why had he even come in the first place? 

“Agreed, but I think I’m just gonna stick it out,” he sighs, “Wanna go get a lane or something? Maybe it’ll be more fun.” 

Pilar wasn’t even entirely sure what she was doing here. It just felt like she should be here, really. That was a lot of why she did things. It’d probably look bad if she looked like she was avoiding the Southside, and she didn’t particularly want to look any worse considering Mia’s stupid little stunt. The chance to get out some of her anger was so not worth causing a scene. So here she was, thoroughly zoning out to the tune of Rebel Without a Cause. It was almost a relief to have someone talk to her. 

“I think we’re halfway through. Something like that,” she replied with a light frown. She let another moment pass before looking away from the screen with a sigh. “I wouldn’t mind taking a walk, getting some food or something, though. Want to keep me company?” He looked like he needed something to do, and she sure as hell would rather be doing something instead of just sitting here.

🌪

Ozzy recognized her from around campus, though her demeanor is much different from the person he remembered tabling for Lambda whatever that past Spring. He couldn’t even imagine being a part of any extracurriculars, between his job, classes, and volunteering he was almost constantly drowning. Summer was a sweet release, even with all the extra shifts he was picking up at the motel to bulk him his bank account and see Parker. “Yeah, sure,” he shrugs, nodding towards the snack stand, “As long as you’re buyin’.” 

💊

Spinner was always happy to see Ozzy. That much was a given. But did it mean he wasn’t surprised to run into him at an event held on the Southside? Maybe a little. It came with it a weird sense of nostalgia and hope that he knew wasn’t worth much but was still let himself feel. Spinner on the other hand was living for this. The entire concept of integrating the Southside with Cherry Proper felt like a shit show and it was the kind of chaos he didn’t steer away from. By now he recognized a lot of the faces making their way into the Southside part of town and the heightened sense of awareness it brought to the fellow members of his gang. 

“Dude you’ve got the best timer in the world right there on the big screen. Movie’s not even halfway over. Shit’s like almost two hours. We still got time before all the preppy’s start filing their way out of here cause it’s too dark. What’s got you so worried? We got popcorn and shit!” 

🌪

Out of everyone across their two sides of town, Spinner was the person Ozzy would consider his best and most trusted friend. And not just because the older boy forgot half the things Ozzy told him. He was among the few that didn’t drop Ozzy when he made the big fifteen minute move, and while Ozzy didn’t miss home for even a second it was nice to have someone around that understood. “What’s got me so worried is pretty-boy Pantone is wandering around here somewhere and I still haven’t exactly... told him where I’m from,” he sighs, “Can we go- hide out somewhere? I’ll buy you a coke to go with that popcorn.” 

Parker had learned his lesson from last time. No drinks. He’d have to manage his anxiety around mingling with Southsiders some other way. He was sure by now ‘Parker Pantone’ was not an unfamiliar name or face among these folks. Honestly…if Parker didn’t catch a glimpse of his favorite buzzcut he would of made some excuse and went home. Southsiders seemed to like Ozzy for some reason? Maybe because of him sticking up for them in the aol chat unlike some people. He pursed his lips at Ozzy’s questions. “I mean…It’s gotta last the length of the movie…at least.” Parker teased. “I’m surprised you’re not excited. This type of bullshit is normally right up your alley.”

🌪

Parker’s presence brought an interesting mix of feelings for Ozzy. For one, the butterflies that had made a permanent home in his stomach ever since that first night at the motel bar were awakened by their proximity. However, they were being kept company by the nervousness that was flooding Ozzy’s body, amplified now that the two of them were speaking out in the open on his old stomping grounds. And then there was the guilt of the lies he’d told to Parker, hiding where he was really from and sealed off with a goodnight kiss that Ozzy would never forget. He wasn’t exactly sure where they stood now, but he knew it’d be nowhere if his secret was blown. 

“I think you’re severely overestimating how much I like being at town events.” Would Parker be opposed if he pulled them both away from the crowd? All the way back to his apartment in Proper and right into his arms? “What are you doing here, anyway? Didn’t think this was really your scene...” 

-

There were many things Rocky respected about Ozzy, many things that inspired her to push herself. But that didn’t mean that she loved that he left the Southside and basically never visited. She understood it, she was absolutely no position to question it given her relationship with Proper– but it didn’t mean she liked it. Didn’t mean she didn’t miss him from time to time. And now standing here, feeling the nerves simply radiating off him, it didn’t mean she didn’t want to question what the hell he was doing here. But she’d swallow it. Just enjoy that he was here at all. “ Why? Scared you’re gonna catch cooties? ” She questioned playfully, smile spreading on her features. For an old movie, Rebel Without A Cause felt like it went on forever. And given the way people had spread to the arcade and bowling alley, it didn’t feel like it would end in an hour and fifty one minutes with the movie anyway. “ Come on, you wanna split some cheese fries with me? ”

🌪

Rocky was among the few people Ozzy regretted leaving behind when he skipped town. After all, she understood standing on the line between the two sides, not quite belonging in either. He always had the feeling she was part of the gang out of obligation rather than interest, just like he was. But she seemed to be in much deeper than he ever was, too intertwined for a fresh break like his own. “I think I was born with the cooties, Rocks- you however have definitely caught a few since you got over here,” he teases, “So yeah, I’ll risk catching some. Let’s go.”