Back To You ✦ Rudy Pankow

BONUS CHAPTER #1

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*
𝐁𝐀𝐂𝐊 𝐓𝐎 𝐘𝐎𝐔
BONUS CHAPTER #1

February 2nd, 2022 – Los Angeles, California

The house still smelt faintly of fresh paint and new wood floors, and there were still a few cardboard boxes scattered around full with things that didn't have a place yet, but to Sydney, it was perfect. Their first house — their house.

The doorbell had chimed just as Rudy was wrestling a stack of throw pillows out of a box to place on their new sofa, ready for their guests.

"They're here." Sydney called from the kitchen, just as she finished setting out their new glasses onto the kitchen island that they had brought that morning after realising they didn't have enough. They couldn't host a house warming party without glasses for their friends to drink from.

She rushed out of the kitchen, into the hallway where the front door was located so she could open the gates to their driveway and let their friends in. She quickly brushed down her jumper, checking her reflection in a mirror before opening her front door.

"Helloooooo homeowners!" Chase had announced the second the door opened as he walked up the pathway towards the front door. In his hand was a large bottle of champagne.

Behind him, Madelyn and Drew appeared. A warmth consumed Sydneys's chest at the sight of Chase and Madelyn. They had broken up at the end of 2021, which was heartbreaking for somebody who had watched their relationship develop from the second they met but Sydney knew it was for the best and now they were beginning to build that friendship again. She was just grateful they could be in the same room together again without any awkwardness.

Sydney's eyes then settled on Drew, who was lugging a ridiculously oversized potted plant. "I come bearing life. Keep it alive, please." He said as the three reached the front door. Sydney smiled, greeting them all seperately with hugs.

"Thank you, I will try my best."

"Translation, the plant will be dead in a week." Madelyn laughed as she handed Sydney a large tote bag. "I thought I would bring you something you can't kill." She told her friend, who glanced down into the bag. It was full of board games.

"Oh Maddie, this might be the best gift we've been given so far." Sydney said, smiling and giving Madelyn another hug. She caught the offended faces of Drew and Chase behind her, causing her to laugh. "I appreciate all your gifts though." She said pulling away. "Rudy's in the living room, if you want to make your way through."

"They others were in the car behind us so they should be here any second." Chase told her as they passed through.

It wasn't long before the next car was pulling through the gates and the rest of the cast had arrived. Sydney led them straight into the living room where everybody else had settled.

JD had walked in last behind Madison, Austin and Carlacia, arms spread wide as he looked around. "Damn. You guys are like—actual grown-ups now. A house. An actual house."

"I know." Rudy laughed, looking at Sydney. "It's actually crazy to think about."

"Even crazier to think about how you wouldn't be able to afford a place even half this size without Sydney." Chase joked, causing the group to burst out laughing, the room quickly filling with the chaotic, easy energy that always followed when they were together.