Rush List

Some things never change

"Derek he was-" Spencer tried to in interrupt the reunion when Derek pats him on the back and says "they're with me"

"Since when?!" Dalia exclaims but I'm too shocked to fully process what's happening right now.

"Yeah buddy" Nate pats Spencer's shoulder "We're with him" we hear him say through his camera but all we see are Spencer's eyes are noticeably furious and he's standing his ground and not letting them pass. 

"Does Nate want to die? Is he suicidal? Do we need to do a wellness check on him?!" Dalia continuous. I'm still silent.

I know she's just as shocked as I am, but this is how we process things. Dalia has to externalize everything, verbalize it to make it concrete and make sense of it. Meanwhile, I go silent while my mind overtakes me with a thousand thoughts all at once making me unable to even speak one. Dalia is used to this by now, which is why she simply continues without expecting me to answer.

"No, really Kay what have we done? They know each other? Are they involved with the boys? Have they tricked us too?! Are we such idiots that we really thought we had the upper hand here. That we were the masterminds that were going to bring them down. Only to choose the two boys that are quote on quote with them. How did we not see this coming?!"

I agree with every statement, and I am terrified, but I can't be, not now, not until we have all the facts. My eyes are glued to the screen, Spencer is still not backing down and I'm waiting to see what the next move is. Will Derek stand with Spencer? His QQK brother, the one who's been by his side since they basically entered the house. Or is he going to choose Finn? The so-called person he hasn't seen in forever but appears to be thrilled to have his presence again?

"Spencer" the monitor now shows Derek getting close to Spencer. "I said they are with me, do you have a problem with the president's guest?" I never noticed how intimidating he can look, but it makes sense since I never see this side of him. I haven't seen many sides of him. How much exactly have you been hiding from me?

Spencer stays silent and I see how hard this is for him from the way he's clenching his jaw. He steps aside while glaring directly at Nate which in turn means we get his glaring look as well.

I see Derek's back now from Finn's camera as they are following him into the party. Derek greets everyone while making his way to the backyard. "Here" Derek hands the boys a red solo cup with some type of dark liquid that's either beer or one of the guys decided to experiment with the drinks again.
"Thanks" Nate grabs the cup and brings it closer to him smelling whatever's inside "wow that sure is strong" from Finns camera we see him make a face and retract the cup.

"Come on don't be a wuss, you're in QQK, we down our drinks here. So what's it going to be?" Derek's hand is now on Nate's cup pushing it back towards him. Nate looks at Finn and I see he is not thrilled by this action. But he complies and downs the drink while Derek chants "shot, shot, shot" and it echoes when the rest of the nearby crowd joins. Nate finishes and he looks like he's going to be ill for a moment, he breathes deeply, raises the cup and flips it in the air showing there's nothing left. The crowd goes wild and Derek pats him on the back. "There you go, you may actually have the QQK potential"

"Some things never change" with a tone of disdain comes out of Finn not intended to be heard by anyone, but I heard, and so did Derek.
"What was that buddy?" Derek puts his arm around Finn
"I asked how you've been" with a cheery tone now, he responds, but it's fake.

I know that tone, I know this attitude, I've seen it hundreds of times whenever Mr. Homel comes by the department to check in. Finn's biggest hatred and thorn on his side is him. I've heard plenty of rants from Finn frustrated over how in his words "stupid and mediocre" the institution is. Which I agree, it's plain to see that Mr. Homel knows nor cares about journalism. The only reason why he got the position of the department director is because his dad is on the University board. That's why Ms. Rain was unjustly taken out of the position. We were furious when that happened and even more furious when we found out who would take her spot. But, it doesn't take away that Mr. Holmes has the power to reorganize the positions on the staff if he so wishes, and he's very loudly reminded Finn of this a few times. Which is why we get to experience Finn's fake persona every time he comes around. It normally doesn't last long because Mr. Holmes passes by, gives a few orders and then leaves, orders which we always ignore and just follow what Finn says. The only bright side of Mr. Holmes not caring is that he never follows through in verifying if we do what he says, so we never get in trouble. But this act, this voice, it's all fake. So once again I ask myself what the hell is going on?

Derek sits down on one of the chairs by the keg admiring how the crowd is still going wild for Nate and Finn follows. It seems they handed him another cup, which he takes and proceeds to chug once again. "That boy of yours sure is wild" Derek points at Nate and laughs, shaking his head. "It seems like he's fitting right in" he drinks from the cup "damn Spencer did make this really strong."

Finn takes a sip and drinks it like nothing "well I think we've made worse in your parents basement" "yeah and if I remember correctly you barely could hold it down" Derek laughs "you've definitely changed since the last time I saw you"

I wish I could see Finn's face, to see how he's reacting to all of this. Really reacting, not just the words he's choosing to say. I look over at Dalia watching over Nate's monitor hoping to see a glimpse of Finn but all I see is Nate miserably losing in beer pong. "This idiot can't even throw a ball. Just throw it straight it's not that hard" Dalia screams at the monitor. Note to self, have Dalia give Nate beer pong lessons but also don't leave them alone or Dalia will smack him into learning.

"I suppose so, but what can you expect it's been 5 years, you however definitely haven't changed one bit" Finn says taking another sip bringing my attention back on them. "Yeah?" I see Derek raise his eyebrow. "Yeah you're still the life of the party and the leader, everyone either respects you or fears you but they always obey you, same as always" I see Derek's eyes focus on Finn for a second, analyzing his words while his smile drops to a thin line before bouncing back to a full smile and laughing "Well, we can't all be followers Finny boy, someone has to lead the directionless. But you know that" His smile widens, the tension is there, I can sense it from the both of them.

This interaction for any passerby would seem like two old friends catching up. But I know them, I know how the words they are choosing are laced with intention and messages only they understand right now.

"But anyway" Derek breaks the silence "I heard about your Dad, my dad told me how he's sick again. I meant to reach out to you when he told me you were also here, but you know how chaotic things get at QQK. Especially the first year, I know our dads told us all about their time here but let me tell you it is way more intense than they ever told us. I was surprised to hear you were here and didn't pledge the first year actually"

His dad? Finn's dad? Derek's dad? They were in QQK together?! Is Finn also a legacy? I stiffen tighter in my chair. He's a legacy, he's heard stories, Finn how much do you know exactly?

"Yeah well, you know I had to focus on helping my dad. As you said I remember the stories and knew it would be too much to handle. But here I am now"

"But here you are now" Derek echoes "And why now? I mean it just doesn't seem like this is your type of vibe anymore, or ever actually" He chugs what's left in his cup letting the question hang.

"Well I'm just trying to keep the family legacy alive, it's what my dad wants." From the camera movement it seems Finn shrugged with his response. As if it's nothing.

"Really?" Derek chuckles while standing up and walking towards the keg, Finn follows him. "Well whatever reason I'm glad you are because now I'm here, and I'll make sure to take care of you don't worry" He hands Finn another cup but this one is filled with beer and cheers "To QQK" Derek screams, and everyone follows. "To QQK" Finn says not nearly as loud as everyone else.