Project Equality

The Month of Events (As Usual)

Amilia

I didn't need to hear it from Jenna standing on one of May's dining room chairs to know that May was going to be a crazy month, but there she was, telling us all that was going on anyways. I was laying across Jacob's lap as we listened to her that last Saturday of April, all of us ready for the month ahead.

"Firstly, tomorrow evening is the Mayday Parade concert! We're meeting up there, don't forget, it's going to be awesome." I was indescribably excited about the concert, because I'd been listening to their music for almost three years then, and it had saved my life so many times since then. Even though I was doing better lately, I still was in love with their music. "Next week is the Novi prom, for those of you - meaning Hazel - who are going, but then the week after that is our prom! Then it's ComicCon, and um, have you seen the guest list? 2017 is the best year we'll have a ComicCon, I guarantee it. The next weekend, we're celebrating Ami's birthday, and after that, it's Memorial Day weekend."

"We know," I said quietly.

"Well, I like to outline it anyways. I know it's not really Club anymore, but we still have our own things, and I think it's important that we do. Which reminds me, we're going dress shopping today. I know we should've sooner, but we've been busy, and . . ." She trailed off, but I knew.

I took my moirail's hand and smiled at her, but my heart broke for her. I couldn't imagine how hard it was to lose the one adult in her life who'd never let her down. Not that her parents were great, but you know how it is. Parents aren't perfect, sometimes they make mistakes. From my understanding, though, Hazel's Gran was always there for her, whether that was to make her feel better or to tell her when she was doing something wrong.

"Don't do that," she sighed. "Don't try to be delicate around me. I'm alright. She was old, I knew this day would come."

"I mean, Stan Lee is old, but that wouldn't stop us all from- " But Jen was interrupted.

"Well it wasn't Stan Lee, now was it?" Hazel snapped. "It was my Gran. And I'm fine."

We all sat in uncomfortable silence before Lynn stood. "Time for dress shopping, come on."

Leave it to Lynn to keep us from wallowing in sadness.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"Why do you look nervous?" Jacob asked as I drummed my fingers on the steering wheel, sitting in the parking lot before the concert. "You've gone to concerts before."

"Not one of theirs. I found their music when I was going through a really difficult time in my life," I explained. "If I hadn't . . . I don't know if I would've made it out alive. Their music was there to pick me up whenever nothing else could, and it still is, even though I have less bad days. I love their music, and now I get to hear it live. It's not something I thought would ever happen is all."

"Oh." He didn't understand, and I knew it, but what did it matter? I was at the best event I would ever experience.

Finally, I stopped fidgeting and opened the door, making my way to where Jenna, Lynn, and Hazel were waiting.

"You must be excited," Hazel said, twirling me around.

"You have no idea. I may not have listened to their music for ten years, but something about their anniversary tour feels important to me, I guess?"

"We know, that's why we're here," Jenna laughed. "Well, that and for the music. Remember when we went to that Panic! concert for Lynn's birthday last year?"

I smiled fondly at the memory. It had been a lot of fun, and May was certainly . . . Well, Lynn has dibs on that story, still. It was fucking wild, though, man. I could only hope for a reprise.