5 years in time.
Perry and Christian. The two names that if you heard, you'd think of them as enemies. Throughout the whole apocalypse they'd bicker, fight, and whatnot. But after everything, they figured it out. After a stupid prank setup planned by Nicole, Rexine and Waylen, they actually started.. getting along. And that went a long way. It didn't mean they stopped fighting— it meant more eye contact that didn't ignite immediate and heated fights, words that lacked their usual heat. Eventually it ended up after a particularly rough day at uni, a messy, aggressive and reluctant confession in the rain.
Then it just happened. Dates, flowers.. and Christian asked her to be his girlfriend. It was all a bit sudden, but Perry didn't mind it. And 2 years later, they got married. Not to mention Christian had dyed his hair back to its natural dark brown colour. Now, in their very own apartment complex ran a tiny girl, who went by the name of Eleanor. She was their light, their whole world. A bright 3 year old, So bubbly and bright it'd match up to Ruby's perosnality.
"I want that toy!" she'd point and pout, looking up at Christian, then Perry. Perry would share a glance with her husband before sighing, then smiling. She picked Eleanor up into her arms already walking into the shop.
"Yeah. You can get that toy." Perry would answer. Christian would pay, and they exit the shop, sitting on a nearby bench letting Eleanor open the gift. And back at home, Perry would make dinner while Eleanor ran around with Christian.
Nicole had stayed single. Ruby was a high school sweetheart, but to him, she was the light in his life. And he couldn't bring himself to love anyone else. After the apocalypse. He had gotten pretty close to Marley, but he coculdn't bring himself to accept any romantic feelings. He became a high school professor instead, teaching chemistry. He saw students that reminded him of the four of them all the time. He'd go and visit Eleanor after work mainly on Fridays. He was the closest 'uncle' to Eleanor. Not to mention Eleanor had gotten pretty attached to him. He lived alone, as one would assume. Perry and Christian would encourage him to go on more dates, and at least try to find someone, he'd just brush it off. It was definitely concerning, but they started to accept the fact that he probably wanted to stay single.
Dave and Darren— they were finally in ccollege. Post apocalypse, they had to go through with their high school final exams. It was a bore, but they had to go through with it. Darren had obviously passed with flying colours, but as for Dave… he passed, just not with flying colours. Maybe grayscale. Dave had a girlfriend, Darren didn't. It confused Perry, since she'd always thought Darren would get into a relationship first. Not Dave. They'd frequently come to visit Eleanor, obviously they were just as close to her as Nicole was. Eleanor was most attached to Dave. He would carry her around, when the other two wee too scared to do so. She'd giggle and laugh the whole time.
"Up, up!" she'd laugh and chant after Dave set her back down. Dave could never resist it, so he'd continue until he was worn out, and she was tired of giggling. And if even for a second she frowned, he'd do it all over again.
Maverick, the jokster and clown of the friend group. He got girlfriend, and he got married. Now, you might have a question— who is his wife? Alice. Yeah, from the organization. They had gotten along so well within the time that they spent together that Maverick wanted to keep in touch even after everything went back to normal. They spent at least a year as friends going to best friends. And Alice decided to make the move, Maverick thankfully not too dumb, giving her a chance because he couldn't deny his feelings. And after around three dates, Maverick asked the big question. Obviously Alice had agreed. They didn't have a kid, yet, but they'd go and visit Eleanor occassionally. Rexine supported him the whole way throughout, obviously. Even though at first she thought he'd have trouble with it. But he had luckily met someone just like him— a goofball, unserious, and just aas idiotic as he was. Maybe she was a BIT smarter than him, though.
Rexine. Everyone knew she'd never have trouble finding a partner. She was kind, caring, sweet and selfless. And with her fiancee, she had two kids running around her apartment. A girl and 2 boy. The girl was 2 years older than one boy; the newbron, Stiles. The other boy was one year old, Troy. Ally— the girl. She had the same eyes as Eli, and same curly hair as Rexine, mixed skin. The boy, Stiles; skin a chocolate shade of brown, though his eye colour not that noticeable just yet. The girl had mainly Eli's introverted-ness, but also Rexine's empathy and caring nature.
Axelle and Waylen were the hardest out of the bunch to get together, believe it or not. They were in denial for at least 3 of the five years post apocalypse. They were so difficult. The whole group was included in the setup to get them to go on a date. Somewhere that was preferably outside of the movie theatre. Why? Because they always hung out there. So, technically somewhere outside of their comfort zone. It took them 3 EXCRUTIATING years to get them together. It was defiinitely one hell of a process, but once it finally happened, they were all cheering for them in a corner at wherever they'd go. Well, not literally, of course. And as far as it went, Waylen actually softened up to her. Unlike Perry and Christian, Waylen and Axelle actually toned down on the fighting, and it was more like denial and reluctance at first. But it go better, they got closer, and stopped fighting and denying it at all. Yes, they were married now.
Within the years, they hadn't hung out since the early post-apocalypse days. They all became busy after the world returned to normal. They weren't teenagers, not after all of that. The only valid people who'd count as teens at the time would've been Dave and Darren. Not anymore, though.
It was Saturday, the day they had all finally agreed to hang out on. All of them, with their children, yes. Perry opened the front door of their apartment. She smiled before letting them in without saying much but a 'Hey'. They weren't awkward— they never were. They were all there with their partners.. Except Darren, who really didn't seem to care much about romance. No even slightly phased when Perry asked about it.
"So you won't even try?" She asked her brother who shrugged.
"C'mon mate, at least give it a try. You never know who you might come across." Eli persisted, leaning against the wall next to the chair he sat on.
"No! Don't throw Mrs. Amber!!" Eleanor frowned, picking up her stuffed bunny up from the floor. Troy giggled, and threw the stuffed toy back onto the ground. Eleanor was clearly getting frustrated, so Eli stepped in.
"Hey buddy, that's not nice. Pick it up for her."
"No!" Troy yelled stubbornly. Eli sighed.
"Buddy—" He tried to continue, but Troy wasn't having it. Troy walked away, stomping off. Rexine chuckled under her breath.
Maverick was talking with Waylen and Dave, just catching up. Rexine, Axelle and Alice having a big debate about what a good cake recipe looked like. Eli sat on the couch, babysitting and watching over the three children. Ally, Troy and Eleanor, Darren joining him. Perry stood at the side, Christian beside her, his chin casually resting on her head. Nicole stood there next to them as well, a small smile on his face.
"It' s surreal to think we've come this far, isn't it?" Nicole uttered under his breath, Christian's lips twitching upward at that.
"Yeah. Surreal.." he repeated back quietly.
"At least it's over now." a small smile playing at Perry's lips.