Author's Note: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Author's Note:<\/strong> For Yuletide 2018 and malariamonster's prompt: MSCL is The Ultimate Show for me. Unendingly rewatchable, and gets better and better every time. I would love to read something about the friendship between Angela, Ricky, and Rayanne; or a romance between Angela and Rayanne. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Hope you like it!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rickie Vasquez would be the first person to admit how glad he was when high school was over. His life might have improved exponentially after Mr. Katimski, Richard<\/em>, and his boyfriend had taken him in, but it still hadn\u2019t been exactly easy to be the only out-and-proud queer kid in school. The performing arts college in Chicago he attended after graduation had been simultaneously a safe haven and a revelation, when he\u2019d suddenly been surrounded by young people who were as colorful and non-conforming as himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There was only one thing he missed, which was stupid, because it had been over long before he graduated. Still, even after years away, Rickie found himself missing that magical friendship he\u2019d shared with Rayanne Graff. It had been his anchor all through junior high, and he\u2019d never have expected the rift that opened between them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Just as he\u2019d started sorting out his life, Rayanne\u2019s had fallen apart, and she\u2019d pushed away everyone, Rickie included. These days, he heard more frequently from Sharon Vinnovic, n\u00e9e Cherski, than from his former best friend. Admittedly Sharon was the type of person who told herself that high school had been the best time of her life and thus religiously kept in touch with everyone. Naturally the 10-year-reunion was her idea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cEveryone is coming, Rickie,\u201d she chirped, undaunted by his marked lack of enthusiasm. \u201cEven Rayanne Graff, and the two of you used to be so tight!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cRayanne is coming?\u201d Now Rickie was listening. Last he\u2019d heard, she\u2019d been living in some sort of commune in Arizona. The information had reached him via the old Liberty High grapevine, and he had to admit that he was curious if she\u2019d managed to find a place for herself. And it would be nice to visit Richard and Bob while he was back in Pittsburgh. So maybe going back to high school wouldn\u2019t be all abhorrent. Still, although he\u2019d already made up his mind, Rickie had one more question, one Sharon was sure to know the answer to: \u201cAnd what about Angela?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Their odd little threesome hadn\u2019t lasted long, but it had happened during the most turbulent time of their young lives. And how young they\u2019d been! Entering the be-ribboned gym of Liberty High to the blazing of 90s music, Rickie looked around the many familiar and not-so-familiar faces, and realized with a start that they were all well and truly grown-up. Himself included.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, he definitely hadn\u2019t changed as much as the man approaching him with an open, confident smile on his face, which was unobscured by curls. \u201cRickie Vasquez, all the way from Chicago - it\u2019s nice to see you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWow, Brian Krakow, look at you!\u201d Apparently calling people by their full name was contagious, Rickie registered with mild amusement. Mostly he was busy picking his jaw up from the floor, because wow<\/em> indeed, at some point in the past 10 years Brian had left his dweebie teenaged self behind and turned into a right hottie. One that had no problems making easy conversation, and soon Rickie had learned that Brian headed his own IT company and was married to a lawyer, who was at home with their four-month-old baby girl.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rickie was so busy wrapping his mind around this new, improved Brian, he almost jumped out of his skin when someone tapped him on the shoulder, a woman\u2019s voice asking, \u201cRickie?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n He didn\u2019t need to hear Brian\u2019s delighted \u201cHey, Angela!\u201d to recognize her, although it was funny to see a bit of the old Brian make a reappearance when the woman in question bypassed Rickie to embrace her old neighbor warmly, inquiring with genuine interest, \u201cHow\u2019re Lydia and little Chloe? Thanks for the card, by the way - she\u2019s really adorable!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n By the time she turned back to Rickie, he\u2019d stopped feeling as if he\u2019d stepped back in time, registering the differences in the familiar face. Angela Chase was still dying her hair, now cascading over her shoulders in soft waves, but it was a much more natural light-blonde that suited her very well, as did the pretty purple dress she was wearing. When Rickie said so, after hugging her tightly, she smiled that same old Angela smile, though, the one that transformed her face from pretty to beautiful, reminding him of the magical time when they\u2019d been an inseparable threesome.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt\u2019s really good to see you,\u201d he repeated, impulsively pulling her into another hug. \u201cI missed you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMe, too.\u201d She folded into his arms comfortably, eyes warm. \u201cIt really shouldn\u2019t have taken a fucking high school reunion for us to reconnect!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Laughing, Rickie agreed and, with an apologetic wave at Brian, grabbed her hand and pulled her through the crowd, as if they were 15 again and playing hookie. \u201cI need to know everything that\u2019s been going on with you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSame here - I hear you\u2019re an actor now.\u201d Angela followed him easily, and they ended up sitting side-by-side on the steps leading up to the podium, half-hidden from the rest of the peers and giggling giddily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Catching his breath, Rickie pressed his shoulder into Angela\u2019s and happily began telling her about his life in Chicago in general, and his last role - one of the leads in Spring Awakening<\/em> - in particular. \u201cIt was great because Ben was in it, too, so we had the same hours for a change.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBen, huh?\u201d Angela teased, immediately picking up on the fond smile Rickie had been unable to suppress. \u201cIs he gorgeous?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n This led to him showing her some of the photos on his phone, before putting it away with a rueful laugh. \u201cSorry, I\u2019m afraid we\u2019re one of those<\/em>couples - if we had jobs with more regular hours, we\u2019d probably adopt a puppy that we\u2019d dress up in embarrassing outfits for holiday cards.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI guess that means no kids planned yet either?\u201d Angela asked, before catching herself and apologizing, \u201cSorry, I don\u2019t mean to pry, it\u2019s really none of my business.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHey, if you can\u2019t be nosy during a high school reunion, when can you be, right?\u201d They shared another laugh, and Rickie added with a wink, \u201cBut enough about me, I want to hear about you<\/em> now! Are you still out in L.A.?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSan Francisco,\u201d Angela corrected, surprising him when she blushed seemingly out of the blue. Before Rickie could inquire into the reason, she quickly continued, \u201cI\u2019ve been doing freelance writing, mostly for online magazines, and I\u2019ve got a part-time marketing job, mostly to pay the bills.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYeah, I hear San Francisco is expensive. But you like it?\u201d Rickie asked, trying to imagine Angela, prone to daydreams and flights of fancy, in an office. Still, there was no denying she seemed happy, and he prodded her teasingly. \u201cAnyone special in your life?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Much to his surprise Angela had stayed with Jordan Catalano until graduation, which Rickie had taken as proof that teenage girls were just as hormone-driven as teenage boys. Still, he hadn\u2019t been shocked in the least when Angela broke up with Catalano before going off to college. Now she was blushing, betraying her answer even before she spoke, \u201cWell, maybe\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Despite her precious openness, she seemed reluctant to share details, so Rickie decided to let her off the hook - for now, at least. The night was still young, after all. Smiling knowingly, he changed the subject, \u201cBy the way, have you seen Rayanne?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cRay\u2026 Rayanne?\u201d Much to his surprise, his admission caused a flush to color Angela\u2019s fair skin as she stumbled over the name of their old friend. \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rickie gaped at her before explaining with a certain amount of confusion, \u201cSharon told me she\u2019d be here. It\u2019s one of the main reasons I\u2019ve come; she\u2019s someone else I wish I\u2019d stayed in touch with. Don\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The last came out a bit more accusingly than he\u2019d have liked, but he was still trying to figure out why Angela had such a strong reaction. She was studiously avoiding his gaze, staring at the people milling around on the gym floor and sitting around the tables - nicely decorated in Liberty High colors, doubtlessly thanks to Sharon\u2019s efforts. Still, Rickie doubted this registered with her, judging from the way Angela was worrying her lower lips between her teeth. She looked remarkably like her teenage self like this, despite the new hair color and grown-up dress, her mind far away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rickie began to wonder if he should apologize, although he wasn\u2019t sure what for, just to break the weird silence, when Angela came back to herself with a shrug and fumbled her phone from her purse. Shooting him a look that begged for understanding, she said apologetically, \u201cSorry, I just-- I need to...\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Fingers flying over the screen, she sent off a message that Rickie made a point not to peek at. Once she was done, Angela took a deep breath, visibly steadying herself, and turned back to him. \u201cI am incredibly sorry for being so weird. I\u2019ll explain, I promise. I just need to check in with her first.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHer<\/em>?\u201d Tilting his head, Rickie clucked his tongue consideringly, as at least some puzzle pieces began to fall into place. \u201cAnge, did you just text Rayanne? I\u2019m not quite sure why you\u2019re being\u2026 weird<\/em> about it, to use your own expression. So you guys stayed in touch, that\u2019s great.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe didn\u2019t, not really,\u201d Angela offered like a peace offering. \u201cYou know she had problems, already back in high school but also after.\u201d Rickie nodded, aware that problems<\/em> was something of an understatement, and Angela continued, \u201cI don\u2019t think she really stayed in touch with anyone from here. We only\u2026 reconnected a few months back.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n There was a strange pause before reconnected<\/em>, but before Rickie could react, Angela\u2019s phone buzzed. She checked it, only to get up and crane her neck searchingly. Without thinking, Rickie followed her example, and they both saw Rayanne at the same time, weaving her way towards them and leaving excited whispers in her wake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n She\u2019d always had that gift, where people couldn\u2019t help but notice her, but her light had been dimmed when Rickie had last seen her. Now a happy thrill ran through him when he realized that it was back, from the confident way she held her body to the short hair on her head, dyed a cheerful purple. While most people at the reunion had chosen to dress up - Rickie himself included - she had paired patched jeans with a t-shirt featuring a cartoon cat. It was rather different from her grunge-punk look in high school, but somehow it was completely and utterly Rayanne<\/em>, and Rickie couldn\u2019t help but smile widely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It was a smile Rayanne mirrored, and suddenly Rickie felt 15 again, and without hesitation he pulled her into a tight embrace. He\u2019d missed her so much, he could feel tears pricking behind his eyelids as he pressed a kiss to the top of her head. \u201cIt\u2019s so fucking good to see you!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou, too. Shit, I missed you,\u201d Rayanne replied, lifting her head, making it easy for him to read the unspoken apology for the years of silence in her expressive eyes. \u201cAnd yes, I know that\u2019s my fault. I wasn\u2019t sure you\u2019d want to hear from me, even after I got my crap together.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI told her you\u2019d be glad,\u201d Angela chimed in, her smile so wide it threatened to split her face in two. Impulsively Rickie lifted one arm and beckoned towards her. Huffing a laugh, she joined them, and for a moment they stood wrapped around each other, all of them overwhelmed with emotion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Finally, they separated, but when Rickie sat back down on the stairs, it was the most natural thing in the world to pull Rayanne down to settle between his legs, the way she had so many times when they were younger. Grinning, she leaned back against his chest, her fingers immediately beginning to tap out the rhythm of the 90s song that was playing on his knee. She looked content, unburdened, and Rickie pressed an impulsive kiss to her forehead before ordering cheekily, \u201cNow, tell me everything.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n He didn\u2019t miss the quick glance Rayanne exchanged with Angela, who nodded encouragingly and sat back down next to Rickie, leaning her head against his shoulder. Clearing her throat, Rayanne began to speak in her throaty, low voice, explaining that she\u2019d gotten clean two years ago, living in a hippie commune in Arizona. \u201cBut I was stuck in a bad relationship, and it took me a while longer to realize that I could never be truly healed until I broke that off. So I packed up my shit and moved to California.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cShe found me on Facebook and wanted to make amends,\u201d Angela took over, voice gentle, as was her hand around Rayanne\u2019s. To Rickie\u2019s surprise a blush crept into Rayanne\u2019s cheeks, and things slowly began to fall into place. \u201cI let her crash on my couch - and somehow, she never left.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The two women exchanged a warm glance, as if nothing else in the world existed. Huh.<\/em> Rickie quirked an eyebrow and asked in a deliberately light tone, \u201cI take it, she\u2019s not on the couch anymore?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Both of them blushed at that, a giggle escaping Angela. \u201cNo, not the couch.\u201d Sobering, she met Rickie\u2019s gaze and added apologetically, \u201cIt was really entirely unexpected. I hope you don\u2019t think we kept this from you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOf course not,\u201d Rickie replied adamantly. \u201cI can\u2019t say I expected this, but I\u2019m really, truly happy for you guys. And in hindsight, it\u2019s really not such a stretch.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The last he said with a grin, and the last of the apprehension left Angela and Rayanne, who were still holding hands. It was only half a lie, because now that he looked back, there had been something<\/em> simmering between the two of them in that intense, albeit short-lived friendship. They fit together surprisingly well for two people who were so fundamentally different, and they were obviously good for each other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Clearing his throat, Rickie shook off his contemplative mood. \u201cAnd now that we\u2019re all caught up, I suggest we rejoin the party.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Joining in his laughter, Angela and Rayanne let themselves be pulled onto the dancefloor. Taking them each by a hand, Rickie twirled them easily, his heart bubbling over with a happiness he saw reflected in the two faces whirling around him. High school was a long time ago, but for tonight, the three of them were back together, and Rickie no longer missed a thing.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Ten years have passed, and Rickie has put high school well behind him. 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