hi, just before this chapter starts:

i don't think i properly thanked my readers for 100k but, here i am now. thank you so much, from the bottom of my heart. to have that many people following me, reading my story and just supporting this fanfiction in general is amazing. i had hoped at least one person would read and enjoy this, and now this story is at 100k reads? that's insane, and i love you all endlessly. going through my comments is one of my favourite things to do and, just know, even if i don't reply, i read them all! y'all make me smile and laugh so much and jus make me so soft :') thank you for inspiring me so much to continue to write this story. now, back to the new chapter!

☆゜*・:+* 。 *゜☆

RECAP:

the two quickly hurried to catch up to the others, sophia joining in as finn and jack started singing the chorus chosen's new song, making him ultimately embarrassed, yet also pleased they took the time to listen to his new music.

jaeden took the moment to look over at wyatt, and when he met his eyes, he didn't look away. instead, the light eyed boy gave wyatt a genuine, tight lipped smile, which wyatt returned.

because even if it breaks your heart in two to be just 'friends', if you care about that person, sometimes you just have to take the hit.

☆゜*・:+* 。 *゜☆

☆゜*・:+* 。 *゜☆

"we're going to be using more of a meisner training technique today." mister benjamin perkins, the groups acting coach grinned, clasping his hands together in excitement.

"you guys have been bonding the past two weeks— or well, getting reacquainted with each other— and you seem to be comfortable. you obviously have strong chemistry with each other as a group, but we need to start focusing on the endships. as in finn and jack, sophia and jeremy, sophia and jaeden, wyatt and chosen, and wyatt and jaeden."

jaeden started coughing, looking up at benjamin and shifting slightly in the wooden chair he was seated in. "how heavily are we going to, y'know, include the stenbrough things?"

benjamin gave him a small smile. "i'm almost sure that, last minute, andy is going to be adding a stenbrough kiss at the end of the season, in the bathrooms at the school dance."

everyone had read through the script, of course. it was very clear bill and beverly were very involved with each other, but ben and beverly were still endgame by the end of the season. however, it was somewhat unclear about stenbrough. at the end of the season, in the final episode, stan would start to dance with mike at the final dance, but he instead ran off, finding bill in the bathrooms and the two boys would comfort each other.

jaeden never would have thought it would end with a kiss.

the idea of kissing wyatt after everything that had happened between him and jaeden completely freaked him out.

but jaeden simply nodded and listened as benjamin finished his talk.

"so, the first thing we're going to be doing is simply warming to each other again; we've done this one before. reddie, benverly, stenbrough, pair up!"

everyone readjusted their chairs. jack and finn sat from across each other, while jeremy and sophia sat across from each other, and finally, wyatt and jaeden sat across from each other. chosen was going to be sitting this round out, then switching out with someone the next round.

"don't look at your partner yet! i want you to look into your partners eyes when i say go! it may be awkward at first, but that's okay. just try to stay comfortable, make it feel natural. notice the sparkles in their eyes, i don't know." benjamin laughed, the others joining in. by then, their parents started shuffling into the room, talking among themselves.

"go!"

the pairs immediately turned their heads and looked at each other, and they all instantly broke out into giggles.

"that's okay, folks! keep focusing on the other persons eyes! jack— what colour are finn's eyes!"

"well, they seem like a light brown because of the sun shining in here— but they're actually a bit darker. almost like the colour of,"

he paused for a moment, trying to think of a fitting term, "chocolate cake!" finn started to laugh, seeing the excitement flash across jack's face. "or maybe like, devil's food cake. is that what it's called?"

"alright, i think you've done your studying." benjamin teased, and jack immediately went red as everyone started to chuckle. he went down the line asking the teens questions about the other person's eyes, or eyelashes, or even how they felt.

when benjamin got to finn, and asked him to describe how he felt looking into jack's eyes, finn softly told him he felt safe. like he had finally come home after a long, stressful day.

jack felt his heart speed up as finn uttered those words.

"alright," benjamin said gently after the exercise was complete. "for the next part, i want you to look at your partner and make a simple observation about their behaviour towards you. like, 'you look unhappy with me right now.' your partner will reply to you, saying something in response to your statement such as 'i'm not unhappy with you right now!'. you will repeat that statement back until you feel you have to change it. don't stop talking, don't stop to think. just keep repeating until your emotions get more and more intense. it may sound confusing, but i'll guide you."

finn and jack volunteered to go first, of course. they bounced up to stand next to benjamin, facing each other.

"you look happy to be with me right now," jack commented, grinning.

"i am happy to be with you right now."

"you are happy to be with me right now?"

"i am happy to be with you right now, jack!"

"you're extremely happy to be with me right now?!"

"i am extremely, over the moon, beyond happy to be with you in this moment!"

at this point, the two started to break out in a fit of laughter.

"perfect!" benjamin clapped. "although, if you hadn't caught a case of the giggles, you could've gone way further. keep trying! everyone else join in— chosen, join finn and jack!"

and small, funny exercises like that went on for the rest of the afternoon. the group laughed so hard they were almost convinced they would get abs, and jaeden and wyatt had barely thought about what happened earlier.

"one more exercise!" benjamin stopped the teens just as they were starting to wind down. "consider it homework. tonight, i want you to tell your partner what you like them about them. it can be one thing, or a million. as long as you do it!"

the lucky seven nodded and quickly said their goodbyes to benjamin, hugging him and thanking him. they exclaimed to their parents and andy and barbara about how much fun the day had been on the way out, and couldn't stop talking about it even in the van on their way to the restaurant they were going to. they decided to go play laser tag another time— it was already six at night, and the group was super tired.

they pulled up to a fairly expensive restaurant called piano piano restaurant, which served italian dishes. it was quite fancy, but the group decided to splurge a bit. or, well, their parents decided to splurge a bit.

the dinner was nice, but since everyone was sleepy, they weren't exactly hyper. finn and jack lazily played footsies under the table, and occasionally gave each other soft smiles as they ate their food. jack snuck sips of finn's sprite, (he regretted sticking with water,) causing finn to pretend to scold him, although he was grinning the entire time.

and on the ride home, jack fell asleep on finn's shoulder.

they seemed to be in their own little world. their five friends simply shook their head and smiled at the pair, in disbelief that two people could adore each other so much without realizing it.

☆゜*・:+* 。 *゜☆

☆゜*・:+* 。 *゜☆

i'm so excited for christmas dude anyone else

anyways, thanks for reading!

- courtney