245studios

[245studios]

Chapter three page five

Spencer asked “Happy birthday dude! Am I the first here?”

“Nope, sorry Arabella and Crimson beat you.” Yeah, suck it Spencer. I beat you. Better luck next year loser.

Spencer said “Damn." Not actually seeming that upset.

I asked “So what did you have planned for us?” and Salem said “I was thinking something chill, the pizza is in the oven right now so we eat that, have cake, open presents, then just end the night with a movie.”

“Sounds awesome.”

#cringe culture is dead #emokids

[245studios]

Chapter three page four

Today is Salem’s 18th birthday! We're waiting outside his house for him to let us in. While me and Crimson were waiting, I accidentally blurred out “It's bigger than I expected” and Crimson responded ”That's what she said.”

Salem opened the door and said “Hey guys! Sorry for the wait, I had to throw on a shirt. You two are here early.”

I said “Happy 18th birthday Salem! Where should I put your gift?”

“Thank you! Go ahead and put it on the kitchen table.”

It didn't take long for there to be another knock at the door.

#cringe culture is dead #emokids

[245studios]

Chapter three page 3

Salem told me all about his trip to the principal's office when he got back.

Salem’s dad was pretty upset. The first thing he said was “Salem, it's picture day!”

So Salem said “Exactly, I wore all my favorite clothes.”

Then, according to Salem, he said “Just change and go back and take your picture. I don't want everyone seeing my son dressed like a whore in the yearbook.”

Salem never actually went back to have his picture taken again, he wanted to make sure the one Spencer took was the only one so they had no choice but to put it in the yearbook.

#cringe culture is dead #emokids

[245studios]

Chapter three page 2

He stubbornly said “Take the picture first!”

To which she said, “No, I don't feel like getting fired today.”

Salem wasn't quitting so easy this time. He looked her dead in the eye and said “Then I'm not going anywhere”

The teacher sighed and left for a second. Yelling for another teacher named “GARY!”

Spencer immediately jumped over to get behind the camera and snap a picture of Salem. He managed to get back in line before the teachers came back.

The teacher I had never seen before, Gary, said “Salem, just stand up. Neither of us want to have to make you.”

And Salem stood up and walked away.

“Huh, that was easy. Next!”

#cringe culture is dead #emokids

[245studios]

Chapter three page one

Today was picture day! I tried my best to look good! It was only a second before the teacher behind the camera yelled “Next!”

Salem only sat down for a second before the teacher addressed him. She said “Salem.”

Salem, annoyed, responded “What?”

She told him “Go to the office and change”

#cringe culture is dead #emokids

[245studios]

Chapter two Page 10

For our next act in the talent show, please welcome the Emo KidS”

This was our first ever performance! I was so nervous, but I think they liked us!

#cringe culture is dead #emokids

[245studios]

Chapter two Page 9

Salem asked "You do?" Crimson answered "If we want the band to go somewhere we need to prioritize that."

Ezra added "Yeah, and if the relationship doesn't work out it'll create a lot of tension in the band, but if it does then they might use that to overpower the rest of us?"

Spencer said "Hold on a second-" but no one really let him talk

Salem interrupted saying "That's a pretty good idea Crimson, let's put it to a vote. If you want to ban dating, raise your hand."

When he looked at the results, Salem crossed his arms and said "That's a majority vote, no more dating within the band."

#cringe culture is dead #emokids

[245studios]

Chapter two Page 8

He had the audacity to say "Chill, I'm just joking." I responded "So not funny!"

"Uh. Maybe with the talent show coming up, we should establish some boundaries."

I asked "What do you mean?"

Ezra answered "Like no dating between band members. It could cause a lot of drama?" Salem said quickly after "Ezra you literally are the drama."

"I think it's a good suggestion."

#cringe culture is dead #emokids

[245studios]

Chapter two, Page seven

Ezra ended up falling on his ass. Then he said "This was a bad idea"

Crimson said "Really? I'm having fun." While Salem called out "Maybe you just suck at skating Ezra!"

I was really nervous about skating, I had never done it before. "Oh my gosh I'm going to fall!"

Spencer tried to reassure me, "It's okay, I got you." And I said "You promise? If you let me fall it's going to be so embarrassing. What if everyone sees up my dress?!"

And he thought it was soooo funny to leave me helpless and say "Oh. Maybe you should try skating alone for a little while."

#cringe culture is dead #emokids

[245studios]

Chapter two Page Six

Crimson and Salem actually started dancing, just out of ear shot. I could see them talking about something, but I wasn't sure what. I shifted my attention to Spencer, who was walking out on the dance floor. I joined to dance with him.

I awkwardly said “Thank you for asking me. To go with you, I mean.” He responded “Yeah, well, you deserve it. You're really sweet.” Thinking back he probably meant sweet as in cool, he's not the type to give super affectionate compliments like that. I think? But at the time I said “Enough to give you a cavity?” I probably sounded stupid but he played along, “Enough to give me 5 cavities. Your dress is very cute by the way.”

I blushed a little, I'm glad he noticed my dress, I spent all night working on it. So I said “Thank you! I modified it myself.”

The rest of the night was nice, but uneventful. So that's when Spencer came up with the idea to ditch the dance and go skateboarding in the parking lot.

Turns out Ezra’s never skated before, because he was really struggling. He yelled out, “Where are the brakes on this thing?!,” and I thought he was kind of stupid. It's a skateboard, dude.

#cringe culture is dead #emokids

[245studios]

Chapter two, Page 5

Finally the night of the dance was here. I was so nervous!

Ezra was quick to complain, saying “These decorations are cheap.” Salem didn't mind joining in when he said “I can't believe my father made me wear this.”

Crimson tried to lighten the mood by saying “Thank you for your noble sacrifice, for the sake of the band.”

Salem winked at him and joked “Thank me with a dance instead.”

Crimson must have not understood that it was a joke, because he held his hand out to Salem and started walking towards the dance floor.

#cringe culture is dead #emokids

[245studios]

Chapter two, Page 4

Salem told me about his principal's visit when he got back.

“Hey dad”

“You've been dress-coded nearly every day you've come to school. Why do you insist on continuing to dress the way you do?”

“Because I look hot.”

“No- please never say that to me again. I brought you a change of clothes.”

“I'm not wearing it.”

“Wear it or you can't participate in the talent show.”

After a brief staring contest with the principal, Salem said “Fine, I'll change.”

#cringe culture is dead #emokids

[245studios]

Chapter two, Page three

“Honestly I want to stay at school today, I'm hoping someone is going to ask me to the homecoming dance.”

“Oh, you really actually want to go? To a school dance?”

Then I said “Yeah! With a boy, or a girl. I'm pretty open to both.” Surprisingly, Spencer spoke up right away. “Wanna go with me?” I couldn't help but blush, this was my first time being asked out by someone. I know Spencer was probably just being spontaneous, or nice, or funny. Maybe it was a joke, let me check.

“Are you being serious?”

He said “Yeah” which put my mind at ease. Now I am super excited for this dance! I have a date!

#cringe culture is dead #emokids

[245studios]

Chapter 2, Page 2

Crimson said “This is cool and all, but we still only have one original song.” and Spencer responded “Then we'll just play that one, they probably wouldn't have let us get away with two anyway.”

The excitement only lasted a little bit because then a teacher walked past and said “Salem, dress code, office.”

Salem stomped off with a loud “UGH”

Spencer was quick to bring the energy back though, when he said “We should do something to celebrate! Like skipping school and lighting fireworks!” but Ezra cut him off, saying “If we get in trouble they might take us out.” Spencer came back with a counter offer, “Fine, lighting fireworks inside the school.” Ezra, logically, said “That is not better.”

Spencer then said, “Final offer, let's all jump Ezra.” Ezra has to get that last word of course, saying “Tempting, but no thanks.”

#cringe culture is dead #emokids

[245studios]

Chapter two, Page one

Dear Diary, Next weekend was the big homecoming dance. More importantly though, the week after that was the talent show.

And we just made it in! Our first real show!

I couldn't help but squeal in excitement, sorry Crimson’s ears!

Salem said “Yes! Nepotism for the win!”

“I really thought there was no way we'd make it in.”

#emokids #cringe culture is dead

[245studios]

Page twelve

Salem looked Ezra up and down.

Then he said “Fine, you're forgiven. This time.”

That's all the time I have to write for today. So that is how we watched Crimson play in the marching band and almost kicked Ezra out of OUR band. Ttyl, Arabella.

#cringe culture is dead #emokids

[245studios]

Page eleven

Dear diary, sometimes I really wish all my friends would just get along. Spencer and Salem are mad at Ezra, and he doesn't seem to fully understand what he did wrong.

“You showed up hours late, after it was over.”

Ezra said “Come on guys… Arabella?” I know exactly why he picked me to try to get everyone to forgive him. That's what I usually do, because I just want everyone to be friends. I didn't really know how to defend him this time though.

Crimson said “It's okay, I really wasn't expecting anyone to show up. Let's not make a big deal out of this and just move on?” I'm really glad Crimson is so forgiving and spoke up, because I didn't like the way that talk was going.

“Yeah, I mean, if Crimson thinks so.”

Spencer says “Whatever.” Salem speaks up next though “I'm still pissed off.” I don't blame Salem for not immediately dropping it, Ezra did say something mean to him.

Ezra said “I'm sorry.” to Salem.

#cringe culture is dead #emokids