A/N: And thus, the story truly begins.

Chapter 5: Family

Wyatt's expression morphed from intrigue to shock to amusement in a matter of seconds.

"I can't believe I missed this." His mouth went agape as he and the rest of the gang stopped crowding around Jonesy's phone. "How did I miss this?"

"You were DJing all night, remember?" Jen asked.

"Ah… Still, I can't believe I missed that. Did Heather and Tricia even see it coming?"

Nikki laughed with mischief as she glanced at the looping video of the incident on Jonesy's phone. "Nope. That's the beauty of it all. They made empty war threats, but—I don't care—it was definitely worth it."

Jonesy placed his phone on the table and threw an arm over her shoulders. "I'm proud of ya, babe. You did good last night."

"Yeah, I did well."

He shrugged his shoulders.

"So, Jen," Caitlin began, "how did things go with Nick last night?"

Everyone's eyes shifted to Jen.

Her pasty cheeks flushed with color. Caitlin's question caused her mind to latch onto his handsome face. "Things… things couldn't have been any better. He's such a great guy, and we totally clicked." She smiled. "Just think: If I hadn't tried to ask him out, I would probably be whining over it right now. I would have never known he liked me."

Caitlin grinned and sighed. He sounded like he could be The One—for Jen, of course—which led her to one question. "When's the second date?"

"You don't even know if there's going to be a second date."

Caitlin stared.

She caved. "He wants to take me to the bowling alley after work on Wednesday. Maybe I'll pretend to be bad at it so he can teach me." She giggled. "And maybe, just maybe, we'll have our first kiss."

Caitlin's heart melted. "Aww, that's lovely."

"And sappy. Ouch!" Jonesy earned himself a slap on the arm from Nikki.

"Ignore him, Jen," Nikki said. "Just know that we're all happy for you."

"Thanks, Nik."

As her friends entertained themselves with other highlights from Geoff's party, Caitlin couldn't help beaming. They all looked so happy, so content. She couldn't deny that she was both of those things either. She'd been watching them grow since last June, and she too bloomed in the process. And it was wonderful.

Her glistening, green eyes wandered away from her friends, looking at the food court beyond them. It was then that she noticed Sydni walking to a table not too far from the Big Squeeze. She looked like she was on the phone and Caitlin couldn't help looking on in curiosity.

"…I miss you, too. I just really hope I'll get to see you and Mickey soon," Sydni said to her friend on the other line. "Okay… Talk to you later." After hanging up, her eyes gleamed with tears. She pressed her hands against them, in hopes they wouldn't fall, but to no avail. They ran down anyway.

Caitlin's heart ripped in two as she watched her wipe her eyes. "You guys, we should go over there," she said, pointing to Sydni's table.

The gang's conversation ceased.

"And do what?" Jonesy asked with an eyebrow raised.

"And comfort Sydni. She's crying by herself." She sighed when the gang didn't reply. "Come on, she seemed really nice last night. The least we can do is see if she's alright."

"You've got a point," Jen said as she stood up. "Let's go, guys."

The six of them walked to Sydni's table, all taking seats around her.

Caitlin lightly touched her arm, asking, "What's wrong, Sydni?"

"It's nothing." She sniffled. "You guys shouldn't pretend like you're concerned about it. It doesn't matter."

"But we are concerned," Jen said. "Especially because you seemed fine last night."

She released a hesitant sigh. "I just… I really miss home—my friends, my family, my everything. I never though I'd miss them this much, but I just do." She wanted to stop there, fidgeting with her bracelet-clad wrist, but the gang looked like they wanted her to continue. "And I really don't know anybody here aside from you guys and Leshawna."

"So hang with us," Jude suggested with a grin on his face. "I don't mind havin' a new chick around."

The rest of the gang looked at each other in fascination, then agreement; Jude's spontaneous idea didn't sound so bad in their ears. (His spontaneity was frequently appreciated, anyway.)

"I'm not so sure about it," Sydni said. "You guys told me you've been tight for ages, and I don't want to get in the way of that."

"And you won't be in the way. Trust me, I felt the same way when I first came along," Caitlin said, "but once you really get to know everyone, you'll feel like you've known them your whole life. I know I feel that way."

Jonesy chuckled, saying, "Just think of us as a dysfunctional family."

Jude laughed, too. "Yeah, what he said, bra."

"So, what do you say?" Jen asked.

Her answer lingered on her lips. She didn't want to turn down their offer, because that would be stupid of her to do. They all seemed like such great people, which is what Leshawna told her on the phone last night (while "spilling the tea" with her). Leshawna had told her to keep them around, especially because "Nikki's pretty dope when you're on her good side."

Sydni opened her mouth at last. "I wouldn't mind hanging out with you guys for a while"—she smiled—"especially since you might not leave if I don't say so."

"Alright!" she heard Jude cheer.

"This kind of day deserves free lemon whips," Jonesy said, winking at Caitlin.

"Of course! Free lemon whips on me!" Caitlin said as the seven of them stood up.

More cheers, mainly from fist-bumping Jude and Jonesy, emerged.

As the gang got back to their table, Wyatt pulling up a chair for Sydni and the others taking their seats, Caitlin put her apron and lemon hat back on, ready to make the drinks for her friends. She couldn't help beaming at her friends and the new addition.

One year and another summer, here they were.

That was just how things were meant to be… Seventeen.

— from "Seventeen" by Marina and the Diamonds