The relationship I have with my friends was something more than anything that could be placed on the spectrum between love and friendship. As cliché as it was, I wouldn’t trade it for anything because of them, I find the will to keep going.

The most exciting time of the first semester was the annual school trip. It was a three days, two night trip up north to Catalpa to celebrate the end of term exams, and to signal in the new year. Aside from the trip to the popular location, it was also a chance for the students to meet up with their friends from different schools.

Rei impatiently tapped her pen as she waited for her friends to join her in Asher’s unit. Since they were too lazy to clear the snow from the roof, they relocated their meeting place to Asher’s.

“I’m not late am I?” Isaac asked as she closed the window. He threw his winter clothes onto the rack before picking them back up since Asher’s unit felt colder than the December air.

“First one to arrive after me. Where’re the others?”

“Del was about to head down but got called back in. Not sure about Diego and I think Ash had a date today?”

Isaac joined Rei as he angrily tapped his as he waited. Eventually Delancy and Diego arrived before they could indent the table but Asher was moments to late. The five friends sat around the table, eyeing the person to their right then to their left. Their hands where clasped and under their chin as tried to repress their smiles.

Eventually they caved in and spread out their schedules and brochures along with a map of the area. The important locations were already circled such as their accommodations and must see sights.

“Okay, but what about the hot springs?” Asher suggested.

Out of their three schools, Rei’s school started their trip early and thus only allowing them to overlap one out of the three days. They had already decided to spend the morning on the slopes and the afternoon in the town, they just didn’t know where in town.

“Ew, go on your own,” Delancy said. Her hands instinctively placed over the opposite shoulder.

“We can get souvenirs on our own so cross out the souvenir shops.”

“Can we at least go to one together? Do one of those lame matching charms?” Isaac asked.

“I want to,” Rei said.

“Then we can’t spend too long at the marketplace.” Without saying a word, the four friends stared at Delancy.

“What?” She said, raising her hands up in defense. “Fine, I promise but don’t blame me if you guys get attracted to everything too.”

“We already said we were going to tour the Winter Festival right?”

“Well, what else do you do at Catalpa? Plan murders?”

“Not funny Asher.”

“Sorry.”

“Don’t forget to buy your Secret Santa presents.”

“Okay, so are we done then?” Asher asked.

“Oh, and the night festival!” Delancy suddenly remembered.

“Yeah, we have to get a picture at the giant tree. It’s finally the five of us again,” said Rei as she looked at Diego.

Every year, they five along with their families would head up to Catalpa and the kids were recreate the first picture they had ever taken there but when Diego moved and the other’s family situation becoming more fragile, the trip stopped occurring. When the four who remained behind were old enough, they would always take a day trip but now, after three years, they could return to old times.

Asher was looking for a suitcase when he heard his parents in the kitchen. They were having one of their daily fights and Asher was going to ignore it as usual until he found out that it was going to involve his friends.

“Quentin! How could you lose that money?”

“It wasn’t that hard Beatrice. I just spend it on you or Asher.”

“Spend money on me? On Asher? When have you spent money on something other than paying off your stupid friend’s debt?”

“It’s my fault that he’s in such a place. I’m paying him back.”

“And what about us? Do you not see our empty fridge? Do you not see how much Asher has to wear because we can’t afford the money on heating? I’m already working overtime, why can’t you pick up another job?”

“We can just not send him on the trip. We haven’t paid yet.”

“Do you really think Asher’s going to understand? It’s been three years since the five of them have been together.”

“Then his friends? We can ask their families to pay. They’ll do it right?”

“Quentin!”

“What more do you want Beatrice? They’re already feeding him half of the time. Can’t they just cover the extra expense?”

“It’s three hundred more than I’d expected, maybe we can cut back on something else. Can’t you ask for a raise?”

“I already did.” Asher’s father was calming down a bit before he slammed his fist onto the table then to the wall.

We weren’t always like this. There was a time when my family could afford to live like Diego or Isaac’s. Back then I could also see my parents more often, everyday actually. But now, now I see them once every few days and when I do see them together, they would just fight. My will to keep the façade fades day by day. How can I continue to love my parents and keep my friendships when half of my time is spent mooching off of my friends?

Asher returned to his room and pulled out his secret stash of money. He had been saving up to buy himself the latest pair of basketball shoes so he could fit in with his team better but knew putting an end to the fight was more important.

He headed into the kitchen and threw the shoebox of money onto the table. His head and his heart ached when he saw how his parents were. He understood that they wanted the best for him if it meant their happiness and marriage, he didn’t need the best.

“I can pay for the trip. Please stop fighting, please,” Asher said. His voice was hoarse and it trembled when he spoke.

“Where did you get this money?” His father asked, counting the bills.

“I work after school helping out the janitors from time to time. Some of it is the food money. I know this is selfish for me to ask but please let me go on the trip. If it’s not enough, I’ll work some more until the deadline to pay. Just don’t ask my friends or anyone else.”

Asher left the shoebox of cash with his parents and headed back into his room. On his way to continue to pack, he tripped over his basketball shoes. He sat on the floor and looked at them. They were old, a bit too small, and breaking in places but they would do. He’s been waiting two, almost three years for a new pair and it could wait a bit longer.