It's the 2nd half of semester 1 and I still can't believe I'm a senior. I've taken over Savannah's role as section leader – big shoes to fill – but I'm doing my best for Leylani, Becca, Kayla, Hunter and Lucas. It's been tough but I've been getting through it but more importantly, last year's seniors kept their promise; at least a few of them have been to all the East High events and they're coming to the last show for this year's musical now.

I was walking to head down to the green room for the pre-show chat and guard of honour when I ran into Leylani – who was playing piano with me for the musical – and Noah, the bass player, the latter saying that Isla and the gang were here and they were going up to see them, which I tagged along to. A few of them came out: Isla, Macklin, Wren, Wilson, Ethan and Tanner, a friend of theirs from their grade. I hugged Isla, having not seen her for a few months and we all started chatting, but keeping an eye on the time, knowing we'd have to head back to the cast soon. After a few minutes, I see Mackenzie walking towards the group; I immediately run to her, giving her a tight hug. We message each other every other week but texting just isn't the same as actually seeing the person. We all talk for a bit before we head down to do our pre-show traditions before going into the theatre.

As we walk in, we see our friends jumping and waving and shouting from their seats which made us grin and do the same. When we were told to sit in our places by our conductor, I had a look around the band to see how much had changed in just a few months. Nathalie, Ashlyn, Rheese, Laytonn and I were still here but instead of the eight seniors from the previous year, we now had Megan, Leylani, Maison, Franky, Finley, Kyle, Matt, Mitchell, Sofia and Noah.

Just before we started the show, I leaned over and gave Leylani a hug. "Last show now, we're gonna smash it!"

Leylani smiled. "I wouldn't have survived this without you Kels, I'm gonna miss you next year."

"I wouldn't have survived without you too Lani and I'm gonna miss you heaps but I'll be back heaps, I promise."


When we finished the first act and intermission started, I snuck out to go see my friends. The cast wasn't supposed to because they're 'in character' but the band aren't technically characters so I went out anyway. I found Mackenzie and Tanner with a group of freshman and sophomores - Tanner had been on the soccer team and had coached the junior varsity team. I went over and hugged Mackenzie, apologising for stealing her away, knowing that their friend group didn't get to see each other as often as they were used to, but she waved it off, saying that it was soccer talk and she was glad for the interruption. We caught up for a bit – talking about school, college and life in general – before we headed up to where the rest of the audience was to find another graduate from two years ago, and I being like a lost little duckling, followed her.

When we got back to their group from the start of the evening, we were talking for a few minutes before I felt someone hug me. I turn to be faced with Savannah and grip her tightly. "Oh my gosh, Sav!"

"Hey Kels, last musical huh?"

I nodded and we spoke for the next half hour until I had to go back for the second act of the show. It got to the epilogue and I could feel the tears in my eyes, why did Ms Darbus have to pick such a sad musical? When we finally finished playing, I looked over at Ashlyn and saw the tears streaming down her face. When we got out of the band area and everyone put their music away, I walked to the junior. "Come here." I pulled her into a hug. "You're gonna make me cry Ash."

"I'm gonna miss you so much next year."

The statement broke my heart and I hugged her tighter. "I'm gonna miss you too Ash, heaps but I promise, I'll be back so often that you won't even know I'm gone. I want you to text me whenever you have something on, and I'll be back for it."

Leylani joined us and we walked down to the green room which was now packed with performers, teachers, family and previous students. As soon as we saw Savannah standing there, Leylani and I ran to her, tackling her in a hug. "Congrats guys." She said, handing us both a bouquet of flowers which made us happy because the band never get flowers, only the actors.

The gesture added to the emotional rollercoaster that was closing night made me cry and Savannah pulled me back into a hug, holding me until I calmed myself. "Thanks so much Sav, you didn't have to do this and I'm sorry for all the crying."

She brushed off the comment. "Anything for you gorgeous girl and don't stress, every senior cries on closing night, I would've been more surprised if you didn't."

I laughed slightly as we walked into the crowded room and Savannah – the ever-popular girl she was – had more people to talk to so we went our separate ways and I went to my friends? I've known most of these people since we were five and we've been a friend group for the past three years, but I've never had the connection to feel like I could properly call them my friends, not like with Savannah, Mackenzie, Isla and the rest of the gang. Seeing that I had been crying, Hope – my yearbook partner – hugged me and I accepted the embrace. I'm not a very huggy person, only with my band gang have I ever really been comfortable enough to share that sort of affection.

A few seconds later, Mackenzie came over, seeing that I'd been crying and I couldn't stop the tears again as I hugged her. I gripped her tightly – practically clinging to her – for a reason I'm still not yet able to decipher but she brought me comfort and I needed to be close to her. The tears were streaming down my face, so much so, Mackenzie had to lift my glasses and place them on my head. Once I'd calmed down, I looked up to one of my best friends. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to do that."

She shook her head. "It's understandable Kels, I cried last year on closing night too and besides, the closer you get to your senior musical, the more acceptable it is to cry."

I laughed slightly. "Yeah, I cried last year for you guys too. Thanks Kenz." After that, I stayed with Mackenzie until the presentation started and I had to do senior things.

At the end of the night, when it all settled, closing night was amazing. I got to spend it with an amazing new band plus my best friends from last years band too. I couldn't have asked for a better closing night for my senior musical. But above all that, I'm so grateful that they came back – just like they promised – and I'll forever be thankful to have them as my family – my friends for life.