September

"September" is the first chapter of this saga known as Stay.

Overview
Introduction to world, characters, and the narrator - Dash Baxter. Dash details coming to his second day of his senior year of high school and provides a glimpse into his life and the lives of his friends.

Synopsis
September is the opening chapter to the long-running fanfiction, Stay. This chapter sets up the world in which the main character, Dash Baxter, lives. The opening scene details Dash waking up in the morning and texting his best friend, Kwan Young, before the second day of their senior year at Casper High. When he arrives at school, he meets up with his friends - including Kwan - and talk mostly revolves around the tryouts for the upcoming football seasons. Dash has the position of quarterback for the Casper High Ravens and attending the tryouts is a no brainer for him and for Kwan.

As the topic of conversation turns to Paulina Sanchez - Dash's on-off girlfriend - and her party that coming friday, Danny Fenton makes a brief appearance. He's seen across the parking lot getting out of his car. When he's noticed by Star Di Marco - Casper High student, cheerleader, and Paulina's best friend - she nudges Paulina and the latter makes a face at his presence. Paulina calls across the lot to him, easily insulting him, and Danny quickly disappears inside the school building.

When the conversation reverts back to talk of Paulina's party, Dash slips over to where Kwan is and the two talk quietly. It's here that Kwan's sexuality is first mentioned and it's discovered that he is gay. His parents are mentioned and it's briefly touched on that they've been struggling to come to terms with Kwan's sexuality.

As Dash is thinking about Kwan's parents and everything that's happened over the summer, Kwan tries to convince Dash to come with him to Paulina's party. Dash thinks over how boring the school year is going to be and realizes that he'll need the party to look forward to in order to get through the upcoming week and easily agrees to go to the party.

Story continuity

 * This is the first reference to Kwan's sexuality

Trivia

 * While not named after it, this chapter's "song" is Bulletproof Weeks by Matt Nathanson