When a friend leaves to Florida, the feelings are mixed.

Part of you is like, “Thank God! My goldfish are safe!” The other part of you is like, “Oh my gosh. There are only like three of us here.”

But in all seriousness, friends leaving for Florida for a dance competition is a disease that plagues countless Royals every year.

Our friend Julianna Ortiz ’23 left for Florida a few days ago to fulfill her duties as dance team captain.

We are here to educate, inform, and raise awareness about the stages of a friend leaving to Florida.

Stage 1: Denial.

Julianna isn’t leaving. It’s a joke. We even tease her about it: “Good luck catching up on all of the APES homework you’re gonna miss!”

Heck, even when we were making posters for her to showcase at the dance team’s sendoff, we were mostly just focused on which embarrassing photos would be best. The notion of our friend leaving was no where in our minds.

‘Cause she’s not leaving.

Right?

Stage 2: Anger.

Goshdarnnit Julianna.

GOSH. FREAKING. DARN IT.

WE LOOK WEIRD. THERE IS ONLY FIVE OF US EATING LUNCH TOGETHER. YOU HAVE ONE JOB.

We are so angry. Fuming even. Guess what, Julianna? When you come home, you’re going to find your room to be decimated. Your precious boleros? ASHES. Your Jeep? IN A RIVER. The Richard Nixon Library? We can’t legally disclose.

Stage 3: Bargaining.

Isn’t nice it so nice that we don’t have to hear Julianna complaining about whatever leg pains she has?

And now that we think about it, five is so much of a cuter number.

It’s not that bad.

It could be worse.

It could be worse.

It could be worse.

Right?

Stage 4: Depression.

Julie.

Juuuuulllliiiieeee.

JJJJJJUUUUUUULLLLLIIIIEEEEEE.

….it’s getting dark.

Stage 5: Acceptance.

Julianna Ortiz? Oh you mean that girl who used to photobomb our group pictures?

Doesn’t she go to Mater Dei now?

We haven’t seen her in, gosh, almost, what has it been? Six days now?

We’re just kidding. We could never forget Julianna. No matter how hard we try.

We wish the Rosary Dance Team all the luck in Florida, and we are counting the days ’till they return.