When writing in past tense and using the word "next" as in "what will happen next", do I add the "next" right after "happen" if there are more words after that?
Also, is the word "as" being correctly used in the sentences below?

Ex. The excitement I had grew exponentially after that, as I wanted to know what would happen next to me and my friends.

vs

The excitement I had grew exponentially after that, as I wanted to know what would happen to me and my friends next.