"New Beginnings"
Ron stood at a distance looking at the house that had been a second home to him for most of his younger years. He had spent almost as much time there as he had in his own house. The orange glow of the sun setting was highlighting the sky behind the house. Ron watched quietly as he saw Eric ring the door bell. Kim answered the door bell and gave Eric a big hug. Ron heard Kim say goodbye to her parents and watched her get into Eric car and drive off. As Kim got into Eric's car, she felt somebody was watching her. She looked around and didn't see anyone.
Ron had been behind a tree a few doors down across the street. From the angle Kim was standing, she could not see Ron standing there behind the tree. As Ron stood there in watching, sadness enveloped him. A sole tear came down his left eye. Tomorrow morning was graduation. Kim and Eric were going to a pre-graduation party that one of the cheerleader's was throwing. Ron had been invited but he knew it was because of Kim. Kim had invited Ron to go with them but Ron declined. He felt like a third leg around Eric and Kim. He wished for the days of old when it was just him and KP.
With his hands deep in his pocket and his head down, Ron started home. When he got home, he started to pack. With the immense success of the naco, Bueno Nacho offered Ron a position at their main headquarters in Go City helping design new food products. Ron had been planning to attend Upperton University with Kim but the more Ron thought about it he was going there because Kim was going there. His grades and SAT score was just barely good enough to get him accepted to Upperton University. Ron had no idea what he would study there. He had given this a lot of thought the past month and talked about it with his parents. He had decided since Prom that taking the Bueno Nacho job offer was the right thing to do. Ron didn't end up going to prom. He ended up wandering the streets of Middleton alone. Ron had found out the day of Prom that Eric was also going to Upperton University and remembered Kim's reaction.
As Ron packed, his thoughts drifted toward Kim. He remembered his talks with Kim about how Kim dating Eric wouldn't affect their friendship. Kim promised they would remain tight. But whenever Ron went out with Kim and Eric, Ron always felt uncomfortable. He and Kim hadn't spent much quality one-on-one time together when Eric came into the picture. Kim noticed Ron was uncomfortable around Eric and she tried to reassure him. Kim has told him, he would find that someone special and Ron was always welcome to hang out with her and Eric. But, it didn't feel right to Ron. Ron promised his parents that he would take up Bueno Nacho's offer to pay for his culinary school in Go City while he worked.
Mr. and Mrs. Stoppable had been taking custody of the additional Naco royalty checks that Ron had continued to receive until his 21st birthday since the first royalty check fiasco. Ron was allowed to spend some of the money upon graduation. Ron had decided to buy a Eurorail pass and travel Europe, staying at Youth Hostels before he started his job in Go City. He was planning on traveling for 2 months. Ron's plane would take off just after graduation. He had been invited to Monique's graduation party but decided to skip it. Ron wanted to skip the ceremony but his parents insisted. When Ron got back from his trip, He would have 2 months to find a place to live in Go City and move before he had to report to work.
Ron didn't get much sleep that night. He was up most of the night writing letters to Kim and the Possible's. Ron hadn't told Kim of his decision. As far as Kim knew, Ron was still heading to Upperton University. Ron didn't know how to break it to Kim. The only person that knew what Ron as doing besides his parents was Felix. He asked Felix for advice before making his final decision. Felix wasn't too thrilled with Ron's decision but he understood where Ron was coming from. Felix supported Ron's decision and was even going to accompany Ron on the trip (Ron had offered to pay Felix's way) but a summer internship offer at the Middleton Space Center that could leave to a very good paying job for Felix had been offered at the last minute. Felix was going to turn it down and go with Ron to Europe but Ron knew what a great opportunity this was for Felix and talkedhim into accepting the internship. Writing the letters to Kim and the Possible's were the hardest things Ron's had to do up to this point in his life:
Dear Kim:
Writing this letter to you is the hardest thing I've ever had to do in my life. I wish I had the courage to have told this to you sooner and in person. Bueno Nacho offered me a Senior Chef position at the Bueno Nacho new products division at the Go City headquarters and I've accepted. But first, I will be leaving right after graduation to travel Europe for two months. I will then have two month to find a place to live and move to Go City before my new job starts. I promise we will talk after I get back from my trip. No matter what happens, you will always be my bestest friend, nobody could ever replace you in that role. You will always have a special place in my heart and will always remain in my thoughts. Take care of yourself KP and remember, "You can do anything."
Love your best friend forever,
Ron
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Drs P..:
Thank you for everything you have done for me. You always believed in me and I will never forget it. I've always considered you family and you were like a 2nd Mother and Father to me. After graduation, I will start a new chapter in my life away from Middleton. I will be back in a few months before I will be moving to Go City to start my new job as Senior Chef in Bueno Nacho's new products division. I promise to come by and visit before I leave for Go City. I wish you both the best in life.
Love,
Ron
Ron ended up writing a letter to Eric as well:
Dear Eric,
I hope you realize what a wonderful lady Kim is. She is one in a million and I hope you treat, cherish and take care of her like the treasure she is. If I hear you ever hurt her, you will answer to me!
Ron
Before the ceremony, Kim looked around for Ron but didn't see him. I wonder where Ron is? Everyone was seated in alphabetical order by last name for the reading of the graduates so Ron was near the back a few sections over. Kim was announced as valedictorian of the Class of 2005. As Kim gave her speech, a tear came to Ron's eye. Kim had been looking in the crowd of graduates but hadn't seen Ron. I wonder where Ron could be? As Ron's name was announced, Kim stood up and clapped and she watched Ron walk up the platform. There is Ron! Kim noticed Ron looked sad. Why does Ron look sad? He should be thrilled to be out of High School. Soon, Ron was no longer visible. I will find Ron and talk to him after the graduation cap toss. After the cap toss, Kim went immediately searching for Ronamongst all the students hugging, laughing, cryingand reminising. She couldn't find him anywhere. She ran into Felix. "Felix, have you seen Ron? I've been looking all over for him."
"I think he left already."
Ron left already? Just then Eric happened to find Kim. Eric hugged Kim but Kim was clearly distracted. "Kim, what's wrong?"
"Something's wrong with Ron. I have to find him and talk to him. I will give you a call after I talk to him and we can all go to Monique's party."
"Sounds good Kim."
Kim took off for Ron's house.
Ron had already packed and his luggage was already in the car. He left with his parents right after he threw his cap. They had just driven by Eric's house and Ron slid the envelope addressed to Eric under his front door. Then they drove by the Possible's and Ron slid two envelopes under Kim's front door. Mr. and Mrs. Stoppable drove Ron to the airport so he could catch his flight.