Hello, hello my loves! This is Marie, otherwise known as Ski October, and I have a very special treat for all of you who've been waiting on Pulvis. The series is undergoing lots of changes and one of the major ones is Warren's role. In Karen's SH series, Warren is in the same grade as the others. In the movie, Karen and I both felt that Warren was older, probably a sophomore or junior. So for Pulvis's sake, Warren will be a grade ahead, meaning that when the series is released, Warren will not be in school with the others. But worry not - he will be a major character in the story!

Karen and I divvied up the workload for this little project, which will be three chapters total. This first part I wrote myself, Karen wrote part two, and we both wrote part three. We're not sure about a posting schedule yet, but these installments will probably be a week apart. But at least you all will have something to hold you over til Pulvis is ready(;

Now, without further ado, please enjoy part one!

DISCLAIMER: We own nothing but the plot; Jamie belongs to Karen.

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"Welcome, students, family and friends, faculty and staff, to the graduation ceremony of the class twenty-twelve."

Principal Powers' voice cut through the din of the stuffed gymnasium, effectively silencing the droning chatter. With a winning smile – the one she reserved for PTA meetings and school dances – she launched into the welcoming speech for the ceremony. A lot of people, surprisingly, were actually paying attention to it, too. I tried, but after a few well-rehearsed lines my interest waned.

The enormity of the situation was not lost on me – I was about to graduate. I'd leave high school behind and go out into the world. Unlike most of my classmates, I wouldn't go into the saving of the world business. Not yet, anyway. A few years of university sounded much more appealing. It was a bit daunting, moments away from being cast out into wide world on my own. Not really on my own, but I digress. Really, my only issue was that I wouldn't be spending as much time with Jamie after this summer.

A few weeks from now I'd be packing my things and moving out to Coral, the small beach town half an hour from Maxville. I was still going through with the paperwork and formalities, but I'd landed a nice apartment just steps from the beach. I'd also secured a job as a waiter for a popular seafood joint on the boardwalk. Things were changing rapidly, much the same way they had been for the past three years. It was surreal to think how much things had changed in so short a time.

All it had taken to set the ball rolling was one glance at Jamie. Aside from my mother, she was the most important person in my life. Much of the person I am now is owed to her – without Jamie I'd probably still be that angry punk kid who skulked through the hallways, wallowing in his own misery. I'm not saying she did all of that single-handedly, but she was a pretty big component of my turn-around. I caught her eye as I scanned the crowd; she was tucked in between Mom, the Strongholds, and the rest of our friends (all of whom were currently pinching and prodding each other). She smiled at me, and the pride and love that shone in the blue depths were enough to leave me breathless. With Jamie the novelty never wore off – every look, touch, kiss, smile was as exhilarating as the first.

A couple of speeches had been made by now and currently our valedictorian, Oliver Spence, was speaking. I didn't catch all of it – I wasn't much for speeches – but most of it was the usual clichéd spiel. Remember the experiences you've had and the friends you've made; apply your life skills; tip your waitress. Yes, he really said that. But we all laughed, because Oliver was the kind of guy who could make anything sound funny. Along with those words of wisdom were a few inside jokes from our years past, like The Great Flood (that bathroom was out of order for nearly two months) and the time the Mackenzie twins set loose a radioactive field mouse (best impromptu school holiday ever).

When his speech was over, Powers reclaimed the podium and spoke a few more words before beginning the procession. I watched as, one by one, the occupants of the entire first row were called up to the stage. Powers handed each of them their diploma and treated them to a firm hug. I watched them all come and go, these people I had known but not known for the past four years. Much of my time with other people had been spent behind my imaginary walls, hiding myself away from all the stares and whispers. That had, of course, not lasted long once my sophomore year got going. I wasn't sure if I had ever put any stock into the common belief that I'd turn out like my father, but I was never sure that I wouldn't, either. After helping save the school, it was nice to know where I stood – even better to know I was on the right path.

Something else that had come along after meeting Jamie and her lot was the renewal of my faith. I'd been raised a nondenominational Christian since I could understand what it meant, but after my dad fell to villainy and my mom and I were left alone to face the ridicule and mistrust of society, Super or otherwise, my belief in and relationship with God had all but crumbled. But after Jamie came into the picture, how could I not believe? How could I have any doubt when so wonderful and brilliant and caring a girl – nearly a woman, now – had blessed me with her love and respect? It was Jamie, too, who had gone with me to the church in the center of town, the one I used to attend with my parents. She was with me every step of the way as I slowly rebuilt the more deep-set pieces of my life.

"Chase Larsen."

It almost felt like the nine years of my life spent being angry and miserable hadn't even happened. Picturing my life before Jamie and my friends was hard for me to do now. But I knew it was real; the memories were tucked into the back of my mind for me to pull up and analyze when I couldn't sleep at night. I was no longer bitter, which was an immense relief; I could accept what had happened and be thankful that my life had turned out the way it had. I had my mother, I had Jamie – Will and my friends. I even had Steve and Josie, the former turning out to be, despite his thickness, a pretty good father to me.

"Rebecca McCloud."

My own father would never see real freedom again, and while I was sad to think of never having a real relationship with him, I realized it was better than the alternative. I hadn't visited him since before his last escape, when he had tried to hurt Jamie. That, in the end, was what hardened me toward him. He could have picked anyone else, any other hapless civilian, but because it was Jamie, I could never forgive him. With Steve, though, it wasn't bad. Whenever he took Will out to a ballgame or a camping trip, I was always invited to come along; I was expected to go, really. I'd always had my mom with me, loving and protecting and raising me on her own, but there were some things that, as a mother, she would never be able to do. Like "toss around the pigskin" while steaks grilled nearby (I was the only one who never burnt them, ironically). And so it was nice to have that kind of father-son relationship. Since I planned on marrying Jamie when the time was right, it didn't hurt to get used to being father and son anyway.

"Ryne Olsen."

My life had really come together, it seemed, just in time for me to become a real adult. I wondered what it would be like – having my own place, supporting myself. After the events of the past years it felt like I was finally being dealt a hand of normalcy. It was a relief, and as I watched my classmates rise to take their big first step, I was overwhelmed with emotion and anticipation. I would miss Sky High, though I'd never admit it to anyone but Jamie. I had changed here, my life had found its track here. Every moment spent at this school had been a key turning point in my life. Embarrassingly, I thought I might actually cry over it. But I was Warren Peace, and Warren Peace did not cry.

He smirked.

"Warren Peace."

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