CHAPTER 1: POMP AND CIRCUMSTANCE
Graduation had arrived for Charlie and the gang. Sally still had a couple of years to go, and Rerun was about to finish junior high. Everyone else was about to move on and start college. Charlie had improved his grades and even ended his grade school days as a B student, which was fine by him. Linus was co-valedictorian with Marcie. Most of the other kids did good, as well. Lucy barely made it with a D average. As bad as Lucy did in school, at least she completed it, unlike Tricia, who quit her junior year. She was working at a burger joint to help her father out with the income. She had spoken to Charlie and Linus till, but as far as Marcie went, the two of them hadn't spoken to each other since her quitting. Charlie had earned a scholarship to a culinary school to become a certified chef. Linus had other plans. He would wait until he turned 18 and he was going to give a big surprise to his parents and Lucy.
But as the day of graduation came, most of the kids were there, except for Lucy, who stayed home and would have her diploma delivered to her. She didn't want to deal with the kids anymore, plus she couldn't find a gown for her large frame. It was just as well as she might have had run-ins with Charlie or her brother, Linus. One thing was for certain; she was the farthest thing on either of their minds.
As the principal announced Marcie and Linus as the valedictorians, they both took the stage. Linus began, "Usually, I have something to say without much preparation. But, for once, this is one time that I have nothing to say. So I decided to have my best friend since we were kids, Charles Brown, say some words."
And Charlie took the stage and went towards the podium. He looked around the open football field filled with his friends and fellow graduates. After clearing his throat he began.
"I think about where I was years ago to where I am now. And I can honestly say, I never thought I would ever make it this far. For those who know me knew what my childhood was like. For years I suffered crippling depression and self-pity. What didn't help was that some of my fellow classmates added to that same depression. But I also had friends who truly cared about me, and it was them who helped me through. And with their love and help, my teenaged years was far less depressing. My self-pity had went away, and I began being more assertive. And now I can say that I made it. While my adulthood is just beginning, I can at least say I'm ready to deal with the world as a whole. I'm not afraid anymore and I still have my sanity.
"And this may be the case for all of you as it is for me. There were many others that had insecurities, whether it was wondering if that girl or boy liked you, if you could be successful at whatever you chose to do in life, if people were truly your friends. While I had a few detractors, I had more supporters. I may had not seen it as a kid, but as a teen, I started seeing it more and more that there were more people cheering me on than those that didn't. And I also learned to ignore the detractors and listen to those who have your back. For they are the ones who will stay with you through thick and thin. And while there will be disagreements, the true friends are the one who will compromise and even accept there will be differences of opinion sometimes. And as we enter into an uncertain world, I can take comfort in the fact that I have friends that care for me, and you will have friends that care for you. Not to mention family who also love you. So as you enter this world as adults, don't take your friends for granted, as they will be the ones who will have your back till the end. Thank you."
And everyone applauded Charlie, as he shook the principal's hand and hugged Linus and Marcie. Then he took his seat back in the crowd of the graduating class. Charlie was ready to take on the world as the kids threw their hats in the air after graduating from high school.
FOR THE NEXT CHAPTERS, WE SEE THE PEANUTS GANG AS THEY GO THROUGH LIFE