Chapter Three: Class of 1997

Introduction: It won't be just Chris and Jill this time. Let's see what Claire has going on. As an FYI, Chris is 24, Jill is 23 and Claire is 18 at this point. I debated whether to have this take place in 1996 instead, but felt it was better for this to be a year before the first game. I've always wondered how Jill and Claire met, I would assume it was before the games.

Oh, and Chris has his hair the same as it was in RE5, I try to describe it as best as possible during the chapter.

Enjoy!

Thursday June 12th, 1997

1:37pm

The crowd roared as the school principal congratulated the class of 1997 on reaching this tremendous milestone in their young lives. The 300 or so students all cheered enthusiastically.

Claire Redfield cheered. She was finally out of high school and heading off to college. It wasn't quite official yet, but it would be soon. While she was a legal adult, she knew she had plenty of growing up to do, though she often thought she was the most mature person in her class.

"Claire!" Whispered the female next to her. She turned and looked at her friend Sharon, a pretty blonde who was as head strong and tom-boyish as she was.

"Yeah?" The young red head whispered back.

"Is that hottie brother of yours here?" Sharon asked grinning like a sap.

Claire rolled her eyes for a second at that remark. She knew how Sharon felt about Chris; she had a huge crush on him. Never mind that he was 24 and she was 18. She still couldn't believe that Sharon bugged Claire about her asking him to their Senior Prom. Thankfully, Chris was busy with his duties in Raccoon City and had more than enough on his plate.

"He is." Claire replied, she watched Sharon smile and try to stifle a giggle. God, this wasn't going to be easy. Turning away from Sharon, she scanned the massive crowd for Chris; she knew he was here and told her as much. He also said that he would bring someone along with him too. She wondered if it was his partner in S.T.A.R.S., Jill Valentine. She constantly teased him about having a female partner and always asked if he had asked her out yet. She smiled inwardly at the thought of Chris' face on the other side of the phone as she teased him.

"Do you think he'll ask me out?" The blonde asked her that question for what felt like the millionth time in the last four years. "You know, like a graduation gift?"

"I don't know." Claire said gritting her teeth; she so wanted to tell her to shut up about her brother. He was not interested in her and said as much before on the phone, but he was also too nice of a guy to hurt her feelings, plus it was illegal at the time. Now Sharon was 18 and felt she could finally date Chris. Claire knew it wasn't going to happen. Not now, not ever.

She kept looking out for Chris and wondered what Jill looked like. Was she as beautiful as Chris hinted at? Today, she was going to find out.

Chris sat in the bleachers and groaned. He didn't enjoy wearing suits, and he didn't enjoy wearing them in hot weather either. He dug his fingers into his collar and tried to loosen it a bit and also to get some air circulating through his clothes. He promised his sister to wear a suit during her graduation, and as he always, he kept his promises, even if it wasn't the most comfortable deal for him.

He instantly regretted buying a navy blue suit. Though he did have a white dress shirt underneath and was wearing a blue and black striped tie, he realized how he should have bought a white suit. But his partner told him he'd look like a pimp walking around like that.

He heard a small giggle from the person sitting on his right. He turned his head slightly and looked at Jill. His brunette partner with the short-bob hairstyle looked tremendous in her light blue sundress, he tried his best to not stare at her ample cleavage, which was on clear display because of the style. He couldn't help but notice the small amount of make-up she wore. From when they first met a few months ago in Raccoon City, he always found her beautiful. In his opinion, she didn't need make-up to accentuate her beauty. But it did highlight the perfection of her face.

"What's funny?" Chris asked, raising his brow ever so slightly, he could feel a small bead of sweat drip down the left side of his head. He opted to spike his hair a little and ruffle it up a bit; trying a different look rather than his usual slicked back style.

"The fact that you clearly hate wearing a suit." Jill once again tried not to giggle. She looked at Chris' expression and saw that he trying to hide his irritation at his current predicament. But she couldn't help but be mesmerized at how handsome and sophisticated he looked wearing a suit. She wondered after seeing him earlier this morning how he would look in a tuxedo.

"Yeah, well, get used to this, because I'm not wearing a suit again." Chris replied with mild annoyance. He pulled his green handkerchief out from his jacket pocket and wiped the sweat off his head. After folding it and placing it in his pocket again, he lifted the large bottle of water out and took a long swig. He relished the cold liquid going down his throat and left out a satisfied grunt. He turned his head to look at Jill again.

"Well, you know." Jill said placing an index finger on her chin as she thought about all the possibilities.

"Know what?" Chris asked slightly concerned.

"You have to remember that in August, we're moving part of the police department to the old Raccoon Museum, where that'll be our new headquarters." Jill said, she had smile form on her face at her next thought. Chris swallowed a small lump in his throat.

"Your point?" Chris asked furrowing his brow; he was growing concerned with what his friend and partner had in mind.

"It will be a formal affair." Jill said smiling. "So you better get used to wearing suits."

Chris nodded his head. Yeah, he figured he'd have to make sure he'd find a good rental place for his tux. But he had two months. He could wait.

"Oh!" Jill exclaimed. Chris turned his head and shot her a mild glare.

"What now?" Chris asked irritably. He loved being around Jill and had quickly learned to trust her with his life. But this was not a side of her he was used to yet.

"And don't forget the Policeman's ball during December." Jill grinned like the cheshire cat. "Formal wear."

Chris nodded his head again. He tried to fake a smile, but he knew Jill wouldn't have any of it. So, he chose to roll his eyes and just focus on the ceremony. He then felt Jill wrap her arm around his and he looked one more time and saw her smile.

"I'm glad you're a good sport about my teasing." Jill said with a hint of warmth towards him.

Chris finally smiled at the beauty wrapped around his arm. If it wasn't for the sport coat her wore, he could feel even more of her soft skin. The teasing didn't bother him, he did the same to her, but he also was friendly about it, never mean spirited.

"I've had practice with my sister." Chris said with mock indignation.

Jill smiled again and turned her head to watch the ceremony. She went wide-eyed at what she saw and pointed. "I think Claire's row is getting up."

Chris looked at where Jill was pointing and saw a row get up. He could make out Claire from the where he was. Even though Jill had yet to meet his little sister, she did see some photos of her. And Jill had a pretty good idea of who she was and what she looked like.

As the announcer was calling out each name; a large majority of the audience stood up and started to cheer some of the students. The pair could make out Claire getting closer to having her name announced and receiving her diploma.

After waiting a few more moments, Claire was the next person. Chris' excitement grew and his heart was beating. He noticed Jill pull out the camera from her handbag and was preparing to take several pictures.

The speakers bellowed with the name they had been looking forward too since they arrived.

"Claire Redfield!"

Chris and Jill stood up and yelled and cheered as loud as they could for Claire and they hoped that she could hear them from the stage.

"Yeah, Claire!" Chris yelled out and clapped.

"Way to go!" Jill exclaimed as she took pictures with the zoom function all the way. They could see Claire walking off the stage and carrying her diploma.

They saw her look in the direction of where the cheering for her was and a huge smile formed on her face. She smiled and gave a wave and continued to walk back to her seat.

"Sharon Thomas!"

Chris paused for a moment. It was Sharon. Suddenly, a pit grew in his stomach. He was not looking forward to dealing with her. But he knew at some point he had to settle this ridiculous crush she had on him.

Jill noticed how Chris' smile disappeared and she looked at him with concern. She gently nudged him.

"Is everything alright?" Jill asked.

Chris shook himself. "Yeah, I'm fine."

Jill knew better. It had to be something. She pressed on. "Is it that Sharon girl?"

Chris paused for a moment before responding; he sat back down and sighed before replying. "Yeah. I need to end this."

Jill sat next to him and nodded. "I understand. I just hope she realizes how nothing can come between you two."

Chris looked her in the eyes. "Yeah."

"Though she is 18 and not many girls her age are that mature." Jill said stoically.

Chris nodded again. He just hoped everything would be fine and his sister could help him settle this.

Claire sat back down and Sharon sat next to her. She was so happy, just a few moments from now she would be down with high school forever. And she saw her brother in the bleachers, and he was wearing a suit, and she saw someone she didn't recognize sitting next to him. She was a very pretty brunette and she was wearing a cute dress. Was that Jill?

She smiled and imagined how the introductions would go. As she was lost in thought, she noticed that the principal was speaking one more time.

"And now I give you the Class of 1997!"

The crowd cheered and all the students stood up and tossed their caps in the air. Claire stood up and cheered alongside Sharon. They turned to one another and embraced jumping up and down and pumping their fists into the air.

Soon, 'Pomp and Circumstance' was playing again and the mass of students started walking of the stands.

Claire and Sharon quickly followed. The moment she had been waiting for was now at hand. She'd finally meet Jill and tease her brother endlessly about her.

After a few minutes of fighting through the crowd, Chris and Jill managed to reach the center of the field. Chris and Claire talked about meeting their after the ceremony for pictures. Chris looked around for Claire, while Jill was making sure there was enough film in the camera.

"Do you see here?" Chris asked, despite the fact that he was 6'1", that didn't mean he could see over the sea of humanity. He looked at Jill and her 5'8" frame and she peered over shoulders and around people.

"No, not yet." She said.

Chris and Jill stayed where they were, making it easy for her.

"Chris!" Screamed a female voice.

Turning around, Chris saw Claire jogging through the crowd and approaching him.

"Claire!"

The two Redfield siblings jogged up to one another and Claire jumped into her brother's arms. They held each other in a tight embrace. Chris spun her around a little and they both laughed. Now matter how many times they drove each other crazy growing up or how much they argued or teased one another, they were still brother and sister and they always looked out for the other and loved one another deeply.

Setting her down. He looked at his younger sister and couldn't stop smiling. She was as beautiful as always and her cheery demeanor always brought a smile to his face.

"I'm proud of you." Chris said and then pecked her on the cheek.

Claire smiled and ran her hands through his hair. "Thanks."

She took a step back and gave him a once over. He kept his promise and wore a suit.

"I'm happy you kept your promise, Chris." Claire said beaming. "You know it means a lot."

Chris laughed a little and shrugged. " Hey, you know I always keep my promises."

Claire giggled and slipped her cap off. Running her hands through her red hair. She looked at Chris and then saw the person standing slightly behind his left.

"Is this Jill?" Claire asked turning to her brother.

Chris turned and saw Jill waiting patiently. She had a warm smile on her face as she and Claire made eye contact.

Chris nodded and nudged Claire over to Jill.

"Claire Redfield, I'd like you to meet Jill Valentine." Chris said. He looked at them both before continuing. "Jill, this is Claire, my sister."

Jill brought her hand out and Claire took it. They shook and smiled at the other.

"It's so nice to finally meet you." Jill said kindly.

"Same here." Claire said smiling. They let go of each other's hand and then shared a warm embrace.

"Congratulations." Jill said before pulling away. They held each other by the arms.

"Thank you." Claire replied. She couldn't believe how beautiful Jill was. "I've heard so much about you from Chris."

Jill turned her head and smirked at Chris. "Really?"

Claire nodded and also smirked at her brother. "Yeah." She winked at him as she spoke.

Chris grinned sheepishly and had a nervous laugh. He'd hear it later from both of them.

"You know what. Let's take some pictures." Chris said working to change the subject.

"Yes." Claire said, she motioned for her brother to stand next to her.

After getting ready, Jill took two pictures before switching with Chris and he took two of Jill and Claire. During all the picture taking, Chris thought of how lucky he was to have Jill in his life and having Claire as his sister, he felt blessed.

Chris looked around to find anyone who could take a picture of the three of them together. Suddenly he felt two arms wrap around his neck and he turned his head to see the person he least expected.

"Chris!" Sharon exclaimed with joy. "I'm so happy to see you!"

Chris swallowed and felt a few beads of sweat drip down his brow. "Uh, hi Sharon."

Sharon let Chris go and noticed Claire give her a stern look. What she least expected to see was a brunette standing alongside her friend.

"Who's this next to you Claire?" She looked at Chris and then gave the brunette a once over; she was gorgeous and looked incredibly fit. She instantly thought of he as his girlfriend.

"Sharon." Claire began. "This is Jill Valentine. Chris' girlfriend." She made sure to emphasize the last word, even if it wasn't quite true. Yet.

Jill gave a small wave, but quickly realized what Claire had said and looked at her with surprise. She peered over to see Chris' reaction.

Chris looked at his sister with his mouth slightly agape and he felt his cheeks warm up into a small blush. Claire smiled and turned to see Jill's reaction now, much to her joy, Jill was being a bit bashful and clearly was blushing too. She knew what she was doing to Sharon was wrong, but it was time to nip this in the bud before it could get out of hand.

"Girlfriend?" Sharon repeated, she pulled away from Chris and paused for a moment. "Girlfriend."

"I'm sorry Sharon." Chris replied saddened for the blonde girl. He didn't enjoy seeing people hurt, but it was part of life and he hoped she would understand.

Sharon sniffled and held back a few tears. After a beat, she slowly had a small smile formed. "Chris."

She looked up at him. "I'm happy for you." Chris' eyes went wide.

"Sharon?" Claire asked slightly confused.

"Claire," Sharon began, approaching her and taking her hand. "I understand why you didn't want me chasing your brother."

Claire looked at her friend and smiled softly. "Sharon."

The blonde smiled and looked at Jill. "It took me until this moment to figure it out."

Jill raised an eyebrow. Chris just stood with a confused expression.

"But clearly, Jill is more Chris' type." Sharon said.

Chris coughed and then scratched the back of his head for a second. Jill placed her hand on her chest and felt her heart beating rapidly.

Her and Chris together?

She dreamt of the possibilities. And wondered if how they dressed today made them look like a young married couple. She looked at Chris again and he made eye contact with her. For a brief moment, she felt a stronger connection to him.

"I'm sorry it had to be this way Sharon." Claire said. She embraced her friend and gave her a big hug.

"It's okay Claire." Sharon said as she returned the embrace. "Not all dreams come true."

As they pulled away, Sharon turned and looked at Chris and smiled. She offered her hand and motioned for the camera.

"I'll take a picture of the three of you." Sharon offered.

Chris nodded and handed her the camera. As the trio stood next to each other with Chris in the middle with his arms wrapped around his two girls, he felt better now, this day was even better and he was glad the Sharon deal was done with. But he also thought about how he and Jill had a different relationship now. He thought about how maybe he wasn't crazy about dreaming they could be a couple and fall in love.

After the last photo, Chris took a picture of Claire and Sharon. As Claire and Sharon were getting ready to meet up with friends and take group pictures, she turned to Chris and Jill and remembered she had to do something.

"I'll take your guys picture later." Claire smiled.

"We'll be waiting." Jill replied happily.

Claire nodded and started walking with Sharon. But both stopped when Chris called out to the blonde.

"Sharon!" Chris called out.

Sharon turned and looked at Chris.

"Take care of yourself. And good luck in whatever you do." Chris said with sincerity.

Sharon smiled and walked up to Chris. "Thanks. You take care also."

She reached up and wrapped her arms around him. Chris didn't hesitate and held her close. As they separated, Chris was happy that she was okay now.

After saying goodbye, Chris and Jill headed over to one of the trees for some shade. Suddenly, Chris didn't feel uncomfortable wearing a suit, he found himself straightening his tie and sport coat. He looked at Jill and watched as she pulled out her small mirror and checked her face and made sure her hair was alright.

Jill put her mirror back and looked at Chris. "What's up?"

Chris smiled and looked at his smiling partner and friend. "Nothing."

Jill raised an eyebrow and playfully punched him in the chest. "Uh huh."

"Seriously, it's nothing." Chris said again, but felt he should at least mention this. "I'm glad that Sharon took things well."

Jill nodded and gripped his hand and stroked her thumb over his knuckles. That's what she loved about Chris, underneath all of that tough guy exterior, was a heart of gold and a sweet person.

"It's okay, Chris." Jill replied softly. "You're a good person. And I'm sure she'll find her own Chris Redfield."

Chris noted Jill's words and her reaction afterwards. She had, what looked to him, a seductive look on her face.

Chris and Jill stood looking at each other and both were unsure of what to do next. Their private moment was broken when Claire spoke.

"Would you two like to be alone?" Claire said in a teasing voice. She merged her hands together and rested her chin against them. "Ah, young love."

Jill couldn't help but laugh and Chris shot his younger sister a glare. Oh, he'd get her back for that one.

"Claire, seriously." Chris said pretending to be upset. He knew the rest of their visit would be longer then he liked. Claire would tease him endlessly and Jill would join in.

"Oh, come on Chris." Claire said as she reached out for the camera Jill held. Taking it from her hands and moving a few steps back for the photo.

"Okay, you two lovebirds." Claire said. "Get comfy."

"Claire." Chris said again with mild irritation. "Do you want your graduation gift or not?"

"Chris." Jill said with a disapproving tone. "Be nice."

"Yeah, yeah." Chris said. "If she'll cut it out."

Claire nodded and knew when enough was enough, plus she wanted her gift later, so better to start playing nice now. "Okay, okay, I'll stop."

While Claire was getting ready, Jill straightened her dress out and helped Chris adjust his tie and sport coat a little more; as she placed her handbag against the tree, she thought about how right this felt. She wondered if their future would have moments like these. Getting ready for pictures and looking sophisticated and classy.

She wondered what their future held? She hoped Chris was thinking the same.

As Chris and Jill stepped close to one another, he couldn't help but wrap his arm around Jill's slim waist. He felt her wrap her arm around his side and they held each other close.

For some reason, this felt right to Chris. Maybe it was fate or destiny, he wasn't sure, but he knew one thing.

He'd definitely changed his mind about renting a tuxedo.

Next: 2005.