AN: Oh my god guys this story is flying by so fast! This is the second last chapter, so it's almost done! Sorry this chapter took longer than most but I started my final year of university and things are already crazy! Graduation this chapter, enjoy!
Third Person's POV (I enjoyed this last time so I'm going for it again)
Today was the big day! The senior students of seven seas high were having their graduation ceremony. The ceremony was set to start at 2pm and the ship was about to dock so all the parents could attend the graduation. The attendance of the graduation was set to be fairly small, as it was hard to get large families to the ship.
"What time are we docking again?" Bailey asked as she finished straightening her hair.
"At noon so in about 10 minutes," Lily said from her spot on her bed.
The girls had been getting ready for the graduation ceremony. Bailey was especially nervous since she had to give the valedictorian speech.
Lily noticed Bailey fidgeting with her cue cards after she finished her hair.
"Hey calm down," Lily said taking one of her best friends by the hand. "Your speech will be amazing."
"Thanks," She said taking a few deep breaths. "Thanks for being the best roommate and best friend this year Lily."
"I'm so glad we've gotten even closer," Lily said giving Bailey a hug. "We better stay in touch next year."
"Absolutely," Bailey said starting to tear up. "I don't even know what I'm going to do without you."
"We will visit each other," Lily smiled as a tear fell from her eyes. "I promise, remember were not that far."
"Thank god," Bailey said laughing and wiping her tears away. "Look at us."
"We are the definition of sappy," Lily joked.
They sat on their beds and looked around their room now packed up in boxes. Neither girl could believe this was their last day on the ship.
"Let's go meet everyone else," Bailey said getting up. "I can't take this room being so empty."
"Same," Lily laughed as the girls made their way to the sky deck.
When the girls showed up Zack, Cody and the rest of the gang sat anxiously awaiting their family members to arrive. Most of the families had met before at parent's weekend last year so it was nice to get them all together again.
Tiffany and Woody's parents were the first to arrive, as well as Woody's younger sister. Tiffany's parents couldn't make it last time so they wanted a tour of the ship, as well as Woody's sister.
"Bro!" Daniel called as he raced towards his brother.
Daniel had grown a lot since he was last on the ship. Now 16 he got more mature and started looking a lot more like Travis.
"Hey," Travis greeted as he hugged his brother than his parents.
Jared and Tammy were great; both so excited to see everyone again. Jared kept telling everyone that he wanted Travis to play soccer while he was at Berkley, he was a sports nut.
"Is your stuff all packed honey?" Tammy asked.
"Yeah," Travis said putting his mother at ease.
"What are the chances I could grab a smoothie before this starts?" Daniel asked.
"Pretty good," Travis laughed after looking at his watch. "We will be back."
As soon as they walked away Nathan and Jenna walked onto the deck.
"Nate!" Lily smiled hugging her brother.
"Hey Lils," Nathan said kissing her cheek.
"Jenna I'm so glad you could come," Lily turned to hug her as well.
"Me too," She responded with a bright smile.
Lily led them over where they greeted everyone and she introduced Jenna to her friends. Soon after Bailey, Zack and Cody's parents all arrived. As the teens greeting their parents Nathan pulled his sister aside.
"Everything ok?" Lily asked since her brother looked a little somber.
"Yeah," He said smiling down on his not so little sister. "I just wanted to tell you that I'm proud of you."
"Nate," Lily warned knowing her brother was about to get emotional on her.
"Please," He asked desperately. "Dad would be so proud of you right now too. He was so excited for you to graduate high school. He would have been supportive with whatever you chose to do with your life, but he hoped you would follow him into law. You've worked so hard and how you're headed to Columbia."
Nathan paused for a moment shaking his head, wiping away a single tear. Lily stayed silent as tears began streaming down her cheeks.
"I know he'll be watching you today," Nathan continued. "But I just thought I'd relay all the things he's said to me over the years. You are a truly amazing, strong and intelligent young woman. You will do great things. And I will be with you every step of the way, just like Dad would have been."
"Thank you," Lily choked out as she wrapped her arms tightly around her brother's waist.
"I love you Lils," He smiled rubbing her back.
"I love you too," She said pulling back and drying her tears.
Zack turned away from his family and saw the heartwarming sight of his girlfriend and her brother in an embrace.
"Everything ok?" Zack asked Jenna as she looked on as well.
"Yeah," She smiled. "They're just talking about their Dad."
The siblings joined their significant others as if nothing happened.
"You ok?" Zack asked taking Lily's hand.
"Yeah," She said confidently.
They joined the rest of the group who was getting along great. Bailey had been introduced to the whole Martin clan, which she had been nervous about but it went great. Carey loved her to pieces and Kurt thought she was a great watch for Cody. Cody had already spent time with Baileys family last summer so it was no longer an nerve racking for him.
"Hi Carey!" Lily called as she went over to hug her.
Zack couldn't help but smile at how well his mom and girlfriend got along.
"Hi sweetie," Carey smile letting her go.
"This is my brother Nathan and his girlfriend Jenna," Lily said stepping aside.
"Carey Martin," Carey smiled shaking their hands.
"Nice to meet you Carey," Nathan smiled. "I've heard so much."
Zack pulled Lily away leaving her brother with his mom.
"Dad and Andrea are around here somewhere," Zack said leading her through the crowd of people.
Along the way Lily greeted Bailey parents Deborah and Bill, she loved them because they had the stereotypical southern warmth about them.
"Hey Dad," Zack said once he finally found them.
"Hey bud," Kurt turned around and smiled when he saw Lily. "Lily, Kurt Martin nice to finally meet you."
"You as well," Lily beamed as she shook his hand then Andrea's. "You must be Andrea, congratulations on the wedding and the baby."
"Thank you," Andrea smiled resting her hands on her growing stomach. "I'm sorry we took Zack away from you on your birthday."
"No problem," Lily said casually, as if Zack had missed Arbor Day.
"You probably need a break from him once in awhile anyway," Kurt joked.
"I dunno," Lily smirked looking up at Zack and wrapping an arm around his waist. "I think I'll keep him around."
"That's good to hear," Kurt smiled. "Since you'll both be going to New York next year."
"Where are you studying Lily?" Andrea asked.
"I'll be at Columbia studying law," She explained.
"That's very impressive," Kurt said then mouth "Atta boy" to his son when Lily looked away.
"Family business," Lily laughed. "I'll try and keep this one on his toes while he's at NYU."
"Wouldn't have it any other way," Zack smiled kissing his girlfriends temple.
Kurt couldn't help but smile at his sons, they had both grown up to be wonderful men. He was unsure about Zack and how he would do in school but he turned around and Kurt couldn't be more proud. It pleased him that they both found amazing women to balance them out. Although he didn't know what they future would bring he just wanted his sons to be happy
"Would all graduating students come to the ballroom and all guests please take your seats." Mr. Moseby's voice called over the PA system.
"Showtime," Zack laughed as he waved goodbye to his Dad and Andrea.
All the students proceeded to the ballroom and put on their black graduation gowns and hats.
"Alright everyone we're going to line up in alphabetical order," Miss Tutweiller said.
She called out names and made sure everyone was in the right order. Thankfully Lily and Bailey were next to each other so she could keep her calm before her speech.
They began to file out and everyone got butterflies in their stomach. All the parents were standing as they entered to the graduation march song. They all took their seats as Miss T went up to the podium.
"Good afternoon everyone," She smiled. "Parents and relatives I would like to welcome you to the S.S Tipton. These students have worked very hard over the years and I have had the pleasure of teaching them and watching them grow."
Miss T starting getting a little misty but continued her speech. There were several speechs including one from a previous graduate of the school and Mr. Tipton himself.
"And now," Miss Tutweiller smiled. "I would like to call up the class of 2016's valedictorian Bailey Pickett."
Every applauded as Bailey took a deep breath and walked up to the podium. She set her speech down and looked out at the audience and smiled.
"Parents, family, fellow graduates," She began, trying to keep calm. "I am honored to stand here before you today, representing my graduating class. As I look into the audience I see all the emotions I myself have been feeling the past week. Happiness, sadness, nervousness, fear and confusion."
Everyone laughed and she paused for a moment before continuing.
"With graduation comes the end of one chapter of our lives, which is pretty crazy. All the emotions that were feeling are justified, were about to go out into the world to find ourselves. But no matter what we do after this, or where we go there will be some part of this experience that will stick with us. It could be a skill you learned, someone you met or wisdom of the adults around you. I for one am excited to see what this graduating class accomplishes, because I believe we have a lot of unique things to offer. So as we all prepare to go on a new adventures and start this new chapter I'd like to give you one last piece of advice. If we have learned anything from coming to school on a cruise ship, it's don't be afraid to try something new, even if it's different or scary. You never know, it could lead you to great experiences, Thank you."
Everyone applauded and the entire grad class gave Bailey a standing ovation as she went back to her seat.
"Thank you Bailey," Miss T said once she went back to the podium. "Now we will be handing out the diplomas."
The students got up and took their place in line at the side of the stage. Miss T would announce the names, Moseby would give them the diploma then Miss T would move the tassel on their hat from left to right before the exited the stage.
"Woodrow Fink," Miss T called.
Everyone clapped and his dad yelled "yeah Woody!" in his low gruff voice.
His nerves getting to him as students started walking across the stage Zack turned around looking out at the audience. It settled him slightly to see his family all together. He caught Lily eye before heading up the stairs of the stage. She smiled at him and he winked back.
"Cody Martin," Miss T announced.
"Go get em bro," Zack teased patting Cody on the back.
Cody walked across the stage with ease and extreme pride on his face.
"Zack Martin."
Zack took a deep breath and walked towards Mr. Moseby. He grasped the diploma and looked out at his parents.
"Congratulations Zack," Moseby smiled shaking his hand.
"Thanks for everything Mr. Moseby," Zack said as he walked over to his teacher. He wasn't sure but it almost looked like Moseby was getting teary eyed.
Carey watched as her sons walk across the stage and let a few stay tears fall from her eyes. This was by far the proudest moment of her life.
Once Zack was back in his seat next to Cody he finally relaxed and watch the rest of his friend take the stage.
"Travis Miller."
Travis ran up the stairs to the stage and jumped up in excitement when he got his diploma.
"Lillian Parker."
Everyone clapped furiously and Zack couldn't help but smile. Lily took the stage with all the grace in the world. Zack wondered if it was because she used to be in pageants.
"Bailey Pickett,"
Bailey went back onto the stage smiling like it was the best day of her life. Everyone cheered and Cody let out a loud "Woo Hoo!" which made Zack laugh.
"and finally Tiffany Richards," Miss Tutweiller finished.
Tiffany took the stage almost in tears from being so excited. Once she made it back to her seat the entire grad class stood.
"Ladies and gentleman," Mr. Moseby said stepping up to the mic. "I give you the Seven Seas High graduating class of 2016."
Everyone burst into applause and all the graduates threw their hats into the air.
"You were amazing," Cody said catching his girlfriends as she threw herself into his arms.
"We did it!" She smiled brightly before kissing him full on the lips.
Everyone ran around getting pictures with friends and family in their graduation attire. Eventually things started to settle down the gang came to the realization that it was time to say goodbye.
"Guys I don't want this to be it," Bailey said tearing up as she looked around at her friends.
"It's not Bailey," Zack reassured.
"Yeah even if we don't see each other over the summer we will stay in touch," Cody explained wrapping an arm around her shoulder. "And once school starts we can visit each other."
Everyone nodded in agreement but deep down they were all still sad to say goodbye.
Just as Bailey reached out to hug her best friend, her mother and Carey came up to them.
"Now now none of that yet," Deborah said with a smile.
"What?" Bailey asked confused.
"We have a surprise for you all," Carey giggled.
"What is it!?" Woody yelled not being able to contain his excitement.
The gangs parents all made their way over with knowing smiles, it was clear to the teens that they were all in on this surprise.
"You're not saying goodbye just yet," Nathan laughed.
"Were all going to the Boston Tipton for a graduation party." They all said simultaneously.
"WHAT?!" The teens all reacted together.
Excitement broke out among the families.
"You all planned a huge graduation party?" Cody asked his parents in disbelief.
"We arranged it with everyone's families." Carey explained. "The manager of the Boston Tipton said we could have the space for free."
"So the plan is that everyone's family will be there for an afternoon graduation party and dinner," Kurt added. "Then once night falls us older folks retire and you guys go have fun."
"Oh my god this is going to be amazing," Zack exclaimed.
"When do we leave?" Lily asked her brother and she bounced with anticipation.
"In about…" He said looking at his watch. "An hour."
"So let's grab our bags and get going!" Travis yelled as the group of friends ran towards their rooms.
AN: TA DA! Graduation? Check! Next up is the final chapter, the graduation party. Review please love you loyal readers!