Chapter Twenty Nine

Everyone is already up and wearing their graduation gowns, caps and tassels as early as six in the morning. It was the day they were all waiting for since the first day of high school.

As Nina nervously descended down the stairs, she saw the rest of the gang already waiting down in the hall with their families. Fabian, her boyfriend, was chatting with a couple. The woman had flaming red hair and the man had dark hair just like Fabian's. She noticed that Fabian looked like the man from his eyes to the facial features.

As she approached the Rutter family, a squeal stopped her. A little girl was hiding behind Fabian and like her mother, she had flaming red hair. She looked about six years old to Nina. The girl clutched Fabian's gown like it was a lifeline.

Fabian, thankfully, saw Nina in his peripheral vision and motioned for her to come. Nina took a deep breath and headed towards him.

"Hey," Fabian gave Nina a one-arm hug when she was close.

"Hey," she smiled at Fabian.

"Mum, Dad," Fabian looked at the couple. "This is Nina." He looked back at Nina and introduced to her his family. "Nina these are my parents: Felicia and Derek Rutter."

"It's nice to meet you, Mr and Mrs. Rutter," Nina smiled warmly at them.

"Oh, please, dear," Derek Rutter smiled back at Nina. "Please call me Derek. Better yet, you can start calling me Dad." He gave off a light chuckle.

"Dad," Fabian turned red, embarrassed.

"Nina," Felicia Rutter grinned. "It's so nice finally meet you. Fabian has told me lots about you." Felicia offered Nina her hand and when she took it, Fabian's mother pulled her in for a warm hug.

"By the way, have you met little Darlene?" Felicia Rutter let go and looked down at the little girl.

"Hey there," Nina crouched down and smiled at the little girl. "You must be Darlene. Fabian told me all about you." Nina shot Fabian a look of sarcasm before turning to hug the little girl.

Darlene gave a toothy grin before squealing in delight.

"She's been excited to meet you ever since your grandmother started to stay with us." Mr. Rutter smiled.

"Where is Grams?" Nina looked around for her grandmother.

"She's already in your school gym," Felicia answered. "We figured she might be tired if she'd go here too. Don't worry, though. Danny's with her."

"Danny?" Nina haven't heard of the name.

"Darlene's twin," Fabian answered. "I never mentioned them, didn't I?"

"Nope," Nina giggled. "I guess, you want the attention all to yourself."

Fabian chuckled and pulled her into a hug. "Yes, I do."

The grandfather clock soon chimed as it was time for them to leave. It was already seven-thirty. Graduation was at eight.

"I guess we better get some seats in the gym," Mr. Rutter smiled before ushering his family out the house. "See you all later."

Fabian's hands, from Nina's shoulders, slipped down to Nina's waist as they walked together into the living room.

"I told you all that I'd be back for graduation," Fabian said as he reminisced his walk out nearly three weeks ago.

"Yeah," Mick grinned. "You did. What a dramatic exit that was."

"So, you all ready to graduate?" Nina changed the topic.

"No," Alfie groaned. "College would be horror."

"I'm sure it will," Patricia rolled her eyes.

"And, we're all gonna separate," Amber gushed.

"That's not true, Ambs," Nina smiled weakly at her best friend.

"C'mon, no need to euphemize," Jerome scoffed.

The scuffle got louder and louder. Everyone was surely nervous for graduation.

"Hey guys?" Fabian tried to keep the group quiet. "Guys!" No one can hear Fabian with the noise each one was making.

"PEOPLE!" Fabian shouted earning him everyone's attention. "House of Anubis, you all seem nervous."

"Well, it is graduation, Fabes," Joy rolled her eyes.

"It's not the end though," he grinned at Nina as he remembered Nancy's lines. "It's just the beginning."

"But, we are still going our separate ways," Amber frowned.

"So, why don't we promise to stay in contact?" Fabian grinned. "To have some kind of meetings every week or month?"

"Fabes, you're a genius!" Joy exclaimed. "Let's schedule! What about every Saturday?"

"That's too much, Joy," Mick rolled his eyes. "We have other social activities too."

"Fine," Joy sighed. "Every first Saturday of each month? Reserved for Anubis?"

Everyone mumbled their agreement.

"See, guys?" Fabian smiled. "Not so bad after all, huh?"

"Easy for you to say," Amber teased. "You're with Nina all the way."

Fabian glanced at Nina for help but she just laughed with Amber.

"Hello?" Trudy said from the door. "It's time to go onstage!"

Everyone headed towards the hall.

"You ready?" Fabian asked Nina who still seemed unsure and nervous.

"Yeah," she lied. "I totally lived this role." She reminded him of Nancy in their supposed play.

"Can we take a picture before we go?" Amber asked Trudy. "For memories' sake?"

"Sure, dear," Trudy took Amber's camera from her hands. "But we should hurry up."

Everyone stood in front of Trudy and smiled for the camera.

"Alright," Trudy said behind the camera. "One, Two, Three!"

As the camera flashed, everyone threw their caps in the air, everyone but Nina and Fabian who smiled at each other as caps flew in the air.

"Everything's gonna be okay," Fabian ignored Trudy scolding everyone else for throwing their caps. "Won't it?" He kissed the top of Nina's head.

"Yeah," Nina grinned. For the first time that day, she truly believed that it will. "I guess it will."

A/N: Epilogue is done and ready to be posted. I just need about A LOT of reviews just to see your support :) ;D Sorry if the ending is suck-ish :| The Epilogue is better (I think). It's about 3k words so it's really long. I'll post it soon (as I said, the more reviews, the better.) So guys, REVIEW! :)