"Alright ladies and germs! I got the champagne!" Trisha said in the limosine
Chuckie, Jus, Andre, Ari and Noora's jaws all dropped in shock.
"Alright Trisha, give me that!" Andre said "I know in Canada you can drink at 18, but this is america, you got to wait until 21 for that."
Trisha laughed hysterically. "This is alcohol-free, calm yourself Andre!"
She poured each of them a drink and they cheered to the occasion. What better way to enjoy the day of their graduation. Ari had paid for a limo, Chuckie was valedictorian, they'd even convinced the school let Angelica go to prom just to be with Jus.
The teens finally arrived, they stepped out like they were ready for the greatest day of their lives, and then Mr. Arakelian snapped a photo with the brightest light possible.
"Baba! What the hell?" Ari chuckled
"Oh I'm sorry. I forgot that I'm not supposed to be proud of my oldest son at his graduation!" Mr. Arakelian joked as he wrapped his arm around his son
"Ohhh! You look so handsome!" Kira said as she pinched Chuckie's cheeks
"Mom! Cut it out. We're in public!" Chuckie replied
His sisters laughed at how their mother was treating their brother, while Chas snapped some photos of the group.
Tommy ran to Chuckie, and gave him an envelope right before the ceremony started.
"What is this?" Chuckie asked
"Open it."
Chuckie shrugged and did so. It was tickets. To the young filmmakers of the world film festival. They were even nominated for their awards show for best film overall.
"Thanks to you Chuck. My dream is about to come true. You've always helped me and been my backbone for this fimmaking thing. I may be the brave one, but you have proven yourself as the strongest. Thanks bro."
Chuckie high-fived Tommy. "For you, a thousand times over.
The big moment finally came. They were finally gonna graduate. The ceremony began, and they all walked up to the stage and sat down. They began with some speeches from the principal, Vice-Principals, a few teachers, but the biggest moment, was Chuckie's valedictorian speech.
He walked up to the podium, clutching his gown just graduation gown just enough to not trip over it, and walked up to the podium (he got some laughs when the microphone wasn't able to reach his now 6"9 stature, having to bend down a bit a lose whatever professionalism he could've had.
He took a deep breath, and started his speech.
"Good morning friends, families, school and staff, and my fellow graduates. Before I begin my speech, I'd just like to thank all the people who have helped us reach this moment in life. I'd also like to thank all my peers, for selecting me of all people to represent all of us today. You know, its crazy, this whole thing right now. We all probably expected high school to be the 4 longest, and for some, toughest years of our lives. This experience has pretty much shaped all of us. You know, every birthday, I'm pretty all our moms and dads would say 'you are another year, another year wiser.' Well if I'm wiser, why do I still go to school? To get an education? I had this in a negative mentality for 2 and a half years, but then I tried treating each and everyday like a mini-vacation. I stil did the work and everything, but I stopped being concerned with negative things and looked at everything positively. Its crazy, no we are all grown up, I feel like shouting it out, but I'm on a microphone so I obviously don't need to. I feel like high school taught us more important things than the importance of an education and intelligence, it also taught us about how no matter how difficult something gets, no matter what it does to you, quitting is not an option. It ain't always gonna be sunshine and rainbows. Nothing is gonna hit harder than life, but its not how hard you can hit, its about how hard you can get hit, and keep moving forward! That's hoe a winner does it! And in the words of our friend, Nicole boscarelli, who would've been graduating with us today, Tough times don't last, but tough people do. A lot of us have probably had some really toughexperiences, but its over now! They are behind us, and now, we must look forward into the future! And as for all the good times we all had, don't cry because its over! Smile because it happened! Congrats my fellow graduates, its over! We finally did it, so lets celebrate!"
Everyone applauded and whistled. Chuckie bowed and the took his seat. Principal Pangborn got on the mic, and began calling down students to receive their diplomas.
"...
...
Bassem Arakelian"
Ari got up and took his diploma, then got on the mic.
"Thank you teachers, friends, we'll keep in touch, high school, kiss my-"
"That'll be it Mr. Arakelian!
...
...
Jasmeet Dillon"
Jus took his diploma, then startled Mr. Pangborn by thanking him in Morgan Freeman impression.
"Thanks to all the amazing people I met, and also to my aunt Mina! My biggest support!"
"...
Noora Fayed
...
Charles Finster"
Chuckie got up and walked to the podium, slightly tripping over his grad gown.
"I'm good!" he said
"...
Andre Garcia
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Trisha Ono
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
..." After all the students took their diplomas...
"Graduates, stand!"
All the graduates stood.
"Change the side of your tassels."
All the graduates did so.
"Congratulations La Canada High School Class of 2008!"
The entire class cheered, everyone hugging and congratulating each other.
"Mmmmm! This is awesome! This the most delicious meal I've ever had!" Ari said, as he helped himself to the prom meal of Steak, shrimp skewer, asparagus and mashed potatoes.
"Ari! Don't you at all realize the problem we have?" Asked Lil
Ari rolled his eyes.
"Look, Andre and Trisha will tell each other about their crushes when they are good and ready. They came here as friends already, progress is being made, you guys are rushing stuff!"
"He's right." Chuckie agreed "And me and Noora planned something to get them ready."
"And believe me, its gonna work." Noora added she then saw Jus and Angelica, who hadn't even realized Dinner had already been served, instead, they were making out in the corner of the auditorium. "Let's just not let them get THAT much tied up in love." she joked, pointing at the couple.
The D.J. called for Noora and Chuckie get on the stage to announce prom king and queen.
Ari froze up when he realized what was happening. He grabbed his friend and his girlfriend before they got onstage.
"You guys told everyone to vote them king and queen, didn't you. Dammit! I told you guys not to rush them!"
Noora rolled her eyes.
"Calm down Ari! I did this for a friend in the grade 8 dance back home in London and it worked perfectly." she replied, ad they got onstage.
"Alright! The votes are in for your prom king and queen!" Chuckie announced
"And they are..." Noora added, opening the envelope "Andre Garcia & Trisha Ono!"
Their jaws dropped in happiness, immediately closing their mouths and blushing after turning to each other.
They were handed their crowns and when the song, "hero" by Enrique Iglesias began playing, Chuckie pulled Andre aside before the spot light came on "Now is time, go dance with your queen, and tell her what should be known."
He pushed Andre to Trisha, and they began dancing. It was little bit awkward, as it was the first slow dance they'd ever had with anyone, but they tried their best not to look stupid.
They looked into each others eyes and knew they couldn't bottle up the emotion anymore.
"Can I tell you something?" they asked each other in unison
"Sure, you go first."
"No, you go"
"No, you,"
"Uggghh"
Andre spoke "Look, we'll say it at the same time, now-"
"I really like you as more than a friend!"
Their jaws dropped once more, and then, Trisha took control of the situation, and pressed her lips against Andre's. The kiss was one to last a lifetime of love.
The spotlight dance ended. The D.J. played one last slow song to end the night. And when Chuckie and Lil hard it, their hearts melted. It was Don't stop believing by Journey! Their song! They went onto the dance floor and just enjoyed the memory they had in this tune.
"What a night." Chuckie said
"I know, and what an awesome way for it to end." Lil replied "By the way, since I came to your prom, next year, will you come to mine?"
Chuckie shrugged "Maybe. But for now, I just wanna enjoy this awesome moment."
He then pulled her into a kiss of their own, bringing back the memory of their first kiss. The awesome date, the quiet, happy night. So peaceful and happy. Lil then rested her head on Chuckie's shoulder. He turned to Ari, who was doing the same for Noora, as was Jus for Angelica, and Andre for Trisha. The 4 boys looked at each other and winked. This moment beat every moment of happiness there could be. More than pulling an awesome prank at homecoming, more than scoring the game-winning basket in the championship and being awarded M.V.P. more than beating cancer and depression. This moment, was one they wanted to freeze forever. The best moment of their lives.
"Chuck, its after midnight, you have to go home." Ari said
"Yeah, Kimi just texted me. Your parents want you to go home now," Lil added
"ENOUGH!" he said, as he clutched the basketball in his hand "One more basket."
"Fine, but just one." Ari answered
Angelica took her phone out, hoping to record something amazing. As Chuckie went for the free throw line, he jumped and went for the slam dunk. He wanted this for too long. He kept remembering things he'd been told about persevering.
"Part of being a good person is having patience" - Jus
He took the leap
"Misery is no excuse to hurt yourself" -Kira
He lifted his body weight forward into the air
"Its not only abut how hard you can hit, its about how hard you can get hit, and keep moving forward."
He lifted the ball.
"Tough times don't last, but tough people do." - Nicole
He got close to the rim.
Chuckie's inner thoughts now spoke to him "Sorry life, but from this point on...
He reached his arm to the basket...
we play by my rules."
He slammed it in, and hung on to the rim, screaming in joy. He landed on the floor, laughing like a loon. He'd finally done it.
"AIR JORDAN!" he screamed
"To heck with air Jordan! Air Finster is where its at!" Ari said
"What do you mean?" Chuckie replied
"A jordan dunk is from the free throw line." said Jus
"So?"
Angelica showed Chuckie the video on her phone. He hadn't jumped from the free-throw line, he'd jumped all the way from the 3-point line! Farther than Michael Jordan ever did!
"So I guess this is your best night ever, huh?" asked Lil
Chuckie wrapped his arm around her.
"Nah, this was just an extra treat."
For the last time ever. They walked out of their high school. And for the first time ever, Chuckie's head was held high. There was a new Chuckie Finster in town, and this one was here to stay.
And thus ends the final chapter of The Fragility of the Human Heart. A story that was overdone, and somehow, was far more liked then I ever thought the people in this fandom would find it to be (not that I'm complaining.)
Thank you all for your support.
Thank you to Celrock, who has reviewed and helped me on every chapter of this story with her help and support.
Thank you to Jesse Barrow, for naming this story, the second best thing in the fandom for the year.
Thank you to Crocy 98, acosta perez jose ramiro (also, look at Jose's art on deviant art at jose ramiro, he is awesome), and Nairobi-Harper for the boosts of support you gave me.
Thank you to all of you who have favourited and followed. God bless you all. When I first started this story, I had finished the worst school year of my life and was in the dumps emotionally. The people I've met through this fandom, and just making this story and reading others have been such a big boost for me emotionally. Thank you so much!
Until my next store- Christian is out :)