Graduation is a time of celebration- a ceremony dedicated to moving on from the triumphs (and defeats) of youth and the transition into the world of true adulthood. In most people's eyes, it was a time where nerves of excitement could barely be contained as they prepare their gowns and letters to loved ones. That was most people. Emily was not most people, and that was utmost apparent as she shobbed into JJ's arms the night before the lengthy ceremony.
"Emily? Talk to me. What's going on, baby?" JJ said softly, placing a gentle kiss atop the brunette's head, her arms wrapped loosely around her girlfriend's body. A sob escaped Emily's mouth, a sniffle you could barely hear coming afterwords.
"I'm scared, jayje. I… what if we all forget eachother?" There was a lot of weight to Emily's question, causing the blonde to take a moment to ponder it. There was a very good chance they wouldn't keep in touch after they all left. They would go their separate ways, text all the time, but slowly the conversations would dwindle till they shriveled up completely until finally zilch. Zero. nothing. Strangers once again. JJ knew Emily and her were in the long run, but she had absolutely no expectations for anyone else in their group. Her friendship was too strained with Elle due to past circumstances, she wasn't very close with Derek or Penelope, the only person she would truly miss would be Spencer.
JJ knew very well Emily was in the exact same position as her. Spencer, her best friend for 2 years, would possibly forget her name within a year. They already had a hard time catching up and talking with Emily moved out of their dorm, and she already missed him with every bone in her body. Her first true best friend, her first person who truly cared for her, her friend that helped create an aura of family within their group, her first drive-in movie theatre buddy. She remembered very well the first time they had gone and seen a movie, it was one of her many fond memories with him. Overall, though, it was one of her favorite memories of her lifetime.
-
"Woah, wait, we get to see two movies?" Emily exclaimed, jumping up in her seat as she examined the billboard they were driving up infront of.
"Yes, we are seeing La Belle et la Bete and La Grande Illusion, two incredible french films! The latter is one of my favorites, in fact," her younger friend flashed a smile at the brunette before pulling up to the toll booth and pulling out his wallet to pay for the two of them.
Emily rolled her eyes, groaning sarcastically. "Why can't we see-"
"Emily, be quiet."
That night flew by, Emily watching the screen infront of them with wide eyes, absorbing every detail of the movies. Spencer was correct for once, the movies were quite incredible. However, it wasn't the movies that made the night special- it was their true bonding moment. During the boring parts the two of them would discuss the important aspects of their classes, life, the people they had met. Most of all, it was the night Emily had come out to Spencer. He obviously welcomed it with wide, supportive arms and reciprocated the fact from his own perspective. It caused her to laugh and pull him into a big hug, cherishing her new best friend.
Emily couldn't imagine her life without him now, perhaps they hadn't known eachother very long and it was quite unreasonable for her to be so attached to this boy, but she adored him (in a platonic way, of course.) and couldn't imagine a life without his intriguing random facts, his lists highlighting their plans, his skills at studying. The blonde ran slender fingers through the dark hair, humming softly as she let the brunette sob against her light colored t-shirt. "Emily," JJ began, taking her hand and tilting Emily's chin up so their eyes met. "I know it's scary, my love, and I don't have a right answer currently, but you're right. We may never talk to them. That would be awful, but Em, don't forget you don't have to know someone to cherish the memories you have with them."
At the thought of the memories she had with their entire group, Emily smiled softly up at her girlfriend. They certainly had their difficulties in the dynamic for a bit during the beginning of the year, sure, but despite this, Emily thought of their little group of misfits as the family she never had. Although they hadn't all been friends since the beginning, everyone that slowly came along fit in perfectly. Emily had fond memories with every single one of them- some more recent than others, perhaps. She had met Tara, Pen, and Derek one night at a frat party that the brunette had stumbled upon and was greeted with warm, friendly arms by the bubbly blonde. That night was full of laughter, smiles, and even a couple of deep conversations. It was the first time Emily realized she didn't have to be absolutely terrrified to make friends as she originally had been. They each had their flaws, but in Emily's eyes, they were perfect. Penelope was a friend you could turn to when you needed a hug or a laugh, Derek was the guy you went to when you needed to drink with, Spencer was the one who helped keep everyone on track and gave great advice, Tara was sweet and funny if you got her comfortable enough, Elle was.. Elle was sweet and always willing to listen, and JJ, fuck, JJ. It was different with her.
Emily sighed softly once again, burying her face back into JJ, her cries quieter now. "I know. I know.." a sniffle broke out from her nose. "I guess you're right, I just…" she hesitated for a moment, before a smile broke out on her face. "We'll just have to have the time of our lives at the after party tomorrow." She looked up, grinning at the blonde, who returned the smile casually. "It's always fun getting drunk off our asses with the guys." JJ shook her head although she wasn't genuinely annoyed, and pushed the girl to lay back on the bed so she could hold her in a better position. "You know I love you, right, Jayje? You'll always be my first choice, and I know we are lifelong, I'm not scared of losing you." The brunette said softly, wrapping a leg around JJ's waist.
JJ smiled, placing a kiss on the tip of Emily's ear. "I know, Emily. I'm not scared of losing
you either, I have faith in us. Now come on, let's go to bed." She leaned across her girlfriend to click off the lamp. A few moments passed before a soft, "Emilyyyyy," was heard throughout the room and a giggle broke out of the brunette's mouth. Even if tomorrow would be a day full of tears and loss, Emily could always count on teasing the blonde.
--
"Oh my god, we are doing it! We are.. Graduating, oh my god!" Penelope exlcaimed across the hall at her friends, causing a few mumbles around her telling her to be quiet. Emily wasn't sure if Pen was able to have an indoor voice and it was one of the many things she appreciated about the girl. Despite the brunette's nerves, she could count on Penelope to make light of the situation and cause everyone to be excited. Emily flashed her a smile with a thumbs up, sitting across from her about 10 rows away. The entire group was spread out throughout the hall, although Tara and Jareau were the closest since they were arranged in alphabetical order. Emily turned around to look for her girlfriend and finally her gaze was met with blue eyes and she immediately broke out into a smile.
The ceremony was about the begin, the hall beginning to quiet their talking as the President of their school walked onto the stage, Jason Gideon approached with a smile on his face. "Class of 2021." He sighed softly, rubbing his face as he scanned the crowd. "Resilient. Courageous. Hopeful. We have leaned on our instincts to guide each and every one of you within the last four years, and perhaps in some aspects we have not done so well." He smiled softly at a couple students. "But here you are, pursuing your dreams and succeeding through the defeats, embracing the triumphs and running with them." He cleared his throat, looking up at the families of the students. "Your families are so proud of you, I am proud of you. You should be proud of yourself. Life isn't an easy thing to get through, and maybe your life may become harder after you exit these doors, but I believe you will prosper once you are gone. There are things you won't want to happen but have to accept, things you don't want to know but will have to learn, and there are people you can't live without, but will have to live without." The finale of his quote hit Emily like a train, immediately jerking her gaze to the blonde who flashed her a sympathetic smile. She knew Gideon was right, but it didn't make it any easier to hear. "And with this, I introduce the class of 2021."
Emily's head was consumed with other thoughts as he began introducing and graduating each member of her class, barely hearing the words until "Penelope Garcia, graduating with a bachelor's in computer science and moving onto go into a career of cybersecurity." which caused her to rise from her seat as well as the rest of their group, breaking out into claps. She was so damn proud of her friend and it pained her that she didn't have a family to stand up and clap with them, so she did extra to make up for it. After awhile came, "Tara Lewis, graduating with a bachelor's in forensic pyschology, moving on to the FBI Academy." Once again, their entire group broke out into claps and whistles, alongside her brother and father in the back of the room. Emily sat back down, pondering her thoughts. It saddened her that she knew she didn't have a family here, and it was a tough pill to swallow.
"Jennifer Jareau, graduating with a bachelor's in Communications, moving on to being a Public Relations specialist." He grinned brightly up at JJ as she bounced up the stage, her gown falling behind her as he shifted her tassel to the other side, handing her the piece of paper symbolizing her graduation. Emily leaped up from her seat, immediately calling out, "Go JJ!" her family watched her excitement from behind, smiling at one another. They could tell Emily truly loved her and was genuinely excited for her. Although she hadn't been paying much attention before, she certainly was now as JJ skipped down the steps towards the seats on the side of the stage, scanning for her girlfriend who flashed her a big thumbs up. Someone next to Emily told her to sit back down and she did, but continued grinning.
A name was called out before finally, "Derek Morgan, graduating with a bachelor's in Law, moving onto the FBI Academy to become a SSA." Derek flexed at the crowd with a grin as he walked up the stage, briefly shaking the hand of the president infront of him. Being one of the more well-known students at the school, everyone was sad to see him leave but was excited for his bright future. Spencer stood up from next to his mother, clapping just as much as Derek's family. His excitement was recognized by the family, Fran wrapping a loose arm around the boy's frail shoulders.
Everyone in the group was lost in the excitement of everyone having graduated, they forgot about Emily's name had yet to be called. She stared at the floor as she waited, waited, waited until finally…"Emily Prentiss, graduating with an honorable degree in International Relations, moving onto a gap year before going to graduate school for International Relations, planning on moving into domestic security afterwards." Hearing her name be called made everything so real for her and she froze, staring up at everyone who was glancing at her and clapping. They hadn't completely forgotten about her, she realized, as she heard Penelope call out her name in excitement. With shaky hands, she rose from her seat and scanned the room as she approached the stage, her heart in her stomach. With each step, she felt like she was about to fall, or pass out. Finally, she reached the President and he switched her tassel, flashing her a smile. It was real, she was graduated. She was moving onto the real world. She looked at the group of families and JJ's family was clapping, as if she was their own. Tears fell down her cheeks as she made her way down the side, taking a seat, looking at her friends.
It was no longer a pipe dream, they had all graduated, they were all real adults moving on with their degrees to do their dream jobs. They were successful, they made it, even if they were leaving two of them behind. Derek reached across a couple of people to give her a fist bump and a wink, causing her to laugh out loud. It didn't feel real.
Her dark eyes went back to the crowd of people and even though she knew it wouldn't be true, she hoped she would catch a glimpse of her mother there, supporting her. Despite knowing the truth, she was still a bit disappointed when she didn't find her and swallowed her tongue. Of course her mother, her family wouldn't be there to aid her in this big life event. However, she knew she didn't need them, she had her family right here, graduating beside her. She looked across the students to reach JJ's gaze, smiling.
Her home was right here.
--
Emily walked with her friends for a moment before they seperated to greet their families, causing her to still as she watched students all around her be pulled into tight hugs, kisses on their foreheads, "I'm so proud of you!" comments being thrown everyone's way. Her grip on her degree tightened as she watched JJ leap into her mother's arms, burying her face in her chest. She was so happy that her girlfriend had such a great support system, but she couldn't help but crave it herself. Her gaze flickered back down the floor before suddenly, she felt a hand on her arm. "Emily." Her dark eyes flew up to meet Sandy's, who pulled her into a hug, similar to the one she gave her own daughter. "I know I have only known you for about 5 months, but I am so damn proud of you, Emily Prentiss." The brunette swallowed her tears and immediately hugged her back, swallowing her sobs.
The rest of JJ's family approached them, including her girlfriend who watched with a soft smile. She knew how hard this day was going to be for Emily with the aspects of leaving all of their friends behind but also because Emily had no one there to cheer her on. She knew her family would, and she loved them for that. "Alright, my turn," she cut in after a moment, and pulled her girlfriend into a hug. She wasn't afraid to display the affection she felt for Emily infront of her family, infront of her classmates, infront of her friends. She loved Emily and nothing would change how proud she was of her. "I'm so proud of you, Emmy," JJ leaned in to whisper in her girlfriend's ear, placing a soft kiss on her cheek.
The brunette pulled away, looking at the group of people, but most importantly at JJ. "I'm even more proud of you." this comment caused JJ to sarcastically roll her eyes, looping an arm around her shoulders. Emily could have sworn she heard a "if you don't shut up-" thrown her way from the girl, but her gaze wasn't focused on her girlfriend, but the older woman approaching them. Elizabeth Prentiss.
"Am I too late?" Emily froze, her grip on JJ's gown tightening as her jaw clenched. "My- um, my driver got lost on the way here.." the woman tried to smile at her daughter, but it faded as she noticed the glares being thrown her way by Sandy and JJ. The rest of the Jareaus' weren't sure of the stiuation, but could realize that something had occured between them and looked away to avoid any extra tension.
"Mother. What are you doing here?" Emily grimaced, releasing her hands. "You're about 5 months too late. I don't need you anymore. You… I don't need you." She stuttered, tears filling her eyes. "I have my own family now, I made my own family." Her group of friends approached from a side, their eyes immediately landing on the ambassador and scowling. Emily's confidence grew as she noted her friends and turned back to her mother, adjusting her own posture."Thank you for coming, but the ceremony is over. I made it without you or your support." Elizabeth swallowed heavily, folding her hands infront of her.
"I brought this for you. It was to be your gift whether or not you consider me your mother, or I consider you my daughter." She held out an envelope, dropping it in Emily's hands and scurrying away through the crowd. The action casued Emily to freeze once again, but she quickly adjusted and grabbed the envelope, shoving it into the bag on her back.
Everyone watched carefully, unsure of whether or not they should talk about what had just happened. Derek wrapped an arm around Spencer, the Jareaus' made conversations amongst themselves, and Sandy just watched Emily carefully. Although she wasn't sure if it morally correct to praise her for what she had done, she wanted to. She herself understood how hard it was to stand up to family. JJ stepped infront of Emily and pulled her into another hug, knowing that was exactly what she needed right now. "I love you, Emily." She said softly, pulling away to lead her away from the crowded hall and outside. Everyone followed after her in their group, and Emily smiled. She knew she didn't need her mother for sure, even if they didn't talk within a couple years, Emily knew she had her friends and that's all she needed.
--
"Do you remember when you slapped me because you were mad at me the first night we interacted?" Emily laughed, her face slightly flushed from the beer in her hand. It was the afterparty of their graduation in their friendgroup (although Elle and Spencer were invited, naturally.) Her question caused JJ, equally as drunk to roll her eyes.
"It was the first time anyone had ever stepped up for me! To be fair, you said I need a hero!" The blonde exclaimed, leaning over to punch her girlfriend lightly in the shoulder. They were confident enough in their relationship to tease one another about their past interactions, and even dicuss what had happened with Will.
"Only for you, baby," Emily teased, leaning forward to place a kiss on the blonde's cheek. Everyone else in the room groaned at the interaction, although they didn't mind seeing the two of them so happy with one another. If no one else deserved love in the world, the two of them certainly did. "Okay, but what about when Derek told Spencer it was protocol to have breakfast with everyone he kisses?" Emily turned to look at the jock, sticking her tongue out at him.
His face immediately turned bright red, shaking his head. "Listen! I was in denial, okay? I just wanted to spend more time with him." He rolled his eyes, throwing an arm around his boyfriend who was sat next to him, giggling. "What about when YOU took off your pants infront of us, and JJ blatantly checked you out, thinking no one else could tell." JJ's jaw dropped, although she quickly adjusted and tossed a glare at him.
""I was in denial, okay?"" She mocked him, jokingly. The entire conversation was lighthearted, the four of them making sure they didn't bring up anything too sensitive- just trying to tease one anther for their past actions. Emily cocked an eyebrow up at JJ for what he had said, biting her lip softly.
"Hey, at least you don't have to sneakingly check out my ass anymore." She grinned, JJ's face turning bright red.
"Ew, Emily what the fuck!" "Emily, shut up!" was exclaimed throughout the room, but especially by Derek and Penelope who glared at the two girls. No one was genuinely angry, but they didn't want to hear about their overly healthy sex life.
"Hmmm, Emily, what about when you tried to convince everyone YOU are the top?" Emily gasped, raising the beer to her mouth once again.
Derek leaned forward with a grin, "and no one believed you." The brunette grimaced, burying her face in her hands.
"I hate you guys!" She called out, standing up and staring at each and every one of them. Tara and Elle were lost in their own conversation,however Elle threw her a soft smile from the corner of the room, but there was a hint of a smirk so Emly knew she had been listening to the conversation. Penelope was decorating their graduation cookies at a table next to Derek, Spencer, JJ, and Emily. She adored every single one of them, even if they drove her crazy in plenty of different ways- she could never hate them truly. JJ pulled her back down the floor, climbing on top of her.
"You love us, dummy." Emily sighed softly, wrapping an arm around her waist.
"I guess so."
"You guys hear that! Emily Prentiss just said she loves us!" Derek called out, drawing the attention of everyone in the room. They all approached so they sat in a circle, smiling at one another. Deep down, they knew this was the last time they would be together but they would cherish the moment. They all adored one another in the best way possible, each of them adding something unique to the mixture.
"Well, I do." Emily huffed, leaning her chin on JJ's shoulder from behind. "I'm not embarrassed to admit it, like y'all are!" It scared Emily to be vulnerable with her emotions in the way that she was being, but she knew there was no reason to be scared with her best friends. She knew they loved her too, and they made it clear with everything they did. "Now, take a drink to finish off the celebration of me declaring my love! Yes, Spence that includes you." The younger boy shook his head softly, but grabbed his almost completely full beer and chugged it alongside with everyone else.
They all broke out into laughter as his face immediately turned bright red, including Derek who poked his side teasingly as he laughed. "Okay, lightweight. We gotta get you drinking more." Spencer grimaced at the thought, but finished off his drink.
"Did you know that statistically, it only takes approximately 6 minutes for-" Groans filled the room at his random fact, but they all appreciated it nonetheless. Sitting there as Emily watched her friends tease Spencer, it hit Emily again just how much she would miss all of them in her own ways. Perhaps it was the alcohol decieving her perspective, but her eyes filled with tears at thought of leaving them. That was too vulnerable for her, though, and she wiped her eyes off on JJ's shirt, who immediately looked back at her. She was about to make a comment calling her disgusting, but noticed her red eyes and clamped her lips. She would ask her about it later, and instead turned back to their friends.
Emily sighed softly, watching Elle and Derek make fun of Spencer for knowing so much information, Tara joining in on the teasing after a moment of adjusting to get comfortable, and JJ throwing her own comment in at one point. Spencer pretended to be miserable, but she could tell he thought it was funny and smiled at him from across the room. He smiled back, and Emily was content. She knew to cherish the memories with him, with all of them, and she knew she would be OK, even if she missed them like crazy every waking second. She loved them, and loved her memories with them. She took a picture of this moment in her brain, leaning against JJ and just listening to them conversate.
"What don't you kno-"
"Well, not much, considering I have a-"
"Spencer, that was rhetorical."