The usual disclaimers and that Mona is a creation of Betsy Haynes and all. So here starts the BSC's senior year...

The BSC Legacy – Book 4: Adolescence Passing

By: CNJ

PG-13

1: Finally...Seniors!

Mary Anne:

Oh, wow. I can't believe we're the oldest kids in school this year. Dawn and I met Mona and Claudia on the way to school, then Stacey joined us.

"God, I can't believe we're seniors this year," Mona told us.

"I know," Claudia added. Just then, a car horn sounded and Kristy drove up in the Junk Bucket that she'd inherited from her brother Sam.

"Heyyy, you all want a ride?" she called.

"Yeeaah..." We all piled in.

"We're the top dogs now!" Kristy crowed as we rode to school.

"We sure are," Claudia added.

"Hard to believe," Stacey put in.

"Just one more year," Dawn said. "And we'll be adults." I know; I couldn't believe we'll be old enough to vote next year!

Mona:

It was kind of strange seeing all these younger kids here. And to think that they'll be looking up to us as seniors, the oldest.

"Oh, God, guess who's my homeroom teacher!" Mary Anne squealed, her face lighting up.

"Who?" I asked.

"Ms. Fedders!"

"Oh, nice," I looked down at my schedule. "So do I. Hey, we're in the same homeroom again!"

I know Ms. Fedders is Mary Anne's favorite teacher. Ms. Fedders is also the chief advisor of the SHS newspaper, the Beacon, which Mary Anne is in. This year, Mary Anne's the head editor of the paper.

"Hey, you're with Ms. Fedders?" Kristy asked. "Hot damn! So am I! This is going to be great!"

"Hey, everyone!" Abby and Anna squirmed their way through the crowd and met us.

"Abby...Anna, our gals!" Kristy called, giving them a giant hug.

"Isn't it great that we're finally seniors?" Abby asked.

"Yeah..." we agreed. It was getting close to the bell, so we headed to our homerooms.

Kristy:

Caitlin Giotti, who was this year's senior class president, was in my English class this year.

"Hey, Caitlin, my buddy!" I called.

"Hey, Kris!" she called back.

We reached over and hugged, then sat next to each other. She looked great. I knew she'd spent the summer as a lifeguard at a New York City beach. She had a great tan to show for it as well as a NYC T-shirt. We talked until Ms. Ceratta came in.

She's one of the toughest teachers in this school and a lot of kids complain about her, but I don't mind her. You have to really study for her tests. One more year, I thought. I am going to study like crazy this year, so I can graduate and get out into the world next year.

It'll also be swell to have our former charges inherit the BSC and keep it running. I know parents need it as much as ever today. They'll be happy to hear about our plan to keep it going for many years to come even after my friends and I have long left Stoneybrook.

Mary Anne:

As I headed toward German class for third period, whenever I saw lost freshmen, it brought back memories of when I got lost freshman year. My heart went out to them. Don't worry, you'll survive, I silently tried to send a mind signal to them. I guess on lost girl did because she tentatively came up to me.

"E-xcuse me...can you tell me where Lit I is?" she asked in a soft voice, looking around nervously.

"Sure," I told her, giving her a reassuring smile. "Three doors down the left side, go around that corner, and it's not the first door, but the second," I directed. "Want me to show you?"

"Thanks, I think I got it."

She headed in that direction. I slowly walked toward German, making sure that she made it at least to the turn and I pointed in that direction. She nodded and headed there.

I headed to my own class. As I sat, I had a good feeling that things were going to be easier in many ways for this year's freshmen, because the IN clique is now defunct and won't be harassing kids anymore. I shuddered as I remembered how close they came to taking over SHS completely.

Mona:

As I headed to lunch, I met Mary Anne and on the way, we spotted Ms. Silverbein.

"Hiii..." we called, waving in her direction.

"Hello, girls." She smiled softly at us.

"How was your summer?" I asked.

"It was wonderful...a little sad, though." Ms. Silverbein ran a hand through her short salt-and-pepper hair. "My youngest went off to college. She went up to Maine. But earlier this summer, all three of my kids were with me and we went to Sweden." "That's great," Mary Anne said softly. "Hey, good luck to your daughter in college."

"Thank you," Ms. Silverbein continued down the hall. "I'll pass it on to her."

"She seems to be feeling better this year," Mary Anne told me.

"Better?" I asked, puzzled. "About what?"

"The Storm last spring."

"Oh, that, yes." I remembered that shoving incident last year that we nowcall the Storm.

Ms. Silverbein had felt so guilty, even thought it wasn't her fault. It had hurt her to see that even after she'd stood by in Operation Today's Good Youth, which Abby spearheaded, some kids from the In clique were still causing trouble.

Kristy had told us that she'd gotten a glimpse in her office after school the Monday after that incident and saw Ms. Silverbein break down and cry. We bought her a card and a paper which everyone but the suspended kids signed, just to let Ms. Silverbein know how much she'd done for us and how grateful we were for her heroic actions at that storm at that baseball game.

She'd dived in and along with some other teachers and Mr. Brooke, Burkeview High's principal, stopped the shoving and punching, saving a lot more kids from being hurt and prevented anyone from being seriously injured. I'm so glad the IN clique is now broken up.

Stacey:

I'm so glad we're seniors, I mused as I drove with my mom to the Buy N Bag after school. But at the same time, I'm a little sad because this is our last year in Stoneybrook.

We've already started training Becca Ramsey, Karen Brewer, Vanessa Pike and Charlotte Johanssen, who are now in middle school to fill in. We'll be getting more kids, mostly former charges to become the next generation of our club once we leave for college next year.

"Penny," Mom said softly.

"I'm not sure if it'll buy me a soda at McDonald's," I turned right toward the shopping center. "But here goes anyway...I was thinking about how happy and sad I am at the same time...that my friends and I are graduating this year, then sad that we're all growing up and leaving this."

"I understand, " Mom reached over and stroked my shoulder. "It's been such a joy to see you grow up, yet I often thin about how much I'll miss you when you leave for college."

We looked out at the beautiful early fall day. It was very clear and a few of the tress are starting to change. Even the remaining green is growing pale now. Our childhood is fading, I thought. I have the feeling this year is going to fly by.