Shelby, Daisy, Juliette, Scott, and Auggie ran to each other, their graduation gowns flying open. They all embraced in a huge hug, waving their diplomas in the air.
"Can you believe it! We're done! Through with school!" Shelby exclaimed to her group of friends.
"That goes for you, Shel. I have to go to take a few business classes if I want to open my own art studio," Auggie said. Juliette kissed his cheek.
"Auggie, you can do it. If you take it in summer school, you won't have to go back!" she said.
"Thanks Jules." He looked around. "Can you believe it? Five years ago, and we were at Horizon. Five!"
"Yeah. Five years ago we were five screwed up kids. Now look at us. I wonder what Peter and Sophie would say if they saw us now," Scott said.
"I'd say we are extremely proud," a voice said behind them. They turned around in shock. There stood Peter and Sohpie, a little girl between them. "Oh my god! Peter!" Shelby exclaimed.
"Sophie!" Juliette said. There were hugs all around. "Who's this?"
"This is our daughter, Alexandra. She's four. Say hi, sweetie," Sophie said.
"Hiiii," the little girl said, hiding behind Sophie.
"She's so cute!" Shelby and Juliette exclaimed. Daisy just looked questioningly at Sophie.
"We adopted her after you guys graduated. She was seven months when we got her."
"Well, how about we go celebrate?" Peter said, and the group agreed.
"It was so weird! Jules and I got our acceptance letters the same day. And then, when we get to our dorm, we see Daisy. She had heard us talking about the school before she left, and decided to check it out. She liked it, so she applied and got in," Shelby explained.
"Yeah, and I went to a community college for a year and a half, and then applied. Scott helped me get my grades up," Auggie said. Scott didn't offer his explanation. Peter and Sohpie didn't need one. They knew he went because of Shelby.
"So, what did y'all major in?" Sophie asked, cutting up a hamburger for Alexandra.
"I majored in art studies and buisness," Auggie said proudly. "Actually, I have to go take a course in buisness first."
"I majored in youth education and psychology," Juliette said.
"Mortuary beautification," Daisy said. Peter and Sophie stared at her. "I'm kidding. Architecture and interior decorating."
"Computer sciences," Shelby said.
"Sport coaching and Algebra. So many coaches teach history. I figured I could break that stereotype and teach math instead, and I could coach football," Scott said. Peter smiled.
"Have you heard for Sydney or Ezra or Kat?" Sophie asked.
"Well, I got a letter from her last week. She's graduating next Thursday. I thought we could go down and surprise her," Juliette said.
"Good idea. Where did she go? What did she major in?"
"She's going to TCU down in Texas. She's studying film and theatre."
"And Ezra? Kat?"
"Ezra's in medical school in New York and Kat is in Florida with marine biology," Daisy said.
"I just can't believe it, you are all grown up!" Peter exclaimed. "What are y'all planning on doing?"
"Sydney, Auggie, and I are planning on rooming together in Texas," Juliette said.
"I'm hoping to go to California and hopefully I'll be hired as a football coach," Scott said.
"I don't really know yet," Shelby said. The others agreed.
"Well, do you want to stay in our apartment tonight, Sophie, and Alexandra, too?" SHelby offered. Daisy slapped her.
"She's married, Shel. You don't separate married couples!"
"No, thats okay. I'd like to play catch up. Is that okay, sweetie?" Sophie asked. Peter nodded. They got up and headed their opposite ways for the afternoon.
"Sure. I guess that means I'll be staying with Scott and Auggie?" The boys nodded.
"Wow, this place is sure impressive. I hope we can find our way around here!" Juliette said to Auggie. Auggie only nodded. The whole group was in awe of the huge city.
"Okay, go settle in your rooms and meet down here in an hour," Peter said. They were all on the 5th floor, except all spread apart. The ceremony would begin in 2 hours.
Sydney scanned the crowd as she walked out of the auditorium. She knew they were here. Who else had a scream that sounded like Juliette's or Scott's? Then suddenly, everyone came running up.
"Oh my gosh, you guys!" Sydney exclaimed, hugging everyone. She went back to the hotel with everyone and then took Juliette and Auggie to see the apartment she had been looking at. It was a 2 bedroom, 2 bath, with a living/dining room and kitchen.
"Oh, its so cute!" Juliette exclaimed.
"And look, there's even a balcony!" Sydney said. She waited while the other two looked around again. "Well, what do you think?"
"I like it. And there are two rooms, one for me and one for you two," Auggie said. He and Jules had talked and decided to not share a room. After they discussed the price, they left. They thought, spit 3-way, it was a reasonable price, plus Sydney's grandparents were going to chip in some of it.
***1 month later***
"Well, thats the last of it," Sydney said, setting down a box in their apartment. Auggie dragged it to his room.
"Now all we gotta do is unpack," Juliette said. Auggie rolled his eyes.
"Then we're not going to be able to sleep in here for another few weeks, knowing how much junk you two have. And we can't stay with Shelby and Daisy, we've long outstayed our welcome," he said. Juliette threw a pillow at him.
"It won't take that long, Auggie. If we set up the beds now, then we can sleep in here and set up tomorrow and stuff," Juliette offered. They agreed and began to set up the beds.
Auggie hung up the newly installed phone in his room. He looked around his room and frowned. He felt a sinking feeling in his stomach. At least I didn't unpack everything yet, he thought. Now how am I going to break it to Jules? Auggie heard the door open and Sydney and Juliette come in. He knew they must be back from rehearsal. Actually, Sydney was the one in rehearsals, but Juliette loved to watch. He took a deep breath and went into the hallway and greeted them.
"Hi Auggie!" Juliette said, kissing him. SHe looked into his eyes. "Auggie, whats wrong?" Auggie stared back at her and felt the sinking feeling turn into nervous pain.
What does Auggie have to tell Jules? Please review, and if I get at least 7 I'll post the next one. SOrry its kinda out of context with the "new kid" ones. I'll have more of those later.