Chapter Fifteen: Graduation
Disclaimer: I don't own anyone or anything that I didn't make up.
A/N: This is the last chapter! I have enjoyed writing this story and I hope you have enjoyed reading them. This story is set about four years after the gang have graduated from high school, and have gone their separate ways. Slayer87 well done! That quote by Xander was "I'm 17, looking at linoleum makes me want to have sex". I too am a BtVS fan (more precisely a Xander fan but that's not important).
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"I wonder what the big announcement is." Alex asked, as he pulled up to the driveway of Goten's house. Juliana and Lil Tak shrugged.
"I don't know." Juliana said. "Maybe it's just an excuse for a get together. We haven't seen CJ since she moved to France. Marron just starting college and with Remy going to school in America, we haven't been seeing each other a lot since we graduated."
"There was that one Christmas though." Lil Tak pointed out.
"You mean the one where you got so drunk you ended up passing out?" Alex smirked.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah." Lil Tak said. The three of them walked up to the front door and were let in by a very bubbly Paresu.
"Hey! I've missed you guys so much! Please, come in!" Paresu chirped. The others smiled uneasily and walked into the living room. Already seated were Trunks, Goten, Marron, Remy and much to their surprise…
"Is it me or is CJ sitting in the same house as Paresu?" Alex whispered to Lil Tak. Lil Tak nodded in response. "So, why is there not police in between them? Did I miss something? Did the balance of the universe shift while I was out earning my Benz?"
"I think we've entered an alternate dimension. That's the only way to explain it." Lil Tak nodded. There was an uneasy silence.
"So you guys, what's the big news?" Remy asked.
"Um, okay, the news is that…" Goten started to say.
"Goten and I are getting married!" Paresu said. There was a brief pause of shock. "This is usually where everyone celebrates…" Everyone remembered where he or she was and got up hugging, shaking hands, or in CJ's case, smiling and nodding politely.
"Wow, I can't believe it! You guys are so young!" Juliana said.
"My brother got married young and he's really happy." Goten said, as he put his arm around Paresu. "And I'm sure that I'll be just as happy. And we want you all to come. Is that okay?" Everyone, including CJ, all said they would come.
"When's the date?" Trunks asked.
"In the summer, so we've got a long time to plan." Paresu answered. "I'm glad that we've all the chance to see each other again before the wedding though. We wanted to invite you guys personally."
"See, and you guys said we'd never see each other again." Remy said.
"When did we say that? I have no recollection of this moment." Lil Tak said.
"Yeah, we all know that Tak records all his voice conversations. He still doesn't trust the government you know." Alex joked. Lil Tak nervously laughed, as his eyes shifted from side to side.
"You did too! I remember!" Remy insisted.
"She's right, we did all say that." Marron agreed.
Flashback…Graduation Day…"Please stop crying!" Goten pleaded with Paresu.
"I can't believe it! I can't believe it's over! It's the end of an era!" Paresu wailed.
"For goodness sakes', it's the end of high school! Shouldn't we all be happy?!" Alex asked.
"Jules, you're the brains. I'll let you fill in on this one." Remy said, stepping aside.
"For the popular kids, athletes, cheerleaders, pretty people etc high school is the pinnacle of their existence." Juliana said. "You know the saying 'this is the best time of you life'? It only applies to us…erm, them. So, they don't want to leave it behind as they have already reached the best point in their lives."
"Yeah!" Paresu sniffed.
"So, what about the rest of us?" Lil Tak asked.
"We tend to peak later in life, which benefits us because that's when we can earn money and become successful." Remy said.
"So, you mean?" Alex eagerly awaited Remy to finish his sentence.
"Yes Alex, that Benz and that babe." Remy sighed. "You are so predictable."
"Predictable is good. Predictable is more than good. Predictable is that Benz and that babe." Alex grinned with his eyes closed as he rubbed his hands together evilly.
"Imagining it aren't you?" Goten asked.
"Hell yeah!"
"Hey guys. It's picture time." Trunks said, as he ran over to them. "I want a picture I can remember everyone by, in case we drift apart." Everyone paused slightly.
"Aww, that's so sweet!" All the girls cooed.
"Trunks, grow a pair! Be a man!" All the guys mocked.
"Okay, all I got was 'aww, grow a pair and be a sweet man'." Trunks said.
"Trunks, I never knew you were so sentimental." Marron said, looking at him. He smiled embarrassed.
"Can we do pictures later?" Juliana asked. "I'm not decent!" A flash went off.
"Action pictures are funny!" Remy said.
"When the hell did you get the camera out of my hand?" Trunks asked. Remy grinned.
"When I was in the Thieves Guild, I was taught how to…" Remy started to say.
"Okay, this split personality thing is kind of scary." Trunks interrupted.
"Yeah, how'd it come about?" Goten asked.
"When I was younger I used to have an obsession about Gambit. My dumbass brother thought I had an obsession of trying to be like Gambit so he always called me Remy, to get on my nerves even though I tried to tell him a million times that Gambit was a guy! Anyway, the name stuck and so did this personality defect." Remy explained.
"Tell me Remy, in your world what colour is the sky?" Lil Tak asked.
"It depends on the time of day Tak." Remy replied. "Right now, it's snack time so the sky is a deep purple."
"Ooh, I wanna get some food." Goten said, as he and Marron tagged along with Remy.
"Isn't that all you ever wanna do?" Alex asked.
"Rhetorical question?" Goten asked.
"Yeah…" Alex called after him. "Hey! Giving me that finger doesn't change the fact that you're stupid!"
"It's not fair, you guys are going to leave me behind." Marron said. She was walking through the playground with Remy and Goten.
"Don't worry. You'll only miss Trunks really." Remy joked, Marron blushed and Goten gasped.
"What do we live in, a soap?" Goten exclaimed. "All these secrets, dual identities, unrequited feelings and innuendoes are driving me insane!"
"Really?" Marron asked.
"Not really. I just thought someone ought to say something about it." Goten said. "So, you like Trunks?"
"Yeah…"
"Funny, I always thought you liked me." Goten said rubbing his chin mischievously.
"Shut up Goten!" Marron said, sticking her tongue out at him.
"Does he know how she feels?" Goten asked Remy.
"Not a clue." Remy said. "She doesn't want to wreck the friendship."
"Oh, that old china."
"Huh?"
"Too many old movies, sorry." Goten laughed. "I think you should tell him."
"I am not going to tell him until I am good and ready." Marron said.
"Wow, she's got a hell of lot more will power than us." Goten said.
"Kids these days, they're maturing so fast!" Remy said, as she and Goten pretended to cry. Marron just scowled at them.
"I will tell Trunks how I feel, but on my watch okay?" Marron snapped.
"Oooooooooooh!" Goten and Remy teased.
"I've got to go to class. Not all of us are graduating today." Marron said, as she walked off.
"So, how's life with you?" Goten asked.
"Pretty good. I got into the Arts and Theatre school I wanted." Remy replied.
"You're going to be an actor?"
"Actress Goten. But no, I'm thinking the behind the scenes is more my type. Writing, directing and drawing." Remy said. "So I'm gonna be making cartoons, shows or comics. I haven't decided yet."
"Well remember us when you're rich and famous."
"Of course I will!" Remy smiled. "What about you?"
"Well I always liked English Lit." Goten said. "I still really haven't decided what I'm going to do at College."
"You, Trunks and Paresu are going to the same one right?"
"Yeah. It's cool that I'm going to school with my best friend and my girlfriend." Goten grinned.
**I'm pretty damn sure that Trunks doesn't feel the same way**
Back to the present day…"Remember?" Remy said. Everyone cast his or her gaze downwards. "So, this is what it feels like to be right. I like it!"
"Okay, dinner is out in the back yard." Goten said, as he showed everyone to the yard. Goten, who had been studying as a chef, had prepared a barbeque.
"Yum!" Alex exclaimed. Everyone had their own plate, and proceeded to help themselves. CJ walked over to the salad section.
"Hi." A voice said from behind her. CJ turned around to see it was Paresu.
"Hello." CJ replied curtly.
"How's life?" Paresu asked. CJ gave her a weird look, and then tried to smile.
"Peachy."
"Look, I'll cut straight to the point."
"Good. I was hoping to do without this enthralling conversation."
"I want you to be one of my bridesmaids."
"Excuse me huh?!"
"I thought you'd be pleased." Paresu said.
"Maybe I wasn't surprised enough. The hell?!"
"Goten and I want you to be a big part of this wedding."
"Then I'll be one of his ushers or something." CJ said, rolling her eyes. "You're ballsy Paresu, I'll give you that."
"I'm being serious."
"No you're not. This ploy can only be the result of two things. One: Tak was right and we really are in an alternate dimension, which if we are I am sorely disappointed as to not having Will Freidle as a boyfriend. Or two: I'm the only person on the planet that can stop you from marrying Goten because of your dirty little secret. The audience is going with number two."
"Okay, I tried to be nice." Paresu said, pursing her lips together. "You can't tell Goten about what happened. It'll break his heart."
"Maybe, but Goten's a big boy. I'm sure he'd recover once he knows what you're really like."
"What I was like. There's a difference."
"Yeah, now that Goten's on your arm you don't see the need to be a bitch." CJ looked around and fortunately, everyone else was too preoccupied with eating and talking to notice them. "I think you're more worried about yourself than Goten."
"I love Goten."
"Do you?" CJ looked over at Goten and then Paresu. "I mean, do you really love him? Because if you do then I'm not going to ruin his happiness just because of something you did to me, I am not selfish. He really does love you for some reason the jury is still out on. And if you can look me in the eye, and tell me that you love him just as much, that you will never make him unhappy, and that my keeping my mouth shut will not be in vain, then yeah. I'll keep my mouth shut."
"I do love him. I want him to be as happy as I am." Paresu said.
"Good. That's what I needed to hear." CJ said, as she picked up her plate. "In case you're wondering, this doesn't make this even, as I'm doing this as a favour to Goten. If you make me regret not telling him, I swear to God, you will feel the full length of my wrath."
"I'm not scared of you little girl." Paresu said. CJ raised an eyebrow. "You may talk and act big, but everyone can see you're just a little whiny girl who didn't get her way. I got Goten, and you didn't. You've got to get over that."
"No, see that's where you're wrong. I don't have to get over anything because I never felt for Goten like he did for me." CJ said. "He is however one of my best and dearest friends. So fair warning to you Princess." Paresu looked at CJ as she joined everyone else at the table.
"Why can't she just stay out of my life?" Paresu sighed. "Everything was so much simpler when she was in Tokyo."
Flashback…After the graduation ceremony…"To us!" The graduates said, as they clinked their glasses of chocolate or vanilla milkshakes.
"We did it!" Alex grinned. "I am so much closer to that babe and that Benz."
"Hate to break it to you Al, but 'babe' types like Ferraris." Lil Tak said.
"Do not!" Alex said. "You're just trying to ruin my fantasy."
"Nope, he's right Alex." Goten nodded. "As Good Charlotte once said 'girls with the bodies like boys with Ferraris'."
"And you can't question rock from back in the day." Remy said.
"So, who says I want a body babe? I could want a babe with a personality."
"Yeah, yeah…" Juliana sighed. "I can't believe I didn't get best student!"
"I can." Trunks grinned, as he held up his best student trophy. "Let's face it, I'm just that much smarter than you." Juliana growled. "Ooh, fiesty."
"I can't believe it's actually over." Remy said.
"Yeah, we're never going to see each other again!" Marron said.
"Don't start getting all weepy…" Trunks said.
"Yeah, we don't wanna make Trunks cry." Lil Tak sniggered.
"Okay, you shut up. I didn't cry when Buffy the Vampire Slayer finished." Trunks said, as everyone else started laughing.
"I don't know, I think we'll keep in touch." Goten said. "I mean, we've known each other so long."
"Correction!" Remy and Alex said, raising their hands.
"Sorry, but you know what I mean." Goten said. "We've all been through a lot together."
"Again, correction!" Alex said. Goten rolled his eyes.
"You are adamant on making this difficult for me, aren't you?" Goten asked. Alex nodded.
"Ooh, adamant! Where'd you learn that word?" Remy asked.
"From a word a day calendar that…I got as a present." Goten said, casting his gaze downwards. Remy raised an eyebrow. "Okay, I'm getting in the second round. Anyone want?" Goten didn't give them time to answer as he already went up to the counter.
"Okay, I'll take the orders and pass them onto Goten." Trunks said. Everyone ordered a second of what they had before and Trunks joined Goten at the counter. "So, that was about…?"
"I was about to say that CJ gave me that calendar."
"I'm not seeing the point."
"Paresu would've gotten upset."
"Well, why? I mean, you guys have talked about CJ. And how you're just friends right?"
"Yeah, we have. But she still gets all huffy whenever I mention CJ. I can understand where she's coming from so I don't mention her." Goten said, getting the shakes.
"How'd you know what everyone wanted?" Trunks asked.
"I overheard you guys." Goten replied, heading to the table.
Back to the present day…After everyone had finished eating, CJ headed to the bathroom. When she came out Trunks was standing outside.
"You know, for someone who hates stalkers you sure are good at stalking." CJ said.
"Are you gonna let this happen?" Trunks asked.
"Lord, I thought we had already made peace about this."
"This is more serious than a high school relationship. This is marriage. Marriage is a binding contract."
"Maybe back in the middle ages, but there is such a thing as divorce Trunks."
"What if they have kids? Do you really want it to go that far?"
"Trunks, grasp the idea that they may have a happy marriage and live happily ever after. It's a real possibility."
"A marriage based on a lie?"
"A lie that has nothing to do with Goten. She does love him and he loves her just as much if not more." CJ sighed. "We are starting to sound like a broken record Trunks." Trunks sighed.
"Okay, you're right." Trunks said. "But just answer me one question and I will leave you alone."
"Fine."
"Do you love Goten?"
"…"
"Well?"
"I dunno."
"I need a yes or a no." Trunks said. "Look me in the eye and give me an answer. Then I will drop this." CJ looked away from Trunks. Whatever answer she gave, someone would end up getting hurt somewhere down the line. If she said no and Goten's marriage failed, she would feel responsible. If she said yes, she wouldn't be able to face Goten and Goten would know why and Trunks would never let up. She knew what she had to say. She had to do the non-selfish thing.
"No." CJ said.
"Alrighty." Trunks said. CJ walked off. Trunks sighed.
"You know, if you keep pushing her like that she's not going to talk to you anymore." Marron said.
"You heard?" Marron nodded. "I just don't want either of them to still be thinking 'what if' all their lives."
"Like you are about that Harley Quinn chick?" Trunks nodded. "I didn't realise that you were this into her. You guys only talked for a few hours."
"There was something there Mar. Something clicked. I just wish I could've developed that click." Trunks sighed sadly.
"You wouldn't care what she looked like under the mask? Or even who she was?"
"Nope." Trunks said.
"Well, that's good to know." Marron said. Trunks looked at her confused, and before he could register what she said Marron was kissing him. She backed off and went downstairs leaving a very dazed and confused Trunks.
"Okay…what just happened?" Trunks said. Then, his eyes widened in realisation. "How could I have been so Goten-esque?!"
Later that evening…Goten looked around at his friends and noticed how they had all changed. Trunks had gone from arrogant to very shy to just a little shy. Marron had grown up a lot and was not the little girl that Goten and Trunks used to play pranks on. Lil Tak, apart from not being so 'lil' anymore had become less paranoid and was very devoted to Juliana. Juliana had probably gone through the most changes, trying to find her status in the world and to escape her label of 'the brain'. Remy and Alex, although he had not known them since childhood, had pretty much remained the same. They were still both very quirky and not willing to change who they were, despite who they were were a couple of nutcases. Then, there was his fiancé. She had grown up so much, leaving her petty differences behind her and turned into a woman that he was sure he would love for the rest of his life. But then again, he had thought the same about CJ. Whenever he looked at her, he couldn't help but see a missed opportunity. No matter how much he loved Paresu, and he did love her a great deal, he still could not forget CJ easily. He hoped that getting married would finally prove to himself that he did love Paresu.
"Right, it's late and I gotta get going." Juliana said. "Sorry I can't stay longer."
"No problem." Goten said.
"We'll have to call you guys to make all the arrangements." Paresu said. Everyone started getting up and leaving. CJ turned to Goten as he stood on the doorstep. She looked at him and smiled.
"I hope you're very happy Goten." CJ said. Goten smiled.
"I will be. Thank you." Goten said, as he watched his friends walk off. "Well honey, looks like it's a new beginning."
"Yeah. I'm glad I'm starting it with you Goten." Paresu said. "I think I'll like being called Son Paresu."
"Unless you're in an English speaking country. Son means something totally different in English." Goten laughed as they went back inside.
"What's this I see? Marron and Trunks making eyes?" Remy asked, with a devilish smile.
"SHUT UP!" Marron and Trunks said, embarrassed.
"It's so cuuuuuuuuute!" Remy cooed.
"SHUT UP!"
"Trunks and Marron sitting in a tree…"
"Will someone please make her shut up?" Marron asked.
"Hey Remy, remember that issue of X-Men where Colossus…?" Trunks asked. Before he could finish his sentence, Remy stopped teasing and her face went solemn.
"That…was a low blow." Remy said, sniffing. "Why did you have to bring that up?!" Remy started to weep. Alex put his arm around her.
"There, there." Alex said.
"Poor Piotr!"
"I asked you to make her shut up, not make her cry!" Marron said.
"Hey, she's stopped teasing us didn't she?" Trunks said.
The End.
Told ya, very anti-climactic. Don't worry, this isn't the last you'll see of the gang. There are still untold stories and stuff. Plus, I think I'm finally getting over that horrible writer's block so they'll be good (I hope!). I should be posting that big ass story by next week. I still haven't got a title, but it'll include everyone at some point. It's a big battle story and will settle a lot of questions and stuff.
See ya!
