Surfacing Chapter 16: You Will Remember Our Names, a crossing jordan fanfic

Disclaimer: See previous chapter. The song "Fame," and its lyrics, both belong to Irene Cara. {Don't ask me why I have so many cheesy '80s songs in here; even I can't answer that one...}

A/N: Now that we've gotten through the wedding, it's time to flash forward a month to Amanda's graduation. This chapter was easier for me to write, seeing as how I've been to more graduations than weddings...Anyways; I hope you all enjoy this chapter. Thanks to Mrs. Rhett Butler, canadianfan1984, and TheNewMoo for reviewing.

(Side note to Mrs. Rhett Butler: Yeah, I wish she were that way on the show too. Most of the time she just pisses me off, but sometimes...she just pisses me off. And a Woody/Jordan wedding on the show would be great as well. {glares at the writers of the show} Oh well, can't win 'em all...It was only natural for the focus to come off of Amanda for a bit that time. I mean, a wedding is all about the bride and groom. But as you noticed, I couldn't resist throwing a bit of Peter/Amanda in during the reception. As for Max, I figure he has to come back SOMETIME, so why not for his daughter's wedding?)

(Side note to canadianfan1984: It did, didn't it? I did my best to make it a realistic wedding, but since I haven't been to many weddings, I had nothing to work with. Did the best I could, and apparently it worked. LOL yes, I do know who was in that movie! I couldn't resist throwing that one in. I have yet to see that movie, but I've seen the box cover, and he looks adorable, in a twelve-year-old sort of way...Anyways, there's an in-joke for someone else thrown into chapter 14. It's rather subtle, so it might not be recognizable right away, but it's there. If you pick up on that one too, let me know. It's nice to know that the in-jokes are getting recognized. I love putting in-jokes into my stories. Sometimes they're in-jokes that you had to be there for, but other times they're recognizable.)

(Side note to TheNewMoo: First off, I have to say that I love your SN. It's really cool, reminds me of something my friend said once. Wow, all in one sitting eh? You must've been pretty bored...after you finished, that is. {Laughs} Well, if you're giving it your seal of approval, I feel honored that you like it. I'll be sure to check your opinion of Woody, but I have to say, I'm a little scared to. No offense, of course. Glad you like the story, and I hope you keep reading and reviewing. If at any time you get bored with it, my advice is to run in the opposite direction from it as fast as you possibly can.)

Chapter Sixteen: You Will Remember Our Names

"So, how do I look?" Amanda said as she came out of her room and into the hallway of her father's apartment.

Woody and Jordan turned to face her as she entered the living room. She was wearing her graduation robe and cap (both a deep red) over a black dress, and her hair was straightened under the cap.

"You look very beautiful," Woody said as he got up to hug his daughter. "We're both very proud of you."

"Very proud," Jordan said as she joined them, also hugging Amanda. "Everyone's proud of you, including a certain doctor you've been seeing for the past six months."

Amanda blushed. "Peter's already mentioned that about a million times," she said. "He's really happy for me."

"We all are," Woody said, picking his car keys up off the kitchen island. "Now, if you ladies are ready, I believe it's time to go."

With that, the three of them went out the door and to the ceremony.

"Wow, it's really packed in here," Amanda said. She had met up with Lexi, Lucy, Jill, Becka, Lisa, Connor, Lucas, and Mike when her dad and Jordan dropped her off at the gymnasium entrance, and they were now peeking in through the doors, looking at all the people who filled the bleachers.

"Hey look," Lucy said, pointing into the crowd. "There's Jessie and Lori!"

"Where?" Amanda nearly shouted, as Lucy pointed her sisters out to her. "Oh my god, Charlie said they wouldn't be able to make it! How the hell did they get here?"

"I guess plans changed," Lexi said, grinning at the others behind Amanda's back. She made a mental note to thank Jordan after the graduation ceremony. Without her, they would've never been able to get them out to Boston.

"Children! Children!" Mrs. Donaldson shouted. "Get in your places! It's time to start!"

Amanda took a deep breath in and looked at her friends. "Well guys," she said. "This is it. We're gonna graduate."

The gymnasium quieted down as "Pomp and Circumstance" began to be played by the band. Everyone was silent as the graduates marched in and were seated. The band played a few songs, the students got their diplomas {friends and family of all grinning and taking pictures as their children went past}, the teachers made a few speeches, and then it was time for the speaker the students had elected from their class to speak. Finally, the last teacher finished speaking, and the principal approached the mic.

Principal Wilson stood in front of the mic and said, "Thank you Ms. Carlton. Now, to finish the ceremony, our class-elected speaker will give their reflections on their senior year. This year, the senior class of East Boston High has elected a student speaker who is intelligent, witty, and has the uncanny ability to fall asleep in study hall before attendance is even taken {here the seniors laughed}. This year's student elected speaker is Amanda Hoyt."

The audience, faculty, and seniors applauded as Amanda made her way to the stage, grinning and giving high-fives to some of the seniors as she passed them. The applause slowed to a stop as she adjusted the mic and began to speak.

"Principal Wilson, faculty, and fellow seniors. I would first like to thank my classmates for electing me as the speaker this year. Even though I have no idea what you were thinking when you did it, I'm glad you did. When I came to this school 9 months ago, I was a new student who didn't know the music room from the cafeteria; luckily, there were some people that were kind enough to show me the ropes. Some of them I knew, some of them I didn't know, but they helped me fit in here. The moments I remember from senior year are some of the funniest, saddest, and happiest moments of the school.

I remember how, the week after I first came here, Mr. Breton's room was mysteriously plastered with Pittsburgh Penguins signs, banners, and streamers colored black and gold; while at the same time, his Boston Bruins memorabilia mysteriously appeared in the room of Mrs. Sheldon, a notorious Pittsburgh Penguins fan. And no, my friends and I don't have any idea how that happened.

I remember when, during Spirit Week, the entire football team came dressed as rednecks on "What's In Your Future?" Day. An interesting side note: that day, the cheerleading squad-myself included-came dressed as the football team. Never did figure that one out...Sure as heck wasn't my idea. {At this, the seniors gasped} I know, I know, but hey, there's a first time for everything.

There were some sad moments too, like the ceremony held for the second anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, and the candlelight vigil held for Noah Danvers after his accident; but then there were the happy moments too, like the moment when Noah walked into school for the first time after months of physical therapy, or when our football team won the State Championship (GO WARRIORS!).

So many moments that made our senior year memorable, and so many memories that we'll hold dear after we graduate. But there are some people whom we owe some serious thanks to. To Principal Wilson: We really appreciate the fact that you were a good sport about the football & basketball teams & the cheerleading squad putting your car on the roof of the gym. To Mrs. Donaldson: Thanks for advising us on so many fronts, especially on which company to get a crane from for the car job. We couldn'tve done it without you. {At this, Principal Wilson laughed along with the students}

To Mr. Breton: The student council wanted to thank you for helping them set up for graduation this year, and also for helping them find the sheet music for "Pomp and Circumstance" that mysteriously disappeared at nearly the last moment. The band also wanted to thank you for that, and for not getting too mad at them for playing "Boys Of Summer" at the last rehearsal.

And finally, to the seniors: Thank you for a wonderful year. All of us who came in this year thank you for being so helpful, and for not trying to sell us elevator passes. Contrary to popular belief, new kids are not that stupid. To the rest of you, who have been here through thick and thin, and everything in between; your classmates thank you for being there. Congratulations, Class of 2004: WE'RE OUTTA HERE!"

At this final exclamation, the seniors-Amanda included-threw their caps in the air with shouts and whoops of joy. They had finally done it: they had graduated.

"We did it! We did it!" Lexi screamed as she and the other girls engulfed Amanda in a gigantic group hug.

"I know!" Lucy squealed. "Isn't it exciting? We're finally out of there!"

"No more pencils, no more books, no more teachers' dirty looks!" sang Jill, Becka, and Lisa together.

"School's out for the summer...School's out FOREVER!!!" sang the boys as they joined the girls.

"Damn straight!" Amanda said. "I told you guys Connor would graduate!"

"Hey!" Connor said as he good-naturedly elbowed Amanda. "Be fair! I told them I would too!"

"So, we'll see you at the party?" Lucas said to Amanda. He was referring to the graduation party being held at the Pogue. Max had willingly rented the bar out to Lucas and the others to have the after-graduation party, but had cleared out all the beer and liquor beforehand.

"Yeah," Amanda said. "I have to go find my family first. They're waiting for me." And with that, she ran off to find her waiting family.

"Jessie!!!!!" Amanda screamed. She had finally found them, waiting near the exit to the football field, and-unbeknownst to Amanda-Jessie had been put on "Amanda Watch" by the grown-ups.

"Manda!!!" Jessie yelled as she ran to her older sister, followed by her father and younger sister. Amanda picked up her little sister and spun her around in a circle, hugging her tightly.

"When did you guys get here?" Amanda said, as Charlie and Lori hugged her. "I thought you said you couldn't make it."

"We had a change of plans," Charlie said. "Unfortunately, we have to leave soon. I was only able to get enough time for a flight out to see the graduation, so we're not going to be staying for the party."

"It's OK," Amanda said, holding Lori on her hip. "The fact that you made it was enough. Now, Miss Lori," she said to her baby sister. "Let's go see everyone else. They're waiting for us."

"There she is," Lily said, pointing to the approaching figure of Amanda. The group turned to see her, and laughed when they saw that Lori was wearing Amanda's cap. Amanda handed Lori back to Charlie (retrieving her cap in the process), and ran to the awaiting group.

"You did it!" Jordan said as she hugged Amanda. "We're all very proud of you."

"Definitely," Woody said as Amanda hugged him next. "My only daughter, a high school graduate! I feel kind of old..." Amanda laughed at her father's comment, then went back over to her stepfather and sisters to say goodbye to them, as they were leaving. As soon as they left, Amanda greeted the crew from the morgue, thanking them for coming.

"It was no trouble at all, love," Nigel said as he hugged Amanda. "We were happy to be here."

"Like Jordan said, we're all very proud of you," Lily said. Bug nodded in agreement and said, "Congratulations."

Amanda grinned and thanked them. Her grin turned to a broad smile when she saw Peter pushing his way through the crowd towards them. She ran to him, and he caught her in a tight embrace and kissed her, all the while telling her how proud he was.

After all the hugging and congratulating was done between Amanda and her friends, the group headed over to the Pogue for the celebratory party.

"Finally done!" Amanda said as she walked out of the restroom at the Pogue, carrying her graduation cap and gown in her arms, her make-up freshly applied. "Boy, am I glad to be out of these..."

She made her way over to the bar, where her friends and family waited. "Miss me?" she asked jokingly.

"Of course," Lexi said. "Wouldn't be a party without you."

"Well, it would be," Connor said. "Just not a fun party."

"A very dull party," Mike supplied. "Dull-as-a-tomb party."

"Dull-as-a-" Lucas began, before the girls shouted, "WE GET THE PICTURE!"

As they were talking, Jill and Becka had made their way to the stage and were now in front of the mics.

"HEY EVERYONE!" Jill yelled into the mic, getting the attention of all present. "This is something that we all decided we were going to do at the party, so listen up!"

"As you all know, we chose the Senior Class Song earlier this month," Becka said. "Well, now it's time to let everyone hear it. And before we start, may we remind you of our class saying, as seen on our Senior Sweatshirts; Class of 2004: You Will Remember Our Names!"

Becka turned to Jill, who pushed a button on the remote control she was holding. Music began to blare from the speakers, the Senior Class Song for the East Boston High Class of 2004; a song that elicited cheers from the students and groans from the parents.

Baby look at me
And tell me what you see.
You ain't seen the best of me yet
Give me time, I'll make you forget the rest.
I got a story, and you can set it free
I can catch the moon in my hand
Don't you know who I am?

Remember my name (Fame)
I'm gonna live forever
I'm gonna learn how to fly (High)
I feel it coming together
People will see me and die (Fame)
I'm gonna make it to heaven
Light up the sky like a flame (Fame)
I'm gonna live forever
Baby, remember my name
Remember, Remember, Remember, Remember,
Remember, Remember, Remember,Remember

The kids all piled onto the dance floor. Amanda had stayed seated at the bar, finishing her drink, when someone tapped her on the shoulder.

"Come on Hoyt," Peter said with a grin. "You're not getting out of this one."

Amanda smiled as Peter led her onto the dance floor. This was the best damned party she'd ever been to.

Baby hold me tight
And you can make it right.
You can shoot me straight to the top
Give me love and take all I got to give.
Baby I'm in love
Too much is not enough
I surround your heart to embrace
You know I got what it takes.

Remember my name (Fame)
I'm gonna make it to heaven
Light up the sky like a flame (Fame)
I'm gonna live forever
Baby, remember my name
Remember, Remember, Remember, Remember,
Remember, Remember, Remember, Remember