Thanks to my reviewers of Chapter 28: She Loves Shoes, SandyKirsten, and nat luvs kandy.

On another note, school is finally starting for me and I have a heavy load of classes this fall. I will still try to update when I can, but it probably won't be as much as I have been recently. This actually works out well, though, because I have been getting writer's block lately, so maybe a little time away will give me more inspiration. I can only hope! But don't worry, I won't forget about the story. I intend on finishing it…even if it takes longer than I thought it would. And if anyone has any ideas for it, please let me know!

So, now, here is the next chapter…maybe for a little while…

Chapter 29: The Class of 1981

JUNE 16, 1981

NEWPORT BEACH, CA

Kirsten sat nervously in her chair on the podium, fiddling with her note cards in her lap. I hate public speaking…why am I even doing this? Oh, that's right, I have to, Kirsten sighed to herself.

Despite her uncertainty, though, she managed to rise out of her seat when the Principle said, "And now I would like to present our first speaker. She is Harbor School's Student Body Present and the Saludictorian of the Class of 1981. Ladies and gentlemen, Kirsten Nichol!"

Kirsten managed to smile brightly out to the crowd as she stepped up to the microphone. She made eye contact with Jimmy and then Kelly who were sitting next to each other in the third row of students, and somehow, his eyes seemed to transmit the courage she needed to begin. "First, I would like to welcome all the students, parents, faculty, and guests, and extend a tremendous thank you to all of you that have supported us before high school, through high school, and hopefully will continue to give support beyond high school. Without that, the task of getting through high school would have been even more daunting than it already was. Students, you are being recognized here today because of your perseverance and dedication, not only to the challenging academic work, but also to the challenges that life throws at you…."

Jimmy and Kelly listened as Kirsten continued speaking, and found themselves agreeing with her words. The more Kirsten spoke, the more comfortable she became and the more confident she grew. The words just seemed to flow so naturally off the tip of her tongue and she was rarely looking at her note cards.

Jimmy smiled at her as she spoke, thinking, That's my girl! I love her.

Kelly watched her best friend, and thought, She's doing so well! I knew she would!

Kirsten was coming toward the end of her speech, "And, I hope to leave you on a note of courage and integrity with the words of author, William Saroyan:

In the time of your life, live­−so that in that good time

there shall be no ugliness or death for yourself or for

any life your life touches.

Seek goodness everywhere, and when it is found,

bring it out of its hiding place and let it be free and

unashamed.

Place in matter and in flesh the least of the values, for

these are the things that hold death and must pass

away.

Discover in all things that which shines and is beyond

corruption.

Encourage virtue in whatever heart it may have been

driven into secrecy and sorrow by the shame and terror

of the world.

Ignore the obvious, for it is unworthy of the clear eye

and the kindly heart.

Be the inferior of no one, nor of anyone be the

superior. Remember that everyone is a variation of

yourself. No one's guilt is not yours, nor is anyone's

innocence a thing apart.

In the time of your life, live−so that in the wondrous

time you shall not add to the misery and sorrow of the

world, but shall smile to the infinite delight and mystery

of it.

Kirsten paused for a second, to let the audience take in the last part of her speech, and then continued, "It is my honor to congratulate Harbor's Class of 1981!"

Applause erupted when she was done and she smiled in return as she stepped down from the podium.

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"Hey!" Kirsten said as she sat down next to Jimmy on the charter bus and gave him a kiss.

"Hey," Jimmy said back after they broke apart. "So, where are they taking us?"

"How should I know?" Kirsten replied. When Jimmy gave her a doubtful look, she continued, "I promise! Student government had nothing to do with this. It was all the parents. All I know is that it is suppose to be some place fun for us to celebrate our graduation. I think it was an attempt to prevent too many crazy parties that would have undoubtedly happened."

"Okay, fine. You win," Jimmy said with a smile.

"So, how was dinner with your family?" Kirsten asked.

"Good. How about yours?" Jimmy replied.

"Um, it was okay," Kirsten said, unaware she was making a face.

"That bad?" Jimmy said.

"No, it wasn't bad. I think my dad was happy…of course, it's not like he actually told me he was proud of me. He probably thought that saludictorian wasn't good enough. I guess only being valedictorian would have pleased him," Kirsten said bitterly.

"I'm sure he's proud of you, Kirst. Your dad…he's just…he's not exactly the most affectionate person," Jimmy responded.

"Well, you think he could have been more so on an occasion like this," she sighed.

"Come on, cheer up!" Jimmy encouraged. "We have a fun night ahead of us…wherever that may be," he said as he put his arm around her.

"You're right," she smiled.

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"Why are we getting on the 57 freeway?" Jimmy asked. "Where the hell are we anyway?"

"In Anaheim, I think," Kristen answered.

"What's in Anaheim that they could possibly taking us to anyway?" Jimmy inquired.

A smile spread across Kirsten's face and she answered, "I can only think of one place."

Jimmy looked confused for a second, but then he finally figured out what she was talking about, and said, "You don't think…they couldn't possibly."

"Oh, I think anything's possible with the adults of Newport," she smiled.

Ten minutes later their suspicions were confirmed as the charter buses pulled in front of the Happiest Place on Earth, none other than Disneyland.

Just then, the voice of the bus driver came over the intercom, "We have arrived at our destination. Students of Harbor High School, Disneyland Park is yours until 6 AM."

Cheers erupted through bus and everyone started rushing to get off the bus. As Kirsten and Jimmy made their way off the bus, they spotted Kelly and Matt. Kirsten and Kelly hugged and then Kelly exclaimed, "I can't believe we have all of Disneyland to ourselves! This is amazing!"

"Come on, you two!" Matt called. "Let's go!"

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"Whoa! That was great!" Kirsten exclaimed. "Nothing like riding Space Mountain four times in a row!"

"Yeah, I know! The last time I road this ride must have been like ten years ago. We didn't really make it up to Disneyland that often from San Diego," Jimmy told her.

"Saw more of Sea World and the Wild Animal Park, huh?" Kirsten asked.

"Yeah. So, Space Mountain again, or something else?" Jimmy replied.

"Um, something else I think," Kirsten said. "We have tons of time, we could always come back later."

"Splash Mountain?" Jimmy asked as they started wandering away from Space Mountain.

"Not 'til the end. I don't want to walk around here all night in wet clothes," Kirsten informed him.

"Well, I could get you out of those wet clothes afterward," Jimmy whispered in her ear.

Kirsten responded by playfully hitting him and said, "I don't think so."

"Okay, point taken," Jimmy started. "So, what ride do you want to go on, then?"

"Um…let's see…we've been on Space Mountain, Thunder Mountain, the Matterhorn, Jungle Cruise, and Pirates of the Caribbean. Oh, I have an idea. Let's go on 'It's a Small World!'" Kirsten suggested.

Jimmy gave her a look and said, "Kirsten, that ride is for little kids. It's super slow and boring."

"It's cute and it's not boring. And you're coming with me, whether you want to or not. Don't worry, we'll go on a ton more rides that you'll love," Kirsten told him.

"Fine. Lead the way," Jimmy gave in.

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"See, this isn't so bad, is it?" Kirsten asked as soon as the ride started and 'It's a Small World' started playing in the background.

Jimmy placed his arm around her and said, "Well, nothing's that bad when I'm with you."

Kirsten smiled and leaned closer to him.

"So, is there a reason why you seem to like this ride so much?" Jimmy inquired.

Kirsten thought for a moment and then started talking, "Well, I remember riding it when I was six years old. Back then it was just my parents and me. Hailey was years away. Anyway, I really enjoyed that day at Disneyland and riding this ride was one of things that stuck with me most. Then we came here again as a family three years ago when Hailey was five. I hadn't been on this ride for years, and riding it again with my family and this time with Hailey brought back those fond childhood memories. I don't know, I guess the ride sort of reminds me of how things were so much simpler when I was younger. Kind of let's me escape the complications of reality," Kirsten told him.

"Life definitely doesn't seem to get any less complicated the older we get, does it?" Jimmy agreed.

"Nope," Kirsten sighed. "But, I will say, you have been there for me…to keep me sane through my crazy life."

"But, Kirst, I-" Jimmy started, but Kirsten cut him off instead.

"No, Jimmy. I promise, that it's true. You're the best," she said and started kissing him, growing more passionate by the second.

"You…are…too…" Jimmy managed to get out in between kisses. The couple ended up making out almost the entire ride, but their timing was impeccable and managed to stop right before the ride ended, so nobody saw them.

As they stepped off the ride, Kirsten said, "Congratulations on graduating, Jimmy Cooper."

"You too, Kirsten Nichol. Come on, I'm dragging you on Splash Mountain, now!" Jimmy insisted and started chasing after her as she ran away at the news.

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Thanks for reading and please review. Sorry, this definitely wasn't one of my better chapters…I feel like I have writer's block, as I mentioned before.

I do not own the play, The Time of Your Life, by William Saroyan, from which the graduation quote was taken.

I do not own Disneyland or any of the rides mentioned (Space Mountain, Thunder Mountain, Splash Mountain, Matterhorn, Pirates of the Caribbean, It's a Small World, Jungle Cruise).

I do not own Sea World or the San Diego Wild Animal Park.