Three months later Gregor was at his graduation ceremony. He had finally graduated and would be leaving to New York in a few weeks in mid summer. He felt strange among all of these high schoolers graduating. Most of them looked happy. Gregor saw the strand and secretive guy again. He was as quiet as ever. He gave Gregor a friendly nod and walked away receiving his highschool diploma. After the graduation Gregor had a pretty good meal at an expensive restaurant. His parents were not rich but this was a special occasion for Gregor and they wanted him to have a good night having fun. Gregor saw a few of the people he considered friends or at least acquaintances in the same restaurant they gave Gregor a nod. The meal was amazing. They had gone to a steakhouse and as anyone who has been to a steakhouse they have lots of meat. From bacon to steak and pork chops as well as a salad bar and lots of bread to go along with the meal. It would be one of Gregor's last meals in the overworld at least for now. In a few weeks he would be in New York and in the Underland at least that's what he hoped. Gregor didn't eat that much even though the meal was for him. He let Liz and Margaret eat most of the food. His parents were just happy to see him in such a good mood. It seemed that the once happy boy had returned from his exile. Or at least for the moment he had come back and lit something in Gregor that had made him rejoice. Gregor talked a little with his parents and his siblings during the meal but he mostly stared at other graduated students who were piling meat on their plates and scarfing it down meanwhile Gregor wasn't doing that. Gregor laughed to himself "just another way I am different from them". His parents heard this and both looked at each other but tried to hide it from Gregor. He knew that they had heard and for some reason felt guilt for saying it. After everyone had eaten and they had left the restaurant and headed back home. Gregor's mom and dad pulled him over for a talk. "we know where you are really going" dad said. "And we want to wish you the best but also we want you to spend time in the surface sometimes" Grace said. "you are the most important thing to us, Gregor and if we ever lost you we would never forgive ourselves, so please come visit us sometimes and also you will need to make an excuse for missing classes" Gregor's dad said. Gregor nodded he understood. "We can't afford much but we do have a few gifts for you" Grace said. His dad went into the kitchen and came out with a box and something wrapped in towels. He gave Gregor the box first. It contained a very cool looking flashlight. It almost looked like something a Jedi lightsaber hilt. Gregor knew that this was for the underland, "It is solar powered but also has batteries" His dad said. "and it glows it the dark so you cannot lose it" Grace said. "It also has three modes of light, a regular beam, a green light and a laser pointer built in" His dad said. "Wow that is really cool" Gregor said. For the first time in a while he was genuinely blown away by the gift. Gregor's dad unfolded the towel to reveal….
Sandwhich's sword. It was back. Not only that but it was repaired and looked in pristine condition. "The Underlanders sent this a long time ago but we kept it until you were ready to go back. Now its yours again" Both of his parents said. At first he was a bit angry. They had kept this from him. But his anger died out because he realized that he too had kept secrets from them. He also felt a bit jealous it seemed the sword was already working it's spell on him. Making him possessive. But he quickly shook that off. "thank you" Gregor said and hugged both of his parents. Gregor wanted the hug to last forever. He felt safe, protected from the outside world by his parents. But he knew it was time to leave the nest. It was time for him to forge his own path. He had finally learned to fly. (metaphor)
Three weeks later Gregor was loading most of the stuff he had into his car. It wasn't honestly that much stuff. It wasn't like he owned that much stuff. Gregor's parents and siblings all came out to hug him. Even his Grandma who was now very ancient came out to wish him goodbye. Her head was clear today and she knew exactly who he was. Then it all went by so quickly. Gregor waved one last time to his family and drove off. His family stood waving at his car until it had disappeared. "Come on let's go inside" Grace said putting her arm on Margaret's shoulder leading her inside. Lizzie stayed outside for a while longer. Tears dropped from he face. It was like losing a sibling. You never knew when you would see them again.