This is the last chapter before they start their road trip! It includes some Kenyako, Takari, and Davis/OC but none of that is really important after this(besides some Kenyako). Remember, this is a friendship fic! If the pairings bother you, they're easy to overlook.

Chapter 3

Graduation

No matter how much he wanted to, TK couldn't tear his eyes away from the scene around him. He was clad in a blue robe and hat, along with a few hundred other seniors, in the decorated gymnasium of the school.

This was his graduation.

The blonde kept looking around the room positively stunned. He recognized a majority of those in robes but had never seen many of their families or friends before. He saw younger students, crying mothers, proud fathers, and any other person who had shown up to support them. He kept searching the room to find other familiar faces; his older brother along with his girlfriend Kari's older brother Tai, then there was Yolei, Ken's girlfriend, also June, Davis's older sister, finally he saw his mother sitting on the far side of the gym and as expected, his father on the opposite side.

TK couldn't help but roll his eyes at that. It was his typical childish, selfish parents who haven't wanted anything to do with each other since the divorce. He was just glad they both showed up.

"Hey, there you are, TK!" A voice called over the commotion and people. TK turned to see Kari coming towards him. "So how do I look?" she asked jokingly as she bared the same robe and hat as all the graduates.

TK chuckled, "Well I think you look much cuter in that then everyone else."

Kari let out a giggle. "Why thank you," she said while giving him a quick peck on the cheek. "So are you excited?"

"For what?"

Kari gave him a look before replying, "The reason we're wearing these hats."

"Oh, graduation!" TK exclaimed. He shrugged; "I kind of just want it to be over."

She smirked. "Because you can't wait to start your summer crammed in a car driving absolutely nowhere."

"Just because you don't think it'd be fun doesn't mean I don't," TK explained.

"Whatever you say," Kari slurred.

"I'm not ready for this, Catherine. I'm definitely not ready for this," Davis repeated as he stood stiff at the entrance to the school.

"Yes, you are. We've been ready to get out of here for months," Catherine, his red-headed girlfriend, prodded.

"I change my mind. Can I go back to freshmen year? I can take those noogies again."

One of the many things Davis loved about Catherine, he could always make her laugh, and he didn't fail this time.

She let out a boisterous laugh before telling him that he is ready for this, and they should be in the gymnasium by now.

"Alright," Davis agreed reluctantly before letting Catherine drag him inside.

They made their way over to the mob of people by the gymnasium to overhear Ken talking to his girlfriend.

"My college isn't that far, Yolei," Ken reassured.

Yolei was practically screeching (considering her normal voice was a yell), "Not that far? It's four hours!"

"I got a scholarship, and my parents think it's a good opportunity."

"What do you think?" Yolei questioned skeptically.

Avoiding her question, Ken asked one of his own. "Did you want me to give this up?"

"Well, no," Yolei replied sheepishly.

"Then I should go," Ken decided.

"Uh, hey, guys," Davis interrupted hoping the discussion was over. "Ken should probably be getting to his seat; Catherine and I are."

"Alright then, I'll go sit down too. Good luck, everyone," Yolei announced while giving Ken a quick kiss before leaving. Yolei had graduated last year, and therefore would be in the crowd watching.

Ken and Yolei had always been able to do that; bounce right back from one of their heated debates. They did argue more often than not, but Davis knew it was never to hurt one another. They only argued when their ideas or motives clashed.

TK and Kari then walked up and exchanged greetings with the rest of the group.

"So what's everyone going to major in college?" Kari asked trying to start conversation.

"Animal sciences," Catherine proclaimed excitedly.

"Lit major," TK responded proudly.

"Culinary Arts," Davis stated. No one ever really understood why the goofy, soccer-lover would ever have an interest in cooking, but Davis had always found the different tastes and combinations satisfying to discover.

"It took a lot of consideration, but I've finally settled on biochemistry and biophysics."

The others did a mock ooh and awe at Ken's superior sounding choice.

A voice, the principal's, suddenly came on the microphone. "Would everyone please get to their seats? We're about to begin."

A majority of the gathered group physically shuddered. It was time.

Ken wondered, "The seating's alphabetical, right?"

"What else would it be? By height?" Davis joked.

"Ready to graduate?" Catherine asked as a more general question than directed towards anyone.

"Never," Davis grunted.

"Always," TK insisted.

"Probably," Ken faltered.

They all went to take their seats and wait for their names to be called and their futures to arrive.