Graduation
"Best wishes and good luck to the class of 2006!" Cheers went up and hugs went around.
"So you did it." Rachel came up to Brooke.
"Yeah, and I didn't even have to cheat." Brooke said.
Rachel rolled her eyes, "Ok, I underestimated your ability to charm a teacher into passing you. But you gotta give me credit for trying to help you."
"Thank you, Rachel. Really."
"Hey babe." Lucas came up to both of them.
"Well hey yourself." Rachel smirked.
"Down, girl." Brooke grabbed Lucas, and he put his arm around her. "Yikes, sweetie, you look you're gonna burst!" Brooke said to Haley as she and Nathan walked over.
"Gee, thanks. You're so supportive." Haley said sarcastically.
"Eh, ignore her, she's just jealous that she doesn't have a so obviously pregnant belly." Lucas said, and Haley glared at him.
Mouth walked up behind Rachel, put his hands over eyes, and said, "Guess who?"
Rachel squealed, pulled him close and kissed him. Haley looked at the couple and was glad that they had worked things out. Both Mouth and Rachel had transformed since they had gotten together. Mouth had a new-found confidence, and Rachel had mellowed out. She was still Rachel, but a slightly nicer version.
"And here's the last of our pack." Brooke said as Peyton walked up to them, followed by a very cute guy.
"Hi everyone." Peyton smiled, "This is who I've been telling you about, meet Caleb Reid."
"Hey." Caleb said with a little wave.
"Not bad." Brooke murmured to Peyton. "Where did you get him?"
"I took your advice, I saw him at the record store and asked him out. But this one's mine."
Brooke shrugged, "Fair enough."
Karen popped up, holding a camera. "Ok, picture everyone!"
"Aw, Ma!" Lucas groaned.
"Oh, come on, here everyone scrunch in."
Lucas, Brooke, Nathan, Haley, Rachel, Mouth, and Peyton all bunched up in a huddle, trying to avoid each other's toes, and grinned.