Two weeks had gone by as it was June 18th, 2022. Right now, the students were sitting in their chairs and listening as the principal was giving his speech about how the seniors were off to their next adventure in life, some for college, some to work or travel. Everyone had their diplomas and was just waiting for the end to come so they could be officially done and leave. Technically, they were no longer students after getting their final grades with Finals were over. Of course, though, there were other events to attend as part of the senior class such as sports championships, the cheer competition, and Glee club competition too. The prom was the biggest since Glee was over, and the Soul Harmonics placed first in all of their competitions since the start of the year; the trophy was proudly on display with other ones the school had earned. Troy and the baseball team won their world series, and the cheer squad didn't get first, but second place. Prom had been great, Hunter and Troy went together as planned and hung with friends at times, but mostly took the night for just them. The friends knew Hunter and Troy were sexually active because the two stayed at the hotel when prom was over. Instead of going to the parking lot like others had, Troy and Hunter went towards the rooms and entered one on the ground floor. The friends didn't make a fuss or say a word to the boys later on for the last week of school; they knew it was private and were just all happy that their friends were.
The last week of school consisted of getting yearbooks, handing in their school laptops, and turning in library books. Every class that week was some kind of party or movie showing. And yesterday had been cleaning out their lockers for the last time. The second half of the day was mainly graduation practice for lining up and how the entire event would go, but today was graduation itself and the students were ready to hear those final words of congratulations and best of luck. Hunter kept his word to help Troy get his college things submitted and they both heard back at the same time that they were accepted, so had already set up to share a dorm together, but were waiting to hear if that would happen. It didn't matter it they couldn't; they'd still be at the same school and could see each other whenever. Beyond graduation coming to a close, the friends were all getting together at Hunter's house for a night of celebration and camping out in Hunter's backyard. They were excited to be done and have a great time partying. Hunter and Troy already agreed to share a tent, in order to save space in the backyard, of course. Others were pairing up too, some couples or just best friends. It seemed the principal was just about done, so the now graduating class got ready to toss their caps in joy.
"And so, it is with a heavy heart that I stop taking your night with my words and send you off to your celebrations with friends and family. I wish you all the best on your future endeavors and look forward to the day your own children grace the halls of this school. Now, I end this ceremony with the age old words…" The man paused with a wide smile. "Congratulations to your Berkian High School graduating class of 2022!" He called out.
There was a roar of applause as students stood and threw their caps into the air, not caring where they fell. As people left, everyone would end up grabbing one to take home along with their gowns as the memory of their accomplishments today, graduating from high school. Troy and Hunter found one another through the mass of students and instantly shared a loving kiss between them. It wasn't long until their friends caught up with them and let the boys finish their moment before interrupting for hugs and handshakes of congratulations.
"We're high school graduates!" The group yelled together.
"And we can finish the celebration at my place, but let's be smart and get the hell out of here before the mad rush to the lot." Hunter advised. "You riding with me, babe?"
"You know it," Troy nodded.
"We'll meet you there," Hunter took Troy's hand and they broke away from the rest to get to the lot and into Hunter's car. Troy messaged his parents about leaving right away to miss the lines, and Hunter had already discussed it with his folks about the plan. Hunter got the car started and they were soon heading out and joining the line of others who were also trying to make a quick getaway.
. . .
At the Haddock home, Troy and Hunter were first back and Hunter was helping the rest of the staff get the party things set. Troy helped too, of course, and they kept their graduation things on because they knew the parents would want a picture of them all together before the festivities began. Soon, everyone else arrived and sure enough, the picture of them with their diplomas was taken first and then they all changed out into the clothes underneath. Hunter got the music going and the party was in full swing.
"So, Hunter…What's your plan now?" Ford asked.
"I'm off to Barbarchi University. I got an early acceptance letter beginning of this week and sometime August I should get notified of my dorm assignment and classes, time to get books and what not, then move into the dorm itself before term starts in September." Hunter informed while everyone was sitting around to snack and chat.
"Awesome for you," Alyssa smiled.
"What are you going for?" Blake inquired.
"Computer and Mechanical Engineering," Hunter replied. "I'm still waiting to here if I'm going on any kind of academic scholarship, should hear about that sometime in July."
"How about you, Troy? Still taking the summer off then finding a job?" Brody wondered.
"No, actually…I'm going to college in September. Same place as Hunter," Troy enlightened. "I got an acceptance letter two days ago, still waiting to hear about possible sports scholarships." He added.
"What made you decide to do more school?" Star questioned.
"I feel like I do well enough that I can give myself a future with a good career. Why settle for basic?" Troy shrugged.
"What are you going for?" Becka chuckled.
"Engineering as well, but only Computer. Maybe a minor in music or art," Troy said. "I like what it entails and I'm good with computers. Even better if I make the baseball team and get a scholarship for sports. I think college life will be a grand time," He stated.
"That's kind of sweet that you're going to the same place, no need for long distances to see one another," Madison mentioned.
"If things go right, Troy and I are sharing a dorm since BU allows you to choose your dorm-mate if both people are accepted and there's enough double rooms." Harry informed. "We're rather excited."
"We'll have to make time to all see one another." Addilyn looked to the others.
"Yeah, definitely. Maybe once a month or something, just get together and go out to eat?" Olivia agreed.
"I'm sure we can keep in contact and hang out now that high school is over." Chelsea nodded.
"We can keep the Soul Harmonics discord group active, keep chatting there?" Steven suggested.
"That's a good idea," Samuel said.
"Can we keep using that name, though? We're not in school anymore. Won't that pass to the next music group?" Hailey asked.
"No. This group right here will always be Soul Harmonics. How two different groups came together to succeed. By next year, the academy will be fully rebuilt and taking new students again so they will take up their original Valhalla Harmonics. I'm sure Berkian High will resume their Soul Tones. Soul Harmonics was a one time group and it's us." Hunter explained.
"We should do it again," Serenity said.
"One more song as Soul Harmonics," Melanie nodded.
"I'm down," Nadine smiled.
"If that's what you guys and girls wanna do," Hunter grabbed his phone. "Name the song."
The group began to discuss what they would do as Hunter just laid his head on Troy's shoulder to relax and Troy put his head on Hunter's.
"We still sharing a tent tonight?" Troy asked.
"Yeah, I'll pull it out when it gets time to set up before dark," Hunter told him.
"We should do the song Valhalla Harmonics did in the cafeteria that first day of school." Satomi suggested.
"I Lived?" Felicity blinked.
"I think it fits for the fact it was done the first day of school, combined the groups and with it being the last day of school now. I think it has a nice message overall." Cameron remarked.
"Alright then," Hunter located the song and it started to play.
"Hope when you take jump, you don't feel the fall. Hope when the water rises, you built a wall. Hope when the crowd screams out, it's screaming your name. Hope if everybody runs, you choose to stay," Hunter began.
"I hope that you fall in love, and it hurts so bad. Yeah! Yeah. Oh. The only way you can know, is if you give it all you had. Hey, yeah. And I hope that you don't suffer, but take the pain…" Troy started. "Hope when the moment comes, you'll say…"
"I-I did it all. I-I did it all! I owned every second that this world could give. I saw so many places, that things that I did. Yeah, with every broken bone…I lived." The group sang together.
"Hope that you spend your days, but they all add up. And when that sun goes down, hope you raise your cup. I wish that I could witness all your joy and all your pain. But until my moment comes, I'll say…" Troy started this time.
"I, I did it all. I, I did it all. I owned every second that this world could give. I saw so many places, the things that I did. Yeah, with every broken bone, I swear I lived." The group harmonized together.
"Hey…" The girls sounded together.
"With every broken bone…" The group sang and there was a silent pause as Hunter and Troy stood together with the rest.
"I liiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiived!" Hunter and Troy sang out. It was a high pitch, and doubled to be a long note.
"I, I did it all, yeah," Was sang as a background effect while Hunter finished his note. Then they all sang together.
"I, I did it all, yeah. I owned every second that this world could give. I saw so many places, the things that I did. Yeah, with every broken bone, I swear I lived." The group harmonized together just like before Hunter joined them, only this time Hunter with them all. The sounds of the music came softer and slower while they all linked their arms over each other's shoulders. "I swear I lived."
The parents and siblings for the graduates all clapped and cheered for the performance. Everyone smiled, laughing, and bowed before returning to their spots. It felt good to sing together with everyone, the song that started it all. Valhalla Harmonics sang it on the first day of school in the cafeteria, which started the chain of becoming Soul Harmonics and some of cheerleaders and baseball team leaving to join fully. That caused bullying, which secured the baseball players and cheerleaders into joining as punishment. No one could dispute that it brought everyone together as friends and they were all happier for such, definitely Hunter and Troy.
. . .
As the hours ticked away for the friends; everyone enjoyed eating, singing, dancing, and swimming. When dark was falling over the sky, parents began to leave as the former students got their tents set up around the fire ring. Hunter got the fire going and helped Troy get their sleeping things into the tent they would share tonight. Others were all set up and everyone just relaxed around the fire in the provided chairs. Most of them had drinks, being allowed to enjoy alcoholic if they desired. The conversations were all about what everyone was doing beyond tonight and the consensus was finding a job or going off to college. Some were going to Barbarchi University, others were going to the other college. Some were going to the local community college too. Some would dorm, others were getting apartments with roommates. It seemed like everyone was set with their after high school plan. Hunter was just glad to have everyone together, making so many friends and of course; he was over the moon to have his boyfriend Troy, who felt the same way Hunter did. Hunter never imagined this is where his life would have ended up when he first learned about having to go to a public school for his final year, but Hunter was sure glad everything went the way it did.
Not losing Jay, though; Hunter wasn't happy about that and never would be despite being with Troy. However, Hunter believed in things having to happen for others to come forward. Maybe Jay was meant to die, but Hunter would never truly accept that it had to happen for him to be where he was now even if he had accepted it subconsciously. When it was going on 11 pm, everyone was deciding they should get some rest. Hunter took care of the fire and people began getting settled into their tents to sleep. Hunter and Troy were last into theirs, only in their boxers because it was pretty warm.
"I can't believe we're high school graduates…" Troy sighed. "It's been one hell of a year."
"I completely agree," Hunter nodded. "I can't call it the best year of my life, but-,"
"It's understandable why, Hunter. Don't worry," Troy told him. "I'm never going to be upset that you still miss and love Jay. I told you that; I don't want to take his place. I'm content having my own in your life."
"I know…But I'm with you now and Jay is gone. If he hadn't died, sad to say and think about, but you and I wouldn't have gotten a chance to become what we are. I would have married Jay back in February, or maybe still held it off til now. We'd be married, having an apartment of our own while going to college, then starting our life that we always planned." Hunter remarked.
"I know, and I'm not upset about you saying that if Jay didn't pass, you'd have that future with him. I know how things would have gone and if that was the case, then we'd have probably ended up as friends and I'd be with someone else. We take the life we're given, Hunter," Troy held his hand. "This is where ours have taken us, so maybe it was meant to happen. Things also could have ended up this way if you hadn't taken Jay back. Who knows? I don't think on the what if's, love. I live in the now and what did happen. Personally, I never regret anything or I wouldn't be where I am now."
Hunter looked at him. "I guess I feel the same. I am a go with the flow kind of guy, even if part of me will always love Jay. I love you too, though."
"And that is perfectly okay with me, Hunter," Troy smiled gently. "I don't mind you loving him because I know you love me too."
"You're amazing," Hunter leaned in and kissed Troy deeply.
Troy returned the action and it didn't take long for an innocent kiss between them to become more passionate and turn into making out. Hunter pushed Troy down and crawled over him as the make out continued.
. . .
An hour later, the two both collapsed on their make-shift bed after making love as quietly as they could manage to not bother the others. They shared soft kisses while enjoying the orgasmic high, cuddling up while totally nude.
"I love you, Troy," Hunter whispered.
"I love you too," Troy replied as they kissed again.
"Whispering now doesn't not undo the trauma we all face of listening to you two fuck for the last hour!" Blake yelled.
Troy and Hunter both froze.
"Next time, maybe you should wait until we're actually asleep!" Oliver added.
They couldn't help it, Hunter and Troy both just burst out laughing at the fact they weren't as quiet as they thought and all their friends heard them having sex. Oh well, it didn't matter.
"Sorry, guys and girls," Hunter stated.
"We thought we were quieter," Troy interjected.
"We promise it'll be quiet the rest of the night." Hunter said next.
They waited about fifteen minutes and heard silence around then except the nighttime sounds. "You don't actually care that they heard, do you?"
"No," Hunter shook his head.
"So what's next for us, babe?" Troy asked.
"College, maybe an apartment after that? Rest of our lives?" Hunter offered.
"Sounds good to me," Troy smiled as they got comfortable together under the light blanket. "Whatever it takes to be happy."
"Sounds good to me." Hunter nodded. "Whatever it takes,"
The lovers shared another kiss and began drifting off to sleep. Both overly happy to be in each other's lives and had high hopes to continue such through the next parts of their lives. One thing was for sure is that they both understood it took hard work to be happy and they were both willing to do whatever it takes to ensure they were forever more.
(Author's Note: So ends Whatever It Takes! Hello all my loyal readers. I'm sorry for the extended wait in updates. I admit that I needed a break from writing HTTYD stories and thanks to Vala411, and movie marathon with my kiddo, I am currently heavily into Harry Potter. Not to worry, I still have plenty of HTTYD stories in a document waiting to be written. But right now, I'm on a Harry Potter kick. So don't be too surprised if the next story that goes up is a Harry Potter one! Thanks for the continued support. Love you all so much! See you next time! -Nightstar Fury)