Hi Guys!
Here is my last chapter!
But don't worry, I still have an epilogue up my sleeve for you guys :)
I have spent a lot of time coming up Rocky's speech, therefore it would really mean a lot if you guys tell me what you think.
With no further ado.
Chapter Thirty Six: Graduation!
One Week Later…
Before Graduation:
"Oh my god! I am so nervous for my speech!" Rocky said as she walked back and forth in her home room, wearing her valedictorian robe.
"Rocky! Relax! Your speech will be amazing! We all have faith in you!" Cece said, trying to calm her best friend.
"Ya, Rocky! We all have faith in you! We all got your backs!" Dina added.
"Just chill and relax! You will do fine! All our friends and families are here to support you!" Deuce said.
Everyone stunned and turned to stare deadly at Deuce for bring up that their families will be watching if Rocky really messed up. Everyone knows that saying that at this time will only make Rocky freak out more.
"OH MY GOD! You're right! All our friends and family will be staring and me if I screw up! Oh my god! I think I'm going to throw up!" As expected, Rocky started to panic even more.
Everyone now stared even more deadly at Deuce, if eye sight could kill. Deuce should be dead over a hundred times.
Dina quickly pulled Deuce away to avoid any abusing and beating happened in the home room before graduation even start.
"Cece! Are you hungry? There is some food outside." Logan said as he entered the homeroom after changing into his graduation robe.
"Yes, food! Rocky, let's go have a bite! You will feel better after eating some food. We have not eaten anything since this morning!" Cece said as she pushed Rocky to the hallway.
"Hi guys! I'm ready!" Tinka announced as she entered the home room with a sparkling blue robe.
"Wow! Tinka! You look like a blue disco ball!" Cece teased.
Rocky giggled as she nodded in agreement.
"No one can see my beautiful dress underneath so of course I have sparkle up my graduation robe. Do you expect me to look like everyone else?" Tinka scoffed.
Logan, Cece and Rocky chuckled as they shook their head at the blue disco ball.
In Graduation Halls:
"Thank you Principle Rabinoff for your speech. Now let's put our hands together to welcome this year's valedictorian, Rocky Blue on stage for a speech." Mr Polk announced.
Everyone started clapping and cheering for Rocky as she walked towards the stage.
"Thank you, Mr Polk! Hi everyone, I'm Rocky Blue!" Rocky greeted as she stepped on the podium.
Rocky carefully took a deep breath and said, "Ever since I was a child, my dad has always told me and my brother that one day we will be a great doctor. Given that I was a kid with no knowledge of the real world or own interest, I have always thought that I will be a doctor when I grew up. But when I was five, I met a certain red-headed girl…"
Rocky stopped and winked Cece while Cece giggled back.
Rocky took another big breath and continued, "… that always embrace her every challenge without fear that make me realize that being a doctor or having a successful career should not be our life time goal. This isn't the time to make hard and fast decisions about our future, this is the time to make mistakes and learn from them. Take the wrong train and stuck somewhere. Nothing will ever be easy or be done without mistakes but all we can do is to make sure that our decision is true to our heart and will never regret every decision. That way someday when they asked what we want to be, we won't have to guess – we'll know."
Everyone stood up and started cheering for Rocky's inspiring speech while Rocky grinned widely at the crowd.
"Thank you Rocky, for such an inspiring speech. Now shall we invite Principle Rabinoff on stage once again before we start giving out our diplomas?" Mr Polk announced.
For the next hour, diplomas were handed class by class.
"… Cece Jones" Mr Polk announced.
"Congratulations, Ms Jones!" Principle Rabinoff congratulated.
"Thank you!" Cece grinned.
Cece gave Rocky a hug, before she left the stage.
"…Deuce Martinez" Mr Polk announced.
"…Dina Garcia" Mr Polk announced
"…"
"…Logan Hunter" Mr Polk announced.
"…"
"…Tinka Hessenheffer" Mr Polk announced.
"…"
"That's a wrap for this year – 2016 Graduates. Thank you for coming." Mr Polk said before leaving the stage.
Outside John Hughes High School:
"Congratulations, sweetie!" JJ and Georgia greeted when they saw Cece.
"Thanks mom! Thanks dad!" Cece said after giving them a hug.
"Congratulations, Cece!" Flynn said as he hugged his big sister.
"Thanks, Flynn." Cece replied.
"Hi Mr and Ms Jones!" Rocky greeted as she appeared in the gardens.
"Hi Rocky! Congratulations!" JJ, Georgia and Flynn greeted.
"Thanks! Did you saw my parents and Ty?" Rocky asked.
"They were over there, talking to Jeremy!" JJ pointed towards behind Flynn.
"Oh! Thanks!" Rocky said.
"Rocky!" George half-shouted before Rocky walked over to her parents.
"Will you be a doll and help us take a family picture?" George asked.
"Sure!" Rocky grinned.
Just then, Jeremy and Rocky's parents walked over with Logan and Ty.
"Congratulations, sweetie! We are so proud of you." Curtis greeted as he gave his babe girl a hug.
"Thanks dad!" Rocky replied.
"Congratulations, son! Your mom will be very proud of you too if she is here!" Jeremy said as he wrapped an arm around his son.
"I know! I know she is watching over me every minute!" Logan said as he hugged his dad.
"Oh, we have already made reservations for dinner at Grace! Will you guys be joining us? I need to confirm the reservation." Georgia asked.
"Definitely! We will meet you guys at the restaurant at seven." Jeremy replied as he let go of Logan.
"Mom! We will go get Tinka, Deuce and Dina for group photo by the school garden. We will be right back." Cece asked.
"Alright! Be back soon so we can get big family group photo." Georgia assured.
"OK!" Cece replied before running off to find Tinka, Deuce and Dina.
"Hey Gunther!" Cece and Rocky greeted as they walked over.
"Hey! Congratulations, guys!" Gunther greeted.
"Oh, my dad have a reservation at Grace at seven. Will you guys be joining us?" Logan asked.
"Sorry, my grandfather is in town so we will be having dinner with him and our parents." Tinka replied.
"Deucey and I will be having dinner with our parents at my house tonight. Sorry!" Dina replied.
"Cool! But you guys are still up for lunch tomorrow?" Rocky asked.
"Definitely!" Deuce replied.
"Alright guys! Group pic time!" Cece said.
"Let me help you guys with that." Mr Polk offered as he overheard them while walking by them.
"Thanks, Mr Polk!" Cece said as she gave her camera to Mr Polk.
"Say 'Graduation'!" Mr Polk said as he took their picture.
"Graduation!" They shouted in reply.
At Jones Apartment:
Cece is getting ready for dinner with the Blues and Hunters while Rocky read a magazine in a black mini dress with sweet heart neckline.
"Cece! Please pick a dress already!" Rocky groaned while Cece put on her ninth dress.
"I want to look fabulous! This is Grace we are having our dinner at!" Cece rebutted.
Rocky chuckled at her best friend without a word as she shook her head.
"Ok! I think I got the prefect dress!" Cece announced as she put on a baby blue mini dress with spaghetti straps.
"Cece! You look so cute in that! Logan will surely fall in love with you all over again!" Rocky complimented.
"Thanks Rocky!" Cece blushed as she slipped on her silver heels.
"Cece! Are you ready to go?" JJ knocked on the door and asked.
"In a minute, dad!" Cece replied.
Five minutes later, Cece and Rocky held hand on hand as they walked out of Cece's girlfriend.
"Cece! Rocky! You girls looked so pretty this evening!" JJ praised as he got up of the couch.
"Aww, thanks dad!" Cece replied as she hugged her dad.
"Ok, you guys ready to go?" Georgia asked as she appeared in the living room.
"I'm ready! Let's go!" Flynn announced as he appeared in the living room.
At Grace:
After having a wonderful dinner, they are all now having deserts. Curtis gently tapped his fork onto his wine glass to get the attention of his friends and their children.
"Congratulations! We are very proud of you! Shall we present a toast to our beautiful…" Curtis gestured to Logan, and continued, "…and handsome high school graduates."
Everyone raise their cup and gestured to Logan, Cece and Rocky.
"Did you guys enjoy your dinner?" Georgia asked.
"It was amazing!" Logan replied.
"We did! Thanks mom!" Cece replied.
"It was delicious!" Rocky replied.
Their parents exchange glances and smiled bright as Jeremy, JJ and Curtis took out something from his pocket and handled to their kids.
"We are all very proud of you guys tonight. Not only did you guys graduated, the three of you have all gotten wonderful scholarships for college." Jeremy said as he gave Logan an envelope.
"Cece, to be honest, I have been worrying for you since you were a kid, but seeing now that you be going to Julliard next fall and have a bright future ahead of you. We really wanted to show you how proud we were." Georgia added as JJ passed an envelope to Cece too.
"So after discussing for a week, we have finally came up with a perfect graduation gift to you. We really hope you liked them." Marcie concluded as Curtis gave an envelope to Rocky too,
"Come on! Open them! I gave ideas on the gifts too!" Ty urged.
"OMG!" Rocky exclaimed.
"Oh, Dad! You got to be kidding me!" Logan blurted.
"Shut up!" Cece shrieked.
"What did they got you?" Flynn asked, curious.
"They got us a convertible… EACH!" Cece shrieked.
All their parents chuckled while JJ added, "Not only that! There is still something in the envelope!"
All the three of them widen their eyes when they saw a huge check in their envelope.
"Since, you guys will be moving to New York. We decided to give you guys new cars so you can get around easily. As for the cash, we thought that it was a little something for you guys so you guys don't have to worry about money in New York, all you guys need to concentrate is on your studies." Georgia explained.
"And Logan, I knew you got a Volkswagen too, which was my old car. You can still keep the car here or you could sell it. Your choice." Jeremy added.
"Oh and here are keys to your new loft." Marcie said as she handed a key each to Cece and Rocky.
"Wait! You said loft? I thought it will be a regular apartment." Rocky asked.
"We were but we thought you guys will need the space for your college work and stuff." JJ explained.
"Logan, here's yours!" Jeremy said as he handed a key to Logan.
"We have paid your rent for the whole of next year so just have fun and be careful in New York!" Georgia warned.
"Oh my god! These are the best gifts ever!" Cece exclaimed as she, Rocky and Logan hugged their parents.
The Next Day…
At Crusty's:
"Your parents gave you guys a brand new convertible?" Dina exclaimed.
"And a big check for your college life in New York?" Gunther exclaimed.
"They even upgraded your apartment rental to a loft?" Deuce exclaimed.
"Yup! We are shock by our parents too." Cece said.
"I thought it will just be a regular dinner with my family and friends, I did not expect to have so many surprises from them." Logan added.
"Did you have anything to do with this, Ty?" Tinka raised an eye brow at Ty.
Ty chuckled, "Ok, I will not lie about this but I did suggest to them on the loft thing. As for the car and check, I have nothing to do with it."
"What about you guys? Get anything from your parents?" Rocky asked.
"My dad got me a new car too. So I can drive myself to college." Dina replied.
"My parents bought me an apartment in Paris so I can grow my roots there." Tinka replied.
"Well, I got a small check from them for college funds and a new apple laptop. I'm good!" Deuce replied.
"Cool!" Logan exclaimed.
"What about you, Gunther?" Ty asked.
"What about me?" Gunther asked.
"We heard Tinka said that you just graduated from High school in the old country. Will you be returning to Chicago?" Ty asked.
"I don't think so. I mean I wanted to but since our family are the royalties in the old country. My parents need me to help with royal duties for at least a year, now that my Grandma just passed away six months ago." Gunther said.
"So will you return to Chicago after that?" Logan asked.
"I think I might. I am not sure about colleges yet. Besides, I still have six more months so I still have plenty of time." Gunther replied
"What about you, Tinka? Will you return to the old country?" Dina asked.
"At the moment, my parents are cool with me staying in Paris. But I may return to the old country after my college so I could visit my family there before I settle down in Paris for my future." Tinka replied.
"What about you two?" Ty asked.
"I am still searching my way but I am no matter where I end up, I will be fine!" Dina replied.
"I think I may have to take over the family business but I am sure yet!" Deuce replied.
"Looks like we all have quite a bright future ahead of us!" Ty concluded.
"Ya, we do! I mean Cece and I will be in New York, Logan will be a businessman, Tinka will be a fashion legend, Gunther will be on royal duty, Deuce and Dina have college to think through their future and I believe they will be happy as long as they have each other." Rocky added.
"Ty and Rocky is right! We do have a pretty good future ahead of us!" Cece said.
"To friendship and a great future ahead of us!" Logan said as he picked up his cup.
Everyone smiled and picked their cup, "To friendship and a great future ahead of us"
Remember this is not the end!
I will post the final epilogue by Tuesday :)
That's it for this chapter, I hope you guys enjoy this new chapter! :D
Remember to tell me what you think about this last chapter :)
xoxo
Bella