Chapter 32: Graduation.
Disclaimer: I do not own the Fosters, or its theme song.
AN: Please leave lots of reviews. So, this is the graduation episode. I hope you guys like it.
Connor's POV:
The day had finally arrived. The day we had all been waiting for, for countless years.
Graduation day was finally upon us.
Jude stood on stage, in front of the microphone. He had been chosen, unanimously by the entire graduating class, to give the opening speech.
"Well. Here we are." He said, "We've all made it. Graduation is here, and the journey that started more than a decade ago has come to an end. All of our hard work, all of our late night study cramming sessions, and last minute research papers have finally paid off."
Quite a few people laughed at Jude's slightly dry delivery.
"This class, has been through a lot." He continued, "Especially this last year. Several of us, who were supposed to be here today, are no longer here at all. They were taken from us, long before their time. They died as heroes, and they are remembered as such. From little Andrew Baxter, who died saving his best friends life, to Blake Richardson, who dove in front of a bullet to sacrifice himself for his baby brother. These names, these people, their courage will never be forgotten. I would like now, for us all to bow our heads in respect and in honor of our fallen."
Everybody bowed their heads in remembrance for a minute, before Jude continued his speech.
"But still, we got through it." He continued, "We faced our challenges, and beat them. And now, as I stand here today, on the cusp of a bright future, I look back at my own life, and how far I've come since I started at Anchor Beach."
He took a breath and made eye contact with me. I offered him a smile.
"You're doing great." I mouthed at him, offering him both thumbs up. He returned my smile and continued.
"First, I would like to take this time to thank the parents and teachers here tonight for getting us here." Jude said, "For the numerous hundreds of dollars in gas wasted to drive us here, to suffering through teenage angst and our senseless nagging about things that we forgot about the very next day. I would also like to extend a personal apology to my moms, for the numerous heart attacks you guys have nearly suffered since you guys adopted me. I have more to thank you guys for than I could ever admit."
He wiped a tear away.
"When I first arrived at Anchor Beach," He said, "I was only twelve years old. I had just been rescued from an abusive foster home by my sister Callie, future adopted brother Brandon, and my future moms, Stef and Lena. Stef and Lena took me and Callie into their home and treated me like their own child... even though we all could have been shot that night because my foster father was waving a gun around. They showed me the true meaning of family, that blood does not make a family. They taught me that love made the family. Then I was enrolled here."
Jude laughed and turned and smiled at Lena, mouthing to her that he loved her.
"The first day here. I got lost. Hopelessly lost." He said to the laughter of himself and the crowd, "Wandering around in my raged clothes and a god awful bowl-cut haircut, trying to find my first class. I walked around a corner, and the next thing I know, I'm on the ground, dazed. Next thing after that, I'm being pulled to my feet, and this kid is fussing over me, apologizing profusely asking me if I was okay. He looked me in the eyes, said hello, and then he introduced himself. I had no idea at the time, that I had just met the boy who would end up putting my broken pieces back together. A boy who I would put back together. A boy I would end up falling in love with."
He turned his head to look straight at me.
"Connor." He said, "He was my first friend. With him around, everything was worth it. When we fell for each other, things just got better. Over the years, we've fixed each other. I helped him with a few of his issues, and he helped me to recover... *deep breath* from the traumas of my horrific past."
His gaze remained fixed on me.
"I am many things." He continued, "And I have overcame many obstacles that would have broken many. I am a recovered victim of mental, physical and emotional abuse. I am a former foster kid... and I am a recovered rape victim."
Many people gasped when he said that, myself included. I did not expect Jude to mention it in the speech.
"But tonight. I stand before you as none of those things." He said, "I stand before you as a friend. As a classmate. But more than that, I stand here as a graduate. I stand here, with all of you, as a member of the class of 2019."
People stood and cheered for Jude as he said that. He motioned for quiet after allowing the cheering to continue for a few moments.
"I'm going to end this speech with a quote, from a song that has become our families unofficial theme song." He said, pulling a piece of paper from his pocket.
He unfolded the paper and began to recite the lyrics.
"It's not where you come from,
It's where you belong.
Nothin I would trade,
I wouldn't have it any other way.
You're surrounded
By love and you're wanted,
So never feel alone.
You are home with me,
Right where you belong."
He paused for a moment, before continuing.
"My life at Anchor Beach taught me a lot, as did the people." He said, "I know I belong. I really wouldn't have it any other way. I wouldn't trade a single second of the past six years for anything in the world. We all built the foundations for our futures at this school, and I will be the first to admit that I'm going to miss it. In this, we all share. In this, we all belong. Ladies and gentleman, I am proud to present, for the last time assembled, the graduating class of 2019."
The gym thundered with applause as Jude left the stage to take his seat. Five minutes later, the first students started walking across the stage, but I didn't pay attention to anybody until Jude's name was called.
"Jude Adams-Foster."
I jumped to my feet and cheered. In the background I could hear the rest of the family and the other members of "the Mafia" doing the same. Jude walked across the stage and Lena handed him his diploma and wrapped him in a hug. Both were crying. I could feel tears forming in my eyes, and I made eye contact with Jude as he returned to his seat. He blew me a kiss. I could barely make a sound because the tears were falling so heavily.
At that moment, every happy memory Jude and I ever shared flashed through my mind, and my smile just got wider. I only paid attention to the names enough to cheer when other members of our group walked across to accept their diplomas. One by one, my family walked across the stage.
"Wynston Adler."
Wynston walked across the stage. He looked shell shocked, as if he couldn't believe what was happening.
"Austin Beverly."
Austin sashayed across the stage to accept his diploma. I laughed at the way he strutted, and i could just imagine Jeremy turning an unholy shade of red.
"Jackson Finnegan."
Jax walked across the stage slowly, leaning on his cane heavily. He was in hysterical tears.
I felt myself tear up as another one of my best friend's dreams came true. He thrust his diploma into the air in gleeful triumph. He made eye contact with me, and mouthed the word "victory".
I smiled back at him and saluted him.
"Ritchie Holmes."
Ritchie had a gigantic smile on his face as he accepted his diploma, which he cradled like a priceless ancient treasure.
"Castor Johnson."
Castor didn't do anything funny. He just walked across and accepted his diploma like a dignified human being.
"Taylor Newsome."
She marched across the stage, with almost military march-like precision. When she accepted the diploma, she threw her hand into the air in triumph.
"Alex O'Reilly."
"Carson O'Reilly."
The twins walked across the stage together. I noticed, as Carson accepted his diploma, that from his graduation cap, hung a rainbow colored tassel. I smiled wide and cheered.
The people in my row were instructed to rise and line up to walk across the stage. I was shaking with anticipation.
"Jeremy Robertson."
Jeremy walked across the stage quickly to accept his diploma, nearly tripping over his own feet in the process. When it was in his hands, he looked at the diploma as if he couldn't believe it was real.
"Daria Smith."
Daria walked, dignified, across the stage and accepted hers. I was one of the few who could tell that it was only a matter of moments before she started squealing in uncontrollable happiness. Sure enough, not even ten second had elapsed since her exit from the stage before I heard a loud squeal of delight.
It was at this moment I noticed that there were only two people in between me and my high school diploma.
One person left...
"Connor Alexander Stevens."
Everything fell away.
There was no sound. I could not hear any of the cheers from our family in the audience. It was as if I had tunnel vision as I walked across the stage. I walked up to Lena, and with shaking hands, I accepted my diploma. Lena pulled me into a hug.
"Thank you." I said, "For everything."
She hugged me tighter, before releasing me and ushering me off the stage.
After I took my seat, the ceremony seemed to fly by at a lightning pace. All of the Mafia had their diplomas. It was done for us. It was over. Too soon, we all marched from the gym.
I immediately set out to find Jude.
I found him being hugged by his family. As soon as he saw me, he unfolded himself from Callie's embrace and launched himself at me.
I caught him, and we both started sobbing.
I lifted him off of his feet and spun him around before capturing his lips with mine. He wrapped his arms around my neck, and I wrapped mine around his waist.
We pulled apart to stare into each other's eyes.
"We did it." He sobbed.
"We made it." I whispered before pulling him back closer to me. For five minutes, we stood there, our heads resting on the others shoulder, crying softly.
A throat cleared.
Jude and I separated an I was swept into a hug by my parents, which was only a little awkward because Mom was holding Andy.
"I'm so proud of you, son." Dad said.
"Thanks daddy." I said, still crying softly.
Dad started to tear up as well. I hadn't called him that in years. Not since before Jude and I got together.
"Connor?"
I turned around to face my grandparents and my Uncle Evan. Uncle David and cousin Albus weren't there because he was in bed sick with the flu
I addressed my grandfather first.
"Grandpa." I said, nodding politely.
I was surprised when he moved forward and wrapped me in a timid hug.
I gasped at that to myself, and returned the hug.
"Congratulations, you've made me very proud." He said.
I started crying into his shoulder.
"Thanks grandpa."
"I hate to interrupt the festivities," Uncle Evan said, sharing a look with my parents and Stef and Lena, "But we all have some place we need to be. Jude, Connor, if you'll both follow us in your cars, this needs to be done before dark."
We were ushered off to our cars quickly, confusion setting in.
As soon as we were on the road, following the column of cars led by my Uncle's Black Charger. I picked up the walkie talkie and turned it on.
"Jude, B, Jesus? You guys on?" I asked.
"Yep." Jude answered.
"Yeah." Jesus answered.
"Go ahead Connor." Brandon responded.
"Anybody got any clue about what is going on?" I asked.
My response was three simultaneous no's.
"It's a surprise Connor." My Uncle Evan's voice said from over the walkie talkie. I rolled my eyes and we continued to follow him.
After driving for twenty minutes, we entered the suburbs. Five more minutes later we pulled up in front of a small house.
It was a modest little house. It had blue siding, and solar panels on the roof.
We all got out of our cars and followed Uncle Evan, who ushered us inside.
The walls were painted a cool white, and the carpets were blue. There was a small kitchen, and a small living room. There were two bedrooms. One with a large closet and a adjoined bathroom. It was also fully furnished, complete with a flat screen in the living room. We turned to Uncle Evan, confused.
"I bought this place a year ago." He said, "Bought it dirt cheap. It was a mess. Spent a lot fixing it up. I think it turned out alright though, don't you? Fully paid for. All the bills prepaid for the next five years."
"Yeah. But why are we here?" Jude asked, very confused.
"Because," He said, "Connor, Jude."
He stepped forward and handed us a blue wrapped box.
Inside, was a manila folder, and two sets of keys.
I reached into the box, and shakily withdrew the items.
"Is this...?" I started to ask, holding the folder up.
"The deed." He said, nodding, "We've all been working on this for the last few months. All of us."
He motioned to all the adults.
"As of noon today, the deed to this house is in yours and Jude's names."
Jude and I both stared at him, eyes wide and mouth agate.
"Are you saying what I think you're saying?" I asked
"Yes, I am." Uncle Evan said, "This house? It's yours."
He moved forward and wrapped Jude and I in a hug, which we eagerly returned.
"Happy Graduation, boys."
AN#2: So, that's this chapter. Please leave lots of reviews!