May 31, 2016

Bellwood Hotel; 12:30 pm

"Ben Tennyson!" The voice rang out in the auditorium followed by cheering. With a pep in his step and a nervous smile, the young adult climbed onto the stage and stared into the vast crowd. In his years of fighting criminals, monsters, and aliens, Ben had received cheers and applause from all over the country, but today was different. Benjamin Kirby Tennyson has just graduated high school.

After the ceremony, Ben sat backstage looking over his newly earned diploma. Education has never been his top priority, but even he felt a hint of pride at the accomplishment.

"Easy there, you're starting to drool." Hovering over him was his girlfriend of two years, Julie Yamamoto. "Can't believe we're graduates."

"I know." Ben said reminiscing "It feels like just yesterday I was ten years old going cross country with my grandpa." Julie stiffened a little at the mention of the annual trip but did her best not to show it.

"Your grandpa is gonna pick you up soon isn't he?" She asked a little more anxious than she intended. "This is the last trip you two are having now that you've graduated. When you get back you said you were going to become a plumber right?"

Getting up from his seat Ben looked towards the crowds of students exiting the building. "That's the plan at least. I know plumbing isn't the most exciting job in the world, but at least it pays well."

"Well, it better be. With all those weekend trips you and your grandpa go on I'm surprised you haven't started working on your own."

"I'm still only apprenticing," Ben said not to keen on the subject, "I promise that when I get back I'll start bringing in the big bucks." Walking side by side they exited the hotel and were met with a huge bear hug from Ben's mother.

"Oh look at you, my baby boy's graduated."

"Mom! You're embarrassing me!" Sandra Tennyson continued to smother the young man ignoring his pleas.

"Come on honey, give the boy some room to breathe." Ben's father said while prying his wife away. "Congratulations Ben and congratulations are in order for you too Julie." After finally letting go, Sanda walked over and gave the young woman a much gentler hug.

"I heard you're going to college on a tennis scholarship. Now if only Ben would even consider higher education instead of-" Sandra was cut off by the horn of a familiar RV.

"That must be a grandpa." Ben gave his parents a quick hug and Julie a quick kiss before running off. "I'll see you soon!" His parents waved him off and Julie made the motion of "call me" before Ben disappeared into the rust bucket.

Taking in the sight of his home away from home, Ben couldn't wait to get on the road for another Tennyson road trip. That was until he saw a particular redhead sitting the booth next to him. "What are YOU doing here? What is SHE doing here!?"

"Oh boy, "Max sighed, "here we go again."