Author's Notes: Hi, readers. Here's chapter eight of "Not Here III: Going Around." The chapter introduces the earlier Rangers, TJ's parents, Carlos's parents, Cassie's parents, Mike, and Maya. It also shows the chaos during the graduation ceremony. I won't tell you. You will have to find out for yourselves. I feel it is wise to show things don't always go off without a hitch during important functions. It makes things more realistic. Stay tuned for chapter nine.
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Chapter 8: Graduation Begins/Embarrassment
The auditorium was packed with people sixteen minutes later. Lively chatter echoed throughout it. It consisted of two floors on each side. Six sets of bleachers were on each side from top to bottom. They all had ten rows each. Twenty rows of chairs were in the middle. They had ten chairs per row. The stage contained a podium with seven chairs next to it.
Ashton, Anna, Gerald, Ben, Kayla, Julian, Tracy, Kinwon, and Tykwa were seated in the third row of the first set of bottom right bleachers. Roger, Marie, Robbie, Lily, Ricky, Diane, and Joey happened to be below them. Kinwon and Tykwa looked over the brochures. Kayla tapped her foot and looked at her watch. She placed her hand over her mouth. Tykwa straightened her sleeves before stretching her arms behind her back. Kayla rolled her eyes while sighing impatiently. Tykwa shot an annoyed glance at her, as did Kinwon.
"This ceremony needs to start now," Kayla griped.
"Kayla, will you be quiet? It will start in a minute," Tykwa retorted and shook her head in disbelief. "I have never seen someone as impatient as you are."
"Tykwa is right. On KO-35, it is not unusual to be a little late to important functions. We have learned to be patient," Kinwon added and crossed his arms with a huff.
"Mm-hmm," Tykwa agreed with a nod. She crossed her left ankle over her right one. "This is not about you. It's about the final team of Power Rangers graduating high school with their peers."
Julian turned toward Kayla. "I thought Tracy was bad with patience. You take the cake."
"You might as well give Anakin Skywalker from The Phantom Menace a run for his money too," Tracy added, her hand curling into a very tight fist.
"Maybe a little air will clear your mind, honey," Ben whispered while touching his wife's arm.
Kayla shook her head. "That won't be necessary."
Ben exhaled. "Good. Now, please be quiet. You are being embarrassing enough to us as it is."
Kayla held up her hands and looked away. Ashton, Anna, Gerald, and Raylene looked at each other while shaking their heads in disbelief. Roger, Marie, Robbie, Lily, Ricky, Diane, and Joey glanced up at them.
"She has such a big mouth," Joey said.
"You could fit Jupiter in it right now," Diane said while crossing her arms.
"No shit," Ricky whispered and licked his lips.
Ashton gritted his teeth. "She had better behave, or there will be consequences."
"Me too," Anna agreed.
"Me three," Gerald commented.
Raylene snorted. "Me four."
"Don't forget us. We hope so too," Roger, Marie, Robbie, and Lily said as they gestured toward themselves.
Tommy shifted a bit in his seat in the second set of bottom right bleachers. He, Kat, Rocky, Aisha, Adam, and Tanya were in the third row. Jason, Emily, Zack, Trini, Billy, Kim, Mike, and Maya were below them.
"I can't believe we are attending the graduation of the final Power Ranger team," Tommy said excitedly.
"Me neither, Tommy," Kat said, chuckling softly. "Even better is Leo, Kendrix, and Karone are graduating with them."
"Who would've thought the lady who was once Astronema would be attending high school?" Jason wondered curiously.
"It's not something you write home about," Emily said, touching his arm.
"We don't care. We are proud of them," Rocky said with pride.
"Yep," Aisha agreed.
"What I don't understand is how Ashley's grandparents could just show up out of the blue after what they said to her," Adam said. "It was such a shock to hear it from Ashley's parents when we met them in the hallway. That is after they told us about her and Andros's engagement."
"I know, right?" Tanya said, shaking her head in disbelief. "I don't blame Andros and Ashley for being angry at all. I would be if anyone in my family pulled the same stunt."
"So would the rest of us," Kim agreed.
"You can't expect things to go back to the way they were after being cruel to someone. It's just not realistic," Zack commented and ran his hand over his head.
"One thing is clear. Ashley may never get over what her grandparents said to her. Neither will the rest of her family," Trini said, sadness lining her voice. "Their relationship has been badly damaged."
"Just because someone is family doesn't give them the right to treat you like trash," Billy said bluntly.
"Ditto," Mike agreed with a sharp nod.
"Mm-hmm," Maya murmured and sighed softly.
Suddenly, Pomp and Circumstance began to play over the intercom. The graduating seniors walked in from the left side door. The first group approached the first row. They went down it and took their seats. The other groups followed suit. The families of TJ, Cassie, Zhane, Karone, Leo, Kendrix, and Carlos cheered when they spotted them. They took multiple pictures. The original eleven Rangers mimicked their actions.
Mr. Kaplan went up the stairs and across the stage once the last of the seniors were seated. Justin, Andros, Ms. Applebee, and Ms. Han followed him close behind. Mr. Kaplan stopped at the podium. He observed them stopping at the first, second, fourth, fifth, and sixth chairs and sitting down. Mr. Wilton took Ashley's hand and helped her up the stairs. She came to Andros, sitting beside him. Tommy tried not to chuckle, but he couldn't help himself. He leaned close to Kat.
"Andros, Zhane, and Karone look so dignified," Tommy whispered and cupped his chin in his hand.
"They all do, Tommy," Kat responded and placed her hand on his face to push him away. "Now, be quiet."
Mr. Kaplan breathed deeply as the song ended. He looked toward the seniors and audience. He touched the sides, feeling his heart skip two beats. He became rather determined.
"Welcome to the graduation ceremony of the Class of 2000. As you know, this is my last day as the principal of Angel Grove High. It is a sad day for all of us, but it is a new beginning too. I am ready to enjoy retirement. I am proud to have been principal of this great school for thirty years," Mr. Kaplan said. "I have had some great…"
As Mr. Kaplan continued talking, Jason and Emily looked toward the first set of bottom bleachers. They could see Kayla moving in her seat a little bit. Mike and Maya spotted her as well.
"What is with her?" Jason whispered confusingly.
"I have no idea," Emily said, swallowing hard.
"I am starting to get a little bit of a bad feeling," Mike admitted with a nervous chuckle.
"Me too," Maya said, grabbing his arm.
"Shh," Jason answered while holding up his hand. "We don't want her to see what we are discussing."
Jason, Emily, Mike, and Maya returned their attention to Mr. Kaplan. They saw him hold up his hand.
"For five years, Angel Grove was protected by an unusual group of superheroes called the Power Rangers. They fought against Rita Repulsa, Lord Zedd, King Mondo, Divatox, Astronema, and Dark Specter. Many battles were quite difficult for them," Mr. Kaplan said, chuckling to himself. "However, they never gave up. The thing is they were ordinary humans attending this school."
Mr. Kaplan wiped a tear from his eye. He looked down, his breathing soft and steady. He regained his composure and moved his head upward.
"I had no clue until the final team revealed their identities to an entire crowd because Astronema threatened to destroy Earth. I began to put the pieces together. I understood why they disappeared often. They were out fighting those deadly monsters. I am forever grateful to them for protecting this city and the universe," Mr. Kaplan said, forming a big smile on his face. "Power Rangers, thank you for service. We are forever in your debt."
The audience and the seniors clapped wildly, except for the former Rangers, whom were all smiling. Cheers broke out everywhere. Andros, Ashley, and Justin tried to hold back sniffles, but they couldn't help themselves. The applause and cheering died down quickly.
"Two extraordinary people are sitting with the valedictorian today. They were part of the final team of Power Rangers. They learned they were going to be parents during their senior year of high school. They have handled it with such grace and dignity that I invited them up here to give speeches on teen parenthood," Mr. Kaplan said warmly. A few boos rang out, causing him to roll his eyes. "I suggest you keep your booing to yourselves. If you get any louder, you will be asked to leave."
The booing came to a complete stop. Ashton and Anna laughed to themselves while grasping hands.
"That showed those buttheads," Ashton said.
"You said it," Anna said, giving a sharp nod.
Mr. Kaplan ran his hand over his face before emitting a soft snort. He tightened his grip on the podium. Ben and Kayla shifted in their seats somewhat.
"Without further ado, Andros Parker will now give his speech to all of you," Mr. Kaplan announced proudly.
The audience and seniors applauded loudly. Kayla started shaking her head as Andros stood up and approached the principal. She looked at her husband, who raised an eyebrow.
"The valedictorian is supposed to give the first speech," Kayla whispered with a shake of her head.
"Not now, honey," Ben said through clenched teeth.
She waved him off. "No. I've got to say something."
Kayla rose to her feet as Andros shook Mr. Kaplan's hand. Andros moved up to the podium after Mr. Kaplan went to his seat to sit down. He placed his speech on it. He was about to speak when she whistled. He glanced toward her, as did everyone else. Ashley felt her eyes go wide with shock.
"Hey, the valedictorian is supposed to give the first speech, Andros!" Kayla called.
"That is usually true, but that's not the case today. Justin asked Ashley and me to give speeches first," Andros said and caught Mr. Kaplan getting up and coming to his side in the corner of his eye. "He wanted us to do this."
"With all due respect, ma'am, you need to let Andros give his speech," Mr. Kaplan insisted.
"But you can't just forego tradition!" Kayla shouted and moved past everyone in the row. She reached the stairs and came down them. She approached the stage. "It's not right."
"Mrs. Hammond, you need to sit down," Andros said through clenched teeth. He spotted Ashley coming to him and Mr. Kaplan in the corner of his eye. "You are embarrassing Ashley and me in front of this whole auditorium!"
"Stop it right now, Grandma!" Ashley shouted, anger lining her voice.
"I don't care. You cannot forego tradition!" Kayla blurted out. "The valedictorian needs to be first."
"You don't understand. Justin specifically requested Andros and I give our speeches before him," Ashley said, her body shaking some. "You need to sit down now."
"If you don't do what Andros and Ashley say, you will be asked to leave," Mr. Kaplan added sternly.
"I won't sit down until you have Justin give the first speech," Kayla said, shaking her head. "He is…"
As Kayla continued ranting, TJ, Cassie, and Carlos put their hands over their faces while shaking their heads in disbelief. Karone, Leo, and Kendrix cringed badly. Ashton, Anna, Raylene, and Gerald hissed angrily. Tommy, Kat, Adam, Tanya, Jason, Emily, Rocky, and Aisha mumbled inaudible words. Mike and Maya swallowed hard.
"I can't believe this is happening," Mike whispered with a rapid shake of his head.
"Ashley's grandmother doesn't give a shit she is embarrassing her and her fiancé," Maya said and scoffed.
He touched his temple. "I feel so bad for Leo that he has to watch this."
She nodded in agreement. "Me too."
Ben rose to his feet as Kayla ranted more. He proceeded to move past his family and the others in the row. A student leaned close to Zhane, who eyed him.
"That lady is crazy," the student whispered truthfully.
"What makes this whole thing worse is she, her husband, and her brother-in-law wanted Ashley to marry Andros or give the twins up for adoption," Zhane admitted.
Ben reached the bottom of the stairs and came to his wife. He grabbed her arm and tugged on it. She ignored him, only to look at him when he gave it a harder tug.
"I think you better come with me right now, honey," Ben said.
"Ben, I—" Kayla started.
He growled. "Now!"
Ben dragged Kayla away from the stage toward the exit. He whispered inaudible words to her as they went through it. The audience broke into quiet chatter as Ashley put her hands over her mouth and began to cry. It stopped when Mr. Kaplan cleared his throat into the microphone.
"I apologize for that outburst, ladies and gentleman," Mr. Kaplan said sympathetically. He peered over his shoulder to see Ashley walking away. He and Andros observed her being helped down the stairs by Mr. Wilton. "It looks like we will have to pause the ceremony for a few minutes. Excuse me."
Ashley went out left side door, her crying increasing. Andros and Mr. Kaplan proceeded to go after her.