Neptune High Graduation

[watching_you]

Graduation at Neptune High is an event. Always has been. Neptune's rich and famous love to see their children all done up, and this event is no exception.

The auditorium is decked out in Pirate colours, green and yellow, and everything matches - the banners, the balloons, the gowns. There's an air of excitment, of pride, of anxiety.

Up on stage, Van Clemmons starts calling names.

Comments

[q_in_training]

They won't be calling the M's for a few more minutes yet.

Mac leans around Scott Markum and taps Veronica on the shoulder.

"Guess what?" she says with a grin.

[watching_you]

Veronica leans back, to smile around at Mac.

"What?"

[q_in_training]

This is the kind of news best delivered with a suggestive eyebrow waggle, but Mac's a little too nervous to pull that off. She lowers her voice.

"Beaver got us a room at the Neptune Grand for tonight."

[watching_you]

"Ooh la la!"

Veronica is doubly pleased. First, because this means Beaver and Mac are getting back together.

Second, because it might mean forgiveness for that Butters incident...

[q_in_training]

Oh, she's totally forgiven for the Butters incident. So long as, y'know, they never ever speak of it again.

"Any advice?" she asks, trying and completely failing to sound offhand.

(Because Veronica, as she put it once, is worldly.)

[watching_you]

"Close your eyes and think of England?" Veronica says, with her usual aplomb.

At Mac's expression, she quickly adds, "Just relax."

[q_in_training]

GLEE!, says Mac's face before she quickly turns her attention back to the ceremony.

Three people left in the row in front of them: time to stand on cue, like the class of 2006 rehearsed for hours, and file out to join the line.

[dead_hooker_2]

She's in the very last row. The clothes are elegant and almost demure. And aside from clapping and cheering for her brother, she's quiet.

You could miss her entirely, really.

But Trina's here, and you'll see her if you look.

[obligatoryass]

Logan looks.

He's not sure if he wants her to be there or not - he's terrified she is, actually, and he's telling himself it's ridiculous to think he might be disappointed if she's not.

There's no chance to tell if he's lying, because he spots her. The sight makes him raise his eyebrows. And that might be a smile, but any visible evidence is probably inadmissable in a court of law.

[dead_hooker_2]

Trina waves.

And . . . smiles?



It's possible this is a pod person version of Logan's sister.

[obligatoryass]

Logan is too shocked to do anything but smile nicely back.

This might explain the expression on his face when Veronica's name is called.

Or it could be that he skipped breakfast. It's hard to tell.

[dead_hooker_2]

He shouldn't have skipped breakfast. This is Neptune, after all, and you never know what's going to happen before lunch.

It occurs to Trina that she should perhaps have seen if Logan needed a stylist to get the hat on correctly, since it appears to be flouffing up on top on his head.

[obligatoryass]

Logan never eats breakfast. He more than makes up for it at other meals, though.

Maybe his cap and gown were swapped with someone else? It's the only explanation that makes sense.

[dead_hooker_2]

Clearly, the Neptune High Class of 2006 needed a better wardrobe mistress.

Or the academic world needs to accept that there is not a single human being who doesn't look absurd in a mortar board, and give up.

Trina's waiting by the door when the graduates leave.

"Congratulations, little brother."

[obligatoryass]

Logan can't even come up with a smartass remark, he's so pleased.

"Thanks," he says, grinning. "Glad to be done."

He gives her a long look. "And you decided to show up when?"

[dead_hooker_2]

"You think I'd miss your graduation? I'm hurt, Logan."

It's light, but she actually might be, a little. Not that she'd ever admit it.

"You look very green. And sort of polyestery."

[obligatoryass]

"You didn't call..." he says, then lets it go. It's as close to an apology as he can get, and he's not in the picking-a-fight mood.

"Yeah, I'm thinking it's not my color," he says. "If only we could have been clad in gold with green trim, right?"

Or orange. Or argyle. Because those are other overused colors and patterns on this show.

[dead_hooker_2]

It would be a pity to spoil one of their few fight-free conversations quite this quickly.

"Honestly, I think any polyester dress-like thing is kind of a lost cause."

Even in argyle.

"But hey, you don't have to wear one again for at least four years."

[obligatoryass]

"Aren't we optimistic?" Logan says, laughing. "So you're not relegating me to loserville or trade school like everyone else I know?"

[dead_hooker_2]

"See, trade school would require you to actually like, take up a trade, and as for the loserville thing, well, maybe, but you'd still be able to find a college or ten that'll put up with you for the tuition."

[obligatoryass]

Logan makes a face. "Thanks, sis," he says. "I knew I could count on you to have faith in me."

There is, surprisingly, no rancor in his voice. "So are you taking me out to a celebratory lunch, or am I going to have to scavenge on my own?"

[dead_hooker_2]

"I think a celebratory lunch could be arranged," she says, with no reference to his people, her people, her day planner, or how busy she is.

"Hell, if you've got your fake ID on you, I'll even buy you a celebratory drink."

[obligatoryass]

"When was the last time I was without?" he asks, pulling it out and twirling said ID in his hands. "It's like American Express, only better. You feeling up to someplace swank?"

[speaknoweevil.livejournal.com]

Weevil leads his grandmother and the kids down to their seats. Ophelia's got her eyes on a few of the wealthier parents' pocketbooks, and he grins and ruffles her hair. She giggles; abuela straightens his cap.

It looked better crooked. He keeps it straightened anyway.

[watching_you]

After what seems like hours, they call Veronica's name, and she makes her way up onto the stage. She braces herself, preparing for --

for...

cheers?

And indeed, that's what she hears - applause, people shouting her name. Someone in the back even whistles. Veronica shakes her head, slightly dazed but smiling, and accepts her diploma from Principal Van Clemmons.

"You were expecting some other reaction?" he asks her.

She's not sure how to reply.

He grins, and continues. "I can't decide whether my life is going to be easier or more difficult when you're gone. Any advice in case I get another one like you someday?"

"Don't keep all your passwords taped to the bottom of your stapler?" His expression at this remark brings her great joy. With a smile, she adds, "And stay cool, Mister C."



A few minutes later, outside, Dick slaps her on the ass and invites her to a graduation party. She's about to object, but hey - what the hell. You only graduate once.