Original Date of Post: 07/20/2008
Narrator: GRADUATION!
Choir: Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Narrator: Yeah, this is the wonderful time that comes where all of your hard work for twelve long years finally pays off. Some go straight to college, some go to work, and others have military options. Whatever the choice is, at least these folks will always look back on the years they shared at Pallet High. During the times that were good and times that sucked out loud! Well anyways, it is the morning of Graduation and most of the students were up bright and early getting their last minute tasks done!
Delia: Ash honey, I ironed your gown so it’ll be perfect when you wear it today.
Ash: Thanks Mom! (Delia sobs) Why are you crying?
Delia: It’s just that…I’ve waited for this day so long to come and now that it’s here, I just can’t help but cry. My baby is finally graduating from high school! My special baby boy is graduating high school. Your father would be so proud of you if he were still alive.
Ash: Mom, you’re not going to sob at my graduation are you?
Delia: I’ll try not to!
Ash: Or when I go to basic training in a couple of weeks!
Delia: I’m not making any promises. By the way Ash, how has Misty taken to the news?
Ash: Well…She’s still kind of upset when I told her about it. She’s afraid that I’m going to be killed. I’m just afraid that she might want nothing more to do with me if I leave her.
Delia: Ash, I’d be lying if I said I supported you joining the Army. But it was your decision to join and nobody else telling you. I know it may take her a while to warm up to the idea, but something tells me Misty will support you in any decision.
Ash: I hope you’re right. (At Misty’s house)
Daisy: Misty! Let me in! Come on, you promised I could help you pick out an outfit to wear underneath your cap and gown!
Violet: And you promised us we can fix your hair!
Lily: She’s probably still asleep!
Daisy: Unbelievable! When I was graduating, I was up bright and early…
Violet: Yeah to run to the bathroom to puke your guts out because you went to some keg party the night before.
Daisy: I try Vodka one time and I never hear the end of it!
Violet: Thank God you got it out of your system before our graduation.
Daisy: True…MISTY! Open the door! (Opens the door)
Lily: Misty?
Daisy: What on earth are you doing sitting on your bed in your bath robe? (Silence) Graduation is like hours away and you’re not even a tiny bit ready. Alright spill it, what is going on with you? Are you having boyfriend issues?
Misty: Ash joined the Army.
Daisy: Oh my! I never thought he would be the type to join the Army.
Misty: And if he hid it from me for almost a week, it’s making me wonder if I should…
Daisy: You’re not thinking about breaking up with Ash, are you?
Misty: It’s a possibility.
Daisy: Misty, I’m pretty sure Ash didn’t hide this to spite you. It’s because he cares for you and didn’t want you to worry.
Misty: I suppose…But still… (At Marisa’s house)
Marcus: Hey Laura! Is your cousin here?
Laura: She’s in her room! (In Marisa’s room)
Marisa: (Sighs) Oh Tracey! (The door opens) Huh?
Laura: Look who’s here!
Marisa: What are you doing here?
Marcus: Came to check on my little buddy on the big day. Huh? Oh, you’re looking at a photo album.
Laura: Again? You’ve been flipping through this photo album for days now. When are you going to get over it and talk to Tracey? It was a silly argument anyways!
Marisa: It’s a little more complicated than that.
Laura: Well, here’s something that I want you to do. (Pulls out an envelope) Open it!
Marisa: Hold on! This is from Azalea! But I didn’t see the mail truck come by yet and it doesn’t come this early.
Laura: Yeah, I found it yesterday in the mail. I wanted to save it so that I could be there when you open it.
Marisa: You didn’t open it already, did you? Eh, who cares? (Opens the envelope)
Marcus: So…
Laura: What’s the word? (Marisa leaves the room)
Marcus: (Sighs) Figures she wouldn’t tell us! (At Tracey’s house)
Tracey: Hmm…
June: Tracey, one of your friends is here to see you. (Drew walks in the room)
Tracey: Oh hi Drew! What brings you here?
Drew: I just wanted to see how you were doing!
Tracey: I’ll live. I just want to get through this day.
Drew: I hear that! (Nervous laugh)
Tracey: …Is that all you wanted to say to me?
Drew: Oh um, so have you and Marisa…you know…patched things up?
Tracey: I really haven’t said much to her these last few days. It’s been a little stressful this past week.
Drew: It’s because of that fight you two had, isn’t it?
Tracey: Does the whole school know about the fight?
Drew: Probably! Look, the point is, couples fight all the time. I know I’ve had my fair share of silly arguments and fights with May the past two years.
Tracey: And now you two are having a baby!
Drew: Well besides that, I wanted to surprise May today. I got us an apartment so we have a place for the two of us and the baby.
Tracey: Congratulations.
Drew: I’m only going to school part-time and I got a work-study job on campus, so if I play my cards right, we’ll be okay.
Tracey: Well, I wish you all of the best Drew. I’ve also got a bit of good news on my front. I got this nice scholarship with the school I’m going to. When I first got in, I was a little worried about the cost, but this can help me.
Drew: Let me ask you this! When you go to Azalea Town in the fall, does that mean that you and Marisa will break up?
Tracey: I really can’t answer that one. That’s how the whole fight started in the first place! She got upset when the subject of a long-distant relationship came into the picture.
Drew: Well...if you two really care about each other, you two should be able to conquer anything. No amount of miles should ever come between what the two of you share. (Tracey sighs) I’ve got to go back to the house and get some last minute things ready. Just take my words into consideration, please. (At Sakura’s house)
Brock: Sakura! (Knocks on the door) Sakura!
Richie: Do you think she’s home?
Brock: She’s got to be! (He opens the door) It’s open!
Richie: You think it’s wise to go in?
Brock: Let’s just go! (They walk in) Sakura! (Strange noise)
Richie: Let’s get the hell out of here! Her house is haunted!
Brock: Will you shut up? That sound came from Sakura’s room! (They go inside the room) Sakura!
Richie: See if she’s breathing!
Brock: Sakura! Answer me! (Sakura pushes Brock)
Sakura: GET OFF ME!
Richie: You’re alive!
Sakura: Of course I’m alive you idiot! I was just sleeping. Ooh, it’s a good thing you guys woke me up. I was having a weird and scary dream!
Brock: What about?
Sakura: I was up on stage doing my graduation speech and all of a sudden, all of my clothes came off. Then, Harley and a bunch of drag queens started dancing to techno music. Oh God, where the hell is my speech? I’ve been working on it all night long trying to perfect it!
Richie: Is it this one on the floor?
Sakura: GIVE ME THAT! (Sighs) Thank goodness it's okay! But anyways, what are you two doing here?
Richie: Oh, we just wanted to check and make sure you were alright. I heard that you were kind of on edge yesterday when you guys were at Marcus’s place.
Sakura: Oh, I’m fine! I’ve tied up all of the loose ends and now I have nothing to worry about until I go off to college in three months.
Richie: That’s great to hear Sakura.
Brock: We better get going. My parents want to take more pictures of me in my cap and gown. (Sakura screams) What’s the matter?
Sakura: I knew there was something I forgot to do! (Pulls out her gown) I forgot to go to the dry cleaners and get this gown pressed!
Brock: (Smirks) You are in luck! Do you have an iron somewhere?
Sakura: I think it’s in my parent’s room! (Five minutes later) What would I do without you Brock? I don’t know what I’m going to do when I go to Sandgem. I won’t have you to help me out of a jam anymore!
Richie: You’ll make a great mother some day!
Brock: Don’t ever say that again! And it’s no problem Sakura. You know I have nine younger brothers and sisters and I always help iron their clothes. All done! You should be all set Sakura!
Sakura: Oh thank you so much you Brock! (At May’s house)
Caroline: I always knew this day would come. And soon enough, I’ll be seeing you give birth and maybe even be there for your wedding day. I just never thought all of those things would be happening so soon and all at once.
May: Who says I was getting married?
Caroline: I have a feeling that Drew is going to pop the question tonight. What better way to celebrate your graduation day than getting engaged!
May: I doubt it Mom! Although Drew has been pretty sneaky for the last few days!
Max: He’s probably planning on ditching you!
Caroline: MAX!
Max: I’m just telling the truth! I knew I couldn’t trust that boy for even a second!
Caroline: Max dear, could you call your father and tell him to pick up an extra bag of potato chips for the graduation party! (Max leaves the room)
May: Thanks for getting him out of the room. Every time he says something like that, I always worry that Drew would actually do that.
Caroline: I wouldn’t worry about it honey. Your father and brother don’t see it, but I know that Drew is a sincere boy and that he would never leave you.
May: I know. Drew told me that when I told him that I was pregnant.
Caroline: Now, on another subject! Here’s the wedding catalog. Let’s pick out a decent dress! Just because you're pregnant doesn’t mean you have to go walking down the aisle looking like a giant marshmallow.
May: Again, we’re not going to get married. After I told him about the baby, the thought of marriage came up. After I have this baby, if we still love each other and still want to be together, then we’ll talk about marriage. But for now, one step at a time!
Caroline: Alright May, we’ll go with that. Thank God that all of your cap and gowns are black so it can conceal a little bit!
May: I have no shame in my baby-bump.
Narrator: It was about an hour before the big event and all of the students were at the big arena getting ready to receive their diplomas and be done with high school once and for all. After a rehearsal of the ceremony, Ash and the others met up with each other for a chat before the final call.
Misty: We’re almost there!
Brock: Not close enough! I want this pointless ceremony to be over with! I feel like such a show poodle.
Misty: Trust me, I know the feeling. But hey, this is our graduation. It might be interesting.
Brock: I’ve been to the last three graduations and all of them were boring as hell. What makes you think this one is going to be better?
Misty: Calm down! Soon enough, it’ll all be over and we’ll be getting our diplomas.
Marcus: True enough! And I think I speak for all of us when I say…DID YOU GET IN THE SCHOOL?!
Marisa: No comment! (Tracey walks up) Oh, Tracey.
Tracey: Can we talk? (They go off in a corner)
Marcus: I hope they can work things out.
Misty: Don’t worry Marcus; I’m sure they won’t be on the brink of a break-up, like I am with Ash.
Marcus: Oh no, sweetie! Not you too! No, I will not and cannot accept it! After it took me a year to get over you, you can’t do this! Ash cares about you and you know it! (Misty sighs) Have faith! Ash will come back from the Army a stronger man and he will come back alive! (Nearby)
Erika: Is she out yet?
Grace: No, but she’ll be finished shortly.
Erika: You would think that she’d be used to this sort of thing.
Grace: What can you say? It’s tradition! She’ll go to the bathroom and throw up, but go out singing like Whitney Houston. Well early Whitney…before the crack and Bobby Brown messed her up! (Marcus walks up)
Marcus: Where’s Kelly?
Grace: She’s taking care of some unfinished business in the bathroom. She should be out shortly. Now you be good to our little friend. Erika and I will just be at the University, so if you do anything stupid, we’ll take that five minute drive to whip your ass!
Erika: Now come on Grace, this is Marcus. He wouldn’t do anything unforgivable to our friend.
Marcus: Did you two switch personalities? (Kelly comes out of the bathroom)
Kelly: All better! Marcus! (She hugs him)
Harley: Ah, young love!
Marcus: What’s up Harley?
Erika: I’m almost afraid to ask what you have on underneath the cap and gown! (He opens the gown)
Grace: A suit and tie? Did hell freeze over?
Harley: Nah! I just wanted to do a little something different. For whatever its worth, I’m going to miss you dames running around.
Marcus: Please tell me you were just talking to the girls!
Harley: Oh don’t worry Marcus; I’m going to miss you and Marisa as well. You two were quite entertaining and I’ll miss that. (Brock walks up)
Brock: Hey Harley! I know we’ve had sort of a weird relationship these last three years, but for whatever it’s worth, you’re a pretty decent guy. (They shake hands)
Harley: Back at you!
Marcus: So, why all of the change Harley?
Harley: Today, there’s a new Harley! A new Harley that isn’t tied down and is ready to take the bulls by the horn! It's a brand-new day!
Erika: Talking like that, you sound like joining a religion!
Harley: Well, today I start living! The first thing I did was break up with Tucker. (All gasp) That’s right!
Grace: But, you love Tucker!
Harley: Yeah, well the love died. You see, things really changed when Tucker went off to college last year. I spent the last year of my life sulking when I should have been living it up. Well no more sulking! I know I will find a man who will treat me right! Until the day comes, I’ll have to make due with the single life. After all, there are other male fish in the sea!
Marcus: Very shocking! But I’m proud of you Harley! (Marisa walks up) Little buddy?
Harley: You have a saddened look on your face! Did something happen?
Marisa: Tracey and I broke up, that’s all! (All gasp)
Erika: What is this, break-up day?
Kelly: No silly, it’s Graduation Day!
Erika: You know, you sound a lot smarter with your mouth shut!
Marcus: Oh little buddy! Wait…Is it because of Azalea? Because if it is, that’s no reason to break up!
Marisa: We both just came to the decision to break up. That’s all.
Harley: Honey, if you need a shoulder to cry on, mine is always open!
Marisa: It’s nice of you to offer, but I’ll be fine. (Smiles) As you just said Harley, there are other male fish in the sea. (Nearby)
Marcus: Glad to see you so optimistic. (Beeping sound) Huh?
Kelly: Hey, I guess it’s time to start…I think I’m going to be sick again! (In the stands)
Dawn: I can’t believe it! That’ll be us three years from now!
Zoey: It’s going to feel weird without all of them at the school.
Brianna: Well, you do know the saying. “Out with the old, in with the new.” (Sees Dawn and Zoey holding hands) Oh, very cute. You guys really do make a cute couple. (Dawn and Zoey blush)
Laura: She’s right.
Zoey: Come on you guys. You’re making me blush!
Dawn: Oh…looks like they’re about to start. (Pomp and Circumstances plays)
Narrator: Yes and such a beautiful ceremony…Long as hell and boring to boot! But even with all of that, it was still beautiful. Sakura’s speech even went along great as she got a standing ovation once finished. In the audience, her parent’s, her older sisters, and even Winona were so proud of her. And then came the song…
Erika: (Thinking) This is it! Our final performance! (Band plays Goodbye to You by Michelle Branch)
Grace:
Of all the things I’ve believed in
I just want to get it over with
Tears form behind my eyes
But I do not cry
Counting the days that pass me by
Erika:
I’ve been searching deep down in my soul
Words that I’m hearing
Are starting to get old
It feels like I’m starting all over again
The last three years were just pretend
And I say…
All:
Goodbye to you
Goodbye to everything I thought I knew
You were the one I loved
The one thing that I tried to hold on to
Erika:
I still get lost in your eyes
And it seems that I can’t live a day without you
Closing my eyes and you chase my thoughts away
To a place where
I am blinded by the light
But it’s not right
All:
Goodbye to you
Goodbye to everything I thought I knew
You were the one I loved
The one thing that I tried to hold on to
Kelly:
And it hurts to want everything and
Nothing at the same time
I want what’s yours
And I want what’s mine
I want you
But I’m not giving in this time
All:
Goodbye to you
Goodbye to everything I thought I knew
You were the one I loved
The one thing that I tried to hold on to
The one thing that I tried to hold on to
Grace:
And when the stars fall
I will lie awake
You’re my shooting star (Cheering and applause)
Narrator: And after all of the opening fillers and that wonderful song, it was finally time to receive the diplomas. What was even better is that Principal Oak finally had working microphones, so nobody’s last name would be cut off. However, we don’t have all day and we will not reveal the last names of the other characters. Haw, haw! After the reading of the diplomas, the whole class cheered with glee as they are finally high school graduates! After the ceremony, everyone gathered outside to congratulate the graduates.
Dawn: That was such a beautiful speech!
Sakura: Thank you Dawn!
Dawn: And you three were just the greatest! Loved the song! I could have sworn I was at a concert with all of the floating lighters!
Kelly: Were there really floating lighters?
Zoey: There were.
Dawn: But back to you Sakura! Your speech was the greatest! Professor Rowan would have been so proud of you. (Sakura smiles)
Sakura: That means a lot to me.
Oak: These four years went by way too quickly. What are we going to do without you?
Marisa: Hey, hey, hey! Don’t start crying on me Principal Oak! You realize I do have my little cousin Laura here to take over.
Laura: (Whispering) Do they really want me?
Marisa: Hey, your organization skills are just as good as mine. I’m sure Principal Oak could use that around the front office. Plus, you’re in pretty good with his grandson.
Oak: I would be happy to have you as my newest office assistant.
Laura: Cool! Thank you so much!
Brock: IT IS OVER! THE INSANITY IS OVER! (Camera clicks)
Todd: Don’t worry; this picture was just for fun…and for the internet!
Brock: I guess some things never change!
Marina: Brock!
Brock: Huh? Marina? (Marina hugs Brock) Marina!
Marina: I’ll…miss you!
Brock: Hey, for someone who hits me with a book on a regular basis, I’ll miss your daily thrashing. Good luck with your last year of high school.
Marina: Thank you.
Brock: One more thing…Would you consider going out with me tonight? (Misty grabs his ear)
Misty: Don’t you worry about a thing Marina! I’ll be going to the same school as this fool, so he won’t go too far with the ladies.
Brianna: Hey Drew and May! Congratulations on graduating and on having a baby.
May: Thanks Brianna! Good luck to you in the next coming years. Keep going out for the big parts.
Brianna: I’ll do my best! Next year, Miss Vivian is thinking about doing Little Shop of Horrors. If I get a good role, would you two come and see it?
Drew: We’ll be in the first row cheering you on!
Brianna: Thanks you guys! So, what’s next for you two besides having the baby? Are you guys going to get married? Because if so, I want an invitation!
May: We’re not getting married Brianna!
Drew: But, I do have something for May that I know she might like. Stick out your hands!
May: It’s a key!
Drew: Yes, to our new apartment!
May: You got us an apartment? (Sobs) Oh Drew! You made me so happy!
Marcus: I do love happy endings!
Misty: (Sighs) If you’ll excuse me Marcus!
Marcus: I hope you’re making the right decision Misty!
Misty: I know what I’m doing. (She walks to Ash)
Ash: Hey Misty! (They stare at each other)
THREE MONTHS LATER…
Dear Ash,
I hope all is well with you. The last letter you sent me said you would be home in another month or so. Well, it’s moving day for me. I’m in my dorm room at Pallet University. This is going to be great because I got Marisa as a roommate. She’s doing great and wishes you luck. Marisa got a bit of surprising news! A few weeks ago, Tracey asked her back. She really hasn’t given me a straight answer on the subject, but I think that she’s secretly seeing him. It’s obvious that she really cares about him. She told me that his apology sounded like Tom Cruise in Jerry McGuire. It turns out that Tracey turned down that fancy art college and is going to the Community college near the University. I wonder why he did such a thing. I guess we all do crazy things when we’re in love.
Everyone else is doing great as well! Sakura started Sandgem last week and said it's going great so far. She’s keeping in touch through emails and phone calls. She’s still with Richie. Richie says he misses you and when he sees you again, he wants a game of one-on-one. I’m sure you’ve heard from Brock. He’s kept himself busy with flirting with random girls. He’s living in the same dorm complex as I am. I guess that’s the advantage of living in a coed dorm building. What's even more shocking is that his roommate was none other than Harley. But since graduation, Harley seems like a whole new person. He isn’t as crazy as he was before, but he still likes to dress like a girl occasionally!
May and Drew are doing just fine. May said that her baby is due any day now. She has her theories that Drew might pop the question once the baby is born. If they do decide to get married, I’m hoping I get the position of Maid of Honor. Marcus is still his happy-go-lucky self. He prays every night that you come home safely, as we all do. I was shocked when I saw him on television though. I was up late one night and he was on an infomercial for Girls Gone Wild. When the hell did he have the time to do that? I wonder sometimes!
Your friend Morrison has been stopping by my house every once and a while to ask me if I’ve heard anything from you. I always give him an update as I get them. Morrison said that once you get back, you owe him five bucks and a one-on-one game of basketball. And finally, Dawn and Zoey told me to tell you that they miss you and can’t wait for your return. Well, I better get going. I have to finish moving all of my stuff in and then Marisa and I are going to some orientation they have at our building.
I miss you so much. I can’t wait for your return.
Love you always,
Misty Waterflower
Marisa: Are you finished writing that letter to Ash yet?
Misty: All done! I hope he gets it. I haven’t heard from him in almost three weeks so I hope everything is okay.
Marisa: I’m sure he’s okay. (Knock on the door)
Misty: Who could that be?
Marisa: Brock and Harley. I invited them to get something to eat with us.
Misty: Okay, sounds good. Come on in boys. (She opens the door) We’ll be ready in just a… (Gasp) Ash!
Ash: Hi Misty!
Misty: You’re back! And…How did you break your arm?
Ash: Well…you know...this and that! Without getting into a whole lot of detail, I've been discharged. So now, I’m back.
Misty: For good?
Ash: For good! (She tears up and hugs him) Oh I missed you too!
Misty: I’m so glad you’re home…safe and sound.
Marisa: (Sighs) Well that’s a load off of all of our minds!
Misty: But now that you’re out of the Army, what are you going to do?
Ash: Well before I came down here, I stopped by the Community College and took this little test. I’m going to take some short classes later in the semester.
Misty: And you know where I live now, so you can come visit me. (They kiss)
Marisa: To quote Marcus, “I love happy endings.” (Harley and Brock walk in the room) Hi boys!
Brock: Ash!
Harley: You came back!
Ash: Hi guys! Oh um, could you guys give us some privacy.
Brock: Oh…say no more!
Marisa: We’ll give you some privacy so you guys can “talk”.
Harley: Don’t do anything I wouldn’t! (They leave)
Misty: Now, where were we?
Ash: I think I remember! (They continue kissing)
Narrator: And now that the high school adventure is over, the college experience is just beginning. The journey for these young souls is not over. What's to happen of our favorite couple Ash and Misty? Did Marisa really get back together with Tracey? Will May and Drew have a boy or a girl? These answers…Will NOT be answered tonight...HA! You’re getting a cliff-hanger ending! So long suckers!
Song(s) used:
*Goodbye to You by Michelle Branch
Thanks for reading