FicWad

/Disclaimer: /Not mine, not getting paid ... dammit, if I had only $0.01 per word I've ever written, I'd be set for life!

/Note I: /In response to the PRSW22 challenge on LiveJournal; themes #09, hallways and #15, peace

I'm jumping even more into the future, here; four years have passed and everything's rosy for the boys. Or maybe not?

/Note II:/ Another split-in-half chapter, I'm afraid. Once more, the boys insisted on having the story go their way, not mine ... and since this has reached proportions (again sigh) in which I'd have to post it in two parts anyway, I decided I might just as well cut it off where I did.

/Note III: /I'm going on vacation on July 9, and will have neither 'net access nor even a computer for two weeks. I doubt I'll get the second half finished before that date (don't give up hope quite yet, though) ... but it may well be that the next part, be it chapter 17 or 18, won't be coming your way until mid-August, sorry. - Still, enjoy, and please pass by the feedback box on your way out?





More Than Friends And Brothers

Chapter 16: Homecoming, Pt. 1





"And now, ladies and gentlemen, afew words from Brookhill High's first-ever valedictorian, Sean Allerton!" Principal Massini took his seat among applause from the assembled families and cheers from the graduating class. Sitting midway in the audience, Tommy shifted in his seat. He hoped that the boy's speech would be more interesting than the ubiquitous speeches from the mayor, the PTA chairperson and Anton Mercer, who sat on the school board for both Brookhill and Reefside High; thankfully, he'd altered yesterday's address from Reefside enough to not be boring. Jason was sitting up on the dais with his colleagues; once the valedictorian had had his say, there would only be the handing out of diplomas, a bit of mingling with families afterwards and they'd be free to enjoy a couple of months of blessed freedom from work. Tommy smiled as he thought about their plans for the summer. There would be no vacation this year, nor had he another research project lined up, but something equally exciting was coming up - they were going to do building work.



During the past four years, Jason and Tommy had discovered that while the house at 1992 Valencia Road might be big enough for a couple, it still lacked space for two people who both needed avastly different working library, separate computers and desks. Jason had set up an office of sorts in the spare bedroom, Tommy was using the Dino Lair for his research, but they had no more room for overnight guests - and whenever one of them had visitors, the other had to vacate the living room. As they both tended to get very involved with their students, often inviting them over for talks, that happened far too often for their liking. Thus, they had decided that they'd use money Jason had saved to buy his own property one day for some much-needed remodeling - namely, to build an extension into the back yard. The plans were ready, finances sorted out, and the contractor was scheduled to arrive on their doorstep first thing on Monday morning. Hopefully, by the start of the new school year in September, they'd be done.



Tamping down on his excitement, Tommy concentrated once more on the dais. Sean was grinning bashfully from ear to ear as he pulled a thankfully thin sheaf of paper out from under his red-and-black graduation gown. He waited for his classmates' cheers to die down, then cleared his throat.



"Mr. Mayor, Principal Massini, Dr. Mercer, Ms. Janson, thank you all for your kind words. Ladies and gentlemen, class of 2013!



"When we started here at Brookhill High four years ago, we were told that we not only had to make sure that, as abrand-spanking new high school, it was our duty to see that academic and moral standards would be as high as we could possibly make them, but also that as the first graduating class ever /we had to establish new traditions we would like to see continue at our school. I don't know whether our teachers would completely agree, but overall I think most of us gave it their best shot. Well, some more than others." He grinned briefly. "We were also told that there are more things involved in getting an education than book learning, and that we'd have to figure /them out on our own. I believe we succeeded. We were the ones who had to find, then show the way to those coming behind us. That is why we named our sports teams the way we did - the Trailblazers, the Pioneers, the Searchers, to name just a few."



Sean waited for the laughter and cheers to die down, then continued. "It would take too long to list all the different customs and things we started, but let me assure you, we did a /lot/!However, there are two more traditions we would like to establish /today/- and the first is that the valedictorian - me - is not gonna bore you with another long speech. Instead, a few representatives of the class of 2013 would like to tell you all what we've learned. Josh, if you'll start?"



Another boy walked up the dais, accompanied by applause and a few puzzled looks. He bent towards the microphone. "Hi. I'm Josh Barkowski, and I'm a jock." He grinned at the whistles and catcalls from his friends. "In my time at Brookhill High I learned that there's more to life than sports, and that talent is not enough- to be really good also requires dedication and a lot of effort. I earned acollege scholarship because my teachers taught me not only how to work -but /made /me, not just for grades, but ... well, everything. Thank you." He stepped back.



Next was a slight Asian girl. "My name is Michelle Soong. I'm intelligent and I know a lot; I also love to study," she said matter-of-factly, without arrogance. "I learned that not everything in life can be found in a book - and that I have no right to look down on others who may not have my intellect or share my passion for learning. Instead, I discovered that sharing my knowledge with others is a very rewarding experience. It made me a better person. Thank you."



Several other students followed suit, then Sean came forward once more. "Good job, guys. Now we're coming to the second and last new tradition, which needs a little explanation. For that, we need to hear from one more person. G