If Only It Were That Simple

Chapter 37- Graduation

Lorrie-

"Adams, Connor" The principal calls. Connor stands up and walks to receive his diploma. With only a small graduating class of two hundred kids and their families we could afford to have graduation in the stadium. Everything looks amazing. Green and Blue streamers, the school colors, line the football posts and the stands. Class of 2015's banner waves proudly over our heads.

"Scott, Benjamin." My brother cringes at the mention of his first name as he stands to collect his diploma. I look into the crowd at our sister and the two empty reserved seats where our parents would've been. Benny and I have been getting sympathetic looks from all the other parents.

"Scott, Lorriana." I stand up and head for my diploma. I shake the principals hand and take my diploma. I'd received a few scholarship offers to local universities willing to let me live off campus as a freshman, so I could still live at home. I'd taken up the one that offered dance and theatre as a major. Along with a double major in business entrepreneurship. I'm going to open a dance and theatre academy. Benny's going to help. On my way back to my seat I catch the now very familiar Air Force uniform on my boyfriend. He leaves in two weeks. Since there were about fifteen joining the military in different branches, the school allowed them to graduate in their uniforms.

"Williams, Johnathan." Johnny stands in his uniform looking straight at the principal, he doesn't look back to his parents empty seats, they refused to talk to him since he signed up. And since Lucas came. Apparently they also refused to show up to his graduation. Lucas' parents have still not come back on the grid, but he seems to have adapted to living with Johnny, Benny, Nikki, and I. We had to get a bigger apartment if we were going to accommodate two more boys. But with Benny, Johnny, and I all working, we manage to pay rent and utilities.

The principal reads through the rest of the names. "Class of 2015, please turn your tassels congratulations, you've made it."

We all turn our tassels and head back to our families. Johnny waits for me at his seat toward the back.

"Congrats Grad." He smirks at me wrapping me in one of his hugs. I wrap my arms around his neck. Someone bumps into me and holds into my side. I look and see Lucas. He's gotten a bit bigger since he's moved in. He was rather small for his age when we first found him, but he's getting bigger all the time. Johnny stands him in the seat and Lucas hugs both of us.

"Hi!" He exclaims happily.

"Hey Bud." Johnny greets him. We get some disapproving looks from some of the families, especially the grandparents here that see Lucas. It makes me sorta uncomfortable that they think he's ours, I'm 18. Johnny's 18 1/2. If he was ours, we'd have been 13 when he was born, not possible. Johnny puts Lucas up on his shoulders while I worry he's going to fall down, Lucas's hands grip onto Johnny's head, and one of Johnny's hands is firmly gripping Lucas's leg. "He'll be fine Lor."

"Of course he will," I nod trying to act confident, "So what can you see up there Buddy?"

"Nikki! And Benny!" He exclaims happily pointing with his free hand.

"Congrats Lorrie." Connor says. His girlfriend, who still has a year of High School left wrapped around his arm. I smile at him. "Johnny."

"You too Connor." I look at him in his own uniform, "When do you leave?"

"Next Saturday. Boot camp then I don't know. I guess I'll find out when I'm assigned."

"Keep in touch." I tell him. Johnny's arm wraps around my waist.

"Aren't you a little young to have a kid?" Connor's girlfriend asks.

"He's not ours, we're just long term babysitters." Johnny explains. "Right Bud?"