1.10 {Part II: Graduation}

"Kaylee, there's a letter for you on the table!" Ty yelled from the kitchen as she came into the house. Frowning Kaylee walked over to the table. She rarely received mail. Flipping through the letters she froze when she saw the name of a prominent bio-aquarium on the letter addressed to her. Dropping her books she picked up the letter and ripped it open. Shock went through her like a bolt of lightening. She didn't even realize she had walked into the bedroom until she heard Ty calling her name.

"Hey," he said as he walked into the room. "What's wrong?" He bent down and stared into her face. "Kaylee?" he said shaking her shoulder.
"I've just been offered a job," she said in a monotone. Ty sat down and as he did his hand touched the letter.
"I would think you'd be a little more excited about it," he said staring intently at her.
She shrugged then nodded toward the letter. "Read it."
Giving her a curious look Ty picked up the discarded letter and quickly read it. A huge grin spread across his face. "That's awesome Kaylee. Serenity Cove Bio-Aquarium is one of the best biological spheres on this side of the coast. With your grades I'm surprised they didn't try and contact you earlier. This is great news. I don't understand why you're not happy."
"Ty, I don't think you're comprehending the situation. Serenity Cove isn't a big town. They probably don't even have a football team. This-"
"Whoa, whoa! You're worried about me? Kaylee, football is a traveling sport. I...we can settle anywhere. This is a great opportunity for you. This is what you've been working for remember? You can't give this up. Besides," he said with a wicked smile, "Serenity Cove Pirates might not be a great team but I'm pretty sure I can change that."

"W-what?"
He shrugged. "I've talked to the Pirates. When I saw this letter I knew you had an opportunity to do what you've always wanted to do. I'm not going to hold you back. But there's no way you're leaving me behind. I've signed on for a year and we'll see how things go from there."
"Ty, I don't know what to say."
"Hey, we're engaged now. It's not about your or me. It's about us. Now, let's go celebrate."

After that school went flying by. Before they knew it, it was time to graduate. Ty's parents came for her graduation and cheered as loud for her as they did for Ty whose graduation was a scant two hours after hers. And just for a moment, when she was looking over the sea of faces as the chancellor called her name as summa cum laude, she thought she saw Janet. But when she blinked and looked again another woman was standing there.

"Wave Kaylee," Frances said as she steadied the camera.
"I feel stupid," Kaylee said as she yanked at the sash around her neck.
"That sash says something different girl! Now smile."
They had decided to have a graduation party before they left. Ty had invited some of his friends and Kaylee had invited some of hers. There was a lot of laughter, some tears and a general feeling of one chapter ending.

Of course what kind of party would it be if there wasn't a fight? Dirk had said something to Frankie, a friend of Ty's and the next thing Kaylee knew those two were duking it out and Ty was right in the front cheering on Frankie. One of these days she had to ask him why he had it in for Dirk. Frankie, after she kicked Dirk's butt, promptly took him over to the punch bowl and got him something to drink. Kaylee thought that the bowl might be spiked.
Frances insisted on taking a ton of pictures and was almost militant in instructing people were to stand and how to pose. That is until Damon dragged her away into the bathroom. She came back out fifteen minutes later looking a little worse for the wear but a lot more relaxed. Those two had been over the moon about her and Ty's engagement. His mom had started talking wedding plans almost immediately and was disappointed when when Ty had broken the news that they were going to get married right away. Kaylee had chimed in, when she saw Frances about to argue, that they might take a leaf from her book and wait. Damon had laughed and Frances had zipped her lips.
"Did you ever think we'd be here?" Kaylee asked as Ty dragged her into his lap and their friends gathered around behind them.
Ty stared at her. "I've always known that we'd be here...together."

"Wait! I have to get a picture of us on your camera!" Kaylee said as she fiddled with his auto timer. Just then she heard a shout and looking over saw several people throw up their caps in celebration.

As she watched them sail into the air and fall back down she smiled. A chapter was definitely closing but hopefully for everyone here college would open up avenues that they hadn't even thought of.
"Kaylee!" Ty yelled. "The timer is about to go!"