Jack wore a silver shirt that tucked neatly into his black pants. He attired a classy belt and his brown and black shoes were brand new. Sarah’s father has always had sharp, handsome features, but now he looked exquisite. His long mane of silver hair was freshly brushed as it flowed down to his shoulder blades like a waterfall. “Well how do I look?” Sarah gave him two thumbs up like an idiot.
Jillian wore a thin, elegant and beautiful red dress that hung to every one of her luscious curves. It hung as long as a skirt that reached her knees, but it had a slit on the right side that ran up to the top of her hip. A low neckline emphasized her ample cleavage and the dress even exposed her upper back. Two strings were wrapped at the back of her neck to keep her dress in the right place. Even her thick hair sat perfect and straight as it draped down to the bottom of her shoulder blades. She wore ruby red high heels and matching lipstick. “And how do I?”
“Unfair.” Sarah whispered under her breath and then shook her head at the injustice of the world. “I only look like this.” She used her hands to show what she wore and then gestured what they were wearing. “Mother, your beauty is bordering on unnatural.” She just grinned and Sarah asked “What?”
“My dear daughter, you are sooo barking up the wrong tree.” Jillian looked at her sincerely. “Sarah, you don’t need any look modifications. You have a natural beauty that can’t be matched, you’ve just never had the opportunity or the will to show it. Why do you think your new mate can’t keep his eyes from wandering in your direction with your every motion?” Her mother bent over in a bow, exposing her ample bosom to fix the strap of her high heel. “The first day I met Connor at his house, I realized his eyes were focused only on my face. Usually all males either glance or stare at a woman’s breasts or bottom, but your new husband never been simply the usual type, now has he?”
“No, he never has seemed usual.” and Sarah began laughing silently. “Especially as a Balancer, he is definitely one of a kind.” Jillian shook her head slowly and lifted two fingers, adding Sarah with him. She smiled at her beautiful mother and her relaxed nature.
After everything was finally cleared and ready as they walked across the street. Sarah knocked on the front door and Kara answered.
She wore a pink dress that fit her athletic and buoyant personality. The dress passed her knees and a slit of her dress came up to her mid-thigh. The stylish dress complimented her curves well, but wasn’t as clingy as Sarah’s mother’s red dress. Her sandy blonde hair remained wrapped up in curlers and the makeup she wore was already applied. She was a beautiful sight. Light pink lipstick emphasized her pouty lips and turquoise blue eyeliner made her chocolate irises stand out. And she even did her lashes because they were full and beautiful. Her finger and toenails were even painted deep pink.
“Good morning, Sarah! You look pretty this morning.” She chirped. She looked passed Sarah. “Hello Mr. Branderson.” Her head turned and she finally saw Jillian’s dress. Kara’s eyes widened and Sarah knew exactly what was about to happen. “Here it comes.” “Jillian! What’s holding that dress on? Duct tape or Super glue?” Jack started laughing, hard. But Kara continued being unrestrained. “Be careful because our graduation will be held outside on the school’s Football fields. One good breeze and Whoosh you’ll be stark naked in a school full of horny idiots.” She suddenly changed to a different mental channel and looked at Sarah. She instantly said “Come on in, we’ll get ready to leave in an hour.” “Ahh… Kara your brother gave you a good reference of being similar to a Jack Rustle Terrier.”
They all followed Kara inside and sat down on the couch. Jack picked up the remote and turned to Sports Center.
Jenny walked in the room a few minutes later dressed similar to Sarah. She wore a simple light brown dress. She wasn’t wearing any makeup, but like Jillian said to Sarah earlier, she had a natural beauty as well. “Would you all like anything to eat?” She tossed her wavy golden hair back across her shoulder.
“No thank you. We just ate, but thanks for offering.” Jillian said. Jenny caught the dress Jillian wore and she smiled in a way that said ‘Showoff.’ She then went down the hallway to Connor’s old room silently.
Ten minutes later Sarah smelled her favorite male scent, but didn’t hear a single sound from his approach. She spun on the sofa to look for Connor. When she saw him he took her breath away. He had changed clothes.
Connor stood before her in a black on black tuxedo that had to be custom made for they couldn’t possibly make it in his size to be simply rented. “Surprise!” His smile brightened her mood instantly. He spun on one heel to show his every angle. His pants were pressed as well were his sleeves. He didn’t have any shoulder pads and they weren’t required because of his wide shoulders. His shoes were of polished black leather and he didn’t wear a tie because he once told her ‘You should never have anything around your neck just incase someone could strangle you with it.’
Sarah stood up and whistled. “Hubba! Hubba!” She said in honesty.
“Do you like it?” He smiled her smile.
Sarah leaned back from where she stood to see every angle “Oh Yeah!” and her mother looked at the two of them and smiled. Sarah didn’t need to read her mind to know what she was thinking.
Someone knocked on the door and Sarah answered it for Connor because she was closer. “Good morning Mark, how are you?”
“I’m really good!” And he spun in a circle, showing off his tuxedo.
“Come in, Connor’s going to enjoy this.” she smiled and let him in.
Connor came out of the kitchen as Mark and Sarah came into the living room with the new guest. Connor started laughing first, followed by Mark who caught on quick. They bumped fists like usual.
Mark’s tuxedo was silver on silver and he even matched down to his silver shoes. His spiky, jet black hair made the perfect contrast to the tux. Plus his silver eyes shone like his suit. Connor stepped behind Mark and they really did have the same build only on a different size and frame. Their contrast was shocking with Mark’s silver tuxedo in the fore and Connor’s massive black background. It was picture worthy.
Kara finally stepped out of her room, looking very pretty. Her hair curlers did their job because her hair tumbled on her shoulders and bounced with the curls. As she took each step in her white high heels she stopped cold when she saw Mark in his tux. She then looked at her brother. “Wait right there!” She ordered to the two gentlemen. She reentered the living room with a digital camera a few seconds later. “Brother, you need to go over there and stand behind Mark.” He did as ordered. “Mark, hold your hands in front casually. Brother put your hands behind your back. Lower your jaw a bit. Mark, twist your shoulders just a bit clockwise… Good… Good… Hold it… Perfect!” Her camera flashed. She hit a few buttons on the camera. “Sarah, come over here and take a look at this!”
She walked over and Kara revealed the exact picture she had in her mind. “Princess, how did it come out?” Sarah felt the calm, familiar touch of her mate’s mind.
“Like she said Perfect!” She looked up to see him smile as he left the room while being followed by Mark whining “Buddy, I’m hungry.”
Kara heard the remark and walked into the kitchen quickly and her shoes echoed with every step on the hardwood flooring. Sarah was curious so she followed them as well. Kara threw a few pastries in the toaster and when cooked she handed them over to Mark with a glass of milk. “Thank you.” He said and started eating while they chatted idly.
Thirty minutes later Connor’s grandparents showed up. “Where is my new granddaughter hiding?” Rhoda called from the living room.
“She’s in here, Grandma!” Kara called back, radioing her location.
David and Rhoda walked into the kitchen and everyone received a hug from both of them. “Well how’s married life treating you, Sweetheart?” David asked nicely, not knowing she hated endearments.
“No regrets, Granddaddy!” Sarah smiled at him to keep up pretenses.
&nbs
p; “Give it time!” He started chuckling until Rhoda hit the back of his head.
“Don’t put any ideas in her head, Dear.” She rebuked and then grinned mischievously, exactly like Kara. “That’s my job.”
Two hours before the graduation ceremony, they all loaded up in the vehicles and drove to school. Connor drove Sarah’s car with her riding shotgun. Kara and Mark were quietly sitting in the back, holding hands. The trunk held all of their cap and gowns. Jillian and Jack followed in her red sports car. Jenny and her parents rode in her Honda.
They arrived at school and he parked her car in the faculty parking.
***
Getting out of Sarah’s car, Connor knew it was going to be a beautiful day. There were overcastted clouds and a cool northerly wind sweeping through the trees, but the telltale sign of moisture wasn’t there to offer rain. Connor walked around and opened her door while Mark did the exact same thing for Kara. He popped the trunk soon after and Mark joined him at the back while Sarah and Kara talked about something he couldn’t follow. Mark gained Connor’s attention and asked quietly “Ready to leave this place once and for all?” He pointed to the school behind them.
Humiliating memories for the past eight years could finally be put to rest.
“Yes I certainly am.” Connor looked down at him and finally asked a question that’s been nagging at the back of his mind for quite awhile. “Mark, I remembered a few years ago when we went camping for the first time and injured yourself. Now I’ve noticed several big changes since then.”
Mark took his best friend by the elbow gently and stuck his head around the side of the car to talk to the girls. The rigid grasp and serious expression was the only thing keeping Connor from jerking his arm away. “I need to borrow Connor for a minute. We will be right back.” Connor heard Kara tell him “Ok.” He let go of Connor’s elbow when they were out of everyone’s hearing range. “What kinds of changes are you talking about?” His tone remained serious as his silver eyes searched for an answer.
His eyes were now focused, but no threat behind could be seen in their depths. It seemed he feared being caught by something. “The day I brought everyone over to my cottage and I noticed how you carefully stepped in every one of my sister’s foot prints. Another thing was your movements. Somehow your outdoor’s experience in tracking and moving has developed dramatically in the past few years. Either that or you’ve been faking about not being used to camping and hiking. The last thing I never realized was how strong you have become.”
Mark smiled knowingly. “Connor, you are not the only one capable of change and I’ve learned a few things in my time as well. Nothing ever stays exactly the same.” He laughed. For a split second and the third time his eyes flashed weakly. Connor didn’t miss it or brush it off as his imagination this time.
Mark patted him on the back as they walked back to their women. Arriving at the car Connor noticed everyone gathered together. Sarah spotted him and walked over. As she walked, the breeze blew her dress and hair perfectly and it made his heart thrum. She looked up at him with her luscious, emerald green eyes and in her velvety voice asked “Was everything alright?”
“No problems.” She walked with him to the trunk as he threw the gown over his shoulder and held the covered cardboard cap in the same hand. His mate then wrapped her arm around his and shot him his favorite smile as he looked down at her.
Mark held his and Kara’s gown while she held the hats.
Everyone walked with them as they walked through the entrance of the courtyard. As they were about to enter the Football field Kara, Mark and Connor had to head to the gymnasium, while visitors had to take their seats with everyone else at the audience area.
Kara took her gown out of Mark’s hands and ran into the girls changing room. Mark and Connor did the same in the men’s room. He slipped the gown on over his black tuxedo and stepped into a mirror to see what he looked like.
It was a solid blue-green gown that went down to his shins and looked like a tarp. It looked completely smooth, but felt rigid. Connor put on the blue-green cardboard covered hat. It had a blue and grey tassel hanging off the side. He knew this color could never work for him because the darker the clothes looked better. An outdoorsman never chooses to wear brightly colored clothes.
Everyone met in the auditorium and heard the rules, procedures and the conduct of receiving the diploma. Everyone was free to socialize for a few minutes while the last of the preparations were completed. Mark and Kara caught up to Connor a few minutes later and they talked about nothing of any real importance.
Something felt off in the feel and flow of the room. Connor knew this feeling well. It was his instinct warning him that something was happening. Connor looked around and saw nothing but a sea of blue-green flowing in every direction at first, like the ocean in a storm. Something caught his intention a moment later before they lined up to proceed to the field. Connor saw in the gym’s far dark corner Mr. V. and another student huddled together. He was unable to get a clear view of the other person the teacher was talking with. He saw his former teacher hand something small and black to the classmate. The classmate lifted his gown and put the black object in his pants pocket before anyone noticed the exchange.
The vice principal was a middle aged, short heavyset woman whose idea of fun was pushing a student beyond their limits just so that she could expel them. She came close to pushing Connor to that point a few times. In a smokers voice she yelled “Get in one of the four lines that you were assigned!” A minute later Kara stood behind her brother. When the graduating class were in one of their four assigned lines and silent, she continued “You will all follow the rules or you will not receive your diploma! If you understand that, let’s go.” She turned and walked out the doors.
The four lines followed her silently outside and onto the Football field. Before they stepped out into the light Connor heard applause and screams from the spectators. Shielding his eyes he caught the first glimpse of the graduation. There were metal chairs, all perfectly rowed together, awaiting the seniors like a farewell salute. The stage laid at the goal area, covered in many variations and colors of flowers. The presenting teachers all wore black gowns while the rest of the participating teachers wore regular clothing. Since some of the students this year were in wheelchairs they made a ramp. The safety rails going along the stage were also wrapped with flowers.
Connor wanted to find where his family situated themselves and he knew the quickest solution. Focusing on the bond at his stomach he felt out his mate’s loving emotion, distance and direction. He instantly turned his head to look at her while she found him the same way. Everyone else from the family was searching anxiously. Connor turned his head back and followed the student before him until he sat at his appointed seat. Kara sat next to him. As she sat she asked “Where is everyone?” He pointed to the left without taking his eyes off of Kara.
“Fifth row up, ninth from the left. That’s where they are all sitting together.” Kara looked and smiled when at last she saw them.
As the principal walked up to the podium to begin his speech Connor felt a familiar sensation. “Connor I never asked, but what are your plans after this?” He turned his head to look at her.
“I’m thinking of becoming a survival expert and guide or maybe a carpenter.” He smiled at her even though she couldn’t see it from this distance, but she could feel his emotion.
“I think those would be a perfect job for you.”
“Are you still planning on teaching?”
“That’s my hope.”
“It’s the perfect job for you as well, Princess.”
When their conversation finished the first row of students stood and walked up to receive their diplomas. Mark was in the second row and he raised his diploma like a trophy. Kara started to giggle at his antics.
A few minutes and five more row later it was their turn. As the next person received her diploma and shook the principal’s hand he said “Connor May!” The
most amazing thing happened. Most of the student body stood up and started clapping. Connor turned back around to see the principal hold his hand out and he smiled sincerely. He turned off the microphone to tell Connor privately “Congratulations, it’s about time people see what I do. It seems like everyone has recently changed their opinion about you. I hope you have a wonderful life Mr. May.” Connor was deeply touched and thankful as he walked off stage.
“Kara May!” and she received her abundant applause as she walked off stage with her diploma.
When the last person walked off stage, everyone threw their caps in the air. Connor had to hold back because if he used his new strength it would seem like it disappeared in the clouds.
The principal had one last thing to say. “Congratulations to you all. Now let’s all celebrate this wonderful day with a party in the court yard!” And everyone yelled and started heading to the courtyard.
Connor first headed back to the car and put their three gowns in the trunk because they were too hot to wear on a day such as this. As a last thought he threw the heavy tuxedo jacket in too. He headed back into the fray and caught up with everyone while dodging and weaving through the crowded courtyard. The courtyard was completely packed with the joyous students and their proud families. Flashing from cameras immortalized memories. Some students still wore their blue-green gowns, but most decided to take it off.
Connor’s family was eating as some male students came up to him. They asked for forgiveness for interrupting, but had something to ask. Sarah looked at Connor first with a smile as she drank a sip of punch before looking over at the well built boys. All of his family watched closely as the leader of their group asked “Connor, we were wondering what college you’re going to?”
“Why?”
“We are all heading to Minnesota State.” The middle guy spoke. “We were wondering if you would join our college’s Football team?” He tried to sound confident, but he looked skittish when Connor’s piercing gaze settled upon him.
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