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ten. top gun, fightertown, usa.
Cold water rushed down Cassie's face as she gripped the sink, staring at herself in the mirror. Silky black hair falling over her crisp white uniform, her hat discarded on the counter beside her. Graduation day. Yet, it hadn't nearly felt as exciting as she had expected it to. Cassie dipped her hands underneath the faucet once more, gathering water before splashing it on her face once more, stray droplets dripping down her sleeve. She let out a shaky breath, hearing the muffled excitement from the other side of the door to the small bathroom.
A knock sounded, before Tara was pushing her way in, smiling softly. "There you are," she said, appearing in the mirror behind her. Tara looked glowy in her uniform—the white shining against her tanned skin, brown curls falling perfectly against her shoulders. "We're about to start. You ready for this?" Tara asked, fixing her appearance in the the mirror before securing the hat on her head, turning to her friend.
Cassie wiped the stray water from her face with a paper towel before nodding, grabbing her hat. "As I'll ever be. We're not getting that trophy though," she said, pursing her lips in disappointment.
Tara waves her off. "Doesn't bother me any. I think graduating was enough," she said, placing a hand on Cassie's shoulder. "We did good."
Cassie smiles, engulfing her friend in a tight hug. "I'm glad you're my RIO, Tara."
"I'm glad you chose me, Cass. Now, let's go." Tara said, grabbing her hand and pulled her to the door. Cassie unfolded her aviators, sliding them on as Tara opened the door—sunlight beaming down, reflecting off the pool in the middle of the ceremony. They quickly found their way to the crowd, finding seats just in time for them to announce the winner.
To no one's surprise, Tom Kazansky and Ron Kerner strolled up to the stage, accepting the plaque with big bright smiles. While Cassie and Tara had tied with Maverick and Goose, Cassie wasn't all too upset she hadn't won. Tara had a point when she said graduating was enough. Attending was enough, in all honesty. Tom scanned the crowd, finding her gaze—he pushed the plaque up slightly, as if to display it to her. Cassie smiled widely in response, shooting him a thumbs up.
When the post-graduation party is in full-swing, Cassie finds a small glass of champagne and found her way to Tom, Tara making her to Slider.
Tom turned to her, smiling softly, his cheeks pink. He tucked the plaque under his arm, opening the other for her. Cassie fell into his side, his arm slung over her shoulder like the missing puzzle piece. Cassie nudged his side, leaning towards his ear. "I'm proud of you," she said.
He looked down at her, nose almost brushing hers. He cocked his head slightly, a lopsided smile finding its way on his face. "I'm sure you'll be very upset about being a sore loser later and regret saying that."
Cassie rolled her eyes. "Shut up," Cassie starts. Before Cassie can get another word out, someone approaches them. Maverick. Cassie can't help but smile sadly as Maverick holds a hand out to Tom, who untangles himself from Cassie and shakes his hand.
"Congratulations," Maverick says.
"Thank you," Tom says, smiling.
Maverick turns to Cassie, nodding. "So, a tie?"
Cassie smirks. "I'm sure we'll find a way to duke it out, Mitchell." Cassie catches the ghost of a smile on Maverick's face.
As Viper approaches, it becomes very apparent their celebration is going to get cut short. Tom smiles sadly, readjusting the plaque underneath his arm before turning his attention to Viper. "Ladies, gentlemen—you know how I hate to break up the party before it really even has the chance to get out of hand...but there's work to do."
Jester appears at Viper's side, list in hand. "Who's here? Hollywood and Wolfman?"
"Yo!" the pair call from behind Cassie. Jester hands them both folders—mission orders, their first as Top Gun graduates.
"Iceman, Slider," Jester says, handing them their papers. Cassie swallows hard, watching as Maverick receives one. Jester snaps his fingers, flipping through the pages. "Malibu, Python." Cassie opens the folder, scanning the order. She feels her stomach swirl, an eagerness to get back in the sky.
"We've got a couple hot spots out there right now. Good luck. I'm proud of you," Viper says with a curt nod. Viper finds Maverick, who's standing a little off from the crowd. "Maverick," he calls.
Maverick perks up. "Yes, sir?"
"You'll get a RIO from Kitty Hawk. And if you don't..." Viper smiles. "Give me a call. I'll fly with you." Viper says, clapping Maverick on the back as he walks away.
Cassie smiles softly, returning her gaze to the paper in her hands. Swallowing hard, she rolls the paper and tucks it into her pocket. Tom looks down at her, before clenching his jaw. "Viper may fly with him, but I won't." Tom comments offhandedly, looking at the papers.
Cassie freezes, her mouth going dry. "What?" she manages out.
Tom shrugs. "He's not fit to fly—"
Cassie scoffs. "He's grieving, Tom. He's just been through the hardest thing in his life and—"
Tom shakes his head. "I won't fly with him."
"You've just won, isn't that enough for you?" Cassie asks.
"I will not fly with him." Tom repeats.
Cassie nods, disappointed. "Then maybe you won't fly with me either, Kazansky."
emma / 2023
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