Welcome to the Family

Chapter 4

I slid on the small navy blue dress that I had bought for Harvey’s graduation. I checked myself in the mirror and brushed the stray strands of hair out of my face, then opened the door to my room and walked down the narrow hallway to Harvey’s room. The guys were all dressed, except for James, who was still asleep. “Is anyone gonna wake up him?” Tayler said as I walked into the room.

“Damn Lar, it sure has been a while since you were dressed up this nice.” Harvey said, fixing his tie.

I smirked, “James, come on, get up.” He whimpered, like a puppy. 

“What time do we have to leave?” Charles asked.

“Pretty soon,” James rolled over and sat up. I joined him on the couch and scroll through my phone.

After about an hour of the guys getting ready, we were finally outside, taking pictures with Harvey’s family and his girlfriend. We even recreated the picture that we took at Charles’ and mines graduation. The pictures took almost an hour to take and get everyone in and out, but once we were all tired, we bussed into cars and headed to the school. I drove Charles, James, Tayler, and Emily, while Harvey drove with Lynn. The rest of Harvey’s family drove in his moms van. Harvey lived less than fifteen minutes from his school, so I didn’t mind driving the noisy group there. “So what grade are you in now, Em?” I decided to try to make conversation.

“I’m a sophomore now,” she was sitting up front, playing on her phone the whole time.

I nodded my head, “I remember sophomore year, that’s when we met James actually.”

She tapped her fingers on the door, “I didn’t think he went to your school.”

I chuckled, “he didn’t, but that’s when we met him in a game, he’s only a year younger than Charles and I.”

“I’m not into that stupid gaming you guys do, I just don’t see why you guys find so much entertainment in a virtual reality, when there’s a whole other world outside.”

Emily wasn’t wrong, I often thought about it too. But the guys didn’t seem to agree, “for most gamers, its not that just the game, it’s the experience that they have in games, the things they can’t do in real life and the people that they meet. I would have never met your brother, or Tayler, or James.” We pulled into the schools parking lot and parked beside Harvey’s car.

We all walked together into the school, hugging Harvey before he went to join the rest of his class and the staff. Fortunately, the ceremony was not too long, and we were out of there before we knew it. Charles’ and mines graduation lasted for almost an hour, due to the size of our class. But Harvey’s only lasted about half an hour. When Harvey’s name was called, we all stood up, hollered, and cheered his name.

After the ceremony was over and the graduates walked down the aisle, holding their diplomas; we all met Harvey for more pictures. “I can’t believe we’re all out of high school.” I watched as Harvey posed with Lynn, then Emily and his other sister, Erin. Erin was two months pregnant, leaving Harvey and Emily to bring a good name to the family. Harvey’s mom and her boyfriend stood next to him, while Emily took the picture. I pretended to be busy on my phone and waited for the pictures to be taken.  Eventually Charles, Tayler, James, and I posed next to Harvey for a few pictures. “I’m so proud of you,  kiddo.” I said, pulling Harvey into a hug. In less than two seconds, James joined in on the hug, followed by Tayler dragging Charles into it with him.

I was stuck in the middle, “I can’t breathe.”

The guys let go after a minute or so and we all walked to the parking lot. I started up the car and followed Harvey’s family. “Lara, I need to get your advice on something.” Lynn and I drove together, to let the guys have ‘guy time’.

I nodded and glanced over at her for a moment, “what’s up?”

She reached for the volume knob and turned it to zero. Then she took a big breath, “about a week ago, I got a phone call from an agency in Germany. They said that they wanted me to audition for an opening that they have. So I agreed to audition and I made it into the final two choices.”

“Lynn, that’s great!” I cheered.

“You didn’t let me finish,” she rolled down her window slightly, “the audition is in Germany, a whole different country. I would have to stay there for a while and if I get the job, I’d have to move to Germany.”

I didn’t say anything to her until we pulled into Harvey’s driveway. “Lynn, I think that the fact that you have the opportunity of a lifetime is beyond amazing. And if it’s Harvey you’re worried about, he will understand. He wants the best for you, and he’s going to college anyways. Just talk to him.” I grabbed her hand, “I promise.”

After a moment, we joined Harvey, the guys, and Harvey’s family for the party. Harvey pulled Lynn into a quick kiss, holding her on his side. I met up with Charles, who was watching ESPN on the living room TV. “Really, Char?”

“Harvey doesn’t care; he’s wrapped up in Lynn anyways.” I rolled my eyes and plopped down beside him. “You know, one day you’ll have a girl that you genuinely will care for.” I said after elbowing him.

After I let out a small sigh, I rested my head on his shoulder, “what’s the score anyways?”

I could feel his breath on my forehead as I glanced up at him, “the Bengals are down 21-12,” he flipped the channel to the other game he was following, “but the Titans and up 7-0.” Charles was always into football and even though he was a Bengals fan, he watched every game during the season. “I need some food, want anything?”

I nodded, “can you get me a beer and a burger?” I rarely drank, but it was a celebration. Harvey was finally graduated and now we didn’t have to game alone during the day. It also meant that we all were graduated and we were all officially adults. Tayler graduated from cyber school about a week ago and James, the year after Charles’ and I’s graduation.

Just as Charles left, Harvey sat down in the recliner, perpendicular to the couch I was on. “Lynn?”

“She went upstairs to get ready for bed, she has a shoot tomorrow.” Lynn stayed at Harvey’s quite often.

I nodded, “so, now what?” I asked him.

He chuckled, “you know. College.” Harvey getting accepted into his dream college was huge news. When we first heard, we almost burst into tears. Including Charles.

“You know what I mean,” shaking my head.

He looked down and his smile turned into a nervous lip-bite. “Can you keep a secret?”

--AUTHOR NOTE--

I apoligze that this chapter took forever to upload. I've been busy with working and I'm in my senior year. So hopefully you understand. Also, I often do not edit my uploads until after I post them. So if you noticed any errors, please let me know. Thanks and hope you enjoy this one. :)

ps. this was a shorter chapter. I have more events that will take up more space in the next chapter. SO expect a long chapter.