Memories

XCII

GREASE

'They think our love is just a growing pain
Why don't they understand, it's just a crying shame
Their lips are lying, only real is real
We stop the fight right now, we got to be what we feel'

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Hey, so I won't be posting this week cuz I'll be away without my laptop, and then school starts so updates will probably be less regular. Anyway, enjoy :)

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Thalia and Neil's graduation was a bittersweet occasion. Just like the championship match against the Trojans, all previous Foxes came to the ceremony. Even Gracie and Dan and Matt's baby Davina managed to make it. And Thalia knew Kevin would be there with certainty, because he'd taken her out to dinner the night before, and had stayed at Abby and Wymack's house overnight.

Neil was called up before Thalia, and the smile he gave the cameras as he shook hands with the dean was genuine. It made Thalia smile, too, as she made her way across the stage.

"Thalia Josten," the presenter said. "Who has also received the arts award this year." there was a series of loud applause from one particular section of the crowd. Thalia smiled when she saw her team - past and present - cheering for her. 

When the ceremony was over, and the graduates were allowed out of their seats, Thalia and Neil ran over to the Foxes. They parted and Thalia was scooped up by Kevin, spinning her around in his arms and laughing. Thalia hugged him tightly, and then when he put her down, Kevin kissed her. 

"I'm so proud of you," he whispered in Thalia's ear.  She smiled against Kevin's cheek. "I love you."

"I love you too, Kevin." Thalia laughed as she was pulled away from him and swooped into a hug by the rest of her teammates. The present Foxes were more reluctant to comfort their captains, however Matt brought Neil and Thalia into a hug so tight Thalia almost felt the breath being cut out of her system. She tapped Matt's arm to let him know, and he let go of them both.

"You're finally joining the rest of us," Allison said. Thalia rolled her eyes but leaned into her offering of a side hug.

"Took you long enough." Andrew commented. He was standing by Neil, and Thalia didn't miss their intertwined pinkies. They hadn't seen each other in months; Andrew was stressed over his first pro season, and Neil was stressed over finals and championships. It was nice seeing the two of them together again, in perfect harmony. They fit. They worked well. They understood each other.

"Oh, get over yourself," Thalia said, rolling her eyes again. "It's only been a year since you left this place."

"And I was hoping to never come back," Nicky sighed, looking around and holding Erik's hand. "Yet here we all are." Dan chuckled and tackled Thalia into a hug, having handed Davina off to Wymack, her godfather and namesake. Thalia laughed and returned the gesture.

"So, who's getting to take over next year?" she asked, taking the cap off Thalia's head and putting it on her own. Thalia and Neil turned to see Robin standing awkwardly by the younger Foxes. She looked up with startled eyes, confused by all the attention she was getting.

"Robin," Neil said. He beckoned her forward. She came, standing with her arm against her chest protectively, but Thalia side hugged her. "The two of us have discussed it with coach, and we'd like you to be captain next season." It took a few seconds, but then Robin turned and hugged Thalia with such force that she stumbled backwards.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you," she squealed. Thalia laughed and patter her back. Robin stepped back, a flush on her cheeks. 

"There's another thing," Thalia said. She pulled out the set of keys from her pocket that she carried with her at all times for the past five years. Robin took them like they were gold, and cradled them in her hands. "You take care of the place for me, yeah?" Robin nodded and hugged Thalia again. "Okay Robin. You're welcome."

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"I'd like to first congratulate Neil and Thalia for graduating," Wymack said, holding up his wine glass. "We all believed in you every step of the way." the whole table laughed.

"Bullshit!" Thalia called out from Kevin's side. He squeezed her hand affectionately. They hadn't seen each other since the championship game. The Foxes had lost, but it was alright, because Thalia was at least glad she'd had the chance to spend it with her family watching her.

"Yeah yeah," Wymack continued, waving his left hand and showing off the new wedding ring. He and Abby had gotten married in the summer, and moved into Abby's house right after. Thalia had thought Kevin had accepted it all graciously. He'd been as happy - if not more - as the rest of the team for his father and the nurse, and had even been best man at the wedding.

"So, next order of business. Robin," Wymack turned to the only person at the tale who wasn't part of the original Foxes. "I'm happy to announce that you'll be the captain of the Foxes next season." everyone clapped. "And finally, some more big news," he turned to Abby, who took his hand comfortingly. Thalia narrowed her eyes at the gesture, put two and two together and gasped. Abby hadn't been drinking all night. She hadn't been drinking for the past few weeks, to be honest. Not even at dinner when Thalia and Neil met with her and Wymack every Sunday. "Abby's pregnant." Wymack said, shocking everyone except Kevin and Dan. They'd obviously already told them.

"No way," Nicky exclaimed. He looked between the two and his face broke into a huge smile. "Oh my god! I'm so happy. There's gonna be baby Foxes!" Dan snorted.

"There already is one, Nicholas," she said. Davina was in bed, but that was what Dan had meant. Nicky rolled his eyes.

"You know what I mean, Danielle," he said. Dan's face went cold, but she didn't act on any feelings. Nicky turned back to the coach and his wife with that smile. "I'm so happy for you guys."

"Does this mean Kevin's going to have a sibling?" Aaron asked. "Because I can't deal with two Kevins."

"You hardly deal with one Kevin these days," Thalia said, raising an eyebrow at him.  She turned to Abby and smiled. "Congratulations, Abby, I'm really happy for you guys." Abby smiled back in appreciation and Thalia squeezed Kevin's hand under the table, asking Are you okay?

Yeah, he squeezed back. Thalia turned and smiled at him. Kevin smiled back and leaned down to kiss her.

"Save that for later, you two," Wymack said. Thalia rolled her eyes at him. The meal was amazing - Abby had made her famous lasagne - and the conversation was light and easy. Everyone was catching up on what was going on in each other's lives and Thalia found herself smiling more easily than she had done in a while. This was her family. Neil, her brother, Kevin, her boyfriend, and the rest of her Foxes - even the extended ones - and Thalia wasn't going to give any of them up so easily.