Z-Day Chronicles: Genesis

Chapter 3

Jake and Cassandra arrived at Chic's Beach as the graduation party became more frantic with excitement. Graduates from Christopher Newport, along with other colleges all across the Hampton area, showed up to this party. A live band was playing on one end of the beach, and on the other end of the beach was a DJ playing a variety of tunes, ranging from Kanye, Bieber, Grande, and other popular names, along with a few rising artists like Priscilla Rose, Z-Razza, and more. Tiki bars were set up along various parts of the beach, each carrying a couple kegs of beer, as well as a mixed variety of liquors.

Jake and Cassandra looked around through the crowd and found Dylan partying in the midst of them. Once Dylan faced them, he stopped partying and made his way through the graduates to meet up with them.

"Jake," Dylan smiled. "Cassandra. You both made it."

"We changed our minds at the last minute," Jake replied. "We heard this party was gonna be a rave."

"Where's Julio and Selena?" Cassandra asked.

"Oh, they're just making out."

Dylan pointed to the shore, where Julio was pressed up against a cute Hispanic woman, locking lips with her in the shallow water. Julio turned to see Cassandra, Jake, and Dylan on the sandy beach. The two of them left the water and met up with everyone else.

"Hey sexy," Selena greeted Cassandra.

"Hey you," Cassandra responded as she hugged Selena.

"My favorite song is on. We have to go dance."

Julio followed Cassandra and Selena into the crowd as the music started playing once again. Jake followed Dylan to his vehicle, where a small campfire was set up in between a couple lawn chairs and a large cooler. Dylan opened up the cooler and pulled out a bottle of beer and a bottle of water for Jake.

"I'll take a beer," Jake said.

"What happened to not getting you drunk?" Dylan asked.

"Dude, one beer is not gonna get me drunk."

Dylan put up the bottle of water and pulled out another beer, and then handed it to Jake.

"Alright man," Dylan responded. "I'll hold you accountable."

"Please do," Jake said as he opened his beer and relaxed on the beach chair next to Dylan. They tapped each other's bottles and proceeded to sip on the smooth barley beverage. They relaxed around the fire as they looked out in the distance at the graduates, taking it all in that they finally made it though college.

"We did it," Dylan said, breaking the silence between him and Jake. "We actually did it."

"Yes we did," Jake agreed. "So what happens now?"

"Didn't we ask that very same question back in high school?"

The two of them laughed at the thought of asking 'what next' before taking another swig of brew.

"Yes, we did," Jake answered. "And we both moved to Virginia and applied to this college."

"Well you went overseas a lot though," Dylan added. "I was stuck here in Hampton. You, however, joined the Navy, turned into Billy Badass, and then got stuck in Hampton."

"Ok, ok. But seriously: What are your plans?"

"I'm thinking about finishing up my schooling. I got accepted to University of Virginia. I'm going for my Masters."

Jake smiled and congratulated Dylan for his choice.

"You're going to do great," Jake continued. "You still planning to start your own law firm?"