Nova Academy

Graduation

"I don't want to leave."

Steven stared through the hallways as they walked hand in hand, flanked by all of their best friends. Every scuff had a story, every locker had a name and a story to that name. Every classroom had a multitude of awkward, fun memories. And now the halls were mostly empty save for the few whispers of memory filling in the blank space of quiet.

"Shit I mean..." Hazel blew out a deep breath. "You can still go another year. I'd have to go part time, and–,"

"It just wouldn't be the same," His partners chorused.

"I feel like I've been here forever, but it's really been only two years." Anna pressed her hand against her locker as they passed, but the comfort was fleeting in her movement. Soon it was far behind her and she couldn't reach it anymore.

Jacob's resting face had stayed solemn after the riots, partially due to all of the stress. He looked thoughtful, less goofy and more centered. "I could go another couple of years, but..." He squeezed Jasmin's hand and smiled when she squeezed back. "I think I've learned what I needed to."

"Me too," Steven murmured. "That's the worst part. We have to move on."

Jasmin sighed and whispered, "I feel like we should be talking in hushed tones saved for funerals. I feel like this is the purgatory between death, the outside world, and Nova, life."

"What a perfect analogy. I really do hate everyone that isn't within arms reach right now." Alex let them all bunch up close to him before scowling and pushing them off. "But yes, we need to speak softly, the gravitas demands it. It's for the flare!" He stage whispered and they giggled at him. For such a sourpuss he sure was silly at times.

"I never thought I'd meet people like you guys here... We're all so different. When Adam first talked to me and called my powers metal, I thought I was going to explode." His friends all backed away like Steven might and he barked out a laugh. "Fuck you guys, get over here. I won't explode, I'll probably just start a nice little inferno."

"Toasty," His girlfriend replied flatly. "I still feel like a part of my inner child was hurt and disappointed we ended up here, no matter how wonderful the end of the story is."

"You're not that kid anymore. Your inner child is allowed to be hurt by your choices, but they shouldn't dictate them. Hell, if I let my inner child do most of the talking I'd eat ice cream all day and then worse. We're different than we were as kids, Connie. And a lot of that has to do with environment." Steven nudged Connie's hip with his own until she returned his grin. "No but seriously... I've never really had real friends inside my age limit. Allison and her friends were so much older..." He cleared his throat. "You guys are just... the best. And I don't want to leave because I'm afraid I'll never get this kind of connection again."

Alex sighed and slapped a hand on his shoulder. "That's very sweet. The next time you make me cry I'm going to snap one of your shields in half."

He summoned one and handed it to him. "Be easier if you just attempt now because I'm not done." Alex brought it over his knee a few times while Steven continued with a tiny smirk. "I've never had friends like this–,"

"You mean you've never gotten so drunk that you proposed to all of them by the time the night was over?" Jasmin probed at his side and his face turned bright red.

"That is so not funny. You guys should have called an ambulance. I was definitely bordering alcohol poisoning."

Alex held a fake phone up to his ear. "Hello, 911? Yeah can you cure my friend from being hot and adorable? No? Weird."

Steven snatched the fake phone and pretended to crush it under his heel. "Anyways– I've never had friends that–,"

"Friends that take care of you?" Hazel brushed a finger under his chin and he got even redder.