Loving Toby (Completed)

Chapter 41

Time flies so fast that the thought of walking down the familiar path of Sheldon High School for the last time still felt like a lucid dream that Luna wanted to cherish a little bit more. Today marks the Graduation ceremony for the batch 2014-2015, students filling the school auditorium alongside their family and friends, joyous chatter and laughter everywhere her eyes wander. Luna watched the bittersweet atmosphere with a faint smile on her lips.

"I'm proud of you," Caleb muttered next to her, his arms resting on her shoulder. The Greene's were in complete attendance, although she insisted that only their parents should attend, Caleb was adamant in tagging along. Bridgewood's graduation will happen the following week and then college prep will be just around the corner.

"I'm proud of me too," She replied cheekily, Caleb knew her struggles better than anyone and those words that she uttered holds more meaning than anything else.

"Babe!" Athena beamed as she run towards them, clinging into her arms in an instant, shoving her poor brother aside.

"Well, aren't you lively?" her brother did not even bother hiding his animosity towards Athena.

"Oh, shut up Caleb dear," Athena replied, sticking her tongue out at him. As much as she enjoys the public display of childishness between them, Luna couldn't handle them right now.

"Thi--"

"Stop, both of you,"

"He started it!"

"I did not!"

"Athena,"

"Caleb," Thank heavens for their parents' intervention, Mrs. Greene dragged Caleb away from the girls while Athena's mom looking at her daughter with contempt.

"It's good to see you, Mrs. Hale," Luna dragged Athena away, flashing Mrs. Hale an apologetic smile as they moved to where the council members were huddled in a semi-circle with Lexus leading the group.

"I'll leave everything to you Linda," Seeing the two of them approaching, Lexus ended their little chat, meeting them halfway as the rest of the newly elected council went to their designated station. It was their first task to oversee the entire program.

"My lovely ladies," Lexus beamed, looking please at their lovely dresses underneath the navy-blue graduation coat.

"You look dashing as always babe," Luna throw him a wink that brighten up Lexus face in an instant. He looks exhausted, maybe, handing his position to the newly elected officers drained his energy before the program even starts.

"Thanks, babe, so where's Francine?" France was supposed to be the one to pick up the Cooper's much to his insistent.

"Toby said they will arrive in 10," Luna can't wait to see Toby back in Sheldon, even though, it will also be their last. She hadn't seen him all day yesterday since her mother dragged her downtown to get her hair treated and went on a shopping spree.

The joyous atmosphere halted as people started whispering anxiously around them, Luna frowned already guessing what cause the sudden change.

"Oh, speaking of," Athena muttered, dragging her and Lexus to the center of the commotion. France greeted them, frowning at the sight of the growing crowd, as much as FATAL loves attention, this one was not to their liking.

"Am I late?" Toby's asked, greeting them in a familiar smile. Like the rest of the crowd didn't just look at him with curious and anxious eyes, and tongue that whispered openly about him. Toby wasn't that popular; he was used to being the nerd around the bunch of popular kids but seeing him on a wheelchair and visibly thinner physique, everyone seems to find him a little more interesting.

"You're just in time babe," Lexus was the first to welcomed him, Athena followed suit as they occupy the space next to Toby and his family. Tyra greeted them with her usual warm smile and kisses.

Luna joined them eagerly, ignoring the growing crowd inside the auditorium. None of them mattered anyway.

"Looking good, Cooper?" she smiled affectionately at him; Toby welcomed her in his arms that she gladly surrendered into as she settled in his lap. Earning a series of protest from their friends.

The ceremony proceeded with ease; Principal Dalton gave his usual monotonous and lengthy speech followed by Lexus brief and fun talk as the outgoing Student Council's President and the batch Valedictorian.

After all the awards and certificates were given out to all graduates, the school anthem was sung in high spirit. Eyes filled with tears and lips stretch in a wide smile, everyone celebrated their graduation in their own way. And all throughout the entire process, Luna held Toby's hands in silence.

"Congratulations, Cooper," She muttered at the end of the ceremony, hoping that her words were enough to convey how proud she was of him for graduating high school.

"Congratulations, Miss Greene," Toby replied with that same cheeky grin that she likes. Luna leaned down on him, meeting his lips in a chased kiss as the air erupted in cheers and caps flying all over the place.

FATAL find themselves on the familiar rooftop that held bits and pieces of their high school life. Later that evening, the five of them decided to hold a small dinner alongside their family in one her mother's restaurant in the city. But for now, Luna, Lexus, France, Athena and Toby just wanted to savor the few more hours inside the school where their friendship was born.

"You know, I never thought that we will be this close, I mean, Luna was too mean during our first year," Athena spoke first, breaking the comfortable silence that enveloped them as they stared at the setting sun in front of them.

"I'm not a meanie," Luna defended herself, throwing a playful glare towards Athena who was clinging on her.

"You were! Remember how you rolled your eyes when I introduced myself at you?" Luna remembered how Athena joined their group. She was sitting next to Lexus in class, and with Athena's lively personality, it didn't take her much to blended in with everyone. But of course, Luna who had no other friends except for Lexus didn't like her at first.

"Okay, fine, I'm a little mean,"

"I remember Athena chasing Lexus back in freshmen year though," France butted in, the memories of Athena confessing that she likes Lexus cracking them up in no time. One afternoon, Athena confessed to Lexus on the rooftop, Luna who watched the entire scene and was completely mortified. France who was hiding behind the water tank that time also got caught in that confession.

"Please don't mention it now," Athena buried her head in shame.

"What? It's funny you know, the look on your face when you realized that Lexus was playing for the other team," Surely, France finds joy in messing with Athena whose face was as red as her hair now. Lexus rolled his eyes, surely, it was much of a nightmare for him also. They were in an awkward atmosphere for weeks after that incident.

"Oh god," Athena groaned, throwing a glare at France who just shrugged her off as the rest of them cracked up.

"We will still be friends after this, right?" Athena has a way of turning things a little too dramatic at times, she's always been so simple and upfront. Maybe it was a side of her that Luna always adored. Athena would leave the country when summer ends, it might have been one of the reasons for her sudden question.

"I'm sorry babe, but you can't get away from us for the rest of your life," Luna muttered, pulling her deeper into her arms. Honestly, she couldn't imagine her future without her friends. And although a lot of people drifted apart after high school, Luna sincerely hopes that her friends would stick around a little longer.

"Friends for life?" Athena asked, the fear on her eyes was too evident for anyone of them to ignore. Luna put her hand forwards, as if reading her mind, the rest of them placed their hands on top of hers.

"Friends for life!" The five of them chanted happily as the sky turned dark signaling the end of the day, and the end of another chapter of their lives.