A Friend For Life
“Hi, it's Longhaul. I just wanted to let you know that I will be at graduation, so if you still want to see me, I'll be hanging around near the back of the seating area. I also wanted to know if you still needed a driver for that road trip you had planned with your friends. I talked to a friend that has a luxury motorcoach he's willing to let us use free of charge. Um, call me back when you get this message. Thanks.”
Gem had actually been eating dinner when her phone, left on the charger in her room, rang. After dinner she went upstairs and played back Longhaul's message. Thinking quickly, she picked up her phone and calls Longhaul's number, after adding it to her contacts. "Hello Longhaul! I'm looking forward to seeing you again, and we absolutely still need a driver. I can't imagine having anyone else! I'll see you next week. Bye for now!"
The week before graduation was an incredibly busy one. Gem and Raven were working on wedding preparations with Adagio's assistance, while also working on preparing for the graduation itself, and all the pre-graduation events that come with it, such as the senior barbecue and graduation practice.
The senior barbecue was held on the athletic fields. The seniors were served a variety of snacks and drinks, and they were allowed to eat as much as they wished and play whatever games they felt like, or sit on the bleachers and hang out. Not desiring to spend an afternoon getting sweaty while attempting to play flag football, the Rubies gathered together on the bleachers instead. The day was surprisingly cloudy and slightly chilly for May, meaning they were spared having to wear sunblock and sunglasses.
"We've been to our fair share of graduations," Adagio said as she munched on a sandwich. "But this time we aren't hypnotising anybody."
"It feels strange to think that we won't be coming back next year," Gem said, sipping from a milk bottle. "But it's true. By the time school starts next year, we'll all be living in that Manehattan apartment Raven found."
"This is the first time I've ever graduated from anything," Sunset added. "There is technically a ceremony at Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns, but... Well, I didn't go to that one, as you all know." She smirked.
"I'm just glad we're here instead of Crystal Prep," Twilight said, while Emerald bit into a quesadilla she was pointedly avoiding. She came up for air briefly to say, "No kidding, Sparks. That shindig would've been as dull as dishwater."
Gem wiped her face of melted cheese and spittle. "We've all come from different backgrounds, but here we are, united as Wondercolts. I'm very proud of us!"
"Us too," chorused the other seven, and they watched as the senior jocks lined up for one last game of football as students.
Aria leaned back a bit and looked skyward. “When I think of everything we've been through, both together and as a group, I'm surprised we even got this far. And now, here we are, getting ready to actually leave the confines of high school and head out into the world. And even though it still feels wonderful to have all this, I still feel … like there's something missing.”
"What could that be?" Emerald asks, glancing at her. "We have each other, we have a place to live, we have magic... what more do you need?"
"Maybe it's tacos!" Sonata suggests.
"No, I don't think it's tacos," Raven says, giggling despite herself.
“Okay, maybe not a something,” Aria said, giving Sonata a playful swat, “but think about it. Through everything we've been through, there's been one constant that's been with us, and now it's not here.” She gazed at the others. “You all know what I'm talking about … or have you forgotten already?”
Everyone thinks of a certain beloved bus driver. "It's Longhaul, isn't it?" Gem says. "But remember, we're seeing him next week...
“Yeah, I know,” Aria said, “ and truth be told, I was one of those that thought those bad things about him when I first met him. But, once I got to talk to him, I realized what a good person he really was. I guess what I'm trying to say is, I wish we could have done something for him, just as a way to say thanks.”
Adagio nods. “I remember how you felt that night, Aria. I'm glad you two were able to work things out.”
Twilight looks thoughtful. “Maybe it's not too late. We could always get him a little something, give it to him at graduation.”
Gem nods, "I think that's a wonderful idea... but what do we give him? A thank you card seems a little… well, small. Unless we made it ourselves. Or perhaps a photo book?"
The group sat and thought about this. After a while, it was decided to make him a scrapbook, much like they did for Gem's birthday, and present it to him at graduation.
So with that in mind, the girls got to work. Smartphones in hand, they took pictures of anything and everything they could think of, from the school grounds to the main building, to the interior of a schoolbus, and eventually, all around the town itself.
At long last, the day had come. It was only afternoon, but the arena where the ceremony was to be held was filling with cars as parents, students, and school staff all turned up. The day was hot and muggy, and at the entrance, someone was handing out bottles of water. Inside the coolness of the main building, the seniors were having their photos taken, then being given their caps and gowns to put on. Gem and the other girls congregated near a table, waiting for any sign of a certain ex-bus driver.
“Do you see him yet?” Sonata asked, scanning the crowd.
“He said he'd be more toward the back, so focus there for now,” Gem said.
Raven looked around and stopped. “I think I found him!” she said, “I didn't recognize him all dressed up and without his hat, and … hey Gem, isn't that your dad he's talking to?”
Gem and the others looked, and sure enough, there was Longhaul, speaking with Azul Shadow. The two were having a lively chat, it appeared.
Gem gasped, "He actually came! I'm surprised Mother let him out of the house!" She looked to the girls. "Shall we give him the book now, or wait until they're done talking?"
“I say no time like the present,” Adagio said, “and besides, you get the added bonus of seeing your father.” The others nodded in agreement.
The group approached slowly, hearing Longhaul and Azul laughing. “Ah, here's the guests of honor now,” Longhaul said, smiling. “It's good to see all of you again.”
Azul also beamed. “Gem, you look so lovely today … you have no way to know how very proud I am of you.” Tears formed in the corners of his eyes.
Gem smiled back and embraced her father, kissing his cheek. "Maybe not, but I think I'm getting a few clues," she says, before turning to Longhaul. "We have something for you," she says. "From all of us." Then she and Raven carry over a giftwrapped box, with a tag. "To Longhaul, from your friends at CHS."
Longhaul was shocked. “For me? Why – never mind, it's a very nice thing to do, thank you all!” He opened the box and removed the photo album. As he flipped through the pages, his eyes got misty and at the final picture, he couldn't hold back any more. He sniffled loudly, and wiped at his eyes. “And this,” he said to Azul with a cracked voice, “is why I say your daughter is one of the best people it's ever been my privilege to meet. And her friends are pretty top-notch, too. Thank you all for this, I will treasure it forever.”
The girls hug Longhaul tightly, creating a hug-pile. "You're welcome," Gem says, nuzzling him.
The hours ticked by. The group stood talking as long as they could until eventually, it was time for the seniors to take their seats in front of the stage, where the principals, Superintendent Tirek, and the class valedictorian all stood, waiting to speak.
Principal Celestia went first. "Staff, students, parents, and friends, welcome to the graduation ceremonies for the Canterlot High School class of 2016! The students gathered here this evening are some of the brightest stars CHS has ever seen, and while we will miss them dearly, we also know that they will go on to create a brighter world for all of us."
Vice Principal Luna went next. "What follows is the agenda for this evening: following the end of our remarks," she gestured to herself and Celestia, "we shall have statements from Superintendent Tirek and the class valedictorian. After that, we shall call up each student in alphabetical order to receive their diploma, and have their photo taken. Following that are concluding remarks. Refreshments will be provided in the main atrium following the ceremony. Thank you all for coming this evening, we wish our seniors the very best in their future endeavors." She stepped back, allowing Superintendent Tirek (who was as big and imposing as ever) to go next. Polite applause rang out from the students, remembering all too well how his meddling almost ruined the atmosphere that Canterlot High was known for. He stepped to the podium and cleared his throat.
“Principal Celestia, Vice-Principal Luna, distinguished guests, and graduating class. A long, hard road in your life is fast drawing to a close. For the past thirteen years, from kindergarten to today, you have been challenged, both mentally and physically, you have been pushed to your limits and encouraged to exceed them at every opportunity. Despite the extra challenges you have had to face over the past four years, every one of you has persevered, even become stronger in mind and spirit, and in a few cases, had new pathways opened to you to explore.
“Some of you are heading off to further your educations, some of you will be entering the military, and the remainder will be entering the working world. You are leaving the shelter of familiarity and are striking out into uncharted territories. And, as you go forth into the world, I encourage each one of you to remember the spirit that brought you to this moment, and use it to become the best person you can possibly become. Thank you, and to the graduating class, congratulations!” There was more applause as Tirek gathered his notes and returned to his seat.
Sunset got up to speak. She had no notes, just the wisdom and experience gained from four years of something that made the School of Gifted Unicorns look like Sunday school. "When I first came to Canterlot High, I was, to be frank, a witch with a capital b. I was an entitled, wanna-be princess who thought she could get ahead in life by pushing everyone else down. Then something happened to me. After a traumatic experience, I could have been left alone with my sins, and at the time, I thought I deserved to be. But then someone extended to me the hand of friendship. She didn't have to do that, but she did, and that simple act put me on the path I am now. It led me to this night, to this place, to this stage. I stand before you a changed person, inside and out."
She paused to take a sip of water. "That same friend of mine said to me last week, "We all change, when you think about it. We're all different people all through our lives. And that's okay, that's good, you've got to keep moving, so long as you remember all the people that you used to be." And she was right. Remembering the person that I used to be made me realize I didn't want to be her anymore, so I let myself change. The same is true of so many of my friends, and all of us here. When we started, we were a divided school. We hung out with our groups, and didn't cross-pollinate. But someone else came and changed us all, brought us together, and here we are now. We are Wondercolts, united forever. And we should be proud. I am proud of how far I've come, and I am proud of how far we've all come. We've come far, and we still have farther to go. But as long as we remember where we started... we're never far from home. Thank you, everyone." She sat back down among her friends, trying not to cry. They hugged her anyway.
Principal Celestia stepped to the podium, joined by Vice-Principal Luna. “We will now hand out the diplomas. Students, when we call your name, please step to the stage. Parents, this is your opportunity to take pictures of your children receiving their diplomas. We do ask that you only step forward when your child's name is called to avoid congestion at the base of the stage, and please hold your applause until the very end.”
As each name was called, the students marched up to the stage, posed for their pictures while holding their diploma, and a few did celebratory waves to the audience as they headed back to their seats. Gem and the others were surprised to see Longhaul up front for each of them, snapping pictures as they shook hands with Celestia and Luna. Applause rang out as the last diploma of the day was awarded.
Vice Principal Luna stepped up to provide closing remarks. "The time has finally come. The diplomas have been awarded, the honors noted, the speeches given. With these students, we can do no more. The men and women here this evening may no longer be students of Canterlot High, but they will always be Wondercolts, now and forever. Seniors, we now release you." She spread her arms out wide.
"Goodnight, and good luck to all of you." The room applauded, and the seniors all tossed their caps, sending them high into the air.
The night was a bittersweet one for all concerned. A party was held at Shadowfall, with Gem, her friends, Longhaul, and Azul all in attendance. But after a long night of celebration, only father and daughter remained. They sat together in the sitting room, nursing their favorite drinks.
Gem smiled at Azul, having long since removed her gown for something a little more casual, deliberately emphasizing her curves. "Tonight's been such an emotional evening..." she says, lifting her teacup to her lips and sipping gently. "Worth it though. Two days from now, the girls and I will board a bus and we'll go on a cross-country roadtrip. After that, Manehattan, and from there... who knows?"
Azul nodded. “It's a big, uncertain future, but knowing your knack for turning a disadvantage into an advantage, I have no doubt that you'll do fine. And, as always, I am wiling to provide any help that I can.” He sipped his drink. “On that subject, I was speaking to that nice Mister Longhaul about your little trip. I admit, I was a bit leery of letting you go with this fellow, but after seeing how high in regard you hold him, and watching the other students gather around to say their goodbyes, and of course after our conversation, I feel very confident leaving you in his charge. Also, as a graduation present to you and your beloved Raven, I will be bankrolling this entire excursion, from the hotels to the spending money, even down to the last drop of fuel for that bus. I do believe, after all of the stress and whatnot you've faced in the past four years, you deserve a nice vacation with your friends.”
Gem gasped and hugged him tight again, "Oh thank you... I can't tell you how much I appreciate it!"
Azul wrapped his arms tightly around Gem. “Nothing's too good for my daughter. It's the least I can do for now. And, if you need help in Manehattan, you be sure to let me know, okay?”
"Of course," she promises, wiping the tears from her eyes. "I'm glad you came tonight... I was worried she wouldn't let you. After... well, you know." She gulps. "And with Carrie planning the debut, she'll be even less pleased." She shakes her head.
“First of all,” Azul said with a stern note to his voice, “no one gives me permission to do what I want to do. I asked her if she wanted to accompany me, and she refused. She's still nursing her own little vendetta for whatever reason, and if she wants to wallow in that sort of thing, so be it.” He downs more of his drink. “Second of all, no matter what, I wouldn't have dreamed of missing your big day today. I can't wait until I can see you graduating from college. I also think your cousin's correct, it is time we shook up the upper crust a bit in ol' Trottingham.”
"I agree," Gem decides. "I mean... just look at me! They'll never believe it, but the evidence will be right there in front of them." She giggles and claps her hands like a joyful little schoolgirl. As she does so, the grandfather clock strikes 11. "Oh goodness, is it that late already? Where are you staying? I can drive you there if you wish."
Azul waves his hand. “No need, I have transport arranged. I'm actually flying back to Trottingham tonight, there's an important vote on the council tomorrow. I am glad we got to spend some time together tonight.” Azul perks as he hears a car horn outside. “I arranged for them to be here at this time, if it was going to be earlier I would have called them.” He gives Gem a kiss and a tight hug. “I expect lots of postcards from your trip. And always remember, I love you with all of my heart and I'm extremely proud of you.”
"I love you too Father," Gem says with a smile, kissing and hugging back. "Have a good flight." Azul sees himself out, and after watching him leave, Gem goes upstairs and gets ready for bed, her mind still reeling with the day's events. She falls asleep pretty quickly, dreaming only of the future.