Stoneybrook Ayr

That's it, they've GRADUATED!

The students sat in their seats, playing with their navy and white caps and gowns. Some turned to wave to friends and family, some whispered with classmates sitting near them, and some slouched in their chairs, ready for the ceremony to start.

It had taken four years, some felt like the time had passed in no time at all, others felt it had dragged out forever. All the winter lodge trips, boy toy auctions, homecomings, proms, dances, parties. The trips to Disney World, California, Australia. The hook ups, the break ups, the scandals. This class had been through a lot together, and this was it. The end. Graduation.

To: wallingford
From: dave_m_griffin
Subject: (none)

Hey Dori,

Was wondering if you already had a date for prom and if not, would you like to go with me?

From,
Dave

Dave didn't do dating. In fact, it had been a couple of years since any girl interested him enough to date. Since his mother and father's nasty divorce, Dave basically called off all feelings regarding women, not wanting to get involved in anything, until he knew he was mature enough.

He thought back to the last person he had dated, a girl named Skylar - she was nice, pretty, and fun. But after a year and some odd months of dating, Dave realized he didn't really want to be with her and upon approaching her with that fact, she shared a similar feeling, and that was the end of that.

But Dori, well Dori seemed different. And while he was under no circumstances wanting to rush a relationship, she intrigued him, and he did want to get to know her more.

Which is how he found himself on her doorstep - a single white rose, tied with a satin royal blue ribbon - in hand. While he wouldn't have typically brought a flower on a semi-informal (so he thought) date - he figured she would appreciate the gesture; and if not her - then her parents would have to. And if he was going to be interrogated by parents - he had to have a weapon.

He rang the bell, bringing his hands behind his back so he could surprise her.

Dave looked at the contents of his locker, carefully taking out the books he would need for his homework that night. He skillfully slid a couple into his backpack before slamming his locker shut. He zipped up his bag and threw it over his shoulder, turning around at the same time. He spied Dori not far from him at her own locker and smiled somewhat slyly.

He snuck up to her and nudged her playfully in the side, "Looks like you are packing up every book you own."

"Mariah!" Dave exclaimed, knocking on the door he knew was hers.

He was going to go crazy thinking about his sister. He knew his mom was working a lot before he left, but he hoped she didn't forget that Dave wasn't home and that Janey couldn't be left by herself. He had tried to make arrangements for her to stay at friends houses as much as possible, but he wasn't sure how that was working. In all the previous years Dave had made sure that Janey went to their aunt's house in New Hampshire, and missed school the week he was at the Lodge, but this year his aunt was overseas and Dave was anxious.

He bit his lip as he waited for Mariah to open the door.

Dave walked briskly towards the Argo. It was late Monday night and the day had been a terror. His sister had a rough day at school and therefore a rough day with him. For some reason she always brought it home and he wondered if maybe someone was bullying her. He made a mental note to talk to her teacher about it; who knew of their situation and divulged information to him as well as his mother. He stuck his hands in his pockets, trying to keep them warm. He was just waiting for it to snow any day now. He didn't mind it too much and knew his sister loved to see the Christmas lights in the midst of snow. He was looking forward to building snowmen with her and having snowball fights. Of course, he always took it easy on his sister.

He was somewhat bored on the cold night and decided to head for some cocoa since he had lately a lot of luck finding people he knew at the cozy coffee shop. He guessed it was because of the cooler weather. He opened the door to the shop, and heard the little bell behind him as the door closed, that signaled another guest. He loved this particular coffee shop because of the cool artwork on the walls and the little booths, along with the dark, rich orange walls. In the corner there was a Christmas tree, clad for the holiday. The floor was of polished concrete, which gave it a very modern look. Dave noticed how busy it was and got in line behind one of the numerous customers and what he assumed was her mom. It wasn't until she turned her head slightly that he caught a little glimpse of her face and concluded her to be Dorianne Wallingford, a girl he only vaguely knew from school.

Dave gave her a little smile, just to be polite.

Mariah's mother had been glad to have her babysit her brother so she could get out of the house and get some Christmas shopping done, and she was looking forward to her cookie baking session with Dave and his sister as well. It would be fun. James was watching some television while they waited for their guests to arrive.

Andi had been at skating practice, and cheerleading practice, and she was KO. Now she was going for a cup of coffee before going home. She got in line, paid for her double mocca latte and looked around for somewhere to sit. She'd rather impose on a stranger than sit alone, so when she saw Dave, a guy she knew from school, she decided to ask if she could sit with him.

"Hey, is this place availz?" she asked as she stopped by his table.

Mariah was bored, which was a bit dangerous considering it was a Wednesday night and there was little to do in Stoneybrook, so shed decided to go get a coffee. There was no one there that she was really friends with, but there was Dave, and he looked lonely. Mariah hated when people were lonely.

"Hi," she said, dropping into the seat across from him. "How are you?"

The students were pumped, the Knights had won the Homecoming game! The Gym was decorated and everyone was dressed to impress. 

Tonight would be a night to remember.

((OOC - going up early so the kids can get the dance going! The court will be 'announced' on Sunday night, and the K&Q on Monday night... Let's make this a mammoth thread with plenty for Flair to report on! Votes to Kylie by Sunday thanks :)))