Chapter Text
One year later
Brooklyn sat in a crowd of people with a gold cap and gown on as she waited for her graduation ceremony to begin. A lot happened in the past year. Her parents got back together, Sage’s father hated her less and she actually managed to get through the school year without getting suspended or expelled. To be fair that part was all Sage’s influence. But after a year Brooklyn was actually kind of sad to say goodbye. She’d made closer friends here than she ever thought possible. Like Aliyah and Mags. Mags being the one that would always be ready to join her crusades and Aliyah and Sage always having to rescue them. They had a dynamic Brooklyn had never had before. She’d had friends before, after all, Brooklyn was a friendly person but she’d never found a family in her friends and now she had. She sat next to Aliyah as Professor Two stood out in front of the podium, as their graduation began.
“Can you believe we actually made it?” Aliyah whispered to her.
“And without getting arrested.” Brooklyn joked, earning her a nudge in the ribs.
“The fact that you and Mags almost did makes that joke not funny.” Aliyah chastised her poor choice in humour.
“I mean it was a little funny,” Brooklyn smirked. “Too soon?” She said and Aliyah rolled her eyes. She leaned against her shoulder.
“I’m going to miss this.” Aliyah murmured softly.
“Me too.” Brooklyn sighed. “But hey Lazarus isn’t that far away. And we’re going to come home all the time. You really think I could survive that long without you? You’re sorely mistaken.” Brooklyn leaned her head against the top of Aliyah’s.
“You sure as hell better visit or so help me, Gaia, I’m going to hunt your ass down,” Aliyah said, scrunching her brows together.
“I mean you’re gonna have to get in line. Sage loves this ass.” Brooklyn winked and Aiyah feigned a gag.
“No one asked for details.” Aliyah rolled her eyes playfully.
“Oh, you wanted details? Well, this one time-”
“Your valedictorian, Sage Two.” Her father introduced her as she stepped forward in her cap and gown, her hair down and straight and she looked beautiful. Brooklyn immediately shut up and redirected her attention on Sage and only her.
“Good Afternoon parents, teachers and friends. We are gathered here today to celebrate the senior class of 2020. We’ve made it!” The crowd cheered and hollered. “It wasn’t easy. We have gone through so much together. We’ve gone through break ups, heartaches, sleepless nights gruelling over tests and exams and some even survived a gunshot to the gut.” Sage looked over at Brooklyn knowingly at her comment. “But at the end of the day, we were able to do it together. Every single one of us. Like the time Mags danced to single ladies in the middle of assembly or Aliyah protested for edible foods in the cafeteria or even the time Apollo hijacked the school speakers to play his new mix.” Her father cleared his throat from behind her and everyone chuckled under their breath. “Okay maybe that wasn’t the best example of school unity but the point is that every part of our journey has been our story we’ve written together. I know that I wouldn’t be here today without you.” She glanced at Brooklyn softly. “Any of you. And now we have the next chapter of our story we have to write on our own because our stories are far from over. And it sounds corny and cheesy I know but maybe that’s what life should be. It’s our turn. So congratulations to the class of 2020!” Everyone cheered and clapped at her speech and she sat back down in the small row of seats at the back of the stage. Her eyes met Brooklyn’s and she gestured at her shaky hands.
“You did great.” Brooklyn mouthed the words to her and she smiled back a thank you. To this day, there was nothing more than a smile from Sage that Brooklyn loved more. Even if she wasn’t close enough to kiss her just yet.
The ceremony was long, waiting for the 300 other names to be called out but they eventually made it to the other side of it. The headmaster stood up once more to address the class.
“It has been an honour watching you all blossom and grow into smart, thoughtful young adults. I cannot wait to see where the rest of your journey leads. Congratulations! The Class of 2020 everyone!” Cheers roared and echoed as caps were thrown in the air. Aliyah wrapped her arms around Brooklyn in pure bliss.
“We did it!” She jumped excitedly and saw Bohdi from the corner of her eye and pulled him into their hug. “I can’t believe we did it!”
“Of course we did. You wouldn’t let it happen any other way.” He joked.
“You’re damn right.” She kissed him lightly and Brookly snaked her way out of her grasp.
“Not that I don't love this Boliyah sandwich but I’m not a throupler.” Brooklyn quipped shaking out the image of Bohdi and Aliyah’s face together while hers was right next to theirs.
“Aww really?” Aliyah pouted and wrapped her arm around Brooklyn’s shoulder.
“Tis a shame.” Bohdi played along, his arm going around Brooklyn’s other shoulder and the both of them planted a kiss on each side of her cheeks and they all burst out into laughter.
“I leave you alone for more than 5 seconds and you’re already cheating on me huh.” Sage stepped in front of them with her hands on her hips and a curt smile on her lips.
“I was being attacked!” Brooklyn nudged them away from her and they fell away laughing.
“We’ll see you guys at the grad party yeah?” Aliyah asked before slipping away to find her family with Bohdi.
“Yeah of course,” Brooklyn answered and rushed over to Sage wrapping her arms around her waist, spinning her in place.
“We did it!” She cheered gleefully and placed Sage back onto the ground. “Your speech was so amazing I’m so proud of you Sweet Sage.” Brooklyn tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Good Gaia I’ve missed you.”
“It’s been like 10 hours.” Sage shook her head and leaned into Brooklyn’s touch. “I’m so proud of you Brooks.” Her eyes gazing into Brooklyn’s.
“I wouldn’t have got here without you. Quite literally. I’d probably be halfway to Mexico with Mags.” Brooklyn grinned and Sage pushed her shoulder.
“Like I would ever let that happen.” Sage drew her fingers softly along Brooklyn’s jaw. “We really did it.” She muttered lowly.
“We really did.” Brooklyn leaned close and kissed her. 10 hours was definitely far too long. Sage wrapped her arms around Brooklyn’s neck, savouring the sweet taste of her lips. She sighed softly and pulled away.
“I’m never going to get tired of that.” She said sweetly, her eyes still lost in the ghost of her touch.
“You better not. Or the next 70 years are going to get really awkward.” Brooklyn joked.
“70? That’s awfully ambitious of you.” Sage teased.
“You’re right let’s aim for 60 first. I might want to trade you in for a younger model.”
“Hey!” Sage whacked her arm and pulled away from her grasp. Her face scrunched together in an attempt to be mad.
“I’m only joking. You’re all the model I’ll ever want.” Brooklyn said kissing Sage.
“That was cheesy.” Sage narrowed her eyes at Brooklyn and she only smiled back.
“Maybe that’s what life should be.”
“Shut up.” She chuckled lightly and leaned her forehead against Brooklyn’s. “It’s going to be a long 60 years.”
“I thought it was 70.”
“I might want to trade you in.” Sage jested and before Brooklyn could argue she pulled her in and kissed her. All logic falling away. They were happy.