She ran down the hallway clutching a book in her arms. At this moment she should have been in her physics class, but she was a senior and was taking advantage of her senior privileges. Fittings for caps and gowns had been arranged at the entrance of the school, and a representative with a display for class rings was on the grounds as well. She wanted to pick out the perfect one and have everything ordered for graduation. Her bangs from her auburn hair bounced up and down on her curved forehead. She wore heavy purple glass with thick blue lenses. They were shaped like reading glass, though she wore them all the time because of her stigmatism. She wore a half ponytail that kept her shoulder length hair from getting in her way when she had her nose in her books. Tall and thin she was like a little bullet speeding down the hall.
"Caroline!!" called a familiar voice from behind her. "Caroline, wait!!"
"Jenny. What are you doing here?" She asked in a high-pitched squeaky voice.
"Oh gosh, did you forget already? You were supposed to meet me by the gym and we'd go down together to get our rings and gown." Responded her friend.
"Oh I'm sorry. I totally forgot. I've been thinking about staying ahead in physics and then all this graduation stuff happening that I…"
"Save it. I know how you are when you start thinking. The building could be on fire and you wouldn't know because you'd be punching numbers in your calculator." Said Jenny with a laugh. Caroline blushed.
"I guess I can over concentrate at times. Well at least we're here now. Isn't it great that they let us get out of class?" said Caroline bubbling with excitement.
"It sure is. Unlike you I actually have to worry about classes, so this is a nice break. I can't believe we're graduating. I still remember elementary like it was yesterday."
"Yeah me too. But this senior year has been great! Tons of field trips for biology, interesting stories in English…"
"And let's not forget you setting the curve for all the science classes. I'm surprised you didn't join that Science Trivia Tournament they had recently. I bet you could have beaten out all those kids there." Said Jenny giving her friend a surprised look.
"Oh, you know I'm not into that. I don't like showing off. I think my grades will speak for themselves, why do I have to get up on stage and answer questions that won't matter once we're out of here." She said slightly annoyed.
"Say, Caroline. What ARE you going to do after we graduate?"
"I'm going to go to college. Well a university preferably. I'd like to get a doctorate in microbiology."
"Well there aren't any universities here in Drift Wood Falls. Do you plan to move away?" asked Jenny. Caroline sighed.
"I'd rather not, but it looks like that's what I have to do. I know neighboring Springfield has a university. I'll probably go there, that way I won't have to move too far."
"Good idea. Hey look, there's the ring representative." The two smiled at each other and rushed off to go pick out their designs.

Frink had at last reached his senior year and he as well was busy with preparations for his own graduation. He sat at the desk in his room, looking over designs for invitations, frames for his diploma, caps and gowns. His would be different from the other students though. He had a choice of colors for his sash since….
"Hello, son." Said his father's voice as it snapped him out of his thoughts. "Picking out your colors I see."
"Yeah. I can't believe it's finally over."
"Your mom and I are very proud of you. Our son the valedictorian." Frink was practically beaming with happiness. There was nothing he wanted more in the world than to please his parents and for once he had done something right.
"Have you written a speech yet?" Asked Henry.
"A speech? Zoi! I almost forgot about that." Said Frink.
"Well don't worry, son. You've got a week still before commencement." Frink relaxed when he heard that. He thought about all the things that had happened and frowned as the memory of his defeat at the Science Trivia Tournament entered his mind. He was very glad that he was a year ahead of Owen. Had they been in the same class, who knows if he'd be writing this speech at all.
"Dad, I think I'll go with the bright green sash." He said looking one more time at the catalog.
"Green, huh? Well that's always been your favorite. John, anything you want to order out of that you can. Go right ahead. Nothing's too good for our boy." He said as he left the room. Frink smiled and watched him go. He then turned back to his desk and grabbed a pen. He'd better get started on that speech. High school had been fun, but he was ready for a real challenge in college.

Commencement was held out doors on a bright sunny day. Proud parents sat in their fold out chairs and were there to cheer on the graduates from the class of 1973. Camera flashes went off in broad daylight as pictures were taken of the event. The elevated stage had a blue-grey backdrop, flowers and ribbons adorned the edges of it. The principal walked up to the mic and spoke,
"Students, teachers, parents. We are here today to commemorate the achievements of Springfield High's class of '73. These young people have worked extremely hard over the years to arrive at the point where they are today. Through much effort, hard work and dedication, they will be entering a new age and stepping out into the future. I would like to introduce one individual that has worked extremely hard and excelled through all the challenges we set before him. At the age of 16 he is our youngest graduate and top honor student. I turn the mic over now to Springfield High's Valedictorian Jonathan Frink."
The crowd cheered as Frink stepped up on stage. He wore his bright green sash draped around his shoulders and a neon pink tassel that blinked red from the little flashing lights he had placed on it.

Frink went up to the podium and gave the speech he'd written in his bedroom. It was a typical speech with emphasis on looking ahead, over coming obstacles, achieving your goals if you set your mind to it. It was something he knew would go over well with the crowd, but not necessarily true. He was nervous and read through it quickly, thinking how cheesy it sounded. Still he got a good applause form the crowd and his fellow students. He stepped down and let the Principal take the stand again.
"That was very nice, Jonathan. Very inspirational. Congratulations." And he handed him his diploma. The crowd cheered again.
"And now," continued the principal, "I will call out the names of the honor students followed by the rest of our graduates." He called out the many names and as he handed out the last diploma, the students let out a simultaneous roar and threw their caps into the air. Confetti flew through the air and noisemakers rattled as Elgar's Pomp & Circumstance March blared on the speakers. Students hugged each other and then sifted through the crowd looking for their parents. Frink hopped down from the stage and ran over to his parents. His mother gave him a strong hug and kissed him all over.
"OH, John. This is wonderful. Congratulations, we're so proud of you!!" She said excitedly. Henry took the opportunity to bear hug his son, lifting him off his feet and swinging him around. Upon letting him down he mussed up his hair nearly knocking his cap off.
"We sure are!" He added. "This is one of those moments that you will remember for the rest of your life. This is a milestone."
"Mom, Dad. I love you guys! This is for you." He said holding up his diploma. A photographer walked up to them, and Frink put his arms around his parents as the flashes went off. The trio made their way to the car and out to celebrate the occasion.

Two weeks later, Frink was busy packing his belongings. He placed his books, and supplies in one suite case, and his clothes in another. He walked down and placed them at the foot of the door. His mother walked up to him.
"So this is it. Our little boy is heading off to college." She said proudly.
"Yes mom. I got accepted at the University. It's time I made my own way in life."
His father walked in the room and put his arms around Barbara.
"And you'll do great." He said. They stood in silence a moment just staring at each other. The situation was very awkward and no one knew quite what to say. Barbara was fighting back tears. At last Frink threw his arms around both of them, and hugged them for what seemed to be an eternity. Henry and Barbara had been his world, and they had been with him through everything. His father especially had been extra supportive and he felt closer to him at this moment than ever. It was ironic to feel this way as he was about to leave them both. It was Henry who at last broke the silence.
"John, what are you still doing here? You're going to be late, go on now. You have dreams out there that need to be fulfilled, don't let two old fuddy duddies stop you."
"Dad!" He said with a smile.
"Don't Dad me. Go, now. You're gonna love the University life."
One last quick hug and he grabbed his bags and walked out the door. He waved at them and was gone. Henry held his wife as they stood in the doorway. Barbara finally burst into tears.
"Henry, will we ever see him again?" she asked crying.
"In time my dear. In time. He's gonna discover himself and all new possibilities out there and I have a feeling he will get completely lost in it. It's his way, and we will be proud no matter what he does and wish him well."

Caroline arrived on the campus. Instantly she was overwhelmed by the sheer size of Springfield University. It was like walking through a miniature city. She held a map of the campus in her hand. This was nuts. She had a map for her high school back in Drift Wood Falls, but it was only for the first and second story of one building it was nothing like this. There were students everywhere and she'd heard that you probably didn't have the same students twice in a class until you got into the upper level courses. She looked at the map again trying to figure out where the bookstore was so she could prepare for her first semester of classes. This was so different. No one here knew who she was, and she knew no body as well. The lack of bells and people not telling where to go and what to do was so alien to her, yet at the same time it was a nice freedom. She would really have to use discipline to get to her classes on time, not that she didn't have any. She had perfect attendance throughout most of high school. Rounding a clump of bushes she finally came to the building that claimed to be the bookstore. She was at the back entrance, and took note of the main entrance so she would come through that next time she needed textbooks or supplies.

Frink couldn't believe what he was seeing. This place was Huge!! He looked at his class schedule and made his way to the entrance of the bookstore. He'd really piled on the courses despite his advisor recommending he not do so. What did they know, the more the better and he could handle the course load. At this rate he'd turn that four year program into a three year program and with luck graduate once again as the youngest in his class. Having had honors classes in high school he had skipped entry level math courses, he picked up his books for those first. Unfortunately he hadn't been allowed to skip the chemistry classes despite being quite capable of doing so. Fine, those would be classes he'd breeze through. He walked down that aisle and picked up a General Chemistry book and left to look for the rest. From the back of that same aisle Caroline entered and picked up her own copy for the class. She'd registered for one of the many that were offered and wasn't sure which one she was in, she'd have to check her schedule again. Frink picked up what he needed for physics, added a few more supplies and left the store. After looking through her chemistry book, Caroline at last made it to the physics aisle and picked up a copy and began to look through it. A half hour later, she left the store to try and make sense of her crazy schedule.

As Frink walked down the sidewalk, he realized he'd forgotten to pick up something very important.
"Zoi! I can be so silly at times. What was I thinking?" He said as he turned around and headed back to the store. Nearly all of his classes had a lab, and for that he would need a lab coat. He smiled at the thought of getting his first official lab coat, and most likely he'd need more than one, as he'd be putting in many hours for labs. Not being one that wanted to hunt around he asked a clerk where they were and was taken over to that section. Frink picked up a few of them, when a bright color caught his eye.
"Oh, and what do we have here, nah hey?" He said as he lifted up a flashy looking garment.
"Oh those." said the clerk, "We ordered from a new supply company this year and they sent us our order. When we opened the box up, we found out that all the coats in it were green. No one's buying them, as they are not the traditional white. We certainly won't order from them again, and I wouldn't be surprised if they went out of business."
"Why green happens to be my favorite color, my good man. Give them here; I'll buy them all. Can't let them go to waste, and give me the name of that company. Besides I think they shall come in handy." Said Frink with a big smile. The clerk gave him a strange look, but happy to get rid of his bad merchandise he gladly handed them all over to the strange skinny student.

Caroline quickly learned to go to any type of student events or gatherings. It didn't matter if she agreed with the drive, there was usually free food at these things, and she could load up on it and take it home. It's a known fact that where there is free food you'll find college students, and she caught onto this like all the others. Cake, pasta, hotdogs, and hamburgers were all fair game at these social events. It was a great way to survive after going broke from the expense of tuition, though it wasn't always the healthiest. Like newly fledged birds, the freshman year is the year to get a feel for things and learn the basic ropes. Both Frink and Caroline adjusted well and found they fit in so much better in University than they ever did in grade school. The first year flew by for the two. It seemed like just yesterday that they first had stepped foot on the campus.

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