the rules

May 2083 (graduation) - Summer Phoenix, Dallas Deppiesse, and Vicky Garth are 18, Lucy Harris is 16, Sarah Harris is 14.

*soundtrack: "Rhinoceros," by the Smashing Pumpkins*

On the morning of their graduation, the seniors gather in the library to receive their ceremony plans. Dallas has picked up a random physics textbook, just to pass the time.

Summer says to him, "Haven't you learned enough already?"

LCU, life in present tense, part 3

LCU, spring semester, 2083 (part 3 of 3). Part 1, part 2, part 2.5.

*soundtrack (for all three parts), "Lifeboats," by Snow Patrol*

She was supposed to have an appointment with a recruiter, but instead it's General Deppiesse who walks into the room. He is confident, casual, and so eased in his stride she wonders if he actually knows she's sitting here. He finally says a simple, "Hello," without even looking her way. She figures he must be talking to her since there's no one else in the room.

This is her mother's doing, isn't it? When Keri wanted to study abroad, her mother wouldn't step in to help, but now that Keri wants to join the military, she's all over it. Keri is convinced her mother is dead-set against everything she ever wanted to do with her life. She's surprised her mother didn't somehow step in to call off her wedding. In fact, for all she knows, her mother probably tried.

lost and found

May 2082 - (2081/82 school year update)

*** note: there are a LOT of kids in these school updates, so remember to use the database and school enrollment page if you need it ***

"You can get pregnant! And you, and you, and you!" Jodie points to each one of them. Liza Hathe shivers, shakes her head and says under her breath, "Eeew!"

Given a recent surprise baby boom in Lake County, Jodie Larson has been asked to give a talk on birth control to the junior and senior high school students. Even though the trend is mostly happening with grown women who should know better, these are the next generation's grown women, so they figure maybe they'll educate before they get that far.

Jodie says, "Having a baby is kind of like a jail sentence, at any age. But having an oops baby when you're young is like death row! Your life is over, ladies!"

LCU, normal, simple, happy, part 2

LCU, spring semester, 2081 (part 2 of 3)

On the morning of their final exams, Micah comes upon a startling scene, his girlfriend sitting and having a conversation with Blossom, his ex-girlfriend from freshman year. "What are you doing here?" he says.

"Oh, you know, I was just spilling all your dirty secrets," Blossom says. "Just kidding! Dude, don't freak out or anything!"

Good thing Micah doesn't have any dirty secrets, he doesn't think. Or none that Mariah doesn't already know.

LCU, packing up, moving on

LCU, spring semester, 2080

It's early one spring morning when Keri's sister calls, and this phone call is a warning. Mariah says, "Bella's coming over to see you. Just so you know."

Though Bella Bradshaw graduated last year, it hasn't been exactly unusual to see her finding her way back onto campus. What what is unusual about this is that she wants to see Keri. Keri's older cousins hardly ever give her the time of day, unless they want something. And Keri is sick of the way Bella thinks she's the center of the entire universe!

LCU, the end of an era

LCU, spring semester, 2079

LONG post! Take a potty break if you need one! :)

At the start of spring semester, the most pressing matter for Bella and Mariah is to win a dance competition. James was there to root for Mariah.

(Joel and Aurora Harris were there, on their first date night since baby Zachary was born, watching at first, but then they got bored and decide to flirt with each other instead.)

LCU, everything she touches

LCU, spring semester, 2078

Jason called Bella to say he was coming over. He was dropping off some stuff, making it official that things were over between them. Not only had she flat out rejected his proposal last spring, but she never even called him back. He was so sure things were over, in fact, that he came from the gym and was still wearing his workout gear.

But I guess they weren't quite finished after all? Because there were no declarations of over-ness, and he didn't actually drop off anything.

LCU, unattainable

LCU, spring semester, 2077

Jason calls and says he wants to take Bella to Lost in Love Hedge Maze. She should have known something was fishy. He knows she's not the lovey-dovey type.

Jason says, "I think we'd be really good together."

Bella says, "Um, what are you doing?" He doesn't even get as far as to ask the question.

LCU, we all get lucky sometimes

LCU, spring semester, 2076

The beginning of the semester was a bust with just about everyone being sick after spring break. Charlotte called up her mommy to come over and make them all some soup.