Harmony's Tests

Graduation from high school is what most kids look forward to the most. No more school, no more homework, no more sitting through class trying not to get caught texting. All in all, what every senior wants. This class was no different. Six friends in particular wanted it just as much, if not more, than others. Six of some of the most unlikely friends. Friendships forged in the hells of middle school and tempered through high school left an incredibly strong bond on them. Only during youth would these six ever meet and become comrades.

After the ceremonies and all the mushy stuff from parents and relatives did these six dare to meet. They had agreed beforehand to meet in the equipment shed out by the football field. The first one to arrive was guy by the name of Marcus. As by chance, he was also the only one with the key. Being the captain of the varsity soccer team did that sometimes and he made sure to make a spare key incase he ever lost the real one. He didn't and never told the coach about the spare.

Waiting was never something he was good at, and this was no exception. It was a full ten minutes of waiting that the Arian athlete had to endure and it aggravated him to no end. It just so happened that the next person to come in was the one friend he never really socialized with. Olivia, a rather short girl with black hair, black eyeliner, and black lipstick, that Marcus didn't see eye to eye with. Olivia wasn't much of a talker and mostly listened. While Marcus had known her for a long time, they never really talked much. Mostly due to the complete opposition of interests. Where Marcus liked to do outdoor activities, Olivia preferred the indoors. Marcus shouted a lot, Olivia didn't talk at all.

When Olivia came in, the two had their traditional staring contest that lasted a minute before Marcus blinked.

"Dammit, lost again."

Olivia giggled in response.

Luckily, the awkward silence was broken with the arrival of Scott and Liz. These two had been friends the longest out of all of them and had been inseparable since they first met. Rumor had it that they were dating, but with nothing but speculation, these rumors never were confirmed. They did get close when they went to prom together. However, they never made any moves that would suggest a deeper relationship.

"Its about time someone showed up, I was getting bored just waiting for you."

Liz let a smile come to her face. "Sorry, but I was busy trying to steal Scott's soul."

Liz was a ginger with green eyes, so it made sense to make ginger jokes at her. She was a good sport however, and never let them get to her. Rather, she joined in and made some of the best jokes.

The humor never left Scott. "You can't steal something that you stole the first week we met."

Olivia remained silent as they continued. Over the next five minutes, they had struck up a conversation. Olivia never talked in it and opted for silence, something that she was comfortable with. Most of it was about how Liz was building a giant, soul-sucking machine to fuel her ginger powers and take over the world. It made sense that no one heard Sarah come in. They also didn't notice the ninja until it was too late and she tackled Scott and Marcus to the ground.

Sarah was strong for being a girl and was able to compete with the more athletic kids even though she herself was a gamer.

Now sitting on a pile of man flesh, Sarah whooped in victory until Marcus stood up. She may have been strong, but she was too light to keep them down. Disgruntled about the counter attack, Sarah started to make sobbing noises.

"Can it." Liz said. "You know that your too old for that."

Sarah stopped and stood. The brunette towered over the shorter girls and smiled. "Your only as old as you act. I am still at a pristine 8 years old. You on the other hand are in your fifties and are still a virgin."

"You act like that is a bad thing, Miss. 'I've been with all of the football team'.

It was then that the argument started. This was a normal thing as it degraded into name calling and less of a sophisticated debate. They were used to this by know and the guys had stopped trying to intervene after the seventh time.

Scott turned to Marcus and said. "Twenty says that Liz will win."

"Your on."

Olivia watched in awe as the two older girls shouted it out, each trying to come up with a new and creative name to call the other in hopes of winning. Both were in Speech and Debate and had won state their previous year.

As with all the other times that day, the debate was cut off by another person entering. "Girls, girls. You can stop arguing about who gets me, there's plenty of me to go around."

The man in question was a tall brown haired guy with a permastoned look on his face. Both girls looked at him in disgust.

Liz shook her head. "Not even in your dreams."

Sarah, not wanting to be outdone, said. "There isn't enough ruffies and beer in the world to make me even consider that. I would rather have sex with Liz here."

Bo, the guy who just walked in smiled at the thought. "Sweet, hot lesbian action. Can I watch?"

Both girls shouted  "NO!"

Scott swore under his breath and passed a twenty to Marcus.

"Thank you."

"Shut up."

Scott broke the millisecond of silence first. "Bo bro, what's up? Get kicked out yet?"

Bo let out a confident smile. "Nah, I left once I turned eighteen. I got my own place now."

Liz took the opportunity for a snarky remark. "Yeah, I heard that the train tunnel got a new hobo in it. I guess that was you."

"Nah, that was my cousin Joe."

"You say everyone is your cousin Bo."

"Nah, only my actual cousins, the people I treat like my cousins, and my dealer."

Marcus got bored of this conversation. "Hey, your parents all fell for the bait right."

"Eyup."

"Yeah."

"Sure."

"I don't tell my parents anything."

*silent nod.*

Marcus smiled. "Then let the real party start. Bo, you brought the stuff?"

"Duh. I don't know why you wanted it though. This stuff tastes like crap."

Liz rolled her eyes. "Its our graduation, and it deserves a proper toast. Champagne is the only drink for a proper toast."

Bo grumbled something about how vodka or scotch would've worked just as well, but produced a bottle of fairly expensive champagne and six glasses that were actually made of glass. Pouring the same amount in each one, he passed them out to everyone there.

Marcus spoke first. "I'd like to propose a toast. To our friendship and future."

"May we all keep true to ourselves." Liz said.

"Here's to the hopes of a better tomorrow." Scott said.

"To turn this world into our playground." Bo said.

"To keep wealth from breaking us apart." Sarah said.

"And may it never change us." Olivia finished.

With those final words, they took a drink from their glasses.