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DISCLAIMER: The Characters of the story belong to me and Nicholas94. We do not own Wal-Mart, the USGA and any of its tournaments or the R & A and any of their tournaments. And other golf tournament and course belong to their proper intuitions. All other intuitions and brads belong to their respective owners.

IT'S KINDA LIKE THE PROLOGUE

"Of Graduations and Life's New Chapters"

Stockton, California

June 7, 2002 6:30

Amos Alonzo Stagg High School

Graduation Day

The last notes of Pomp and Circumstance echoed throughout the silent stadium packed full with spectators; filled with pride and joy that their sons and daughters were graduating High School--emerging now as adults from the harbor of childhood.

Aurix Cromwell sat in his seat--a golden, billowing graduation cap and gown covering his slight frame--with small, immaculately groomed claws clutching the sides of his seat, shivering in nervousness. He looked around, numerous furs which had mostly been his peers for four years now, ever since he transferred to the school back in his freshman year.

With some effort, Aurix was able to locate Gavin Hendrickson and Matt Harrison--his two best friends and in many ways his older brothers. Even though they sat further back amongst the myriad rows of students, just knowing they were with him allowed Aurix a sigh of relief. It was thanks to those two furs that Aurix, shy and withdrawn from others by nature, was able to adjust to the schism created by the age difference through skipping a year in school; two brotherly figures didn't hurt in adjusting to life in a new school either.

Aurix was pulled out of his reverie when Principal Higgins shouted his name over the speakers.

"...to recognize our Valedictorian: Aurix Cromwell. Please, give this brilliant individual a round of applause. Aurix, your peers await your speech!" Higgins shouted, gesticulating wildly, caught up in the moment.

Aurix sighed and took a deep, steadying breath before he stood up and made his way down the carpeted aisle. Looking straight ahead so that he would not see the crowd in the football stadium in his peripheral vision--to no avail--Aurix climbed up to the podium and cleared his throat as Principal Higgins handed the microphone to him along with a pat on the back. Aurix accepted it, though unceremoniously in his nervousness and as he rose the receiver to his small, delicately shaped maw it was all he could do to keep from gingerly wrapping his tail around himself--a habit he had formed from when he felt uncomfortable. Looking up to see the first stars twinkling in the bruised, golden hued twilight, Aurix smiled and began in a surprisingly high pitched, feminine voice,

"What a perfect night to commemorate the end of our journey through these hallowed halls of knowledge, and well, at times, stupidity. However, this journey which has taken us through numerous joys and several woes; has finally come to an end. "He took a slight pause looking at the crowd, Gavin and Matt both gave him thumbs up which gave him the nerve to continue. He smiled slightly. 'Thanks you two'

"I must admit: it is with sadness now that I look upon each and every single face on this field; you, the students and our teachers--the keepers of our future. To them I can I only say: thank you. Thank you for your guidance, your wisdom, and even your disapproval. For without you, our teachers, we would not be where we are today.

"To you, my peers, I can only say: look on. As the sun sets on this warm, June day many of us feel as if this is an end to our lives. However, with the close comes a new beginning; the sun has set upon our childhood, but has risen to reveal a crisp, new dawn for the rest of our lives; the first day of the first day of the rest of our lives. So, my peers, Carpe Diem, Seize the Day, for now, it truly is our time shine and set out into the world. Thank you."

Aurix blinked his eyes quickly, feeling them water, as he returned the microphone to Principal Higgins, shaking his hand.

"Thank you for those beautiful words Aurix, I am sure that..." President Higgins continued his large, bulk frame (typical of a panda) finally began fading into shadow as the night grew.

Aurix returned to his seat, taking a sigh of relief and a large, sleek and black furred panther, John, turned and shook his hand, commending Aurix's speech. Aurix smiled politely and thanked John but fell silent, feigning attention to the proceedings of the commencement ceremony.

Gavin yawned loudly as his friend finished his wonderful speech. He really hated public ceremonies like this; it never fit his and his mate's style. He had planned on skipping this affair all together and competed in a PGA Tour event in Kansas this week, but both their parent has insisted that he attend. You only graduate from high school once, was the response that was giving to him. He glanced over to Matt, his cherished mate and fiercest rival; a small smile spread across his muzzle, the ferret looked as bored and annoyed as he was. 'Hehehehehe I wonder if I can change that later tonight for our little private celebration?' The pure white artic fox grinned a slightly perverted grin, the ceremony was drawing to a close and soon his puppy would be all too himself. He was brought out of his thoughts as Principal Higgins booming voice once again filled the stadium.

"Now, to all of you: I PRESENT TO YOU THE ALONZO AMOS STAGG GRADUATION CLASS OF 2002!"

The assembled students and the parents in the stadium erupted in a chorus of cheers; the sky a black mass of graduation caps, Matt stood up, stretching his limbs after sitting for so long. "FREE AT LAST! FREE AT LAST! THANK GOD ALMIGHTLY! WE ARE FREE AT LAST! Now we can finally get out of here!" Matt exclaimed cheerfully as he hugged his Gavin before being pulled into a tender and sweet kiss form the larger artic fox, the ferret melted and broke the kiss before nuzzling into his chest sighing happily

"Well Pup, let go meet our overemotional parents, we have about 2000 pictures to take give or take" The fox explain, taking his paw into his own. Matt sighed again and allowed to be lead to where their parents were stationed. He hoped that it wouldn't take too long; the pair had plans with Aurix later.

Speaking of the little dragon...He was dealing with quite the conundrum: Two overly ecstatic, emotional, sappy parents who-- instead of a combination of sobs tinged with joyous laughter--only managed choked out, "Aurix, honey, we're over here!" A female voice, Aurix's mother Amelia's, shouted at the small dragon who was trying to make his way through the swarming crowd he was trapped in.

Craning his head so that his diminutive five foot, six inch body was a tad taller, using his tail partially to support him, Aurix could just make out the head of his very tall father, William, some yards away to his right. Ducking nimbly through the crowd, eventually breaking free of the mob, Aurix was able to embrace his parents.

Through a veil of tears and choking sobs, Amelia Cromwell quickly took a couple of photographs, "Oh Aurix, we are so proud of you!"

"Yes, you worked so hard and look at you now! A High School graduate--going to Stanford in the fall. You will do so much, but, you'll always be our son, so don't forget about us when you're rich and famous!" William tousled Aurix's hair lovingly.

"Dad...C'mon, you know I don't like when you do that to my hair!" faking a sigh of frustration, Aurix pulled away, but couldn't suppress a slight giggle at the fake, cheesy, scandalized look his father gave him. His expression certain brighten further when he saw Gavin and Matt, hand in hand approaching the family. They were already dressed in the regular attire, ready to get out of the stadium. 'Figures...these two never were into school spirit, even with their grades'

"Oh look, the Co-Class Athletes of the Year! Was wondering when would be seeing ya Gavin and Matt!" waving the two over, Amelia had to practically scream to be heard over the noisy crowd. The two rubbed their heads with cheek expressions cross their muzzles.

"We had to stop by and give our parents in our stuff and get a quick change of clothes. Believe it or not, graduation gowns are not the fashion statement I really want to make for this evening." Matt explained as he hugged both of the older Crowell members. As Gavin did the same he turned to face the third member of their high school crew.

Aurix quickly turned around, placing a claw delicately on his hip, shaking his head at the two as they made their way towards him. "I can't believe you two boys, really you're already out of your gowns? I bet you didn't even listen to my speech. I should be mad at you two, you left me all alone by myself during the ceremony" He pouted, know it would make the two large male feel a tad guilty.

"Aw c'mon Aurix, don't be like that! We can't help it if you had to sit all the way in the front!" Matt hugged his small friend. "Plus we did listen to the speech...well at least I did, who knows what this nutcase was doing during your speech". Motioning to said fox that was glaring at his love before pinching the ferret butt, causing a squeak from him. He calmly embraced the smaller younger dragon.

Still shaking his head, but suppressing a giggle, "Well, no, it isn't but now I had to miss you two and all the jokes about Mr. Higgins you were probably cracking!" The two golf prodigies shared a smirk with each other then looked at Aurix with a faux innocent expression, but he knew better

"Us? Make jokes? Never! We are both outstanding and law abiding citizens" Gavin added as he embrace the two from behind with his towering frame. "Besides he just love Mr. Higgins, he filled us with joy happiness and oh so much wisdom."

"Oh 'har har' Gav. Law abiding? Humph, I doubt that. You two probably get into all sorts of trouble when on you're the Pro Tour!" pursing his lips in mock anger, Aurix shook his head once again.

"Trying to get rid of us already? We're going to Stanford too, remember? We aren't pro's yet after all" Matt added as Gavin responded by giving his mate a death-stare.

"Um, remember that the reason we are going to Stanford is because, Hun, your mother...Is a scary, scary woman" shivering, Gavin recalled the last conversation they had with Matt's Mom before they finally relented on going to college.

Aurix looked on with a bemused smirk, "Besides, would you two really let me go to college all by myself?"

With an appalled look, Gavin wrapped his arm around Matt's waist," Of course not! You're our bestest friend ever and we love you....Not to mention my mom would have killed me!" Matt could only nod in agreement. He had a healthy fear for Gavin's mother.

"Oh I doubt that, why would she kill you for not going to college with me?" Aurix gave his mom a quick smile as she told the three friends to get closer together for a photograph. Matt turned to the dragon with a very serious expression on his face.

"Aurix, I will be totally honest with you, Gavin's mother likes you better than me. And I know here almost all my life and I'm dating this goof ball!" Matt laughed in a booming voice, smirking impishly as the camera flashed.

"My mom likes Aurix better than me even" Gavin mumbled to himself, though everyone heard him. Matt could only pat his head in comfort.

Clutching his sides, Aurix had to take a deep breath to steady himself after the humor had taken its toll, "Gavin, your mom does not like me better than you, silly!"

"She tried to adopt you when we first brought you to my house!" Gavin stated as Aurix had broken down in laughter even more

The golf duo smirked while watching their honorary brother laugh, a major change from the shy, scared, and timid little silver dragon they had met three years ago. They had all grew and changed. They were smarter and wiser were the three of them. Gavin and Matt had even found each other as mates, which Aurix found both adorable and amusing. It hadn't changed their group dynamics at all, in fact in a strange way it made them closer in a sense. And now they were off the college. The two golfers had promise to finish college even though the worse kept secret was that the two would be turning professional sooner rather than later. Aurix kinda wish they would just make the announcement, the constant hounding of reporters always did make him nervous.

"Well, we are officially out of the California public school education system, what do you want to do now? " Gavin asked the dragon as he waves to some of their former classmates that passed by.

Suppressing a giggle, Aurix stood patiently as his mother fidgeted with him once again, flattening his collar or smoothing a wrinkle in his robe, "Oh honey, you are so dashing tonight!" was repeated for the umpteenth time. Gavin making faces at the young dragon was also not making the experience any better, but he was later handle with a whack on his arm, curtsey of Matt

"Oh Gavin, you say it like our school time was horrible! Didn't you listen to my speech at all?" Rolling his eyes, Aurix playfully pushed Matt--hardly putting any pressure into his movement though.

"Urgh...Do you want me to tell you I did, or do you want the truth?" Gavin looked on with a bored demeanor as he mimicked Aurix's mother's actions of flattening and straightening out Matt's own collar. Matt was no amused

"Tell me I'm dashing, and you're sleeping on the couch tonight." He simply said dryly, which Gavin could only respond with a goofy grin. Matt face-pawed his face, "Aurix, remind me why I decide to date this doofus again?" He said, and then grins at the adorable pout Gavin was giving him.

Aurix looked around the stadium, many families had herded their children out and now only little packs of graduates remained around the field; night was deep, and the only light was from the floodlights of the football stadium. Outside the illuminated field, it was pitch black.

After his mother and father exhausted the small camera, Aurix finally convinced them to let him go with his two friends and after several more hugs the elder Cromwell's finally departed.

"Well, you two were practically making out anyways whenever on the roof at night! So, you guys told me you had some surprise planned for our Graduation Night. What is it?" Aurix looked at the pair with curious, impatient eyes--he absolutely hated not knowing something. Matt whistled innocently, which made Aurix roll his eyes. He knew he was in for a tough night.

"Tough luck little draggy, you are not finding out til later tonight, now chop, chop! I manage to convince Jessie to keep the Java open late tonight, wait.....did you remember to ask your parent for permission first?" He asked teasing, pinching one of his cheeks for extra emphases.

Aurix slapped his hand away, giving him a death-stare that seemed cute in contrast to an actual threat, "Yes, I did ask for permission you jerk! Just because I am 17 and you guys are Oh-So-Mature adults! Humph! Oh, and we need to stop by my home so I can get out of this gown...It is just so adorable though!" Gavin smirk pulling out his truck key as he motioned the two to follow him.

"Okay, too Aurix house first so he can get change, and please Aurix...don't take too long, we want to get to Java before the semester starts." He added as he hopped into the driver seat of the brand new four seat silver and gray pickup truck, an early graduation present.

"Excuse me? Just because I care about looking civilized. I do NOT take a long time! I take, well; just how much time is needed!" Aurix pouted as he got into the back seat, his head cocked cutely to the side as he looked at Gavin in the rearview mirror with that same 'death-stare'. Matt could only giggle as

ExoticJava

8:30 PM

"CHEERS!"

The three males clanked their drinks together as they began to drink them in earnest. The ExoticJava, for better or worse, has been the crew's designated hangout spot for the last 4 years. It had many memories for them, lots of late night crams sessions, end of the day golf sessions or just wasting the weekend away were often started or ended in the small quant coffee shop, the irony being that neither Gavin or Matt not drink coffee at all. Matt stretched out his sore muscles and he was cuddling in Gavin's lap in a chair while Aurix sat on a couch by himself.

"To think, in September we are going to have to find a new hang out spot, hopefully it will be just as awesome as this little place!" Gavin gently patted Matt's head as he sighed as well.

"Yeah, I sure will miss our home. It will be such a change: new people, new places...A whole new city" Aurix sighed, a slight frown of worry creasing his slight forehead.

"Well I wondering and hoping that Anna knows a good spot, course knowing our luck our next place will be in the book and home items department in Wal-Mart" He said as he slurp on his smoothie as Gavin rubbed his shoulders

"The book and home items department? Matt! Don't be silly! Wal-Mart probably has a coffee shop right next the pet food." Gavin said causally, to a loud groan of Matt in response. "Speaking of Wal-Mart, where was the heiress anyway, she wasn't at the graduation, or the last three days now that I think about? You think she got grounded?"

Aurix took a sip of his chai-iced-tea, "Grounded? No, she went to Tahiti with her family again to their property. She almost kidnapped me--would have worked too if I hadn't thrown a fit! She doesn't stop texting me though!" Aurix causally tucked a stray strand of his long hair behind his ear.

"So not fair....We can't even go to Kansas to play in this week tournament, yet Crystal can go to Tahiti? That's it whoever her agent is, I want his number." Matt grumbled in annoyance. "You are soooo lucky you manage to be Valedictorian you know? That was the kicker of us staying the entire week; after all, The US Open is in two weeks." He added with a glare to the Aurix which was basically ignored.

"Well, good thing I am Valedictorian then, because if you two weren't there for Graduation, I would be so heartbroken!" Aurix faked a couple of sobs and then stared at each of his friends in turn, "Besides, then I would have had to dealt with my parents and since your parents love me so much, them as well!" Giggling, Aurix nearly choked on a sip of his tea. Gavin nearly busted into tears in laughter as Matt could only shake his head sighing.

"Watch yourself Aux...I can already see the headlines now, 'Local teen Valedictorian dies on ice tea in coffee shop, future wasn't all it was choked up too be" Gavin manage to struggle through as matt reached over to pat the dragon on his back. "But seriously what are you going to do this break. We got to fly out to New York in two weeks for the US Open, then have 3 weeks off til we fly off again Scotland for the Open Championship. I can wait for the impending jetlag" Aurix glared at Gavin until a dreamy, slightly envious look erased the anger on his features.

"Ugh! You are so lucky! I have always wanted to go to Scotland! Instead I am stuck here. My mom said something about being invited to play with the LA Philharmonic in some 'Talented Youth' event but meh; I keep telling her I am not good enough on the violin for that!"

"Trust us....you have a better chance in winning than we do. Beside why would you want to go to Scotland anyway? Is windy and it always raining. Besides you once again get to watch us make fools of ourselves in front of a worldwide audience! YAY!" Matt exclaimed in false cheer, leaning up to kiss Gavin's nose softly. Aurix puckered his face as if he had eaten something sour.

"Always kissing! You know how jealous I am that I don't have some big hunk to kiss me! Also, I love the rain; you guys know that!" Gavin smirked and kissed Matt back on his nose.

"Yeah you like to sing and dance in the rain; we are trying to win the world's oldest golf championship. You can gladly go in my place if you want. Besides just you wait, you are going to have to enlist us as bodyguards when we get to Stanford; you're going to have your very own fan club." Gavin cheesed, wrapping his arms around Matt's waist.

"I'll be sure to have bear mace in handy, just in case." Matt added snuggling into the chest of Gavin. Aurix shook his head

"No one ever hit on me during High School, why would college be any different?"

"Oh Aurix, trust us, somewhere at Stanford is a tall hunky handsome guy that going to sweep you off your feet and probably makes us want to puke with the amount of affection he going to shower you with. Cause that is what you deserve." Gavin said kindly. He was always confident in Aurix love life. Matt nodded in agreement and added his own input.

"And if he treats you wrong, we will destroy him. We can do it...we have the power and technology."

Aurix blushed slightly, shaking his head but his eyes were watering, "Oh guys...What would I ever do without you? I hate to think of what things would have been like if I had never met you! Thank you Mrs. Yasuhara for grouping us together for that Shakespearian Sonnet project back in freshman year!" The two other teens merrily shrugged their shoulder.

"Don't even mention it Aux, we are here for you, all 4 of us even though two of us are not currently present for this joyous occasion. You know....sense we are kinda having one of those Hal-Mark mushy type moments, should we have one of those cheesy toast like they do on those sitcoms no one watches anymore?" Gavin asked the other two males. Aurix broke into a fit of laughter, the tears that had been welling in his eyes spilled loose and he was crying tears of laughter. Realizing how he just fit the cheesy stereotype perfectly, he raised his tea as if for a toast and choked out,

"Well, we might as well now!" Matt raised his own glass and shook his head, why Gavin grinned, happy that he got his way.

"Damn it Aurix don't encourage the doofus...oh well since we are going to really do this, oh what are we toasting to any well, of wise one? I'm talking to you doofus." He pointed to Gavin who was wearing a serene smile on his muzzle.

"How about...to graduations, and life's new chapters?" He suggested, to the shock of both his companions. They tend to forget under his aloof and laid back nature was a highly intelligent person who could be a deep philosopher at times.

"Okay then...to graduations and life's new chapters. May our old paths and decisions guide us to greater heights and bring on new challenges and new adventures. To the amazing people we know and the exciting ones we will meet in the future. To our new beginning. HERE -HERE!"

"Here-here!" Aurix exclaimed in his high pitched, effeminate voice, blushing after he realized just how loudly he had shouted. The three laughed gently as the passed the rest of the evening with pleasant conversations of the past and dreams towards the future.

_ _

Aurix's Home

1:15 AM Saturday

Aurix lay in bed late that night--he got home around one o'clock in the morning--much to his parent's disapproval. His body was exhausted from everything during the day, but his mind raced at a mile a minute.

Contemplating, envisioning the future, Aurix thought to himself, "So...This is it. High School is over. NO! Do not think like that to yourself mister! It is a new beginning...A...whole new experience in life.

"I am just so glad that Gav and Matt will be there with me, if I was all alone in college I don't know what I would do...Well, my childhood is over; most of it was, well, not the happiest in terms of how peers treated me--until I met Gav and Matt of course--but I am lucky that I have such a loving family. Hmm, and music. Yes. Without my violin I would have lost it a long time ago! I really do hope those two are right; is there some hunk-of-a-fur for me to meet? I mean, why would things really be different than they ever were here? Hm...Before I leave for Stanford, I really need to get myself a diary. Goodbye High School and hello future!"

Aurix pulled his legs in slightly, wrapping his arms around his pillow; he pulled it close to him. Eventually, his breathing fell into a light, gentle rhythm as sleep engulfed him. If anyone had looked in on him, they would have just seen a small dragon fast asleep, with a small grin on his small, delicate maw.