"I still can't believe we're going to watch Lizzy graduate! It seems like just yesterday she walked into Jimmy's legs for the first time and poked Johnny in the eye with the end of an ice cream cone" Brian Sr reminisces happily as he walks into the high schools ground, where the ceremony will take place.

Lacey and Brian are walking him in, and seeing as Brian Sr's taken a liking to his son's new choice of girlfriend, she guides him, her arm tucked in his.
Fifty something years old and still a hit with the ladies, Brian wonders to himself. Maybe he'll get like that when he hits middle age.

Behind them trail Jimmy, who's carrying Lisa on his shoulders and having to bend down every time they walk under an archway so neither of them gets hurt, Zacky, Johnny and Matt, all of whom look like they're bodyguards rather than normal people in society, who just so happen to be in a rock band. Decked out in black clothing and sunglasses, they're trying to blend in, but more or less standing out- especially when people get glimpses of the tattoos that adorn their arms.
"Seems like just yesterday Brian and I were having sex with our friends sisters...oh wait, we were!" Zacky jokes and Matt punches him in the arm.

Even though he's agreed to let Brian and Lacey date, he's still extremely protective of her and he's the only person, aside from Brian's Sr and Jr who doesn't find the joke funny.
"Shut up Baker- or I'll go bang your hot cousin from Connecticut" Matt smirks in reply, and the smile on Zacky's face drops, to be replaced with a 'you wouldn't dare' expression.

The seven of them file into the third row, with Jimmy having to hold Lisa up every so often so she can actually see what's going on. A long stream of students in mortar boards and robes stand near the stage, each looking more nervous than the next.

Lizzy turns around, and waves at her slightly dysfunctional family, all of whom wave right back like idiots, intent on embarrassing her in front of her friends.
Her house is filled with boxes of her stuff, ready to be driven across the country to New York where her new apartment is, overlooking the river. It was paid for, fully, by her Dad and everyone in Avenged Sevenfold, though it barely made a dent in their savings, as a 'congratulations you're a smart ass who's going to Harvard Law' present.

The valedictorian stands up and begins his long winded speech, and Lizzy has to fight back a laugh when she spots Jimmy making 'blah-blah-blah' motions with his hands. She doesn't want to show herself up, because she's knows she's getting a special announcement because of where she's going to college. A lot of people are staying in California, and she's going the furthest away, though she knows she's going to miss the hot weather and her family and friends.

The man continues to speak, and certificates are handed out for each department of the school. Having studied a number of different subjects she didn't fit into one category- and apparently she was going to get a special mention.
"And now onto our Ivy League students. Many of our students who have graduated have gone on to attend some of the countries most prestigious colleges, and this year, one student has excelled all expectations and been accepted into Harvard Law! Please welcome to the stage- Lizzy Haner!"

The entire third row, which was taken up by the boys and her family, stood up and clapped, whistled and yelled, making Lizzy blush as she took to the stage. Apparently she was meant to make some sort of speech.
"Getting into Harvard Law wasn't easy. But I couldn't have done it without the support of my family, friends- and the four crazy people that my brother's in a band with. Without them, I wouldn't have taken up the offer, I wouldn't have an amazing brother and sister to make the world a better place for- and I certainly wouldn't be standing up here. I love you guys so much" she says, wiping away a very real tear from her eye as she accepts her certificate.

"THAT'S MY MINI ME!" she heard Jimmy cry as she walked off stage, sticking his fingers in his mouth and whistling loudly.
"THAT'S MY SISTER!" Brian cries happily as she looks over and waves at him.
"THAT'S MY GIRLFRIEND!" Zacky says above all of them, winking over at her when she makes a little heart signal to him.

She loves her messed up family way too much. She really does.

"GROUP HUG!" Jimmy yells after the ceremony, bounding over to Lizzy and sweeping her up in his big arms, twirling her around happily. When he finally put her back down on the ground she was pulled into a hug by her dad and brother, both of whom were looking quite teary eyed.
"I'm so proud of you Lizzy, you made me cry! Baby, you're gonna be so successful, now that you're all grown up!" Brian Jr says happily, kissing the top of her forehead. He feels like his heart's going to burst, it's so filled with happiness.

Once Brian lets her go, she's swept up by Zacky, who crashes their lips together in a passionate kiss. He's glad he's going to New York with her rather than staying in Cali, moping around because he doesn't have a girlfriend anymore.
"I love you, and I'm so proud of you baby. Ready to spend the summer in New York?"
"More ready than ever. I love you too" she replies and kisses him again, wrapping her arms around his neck.

It's like everything is falling into place. And she couldn't be happier.

THE END