Graduating Mason___

Chapter 1- Lucy

Lucy opened her acceptance letter about ten times, sealing it, and ripping it back open just for the satisfaction of knowing she was accepted. Opening it so many times didn't change the fact that she did, but the chilling sensation made her quiver, in a good way. "Johnny, I've looked at this thing a thousand times. It's beautiful." The blonde bit down on her lip and rolled onto her back. Her cell phone was practically taped to her ear.

"I'm so glad for you babe. But, maybe you should calm down. I mean, you know what happened with..."

"John. Why would you even bring that up? Do I bring up the fact that you weren't't there for me during that time? Huh?" she countered, becoming defensive. The other line got quiet. It took a few minutes for someone to actually make a noise and break the awkward silence. "Ehem. Johnny?" Lucy questioned, making sure he was still there.

"Yeah..?" he answered, a little hesitantly.

"I'm sorry. That was just a hard time for me, and you... you weren't there to make me feel better," she replied, in an apologetic tone. Her eyes lowered down to her stomach. She lay flat against her bed, the rusty springs disturbing her thoughts every time she moved. When she'd get a new bed, who knew?

"No it's fine, Luce. I... I'm sorry about what I did to you. You know I'd never pull anything like that ever again. You know that."

"I know John." There was a deep silence, and then multiple male voices could be heard in a panicy tone over the blonde's boyfriend's line. Lucy could barely get anything out before she heard vehicles pulling up frantically over the phone.

"Luce, I gotta go. I love you..." Johnny quickly stated. Lucy's lips parted to speak, but the line went dead. John.. she thought desperately. One horrible thing about having a boyfriend in the army: they're always in danger.

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Lucy was at her dining room table. Her brother, Kevin entered, a smug smile on his face. "Yo sucka," he greeted, a sarcastic look about him. He slapped the table, causing his sister to jump a bit. "How's it feel? Being accepted to Rockford?" he asked, extremely happy for his sibbling. She was the second youngest, after Dean. Her head was dropped, eyes staring at her acceptance letter.

Kevin looked more closely. A single water drop stain held its place on the paper. Then another, and another after that. "Lucy.. what's.." he began asking, but was cut off  when she looked up and she had dark, unappealing streaks running down her face. "Oh Luce," he realized, and sat down next to her. His arm wrapped tightly around his sister's shoulder. As she cried into his shirt, John was on the other side of the world, defending his country.