Bachelor's Degree (Completed)

[Magz from Oz]

Very funny update.  Methinks Michael has had a little attack of the green-eyed monster. 

[ilovebakedgoods]

Uh-oh! Looks like Michael is unsure how to act toward this blossoming River! I love that River is finding her own interests and isn't just following Michael around like a lost puppy. Can't wait to see how this unfolds.

[RaiaDraconis]

Oh dear, River has most definitely blossomed. She is her own person through and through...and I'm not so sure that Michael likes this development.

[Crystal]

This is fun.  I like the theme and can't wait to see what develops between these two.

[Cheezey]

This is such a fun and cute story! I love how Michael is becoming jealous.

[MarianT]

CONVERSATIONS AT HOME

   Simis was on hand to greet Michael and River when they returned to Sunset Valley. “How’d it go?” he asked.



   “Great!” said Michael. “I raised my GPA to a…”

   His voice trailed off as Simis began to whirl around in a mist of sparkles. “Ohh, my back!” he groaned.



   Everyone was hungry, so there was a general rush to the kitchen. River sat down next to Bella. “So what’s college like?” she asked.



   “It’s wonderful,” said River. “I’ve got a class where all I do is sketch. Plus…” She thought hastily. Michael probably wouldn’t like it if she told his teen-aged sister about the joys of tagging. “Plus if you meet a cute guy, you can ask to sketch him.”



        "Cool," said Bella. River realized that hadn't been the right idea to put in Bella's head either.

   The next morning, Michael went out and helped his mother with the garden. “River’s such a sweet girl,” she remarked. “Did you know she washed all the dishes last night? How does she like college?”



   “She loves it,” said Michael. “She’s really come out of her shell.” He hoped his mother wouldn’t ask for any details. His memory of River announcing a protest was vivid.



   Michael hadn’t seen Bebe since he’d gone off to college. When he finished gardening, he called and arranged to meet her at the Fall Festival. Like everyone else, she wanted to know how he was doing.



   “It’s a lot of work,” said Michael.



   “Yeah, those parties are really an effort,” joked Bebe.

   “Well, the first term I partied too much,” said Michael. “That was because I was trying to get in with the Jocks. But this term I brought my C average up to a B, and let me tell you, I was really excited.”



   At the other end of the Festival grounds, River was talking to her mother.



   “You’d be really proud of me,” she said. “Just before I left, I started a protest against rings.”



“I got quite a big turn-out. Apparently a lot of people agree with me that rings are handcuffs for fingers.”



   “Handcuffs for fingers?” Fiona repeated. “What do you mean?”

   “Well, you know – your marriage wasn’t too happy. Once you put a ring on your finger, it’s like you’re shackled to that person.”

   Fiona shook her head. “It’s not always that bad. Sweetie, nothing would make me happier than to see you get ‘finger-cuffed’ to the right man. It’s great that you have strong views, but you’re still young – it’s okay for you to change them if they interfere with your happiness.”

   Meanwhile, Bebe had followed Michael back to the house. “These are for you,” she said, surprising him with a bunch of red roses.



   “Thanks,” said Michael. He hesitated. “I really should go and pack.”

   “You don’t have to go back to college,” said Bebe. “You could make really good money playing for the Llamas. Why don’t you stick around for a while?”

   Michael thought for a minute. “That would be nice,” he said, “but I’d like to finish my degree.” A memory occurred to him. “Besides, I promised River that she could sketch me.”



   “Oh, if you promised River—“ Bebe turned around and flounced off. “This was the worst date I’ve ever had,” she shouted back. “Don’t bother to call again!”

       Michael sighed. Maybe when he got back to school, he could take a class in psychology. He didn't understand women at all.

[ilovebakedgoods]

"Rings are handcuffs for fingers", I love it! I just love the little things you pick up on and run with in your screenshots. And I love that River's mother reminded her that she could always change her views later in life.

Oh, poor Michael! Even women can't figure out other women sometimes, haha. I just love how you're writing this.

[Magz from Oz]

Oh dear Michael, there are none so blind as those who will not see... open you eyes, River is right in front of you.

[MarianT]

HOUSE-SITTING

   On her return to University, River agreed to house-sit for one of her professors. Of course, Michael moved in as well. Sharing a house, they began to notice things about each other. River discovered that Michael was actually a pretty good cook and could even make her favorite -- waffles.



Michael began to appreciate River’s neat trait.



   River’s interest in tagging began to wane after she managed to throw one up in the student union without getting caught.



Instead she moved towards representational art.



She also quit ranting and began to express herself by playing the guitar.

   “If I had a hammer…”



   Michael got tired of doing keg stands at parties.



Instead he took up blogging about more interesting things, like making a new friend.



However, he didn’t give up doing his annoying little dance when he beat River at ping-pong.



   One afternoon, when they’d completed their class work and had only finals to look forward to, Michael and River both had some free time for sketching. Michael tried one pose…



…then another…



…and finally a third.



   The finished product wasn’t quite what he expected (although the plumbob was pretty good).



Michael clapped anyway.



   River was so pleased that Michael applauded (because really, she thought it looked pretty bad), that she gave him a big kiss.



Which Michael returned.



   “Are you sure you want to try this?” Michael asked.



River was sure.



   Later on, they had a long talk under the stars.



   “I don’t want you to feel ring-shackled,” said Michael, “but it might be nice to get married eventually, maybe after you finish your degree.”

   “I’ve been thinking about that,” said River. “I think I’d rather get married now – I mean after you graduate – and then I could come back to school if I started to feel finger-cuffed. But I want you to promise you won’t get upset if I try to decorate Sunset Valley a little and maybe even start a protest or too.”

   “Promise made,” said Michael. “And if I get a nice enough ring, will you wear it?”

   “Depends on what it looks like,” River said with a giggle.

[MrComfortAddict]

Ah, so cute. Love this little update. I like how they get together and am looking forward to seeing the first update with them together.

[Magz from Oz]

That's was a great update.  Things moved so fast.  I do like the new "heat of the moment kiss".  It's a sweet interaction to watch.  You captured its essence beautifully.

[RaiaDraconis]

Michael and River are so adorable together. Very sweet update!

[ilovebakedgoods]

Wow, that was fast! I approve, hehe! Loved all the little comments he made about the ring and being okay with her making SV more colorful. So sweet and cute.

[MarianT]

FINALLY

   The campus was really beautiful in the snow. River called it a monochromatic symphony, but Michael just thought it was pretty.



   He would have liked it even better if he could have stayed outside and built a few snowmen rather than having to take two exams. Michael was also feeling a little nauseous because he’d forgotten and swallowed some more wonder petal before the first dose ran out. At least this time he’d had enough sleep (he hoped). The last thing he wanted to do was repeat the experience of getting an A on the first exam and an F on the second.



   Their exams went well for both Michael and River. That evening, after eating and resting a bit, they decided to build an igloo.



   It was just large enough for both of them to squeeze in, and once they were there, only one activity was possible.



   The next day, Michael graduated. He had a B average, which was great, as far as he was concerned. He invited his family to come, but the snow had shut down the road from Sunset Valley.



   He hurried back to the house to show River his diploma.



   They took a picture together so they would always remember their time at Uni.



Michael received one last invitation to a kegger, but the van arrived before he could go to the party. He didn’t know how he felt – sad that his time in college was ending, but eagerly looking forward to starting a new life with River.



“So, Michael, are you sorry you went to college?”

“No, Watcher. You were right – I had a blast, I became ambitious and family-oriented, and now I’m going to be starting out at level 3 of the Sports Agent career.”

“Are you interested in being in another story? You and River still have lifetime wishes to complete.”

“I don’t know. You’ll probably be photographing my every move when I propose to her.”

“Of course. But I promise I won’t let the Forum watch when River sketches you in the nude.”

“Well, maybe. I’ll have to ask River what she wants.”

“Smart move.”

Edit to add:  To read the sequel, go to Another Bachelor's Degree.

[RaiaDraconis]

Fantastic! That was an awesome ending--and with a hint at a sequel? (I hope...?)