Chapter 68: Graduation

"Maximus, are you ready yet? Jeez, it always takes ages for you to get ready. You're worse than most girls."

Even though no one is there to see me, I roll my eyes far back into my head as I hear Helena once again annoying the crap out of me. It's my graduation day, and she's come back to congratulate... or annoy me? I can't really tell the difference. I think she's back for the summer anyway. I hope she brought Soleil with her.

"Yeah, Helena, I'm almost done! Don't get PMS!!"

"ARGH, Max! Why are you still using that line? You know any girl you meet later on in your life is never going to stay with you if you keep saying that!?"

I laugh to myself. I only use that line on Helena because it annoys her so much. I finish putting on my aftershave and have barely come down the stairs, before Helena rails into me again with more fussing over my appearance.

"Jeez, Max, it took you that long to get ready and you still look like you just rolled out of bed? Really? Those are the shoes you're wearing?"

"What? I got rid of those sneakers I had with the holes in them. What the hell's wrong with these shoes? I like them."

"What's wrong with them is they make you look like a hobo."

"Oh yeah, well, your hair is still as huge as this house."

Helena rolls her eyes and I laugh. Luckily, Mom is also at the bottom of the stairs and she changes the subject.

"Maximus! You look so handsome! Oh, I'm so proud of my baby boy, all grown up!"

Mom pulls me into a hug, and I'm a little embarrassed she called me her baby boy, but I guess it's true. No matter how big I get, Mom's always going to think of me that way. I do secretly like it, anyway. I turn around when I hear Helena's hot friend Soleil call my name. Soleil's voice resides at a lower register than most girls I know, and I find it pretty sexy.

"Congratulations, Maximus!"

Soleil is different than most of the girls I have run into in the past. Helena brings Soleil home with her during break because Soleil doesn't like to go to her home, something about a bad family life. Soleil's the first girl I've ever enjoyed talking to even though I think she's smoking hot and I definitely wouldn't mind getting with her. She's just so easygoing and she always returns my flirtatious behavior, but she never gets clingy. Soleil hugs me tightly, and I can't help myself when I breathe in some of her perfume. She always smells tropical, I think it's citrus.

"By the way, don't listen to Helena, I think you look hot. She may be my best friend, but I don't always have to agree with her."

I give Soleil a quick peck on the cheek and turn to Dad who also gives me a hug. I'm happy that everyone important in my life is here to celebrate with me.

We all pile in the car and I drive. Soleil sits in the front with me, while Mom, Dad, and Helena get comfy in the back seat. I catch Soleil in my peripheral vision occasionally glancing over at me like she's checking me out. She's got on a short dress with several cutouts that don't leave much to the imagination.

I got Class Valedictorian and Most Likely to Save the World. Helena stopped being annoying for two seconds and actually hugged me.

"Good job, baby brother. Maybe there is some hope for you after all."

"Haha, Helena. But thanks."

When we get back to the house, Helena rolls her eyes as I flirt with Soleil.

"Hey, Soleil, you are smokin,' just like the sun."

"Haha, Max, you're so cheesy, but it's hilarious."

"I'm only cheesy with you because you like it."

"Yeah, you know I do."

Soleil returns my advances with her seductive smile, and a giggle. Helena pulls her away from me, ruining my fun.

"Soleil? Why on earth do you flirt with Max? You know he's not serious about anyone."

"I flirt because it's fun. Besides, who says I am serious about anyone either?"

I'm in the living room, laughing to myself, watching as Helena complains, and Soleil rolls her eyes and yawns. Helena always gets on Soleil's case, just like she gets on mine. I find it funny that Soleil always brushes off Helena's obnoxious comments with great ease, similar to how I behave.

"Ugh, you guys are ridiculous."

Soleil laughs and sits with me on the couch.

She looks at me and asks if I want to go in the hot tub. I think she's the coolest girl in the universe. We hear Helena yell Soleil's name in a disapproving tone as we head out the back door. Soleil giggles again and I smile at her. Helena's probably jealous that her best friend would rather hang out with her brother than her.



We get in the hot tub, and Soleil laughs as I lift my foot up the same time she does. I touch her foot with mine and she giggles.

"Maximus, that tickles!"

"How long are you staying, Soleil?"

"Well, university just got out, so I don't have to go back until September."

Last year when Soleil came home with Helena, she bunked with her, but now that I'm eighteen, I want to usurp that privilege from Helena. Soleil's not that much older than me. She's nineteen. I think I should casually throw the idea out to her. My eyes wander down to her chest, but I don't think she cares. I'm fairly certain she would have told me already if she did care. Besides, I've seen her looking at parts of me today that are not PG-13, if you know what I mean.

"Soleil, want to bunk with me this summer?"

"Hmm... you are more fun to look at than Helena. Sure. She's most likely going to give us crap about it, but yeah, I'd love to bunk with you, Maximus."

My life is so awesome right now. I suddenly feel like I'm too far away from Soleil, so I go over and sit next to her. Soleil's eyes get big as she looks at my arm.

"When did you get these tattoos, Max?"

"Um, I think it was last fall after you left for university."

"I like this one. It's colorful."

I pout a little and ask, "What? You don't like the one that has words? That has meaning?"

"I didn't say that, silly. What do your tattoos mean to you?"

Soleil puts her arm around me and plays with my ponytail.

"Easy. My favorite animal is a wolf, and the quote is from the movie Gladiator because I was named after the main character. The quote is 'The general who became a slave. The slave who became a gladiator. The gladiator who defied an emperor.' It reminds me that even though life has its ups and downs, there is always a way out of every situation."

"That's so deep, Maximus. I admire your intelligence. Your tattoos are super sexy. I love them."

"Thanks. Do you have any tattoos?"

"No, my mother was really strict, and I didn't get to do anything like that. I barely even got to dye my hair. I kind of thought I'd want a tattoo of a tiger growling on my upper arm because tigers are my favorite animal, but I'm too chicken to do it. I think I'd want it to be medium sized, but I feel like it'd be painful to get one that size."

"Well, it did hurt at first, but then it was just a dull sensation, when I got mine."

Soleil pulls me towards her and kisses me once on the lips.

"I think it's bed time, Maximus. I'm getting sleepy."

Oh, she smells so good. I want her right now in the hot tub. She'd certainly be better than Jade, who actually called me today to go on a date. Stupid girl. I check out Soleil's ass as she gets out of the hot tub, and then get out myself. We go to my room and I help her unpack because she never got a chance to at all today. I put her clothes in the top drawer of my dresser.

When I'm done, Soleil hugs me close to her and smiles. I touch her cheek. Her face is so soft. Soleil grabs my butt, and I'm a little surprised.

"I thought you were tired, Soleil."

"I am, but that doesn't mean we can't have some fun before we fall asleep."

Did I mention Soleil is awesome?

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Guest Starring: Alexander Hunt by mrsoogieboogie

Credit: Mypalsim's Poses for Sims 3