TIP: Eclipses

Graduation

River got dressed in her black Jeans, a white vest with button up sweetheart neck, a dark blue denim jacket and brown boots. Finished off with Accalia's and Thalia's necklace, Jacob's bracelet. Not knowing what to do with her hair, she just put it in a braid.

She checked herself out in the mirror. She sighed before grabbing her small bag and her keys.

Charlie and Bella have already left and she was running a little late since she went back to sleep as soon as they left.

After she finished she went to the empty downstairs before walked out to the front door. It was the first time she got out the house since Logan left.

She noticed the house was watched 24 hours. So she's been trying to stay out sight which meant letting Logan take her car so no one noticed she was back.

In exchange for her baby, she got Logan's motorbike. River smiled as she looked at it before she jumped on. She smiled in satisfaction when it roared back to life and drove away.

She finally pulled up in the school parking lot. She pulled her helmet off.

Her phone rang from her back pocket,"hey." She answered.

"How is my valedictorian doing?" Logan joked.

"Not so good." River sighed.

"What the matter?" Logan asked with a frown.

"I just realised I'm not prepared." River said nervously.

"To meet them or the speech."

"Both." River answered with cringed.

"Well I don't know about seeing them for the first again after so long, but for the speech. Just let it come from the heart."

"Thank you that's extremely helpful." River said dripping in sarcasm as she threw her arm.

Logan chuckled,"I know but I promise when you get up there, words will just start falling out your mouth."

"Yeah but what if I say the wrong things? And I blab for too long?" River asked.

"You won't. I believe in you."

"Thanks. I'll call you when it's over."

"Good luck." Logan said before he hung up.

She walked in just when her name was called. She frowned as she ran, quickly putting on her yellow gown as her name was repeated.

                                ●●●

Preparations were in order as they seat in their assigned sits and waited for their names to be called after a long boring ceremony filled with boring speeches.

"Alice Cullen, Edward Cullen." Finally the name calling started,"we saved the best for last. Since this year we have two valedictorians. One being Jessica  Stanley, who has already given her lovely speech. Our second valedictorian. Even though she's was homeschooled she asked Forks High to represent her. " The principal called out but no one came up to the stage,"without further do. I present to you Cullen River.....River Cullen?" He repeated after a long pose.

"I guess she's not coming." Charlie said disappointed.

The rest of the Cullens looking at each other sadly. Carlisle was about to go and accept it on River's behalf.

"Here." The audience stayed quiet as they watched River quickly putting on her graduation grown. She runs up the stage but forgets her cape,"oh." She ran back to grab it. The audience snickered at this. She removed her beanie and replaced it with graduation cap.

"River Cullen. Congratulations." The school principal said to her.

River smiled and whisperd at him,"thank you." As she shook his hand.

"Good luck." He said presenting the stage to her.



She looked towards the audience. She sighed heavily,"ah... well as you can see I came not only unprepared but late. A friend of mine told me to speak from a heart. Easier said than done right. For all my life I've known nothing beyond my family or comfortable for walls of my home." Her eyes caught her parents, Esme, Carlisle and the rest of the Cullen curiously watching her,"I felt like I needed nothing more because I had them. They were my everything. Until I was forced out of that comfort zone. I was upset at first but as l slowly got use to it I saw what I didn't before. I saw a whole new world, a fantastic point of you. Okay, I'll admit I got that last part from Aladdin." The crowd began to laugh and River smiled,"but on the serious tone. As we graduate today we're going to leave some parts of our lives behind so we can make room for the best parts of our lives. During my two months of travel I met new people, saw different places. It was exciting. As I moved to another town I left people who I've gotten know and got along with, to meet new people. It's just proves that they are people who going be part of our lives but some weren't meant to stay in it. Whatever we do from now on just know everything does happen for a reason. We may not like it but all we can do is take it as it is. Someone once told me that you might not get what wanted but you will get you need. You know what they say when life gives you lemons."

"You make lemon." The class said.

River frowned,"thats not it. When life gives you lemon you squeeze it into life's eyes." She said and the crowd goes wild laughing and cheering.

River laughed,"After we step out of these doors don't be afraid to try new things, to takes risks. Like Jessica said love a lot, fall out, hate and forgive cause. Life is too damn short to be holding a grudge, to stuck in one place. Explore, keep moving forward, don't stop." She said looking from one Cullen to another," but if you do stumble and fall it's okay to look back and turn to the ones you left behind. Cause even if you didn't need them yesterday, than surely you will need them tomorrow. Congratulations class of 2006. " River said as she finally looked at the Cullens and back to the crowd, "thank you."

Parents, teachers and students started shutting, clapping their hands and cheering. River threw her yellow cap and the student cheered louder as they did the same.

"I always wanted to do that." River sighed in relief. The students laughed as River held out her fist high with a bright, hopeful smile,"WE MADE IT." The crowd went wild banging the desks.

Charlie smiling proudly at her as he got up and clapped for her. She caught Alice and Jasper clapping as well. Then she caught Edward's eyes and she just smiled sadly.

She stepped off the stage and took her sit. The ceremony continued with a final speech from the principal. When it finally ended and food was served. River was the first there. She took a bite of everything there. She ate like she hasn't eaten for weeks.

Not the best speech ever, I know. It's the best I could offer. Hope you enjoyed it.

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