Deceased II h.s.

2

/ Rikki /

July 27th.

I heard my name being called from the stage, cheering and applauding ranging through my ears. I stood up in my gown, walking down the aisle as I softly smiled towards the front. My friends yelled out my name, yelling hysterically as I reached the stage and walked up the steps.

I shook my principal's hand and grabbed my diploma, a photographer shooting a picture as we froze and smiled. I made my way back to my seat, locking eyes with kids I had grown up with; knowing this was possibly the last time I'd ever see them.

I sat on my seat, my best friend, Jess, taking the diploma from my hands and putting it against hers to compare them. Her mouth was spread into a smile as other names were called out; mimicking my action.

"I'm so proud of you." The guy from beside me said, placing his arm around my neck and pulling me towards him. He planted a kiss on my temple as I softly smiled to him, looking down to his diploma.

"If the class of 2018 could please stand to their feet!" Our class president smiled to the mic, the sound of the song, Tongue Tied by Grouplove softly beginning to play. "I'm so proud of each and everyone of us; we've accomplished so much throughout these past years, and I'm proud to say that we're all closing this chapter together and beginning a new one... graduates, now that our tassels are on the left side, I think we know what time it is..." I looked to my sides, watching everyone move in anxiousness as they waited for the last statement. "Class of 2018, take your caps if you got em and toss them high into the air! We're done!!!"

I watched everyone grab their caps and throw them upwards, the chorus of the song ringing loudly as everyone began to jump and shout. The air was full of caps flying, gracefully landing back on the ground as kids hugged and congratulated each other. I immediately hugged Jess, holding her under my arms as the inside of my body shot fireworks. I turned to the guy, crashing into his arms and holding him warmly against me.

He slightly pulled away, planting a kiss against my lips before slipping his fingers into mine. "Let's get the fuck outa here." I said out loud, trying to speak over the loud music.

They nodded as I turned around and dragged them through the crowds of people. I smiled to the people around me as I made my way out of the school ground. Balloons and all sorts of decorations littered the floor, trash scattered among the ground as kids walked around them to avoid it. We got to the parking lot, unzipping the gowns from our bodies and tossing them into the trunk.

"Where do y'all wanna go?" My boyfriend, Marcus, asked us as he started the car.

"Somewhere to celebrate, I don't know." Jess said, putting on her seatbelt in the backseat.

"Fuck this place." I muttered, looking out the window as the image of our school vanished.

We drove to the Ocean Café, a small surf shack that had become our hangout spot. The wooden ground was un purposely coated in a thin layer of sand, obviously brought in by the beach bums that would step in for a refreshing snack. The walls were a light tropical blue, beach ornaments hanging on walls and from the ceiling.

We sat at our table of 4, me and Marcus on one side, my best friend on the other. We picked up the one sided menu, browsing through the options we had already easily memorized.

"Remember when we came here for the first time..." Jess said, her brown eyes looking around the café. She readjusted the strap of her ivory dress, pulling it upwards to keep it from falling.

"Yup.." I nodded, putting the menu down and reconciling an old memory. "Sophomore year, me and Marcus had just started dating..." I looked over to him, being gifted a small smile.