Far From The Truth

Chapter 33

Chapter 33 - Far From The Truth

Avril's POV

"Now, I would like to call the graduates up on stage in alphabetical order." Principal Mann spoke cheerfully, shooting a grin at the audience as he pulled out the graduating class list. "Jenna Aitken." He announced, and a girl with red hair hidden by a blue graduation cap sauntered gracefully on stage, shook Mr. Mann's hand and took her diploma with a large grin.

It was finally here. Graduation day. I sat next to Dylan and Jace in the seats, waiting for our names to be called to collect our high school diplomas. Blaise sat two rows in front, the back of his hair, that actually looked really good with the sating blue cap, was the only thing I could focus on to keep me calm. Dylan and Jace were having a discussion next to me, talking quietly and laughing at high school memories. I felt like if I listened, I would let my emotions take the best of me and I would start to cry.

It might seem weird that I wanted to cry at my high school graduation. I mean, wasn't I supposed to be happy, feel free? But all I could think about was that most of my friends might never talk to me again, and how much I would miss cheerleading practice with the girls, and how my parents should have been there for me, but they weren't. And I just had to accept that right now, it was really happening, and all of my happy memories would be left behind along with a piece of me at this school.

I looked around behind me and eventually spotted Jace and Dylan's family sitting in a big group along with James' family, Blaise's family, and Lynn, who came along for me since I didn't have family. I noticed Brad was in the crowd as well, and I wondered how he knew that I was graduating tonight. He probably had a cousin or something who went to this school. Although I did have Maya, and Cody...kind of. But I didn't see them in the crowd. I brushed it off, not exactly happy, but I knew they were probably doing something else. It was hard not to feel offended though.

"Blaise Janx." Mr. Mann stated into the microphone with a smile. I clapped loudly and smiled as Blaise walked to the stage. He glanced back at me, shooting me a small smile before he walked up the three steps to the stage. He shook Mr. Mann's hand and all the teachers' hands, then took his diploma with a grin. He shot a triumphant smile at the crowd, locking eyes once again with me. I grinned back and stood up, clapping.

Finally my turn came, and then before I knew it I was an official graduated student of Keyway High School. I gathered my cheerleading squad into a circle and we held each other tight, and most of the girls were crying. When we all let go, we hugged each other tightly and promised to stay in touch as best as we could. Lacey and TJ were going to university together in England, and Jessi was going to the east coast for college. All the other girls would be scattered across the country at different schools, but some of them were going to the same schools or at least would be close to each other. Jace came up to me after the rest of the girls left and grinned brightly. “Hey bestie! Guess who got into UCLA?”

My mouth dropped open in shock and I stared at Jace in disbelief. “What?!” I squealed excitedly. She got into UCLA?!

Jace just nodded and we hugged each other tightly, and I’m pretty sure we were both crying at this point. “Wait, where’s James going then?” I asked, wiping my face. I caught Blaise’s eye and waved him over. James was right behind him.

“James got into Cal State LA for football.” Jace smiled proudly as James and Blaise came over and James wrapped his arms around her waist. James looked at me with a grin and said, “Yep, it’s true.”

I grinned at both of them and smiled wider when Blaise wrapped one arm around my waist and rested his calloused hand on my hip. I looked up at him with the smile still on my face, and wondered how I ever got someone like him to be my boyfriend. I guess I’ll never know.