He Called Her Cinderella

Chapter Eighteen

        "And now, our salutatorian, Charlie Simons," Mr. Simons announced.

        Charlie walked up to the podium, confidently winking at me along the way.

        "Good morning everyone," he smiled. "Thanks so much for coming out and supporting us on this very exciting day.

        "Throughout my years in the Benlot school system, I have learned a lot. Not just how to read, write, and color in the lines," he chuckled. "But I have built my character through this school.

        "In fifth grade, I got a black eye and learned how not to fight. In my freshman year of highschool, I learned how to work as a team with my fellow basketball players. Throughout these past four years, I've had the opportunity to learn how to lead my peers by becoming school president and basketball captain.

        "However, it wasn't until this year, about when I thought I knew everything, that I learned the most important lesson of my life. I'm sure you all have experienced that point in your life when everything you thought you knew means absolutely nothing. And you think back on every single day and ask yourself, 'What was I thinking?' You probably realized you were missing something all those years.

        "I learned I wasn't just missing something, I was missing someone. I had always stood alone, and managed just fine. I was independent, strong, and I thought invincible. But then everything was turned upside down when I learned what love is. And everyone is thinking, 'Great, he's going to go on a giant rant about his girlfriend.'"

        Everyone laughed, so Charlie waited for the room to quiet down.

        "And that's where you're wrong. Because then you guys would really miss the great meal we have waiting for us in the gym, but I do want to say this:

        "If you haven't learned this for yourself yet, then I can't warn you for how devastatingly hard it will hit you. And if you have learned this, then you'll know exactly what I'm talking about.

        "Love is more than a feeling. It's an action, it is... love just is. It can't be stopped, tamed, or corrected, but it can be damaged. When someone loves another person, they would lay down their life for them, do anything to make them happy. Love is an action."

        He paused for a moment, then spoke again, "And, Ruth, I love you. Thank you."

        He desended from the platform to the roaring of the audience. How cute, they liked a good love story.

        Louise was squeezing my hand like a stress ball, her other hand fanning her eyes so her tears wouldn't ruin her make-up.

        Charlie walked up to me and smiled, "So?"

        "You're a jerk," I smiled, pulling him into a hug.

        "What?" he asked, shocked.

        "You just go out of your way to make sure you're always better than me," I sighed. "And it's kind of nice."

        We were all called back up to the platform for the ending of graduation, also for when we toss the tassels around on our hats. 

        Just like that, high school was done. I had worked up to this moment for four years, only to have it end abruptly. However, thanks to Charlie Simons, I was going to move on quite eagerly to the next section of life. I'd have a job so I could pay for college and an apartment so I could live on my own. 

        But most of all, Charlie Simons had given me a whole new reason to get out of bed in the morning. He had given me love, and just like that Beatles' song goes, All you need is love.

                                                                         *** The End ***

~~~

A/N:

        Well, there it is. Yes, I know what you're thinking. What in the world? Seriously, you're ending it there???

        Yes, I'm ending it there. Sure, I could go on forever about what happened during the summer and their cute lil' college days, but the book would seriously go on forever. FOREVER. Like, the for the rest of your life, you could read about Charlie and Ruthie capering about California. So instead, I'll end it here and add an Epologue. 

        Thank you so much for voting, commenting, reading, and following!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I wouldn't have made it past chapter 3. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!!!!

        Keep the love goin' and recommend this book to people!

        This question is.... is.... erm.... fun fact about yourself?

        Yeah, that was lame. Fun fact about me, I write lame questions. Sorry. :)

        Please remember to vote, comment, and read and whatever else you want to do and eat chocolate. Oh yes, eat more chocolate!

        ~Peach        

P.s. I'm not super contented with this, so I may re-write it. Just so's you know.