Quarter Mile

Epilogue

One month later, Dakota was making his way into the auditorium. It was the day of the Maydale High graduation.

"Boys," he said as he slipped into the empty seat beside Parker, Eli and Harvey.

"You're late, Koda," Parker tutted and shook his head.

"Technically," Dakota looked down at his phone, "I still have two minutes until the ceremony starts."

Eli noticed Dakota's leg bouncing as he looked around their fellow classmates, searching for one face in particular.

"Nervous?" He asked at the same time Parker placed a hand on Dakota's knee, steadying his bouncing leg.

Dakota dropped his gaze down and sighed as he said, "I just wish he was here."

Parker gave Dakota's knee a gentle squeeze before he said, "I know, Koda. We all do."

The brunette looked up and the three boy's simultaneously offered a sympathetic smile. He shook his head, as if he was trying to shake away the sadness that had overcome him.

"I'm fine," he said. "We're fine. We're going to graduate and we're going to have fun."

The boy's nodded in agreement and they all turned towards the stage as their principal stepped up to the podium, tapping his finger against the microphone twice before saying, "good evening students, teachers and parents of Maydale High. Welcome to the graduation ceremony of the class of 2017."

Applause sounded throughout the auditorium and the principal continued. "We are all so proud of the group of students graduating today and we can't wait to see you cross this stage and make your mark on the world. Unfortunately, not everyone could be here today, but we will read all of the graduate's names nonetheless. We feel it's only right to acknowledge every student's successes."

Dakota's eyes dropped to his hands again, picking at the skin around his nails. As the principal started to rattle off the names of the graduates, Parker slid his hand into Dakota's, giving it a tight squeeze and nudging his shoulder.

"You got this," he whispered.

And then, Dakota's name was being called across the speakers and his hands started to feel clammy. He stood and Parker untangled their fingers, giving Dakota a gentle push forward towards the stage.

His eyes were cast down as he climbed the stairs leading up to where the principal was waiting. When he reached the top, he extended a shaky hand and as he was handed his certificate, he heard three familiar voices calling his name.

"Yes, Dakota!"

"Woooo, Dakota!"

"Fuck yes, Koda baby!"

He looked to his left and a wave of relief washed over him when he saw his three best friends standing up and cheering him on. He giggled as the principal spoke into the microphone angrily, "watch your language, boys."

Dakota walked the length of the stage with a bit more confidence than before, striding down the stairs and taking his seat next to Parker again.

"Idiots," he muttered as he slumped backwards, a shade of pink flushing onto his cheeks.

Then Eli's name was called, then Harvey's, and then Parker's. Dakota stood and cheered for his friends, just as they'd done for him. Parker received a warning look from the principal but he only gave a cheeky grin in response, throwing his hands in the air and giving a dramatic bow. It was a miracle that he was even able to graduate, given his terrible attendance.

And then, as the ceremony was nearing the end and the last couple of names were being read out, his head snapped up at the sound of one name in particular.

"Beckham Andrews."

Dakota's heart started to race at the possibility that he might actually be there, in the same room as him, but his hope faded as the principal spoke again.

"Is Beckham here?"

Suddenly, Dakota found himself standing. He hadn't planned anything, he just knew he didn't want Beck to be known as that one smart kid who skipped town and ditched graduation.

"Koda," he heard Parker whisper. "What are you doing?"

Dakota looked down at his friends as he said, "I'm going to walk across the stage for him."

His legs carried his body towards the stage, noticing a confused look on the principal's face, but he didn't say anything. As he went to take a step up the stairs, he felt a hand slide into his and when he turned around, he was faced with Parker, Eli and Harvey all lined up behind him.

"Let's do this," Parker said, and Dakota grinned, turning back around and walking the rest of the way up the stairs, shaking the principal's hand once again and taking the certificate from him and holding it up into the air. Applause filled the room at the kind gesture, and Parker strode towards the podium, leaning into the microphone as he said loudly, "his name is Beck, by the way."

The boy's were then shooed back across the stage, but not before Harvey had managed to get their classmates to chant Beck's name. They laughed as they sat back down and Dakota smiled a full smile at the second certificate in his hands. His thumb grazed over Beck's name, his heart aching for just a second before Parker's arm was wrapped around his shoulders and pulling him in for a hug.

"He'd be so proud of you, Koda."

~

His smile grew wider as he watched his friends cross the stage and a lump formed in his throat when he saw the four of them sitting together, sharing warm smiles.

And then his name was called and he had almost stood up. But before he could, he saw Dakota rise and walk towards the stage, followed by Parker, Eli and Harvey. He watched with a fond smile as Dakota held the certificate with his name on it in the air.

And as they were being ushered off the stage by the slightly annoyed principal, he caught sight of Dakota wiping away a tear that had escaped his eye and he felt tears prick at his own.

He watched the four of them sit down, watched as Dakota's head dropped and Parker's arm wrapped around his shoulders and he swore he saw Parker say, "he'd be so proud of you, Koda."

Then, a singular tear worked its way down Beck's cheek, and he stood, eyes trained directly on the back of Dakota's head.

And then he turned, and walked out the door.