An Exchange

Chapter Sixty-Two - Graduation

Ryan

The best part of the day leading up to graduation was getting out of classes. We had a run through of the ceremony in the morning, then for the rest of the day we just played around and the teachers didn't seem to care.

After the ceremony that night, I agreed to go to a party with Penny and her Mormon friends. Since the incident after prom, I didn't want to put her into a situation where something like that could happen again.

"Seriously?" Spencer said as we strolled down the hall. "Last time we went to one of those Mormon parties it was a bore."

"Well, I can't take Penny anywhere else, not after what happened at the prom after party."

"What? Did you get drunk and piss her off?"

"I wish that's all it was." I rubbed me neck, glancing around. "You've heard the rumors that a third girl was drugged, right?"

"Yeah, but..." He stopped walking. "Are you saying-?"

"I got her out quick."

He spat out all kinds of profanity, then stepped closer to me, lowering his voice. "You didn't tell the cops did you?"

I shrugged. I couldn't admit the truth without risking revealing Penny. "I just got her out. They questioned me, but I didn't know much. I was just worried about her."

"Yeah, I get that." His brows furrowed. "It was a seriously dumb ass move, but they didn't deserve to get arrested. The cops just busted in to the party, and arrested half the football team when they found the drugs in the trash." He pointed at his chest. "They grabbed me, and I didn't have a clue what was going on. My dad was pissed, man."

"I'm sorry." I did feel guilty for that. Hopefully they grabbed him before I gave the names, and he was released after.

"They're all eighteen, so they're facing some serious charges."

"It's a date rape drug. Cops take that stuff pretty seriously."

"No kidding." Spencer shook his head.

I didn't say it out loud, but I was glad. They shouldn't have hurt Penny.

The night came and we waited around by the football field in our green gowns and hats. The families and friends were all up in the stands ready to go, when I saw Penny talking with Maria. They were nowhere near each other in the lineup, but the choir was doing the national anthem just after we entered.

I walked over to them and they turned to look at me with big grins. "You girls ready?"

"So ready!" Maria replied, bouncing on the spot. "Penny was just telling me how her graduation ceremony in Australia went. She said it was very formal and very structured."

"Yes, it was very different to this." Penny beamed. "This is quite lively compared to the polite crowd of parents, and having to listening to the dull speeches prepared by the principal and teachers."

"You make everything here sound so much more interesting." I grinned and ran my fingers through her hair.

"When it comes to school, yeah, way more interesting here. But the beaches and cities in Australia still have me hooked."

"Yeah, there's that one famous one, Bondi right?"

She laughed. "Bondi isn't even the best one."

"Well, you'll have to take me to see the best one sometime."

I delighted smile grew on her face. "Definitely."

We were called to line up, and the music started. The grade took their seats out on the football field, and the choir stood on the stage and performed the national anthem. I couldn't help smiling at how uncomfortable Penny looked singing it. I almost wanted her to bust out into her own nation's anthem at the end. I would have liked it.