Our Safeguard

Chapter 53

Chapter 53

~Nolan~

       Just like prom night, Mom hadn't stopped taking pictures of me, Orchid, and Alan. We had gotten to our graduation venue early enough for pictures, and we weren't the only graduating students getting our photos taken by their family.

       We were, however, the only one that had been doing photos for more than ten minutes. She even made sure to bring the good camera and not just use her cell phone for photos.

       When Mom told us that she was going to take another photo, Orchid groaned. "Mom, you've taken enough photos. You don't have to take anymore." She looked at Dad. "Dad, please tell her to stop."

       "You really think she's going to listen to me?" Dad asked. "I'm afraid she'll bite me if I try to take the camera away."

       "Oh, don't be so dramatic," Mom said. "I promise, just one more picture. But then I'll want one with the entire family. I'll have to find someone to take the picture, though."

       "I can take it," Jerome offered.

       "Oh, don't be silly. You're part of the family. Of course you're going to be in the picture as well."

       "Maybe we can find Mrs. Goth and ask her to take the picture," Dad said.

       Mom sighed. "I know you just want to use that as an excuse to bug her. Even after we graduated, you still try to find an excuse to bother our old principal."

       "Me? I would never."

       As it turned out, Dad really did use it as an excuse to bug our principal. When he was a teenager and attended the high school, he was very loved by the staff. And I did mean that in a sarcastic way. If anything, they were all stoked when he finally graduated.

       I wouldn't be surprised if they threw a party to celebrate his graduation.

       Mrs. Goth was nearby, so Dad asked her if she could take a photo of our family. She agreed to it and once she walked over, Mom handed her the camera. Mom was the one who told each of us where to stand, and it did take a while because she wanted it to be perfect.

       Eventually, Orchid said, "Mom, I'm sure Mrs. Goth doesn't want to stand around and wait all day to take our picture. If you wanted it to look professional, you should have hired a photographer."

       "Shh, don't give her any ideas," Alan said.

       Right after Mrs. Goth took the picture, Dad said, "Hey, Mrs. Goth, aren't you glad that you won't have anymore of my children at your school for a while to bug you? I mean, to be the utmost outstanding students?"

       Mrs. Goth sighed. "Not yet. I just know you're going to yell stuff out at the graduation ceremony even though you're constantly being told not to."

       "Me? I would never."

       When Mom and Dad graduated high school today, Dad made sure to yell out, "That's my girlfriend!" when Mom was crossing the stage. Mrs. Goth warned him not to, but that didn't stop Dad from yelling out, "Yeah, that's my son!" when Ryder graduated two years ago.

       It would honestly be more surprising if he didn't yell anything out when Alan, Orchid, and I cross the stage. 

       Soon enough, all the graduating students had to go to our meeting spot to start getting organized. Before the three of us could go, Mom gave all of us a hug. "I'm so proud of you three," she said.