Getting Back

Never

"Man, can you believe we are graduating today?" Billy Jones asks both Chase and I as we walk towards the field.

If there is one person that the both of us like in this town, it's Billy.

Chase and I both smile at each other as Billy continues, not needing recognition, "Hey, we should have our own party, my place. Lots of girls..." He looks at Chase, but soon looks back at his feet when he realizes Chase has his eyes fixed on me, "Anyways, not like there are many of them to chose from around here."

I look at Chase in his graduation uniform, his brown, curly hair pokes out from under his cap, showing off his boyish side.

It gets silent as we approach the bleachers. All I hear is the tapping of my heels as they hit the metal. We sit next to the rest of our class, only taking up one side of the bleachers, the other half sits our parents.

I sit right behind Chase, since we're in alphabetical order by last name and his is Downright, mine Fern. I listen as he makes conversation with the boy next to him.

Another thing I love, his outgoing personality. It was probably the only reason we met because otherwise I would've never thought I could ever be with someone like him.

They start calling names, slowly the rows of kids disappear, walking across the crappy track field to receive a diploma and shake the principals hand, then standing behind the makeshift stage.

Everyone claps, you can always tell who the 'popular' are because they always get more claps.

When Chase is called the stands go wild. The boys cheer and the girls scream. Soon after, my name is called. I don't get as many as Chase, but a fair share... Plus Chase yelling from behind the principal.

...

All the names are called and the kids start departing. Instantly, I find my dad and sister to get my 'congratulations'.

After, I take off my heels and run to find Chase again. Once I spot him I give him a huge bear-hug from behind.

I feel his abs tighten as he laughs.

He turns around and pulls me in, returning the hug.

His mom stands behind us with her camera, "Oh, kiss her already!" She yells.

Chase looks at me before doing anything, knowing my hatred for public affection. I nod my head to let him know it's ok... Just this once.

He pulls me in and I hear claps from the people around us and the clicking of his mom's camera.

"Don't let me go, Fern." He whispers.

Though he doesn't mean in the moment... It's something we've always said. In not sure when, or how, it started. But we said it when big things happened. Like, no matter how good or bad our lives may be in that moment, we don't want the other to let us go.

"Never." Was always the response.