One Night with My Mate

2 Graduation Night

Copyright © 2013 by TeeHarper

Like the NEW COVER? It was made by @Conf3ttiFalling. BIG THANKS! Anyways, here's the second chapter. WARNING: It's a bit morbid. Sorry:(

Thanks to @Conf3ttiFalling for making the cover on the side (:

Chapter 2:

“Presenting the graduating class of 2013!” Mr. Higgins, our principal announced. Walking over that stage and accepting my diploma had been one of the most gratifying moments of this entire year. I just wished Aunt Jennifer had been able to secure a flight to be here with me. My mom, although trying hard for the occasion, was still herself, and she had already planned a large party with her friends for later on that night. I had indirectly decided to celebrate post-graduation with Bailey and our small group of friends at Josiah’s house. I didn’t think staying hidden in my room and avoiding all inebriated household guests would have been a fun way to spend graduation night.

          We all threw our caps in the air, yelling and shouting with happiness. We had just flipped a chapter in our lives. It was time to move on to bigger and brighter things. I couldn’t wait. I had already applied to fifteen different colleges, and I hoped to get accepted to a few of them. Bailey assured me that they would most likely all give me an offer, considering my GPA and list of achievements. I was one of the honor students, and I had a rather stunning list of community service activities—most of which included art. I hoped to do something with art or writing when I chose a job field. They were my passions.

          “Oh, my, God! We did it!” Bailey exclaimed. She wrapped her petite arms around me and squeezed, hard. A breath-taking smile graced her full lips. We had both agreed to ignore the fact that we most likely wouldn’t see each other again. She was being accepted to go to Julliard, and was an amazing dancer. I wished her the best.

          Josiah came bounding towards us. “Party’s at my house, ladies!”

          We both smiled and waved at him as he made his rounds around the graduates. Tears suddenly filled my eyes. These were my friends—my high school class. I had been with most of them since Pre-K, and now we were all going our separate ways. My throat constricted upon itself, and my chest grew heavy. I was happy, but I was also buried six feet under with the knowledge that this life, for me, was over. I would never again walk the halls of the Charlington High School where I had spent the last four years of my life. I wouldn’t get to see Mrs. Green’s jubilant smile every morning. I would forget about Charlington High’s terrible lunch choices. The lockers, the football games, and the scary popularity system; it would all become a memory to me. It was a sad end to a priceless chapter in my life, and I would cherish these years forever.

          “Oh, honey, don’t cry.” My mother embraced me in a warm hug as I smiled and let out a few sobs. I might even miss this—the rare embrace from my socially unacceptable mother. I would miss seeing her padding around the house with her silk face mask propped up on her forehead as she shuffled through the kitchen cabinets late at night. I would miss hearing her snoring when I woke to get ready for school. She was important to me, even if I sometimes thought her antics were embarrassing and redundant, she was still my mom.

          “I love you, mom,” I whispered.

          “I know, honey. I love you too.”

______________________

          It was later that night, when we had all disposed of our gowns and caps and changed into more suitable clothing for our post-graduate party, when our spirits had lightened up. Most of the entire senior grade had showed up at Josiah’s house. I made my rounds around the rooms, talking and hugging people I had gotten to know in the past years of my school life. There were just so many. Some people I couldn’t even remember their names, but I often passed them in the hallways. I saw them everyday…and now, I wouldn’t. Contrary to my spring break admittances, I did have one or two drinks to help get some much-needed release from the sadness of it all.