Forever Yours

chapter twenty-eight

"C'mon Willow! We're going to be late!" Dad calls from downstairs. I'm once again standing in front of my mirror, putting on the final touches. I zip up the back of my black dress, then shrug on my purple graduation gown. I buckle up my black chunky heels. Then the last step, my graduation cap. I place it on top of my curled hair.

Mia and I decorated our caps the other day. Hers is covered in all sorts of colored rhinestones and felt butterflies. Mine is completely covered in white roses—in honor of Mom. We spent a little too much money at the craft store for this.

Dad calls for me again, so I rush downstairs. I stop in the middle of the stairs as I see Dad starting to tear up.

"You okay Dad?" I question with a laugh.

"I'm just so proud of you honey."

"Thanks Dad," I try not to tear up too. I walk the rest of the way down the stairs, then hug him. He tells me we really need to go, so we grab all our stuff and head to the car.

We pick up Joel and Connie on the way to the school. Connie gets in the front seat as Joel gets in the back seat. "Hey," he says to me with a huge smile on his face. I greet him back with an equally huge smile. "I can't believe this is finally happening. We're graduating!" he yells the last part and we all whoop. I laugh at his enthusiasm. He looks so handsome in his nice pants and button up shirt. The purple gown looks good on him too. The curled ends of his hair stick out from under his cap. Which just has a poorly printed out picture of Zeus on it.

We arrive at Pacific View in less than five minutes. We get out of the car and head over to the front of the school. We encounter Mia and her family. She screeches when she sees Joel and me and the three of us gather into a hug. Our parents laugh at us. We part ways with them as they head to the bleachers on the football field, and we head into the school where we have to get into a single file line. Joel of course is near the front and Mia, and I are in the middle. The line is in order of last name. Luckily Mia and I are right next to each other.

"Are you so excited Lo?!" Mia questions in a loud manner.

"Yes! But obviously not as excited as you." We laugh.

I peek at the front of the line where I see Joel conversing with Mitch. He catches sight of me, then smiles and winks. I wish I could stand with him, but that's okay because we're freaking graduating! I can't believe this day is finally here. And then in three short months, I'm off to college with my best friends. Could life be any more perfect? Well maybe if Joel's Mom and your dad weren't dating, inner me thinks. But I try to tune her out. No negative thoughts today, Willow.

The graduation song starts up and the whole senior class gets excited as we start to walk out of the school to the football field. We get out there and pass by the bleachers where our families are seated. I spot Connie and Dad and wave to them. I see Dad trying to snap pictures of Mia and I, but I can tell he's struggling. I laugh and we finally make it to our seats. There are rows of plastic, white chairs set up in front of a small, makeshift stage. Little water bottles are underneath everyone's chair. This is a nice touch because it's a rather hot day here in Portland.

The music stops and the speeches begin. Finally, we make it to the names being called. Each person is called out individually and is invited up to the stage. Row by row students go up and receive their diplomas. Then it gets to Joel's row.

He makes it to the stage. "Joel Edwards," Principal Star calls out and gestures for Joel to join him on stage. They shake hands and Principal Star hands him his diploma. Mia and I, along with all of Joel's friends—and I'm sure Dad and Connie too—cheer and clap for Joel as he heads down the front stairs of the stage. He takes his seat, and the name calling continues.