Letting Go

Chapter Twenty One

“Spencer how many times do I have to tell you to put your underwear in the wa—Jen! I’m so sorry darling I didn’t know you were here.” Mrs Lachowski exclaimed walking in on Spencer and I lounging on the sofa in the t.v. room. Spencer’s face went bright red when he noticed the American apparel underwear in his mother’s hands. He shot up from his seat next to me and grabbed it from his mom. “Mom! This is so embarrassing.” He muttered stalking off to his room. “Sorry sweetie, to be honest you were the last person I expected to see here.” I raised my eyebrows not exactly sure what was trying to say. She immediately made her way to sit next to me and patted my knee. “No not in a bad way, it’s just that Spencer’s been in this funk for so long and every time I asked about you he’d get all upset and say that you were with that Aaron boy and how much he messed up and that he lov-.” She began rambling but was interrupted by a cough that resonated through the room. “And what are you two talking about?” Spencer asked plopping himself back into the position he was before his mother came into the room.

“Nothing”

His mother said in a high pitched voice. “I’ll leave you two” she mouthed as she got up and left the room. “What was that about?” Spence asked me once she was out of ear shot. “Oh no, she was just telling me all the embarrassing things you did as a little boy.” I said a mischievous smile playing at my lips.

“I swear that woman!” He began to get up but I pulled him back next to me. I let out a loud giggle at the sight of his tomato red face. “I was kidding. I’m not gonna tell you what she said but it wasn’t anything embarrassing.” I said placing a kiss on his pouted lips. “Fine. What do you propose we do ‘til dinner?” he asked.  I placed my index finger on my chin pretending to really think about it.

“There’s so much to choose from.” I teased leaning in and pecking his lips quickly before dashing out the room and down the stairs. I heard Spencer let out a groan before getting up and chasing after me.
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“So Jen have you decided what college you’ll be attending next year?” Mr Lachowski asked me as we began eating dinner. I gulped down some of my water before replying. College was a bit of a sensitive topic, Spencer and I had just gotten together and I had no idea what would happen when high school ended. We hadn’t really spoken much about that.  The expression on Spencer’s face mirrored mine. I guess he was thinking the same thing I was. “I’ll be attending NYU.” I said avoiding eye contact with Spencer. He coughed a little obviously shocked that I was moving to New York in just three months. Mrs Lachowski’s face lit up. “That’s great news, Spencer just found out this morning that he got accepted there.” My eyebrows rose and a smile grew on my face as I turned to Spencer who had a smile spread across his face just like mine. I didn’t even know he applied. I didn’t realise that was even a possibility, I just thought it was such a long shot to hope that he applied.

“Now that we have that sorted out. Are you two excited for graduation?” Mrs Lachowski asked us. I almost didn’t hear it seeing as I was still staring at Spencer. “Yeah, Anne’s been working on her valedictorian speech for weeks now, it should be good.” I answered after I broke eye contact with Spencer. “Yeah and Blake’s planning a killer graduation party for us.” Spencer said enthusiastically. “Seriously is that all you care about, the party?” I asked half-jokingly.

“No” Spencer said dragging the word out. I let a small giggle out before returning to my food. I felt Spencer lean in “I don’t care about graduation or Blake’s party, all I care about is you.” Spence whispered quietly in my ear. A smile spread across my face and I sore Mrs Lachowski smirking at us from the other side of the table. “Okay you two, no whispering at the table.” She said trying to hide her smile.

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I scan the auditorium trying to find my friends situated at all different places with their parents. I see Violet and Liz sitting next to each emerged in some conversation. Blake is all the way in the back seeing as his surname begins with a “W”.  In the stage wings stands a nervous-looking Ann pacing and reading through her key cards while gnawing at her nails. I see her eyes enlarge as more people enter the auditorium.

When I turn back around to scan over the crowd I notice two gorgeous blue eyes staring back at me. “Boo” Spencer says in a playful way while placing a gentle kiss on my cheek. “Hey” I say breathlessly. I’ve known Spencer practically my whole life yet he still has the ability to make me feel weak at the knees and tongue-tied.

“So, nervous?”

I shook my head. How hard could this be? All we have to do is walk across a stage, shake Mr Ryan’s hand and collect our diploma. “Good. Too bad Ann doesn’t share the same attitude.” He said chuckling and pointing in the direction of the stage. “Shame she looks like she’s about to puke.”

Gross.

Touch wood to make sure she doesn’t.

“Okay everybody please take your seats.” Mr Ryan said coming onto the stage. “Please give this year’s valedictorian- Ann Gold a round of applause.” Ann walked up onto stage offering a few of the teachers a thankful nod. She looked at the crowd and I offered her a reassuring smile.
“Well guys, we made it! Four years of our lives were spent here. Four years of homework assignments, good friendships, stress eating before the end of year tests, bad boyfriends and a whole lot of fun. This is the day we’ve been waiting for, the day we finally get to say goodbye. Once we walk out these doors we will go on to do greater things. Some of us will become doctors, teachers and hey who knows one of us might even end up becoming the president. The point is- that this is only the beginning of our journey. A great man once said ‘It’s not about the destination but how you get there’. Thank you” The whole auditorium stood up and applauded Ann.

Mr Ryan stood up and made his way to the podium. He began his speech about the achievements, difficulties, triumphs of the year then began calling us up one by one to collect our diplomas. “Dianne Abrahams, Jenna Adams.” Whoops that’s me! Okay Jen you can do this. Just collect your diploma, don’t fall, walk of the stage and DO NOT FALL.

Don’t fall, don’t fall, don’t fall.

Mr Ryan handed my diploma with the one hand and shook the other whilst giving me a reassuring smile. “Thank you” I said softly so that he was the only one who heard it. I heard my friends shouting my name and clapping like a bunch of seals. Gosh I’m gonna miss them so much.
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“We did it!” Violet shouted as she engulfed me in a massive bear hug. “Yeah we did.” I replied enthusiastically. “So are ready for the party tonight?” I asked as we walked to my car. “Jenna Adams is going to a high school party? You mean a party full of alcohol and drugs?” She asked mocking shock. “Don’t be so dramatic and of course I’m going. It’s our last high school party.” I replied rolling my eyes at her. “Yeah roll your eyes at me maybe you’ll find a brain back there.” She joked. I hit her with my diploma in defence. “Excuse me missy but last time I checked I was the one who came third in the grade not you.” She didn’t have a comeback for that but quickly flipped me the bird and shoved me jokingly.

“Hey Jen-bun.” I heard a familiar voice say. “Dad! What are you doing here?” I ran to my dad and gave him a massive hug. “Did you seriously think I’d miss my only daughter’s graduation? No ways!” He replied giving me a kiss on the cheek. “So what do you say you and me grab dinner tonight? And you can bring Spencer if he isn’t going out with his family.” He offered wiggling his eyebrows at me.

“Thanks dad but I’ll have to check with Mom.” Dad nodded and put his arm around me.

So my mom agreed to let me go and said we’d celebrate tomorrow. Dad, Spencer and I sat in a fairly fancy restaurant discussing our future in New York and promising to visit him over spring break.

“So Spencer now that you and my daughter are ‘official’ there are some rules. Or just one rule really” Spencer’s eyes widened slightly and he nodded his head. “You break my little girl’s heart and I will break you. Got it?” My dad threatened pointing his finger at Spencer. To say Spencer looked terrified would be the understatement of the year. Spencer’s eyes were wide as saucers and he was nodding his head profusely. “Yes Sir.” He replied taking a sip of water.
“Good. Now I have one question for you.” My dad stated. Spencer nodded his head once more as a que for my dad to continue.

“Do you promise to always care for and protect my daughter?”

Spencer turned to me, the corners of his mouth turning upward forming that breath-taking smile of his.

“I promise”