In the shadows, under the bleachers

Epilogue

A few months later...

It was senior graduation day. It was of course very crowded by the time there were only five minutes until the ceremony started Luckily I had gotten there early and had secured a spot in the front row next to Lucy which she insisted I call her.

"This is so exciting," She beamed, she was practically jumping up and down in her chair, "Can you believe that they're graduating?" She turned to me. How is she exactly like Will? Like from their smile to their overall personality?

I shook my head, "I can't, it's going to be so weird next year without them." I mumbled looking at the stage that the three of them were supposed to walk across. And the stage I would have to walk across next year. All three of them, Naomi, Mark, and Will were going to face the real adult world.

I remember this one time that Mark and I joked about it, he was going to get rich and talked about how it was easy. I smiled. So many great memories.

"How long is this going to be again?" She asked before digging through her purse.

"Around two hours, they have to announce all the names and the names of the people that get awards and all."

"When does it start?" She whispered, she glanced at her phone again. She looked agitated.

It was 4:30, "Any minute now." I drummed my fingers against my thigh. Not even a minute later the feedback of a microphone caught everyone's attention making them quiet down one at a time.

"Is this thing on?" The principal, Mr Briggs asked before the feedback of the microphone made me cover my ears.

"It's starting." Lucy beamed slightly clapping her hands.

"Sorry for that folks," Mr. Briggs apologized, his face going a bright shade of red. He was a small chubby man who was in his mid-thirties but was already balding and had glasses that would always fall off his face, "Anyway let's get this show on the road shall we?" He cleared his throat and tugged at his tie.

The vice principal, Mrs. Rivers took the microphone from Mr. Briggs before clearing her throat, "So sorry for the wait folks," She apologized, "Anyway let's us get this over with," She clearly looked uncomfortable. As she went by announcing the names of the students I was zoning out until I heard Will's name.

"Oh my god, it's his turn, it's his turn." She grabbed my upper arm eagerly smiling as he walked across the stage smiling and waving to us. There caps and gowns were navy blue. I tried my best to keep my attention on the stage but I was getting bored and sleepy.

"Mark Clark," The vice principal announced making me sit up straight as I held in my laughter. Other people in the crowd did not. Mark was smiling as he walked across the stage with his head held high just like he always did. He shook her hand and had his diploma in hand.

Around forty-five minutes later and it was Naomi's turn to walk across the stage and get her diploma. The usually quiet and shy Naomi wasn't there. It was like she was an entirely different person, her head was held high as she focused on the crowd and it was even better that her glasses got resized so that they didn't fall off. I smiled as I stared at her in awe, confidence was practically oozing out of her. Mark was bringing her out of her shell.

"Such a pretty girl," Lucy commented, "Mark is so lucky." Yes, he is.

Another fifteen and the ceremony was over. The three of them had officially graduated and had their diplomas in hand.

"Congrats on graduating," I grinned before Mark embraced me in a hug. "Ah, you're going to be so lonely without." He sighed dramatically letting me go. I shook my head smiling before walking over to Will who kissed me.