Gifted

Ch. 13 He Leaves

"Aiden LeFlour," the announcer in the gymnasium of Newcastle High called out. Mr. Speck had been asked to do the announcing at this year's graduation. Aiden was sitting with his peers in the front row. They were sorted alphabetically. Aiden stood up and made his way to the stairs on the right side of the impromptu stage that had been set up.

            Marisa had planned ahead, stuffing several tissues into her pockets. She needed them now, as the tears began to stream down her face. She knew that she was watching a young man walk across the stage, accepting his diploma, but her mind kept playing tricks on her. She kept on seeing her little boy, only a child, walking across the stage. Rationally, she knew her mind was playing tricks on her, but it only added to her sense of nostalgia.

            When Aiden stepped down he stood next to the others who had already received their diplomas, this time he stood by Amanda. After calling out many more students' names, the graduation ceremony was finally complete and everyone funneled their way outside, meeting up with their parents. Cole and Marisa met up with Aiden and gave him a big hug.

            "Congratulations, to all of you!" Cole said to Aiden, Marisa, and Jon.

            Still in cap and gown, the trio posed for a picture, "Hey, I gotta go find my parents," Jon said. He walked away to find the Hales.

            Franklin made his way over to Aiden and Amanda, "Brilliant! Both of you are brilliant. Young Aiden, learning about the Republic to assume a vital position in our campaign, and Amanda, who was able to follow orders completely and keep him on track."

            Aiden shifted away from Amanda, "you did what?"

            "Aiden!" she paused for just a moment, but it was just a moment too long, "wait, at first it was just an order Franklin gave, but that first sunset at the lighthouse changed everything. I really did fall for you," she stepped towards him, reaching for his hand, but Aiden stepped back.

            "You played me. For an entire year you pretended that you were interested in me. How could I not have seen it? Subtle pushes back towards Franklin," Aiden pointed at the old man, now looking at him, "I already knew you were corruptive, secretive. I asked to know everything but I knew that wasn't possible. I knew there would always be something I didn't know. I never imagined it would be her though."

            "No! Aiden, it wasn't just some assignment. I had to, my family needed me to be strong," she pleaded for understanding.

            "Oh, now I'm supposed to believe it was all for family? Where is your family? Don't families usually attend their child's graduation? Just go away," Aiden turned around, gesturing for his parents to take him home. "Let's go Mom," he quietly requested.

**

            Aiden walked away, leaving her with Alfred Franklin, she turned to face him, giving him a look of righteous fury. "How. Could. You?"

            "Well he had to know why you were really here didn't he? Besides, he will already have his parents to think about when he is gone. He doesn't need any more distractions. No unnecessary ties back here. His focus needs to be completely on Kisinger, and he can't do that if he is writing love letters back to you!" Franklin insisted. He walked away, toward his town car. "Are you coming?" Franklin looked back. Amanda begrudgingly followed. She needed the ride back to Augusta.

            "Driver, stop by the LeFlour house on our way out and run this letter up to the residence," Franklin handed the folded paper up to his chauffeur. The car sped away from the graduation at Newcastle High. The car stopped in the street in front of Senator LeFlour's house. The driver ran up to the door, put the letter on the front step, rang the doorbell, and went back to the car, driving away.