Crime Came With Love

Chapter Twenty One

Chapter 21 The Graduation

I wake up all nice and tucked into my comforter. The stupid navy blue gown is peaking out of the dresser drawer I shoved it in. Looking at it makes me sick. Knowing I can't procrastinate any more I get up and grab a cigarette out of the pack. Standing out on the balcony I lit up the cigarette. I began to think about how last night was one of the best nights of my life. One month from now I'll be going to Pittsburg State. Which means leaving my hometown for good.

Next thing I knew my eyes were watery. "Today's the big day huh?" Gordie said when I turned to face him he saw my forming tears and hugged me. "Tell me everything's gonna be okay Gordie." He whispered on the top of my head that everything will be okay. Lightly he let go of the hug and walked to his room to go get ready.

I begin to walk in the school hallway for the final time. The heavy fabric brushes on my knees. I'm alone walking to the auditorium. It's so close I can hear the school band playing. This is it I'm at the backstage door. Quickly I straighten my cap and open the door. Before I can take another step I'm engulfed in a group hug with my favorite people.

They were all there waiting for me. We hadn't seen each other since last night. This morning we all matched and it was a surreal moment. "I've been in this school way to much and I'd prefer to get out of it as quickly as possible." Vern said and we stopped hugging. Our principal came over and told us it was time to line up. Everyone was seated alphabetically so thankfully Gordie was sitting next to me. The lights started to fade signaling the start of the ceromony. Soon I heard a commotion coming from the row in front of me. Chris came walking through my asile. "What are you doing? It's about to start." I say in the weird whisper yell voice. He steps over Gordie's feet and is standing in front of me. I'm extremely confused why isn't he in his seat I was thinking. Then he kissed me.

I don't want this to sound cliché but when he kissed me the stage lights magically came on. Everyone could see our shadow. It was spontaneous like something in a John Hughes movie. He winked at me then scurried back to his seat. Our principal said a few words about how our class held potential and many leaders. There wasn't a whole bunch of speeches. We just kinda cut to the chase. One by one my classmates for twelve years walked across the stage. "Christopher Chambers" was announced into the microphone and I heard Bryan and Amy's voices cheer for him. After all his hard work he was only on stage for a few seconds. He'd earned that diploma and I couldn't be more proud.

My row stands up and names begin being called. Gordie's standing behind me and I'm up next. I hear my name echo through the room. "Emily you're the best twin a guy could ask for." Gordie whispered in my ear before I accepted my diploma. When it was Vern's turn he was on and off that stage in a flash. Vern truly was ready to leave this school. Gordie nudges me with his shoulder and we laugh together.

The gang is now CastleRock High alumni. Everyone stands as our principal says congratulations. Like a choreographed flash mob the crowd throws their caps in the air. They are flying everywhere and hundreds of people are cheering. I find myself being one of those people. Time to celebrate I have the rest of my life ahead of me. Through the big crowd Chris manages to fun me. "Okay I really need to get out of this dress!" We both laugh and meet up with our families.

Our graduation party was going to be at my house. My dad was going to grill for lunch. Just like when we were kids we planned this together. Once we got there we dumped our robes on the dining room chairs. It was strange how quickly my mood changed from down to excited. Tables and chairs were set out on the front lawn. All our family were there, talking about how we've grown up too fast. We were having such a good time that we soon had to make a bonfire because the sun had gone down.

The crowd was all gathered around the fire when Chris grabbed my hand. I stood up and let him lead me. Once we were out of listening distance Chris stopped walking and told me he had something important to talk to me about. But what we didn't know was while we were privately talking Johnny and a group of his cellmates came to the front looking for two things. Christopher and revenge. Two days before graduation their sentence was up. Johnny went directly to Bryan demanding to know where Chris was.

Chris was looking into my eyes and slowly breathing. I could tell he was nervous and I thought he was going to break up with me. "Last night holding you in my arms in the treehouse made me think of how much I truly need you. How much it would hurt me if I lost you. Saying this out loud makes me sound so fucking selfish. But I mean it. You deserve better and you've changed my bitter heart. I am in love with you."

He was pouring all his feeling out to me the complete opposite of what I though was going to happen. And even though he would deny it I saw a tear fall down his cheek. "I love you too and you aren't selfish." I replied. Chris ran his fingers through his hair. Then he kissed me but our kiss was interrupted by a cold breeze. "I guess you're supposed to get down on one knee for this part." Chris said half of me knew what was happening and the other half was clueless as to what was going on. "Emily DuChamp will you-"

He didn't finish his question because in the darkness Johnny snuck around and stabbed him with a broken beer bottle. Everything happened so quickly. Chris was laying on the ground and I got down beside him. My tears coming quicker and thicker than the ones before. I scream for help but it doesn't come out loud enough.

Chris was still breathing I could feel the warmth coming off his mouth. "Marry me?" He finished his question. I smile knowing my dream was coming true as well as my nightmare. Yes I croak out slowly leaning down to kiss him. When I sit back up he puts a diamond ring on my finger. He winces and I can see the pain in his eyes. But he won't give up and the ring makes it to my finger. This is it this is the end I'm thinking. What will be the last thing he sees? The last thing he remembers? The last thing he hears? "Christopher Chambers you are more than your last name and I'm honored to be your wife." I tell him without breaking eye contact.

"Don't. Don't say goodbye." Chris' lips tremble from pain and sadness. I've been using my hands to put pressure on the cut but the blood hasn't stopped. He removes my hand from his chest and intertwines our fingers together. The silence going on is terrifying. Gordie runs over and seeing Chris he yells for help. Although he come towards us. Just moving his head a little to face Gordie, Chris moans in pain. "Brothers?" Gordie asks. "Brothers." Chris states. The three of us are bawling now. "I'll see you?" Gordie is saying instead of goodbye. "Not if I see you first." Chris says so softly I had to read his lips to know what he said.

His eyes shut but he doesn't let go of my hand. "We love you Chris." Gordie whispers then takes his glasses off and looses it. His tears are continuous and his head is hanging down. I'm squeezing onto Chris' hand not wanting to let go. After a few minutes of holding on so tightly I give a small kiss on his fingertips and let go. My hands are stained with my true loves blood. I used to lay on his chest listening to his heart beat. Now it beats faintly before coming to a complete stop.