𝑬𝒓𝒆𝒔 𝑴í𝒂 | ᴮᵒʸ ᴹᵉᵉᵗˢ ᵂᵒʳˡᵈ

45: Don't Grow Up, Don't Get Out

"Shawn, is that the new shirt my mom gave you?" Cory asked as we found Shawn at the water fountain. The shirt had the sleeves partially cut off and was the same color yellow as Cory's jacket.

"Yeah. Looks alright now, huh?" He replied. Shawn has been living at Cory's for three weeks now. Every time I visit, it's clear things are becoming more difficult.

"Do you know what she's gonna do when she sees that?" Cory asked as we started walking down the hall. "My guess is clean it, sew it back together, and put an "S" on it." Shawn said.

"She's probably just trying to be nice to you, Shawn." I said. "And I'm just trying to get through this thing without making any waves." He replied before walking away.

"Chet hasn't called yet, has he?" I asked. "Not even a postcard." Cory answered as we kept walking.

"Matthews, Flores." Mr. Turner said. "How's it working out with Hunter?" "Terrific. Great." Cory told him. "It seems everything is going smoothly." I said. "Yeah, I mean, he's our best friend." Cory responded.

"Listen, if anything comes up, the offer stands. Either of you can call me at home anytime you need to, okay?" Mr. Turner told us. "Thank you, Mr. Turner." I said as Cory just replied with a head nod. "Anytime."

We backed away and started to head our separate ways before the bell rang and classes continued. I ran into Eddie in the hall.

"Hey, Adriana. How's the day treating you?" He asked, walking beside me. "Hi, Eddie." "You alright? You sound upset." "It's just... there's a lot going on right now." I said. "What do you mean?" Eddie asked.

"I mean," I stopped in my tracks. "You graduate next week, and you're gonna be gone and in the Army. Shawn is having a hard time fitting into Cory's house, which then makes everything dull instead of lively like it used to be."

"Everything's gonna be alright, Adriana-Camila. Trust me. I'll be back home in the blink of an eye, Shawn's dad is gonna come back. Everything is gonna go back to normal at some point. This isn't permanent." Eddie replied. "I guess." I said.

ONE WEEK LATER...

"Eduardo, come on! You're gonna miss graduation!" I heard dad exclaim as he knocked on Eddie's closed bedroom door.

"I'm coming, I'm coming!" Eddie replied, opening his door. "I wouldn't miss graduation for the world." He was wearing his blue and yellow cap and gown.

"If I didn't know any better, I'd think you couldn't wait to get out of here." Dad said. "No, I can't wait to get out of school. No more tests, no more homework. No more Feeny." Eddie listed.

I let out a small laugh. "See, Adriana-Camila gets me." He said, walking over to the couch where I was sitting and ruffling my hair.

"What do you think?" He asked, posing and gesturing to his cap and gown. "I think you look like a graduate." I replied, standing up and taking a picture of him with my disposable camera.

"Alright, now let's go. We don't wanna be late." Dad said, grabbing the keys. I opened the door and jumped off the porch, heading to the truck.

"You know, if I didn't know any better. I'd think you're the one who can't wait for me to leave." Eddie teased.

♥

Dad and I sat in the crowd waiting for the ceremony to start when a familiar voice came from my left.

"I hope we're not late." It was my mom. Parker was standing awkwardly behind her. "No, you're right on time for once." Dad replied.

"Oh, don't give me that attitude, Enrique. I wouldn't miss my son's graduation for the world." She sat next to me, and Parker sat on the chair at the end.