Sisters: Butterflies at Graduation [book two]

Chapter Twenty-Three [final]

Dedicated to @BelieveInHisLove because of her comment in the last chapter! Thank you!

Chapter Twenty-Three

I clutch the ripped out page of notebook paper in my hands. It's become frail at the edges and there's a rip that runs along one of the creases from where I've unfolded it and folded it back up again. The words slip easily through my consciousness as I recite them in my head. There are bags under my eyes from last night's tossing and turning about today's speech and today's events and today's goodbyes.

"Are you coming, Haley?" Michele says, popping her head around the archway of the lounge. I hear the rummaging and the chatting and the likelihood out in the front hallway as the Jackson's and the Holland's gather their coats and slip on their shoes. I spot Esmee's graduation gown in a flash as she hurries upstairs, perhaps to the bathroom.

I look up at Michele and I smile. "I'm just coming," I say. Michele smiles back and rubs her lips together, then she disappears.

I sit on the edge of my seat in the centre of the couch. Champagne glasses scatter the coffee table.

My cell phone vibrates in my pocket. There's a text from Zac, wishing me well on graduation day. I reply, and Michele reappears.

"Come on, Haley," she says. "We're waiting."

I lock my phone and drop it into my bag. I stand up hurriedly, smoothing out my dress underneath my blue gown. I tip-toe between the furniture in my heels, wobbling because my legs are shaking.

"Ah, there you are!" Mom says. "Let's go everyone!"

Dad leads the herd outside the front door. Esmee slips beside me and squeezes my hand. "Are Bridgit and Chelsea on their way?"

"Yeah, Bridgit just texted me."

"Do you have your graduation speech, Haley?" Mom calls over her shoulder as she steps out into the afternoon sunshine.

"Right here," I say, and I hold it up. Michele's the last one to leave the house behind me. Dad tosses her the keys and she locks the door.

"We'll meet you there," Mrs Jackson says to my mom, and the two families separate out.

"Are you okay, honey?" Dad says, wrapping an arm around my shoulders. He plants a kiss on my head and I nod.

"Just nervous."

"It's going to be perfect, you're going to be perfect, you always are."

His words provide me with some form of comfort, but it's short-lived though, as the four of us climb into the car. There's no going back now. This is it.

"Seatbelts on, guys?" Mom says, and Michele answers for the both of us.

The Jackson's pull out onto the road first because that's where their car is parked. Dad meanders out of the driveway and we follow the Jackson's towards Garfield High School.

I unfold my graduation speech and read the first line. The rest of it springs out from the page and eases into my thoughts despite my nervous. I look up and we stop at a set of red traffic lights. I can't help it, but my thoughts instantly turn to the night that Michele lost her memory. I don't why I think of that because I've driven passed dozens of traffic lights and its never once crossed my mind.

The red light turns green and Dad drives forward. We pick up speed along the main road; we pass the Starbucks where Jake, Esmee and I ventured to. I remember it made us late.

"What's wrong?" Mom says, an unsteady pitch in her voice. I follow where her eyes point to. Dad's head bows slightly in the drivers' seat; he holds up a hand to his face.

"I--I don't...I can't..." Dad's hands leave the steering wheel and Mom's arms outstretch to control the car but it's no use. Dad's clutches his head; his forehead almost touches the steering wheel as the car lurches because his foot is still on the pedal.

My phone is ringing. I see the screen at the bottom of my bag. It's Zac calling me.

We collide with the car in front at another set of lights and my body is flung forward because, I realise, I forgot to put on my seatbelt. Michele screams. A car crashes into us from behind. I hit the windscreen and I land on my arm. I hear the cracking of glass. Then silence.

And all I think about is why Zac was calling me.

TO BE CONTINUED...

Thank you for reading this story and all the votes and gorgeous comments...thank you so much!

This chapter was short; I'm sorry! And it leaves you guys on a cliff-hanger...that's because I'm writing a third book! It's going to be called Sisters: and All Things Sweet. It will follow Haley and Michele as they set-up their business at the cake shop. Yes, there will be Zaley drama!!

I haven't started writing it yet; it's currently in the planning process but I'm hoping the first chapter will be up in the New Year, so either follow me or watch out for when I post an announcement at the end of this book.

Are you ready for the final chapter of the Sisters series?