My Summer with New York

A Man Can't Drink when He Graduates?

"There's all types of family.. That's a choice you're going to have to make."

Graduation Day 🎓
Colby's POV:
"Colby Mason Thomas if you don't get out of bed now I'll come up there and drag you out of it!" My mom yells. "Graduation isn't until seven tonight!" I yell back. Our school likes to have us graduate around sunset since it's our "sunset" for high school. "It's two o'clock now!" She says. She's closer to my room now, so I best not yell back at her. She marches into my room, and it's like she's challenging me to yell at her again. "Get up now so you can get a shower and everything before you graduate. You smell like after sun lotion." She says, smacking me on the chest lightly. I groan when she hits my sunburn and that's enough to get me up and moving.

I check my phone, and I have multiple messages from Ryan, Cassidy, and Macy. They all came by the surf shop last night, and we didn't leave until way after closing. I didn't tell Ryan I've seen Rosie since she came to the store that day; he'd make a big deal out of it, and it'd somehow get back to Macy. I was supposed to meet Ryan at 8 this morning to surf before all the tourists arrived, but I obviously missed that. I grab my phone to call him before I start getting ready, and he answers right away.

"Where were you this morning man?" He asks. I roll my eyes; he always overreacts. "I slept in. I really just woke up." I admit. Ryan makes a sound of disgust as if he can't believe I slept so late. "Are you ready for graduation?" I ask. "Nah man. Like Cass and I just started dating and the separation is just going to end things faster than I want them to." Ryan tells me. "You have until June 30." I offer. "And today's the 10th." He says sarcastically. "Well I can't help you. I'm an underpaid surf shop employee. Not Father Time." I joke. "You're also an ass who missed valuable surfing time." Ryan says. "Whatever I have a whole year to surf." I tell him as I hang up.

~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~

The principal drones on and on throughout the ceremony. Numerous guest speakers spend what seems like hours telling us that this is just the beginning. They time their speeches with the setting sun, and all of our names are called just as the sun is nearly set. The flood lights on the football field have lit the darkening field. "Ladies and gentlemen your graduating class of 2016!" The principal declares. We all stand up and throw out caps into the air, and I can't fight the smile that comes to my face.

"We did it!" Macy squeals as she jumps into my arms. I spin her around once, both of us laughing. She looks like she's about to kiss me, but Ryan walking up stops her. "My man we did it!" He says. Cassidy is in tow behind him; their hands locked into each other so tight. Macy wraps her arms around mine as my mom and Abel walk up to us. "Baby you did it!" She exclaims. Macy lets go of my arm so I can hug my mom, and my mom squeezes me tight. "Your father would be so proud of you baby." She tells me.

Ryan hugs my mom, and she tells him how proud of him she is. "Now I know there's parties tonight so don't try to act like there isn't. Colby I want you to go and have fun." My mother demands. We all say yes ma'am, even Cassidy and Macy, and we walk off towards the beach. The water looks funny against the darkening sky; the light green of it standing out. "You guys we just graduated!" Cassidy exclaims. I roll my eyes at her; ever since we were kids she was always the one who stated the obvious. Ryan pulls her in for a kiss, and Macy looks so uncomfortable. "Do you want a kiss too Mace?" I tease. She glares at me, but I can tell she's fighting a smile. We've forgiven each other since the party, but I can't help wishing her hair was long and dark instead of short and blonde. I close the distance between her and I and place my lips lightly to hers. Macy throws her arms around my neck and kisses me back. I pick her up as we're kissing, and I walk over to the water. I let her go, and she falls quickly into the water. "Colby Mason Thomas I hate you!" She hollers. Cassidy and Ryan look over at us and laugh. Macy's gown is soaked from the waist down, and I can't help but laugh at the furious expression on her face.