The Anyway Clause

This is After

Jane

I went back to school and the legend of Trouble and Happy, as they know us at PH, was cemented into the school's history. The news story of my car being sabotaged and Scott's gang showdown had been framed and placed in a glass display case alongside other tales of remarkable PH alumni. Our picture was taken, placed next to it and we were treated like heroes. And although Hailey won Homecoming Queen, I won Prom Queen while Scott was named Prom King. It all worked out because when it came time, Hailey and I sandwiched Scott between us with our crowns and sashes for an epic Parkland High Royalty spread in the yearbook. And when we had to pose with Peyton, because she was student body president, it wasn't even that awkward.

After a messy first half, we finished senior year strong. Sole didn't survive but Cole started dating the guy he'd cheated with. Scott was gracious enough not to mention the STD or the cheating so Cole was gracious enough not to be dramatic about it either. That was truly a disaster averted. And, like I said before, PH loved winning and we did that. We became the winningest class in school history. After having been shut out of the finals for the last three years, our football team got its revenge by winning state, just like the cheerleaders, MATHletes and the chess team. When Scott was finally allowed back on the field he played like a man on a mission. He broke the state record for goals scored by a single player in single match when he scored eleven goals during the semifinals. And when a junior, a major defensive asset, went down with injury, Scott led those seniors, with Drew's clutch play, to a national title. He set the tone and the baseball team also won nationals. And, because I couldn't let Scott have all the fun, I finally won our first national title in robotics. It was perfect since I was credited with building the first team and getting sponsorship.

Then two major announcements came on the same day. The first had come from Nan over breakfast. Scott and I were arguing about if I'd managed to edge him out for valedictorian when she questioned us about the status of our passports. Mine was fine but Scott didn't have one. She informed him that if he planned to travel with me to stay with uncle Peter for the summer he needed to get one. That's how she dropped the bomb on me that she was sending me to London for a summer holiday before I started university. I was beyond elated just thinking about all the mischief we were going to get into. But as soon as I walked into the school I realized what I'd have to leave behind.

Hailey.

I made Scott promise to keep it to himself until I could figure out how to deal with the Hailey aspect of me leaving the country for three months. I was really racking my brain about it. She'd turn eighteen over the summer and I'd definitely come back for that, but how much fun was I really going to have while missing her all summer? It'd be perfect for Scott because he needed to clear his head but I'd miss her and be a total downer. Then I had an idea. Before I could even tell Scott my idea we were being called to the office.

I was ready to plead my innocence when I realized that, joining Greenberg for our usual ass-chewing session, was the senior academic counselor. I knew there was no way he knew we'd sabotaged the evening playing of the school's alma mater after final announcements so that it would play Eye of the Tiger. It hadn't even happened yet. Instead, we were sat down and informed that Scott was the salutatorian of the senior class because I'd edged him out for valedictorian. My celebration was short lived when Greenberg proceeded to explain the guidelines of our responsibilities; including speeches. I really hated speeches. That's when Scott's celebration started.

Hailey wanted to help me with my speech but I refused. I told her that if I used my speech to propose to her I couldn't very well have her write it for me. She rolled her eyes. We both knew I wasn't going to propose. Yet. But I also knew that she wouldn't approve of my blunt approach. And neither would Nan. So, she wasn't allowed to hear it either. Of course, Scott and I were competing to see who'd write the better speech so, he was a no-go as well. I basically cornered TJ in the shed as he was putting the finishing touches on the security software he installed on the laptop I built because he and I shared the same sentiments about speeches. I'd drug Reece with me and I made them listen. Reece thought it was very much me and was surprised by how open I was while TJ said he "actually listened" but he couldn't wait to see me deliver it in front of Nan, Hailey and Noah.