My Mother, The Counselor

Chapter Twenty Two

I adjusted the blue cap on my head and let the tassel fall on the right side. I could hear Mark calling my name from downstairs, saying we were going to be late. I took one last look at myself and let out a bright smile.

It was graduation day.

Blake couldn't make it, but I was heading to Santa Barbara the day after graduation. He had sent me flowers and they arrived just before I went to get ready for the day. I brought the card he sent with the flowers up to my room with me and gave it another quick read before I joined my family in the car.

Mi Amor,

Hey, happy graduation day! Who knew I'd actually be sending you a card and flowers on your graduation day?

We've had a crazy year, but it's been one of the best in my life. You're easily the best thing that's ever happened to me, and I'm so grateful for all that you've taught me - especially Shakespeare!

I'll see you tomorrow, my little Valedictorian. Have fun celebrating getting out of that hell hole with a 1400 SAT score in your back pocket!

I love you,

Woods xxx

I held the card tightly to my chest and sighed. 'See you tomorrow, Woods.'

'Hey, Mia!' James called as he blurted into my room. 'You ready? We're gonna be really late.'

'Yeah, I'm ready.'

*

'And our valedictorian for this year, Mia Moore!'

The entire student body clapped and cheered loudly as I stepped onto the stage of the outdoor auditorium to collect my diploma from  our principal, Mr. Dean. My face was beaming as I shook his hand and thanked him for the greatest four years in High School.

I could hear my family cheering from the loud audience, and everything was falling into place. It was finally the time for me to make my speech. My palms were sweating, and I was shaking, but I was also excited to address my peers.

'Well everyone, we made it!' I began.

My classmates began to cheer again but came to a halt soon enough for me to continue.

'Four years ago, we all came into this school with naive heads and big back packs.'

My classmates began to laugh and I looked out over them to see a very familiar face.

Blake was standing behind the sea of graduates, a cheeky grin on his face.

I decided not to freak out, even though I was jumping on the inside. I composed myself and continued with glee.

'Along the way, we changed. Each and every one of us became a better version of ourselves.' I looked up at Blake. 'Mostly with the help of others.'

Blake flashed a cheeky grin on my direction.

'We changed friendships, clothes, personality traits, and today we have evolved into amazing, mature young men and women, ready to take on the world. Congratulations everyone. We did it!'

The entire class cheered once again. The noise coming from the auditorium was almost deafening, but I was completely focused on Blake, leaning against the football post behind the graduates.

I joined my classmates to switch our tassels and officially become graduates. I had gotten into Juliard with Molly doing singing. Molly got in on a dance scholarship.  James, Stephen, Molly, Blake and I were all moving into an apartment building in Manhattan. Stephen was planning on following his dream of becoming a neuroscientist in New York. James hadn't got any official plans for school, but he and Stephen got work in a Bar a block away from the apartment. Blake got a job in bar promotions around New York. Everything was falling into place, and I couldn't wait for the year to come.