Narrative

Narrative Episode 25 - Last Goodbye

My alarm woke me up, and it seemed that it was 4am. I had just gotten up from a dream that focused on my last day at school, since it would come up today. I got up and drank some juice and then decided to go back to sleep. When I woke up, I was a little sleepy. I hoped my shower could wake me up a little, but it didn't fully get me up. I got on my dress clothes and put them on. The band was performing as well, but I didn't remember any information about it, other than what we'd wear. I almost forgot to get my music too. The school told us that we can't bring backpacks or hoodies on this day, but the school is always throwing me off. I could always stay for some days after graduation, even if it was discouraged by the A.P.s, but I decided today had to be the last day. This is it. The last goodbye.

We went to school, and walked into the cafeteria. 8th graders were sitting only on the first 5 tables, so I found Jahrell and Nyla and sat near them. Jahrell saw how sloppy my bowtie was. I worked on it impatiently last night because I wanted to hurry up and get my episodes updated. I wanted to finish all of them yesterday, but oh well. Jahrell also had a bow tie from a neck tie so he did mine for me. Everybody looked beautiful, or handsome, since I'm including the boys. I wondered when we needed to go to the band room to prepare our last performance. Ms. Fergials came into the cafeteria and requested Mr. Stuart to call all of the symphonic band members. We went and got our instruments. We then went to the gym and had to rearrange our chairs so it would face both the students and parents at once. We were going to play In Honor of The Fallen and Cheerleader. In Honor of The Fallen is Blue Malachi's favorite band song. The other colors have favorites too. Purple's is Furioso, and Red's is Pass the Peas. We warmed up, but I never had any water and didn't play very well. It was just the warm up though, so it wouldn't be a problem. Some of us got our name card but others didn't, including me. We were going to the cafeteria next, where I'd get the index card to write my name on. Nyla asked me to stop and hold her things while she put in her earring.

Nyla: Do you know how to put in an earring?

Gray: Nope.

Nyla: Just find the hole and shove it in.

Rascal: That's what she said.

I put her earrings in for her and we moved into the cafeteria. We had to find our section by remembering who we sat next to in practice. I found my place and stood there. Racheal, whose last name is Hunt, was only 2 seats from me, and Laiylah walked past.

Racheal: Aww, you two should take a picture together.

Malachi: Why?

Racheal: Because that's your girlfriend.

Malachi: Oh, no we broke up like 2 months ago.

I had to explain to her the whole akoiromantic thing. Well hey, there's a good chance I'm not akoiromantic anymore, so I guess I'll see about that in the future. Ms. Smith said it was traditional to hold hands and pray before we went back to the gym, so we did. I dislike having to hold hands because my left hand is somehow claustrophobic. Only my left hand. No other part of me is like this. It's a Malachi thing. After prayer Ms. Burgess came over and took a picture of Nyla. She asked if there were any other students she knew that she didn't take a picture of, and I made myself noticed. Ms. Burgess is like one of those teachers that you think of as a motherly figure. Soon we went on our way to the gym. We were lined up a certain way. Then it started to gradually rain.

We soon went in but didn't start the ceremony yet. I noticed my bowtie was becoming loose but I didn't have time to care and I tried to make it unnoticeable. Dr. Howell and other speakers addressed us and the parents. Dr. Howell spoke to us about this being a chapter in our life, and how there will be so many chapters to shape who we are. The band was called up, and it was showtime. We would play In Honor of the Fallen now, and Cheerleader next. When we were done we went back to our seats. I almost tripped over some people, and some feet got stepped on. We had a motivational speaker talk to us next.

Speaker: How many of you know that you're destined for greatness? If you feel like this, feel free to stand up.

Stanford: That's a perfect definition of you, Malachi. If there's anyone to stand it should be you, don't let timidity get in your way.

Other people stood up as well, making it easier on me to get up. I almost fell back though. Pretty soon everyone was standing up. The orator continued to tell us how life is built up of choices. The choices we've made lead us to where we are now. When the speaker was done, it was time for the band's last performance. Cheerleader. Ms. Fergials gave a small speech before it, and talked to the parents about how far the band has come and that she's moving on to a new school. Then we played our last song. This time on my way back to my seat I didn't step on anyone's toes, but I still almost fell.

PPS: Looks like it's time.

Malachi: Time for what? -Oh!

We went in rows like we practiced, shook hands, and got our medals.

Mr. Stuart: Congratulations 9th grade, you're all officially the class of 2020!

Stanford: Malachi, I am so proud of you. I've only been here through your 8th grade year, but I've reviewed your memories and seen how far you've come. 6th grade, 7th grade, 8th grade. You've passed through all of them with problems, but they are done now. Just a memory. And soon all of this will be a memory as well. Never forget them.

We all started to leave into the courtyard in lines. We all scrambled out once we were outside the gymnasium. I remembered this. I was in this courtyard as the 8th graders left last year, because of being in the band. It was a nice nostalgia. Osama told me that Ms. Fergials wanted us back in the gym, so back I went. Ms. Fergials wanted us to play Let's Go and Pass the Peas one final time. We made it our best. Then we went to the band room and Jessica was getting the other band students to sign a poster. The poster read "Without band our life would Bb" (Be flat) and we showed it to Ms. Fergials. She said it would be the first thing to put in her new office as a remembrance of us. She claimed that the courtyard was dusty when she started to cry again. We all got photos and left. I made sure to get my last hugs from Paola and Nyla and everyone else that I've hugged throughout the school year. I know I'm going to really miss some of these guys. Especially Ervans and Nyla. It's just strange to see how we've developed around each other. I used to hate Ervans and Nyla when I first knew them. I'm so glad that's over. I love the both of them. On my way home, Ervans shook my hand and said "Man, it's been a real 2 years. I know we'll see each other someday."

Yes, we will.

Someday.