The Army, The Player, and I

Epilouge

It has been approximately three months, sixteen days and ten hours since I had last seen Gavin. My heels sunk into the grass as I walked on the field to take my seat at graduation. People around me smiled and congratulated me on being class valedictorian. I know, surprising right? I saw Mike Keller smiling back at his girlfriend and Kerr kissing James on the cheek before walking to her seat. I saw Stephanie March holding hands with her girlfriend. It truly shocked me that this was the last time I'm seeing all these people in one place. The principal tapped the microphone and told everyone to take their seats.

"Welcome everyone to the high school to the graduation of the seniors of Campbell High School. I'm very proud of all of you. First up, I would proudly like to introduce our first speaker. This young lady is the captain of the Varsity soccer team and the softball team. The class valedictorian, Alexa Howell." Everyone clapped as I walked onto the stage. I shook the principal's hand as took my place at the podium.

"Welcome students, parents, teachers, and notable alumni. When I was walking over to my seat today, I took a look around and watched everyone, realizing that this was the last time I would see you all in one place. I had a cheesy speech planned out taking about success and all that, but I realize now that that wouldn't be an appropriate speech. So I'm just going to go for it. All through high school, I was seen as popular, the one the guys could go for quickies. I realize that a lot of you might not actually like me, and that's cool. So I'm going to try to make that up to you now. Britney Ellis, you once gave me a new shirt because a bird pooped on mine and I was mortified. Andy Smith, you once asked me to get Sabrina Coffee to like you because you liked her for so long and now you guys have been dating for three years. Daisy Mark, you once gave me money for lunch and a bus ride home because my dad had spent all the money we had. I could go on and on but I think people would get mad at me. You might not think that people remembers small acts of kindness, but they do. And I'm actually going to miss Luke Andrews smiles in the morning and whenever Jodie Richardson brings that extra cup of coffee for me because she knows I don't get any. So yes, success is important and everything, but nothing is more important than kindness and treating everyone with respect. Thank you class of 2011, we did it." I said smiling. Everyone started clapping and I got a standing ovation. The rest of graduation went quickly with Mr. Stanton giving out diplomas and announcing all the names of the boys that were drafted in honor we gave them standing ovations. Then finally that was it. The last time I had to step foot in Campbell. I started walking over to where my dad was supposed to be. However, no surprise, no one was there. I looked at the smiling faces and tears of everyone and realized just how different I was. I saw sympathetic looks from parents when they realized no one had showed up for me. I took off my hat and started my walk to the car, only to see someone standing on the football field, in the middle of everyone, looking at me. He was in an army uniform and I broke out into a sprint. He started running towards me too and I jumped into Gavin's arms, my legs wrapped around his waist, tears running down my face. He held me tightly, smoothing out my hair.

"You're back!" I managed to gasp, pulling back to stare at him. He looked older, more tired, with dark circles under his eyes, but still beautiful. His hands were rough, his face and arms had scars on them, ones to match the scars on his wrist. His hair had grown out longer and his eyes searched mine, running over my face. He still held me, and I noticed people talking and pointing but I managed to just focus on Gavin. He managed to pull one arm up to stroke my face while still holding me.

"I couldn't miss your graduation. Educated Lexi is sexy." I smiled, pressing a kiss on his wrist.

"I missed you so much." I said. He nodded in agreement and pulled my face to his, kissing me. We could have been kissing for minutes or hours or days, I didn't know, I just knew I had Gavin back in my arms. He pulled away, pressing his forehead to mine.

"I missed you too. I just knew I had to get back here, to tell you how much I loved you." I smiled, tears running down my face.

It was just my player and me. And I couldn't love him anymore.

The End

Thanks for reading, I hope you enjoyed the book as much as I did writing it. Gavin and Alexa are definitely handfuls. I would love any feedback or if you want to tell me your favorite part of the book.
Goodbye Players,
E