Where We Belong

Chapter 1

"And to conclude the ceremony with her final goodbyes, Emery High's class of 2016 valedictorian: Jessica Wilde!" My school principal motions to me as I stand and walk to the podium. A roar of applause and cheers fulfill the auditorium.

This is it. This is what I've waited four years for, what my parents and family have waited for, what the whole graduating senior class has waited for. I couldn't be any more ready for this day than if it were a million years from now. I unfold the paper that holds the speech I have went over a thousand times.

"Hello and good evening to everyone." I say with a smile. "Today is not only the day when the rest of our lives begins, but it is also the day we leave a part of us behind. Each and everyone of us has left behind a piece of themselves. From things like perfect grades, amazing athletics, stunning performances to things like friendships, relationships, or even just acknowledging each other in the halls. We've all left our mark on this school and it's given us something to remember..." I stop.

I look to where my parents are seated, sitting with perfect posture, clothing ironed so perfectly, and not a hair out of place. They've already heard this speech countless times. Rereading to make sure it was up to their perfect standards. I look back at the blue robes behind me. My class. My friends. Some listening intently and some with tears in their eyes.

I find my best friend Matt sitting behind me. I recognize the look he's giving me. I know what I have to do. I refold the paper. This speech isn't right. This speech isn't me.

I look back to the audience and clear my throat. "I know for sure this school has given me something to remember. A lot of us here are going to spend at least the next four years of our lives in school again, but it won't be the same. It'll be new, strange, and definitely harder for a lot of us. Before I myself spend eight years trying to become a doctor, I want to do something. I know my last name is 'Wilde' but I think everyone here knows I'm anything but that." I earn a few laughs from the crowd.

"This may sound a little kiddish but this is definitely a little wild for me, I'm leaving. For six weeks. I'm going to travel this earth and live my dream to see every Disney park around the world." The crowd cheers my decision on. I look over at my parents who share a look of both surprise and anger. They are not happy with my newly found plan. Whoops.

"To the class of 16, I challenge you. I challenge you to do something new this summer. Something out of your comfort zone, because college and growing up will surely be out of all our comfort zones. Thank you all for coming and sharing this amazing day with us," I say with a smile. The crowd stands and cheers while I am bombarded by a groups of teenagers in a giant group hug. A round of "Jessica that's was great!", "Jess I'm so proud!", and "I can't believe you're leaving!" fill my ears.

Matt finds his way to me and embraces me in a hug. "I'm so proud of you Jess, you need this." He smiles as he lets go of me.

"Thanks Matty. I can't believe I'm actually doing this! This is insane. My parents are going to kill me." I say with a laugh.

He laughs along with me. "I better go find my parents. Hopefully the wardens will loosen up a little and not completely flip out at you. I'll call you later Jess." I give him one last hug before we part ways.

As soon as I'm free from the giant sea of teenagers I go out and search for my parents. It doesn't take long to find their overly dressed up outfits among the casually dressed crowd. Any time and all the time is a time to impress they tell me. My mother stands with her arms crossed, and my father seems a little more cooled down.

"Jessica Wilde! What are you thinking?! You can't leave for six weeks!" My mother declares when I approach.

"Mother can we not do this here? There's people everywhere," I snap.

"C'mon dear, we can discuss this in the car," My father says reassuringly to my mother. "Our beautiful daughter just graduated. As valedictorian I might add!" He gives me a kiss on the cheek as I smile.

My father was never as strict as my mother, but she has us both on a tight leash. He, unlike my mom, actually looks like a person at home where he chooses to dress laid back and casual. But as soon as company comes it's right back to dress pants and an ironed button up shirt.

I hold my breath as we get into the car and mentally prepare myself for my mother to explode at me. Instead she is tapping away on her phone, probably something work related. She's constantly planning and controlling everything in for her office building. She puts her phone back into her purse.

"So, where is it you're going again? Fairyland?" She asks. She's unusually calm.

I'm caught off guard. "No, uh... It's Disneyland."

"Is that the one with the talking mice?" She asks my father who nods his head. "Six weeks is it? That's a long while to be away from home. I don't think you've been away that long."

She's right. I haven't even been gone for maybe more than a week. But I'm still determined to do this. "No, no I haven't. But I'm eighteen and I can take care of myself. I have enough money saved up to get me where I want to go." I thank god I'm practically getting a full scholarship for college so I don't have to use the money I saved up from birthdays and working random jobs.

"When we get home we can start looking for cheap airlines and places you can stay. I'm sure we can plan this down to the dot." My mother says with a smile that gives me a feeling I'm not sure about.

I don't know what's weirder, the fact that she's suddenly okay with this or that she's helping plan it out. I know she's obsessed with knowing every single detail of everything but this is just odd.

"So... You're okay with this?" I half regret saying that in case she changes her mind but this is too weird.

"No. Not entirely. But if this is what you want then I at least want to know you're doing it right and that you'll be okay. Oh look at that, we're home. Come on sweetie there's a lot to be done." My mother gets out of the car and I follow her into the house, completely bewildered by what just happened.

- Yikes hahahaha. This is lame but who cares-