Buffalo Sem.

chapter 12

That was the first night we shared a bed in what seemed as a long time. I finally got a full night's sleep. Iris was up before me; I knew this because I could feel her move closer to me and lay a kiss on my collar bone. I held her tighter… I never wanted her to leave. I then heard a few giggles. I opened up one eye.

"How the fuck did you guys get in here?!" I screamed.

"Iris gave us a key a couple days back to check on you."

"Well I'm fine, you can go now."

"Geez, what got your panties in a bunch?" sage asked.

"I don't wear panties… we're trying to sleep here."

"Okay darlin' we'll go." Taye stated. She motioned for the girls to leave. I shook my head and closed my eyes once more. I snuggled into Iris once again.

Tomorrow was graduation day… today I would spend it all with Iris. "Riley?"

"Hmm?"

"Marry me."

"What?"

"I said marry me, before you die."

"I told you I'm not planning on dying anytime soon."

"But just in case, marry me after graduation."

"Okay, where's my ring?"

"We can tattoo one on. It'll be just between you and me."

"Okay. I want you to know that when I die only at least grieve over my death for a year and look for someone who is going to make you just as happy as I do. Promise me you'll do that."

"Okay I promise."

-Graduation day-

We would be walking two in a row. I chose to walk with Iris, Joni and Taye would walk together, and Sage and Joy would walk together as well. I was a little late coming to the auditorium… I was elected as valedictorian; this was where I would have to give a speech. I didn't mind. I found Iris and stood next to her. We wore our crimson caps and gowns. The teachers then came and made sure everyone was in their spots. We then walked. One line going to the left and the other to the right.

We would be going to the right. Once everyone was lined up at their chairs we were ordered to take a seat. The principle spoke, and then our class president… she then called me up.

I began to speak"

"My fellow graduates. Over the last four years here at Buffalo Seminary we have learned a lot. Ms. Farwell taught us how to Jargons, Ms. Silversteintaught us that even though we are from two parts of the society we can love each other like in Romeo and Juliet . And Mr. Mercer taught us how to swear in Portuguese, and he taught us the best way to approach a boy at a dance. He also said to me that our greatest fear can be overcome by just the faintest of practice and smiles.

And all of this knowledge will no doubt be valuable as we go forward in life. But I think that the most important thing that we have learned over the last four years is take stage and grow and to thrive for what we want.

Over the next few minutes, I'd like to talk about what we've learned the people we have to thank, and the people we have to remember.

I told you that the most important thing that we learned was to take stage and grow and to thrive for what we want. Let me give you just a couple of examples of what I'm talking about. Our first choir concert of the year I am sure everyone remembers… but Jamie Salas had trouble with a couple songs in order for her to get better she came to me and I literally had to change her whole way of singing. Or in gym class, remember those, Terry Yelm had no idea on how to play volleyball, I then learned from coach Minaz that she stayed after everyday just to help her become better at the sport. That student wide dance where men weren't even aloud but our student president Britany talked to our principle to just change the rules once… we had to raise more money for that. Next, I'd like to take a moment on behalf of myself and my fellow graduates to thank the people that have brought us here.

I would like to thank my parents Joe and Mindy Parker, without them I would not have been here this year. I would then like to thank Mrs Douglass for letting me come here and accomplish my dreams. And yes you Mr. Mercer who gave me a chance to play my little heart out in front of everyone. I would also like to thank My brother, who is no longer with us, without my brother I would have never experience the pain of losing someone, then losing myself that day I got cancer. I would then like to say thank you to Iris Foxx for being the person who showed me what love was.

Finally, I'd like to take a moment to remember our classmates and teachers who are not with us today. To Joe Mendez who was hit by a car on her way to work. To Mindy Hernandez who overdosed a year ago. You will always be in our hearts.

So now we're high school graduates. And soon we're going to be signing each other's yearbooks and saying goodbye. There will be hugs and tears. We'll do our best to stay in touch. But we'll be living our lives and doing our best.

As a final thought going forward, I'd like to leave you with a quote from my great grandfather George Parker. He said, Life will hand you the rough times, but only you can take those rough times and turn them into a way of life.

Thank you all.

I then stepped down from the podium and came back to my seat. Iris grabbed my hands. The first was told to stand and walk to the stage. The group and I were in the second row. We had to wait until the first row had three people left. We then walked to the stage. Joy handed her slip to the lady that was calling out names.

"Joy Montgomery." Joy walked up the steps and over to Mrs. Douglass, shook hands, then walked down the steps with her diploma in her hands. Next is Sage, then Joni, and then Taye as Taye got to her seat Iris was walking across the stage. I was next. I waited and handed my slip to the lady.

"Riley Parker." I walked to Mrs. Douglass and hugged her. I then walked down to my seat. They did the rest of the people and then we were all ordered to move our tassels from left to right. We were officially graduates.

The girls and I walked outside to find our parents. This was the first time my parents ever embraced me since the day my brother died. I looked over at Iris and waited until our friends walked over.

"Hey guys we have something to tell you."

"What is it Darlin'?" Taye asked.

"Iris you wanna tell them?"

"Yeah… so guys, in like two hours Riley and I are getting hitched."

"What?! Congratulations!" they screamed.

"Wait who proposed to who?" Joy asked.

"Iris asked me." I stated.

A/N: so next chapter will be them getting married and so on so forth. The 15th chapter will be the last one so stay tuned for that.