Forever & Always

Chapter 40

Personally, I think the only people who actually thoroughly enjoy graduation are those select few that get to give speeches. You know, the ones laden with inspirational song lyrics, book quotes that half of the lazy or illiterate people sitting around you don't understand, and pop culture references that practically make you ashamed to be a millennial. As much as I didn't want to admit it, they were kind of enjoyable, sure, but for me, someone who wasn't smart enough or didn't try nearly as hard as the psycho that made valedictorian, but knew would have given a bomb ass speech, it's a painful process to sit back and watch and listen like you're really 100% there mentally. Which, spoiler alert, no one is. 

I sat back and waited for my name to be called, but all the while, whispering snide remarks to Liam about the people as they were called, whether it be about the way they were currently dressed or something about them I had learned about them throughout the year. Being new this year, I didn't know all that much, so Liam offered more specific information than I could have, but either way, it was like a sarcastic ping pong match and it was quite enjoyable. 

"Alright, row 14, it's your turn," Mrs. Roberts said, gesturing for us all to stand up and start to file out towards the stage. 

She looked really pretty in the green dress she was wearing. I followed Liam out into the aisle, where she joined me for a short while before darting back to the next row. 

"Soak it in, Riley," she whispered to me. "This is the beginning of the rest of your life."

We exchanged smiles as my line began to move forward towards the stage. Breathe, girl, breathe. Just don't trip. Everyone in the entire school is watching. And I'm not just saying that: EVERYONE FROM THE ENTIRE FUCKING SCHOOL IS WATCHING. So whatever you do, don't fucking trip.

"Riley Jackson," Dr. White called, somewhat ironically. 

It's not like it had been an easy journey getting to this point. As I successfully made the step up onto the stage without a hitch, I made eye contact with Dr. White for one brief second, and in that look, I saw him smirk slightly and a small twinkle was unmistakably visible in his eye. It actually made me laugh to myself as I accepted my diploma from one of the guidance counselors and made my way off to the side of the stage. 

"Yeah, RI-LEY!" I heard screamed from somewhere in the bleachers. 

I recognized it as Chris's voice and I scanned the audience for him and my mother. Eventually, my eyes fell on him, jumping up and down unconventionally. I waved back and held up my diploma, which made both of them cheer loudly and somewhat obnoxiously. But like Liam said, I had just graduated, there was nothing they could do to me now. I jumped up and down, holding the diploma in my hand like a MMA fighter holds up that big ass belt they win. I even danced a little, not really minding the stares I was getting. I was done with these bitches, never to see them again. If that's how they remembered me, so be it. It would be a fitting way for Riley Jackson to go out in their minds. 

After my diploma, I didn't really pay much attention to the rest of the event. I sat back down next to Liam and got lost in my thoughts. The step had been taken across the threshold of adulthood. Life, here I come. Brace yourself, you indecisive motherfucker. This bitch is crazy, maybe even crazier than you. 

The only thing that could have snapped me out of my internal pep talk was when Dr. White finally arrived at those magical last words. 

"Congratulations to Jefferson High School, Class of 2015!" he called excitedly into the mic, a breath of relief practically palpable in his voice at the end of the statement. 

And together, we all threw our caps into the air, a sign that the whole thing was over. Liam and I bent down to pick up our caps and were almost immediately grabbed by Shane, with Sara and Lacey not far behind. They began to drag us out off the field at a rapid pace, faster than anyone else was moving off of the field.