The Only Exception

   There it was. It was the end...of everything. The end of high school. I was looking around me and everyone was hugging and crying. I began to look at my robe and pinch myself, "No, this isn't real. I'm a sophomore, damn it! I'm a sophomore. I'm not ready. No.." 

   I was began to fill disappointed because I was a senior. I graduated. I was beginning to panic. I was very good at that. Throughout high school I would have this achy feeling and, now, it actually happened. I wanted to cry. I didn't know if I would say 'Goodbye' or not. They won't talk to me the next day. It was a rough thought but it was the cold truth. I was preparing myself for this...but I guess I wasn't really.  I was trying to think positive. "All the hard work paid off now. Now, I have be an adult...Great!" 

  My friends were talking to me and taking pictures. My parents were smiling and crying sating, "Awe, sweetie, you'll always be our baby." And it was true. My friends would never invite me to things because I was still "The Baby." I got used to the fact of being cooped up in house that it didn't bother me as when I was younger. 

   "Can Bri..go to a party," asked my friend Jasmine. I looked at Jasmine funny because she knew the damn answer and yet she asked again, "C'mon. It's her last year. One more wonderful moment with her lovely friends!? Please?"

   I was very serious but using my fake smile. But my group of friends were carrying me and dancing on me in  front of my parents. My parents are very traditional. I was embarrassed to be myself at the moment in front of them. 

"...Well, maybe. We're going to take her out somewhere anyways..So," said my mom. I was very surprised with her answer in front of my dad. My dad, as usual, didn't say anything. Just grinned. At first my dad didn't want to go because my grandpa didn't go to his. So, he had to follow the circle.

"Oh yay," said Jasmine as her boyfriend came to hug her. After they hugged for a very long while, she finally said,"Ok, I'll just call you for the details about the party. It's going to be awesome, Bri. Your first--and last-- high school party!" 

    It was pretty interesting to me because of a party she couldn't finish high school. She got pregnant at freshman year and made all her credits up for this exact moment. So at the moment, I was thanking my parents for letting me go to parties because I have intense hormones. So I would be considered a whore right now. "That's being shelter for you," I thought to myself. 

    I was still talking to my old classmates for a while until my mom was calling me about my whereabouts. I was walking and moving people for my "surprise" with my family. I hung up on my mom when I saw my balloons. I began to smile but inside I felt like if I was frowning. I noticed that I didn't really want to leave. I shook my head and tried to look ahead and think positive. 

  Someone touched my hand. "Bri," I knew that voice. Even though, I forgot it--or at least tired to. I turned back, "...Caleb..."

"Bri, you look beautiful..,"  he was blushing. I was getting mad at for all these years of bullshit. I wanted to rant at him, but I stopped myself. I couldn't make this worse. No one can. 

"Oh, thanks, Caleb. Listen, I got to go. My folks are waiting for me--"

"Can I least have a hug though?"

"...Ummm, what about your girlfriend?"

"It doesn't matter. You're my friend. She wouldn't care." He came close to me with open arms. My body came towards him naturally. I began to hug him. He hugged him tighter and longer. I did the same. I began to cry. Not because it was the last time I would have the same hug from the same person..but the fact I cared for someone who doesn't care. If I couldn't love him as a lover...I could only love him as a friend. 

    My phone began to vibrate on his neck, "Oh, shit," I wiped my face. He saw me cry and he wiped them off for me and kiss my forehead. He whispered something to me but I couldn't hear him it was too loud. 

    He was rubbing my hand with his thumb. I began to walk my way and he went his way to his girlfriend and her family. I looked back and he was looking towards her. He made it worse. 

    And til this day I felt like I would see him again. And he would bullshit me again. 

   I don't think I would be ready for him. I never was. And I don't think I will ever be.