Saving Max

Chapter 50

"Bella, we need to get in line!" Katie tugs at my gown sleeve, a contagious smile on her face as she pulls me into the crowd of our fellow classmates. I follow her willingly, letting her guide me to wear I need to be as I gaze at all of the faces passing me by. It's crazy for me to think that I've spent the last thirteen years with some of these people, four with all of them, and now it's all coming to an end. We're graduating today.

I feel a unsettling mix of excitement and nervousness settle in my chest as I start to think about what my future holds; how it'll pull me away from these people standing in these halls. The people who've helped me survive these past four years and still make it out alive. A small part of me isn't sure I'll be able to handle life without the two hundred classmates standing around me. A bigger part,though, is ready for the challenge.

I put an end to my thoughts as Katie and I come to a stop, not quite where either of us need to be yet. Our last names are on opposite ends of the alphabet, so after we get into this line we won't be seeing each other again until we're both high school graduates.

Just thinking about it puts a smile on my face and happiness in my heart. I can't believe it's finally happening.

"I love you, girly." Katie plants both of her hands firmly on my shoulders in an intense stare before pulling me into a hug, crushing me against her in the biggest hug I've ever received. Her, more than anybody I think, knows how hard I've had to work this last semester to pass my classes. Since all of my time in the first semester was spent taking care of Max and running from David, I had a lot of making up to do in the last half of the year to get myself college ready. It paid off, though, and I have Katie to thank for it. She was always there to keep me focused and grounded these past few months to keep me on the right track, and I couldn't be more appreciative. I truly have the best friend in the world. "I'm so happy for you!"

We both pull away and let out excited squeals, jumping up and down in our frenzy. "We're finally done here." I breathe out, letting the statement set in between the two of us. "We're graduating!"

"I'm going to miss you in Florida." Katie pouts, looking as if she wants to come and give me yet another hug. The happiness and excitement we shared moments before has faded to the background now as the reality of our future's creeps back into our minds.

I was wondering what my future had in store for me a minute ago, and while a lot might be unclear, one thing is certain: Katie's not going to be a big part of it. We'll still keep in touch I'm sure, and even visit when she comes home for the holidays, but we won't be nearly as close as we are now. How can we be, when she'll be so far away? We'll both be going on with our own lives and fulfilling our dreams, our lives as we know it becoming a distant memory. I'm never going to lose her as  friend, though, that much I know for sure. I won't ever let that happen. Even if we can't talk often, I'm sure our friendship will prevail through it all. We've been through too much to have it disappear.

I smile at Katie as a teacher tells us to get into our lines, the two of us not paying any attention to their remark. "I'll call you so many a times a day that you won't have the chance to miss me, I promise." I assure her, hugging her one last time before sliding myself into the line. She doesn't leave yet, though, still standing next to me in the chaos around us.

"I'm going to hold you to that, Bella." She points a finger in my face, waving it around as if to try and make her point stronger. "But we still have the whole summer to say goodbye, today's supposed to be a happy day. Be happy."

I take her instructions to heart and nod, laughing as she nods back to me on her way down the hallway. She's skipping through the masses of people, but still manages to shout over them in my direction one last message. "And I really hope he comes, Bella! I have my fingers crossed!"