Rainbow in the Darkness

Epilogue

It's graduation day, a day that I thought would never come. After I got shot, my whole life changed. My ex-friends got caught and got suspended. I got my best friend back and Derrick and I are still going strong. All three of us have been hanging out a lot since that day. We are actually going on a road trip before we all go off to college.

After the shooting, Derrick and I become pretty popular. Everyone smiled at us and would talk to us, but we never acted like we were popular. We were just very friendly people and talked to everyone. Lena was also included in our little group, along with some other friends we made along the way. You could say that we ran the school, but that would be false. We didn't run the school; we just simply made sure everyone felt included in our school.

"So the day has finally come, where we all leave each other to start a new chapter in our lives," Derrick said, look out at all our fellow classmates. Him and I were voted to give speeches at the graduation ceremony. "Now some of us might want to get this ceremony over with and never talk to anyone here any more, but I ask you to just take in this moment. Look around at you and see all the students who you have shared this part of your life with. We, the whole student body, have gone through a lot together. Whether you want to admit it or not, you will look back at high school and think about all the fun times you have had here at this school. But if you wouldn't mind just experiencing this last thing with me."

I had read over his speech multiple times, but did not recognize this part. He must be improving. "Now I know Abigail and I were chosen to give a speech today, but I shouldn't even be up here. Abigail is the strongest person I know. She has gone through bullying and come out stronger. Heck, she even got shot! I do not know a stronger woman and I am happy to call her my girlfriend. It should be her just giving a speech, but I couldn't pass up an opportunity to embarrass her."

He got up and walked over to where I was sitting on the stage. He had something up his sleeve and I had a feeling that I would be beat red after this. "What are you doing?" I whispered.

"You'll see," he whispered back.

He cleared his throat. He was nervous. "So, Abi, you are probably wondering why I brought you up here when it isn't even your turn to speak."

I nodded.

"Now I know I said before that most people will want to just get this over with and never talk to anyone here, but that isn't what I want to do with you. I want to keep talking to you way after this ceremony. We have been put through a lot this year, but we have also been through some great times together. You know I love you and even though we will only be going to college a half an hour away from each other," he said, reaching into his pocket, pulling out a ring, "I would like to give you this promise ring, knowing that one day I will replace this ring with a wedding ring. So what do you say Abi? Will you wear this promise ring?" I could tell he was nervous waiting for my answer, which was stupid since he should know my answer. I decided to have a little fun and make him even more nervous. I grabbed the microphone from him.

"What I've learned in the past year is that friends are very important in you life. They will help you through the tough times in your life. Derrick has helped me through a lot this year, as you all probably know." The students let out a chuckle, letting me know that they didn't mind our little conversation in front of everyone. "Derrick is my best friend and I love him very much." I turned towards Derrick. "So I will give you my answer, if you give me yours." I held up the promise ring I had gotten for him. "You see we are truly best friends. We even think a like, so if anyone here knows my answer, it would be you, Derrick. So what do you think my answer is?"

Derrick was shocked at first, but then was laughing. He reached out and pulled me in for a kiss. The audience aw-ed and cheered for us. After a sweet and innocent kiss, Derrick pulled back and whispered, "My answer is a thousand times yes. I love you, Abigail Becker."

"I love you, too, Derrick Telinston."

Derrick and I put on each other's rings and turned to the crowd. "So now if you wouldn't mind standing, we would like to congratulate our fellow students. We have made it this far with friends by our side, so continue on this next chapter knowing you have friends by your side. Congrats my fellow classmates!"

A sea of caps formed above the students. We had all made it through the year. Derrick pulled me into a hug. Everyone was cheering and yelling, but I just focused on one thing, the man my arms, my rainbow in the darkness, the man that helped me see that even in the darkest times there is always something beautiful to be seen.