Her Freed Spirit

Graduation Part 2

Andre Harris POV

  All the graduating students are lined up in rows of two as we enter the auditorium where the ceremony will take place. I'm Co Valedictorian along with Nicole so we're one of the first to walk out after the class President and student council. I'm trying to fix the black sash I have for being Valedictorian.

"Do you need help?" A voice asks me from behind. I turn around and see Nicole. I nod yes allowing her to fix the sash. Nicole is cakes in makeup while wearing 8 inch heels under her robe. She's a pretty girl she just believes she's better than everyone else.

"Thanks Nicole." I give her a head nod.

"No need to thank me. I will be fixing your toes every day before work when we both become lawyers and take over your parent's law firm. Then we will have one child because I need to keep my figure. And...." She starts rambling about the life her and our parents have picked out for us.

"Nicole stop. I don't want to heart what you and our parents think my life should be like." A math teacher gives us the signal to begin walking out.

"Look our lives were perfectly planned out and you were fine with things." Nicole voices from behind as we head into the auditorium. Even the sounds of proud families can't drown out her voice.

"I was never fine with things. I just accepted them. I'm not willing to be someone's puppet for the rest of my life." I whisper to her as we take our seats.

"You're giving up a perfectly planned future for what? Sophia is never on our level and never will be. Have you seen her family! They will never amount to anything. She she even worth it?." Nicole raises her voice and I decide to drown her out. I'm not arguing with her about this.

All my life my parents have told me how to look, how to act, what classes to take and who to date just so I will act like I'm better than everyone else. Shit, I did exactly what they said too. I didn't want to get disowned like Joseph. I didn't mind being told what to do because it made everything so simple.

Then I met Sophia and she turned my world upside down. I actually say Sophia for the first time our freshmen year. She was laughing with Tonii and Spenser while walking down the hall. I couldn't help but stare at her. She had this natural beauty about her. Our eyes locked and she gave me a wave. I pretended like my locker was more important and looked away from her. I would see her around school but never talk to her. She has her friends and I had my place amongst the honor society. But hearing her talk to herself the first day of our senior year, something inside me wanted her attention.

So what did I do? I called her an airhead of course. I didn't expect her to snap on me like she did but hey, look where we are now. Seeing how free and loving Sophia was made me want to follow my own dreams. I'm just not sure if I will be able to.

"Family and friends, we are here today to celebrate the graduating class of Middleton High. Today we will watch these students take a major step towards the rest of the lives. Some will attend college and Universities while others will join our armed forces. Either way we are here to celebrate you and everything you all have accomplished." Principal Aaron Richards says into the mic making out audience clap. I zone out after some more burning speeches from the Assistant Principal and some school board members. I zone back in when Nicole's name is called to speak.

The audience claps for her while some students join in also. I feel my phone vibrate and reach into my pants pocket for it.

Spenser: I can tell this speech about to be some bull shit.

Me: Tell me about it.

I laugh after texting him and put up my phone.

"Thank you all for being here to celebrate our graduation. I am Co Valedictorian and I have earned every right to be. I'm smarter than every other student who is graduating today. I'm apart of five horror clubs and have been accepted to Stanford University to major in law. I will become a lawyer while most of you will still be in this city flipping burgers. I want to leave you with the message that you should never strive to be your best because I will always be better than you. Thank you." Nicole takes a seat on stage. Awkward claps come from the audience while I hear her parents loudly cheering for her. Students start to whisper about her speech.