The rest of April and most of May went by like nothing. Mark and I didn't really talk that much, only because I felt weird around him now. A devoted kind of love like that kind of freaked me out. Of course I couldn't just drop Mark, he was and STILL is my best friend, but with the truth out it made it very hard to see him the same. I mean, I would definitely miss out little outings shopping and doing girl things, but at least I would still have him.
My little Malibu that I got from my mom and dad just a day ago was running in the drive way as I ran inside to grab my camera. I had to stop and look at the pictures that were sitting on the small table next to the couch. They were a collection of me and Addison growing up. A single tear ran down my cheek as I realized that I am really growing up. I wiped it away before I ran outside.
As I jumped into my car, I looked over at my cap and gown and found a letter sitting on top of it. I looked around to see if anyone was around but didn't see anyone. I picked up the letter and seen Marks hand writing on the flap. A smile swept across my face as I read 'don't open till you get to the school!' I laid the letter back on my cap and put the car into reverse.
When I got to the school the parking lot was packed. I parked in the last row of the student parking and grabbed my cap and gown. I then opened the letter, I sat quietly as I read a letter that moved me yet scared me.
Aiyana,
I can't express my feelings to you in person. I can't live with the guilt of lying to you, but yet I don't want to lose you. Please believe me when I say that I never wanted to hurt you, and the day that I told you that I love you, I meant it. I truly love you from the bottom of my heart. And even though you may not feel the same as I do, just know that I am always here for you. Through thick and thin.
Today marks the 10th year that I've known you and I couldn't be any happier that I am your friend. So let's make this day the best day of our lives. So let's walk down the isle to our ending of our school lives and the beginning of a whole new adventure!
Love Mark
I dropped the letter into my lap. Tears were streaming down my face as I sat and stared out the window. He really knows how to get to me. Damn him, damn him and his words of fricking wisdom. I pulled down the visor and fixed my makeup before I got out of the car and started to walk towards the school. All the feelings I was having from graduation and Mark were mixing together, I didn't know if I was scared more of graduating or seeing Mark. I took a deep long breath before I swung open the front high school doors and walked in.
Everyone was running around in there blue gowns, talking to family members and friends discussing graduation and things after graduation. I over heard Scott Grate say something about a graduation after party at his lake cabin later on tonight, but I didn't want to stick around to hear where his lake cabin was at. I started to look around for my mom and Addison. It took me a few minutes just to get to the cafeteria which was just as packed as the hallways. I grabbed a chair that was near a table and stood on top of it.
"MOM! ADDISON! WHERE ARE YOU?"
I seen a hand go up way in the back of the cafeteria, I jumped off my chair and made my way to them. Mark was there along with his parents. I couldn't help but run to Mark and jump into his arms. The tears started to fill up my eyes as I whispered into his ear.
I LOVE YOU TOO.
Marks arms wrapped around me tightly. He gave me a light little kiss on the cheek before he put me down. I wiped the tears from my face and started to laugh as I faced my mom.
"Sorry I'm just so excited!" I said through my tears and laughter.
"Oh honey its ok" my mom started to cry too.
I gave her a hug the moment I seen a tear run down. We stood there holding each other crying like a bunch of babies for a few seconds before I felt another pair of arms wrap around me. I figured it was Mark but when I turned around, it was my dad. I jumped into his arms to give him a hug. His bear like arms wrapped around me.
"Well hello dear!"
"Your really here dad!" I yelled
"Well of course it's my little girls graduation, I wouldn't miss this for the world" he put me down and kissed my forehead.
Now the tears really streamed down as I looked at my once to be family in front of me. I couldn't have been happier then I was at that moment.
It was a half hour till show time, and we were getting in our positions to walk down the isle. Mark and I were walking down together. My nerves were getting the best of me as I stood there shaking, and holding on to Marks hand.
"Aiyana, its fine honey. Just calm yourself down. This is just a small stepping stone in life that is going to be awesome and only because we are together. Ok?"
I shook my head yes. The moment the lines started to move, I squeezed his hand harder.
Moments like this, are the moments I like to take a mental photo so I will remember them later. The way he looked at me when we walked into view of everyone was magical. It was the same way he looked at me when we first tried to learn how to kiss in my grandma's backyard when we were 10 yrs old. Exactly how he looked at me when we went to prom together our junior year, and the same way he looked at me when he expressed his love for me. I sincerely felt loved at that moment. Nothing else mattered to me. It was just me and him. I finally knew my answer, I did love him. Truly and deeply loved him, the same way he loved me.
Graduation went by smoothly; Mark stared at me the whole time even when he walked up to the podium. I luckily didn't fall when I walked up, and the speeches were short and to the point. Even Allison our valedictorian, didn't take long. We took off our caps and threw them. The moment my cap was out of my hand, Mark gave me a kiss. This kiss was amazing; now that I knew that I loved him back it didn't feel wrong. It was so right.
Our families all went out to eat at the local pizzeria and after me and Mark took off. We ended up going to Scott's cabin and stayed at Marks cabin that night. The candle lit porch was so romantic; and the way the moon looked on the lake was gorgeous. It was a perfect ending to a perfect day.
