You And I: On Tour

Connor X

The auditorium was silent as we waited for the principal to start talking. From where I was sitting, I could just see Troye if I turned to my left a little and I caught his eye, smiling at him. He grinned back and mouthed 'I love you'. I copied him before turning my attention back to the stage.

"Good afternoon students, friends and family. Today is a special day for you young people. Today is your last here at our school..." He continued on for ages, talking about how every moment of the last few years had led to this and how our futures were bright.

Then we had more speeches from various teachers, bringing up highlights from our four years at the school. The valedictorian gave her speech too, before finally we were led over to the side of the room and the first names were called up to collect our diplomas.

From the corner of my eye, I could see my family watching intently as I got closer to the stage. When each of my friends walked across, I cheered for them along with the others in our group.

As the girl in front of me began to walk across the stage, my heart started pounding and my vision went a little blurry. My legs felt like jelly as I took my first step up towards the stage. I could feel my breathing coming in short bursts but I kept my eyes trained in front of me, not wanting to look at the watching crowd.

"Mr Connor Franta." The principal called my name and I spun my head to look at Troye who was wearing a worried expression until he realised I was looking at him. The expression faded and he gave me a thumbs up, blowing me a kiss. That was all I needed to give myself the confidence to cross the stage and collect my diploma from the principal, tossing the little tassel on my hat to the other side.

I heard my friends and family cheering for me, Troye's voice cutting through them all. I grinned in the general direction of my family and hurried off the stage into the waiting arms of Jim, Tanya, Alfie and Marcus. We stood together to watch the rest of our friends, hugging them when they joined us.

All too soon, the ceremony was over and we were officially graduates. We each met up with our parents to get their congratulations before meeting as a group again. Alfie, Marcus and Tanya had all driven their own cars so we split up between the three cars, heading to one of Troye's little cafes that he found. Troye and I joined Zoe in Alfie's car. Marcus drove Niomi, Tyler and Kayla. And Tanya took Jim, Caspar and Joe

"So are you two planning anything special to celebrate?" Alfie asked as he drove, glancing at Troye and I in the rear view mirror. I felt my face heat up but Zoe slapped his arm and scolded him.

"Alfie! Leave them alone."

"What? It was just a question."

"Well, we're not going to answer your question." Troye retorted, sticking his tongue out at his friend. I stayed silent, knowing that the heata in my face was confirmation enough for Alfie that Troye and I actually were planning to celebrate tonight, just the two of us. "Would you like it if I asked what you two are doing tonight?"

"Troye!" Zoe cried.

"He started it." Troye replied. Zoe just rolled her eyes and the car fell silent for the last five minutes of the trip.

When we got to the little cafe, we found Jim, Tanya, Caspar and Joe already inside, pushing a few tables together. They were getting some glares from the cafe staff, obviously thinking they'd have to move the furniture back when we left. I made a mental note to make sure we put everything back where it had been.

"How did you guys get here so fast?" Alfie asked, rushing over to help Tanya with one of the tables.

"My car was parked close to the exit so we didn't have to wait very long to get out of the parking lot." She explained.