Just Keep Swimming

Chapter 18

~One Year Later~

~Graduation Day~

     We sit in the auditorium and wait. Katie and I on our phones ready to video tape everything. We have the best seats. not to close, but not to far, AND no one tall is in front of us. As we sit silently and stare at the stages, we hope to see a glimpse of one of the boys. 

     The lights dim and a couple spot lights turn on. The principal comes out and goes to the podium. He stands there and smiles. Everyone quiets down and Katie and I start to record.

"Hello," he says," Today our seniors will finally be our 2016 graduates."

     Everyone starts to applause, whop, or shout. The principal raises his hand and silents swoops in. He takes a deep breath before continuing. 

"Let's bring out our senior class," He announces," Maya Anderson..."

     Everyone cheers as he reads each name in alphabetical order."

"...Cameron Bushey..."

"WHOO, YAY CAMERON!," I scream.

     He looks into the crowd, searching for me. When he finds me, we make instant eye contact. He takes his diploma and blows a kiss my way. I blush and catch it. They continue listing names.

"...Theodore James..."

(Quick A/N: THEO JAMES IS HOT! IF YOU DON'T KNOW WHO HE IS LOOK HIM UP... NOW!!!)

      Now we wait for Brandon and Jackson to be called. 

"...Michael Long..."

"...Jackson Morgan..."

      Katie stands up and screeches at the top of her lungs. I laugh and clap. Jackson steps out from behind the curtain, laughing. I get her to settle down and sit back in her seat. He goes over to where the rest of the students are and wait. 

"...Nicole Richards..."

"...Faith Samson..."

"...Eric Walker..."

"...Benjamin Zarko," the principal continues," Here is our Class of 2016!"

       Everyone stands and howl out names, cheer, and applause. Everyone except for us. Why wasn't Brandon called? I look over at Katie, who is already staring at me. 

"Brandon wasn't called?," I whisper.

"No," she replies," His last name in the W's or closer to the end, right?"

"Yes, I believe so," I answer," Brandon Word."

     We shrug and applaud with the crowd. 

~~~

     The graduates walk off the stage, toward their family and friends. We wait longer. The boys were taking their sweet time. When they finally came down from the stage, they were surrounded by their other friends. We waited a couple feet away. When their friends finally brake away, we walk over and hug them. 

"Congrats Graduates of 2016," We say," How does it feel?"

"Eh," Jackson says,"I feel the same."

"Yeah," Cameron says," But now I can say I'm not a kid anymore. I'M OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL!"

"No," Jackson comments," WE are out of high school!"

~~~