Forever and Always

Chapter 22

CHAPTER 22

"I can't believe our senior year is already over," I said to Robin as we were leaving for the graduation ceremony.

"I know. It seems like just yesterday, we were freshman and now, were graduating high school."

Robin and I found our place in line and waited for the ceremony to begin. When they called my name, I walked up on stage and our principle handed me my diploma.

When he shook my hand he said, "I know that you'll do great things in your life."

I smiled and walked off the makeshift stage. I found my seat and watched as everyone else's names were called. I smiled when they called Caleb's name and thought about the next step in our lives and our relationship. Once everyone was seated, our principle prepared to give his speech before handing it off to our valedictorian.

"It's been a long four years for all of you, but it feels like four weeks to me. I've enjoyed watching all of you grow, mature, and prosper. From sports to clubs to school work, all of you have worked hard to earn your diploma. When you hit a bump in the road, some of which were mountains and others pebbles, none of you gave up, but instead you persevered. I'm sad to see all of you go, but I know that you are all excited to take this next step in your lives. With that, I'd like to welcome your 2013 valedictorian."

As always, the valedictorian speech was awfully boring, but once it was over, a round of applause rose up and everyone began to leave. I found my parents and Caleb's parents. They took a few pictures of us before we headed home.

My parents had planned a graduation party and when I got home, I barely had time to take my graduation robe off before people started arriving. I was looking at the photo of Caleb and I from prom night that my mom had framed when Caleb slipped his arms around my waist from behind. 

"We did it," he whipered in my ear. "Were done with high school and nothing will keep me from you."

I laughed a little, but stopped when I heard my mom open the door and say, "Hey Dalton. Come on in." and I'm sure Claeb did too because his grip on my waist tightened and became protective.

I looked at him and said, "Please just go find Nate. Go outside with him for a few minutes and calm down. Please, for me?"

Caleb opened his mouth to argue, but instead, he nodded his head, kissed my cheek and went to find Nate. I sighed and found my mom talkng to Dalton. I said hello to him with a smile and asked my mom if she could help me with my dress upstairs for a minute. I yanked her up the stairs and once my door was closed, I asked, "Why did you invite Dalton?"

"Because I thought you two were friends. You spent a lot of time with him after the accident and even before the accident."

I sighed and asked, "Do you remember when my arm was in a cast?"

"Yes, you slipped and fell," she said, repeating what I had told her.

"I didn't slip and fall. I just told you that so you wouldn't ask questions. Dalton did it, but it doesn't matter how or why. It was an accident, but Caleb still hates him. 

"Oh... Well what are we going to do?"

"Nothing," I said sighing. "I'll try to keep things under control."

My mom and I returned downstairs and I found Caleb and Dalton actually speaking to each other without trying to kill each other. I walked over to them and the first thing Caleb did was wrap his arm around my waist and kiss me longer than he needed to with Dalton standing right there.

"Hey babe," he said.

"Hey... What are you two talking about."

"Caleb was just telling me about the wedding," Dalton said simply.