Keep On Hoping

Epilogue

Two years later; graduation day:

                “Dear class of twenty-fourteen, you have made it today. It’s a fantastic journey after today. I just want to say that this has been the best class McKenzie high school has ever received.” After a-while I tuned him out. I was just waiting for his introduction. “So class, I want to give a warm welcome to one of your class-mates Kailee Jackenson.” Everyone applaud as I took my spot in front of the podium.

            I looked out into the field of seniors to find Shane. Once we locked eyes I started. “Thank you Principle Harricks. So class of twenty fourteen. Today is the day!” Everyone cheered. “But before we get to party and celebrate all the hard work we did, I want to tell you my story. Some of you might have heard about it, and others may have no clue about it. First off, it all started when I, wait, before I was born. I was unwanted, and that is what caused the most of everything I went through. My father was an alcoholic and took his anger out on me, causing me to miss days of school, which if I never came out to tell what happened I wouldn’t be here today. Anyways, I had gone through stuff no child had to go through. I lost my mother’s trust when I was only twelve, when my father was raping her and I did nothing, instead I ran away. Actually I started to do drugs, causing me to lose it and the age of thirteen, and I’m so ashamed but age sixteen was the hardest ever for me.”

            “See I had a best friend, and he kind of abandoned me when I chose a stranger over him, but in my mind I thought I did it to protect him. I was sixteen when my father died, which supposably I killed, because I had to defend myself before he killed me. Anyways my  mother kicked me out and I went to go live with the stranger for a few days. During these days I struggled with a drug that relaxed me but caused me to go into crazy hallucinations. It was only a Tuesday morning, and remember that best friend who abandoned me, well he found me while I was sleeping in a park. He held me until I finally woke up. He confessed how much he liked me, and I learned that being with him would only hurt me, that I couldn’t stand him because my mother has gotten to him and will. I lost it. I took the drug so much that the hallucinations started to seem real, and I nearly tried to kill myself, but he was there for me. I never have been so close and so scared, that it made me realize how lucky I was for him. I learned that I love him and if it wasn’t for him to save me and give me the strength I need I would not be here. I would not be graduating with a 4.0, which I had to work extra hard on, and I would not be going to John Hopkins University to study psychology, I learned that maybe talking to someone, it can help, and we all need each other. Therefore I want to say in the next part of your life, look out for one another, we all have secrets, we all need someone, and I want you to be stronger than me, to hold your head high and go through life without a frown. Promise me, we will always stay the best and strongest class ever to graduate McKenzie high! All we got to do is keep on hoping!” And with that I let everyone in silence.

            In the next hour Shane and I graduated. My family was waiting for me, oh did I mention, some family heard my story and wanted to adopt me. It took a-lot of convincing that they would do well for me, so I accepted.

            I had a brother, who was my age named Branton. I kinda knew him before this, but that was only when Shane invited him to hang out. I never spoke to him, but now that were brother and sister I realized he was really cool. His parents keep trying to be overly nice, and try to give me everything I always wanted but I still like to be isolated and usually in my room.

             After graduation Shane’s family and my family went out to dinner. Shane sat across from me next to Branton. Branton would tease him about treating his sister right and if he were to ever break my heart Shane would be dead. I find it funny how Branton is acting like that now, as if he actually cared about me before. But I will not complain.

            After dinner Shane and I walked around our park. We held hands as we just lingered around the lake, just talking random stuff that really I wasn’t paying attention to. He walked me home and on the front steps he leaned and kissed me. His kiss was better than the time in the tree-house. It was amazing, better than ever.

            “Kailee…I love you too.” He whispered as he kissed me again.