Dancing For You

Chapter 4

The last six months have gradually become easier for me to deal with Gavin's death. I've completely healed but the scar from the bullet is a constant reminder of the love Gavin and I shared and how it came to a sudden and tragic end. Tomorrow is graduation and I'm having a hard time with going to this event since we were all supposed to be here together. Gavin's mom is coming to the ceremony with my mom for me but what she doesn't know is that they will be calling Gavin's name and she will be receiving his diploma at the end of the ceremony.

I am currently at the tattoo parlor with Miles, Jax and Adam. I'm having my bullet scar tattooed into a daisy with Gavin's name and birthdate and death date designed into it. Daisy's were Gavin's favorite flower and it'll be in black and white since those were his favorite type of tattoos. Where my scar is I can hide when I'm on stage dancing but I can see it enough in most costumes to remember my promise to him. I'm dancing for him. Jax and Adam are also getting tattoos but Miles is still deciding, he's a little a leery of needles. Jax is getting a solid black flame from his wrist up to his elbow area. Adam is getting his zodiac sign on his left shoulder blade.

Mom wasn't very happy when I told her that since my 18th birthday was a week ago, this is what I'm getting myself for my birthday. She doesn't have an issue who it's for, she doesn't think I should cover it. I want it so this is what I'm doing to honor my lost love. Settling myself in the chair I settle myself as comfortably as I can as the artist places the stencil over my scar. The male artist gives me a raised eyebrow in question.

"My boyfriend died recently protecting me," I say pointing to the scar. "His favorite flower was the daisy and his favorite tattoos were black and whites." The man nods and gives me a small smile in understanding.

Forty-five minutes later my tattoo is done and so is Adam's. Jax is almost finished; I think he's had the funniest reaction to the tattooing. Jax is breathing deeply and tearing up while Adam and I were dozing through most of ours. Miles did get a tattoo; he decided on a small penguin on his left pectoral area, his was done about five minutes before mine and Adam. Twenty-five minutes later Jax is done and the four of us are leaving the tattoo shop with our after-care instructions and we're off to have dinner at a fast food restaurant before the four of us stay the night at my house, we're all sleeping in the living room on the floor in sleeping bags like we did when we were kids.

The next morning my beautiful mom is making us breakfast before we head to the school in preparations for graduation at 11 this morning. Mom is meeting us and Ms. Crawford there for the ceremony around 10:45 a.m. No one except Miles knows that I'm the valedictorian and I have to give a damn speech at the ceremony. I don't want to, I tried to get out of doing so but I was reluctantly talked into it by Miles and the guidance counselor.

Finally it's time for the graduation ceremony to start and I notice mom and Ms. Crawford sitting together with Jax, Adam and Miles' families. When it was finally time for my speech, I'm suddenly nervous. Miles who's sitting a row behind Adam and three rows ahead of me, turns gives me a huge smile and a thumb up just as the principal announces that it's time for the valedictorian to give the final speech before the diplomas are given out.

"Will Mr. Hastings please come up for the final speech?" Mr. Carlson asks. Standing I make my way to the podium to make my speech. During my five minute speech, I glance up at mom and Ms. Crawford who I see both have streams of tears running down their faces. Glancing back at the people in front of me, I find Miles, Jax and Adam and focus on the three of them as I finish.

"In conclusion, remember those who have influenced your life and keep your friends closer for they truly are the most valuable in your life, I know mine are, for if it wasn't because of them I would have never made it through the hardest and most difficult time in my life, when my boyfriend died in my arms." With that I walk back to my seat and sit down with tears threatening to spill over as my three best friends make eye contact with me.