The Boy Next Door

Chapter 39

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『 Chapter 39: Graduation 』

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It's almost the day.

Almost the day every person in school wishes for.

Graduation.

The flashing lights.

The soft proud smile of your parents as you walk to get your diploma.

Major boost point in your ego.

That is...if you actually pass senior year.

We had 400 people graduating this year.

It's gonna take two days just to have everyone walk to get their diploma.

Luckily for me, Slate and I, since we are soccer players and MVP's on the track team, we go first on the second day.

But...we also have to make speeches...

I step out of class and into the locker room. I sit on the bench and take my shoes off.

I see Slate sit next to me with a paper in his hand. He's very concentrated on it. I smile and lay the back of my head on his shoulder looking up at the ceiling.

"Friday we'll be out of here," I say unable to hold back my smile.

He hums and stands up, "I'm struggling here."

I look at him, "your speech?"

He sighs and takes his shirt off putting his jersey on. "My speech." He agrees.

I smile weakly and sigh. "Yeah, do you want me to help you?"

"Did you finish yours?" He asked not even a bit surprised.

"Mmm hmm. I can help you." I smile.

He shrugs but nods his head, "maybe..."

"Okay. After school. We can meet at 4?"

He nods, "that'll work. Are you staying for the track meet?"

I shrug. "Should I? The coach said I can miss this one."

He smiles at me. "I'm not complaining if you do."

I look back up and tie my laces. "Then I will."

He takes my hand and I stand up fixing the bottoms of my Nike shorts.

Slate pulls me towards him and kisses my head. "Come on. We have a few more practices before we are outta here for good."

I laugh, "Come on, captain. We have one last practice. Let's make it good."

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"Today, I stand before friends, family, enemies, and even complete strangers, but what's different today is that I'm beginning something. Starting something new. A new journey into my life. A new path to add to my original. A new story. A story to someday tell my kids. I'm definitely having kids, Slate." I laugh and he grins holding my hand.