Color Me (under construction).

29. Unspoken Promise

Everything was coming full circle as Beau sat in the crowd of graduates. She hasn't spoken to Lillian or any of her other friends since Calvin, and that was pain she learned to swallow. Before the ceremony kicked off, Lillian stood before her fellow students at the podium. Usually, the Valedictorian would give a good speech about the past and looking forward, now, to the future. Except, the honor was passed to Lillian as she spoke with a heavy heart.

"I'm probably the last person who should be up here giving any sort of speech. For the past four years I have been cruising through with a B average while simultaneously half-assing assignments. Sorry Ms. Wursch, the civil war is just not my jam. But here I am, and here we are, graduating. To be honest, I never thought I'd have to experience this achievement alone. But here I am, and here we are." Her eyes sought out Beau's among all the others. A softness resting in place of tears.

She gave a sad smile. "During this painstaking end, we lost a prized member of our student body. My best friend, a friend to many, and my boyfriend. He held the world in the palm of his hands, cradled it and loved it, and the world took him for granted. We will always miss you, Calvin Rhodes and I will always love you. Today we graduate and move forward into bigger and better things. Today we toss our grad caps into the air with promises of continuous prosper. For ourselves, our parents, and for Calvin, because here I am and here we are."

Everyone clapped as Lillian stepped away from the stage, making her way through the crowd. She made a beeline for Beau and as she got closer Beau stood. They fell into each other, held together in tight embrace. A body ran up from the side, colliding into them with long arms folding around them. Reece held onto his friends as they all shared a moment. Everyone was silent for them, moving to give them space. Once they release each other, the graduation continued until every student received their diploma.

It took about three hours to get through everything. Afterward, John joined Beau and her parents for a family dinner. Her hand held firmly in his, a gentle squeeze exchanged every few minutes. It was all smiles and laughs as her parents relived some old memories from her younger years. A happy sadness to cover the fact that their baby is all grown up into a strong young woman. Now before them sat beside a man that loves her endlessly, the two forever fighting for each other. They were equal, both sharing the same love and passions for one another.

Beau accompanied John to his house for the night. Following his body through the familiar layout. As she stole a moment to herself alone in the bathroom, John disappeared into the bedroom. Beau peered at herself in the mirror, whispering a delicate thank you to the boy who refused to trade places. She felt aged, even though she was almost 20. She had seen too much of the world that was meant to be hidden.

Her hand hovered over her stomach, shakey and nervous. As she pressed her hand flushed against herself, her eyes fluttered close. "We've got a lot to discuss when you're older," she promised.

There was a careful knock on the door, John's head popping in from the gap. He saw Beau standing there, eyes closed and smiling. With his own grin, he stepped behind her to wrap his arms around her. His jaw rested on her shoulder as he covered her hand with his. Beau was watching John in the reflection of the mirror, her eyes shone with a new depth. No longer had they been dull in comparison to his. Big and beautiful; full of light and unspoken promises for the new life they were planning to lead.

John's murmer in her ear soothed her bones and ignited her soul, "Will you move in with me?"

She did not speak, she didn't have to. One look in her eyes and John knew her answer. Her smile was wide as she nodded once. His hands fitted on her hips, spinning her to face him. The light giggle that escaped Beau's lips danced around them and John lifted her onto the sink. She grabbed either side of his face, planting a lingering kiss to his pink lips. As they were pressed against one another, a serene feel ran through Beau's body. It was all over, no more trouble, just her and her family home together at last.