Marching Band: The Journey [EDITING]

31 - Graduation

*Angela's POV*

Tony and I sag in relief as we pull up to Carson's house. There are police cars and officers flooding the yard. I jump out, my eyes searching for Em. She's sitting on the front steps of his house, a blanket wrapped around her shoulders. A few feet away is Carson speaking to an officer. I rush over to her, wrapping her in a comforting hug. She relaxes completely.

Before we can start catching up, Carson and the officer walks over. I stand up next to Tony, giving Carson room to sit next to Em. The officer flips his notepad closed, looping his thumbs into his belt as he starts.

"You kids helped us take down a major drug cartel, thank you. There is a reward which you can accept in the morning. For now, you should all get some rest." He says, sending us all a small smile. With a nod, he turns to leave.

"What's going to happen to Mr. Woodbridge?" I ask hastily, causing the officer to stop and turn back.

"That's between me and Carson. However, it's up to him to inform the rest of you." The officer states, walking away briskly to his car. He and the other officers drive away, leaving all of us in the darkness.

"Let's get some sleep and we can talk tomorrow." Tony says, throwing his arm over my shoulders. "Carson, you and your family can stay at my house for a while until everything gets settled."

Carson nods silently, helping Em to her feet. We all separate to our designated vehicles. There is a lot on everyone's minds right now. But sleep in pulling at us relentlessly.

-

Graduation day. It was finally upon us. 

After the drama unfolded on Wednesday night, we skipped the rest of the week besides rehearsals at the coliseum. Carson and Em went to the police department to submit evidence against his father and collect the reward. Against Reese and Ethan's whines, we refused to accept the money from Carson. He needed it for his family. So he used it to schedule his mother for some treatments.

To help, Tony and I cleaned his families trailer and redesigned it. We got rid of any trace of his father in the process. Carson and his family returned to their home on Friday, thankful for the love we've shown.

Now it was Saturday; the big day. Excitement was bubbling in the air as all of our school's seniors and their families flooded the coliseum. Carson's mother couldn't make it due to her treatment, but we surprised both of them with a video call. They spent some time talking before my mother took his side of the call with her into the stands to watch the graduation. Tony's mom volunteered to bring along his sister and brother so they could see the ceremony.

All the seniors were fixing their appearances. Girls doing touch-ups on make-up. Boys straightening ties. Hanging their gowns off their shoulders. Settling their caps on their heads. Both girls and boys complaining about their hair getting ruined. I've been running between trying to convince Phillip not to leave, stopping Reese and Ethan from causing mayhem, calming Em down with the help of Carson, and helping Tony remember his speech.

When a teacher calls for us to get in order, the graduating class scrambles to stand in our designated lines. Once everyone's in alphabetical order, we're hushed. I can hear our principle greeting friends and family for this momentous occasion. How it was a gateway to the rest of our lives. After his blubbering, it was time for us to walk out. While we strutted down the aisle between two grid patterns of chairs, the band played Pomp and Circumstance, the traditional song. I smiled proudly even though they couldn't see me since I was at the back.

A video of our years at school played. Memories from football games and pep rallies, assemblies and concerts, and even just sitting in class. Every sight of anything related to band and marching band, I cringe. Somehow, a picture of me and Tony in a lip-lock makes it into the slideshow. I'm in my marching uniform and my marching-band-bun is not the best. He's in his jersey and pads, helmet hanging from the hand that isn't cupping my cheek. The focus is on us, the crowd around us a blurry mess. Of course, the crowd whoops and whistles.

When the video comes to an end with a bunch of seniors saying bye to a camera, the principle steps back up to introduce the valedictorian. Tony stands and ascends the few stairs onto the stage earning tons a cheers when he shoots a smile to the audience. His speech was already printed on the paper on the podium, but he wanted to memorize it. It's better to keep eye contact.

"To fellow graduates and their friends and family, welcome to what our principle might consider a momentous occasion. And yes, I wrote this in advance." He starts, earning a rumble of chuckles from the crowd. "Some might consider our graduating class rowdy and unsure, but I think we are full of undiscovered talent. When we're called across this stage and they state what college or university we are attending, it's okay if they don't mention one. Because it's okay if you don't know what you want to do. Take some time, figure out who you are, and then make a decision. Don't feel pressured or disappointed."

A lot of people, mainly the students, start clapping and cheering during his speech. It got progressively louder to where he had to pause. I watch from my seat as his eyes gaze over everyone in appreciation. When his eyes meet mine, I wink. He chuckles softly.

"This is our year, our day, and our life. We can and should make the decisions we want to make. When it comes down to it, it's our future ahead of us. Not our parents'. So when a fellow classmate walks across this stage with not a word about college, we should clap and cheer louder than our families do for ourselves. Because not only are we a mass to reckon with when it comes to a water balloon fight, but we support each other unconditionally."

The whole entire senior class hoots and hollers at the mention of the water balloon fight. Some of the teachers freeze and glance around warily. They eventually settle down when the principle sends a stink eye. Carson and I are turning red from not being able to laugh.

"We went out with a bang this year. Water balloon fight in the auditorium. Showering the first hall in balloons, a trampoline break before lunch, and raining the last hall in confetti. Our underwear run. Concerts during lunch. A surprise paintball-gun fight. All of these events express who we are not only as a group, but individually. And that's the best way to live. With individuality."

The parents join in with this round of cheers and clapping. The entire coliseum was filled with laughter.

"Do you know what individuality means? It means: the quality of a person that distinguishes them from others of the same kind. We are alike in many ways, but we also differ, or contrast from each other. So once we have our diplomas, and we're marching towards the future, I want us to remember what makes us, us. I want you to be able to point anyone out and list how you are alike and how you are different. And, eventually, you'll find your true self."

Once again, it's all claps and cheers, hoots and hollers. Everyone is on their feet as Tony takes a step back from the podium. He did this. He got everyone together. The principle shakes his hand before Tony resumes his seat. And the graduating commences.

We have a graduating class of over five hundred. That's a lot of people to list, shakes hands, and pass out diplomas. Everyone gets called, not a mispronunciation once. Usually it's first and last name with the occasional middle name. Most just want to collect their diploma without even stepping a toe on the stage, me included.  When I get called, I zoom through the regular pleasantries to get to the band since we pass them while walking back to our seats. I get a hug from Austin and Farrior, and even Bell is here. Saluting to my band family, and sending a wink to my freshmen -- whose now a junior -- and return to my seat with Carson pushing me along. A few more people were called after me, and then it was time for the closing announcements.

"I personally would like the thank everyone who attended this year's graduation. It's been an excellent year with all of these wonderful students. I'm positive when I say I'm not the only one that will miss them. And now, it's the time you've all been waiting for." The principal goes on, making me anxious in my seat. "Seniors, you may now move your tassel to the left."

There is a whole lot of unnecessary shuffling while we all basically throw it on the other side.

"I may now present, the graduating class of 2018!"

~~~

One more.

O.O

~Lotus