On the Run

Chapter 9: Haven't I heard the wife is always right?

*Eight months later*

I woke up confused .My eyes were tingly and a bit hard to move, as though I had cried a lot before I fell asleep, but I couldn't quite recall why. There was something really important today...but what? I reached out next to me, and hit something warm and squishy. "Oomph. Thanks Scar. That's exactly how I like to wake up,"Alex's voice said sleeply, though it was was muffled by...my hand. Oops. I was about to ask him what today was, as I was drawing a blank, when the door flew open with a tremendous bang.

"You two need to get up! Especially you Scarlett. Don't you want to look your best, today of all days?" Stcay was beaming at us proudly, mother hen look in her eyes, but my mind was still foggy.

"Sorry, but what's today again?" She practically skipped to the closet and pulled up two sets of a cap and gown. Oh, right. Graduation was today, and we had to be at the school by two for-wait, TODAY? What happened to first grade, and nap time? Orsnack time? Like hello, animal crackers are the greatest joy in life.

"Wow, Scar. We actually made it! We're done! We're starting college soon," Alex's voice faded to a whisper. I started to tear up; the time had passed so quickly! What had happened, that the little, goofy boy I met in seventh grade, had grown up, and was a man now? When had I stopped being a child? I don't have enough fingers and toes combined to count how many times I was told this would happen, but it still sneaks up on you. One day you're walking in as a shaking freshman, your biggest worry getting trashcanned by an annoying older prat, and the next they throw this at you, and you've had to decide your college, major, living situation; it's a whirlwind.

Stacy helped me get ready all morning, although we kept getting interrupted by calls from all the girls freaking out (but only two hypervantilations, so it could've been worse), and Alex barging in to say random things (Apparently yogurt and carrots is a good combination? Ew. Never happening). Eventually we got my hair, redyed many times throughout the year and partially grown, though still not nearly at its former glory, to curl perfectly and stay, and my makeup done just right to match my outfit (this woman can work miracles with the face), along with my blue cap and gown.

She kept crying, dabbing at her eyes and saying how sad she was that we were going off to college, but I promised myself I wouldn't cry about ANYTHING until I had that diploma in hand. The sight of myself all grown up was almost too much for my tear ducts, but I had already made that vow.

 "And don't worry," I reassured Stacy,"we'll be back during holidays, and long after that, of course. You guys have been the perfect parents to us during our time of dire need, and we love you just as much as we do our biological parents." That just made her cry harder, but in a good way. Or so she said, but is you ask me, the way her body was heaving with sobs didn't seem peasant at all.

Once we arrived we were sorted in alphabetical order, like kindergarten all over again, but without the desperate vying for line leader and door holder. Rob, Tiff, and I were all tied for valedictorian, but we decided that Rob should give the speech; he was the best at speaking, giving encouragement, relating to people, and making them emotional in general, so he was perfect for the job. The principal spoke her piece, and then unexpectedly, Pastor Allan went up to say a word.

"It has been my pleasure watching all of you grow up, although I know there are a few exceptipons who arrived all throughout the last few years, but even you I have grown very attatched to. Every one of you started out high school so confused, and unsure of what you wanted to do forever, or who you wanted to be, which is of course a weighty decision by any means, and likely the most difficult one you'll ever make, but you've all matured, and become amazing, intelligent young men and women, whom I'm sure will be very prominent members of society, constantly improving the world in which we live. I am so very proud to be able to say I know you all." All the parents started sobbing sparratically as we gave him a round of applause, while Rob walked up to the stage.