Kiss It Better

Part 1: Perfect ~ Chapter 3 (June 2014)

Well I found a woman, stronger than anyone I know. She shares my dreams, I hope that someday I'll share her home. I found a love, to carry more than just my secrets — to carry love, to carry children of our own. We are still kids, but we're so in love. Fighting against all odds, I know we'll be alright this time. Darling, just hold my hand. Be my girl, I'll be your man. I see my future in your eyes.

"Now that all the graduates have received their diplomas, it is my pleasure to call Miss Luisa Alver, our Miami High Graduating Class of 2014 Valedictorian, up to the podium for her speech." The principal said, stepping aside for Luisa to walk up.

"You got this, Lu." Rose said, giving her a smile and a squeeze on the hand.

"I know, Ro." Luisa said, squeezing back and then letting go to walk up.

"Miami High," Luisa began, "it's certainly been an adventure with all of you. We've all had our ups, downs, and turn-arounds. There were times where everything just fell into place and times where everything that could go wrong, went wrong. These past few weeks have seemed like they took forever to pass. It's been a lot on us, but you can ease up on yourselves now. We did it. Have some compassion for yourself, as well as others. There is no such thing as perfection, and life is not a race. Fear is going to be a player in your life, but it's up to you to decide how much. You can spend your whole life imagining ghosts and worrying about your pathway to the future, but all there will ever be is what's happening here and the decisions we make in the moment, which are based in either love or fear. So many of us choose our path out of fear disguised as practicality. What we really want seems impossibly out of reach and ridiculous to expect so we never dare to ask the universe for it. Screw fear. Follow your passion. Stay true to yourself and never follow someone else's path — unless you're in the woods and you're lost, and you see a path, then by all means you should follow that path. Get out there and go for it, don't be caught waiting. Whatever happens, it's happening now. So live your life where the action is and go now. Making interesting mistakes, make amazing mistakes, make glorious and fantastic mistakes. Break the rules. Leave the world more interesting than you found it. Miami High Graduating Class of 2014, it's been a pleasure with all of you and I hope you reach all of your goals. This isn't 'goodbye', just a little 'see ya later'."

Luisa stepped down from the podium and went back to her seat as the entire stadium clapped.

"That was beautiful, Lu." Rose whispered.

"Well, I did spend like three months writing and rewriting it so I'm glad everyone liked it."

"That was a very lovely speech, Miss Alver." The principal said, taking their stance at the podium once more. "Now, it is my pleasure to call Miss Rose Ruvelle, our Miami High Graduating Class of 2014 Salutatorian, up to the podium for her speech." The principal said, stepping aside for Rose to walk up.

"Hey, you got this, Ro." Luisa gave her smile. "It's not as scary as it seems."

"If you say so." Rose grabbed her paper and set it on the podium, smoothing it out and clearing her throat.

"Hello everyone," Rose nervously smiled, "I am probably just as surprised as about seventy percent of you that it's me up here giving this speech. When I first sat down to write this speech, a million thoughts were flowing through my head about what I should write. Should I reminisce the memories that are important to me? Should I talk about a significant event for the entire school? What kind of message do I want to convey? Will I pass out or just be at a loss for words because I honestly didn't think I had it in me to do this? So I panicked and turned to Google like I always do, but it felt different this time. I couldn't rely on Google for this, it had to be original. It had to be unique. It had to be 'me'. This is my speech. So here I am, delivering great gratitude to my teachers, friends, and fellow graduates. Throughout our time here at Miami High, we have been through thick and thin, we've 'crasinated so much we've become pros at it, we overslept, underslept, and pulled all nighters to finish those essays for Mrs. Villanueva." Rose received roaring laughter from the audience and chuckled, her confidence building slightly and her stage fright slowly decimating. "But as time has passed, as we have been shaped into the bright, young individuals we are today, our own unique personalities are now moving onto to bigger and better things. On this journey, we've all been introduced to teachers who give us a hard time, but we've also met teachers who give us free time. There's always been a moment for every teacher before they draw on the board where they say, 'I'm not an artist.' Or how about that teacher that always says 'C'mon guys! You learned this in the third grade!' and you're sitting there unable to remember what you had for breakfast that morning. Honestly, teachers are persistent but they don't give up on us when we feel like the world has turned against us. They make sure we keep track of the things we have to do and need to do. Yes, technically it's their job to help us, but what they do is beyond the call of duty. They took the time to repeatedly explain assignments because we weren't paying attention half of the time. They allowed us to come in for extra help after school when they could have gone home to spend time with their family. They made the effort to make lessons more interesting so we wouldn't tune out and stare off into space. They set the bar and they set it high. So thank you to all the teachers who've helped us on this journey. They've been on this journey before, down this path. They know that when you're seventeen, you're planning for someday. Then quietly, almost without us noticing, it sneaks up on us and that someday is today. Then today becomes yesterday and yesterday becomes last week. And this your life. I realise now that I am not a little girl anymore. It seems like just yesterday, we were filming our kindergarten graduation video and I was saying how I wanted to be a professional cheerleader. Obviously things have changed a little because I never expected to be up here, giving this speech, and I certainly never expected to be attending Stanford Law in the fall. All this aside, I do believe everyone in this room has the ability to do something great. This will sound dumb coming from the Salutatorian, but I hate the idea some people have that getting good grades makes someone smart. Grades are in no way an accurate measurement of someone's intelligence. For instance, I get amazing grades and I'm an idiot. Grades do not define you. My fellow graduates, we've struggled through elementary, middle, and high school together. We've gone through the crocs phase, the awkward middle school phase, and now the even more awkward high school phase. Even though I've actually only carried multiple conversations with approximately ten of you, I will remember each of your smiling — and some scowling — faces as we pushed each other through the hallways and ignored each other's existence. I wish you the best as we all are thrown through life's paces and I hope you get to become the person you've always dreamed of becoming. And when you struggle — which you will because we always do — remember that it's okay to ask for help. It took me a while to realise that, but sometimes you just have to meet the right person." Rose said, glancing over her shoulder at Luisa, who gave her a smile and a little thumbs up. "And now, I will leave you with one of my favourite Spongebob quotes: 'Goodbye everyone, I'll remember you all in therapy.'"

After Rose went back to her spot and the clapping ceased, the principal spoke. "You've all heard the words of the Valedictorian and Salutatorian. To finish this chapter of your life, graduates please take your right hand and move your tassel from the left to the right." Rose and Luisa exchanged looks as they did. "It is my honour to announce the Miami High Class of 2014 as officially graduated."

Music started playing from the various speakers around the building as blue and yellow balloons and rainbow confetti and streamers fell from the ceiling.

Rose and Luisa grabbed each other's caps and tossed them high. Unable to hold herself back, Rose pulled Luisa in for a kiss.

"Our first kiss as high school graduates." Rose smiled.

"And certainly not our last." Luisa said, kissing her again.