I Can't Let You Go Back

Chapter 37

Hi guys! I’m so sorry for the late chapter! I’ve been busy, second week of college and I’m already swamped with homework and online quizzes! Since I don’t have classes on Fridays, I decided to finish this chapter before my on-campus job interview in two hours. Wish me luck! I’d like to thank all my old and new fans for being patient! It means a lot guys! This is the last chapter and then an epilogue! Happy reading!

Chapter 37

“Congratulations Class of 2012!” Ian yells the final line of his speech. Oakland doesn’t have valedictorians; however, they do allow student speakers. Ian happened to be the student speaker, being Alpha and influential. Although he’s very bright too, the school doesn’t select based on who is the brightest or who has the highest grade. They select on who they think is the most influential of the whole class. I prefer it that way, they know that not everyone is smart and you don’t have to be smart to make a difference in people’s lives. You could be the dumbest person and still impact someone else’s life.

Everyone applauds his well thought out speech; of course he started off with the normal cliché graduation speeches ‘it felt like yesterday that we were mere 9th grade students.’

See what I mean? But at least he brought his own, made it worth sitting out here in the sun to listen to speeches and wait to watch all the two hundred and something  students walk up the stage to get their diplomas. Mind you, you don’t get your diploma on stage. We all get it after the graduation ceremony. What we get when we walk is a diploma frame. It makes it easier for the ceremony to run smoothly since they might make mistakes with the names and all that. Smart, right? I thought so too.

Next, the principal goes up and gives a speech. Don’t you just love graduation?  “I now declare you all high school graduates.” He finishes his speech and of course everyone claps and ‘whoop’ like maniacs, including myself. You Only Graduate From High School Once. YOGFHS. Then the walk starts according to last names. They decided to flip it and start with people with ‘Z’ as the first letter of their surname. Yeah I wasn’t so excited about that yesterday at graduation rehearsals. Nevertheless, Ian gets his turn when it’s time for ‘R’ and the whole class burst into cheers for him. I could even hear his parents whooping in the crowd. Aww. Of course I whooped too, my boyfriend was the student speaker and is the Alpha, I’m very lucky.

Finally it gets to my turn and I walk across the stage when my name is called. I could hear people cheering for me. Most of all, I could hear Ian, he was the loudest since he yelled out “I love you, baby!”

All I did was smile and get off the stage, sending an ‘I love you’ back to Ian through our mind link. Finally everyone gets their diplomas and Ian’s dad walks up on stage to close the ceremony since he’s the previous Alpha. He wishes the Class of 2012 congratulations and good luck in our endeavors.

After the ceremony all the graduates walk out first to go collect their diplomas from our homeroom teachers. After retrieving mine, I walk outside to go find Ian and his parents. Someone lifts me up from behind and nestles his head in the crook of my neck. I smile automatically, “Congratulations, baby!”

“The same to you!” he wishes back, kissing my neck lovingly before releasing me to stand in front of me and take my hand in his.

Someone’s hand goes over my eyes and I shriek a little. “Guess who?” he whispers. That voice I’d know anywhere.

“Daddy!” I squeal in delight, turning around and immediately wrapping my arms around him in a tight hug.

“Hello, sweetheart.” He greets with a chuckle as he hugs me back.

“Where’s mum…” I trail off when I find her just a little behind with Ian’s parents.

“Mummy!” I scream, running off to smack into her. Gosh, I’ve missed them terribly. Phone and video chats are not enough.