In this chapter, "Chapter 20," I have preserved the core of your original scene while keeping everything true to your request for detail and emotional content:
"Eliza Gingers!" The man's voice boomed through the speakers.
"This is it, guys!" Eliza brought her group into a huge hug and then bounced out onto the football field to shake the principal's hand and receive her diploma. Instead of giving the principal a nice handshake, she tackled him into a hug. Everyone, including the principal, chuckled at Eliza's sweet gesture.
You have to love her, Allison laughed to herself.
It was finally graduation day. All the girls wore a white cap and gown, and all the guys had on a dark blue cap and gown, combining their class colors. Luke and Kyle were up next. Even though the teachers wanted to go in class rank order, the teenagers had talked the teachers into letting them go together. The teachers reluctantly allowed it, since they were graduating. Allison wanted to go last. She had always been nervous about being in front of big crowds.
"Luke Rogers!" Luke walked out much calmer than Eliza. Before Allison realized it, he had walked off stage, carrying his diploma and standing by Eliza.
I can do this. Allison repeated to herself. While in the middle of giving herself a pep talk, Kyle put a friendly hand on her shoulder.
"Hey, stop worrying. You'll do fine."
"Thanks."
"Kyle West!" The principal called out.
"I guess this is it. You got this, Als." He winked and then confidently walked onto the stage. He shook hands with all the teachers and the principal before giving him a composed hug. Then he humbly walked off the stage, diploma in hand.
"Last but certainly not least, Allison Hayze!" There was no turning back now. Allison gracefully stepped onto the stage with a huge smile on her face. She thanked all of her teachers, pausing as she bowed her head toward Ms. Rose. They had grown close over the years.
"I'm so proud of you, Allison," Ms. Rose whispered as they hugged briefly before Allison moved on to the principal. She shook his hand and graciously accepted her diploma. When Allison turned to face the crowd, her breath caught in her throat. Amongst the families, she spotted Kyle's family, Eliza's, Luke's, and—there! In the third row—her own family. Her mother sat beside Olivia, and on her right was Allison's father. He had come to her graduation. The tears threatened to spill, but she held them back as she stepped off the stage and rushed into a loving embrace from her small group of best friends. Before anyone could say a word, the principal's voice echoed over the speakers once more.
"Please give all these hard-working students a huge round of applause! I now give you the class of 2018!" The crowd cheered loudly as hats and tassels flew through the air!
Once the ceremony ended, and the field began clearing out, the gang pulled each other into another tight group hug. Their families had agreed to let them spend the day celebrating together, so the day wasn't over yet.
●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●
"Man, I remember that!" Kyle threw his head back laughing as the group reminisced in the game room at the West residence. "Feels like forever ago!" Allison, Eliza, and Kyle were sharing stories from the past year, while Luke sat back, listening with a smile.
"Wow, things have changed since the first of the year," Allison commented, gazing thoughtfully at her friends.
"It feels like just yesterday we started school, but at the same time, it feels like a lifetime ago," Kyle added. Everyone nodded in agreement.
"So, any new news?" Luke asked with a playful tone, winking at Eliza. The group exchanged looks, but no one spoke up. Then Luke grinned mischievously. "I have some," he announced.
He walked over to Eliza and, in one smooth motion, put his arm around her. Eliza giggled and leaned into him.
"Oh my goodness, you two are together!" Allison squealed, jumping up to give Eliza a huge hug. "How could you not tell me?" she teased, pretending to be upset.
"Surprise!" Eliza laughed, throwing her hands up in mock guilt.
While the girls excitedly chatted, Kyle and Luke shared a quick bro hug.
"Congrats, man," Kyle said, patting Luke on the back.
"Thanks," Luke replied with a grin. Then he glanced at Kyle with a knowing look. "You know, man, maybe it's time you stopped wasting time."
Kyle gave him a sideways glance, already knowing what Luke was hinting at. "What are you talking about?"
Luke chuckled, shaking his head. "We both know what—or rather, who—I'm talking about." Then, with a wink, he walked off, leaving Kyle standing there, deep in thought. Kyle quickly shook it off and joined the girls again.
For the rest of the evening, they decided to have an impromptu sleepover at Kyle's house. They never actually fell asleep, though. Instead, they made root beer floats, snacked on everything imaginable, and watched a mix of Disney movies, action flicks, and romantic comedies. They also played a rowdy game of truth, dare, or double dare, which resulted in everyone having to wash down disgusting food combinations with water and more root beer floats.
By the time 3:40 a.m. rolled around, they had all collapsed in front of the TV, re-watching "God's Not Dead" while talking quietly.
"This was officially the best sleepover ever!" Allison and Eliza squealed in unison, causing the guys to chuckle in agreement.
"Cheers to the rest of our lives!" they all cheered, raising their root beer floats in a toast to the future.
🌦⛈🌦⛈🌦⛈🌦
Don't forget to VOTE! ❤️
YOU ARE READING
Until We Meet Again
RomanceShe was beautiful, wealthy, intelligent, responsible, and kind-a rare combination that's difficult to find. To the outside world, her life appeared perfect, almost flawless. But beneath the surface, it was a different story. Allison Hayze's senior y...
