Touched

1

A/N Hey guys! I've been on Wattpad for almost 9 years now (crazy I know) and between disappearing and coming back I realized it's time I finally participate in the Wattys for real! So here it is, a special novel I'm working on this Wattys season! Be prepared for a wild ride! Let me know what you guys think! Also, I'll be writing this alongside TBB! Happy Readings xoxo

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Breath...just breath. One foot in front of the other...yes...just like that...don't trip, please...don't trip. Deep breaths, deep...deep breaths.

The crisp California air did little to calm the butterflies flapping vigorously in my stomach. I could feel the eyes of everyone around me burning holes onto every inch of my body. I'd dreaded the idea of walking in front of all of these people for months, and here I finally was, shuffling dumbly down the aisle with my eyes on him, hoping and praying I wouldn't land face first in a matter of seconds, I was almost there.

"Miss Charlotte Olivia Hale." His voice bellowed, sending my heart into overdrive as my steps brought me closer and closer to reaching him.

I forced a smile as I could vaguely hear the voices of my family in the background. Dear God...they were cheering. "Thank you!" The fact that my voice hadn't cracked was beyond me. The feel of a simple piece of paper felt foreign in my hands as I quickened my pace...anything to get off this stage.

"Congratulations Miss Hale." My principal, now former, offered. I scurried off the stage as the rest of my classmates were called. Never had I ever been so happy to sit down again. Another forty-five minutes later and just like that...I was a high school graduate. 

"Congratulations class of 2019!" An array of cheers erupted from the stands and all around me as my classmates flipped their tassels, throwing their caps in the air. I for one, would hold on to mine after all of the hard work I'd put into decorating it. 

"We're so proud of you Charlotte!" My family bombarded me with roses and affection as I made my way through the crowd to find them. The amount of attention I was receiving was enough to make me want to crawl and hide under the nearest rock.

"How does it feel little sis, to finally be free of the shackles of high school?" James, my older brother, pounded me a little too forcefully on the shoulder.

 "You know...it feels pretty damn good." I laughed as I returned the same punch.

"Charlotte!" My mom chided with a shake of her head as my three year old sister began repeating the word profusely. She'd been my parents pleasant little surprise a few years back. "Jasmine we don't say that." 

"Oops," I laughed while accepting another hug from my grandparents. "Thanks  for driving all the way out here." 

"What and miss my baby walk across that stage? Not in a million years!" The pride in my grandmother's eyes was unmistakable.

"I'm surprised you didn't puke, I mean...you were only three shades too green." James teased.

"For once, I'll let that slide only because I'm just as surprised as you." I hated being the center of attention. As weird as it sounds...large crowds made me itch. "Thank God that's over."

I shared farewells with my friends as we all made empty promises to stay in touch and hang out with each other this summer. Deep down...we all knew that wasn't going to happen. We'd spent four years plotting our escapes, and now that it was finally here, we'd undoubtedly be going our separate ways.

Although, there was one face I knew I could count on seeing much more of. "Charlotte!" My best friend engulfed me in her arms as she bounced up and down. "Holy crap we graduated!" Amanda's bubbly persona was the exact opposite of mine. She'd played varsity volleyball our final two years together and had made twice as many friends.