Hidden Secrets

Chapter 1

THIS IS IT. The end, the beginning - which one it is I'm not sure - but one thing I do know is that I have been waiting for this moment for five years. Graduation. A time where parents get to sit back proudly and admire the hard work and dedication they have put into raising the young adults who are being called across to stage to receive their degrees. Looking out at the sea of faces I can't help but feel a sting of pain located in the locked away part of my heart at the thought occurs to me; why am I looking. There is no one out there for me.

My mother is probably working one of her two jobs - or is it three now, I can't quite remember since we hardly see each other- and my father, well the chances of him being here is less than the chances of me getting a date with chad Michael Murray. Now there's a nice thought I think to myself and my inner Josie nods in agreement, the look on people's faces would be priceless. I shuffle forward in the line as there are about five people in front of me and my momentary day dream seems to have caused me to lag behind a few steps. The applause from the audience ringing in my left ear as the speaker to my right nearly deafens me completely with the booming sound of our principles voice calling out the names of my peers.

I mount the steps as there is one person before me, my heart dropping from its place into my stomach then rebounding up into my throat. I've never really been one for attention, especially if I'm the center of it. Just a couple of steps, a picture and in a few seconds all eyes will be off you and you will be completely forgotten. My inner Josie chimes to me with a snarky expression on her face. But then again that's exactly what I am - completely forgettable. The sound of applause is drown out by the thump thump of my own heart beating against my chest as I wait in anticipation.

"Jocelyn Reese"

Jocelyn Reese, Jocelyn Reese hello? EARTH TO JOSIE! My inner voice has to scream at get my attention. That is you idiot! Move!And I do, one foot in front of the other, left right then left again. I repeat this mantra to myself in the hopes of keeping my body vertical and with a little luck I might not trip and fall on my face. Once my feet have stopped moving and I finally reach my principal I let out my breath slowly. I had been holding it ever since I got onto the stage. Putting on my best smile I shake his hand and pose for a picture of me accepting my degree then swallow hard as I hold in another breath while making my way towards end of the stage. A man in a black suit offers his hand to me as I descend the three steps back onto solid ground.

He is tall - really tall- and towers over me. Then again at five foot two, five foot five with the heals I'm wearing at the moment, and it doesn't take much for anyone to tower over me but this man in front of me easily dwarfs my size. Woah, my inner Josie's jaw is dropped open and her eyes are wide with appreciation. This man is gorgeous. Young and gorgeous. Young and gorgeous and holding my hand. Instinctively I pull my hand away and drop my gaze to the floor to hide my blush. Thankfully enough the lighting in the room is dim with the acceptation of the lights directed towards the stage.

"Thank you" I murmur, my voice barely audible. I chance a quick glimpse up at the man who nods his head towards me respectfully as a silent form of 'thank you'. When I see his hand reaching out again my heart skips a beat at the thought of his touching me again but my inner Josie crosses her arms and pouts as I realize that he is in fact reaching for the hand of the girl behind me who is now coming down the stairs. My blush deepening, I scurry forward as quickly as I can and take my place back in my seat. Two rows in front of me I can see my best friend Abby. Her shiny perfect blond curls are unmistakable, and three seats down from her is my on and off again boyfriend Matthew.

Oh Mathew what am I ever going to do with you. Finally say good bye and good riddance your relationship is going nowhere! My inner Josie snaps at me with a scowl on her face. I roll my eyes and slump back into my chair as the ceremonies proceed. I've known Mathew Levy most of my life. Our mothers work together at the hospital and his father was the lawyer who took care of my mother and fathers divorce for her. We played together a lot in his backyard since my mom was always working and my older sister had her hands full with my brothers and me. I would always try to make it easier on her and tell my mom I wanted to go to Mathews house instead. More often than not she would oblige and we would spend countless hours climbing the apple tree or chasing each other around. He was pretty much the only friend I had until high school.