Play Long Live by Taylor Swift for this E P I L O G U E *cries in times new roman*
***
This is the first day I ever curl my hair, and I only burn myself twice. I'd usually call this a waste of time, but since in an hour and twenty-four minutes, I'll be throwing a graduation cap in the air, I decide it's worth the effort. My stomach churns in knots and I force myself to take a deep breath, smoothing out the simple dress I picked out for myself. Jett should be here any minute to pick me up to take me to the school... one last time.
***
We arrive at the school and head out to the football field, that's been decorated with chairs and stage, the sound of parents, teachers, and classmates chatting about in nervous yet fiery voices. I squeeze Jett's hand just a little bit harder, feeling so small, yet way too tall at the same time.
"Everything okay Junie?"
"Yeah, it just doesn't feel real."
"At least you look good." He says before I playfully slap his arm.
Before we know it, everyone is being called to sit in alphabetical order, and the principal gets up on the stage in front of my peers and the extra audience who came to support.
"Welcome to the graduation of the class of 2016!"
***
Names are being called at a rapid pace and my palms begin to sweat,
"Juniper Calvin."
I stand up, looking back at Jett's proud and beaming smile before I walk up to receive my diploma. And as I stand on the stage, I see the smiling faces of my dad, Lizzy, and Anthony's parents. Lizzy gestures a grand and excited wave in my direction and my heart swells with pride.
Because for the first time in years, I'm truly proud of myself.
I walk down the stage and wait for everyone else's name to be called before I slip my hand back into Jett's as everyone gathers in the grassy area of the field, ready to take the final breath of high school air.
We wait in anticipation before finally the ecstatic words, "Congratulations class of 2016!" roar in our ears.
I grin so wide I'm afraid my mouth might fall off, and then I look at Jett, quickly kiss him on the lips, and rip the cap off my head and throw it in the air.
At that moment, I swear I could see heaven, outside of this flawed world, and beyond my beating heart.
F I N
YOU ARE READING
Beyond my Beating Heart
Teen FictionFor as long as she can remember, Juniper Calvin has always been an outcast. Diagnosed with schizophrenia at the age of fifteen was hard enough living with it by herself, but when her secret gets out, she is alone an outcasted in a world of darkness...
