One Night ✔️

Finale (pt.2)

Igniting the field with brilliance, the early afternoon sun settled in its place high in the sky. I found it funny that just a week earlier the field was being kicked in and pulled back up by determined cleats. All along the sidelines lay towels drenched in sweat and empty sports drink bottles. Just last week, I stood in the stands with my best friends, cheering until my throat was raw.

Now, that very same field had turned into a platform for our sending off. Countless rows of chairs adorned with big blue bows stretched all the way down to the endzone. "Class of 2019" was spelled out in balloons. I didn't think the day would come so soon.

"Good afternoon students, parents and faculty! I am Principal Justine Howard, and foremost I want to thank you all for being here to help celebrate such a great milestone."

The crowd gave a welcoming applause, and I took the opportunity to stick out my neck and smile at Alex in the J section. Too bad we were in alphabetical order.

"Throughout my career I've given out a fair amount of detentions, but today I'm happy to give out diplomas. Looking out at you all now, it warms my heart to see you've grown into such remarkable men and women." She paused, on the verge of tears.

"Now if you all would help me, I'd like to welcome to the stage an indeed remarkable young woman, graduate Sienna Martinez!"

Up on the stage, I admired some of my favorite faces in the crowd.

Mr. Klein shot his thumbs up into the air.

Mariah blew me a kiss.

My father stood tall with his Nikon in hand, ready to take a hundred pictures.

My mother's eyes were wide and filled with tears as she wiped at her cheeks.

Likely having conspired earlier, Alex and Joseph simultaneously shouted out: "We love you!" And just like that, any fears or nerves I had vanished. God, I loved each and every one of them.

"Good afternoon everybody. Ah, standing on this stage makes me feel so many different things... I'm proud to have made it this far, and I'm even prouder to have been chosen to represent the senior class. Aside from being nervous as hell I'm also sad."

That earned a laugh from the crowd.

"'Cause whether we want to or not, we all have to face the fact that everything ends eventually. I've never liked endings, especially when it comes to a good book. And I'm sure we can all agree that we've never liked when the last day of summer came, or parting ways with a close friend.

But like change, endings are inevitable. You have to close that book. Leaves will start falling, and you will say goodbye. Today is one of those days for us. Today we say goodbye to the things that are familiar. The things we've gotten so comfortable with...

We're moving on. We're leaving our home, and that hurts. But there are people who have impacted us so greatly, people who are such a big part of us, that they will be with us no matter where we go.

Today we graduate and officially begin our lives as new people. Like I said, change is inevitable, scary but inevitable. Honestly, I think we're all ready for it. One last time, Bears, I wanna hear you roar!"

The crowd erupted into a collection of whoops, cheers, and claps. Principal Howard hugged me tightly, and then we posed for a picture taken by none other than my dad.