Casey and Me

Graduation!

At the end of July, the year twelves graduated, and I was never more proud of Casey than when I watched her walk up to get her diploma from Miss Ainsworth, baby Oscar in her arms. The entire hall erupted in cheers as she received her precious bit of paper, and there were even more when Miss Ainsworth broke protocol to give her daughter and grandson a quick hug. Casey was near tears as she returned her mum's hug, and that, I think, finally laid to rest the last remnants of her past. Having a baby had changed her for the better; she certainly used less spicy language, but her whole character had shifted as well. She was definitely not the wild, clingy, lonely girl I'd met almost two years ago, and I was very, very proud of her for how far she'd come. 

Then my turn came, and I admitted to having my heart in my mouth as I took the short flight of stairs up to the stage. These last two years had been lifechanging for me as well, not just in terms of moving to the country and starting life at Maple Hall, but also in terms of my own inner person. I'd grown and changed a lot, and I'd discovered a bit more about myself that I hadn't known. I certainly wasn't the same person who'd come to Maple Hall two years ago, nervous and unsure of what to expect. I was now a young woman, and I'd gained a lot more confidence. I'd also picked up some new skills I hadn't had before, and despite not wanting to get into teaching, like Casey was now planning on doing, I had it in mind to maybe go into counselling later in life. Miss Ainsworth had promised to put me in touch with a few places if I ever wanted to go down that road. 

The hall let out a wild cheer when Miss Ainsworth handed me my diploma, and I had to blink away tears when she once more broke proctocol to give me a hug. "Thank you, for everything," she said softly, and I hugged her back fiercely. 

"Hey, it's all part of the service," I quipped, and Miss Ainsworth laughed as she waved me on. I then hurried across the stage to the back, where my fellow graduates were waiting, and Casey, Marcia and Sophia all swarmed me in a big group hug. Rocky waited nearby with Oscar - he and Casey had grown close over the last few months - and when we parted, we were all in tears. "God, I'm goin' to miss you all," Casey said, wiping her eyes. 

"Hey, we've all got social media," Marcia reminded her. "Which brings me to mind; what are we all doing this Christmas? I was thinking Sarah and I could host a bit of a party before we all go off to university and the like."

"I'm in," Sophia agreed. She paused. "Would it be alright if I invited Olivia?"

I looked over at where Olivia stood uncomfortably by herself. She'd gotten back a few of her privileges, but she looked absolutely miserable, and I decided to let my old grudge go. "I guess, as long as it's okay with her parents," I said at last. "I can't say we'll be best friends, but I'm willing to let the past stay in the past if she is."

Sophia nodded her understanding and walked over to Olivia, who looked surprised to see her former best friend approaching her. I left them to it and turned to the rest of the small group. "Christmas at ours," I said, holding out my hand, and Casey, Marcia and Rocky put their hands on mine. "Christmas at yours," they said in unison, and that was that.