Beyond the Reasons || JUSTIN FOLEY

Twenty-Nine

FOUNDRY'S OFFICE
IMOGEN'S POV

"How's Justin doing?" Foundry asked me as I sat in his office. Honestly, I can't even focus on being in school. I know I have to finish out the year, and I know Justin would want me to, but being at school while he's lying in the hospital and only getting worse didn't seem fair to me. I needed to be there with him. It's been nearly three weeks since prom.

"He's not getting any better..." I said while shaking my head. I'm glad Foundry asked to talk to me and not Bolan because I just truly have no more respect for that man.

"I'm so sorry, Imogen. I've lost, in my life, a number of friends... and one very good friend to that disease. I'm very sorry." Foundry said and I nodded my head.

"Thank you..." I said.

"I'm sure you're not thinking about graduation right now, but... it's my duty to tell you that you have been voted class speaker. So, since you are the President and will already be giving a speech, being voted class speaker just gives you extra time." Foundry said as he passed me a piece of paper.

"What... Me, uh... How?" I asked.

"Apparently, your classmates think you have something relevant to say to them. I imagine it might have something to do with how bravely you stood up for everyone at the disturbance a few weeks ago." Foundry said and I shrugged my shoulders.

"Well... that was a different me... that had different feelings than I do right now," I said.

"Then reach out to whoever it was because she's needed on stage June 22nd. And I need to review her speech in advance, just to ensure it doesn't start any riots, that sorta thing." Foundry said which made me smile a little. "Congratulations, Imogen." He said as she reached his hand over his desk for me to shake.

I slowly stood up and shook his hand. "Thank you."

―

DR. SHARPE'S OFFICE
IMOGEN'S POV

"It doesn't make any sense. I've barely got a speech written as President and now I have extra time. I don't even know what to say, or if I have anything to say." I said as I shrugged my shoulders. I'm basically giving a double speech and I don't know if I have enough words for that kind of thing.

"Well, your classmates disagree. And as someone who has been talking to you for many weeks now, I think you have a great deal to say." Dr. Sharpe said and then I noticed that one of the books on her shelves was autographed.

"What's this?" I asked.

"An original copy of the Great Gatsby signed by F. Scott Fitzgerald himself." Dr. Sharpe said as my hands ran over the book. This must've been something that was passed down through her family because I'm sure no one has an original copy. Unless someone did and gave it to her.

"I love his work. Beautiful and The Damned really opened my emotional floodgates." I said.

"It is a good book." Dr. Sharpe said.

"You think I'm stalling?" I asked.

"Are you stalling?" He asked me.

"What kind of bullshit speech can I give? I can't... I can't get up there and say, like... 'Hope for the future! And the best days are ahead,' I mean goodness! The love of my life is lying there in that hospital. He's never coming out, he's dying, and I'm supposed to give some speech about the future? There is no future!" I yelled.