Beyond the Reasons || JUSTIN FOLEY

Thirty-Two

PRESENT TIME
GRADUATION
IMOGEN'S POV

"Graduation is that special time, not only to celebrate but to acknowledge the hard work and the countless sacrifices it took to transform dreams into reality. And let's not forget the fortitude to carry on in the face of adversity. This graduating class has shown a special kind of fortitude. I admire you all. You've been tested well beyond the classroom, and you have endured. Now, you may not believe me. Your class president who also doubles as your class speaker, in particular, may not believe me... but all we have ever wished for, myself, the educators here today, all of your parents, all we have truly wished for is to see that you are al happy, healthy, and safe. This class, in particular, has made that hellishly hard. But I have faith in you. All of you and I hope that we have taught you well. I know you have taught me. I'm grateful, and I'm proud of you all." Bolan's opening speech, and now it was my turn.

"I know that I have a history of causing trouble with my speeches. Principal Bolan actually had to approve of my speech just so I wouldn't make trouble. But that was a month ago and my life has drastically changed since then. But don't worry, I'm not causing any trouble today, because I just want you to hear me. Some of you circulated a petition this year, demanding I be removed from office. Saying that I was a one-issue president, and I had made my point, and I should just shut up. Well, no girls signed that petition. So, news, boys... our point is far from made. And we're not shutting up." I said and then I paused because the girls and my guy friends started cheering for me. I knew to have a longer speech was going to be hard for me because I have so much more to say.

"But you are right about one thing: I am a one-issue president. I'm a one-issue person. I spent the last couple of years angry... hurt... scared... but I'm not going to do that anymore. I'm gonna focus on my one issue. Which is love." I said and that made some people start laughing. "Oh, what? Does talking about love make you embarrassed? Is it girly, what? Because it's the thing. It's the only thing. It's easy to hate. It's easy to fear. It's goddamn hard to love. But it's not optional. It's essential. It's life or death. I challenge you, love each other. Do it... and do it better. Now and every day. I love you all... oh, and fuck the patriarchy." I said while shrugging my shoulders which made everyone clap and cheer for me. Next was another speech I had to give, as my class speaker, but there was someone else who was going to speak before me.

I needed to mentally prepare for this one.

―

After a couple of other speeches, I took the podium again. This speech isn't going to be from Imogen Jensen the class president. This speech is just from me. I took a deep breath as I stood up there again and some of my classmates clapped, I know as encouragement.

"In the past two years... four people who I loved have died. And one other person who I thought I hated, also died. But the truth is, I used to love him too. That love was easily turned to hate, but I realized that hate is too simple. As I said earlier, hate is easy... but to love and to be understanding is a lot harder. But they are how we take care of each other, how we survive..." I said and then I sniffled a little, but I promised myself that I was going to cry.

"You know, I look up to my dad, a lot... that guy is my hero. And my dad loves to tell Clay and I stories about when he was in high school. The stories usually involve chess club and obscure bands with funny haircuts, because the 80s were a strange, strange time. But he always gets one thing right. He knows high school can hurt... and I know in our four years here... we have all been hurt a lot. It can be painful, and there are days when that's all it is, pain. And he once told me that he's living proof you can survive. You can get through it. He's living proof and so am I. And so are all of you. The thing is, for me... for us, our class, this generation, high school actually was life or death. We showed up every day not knowing if this is the day we die. If this is the day that someone shows up with a gun and kills all of us. We practiced what we'd do if that happened. Life or death." I said. Then I took another deep breath because I was turning this speech in a different direction.