Zoey:
"Where's my cap?!"
"Where'd you put my gown, Mom!?"
"Does my hair look alright?!"
Those are only a few questions that the boys are yelling around the house.
Groaning I walk into their room.
"Your cap, downstairs. You're wearing your gown. And no your hair, honestly, it doesn't." I say.
I swear, they sound like a bride on her wedding day.
"What!? What's wrong with it?!" Sam asks, rushing over to the mirror.
"Ha-ha, hilarious." He says, rolling his eyes at me.
"I'll be back." Riley says, probably looking for his cap.
"Boys! We should get going!" Joan calls up the steps.
"Oh, and you too, Zoey! Sorry!" She calls up.
Yes, my mother, and Joan, made everyone dress up for this.
So that means I'm in a dress Mom bought last night.
Hopping down the last step, I sigh.
"You look beautiful, Zoey." Joan smiles.
"Oh, thanks." I say.
"Having you here, the last couple of days, makes me feel like I finally have a part time daughter." She smiles, giving me a hug.
"Oh, well, uhhh, you're welcome?" I say, awkwardly patting her back.
Next thing I know Riley walks out of the kitchen.
He smirks, looking at me and his mom. Mouthing to him I ask,"What do I do?"
He just shrugs.
"Uh, Joan, I think you should get pictures of the boys." I say.
With that she smiles, and turns around to grab her camera.
"Samuel! Riley! Get down here!" She yells.
"Right here Mom." Riley chuckles.
He's in a dress shirt and church slacks, the same as Sam, but different colored dress shirts.
After she gets a single picture of him, this happens.
"Alright, steps, the both of you." Joan says, motioning him and I.
"Oh, uh, no I don't do pictures-"
"Oh, hush." She says, pushing towards the steps.
"I don't bite." Riley smirks.
"Yeah, but I do."
He chuckles, slinging an arm around my waist. Adjusting his hand I plaster a smile on my face.
So fake.
That smile is so fake, I'm surprised Joan thinks that it is real.
She snaps the picture and I move.
"Where's my mom?" I ask.
"I'm right here." She says.
"Oh, hi." I mumble.
"You look stunning." She smiles, bringing me into a hug.
I think I hear a click of a picture of me and Mom.
"Samuel, you'll be fine! Now, go down the steps." I hear Dad laugh.
"My hairs not done yet!" Sam says.
"You'll be late," Dad says, he then nudges him down the steps.
"Finally! Pictures!" Joan smiles.
She makes him and Riley sit down on the steps, then one when Sam picks Riley up and make wacky faces.
"Boys!" Joan yells, looking for Toby and Connor.
"Mom, we've been in the living room the whole time" Connor laughs, giving her a quick kiss on the cheek and standing with Riley.
They're a cute family, you have to agree.
She takes one with just the boys.
Then one with me and Sam.
Then one with our family.
Then one with just them.
"Oh my! We'll be late! Let's go!" Mom says.
Taking two cars, parents and I, in one.
The boys in another.
Sitting down in the designated bench for Sam's family, I sigh.
He'll be gone to college next year. He won't be here to protect you. He won't be here for your help. He'll be gone.
Forty five miles away from you.
Forty. Five.
Quickly blinking my eyes, I smile.
Put the brave face for him. Or them. My mind adds. No, stop it.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, we are here to congratulate class of 2013/2014." Our principal announces.
My mom beside me, Dad on the other.
On down my Nanna and Pap, and my Aunt Sally and Uncle Jim, with their son, Henry.
"Now, valedictorian, Jenna Wonders." Jenna, was the most intelligent person Florida has ever had.
She was supposed to be in my grade, but she's just...unbelievably smart.
She says her speech, ending it with a simple statement.
"Congrats, grads!"
She steps away from the podium and to her seat.
"Samuel Sanders." Sam rises walking to the stage.
Taking the diploma, smiling at the camera.
Then he turns, hollering and punching the air. The class yells with him, making the audience laugh.
Only my brother....
Twenty minutes later, all parents have their phones out.
"3, 2, 1! Throw!" My brother and football team yell.
Everyone throws their caps up, and the pictures start to take.
I smile as Riley and my brother do a bro hug thing.
"C'mon." Mom says.
We rush down the steps and to my brother.
"You did it!" I smiles, hugging him.
He lifts me up, spinning.
"Yeah, I know." He smirks.
"You." I laugh, squeezing him one last time before letting go.
"You." He laughs right back.
"Where's my hug?" Riley laughs, spreading his arms.
I just raise my eyebrows at him.
"What? No, oh ok then." He laughs, patting my back and walking off to his family.
"I'm so proud of you!" My mom says, hugging my brother.
"Thanks, Momma." He smiles, hugging her back.
"So when you packing for college?" Dad asks.
We laugh at him, knowing he was only joking.
We talk to a bunch of people and not soon enough, we're home.
Smiling I fall asleep, by tomorrow night, we'll be at the beach.
And mental sigh, comes here.
YOU ARE READING
Candy Apples
Fanfiction"It matches with your personality." "What's that supposed to mean?" "Your favorite food, describes you. It's sweet at first, then you bite into the apple, and it's bitter-" Cutting him off there, I start defending myself. He shoves the apple back...
