How I See It

Chapter 25 - Bye

4 months. 4 months have past and we never heard of Amelia. Her parents held a funeral with an empty casket. I didn't go, because I still had hope. Graduation was just around the corner and I got into Spring Free College. My mindset was to go and look for Amelia after I graduate.

I wake up on my last Monday morning as a high school student and get ready. I go downstairs and eat my cereal. My mom sits on the couch and watches the news. She hears me pour my cereal and looks back. "Noah..." she says in a soft voice. "I know I'm late, I just forgot..."

As I walk to her, I see the tv screen with the morning news. "Amelia Young has been identified after medical expert did tests on the human bones found
in a dumpster 2 days ago." My heart falls and I start to loose my breath. The room starts spinning and I leave the house in a rush. The bus is waiting and I pass out on the front yard. What happened after that, is all only a blur.

I wake up in my bed with a sharp light entering my eye. The light get switched off and a man's voice is announced. "He is going to be okay." My vision comes back and the doctor asked me a few questions. He instructs me to stay hydrated and keep my sugar normal. He leaves and my mom drops me off at school. She told me not to go, but I only have 5 days of school left. Forever.

I arrive at 9:30 and the next period starts when I enter the building. Lily sees me in the hallway walks towards me. "Noah! Hey. Where were you?" I take a deep breath. "Amelia is dead." She sighs. "I heard. I'm so sorry... I know you liked her very much." She hugs me and I lower myself so that she can reach me. "You know, I'm gonna miss you. We're going to be 14 000 km away from each other." Lily got accepted into Oxford with her brilliant mind. I even considered going with her. "Me too, Lily. Me too." The bell rings and we continue school like normal people, except I wasn't normal. Was I? So many people I loved has died. Am I cursed or just unliked?

The week goes by fast. We pranked all the teachers in their class and we took over the school for the whole week. It was Friday morning and I was standing ready in my graduation gown and cap. I starred at myself in the mirror. "You made it. All on your own." I smirk a bit and then adjust my cap. I head downstairs and my mom starts tearing up. "Don't! Stop!" She laughs through her tears and my sister is waiting with her. We hug each other and sit on the chairs of the dining table. "Look, I'm really sorry about all the shit that we had to go through, but it's all in the past. Thank you for being there for me when I needed y'all the most."

We all stand up and hug each other and them thanking me and congratulating me. We all go outside and my dad is there with his new wife, Hannah. "Dad! Hi, Hannah." She kisses me and then hugs me. After that, my dad hugs me. "I'm so proud of you. I'm sorry I've been so distant. But I have a surprise for you." He lets go of me. "We all do." He throws me something and I catch it. "Keys?" I look behind them. "Holy shit! For real? Oh my God! Thank you guys!" I inspect the white car. A brand new Range Rover. I thank them 10 times more and then I drive the car to school with everyone inside.
When Lily and Brian sees me in my new car, their mouth's drop. I park the car and get out. I tell my parents to get seated so long. "Holy shit! Bitch what is this?!" Lily points to the car and Brian looks inside. "My parents got it for me this morning!" She looks at the car and then at me. "So, shall we do this?" She holds out her arm, bent. I lock her arm with mine and we face forward. "We shall." Brian walks with us and we sit on our chairs. The stage is beautiful decorated. The principal approaches me and asks me if I'm ready for my speech. "What!" He looks at me weirdly. "You didn't forget, did you?" I shake my head, nervously. "Not at all, sir." He shows me to the stage and I look at Lily. She laughs silently and I curs softly. I get on the stage and sit on one of the chairs. The principal introduces himself and welcomes everybody. I get nervous and try to think about something to say. Next thing I hear, is my name being called to say something. I stand up and everyone claps their hands. I stand and look at Lily, who is showing me her thumbs up. I take a deep breath and say what comes to my mind.

"So I didn't really prepare a speech... umm... so I've been at this school for only 4 months and it's such an honor that I've even been asked to stand here right now now and talk to ya'll. After today, we become adults and we set our feet into the real world. Remember one thing:life is not easier nor more special after high school. We are all walking seperate paths and not one person here today is going to be the same in the future. Don't try to be someone else. That'll affect you're personal growth and it would take away you're life of finding yourself. So basically what I'm trying to say, is be yourself and never change for ANYBODY. You are special and I wish every single person here the best. I stand here as Noah Miller and I leave here as the Noah Miller who improved and has grown a lot. Thank you and congratulations.

Cheers are announced and everyone stands up clapping hands. I go down and sit next to Lily again. The ceremony starts and the moment I get my diploma, I feel like a weight has been lifted off of my shoulders. Everyone throws their caps in the air and cheer.

At home, I pack the last of my bags into my car. I decided to find myself by traveling the world a bit for a year. My mom and dad tears up and surprisingly stands next to each other without biting each other's heads off. I say my final goodbyes to my parents and my sister. I throw Landy a ball for the last time for a while. Brian and Lily arrive with their cars and get out. "Leaving without saying goodbye?" They smile and I run towards them. I hug them both and we take one last selfie together. "Promise to send photos! And FaceTime us, every night!" I chuckle. "I'm going to miss you guys so much. I love you guys." We tear up and I walk to my car. I look at my family one more time and at my friends one more time. I smile and get into the car. My first destination is Budapest, Europe. I start the car and as I drive off, everyone waves goodbye.

On the high way, the sun is shining brightly and I put on my sunglasses. I open my windows and let the fresh air in and let myself remember of the one magical night with Amelia one more time.
On the way to the airport, I lit a cigarette and took a puff. My arm is rested on the open window. I think back about everything that happened one last time. I take another puff and forget the past. I look at a picture of my family on the rear view mirror and smile.
I don't know where life would take me. But I know for a fact that I won't go back. Not now. Not ever. Because now... Now is all we have and we need to appreciate that. I don't know what will happen tomorrow or in 10 seconds. But all I know, is that life has taken me through some ups and downs. I can never forget the pain I've been through, but I can try by living my life. I turn up the radio and increase the volume to maximum. Life's to precious to screw it up. So, I just said fuck it, cause my life is just getting started.