This Can't Be Good

Chapter 60

Seeing Jayden and Parker in their caps and gowns was the weirdest thing I ever experienced. Suddenly they had aged over night. No longer some stupid eighteen year old kids but eighteen year old men who were ready to take on the world.

Our parents were holding an informal photoshoot. I was surprised that no one’s vision was permanently impaired yet. Both mothers weren’t missing any moments for photo opportunities. They practically followed the boys into the bathroom when they changed into their proper attire. The “photoshoot” had then moved to our backyard, where the boys posed for multiple pictures with multiple people.

“I can’t believe you’re actually leaving me,” I said.

“You’re going to be the lone Emmerce,” Jayden teased.

No matter how much my brother annoyed me I was going to miss him. In retrospect I should have hung out with my brother more this year. If I had hung out with Jayden though I wouldn’t have ended up with Parker. As much as I love my brother I was happy to be with Parker.

After another round of sibling pictures, the boys were instructed to pose together. Now, that was a picture worth taking. The boys had pictures together from every graduation ceremony, it only seemed fit to get one last shot. The next time they graduate it’ll be from different schools in different states.

We took a couple group shots before we were broken into couples again. Our moms wanting to document our relationships, I suppose. I stood next to Parker, his arm wrapped around my waist, mine on his back. We both smiled at the camera, but that didn’t stop us from bantering with each other.

“I can’t believe you’re actually graduating Daniels,” I teased.

“You know I’m smart Emmerce,” Parker bit back.

“Maybe a little. I mean you did end up with the smartest girl,” I boosted.

Parker turned away from the camera, bringing our lips together. Even though my eyes were closed, I saw the flash of a camera. After our slightly heated moment we piled into the cars and headed off to the Mass High field, one last time.

***

The graduation ceremony was beautiful. Mass High had done a good job decorating this year. It wasn’t too long of a ceremony which was good. Everyone was itching to go celebrate anyways. Of course there were a few antics going on on the field. Jason had managed to smuggle in beach balls that the other seniors, mainly the football boys, were blowing up and tossing around. The administration wasn’t too happy but everyone else was.

Everyone was currently migrating on to the field to congratulate the graduates and annoy them with another round of photo ops. Max ended up taking Parker’s extra ticket so him, Miranda, and I all sat together. We were also the first ones on to the field, knowing the shortcuts that the parents didn’t. We immediately found Jayden and Parker.

“I’m so proud of you guys!” I shouted, hugging both of them.

“What about us?” Jared questioned.

Everyone else was closely behind him. Miranda quickly ran to congratulate Ashley and Sam. I stayed with the boys, waiting for everyone’s family to make their way to the field.

“So, what’s the plan tonight?” Jason asked.

Leave it to Jason to only care about where they were partying tonight. It’s not like they just accomplished a major life achievement or anything.

“Our house first. That way we can eat and pretend to be civil for a while,” Jayden said.

“And then the party really starts,” Jason said.