My First and Only Love

Chapter Thirty

Cassandra:
     It's graduation day at last. High school flew by. And today, was the end of it. A new chapter was going to going to be written. Or should I say... a new book maybe?

Our lives were going to change forever. For the better or maybe even for the worse. That is to be discovered in the future.

Charlotte was doing my makeup while Cami did my hair. Jason was sitting there watching the scene unfold. "Who else is excited?" he said breaking the silence. "I am!" Charlotte exclaimed," I didn't get to see Cami graduate, but I get to see Cassandra." "I'm glad you aren't leaving," Cami commented," The family wouldn't be the same without you." "Aw, I love you guys so much. It's amazing how close we all got." They all nodded.

I looked at my bookshelf. So many pictures. Full of my mom, Charlotte, my dad (rest in peace), Cami, Jason, Jacob, and of course Gabriel and Carina who are my other family. At first I had no family besides Charlotte, but now I do.

"Hair is ready," Cami said suddenly. "Makeup is too." "Get dressed then," Jason said trying to be included. I went into my walk in closet (yup I got a walk in closet in my new home. We all do) and I came out wearing a plain white dress with my black graduation robe, my graduation cap, and black heels.

Charlotte started crying," You look great." "Don't start crying yet!" Cami exclaimed," You'll mess up your makeup!" "Don't worry I used waterproof makeup on all of us." I hugged my little sister. "I don't want you to leave us," she said. "I'm not leaving though. I chose this college to still be with you guys. I'm not going anywhere." I gave her a kiss on the head and she smiled. "Promise?" "Promise."
                                      ~
Jacob drove us all to the graduation. Once we got to the school (the ceremony was actually at UM, aka the school I'm going to, so cool) I had to leave my family behind and go with my class. I found Carina and Gabriel in an instant. We all hugged," You guys excited?" "Yeah," Gabriel said. "Of course. Are you ready for your speech?" "I think so." "Did you tell your family?" "No, just you two. No one else knows... well of course Jacob since he's kinda the principal. Ima surprise the rest of them." "They will be very proud," Carina assured me. "Yeah they will," Gabriel agreed.

Once it was time, we were completely separated. Gabriel was called up first. Then me. And then Carina. Jacob was on the stage.  "And now I would like to present our valedictorian. She is a girl with a 4.0 GPA, all AP and Honors classes. She is in the basketball, baseball, soccer, and swimming team. She is the cheerleading captain. She has over 500 community service hours. And she even has a job as a manager. She has won over 4 scholarships including Florida Bright Futures and will be going to the University of Miami to get a major in finance. Yeah, I'm pretty sure you all know who she is by now. I could see my wife in the audience knows it's her daughter, my children know it's their sister. Let's have a big round of applause for my very own step-daughter, the valedictorian for the class of 2019, Ms. Cassandra Holt!"

Everyone started cheering and my heart started racing. I went on the stage and hugged my step-dad. I walked to the podium and started speaking. "When I found out I was valedictorian, I really didn't believe it. I thought my step-dad was kidding, just playing around with me. But he wasn't. I'm not the only one who could be standing up here. Every single one of you has the potential to be standing here talking to your class. I did prepare a speech. Look here the index cards. I don't need them. As I stand here, in front of you all, I don't need them. I just need my heart. I came here in the middle of sophomore year. It was hard. I was scared of leaving everything behind. But, here I was. I was the new girl. I faced obstacles that led to me standing here in front of you all. I believe in god, and I believe I'm standing here for a reason. That reason is to give you hope. We all have things that we hide from others. Here's something you didn't know about me: My dad died in jail. My dad was a criminal. Did that make him a bad person? Maybe, but maybe not. I know he had good in him, everyone does. You all have good in you, the power to be good. It's your choice to embrace it. My dad being in jail was hard for me. But, I didn't let that stop me from being me. I thought to myself,' It's just another obstacle you have to jump.' We all have obstacles. Every single one of you. And you have the potential to overcome it. To grow. We are all here because we have overcome obstacles. It doesn't matter what school you are going to. It doesn't matter what grades you have. It doesn't make you better than others. All of us here are Falcons. And it's time to spread our wings and fly. Fly to new heights and make a difference in this world. Today, we made an accomplishment. We are getting our high school diploma. This is the beginning of something great. And that something great is you. All of you, all of us. Thank you."

I took a breath and everyone started clapping. I blushed a little and returned to my seat.

The ceremony went on and once it was over, Carina, Gabriel, and I met up and hugged. "You did great!" they said. "Thanks, I was so nervous."

We went outside to meet with our parents. "That was so beautiful Cas!" Charlotte said crying again. Cami and my mom started crying too. "Guys... stop crying or ima cry." "You are wearing waterproof makeup too, it's ok," Charlotte said with a giggle. I hugged my family. Gabriel took out his phone," Will the valedictorian's family please pose for a picture?" We all laughed and posed for the picture. I looked at the picture afterwards," I love it. It's going on my bookshelf." "It's going on the fridge," Jacob said with a smile.

"I'm so proud of you," Jason said. "Thanks bro," I said giving him a hug. Alexander came up to us," Hi Cas." I smiled softly," Hi Alexander." "Can we talk?" "Sure." We stepped aside from my family," What is it?" "Congrats. Your speech was amazing." "Thanks. I'm glad you liked it." "I heard you're going to UM correct?" "Yeah." "Well me too." "Oh, that's cool. I'll see you around then." "Yeah, I hope so. Cas... you are a great person. And I'm sorry about everything that we did to you. I really am-" "Alexander, stop," I interrupted," When you apologized to me 2 years ago, I said I wasn't ready to forgive you, but that one day, I would. That day is today. I truly do, from the bottom of my heart, forgive you. And I would really like it if we could be friends." He smiled," Thank you for forgiving me. And I would like that too."

Spencer came and cleared his throat," Can I have a moment with the valedictorian?" Alexander nodded," Ima see her every day in college. Talk to her while you can," he said before leaving.

"Congrats," Spencer told me. "Thanks." "So UM huh?" "Yeah." "I got into UM too." "You are going too?" He shook his head," I was going to, but I'm going to New York Medical College." "Oh wow, New York. I had no idea that was your plan." "Maybe it's because we made a deal to only talk when it came to work." "Well then that deal is being broken." "Does it matter at this point? Yesterday was my last day in the restaurant. I'm moving in 2 months. You won't see me again after this." "I suppose." "I'm sorry for everything." "You have already apologized enough Spencer." "But, I need to say it to you one last time. I'm so sorry for trying to use you for sex. I'm sorry for hurting you. You are such an amazing person and I'm so proud of what you have been able to accomplish."

"Thanks. I'm proud of you too. You've changed. Don't think I haven't noticed. These two years you have focused on school and left Ferguson's girls alone. You made a great change and it was for the better. Not everyone has it in them."

"Did you just compliment me?" "Like you said. At this point it doesn't matter. This will be the last time we ever see each other." He nodded," I've missed you, you know." "Let's not go there." "Yeah, you're right. Take care of my mom for me once I'm gone ok?" I nodded," I will. Take care in New York." He nodded," I will. Goodbye Cassandra." "Goodbye Spencer."