Graduation

As graduation day approached, things started getting hectic around the house. Our family members from all over the world, whom we talked to on a regular basis, were flying in for the graduation ceremony. Even my brother was coming down for it. I was excited to see him, as was Brian since they had become close friends over the years.

After many arguments over dinner plans, and seating plans, and ticket purchases, graduation day finally arrived. The morning part of the day was hectic itself. Everyone was bustling about cooking the graduation lunch, and they all forgot about my brother’s flight. I volunteered to go get him, but really, I just wanted to get out the house.

I couldn’t invite Brian along for the ride to the airport because he was going through his own hectic family stuff at home. So, I hopped into my dad’s car and drove down to the airport which was an hour away. As I parked the car, I got out and headed into the arrival’s area.

“Samantha?” someone called from behind me.

I spun around and stared up at a pair of dark chocolate eyes. He was taller than me, then again, most people were taller than me. His hair was shaved to a crew cut. He was wearing a black shirt with a red dragon print across it, a pair of blue jeans, and sneakers.

“It’s me, Matthew Warren.” He smiled and stepped closer. “I trained with you a few years ago at the swim club?”

“Oh!” I smiled slightly. “Matthew. Sorry, my mind is all over the place right now.”

“It’s cool.” He shrugged it off. “How have you been?”

“Good.” I cleared my throat. “Um . . . I’m kind of late for picking up my brother. So . . . I guess I’ll see you around.”

I remembered exactly who he was. I had had a crush on him from the first time he started training with my team. Of course, I stayed away from him. No guy on this earth would ever like me if they knew what I went through.

“Oh, right.” He nodded and turned to walk away.

I sighed in relief and turned on my heel.

“Actually!” he called as he faced me again. “I was wondering . . . could I have your number? Maybe we can talk sometime?”

“Sure . . .” I murmured as I rattled off my cell number.

“Great.” He grinned as he added it to his phone. “I’ll call you later.”

He waved as he walked off. I shook my head and kept walking to the airport’s entrance. I pushed aside the odd meeting with Matthew and focused on my brother. As I stood among the crowd, waiting for the plane to arrive, I couldn’t help but think about how cuter Matthew had gotten.

Once they announced my brother’s flight, I looked up excitedly.

“Sam!” Jeremy yelled as he ran through the automatic doors towards me.

“Jeremy!” I yelped.

Jeremy dropped his duffel bag, wrapped his arms around my waist, lifted me into the air and spun me around. As he settled me down on my feet, he kissed my cheeks and forehead gently. I grinned up at him and hugged him tightly again.

Jeremy hadn’t changed a bit. My brother was tall, at least 6’4, and he got it from my mom’s side. It was the only trait he got from her. His hair was dark brown, shaggy and hung down in front of his green eyes. He was muscular from his years of playing football.

“Oh, I’ve missed you!” I sighed happily.

“I’ve missed you too.” He closed his eyes and held me close to him for a few minutes, ignoring the odd looks from the people around us.

“Come on.” I said as I pulled away. “We best be getting back.”

Jeremy nodded, grabbed his bag and followed me out the door. We headed back to the car and started driving home.

“So, how are things with her?” he asked with a tentative tone in his voice.

“The same.” I shrugged. “I’m starting to get fed up of it though.”

“About time.” He shook his head. “I’ll never understand you. You can beat the crap out of anyone with you ninja skills, yet, you can’t hit your mom back.”

“I freeze up with her.” I admitted. “But it’s only her . . . it’s like she has some spell on me.”

“She’s not Lord Voldemort, and you’re not Ginny Weasley.” Jeremy chuckled a bit. “Well, you only have a year left. Then we can both go to college together!”

“Right . . .” I whispered. “College . . . in DC.”

“What’s wrong?” he turned his head to look at me.

“Well . . . I promised Brian I’d go to a college in Florida with him.” I revealed.

“That’s fine.” Jeremy shrugged. “We’ll just visit each other on our breaks. Not a big deal.”

“Yea.” I sighed. “But . . . what if I don’t want to go to Florida?”

“Then that leaves Brian heartbroken!” Jeremy released a loud rumbling laugh.

“Exactly.” I groaned. “I’ll figure something out.”

Jeremy shook his head while smiling. I pulled into the driveway and killed the engine before getting out the car.

“Jeremy!” dad yelled from the second floor.

“Hi dad!” Jeremy waved up to him.

Jeremy rushed up the steps and ran into the house to meet daddy. I glanced around before locking the car, sensing something. Brian’s car pulled up to the front of the driveway. I could’ve heard it a mile away. I grinned, locked the car and walked down to him. Brian got out and leaned against the car.

“I thought I wasn’t seeing you again till the ceremony.” I tiptoed and kissed his cheeks.

“Too many people at home. I needed a break.” He grinned.

“Well, I don’t think you’ll want to go into my house.” I laughed and pulled off my sneakers. “Let’s go for a walk.”

I led the way across the street to the beach we lived on. Brian walked beside me and reached for my hand. I smiled up at him and squeezed his fingers lightly. I turned to face the water and sighed.

“We only have one more year before college.” He whispered. “Only one more year of surfing and swimming.”

“Oh, don’t remind me.” I said with a sad tone in my voice. “It’s gonna be hard leaving the beaches.”

“At least we aren’t leaving each other.” Brian grinned.

A guilty feeling formed over my heart. I knew how much Brian was looking forward to going to college with me. I did want to go to college with him, but I didn’t want to go to Florida. I remained silent as he rattled off all the exciting things he wanted to do once we got to college.

“Brian!” Jeremy called as he ran over to us.

“Yo!” Brian released my hand and hugged Jeremy.

“How have you been?” Jeremy asked.

“Good.” Brian glanced across at me. “Uh . . . Sammy, can I talk to Jer in private?”

“Sure.” I kissed their cheeks. “I’ll see you at the ceremony.”

***

“Young!” the line coordinator called. “Where’s Miss Young?”

“Yes?” I stepped forward.

“Good.” She pushed me to the back of the line. “You’re the last one to go on stage.”

I nodded and adjusted the stupid hat on my head again. I was already hating the ceremony. I folded my arms and leaned against the wall. The other students in front of me were busy talking to even notice me. I was invisible as usual.

“Wow, twice in one day.” Matthew’s voice surrounded me.

“Hey!” I grinned. “Why are you here?”

“My cousin is graduating.” He smiled. “I’m her escort for the dance.”

“Oh, cool.” I stepped forward as the line moved.

“Are you going to it? Or are you too cool for it?” he walked with me.

“I have to go. My parents are coming too.” I pointed out.

“Oh right. Families are invited.” He grinned. “Save me a dance?”

“Um . . . ok.” I bit down on my lip hard.

“See ya!” he waved as he walked off.

Could it be that Matthew Warren, a boy that most girls drool over, liked me? It’s impossible. I’m like a pauper and he’s  the Prince. Boys like him would never date girls like me.

My mind began to race and I was oblivious to the principal calling my name.

“Samantha Young?” she called. “Is she here?”

“Go!” someone pushed me forward.

I shook my head and walked across the stage. As I took my diploma, I glanced out at the silent crown and locked my gaze with my father.

“Yea! Sammy!” he stood up and screamed.

Every parent turned their heads to look at my father. My eyes widened and I saw the laughing look on the other girls faces. I tried not to laugh myself as I grinned at daddy. I nodded my head and walked off the stage.

“Now, it’s time to find out who gets to give the graduation class speech.” The principal opened an envelope. “The entire class has voted on the student to give the impromptu speech. Majority voted for . . . Samantha Young.”

My head shot up as all the students turned to me. A large group of girls, the popular girls, smirked at me. They had hated me since primary school. This was all a big joke to them. The last embarrassment of Samantha Young. I looked over to Brian and Jyn who were also glaring at the girls.

“Well, Miss Young, the mic is yours.” The principal stepped away from the podium.

I cleared my throat and walked up to the stage. I unhooked the mic from the stand and stepped to the middle of the stage. I looked down at the girls again and the anger in me erupted.

“Hi.” I began. “My name is Samantha Young, daughter of the proud father who made the outburst earlier, and member of the graduating class of 2005. We’ve all come a long way over the years and I’m sure we’re all happy and proud to be graduation with this class. Wrong! I’m not proud and happy to be graduation with this class. A class that spent their leisure time picking on those who were different than them, and playing practical jokes on students. From the first day oh school, I hated most of them. Why? Because they ridiculed me and gave me the label of “Freak”. Yes, I like only rock music, I like Star Wars, Harry Potter, Sci-fi stuff, I like to read for fun, I like to watch Japanese anime, and I like to have my own opinions. That does not make me a freak. It just makes me my own person. An individual who does not conform to society, but opens her mind to what’s out there . . . the larger picture. However, for most of you in this class, to not accept me for the individual I am, makes you all look like freaks! As we now go into the real world, most of you will not survive if you keep the one track, unfaltering mentality you currently have. So, I wish you luck, you stupid, ignorant, mean, freaks!”

I placed the mic on the stand, stepped off the stage and walked over to my seat. I resumed my sitting position and ignored the silence in the room.

“Yea, Sammy!” Brian and Jyn stood up and stared clapping.

Loyalty from our families caused them to stand up and applaud. The popular girls shot me deathly glared, but I kept a serene look on my face.

“Well, thank you, Samantha, for the speech.” The principal cleared her throat and finished with the ceremony.

Once we were dismissed, I walked over to my dad. He pulled me in a tight hug and kissed my head.

“That was a badass speech.” Jeremy high fived me.

“You’re still a freak.” One of the girls said as she walked past me.

“B***h.” Jeremy shook his head.

“Come on.” Dad sighed. “Time to get ready for the dance.”

***

I wasn’t used to dancing. I preferred head banging. But, that night, Brian made me love dancing. He twirled me, dipped me, lifted me . . . the works! As the D.J. announced the father and daughter dance, Brian kissed my head and gave my hand to daddy.

“I’m so proud of you for sticking to who you are.” Dad whispered as we moved around the floor. “You’ve always been my favorite because you’re different.”

“I know.” I kissed his cheek as the dance ended.

“So, can I get that dance now?” Matthew asked.

“Oh!” I smiled. “Dad, this is Matthew Warren.”

“Hello, sir.” Matthew nodded to daddy.

“Hmm.” Dad frowned, squeezed my hand and walked away.

“Did I do something?” Matthew asked as he took my hand.

“I don’t think so.” I shrugged and swayed from side to side.

“Well, you look absolutely gorgeous.” He complimented.

I glanced down at my light blue, thin strap gown. I’ll admit, I’m not a supermodel type of girl. I loved to eat. Therefore, my body size was average. My hair was main beauty. It was long, wavy and dark brown with natural red highlights. My eyes were dark brown and my skin was smooth and tanned, like a real beach girl.

“So, tell me, Miss Samantha,” Matthew grinned as he twirled me around. “What do you like to do for fun?”

“Did you not hear my speech at the ceremony?” I shook my head smiling.

“Ah, that I did.” He chuckled and dipped me. “And I have to say, you are not a freak for liking all those things, because I like them too . . . well, maybe not the reading part.”

“Well, what do you like to do?” I laughed slightly.

“I love computer stuff.” He shrugged as he led me to the middle of the dance floor. “I like to fix them, build them, anything with them. Oh, and I love to play games. Any kind, video, computer, you name it.”

“You sound like my best friend.” I smiled a bit.

“Well, if he has you for a friend, then he must be awesome.” Matthew twirled me in circles again fast. “But tell me, would your best friend ever ask you out?”

“No,” I giggled. “Brian and I don’t like each other that way.”

“Good,” he smiled as he stopped dancing along with the song. “Would you go out with me then? Tomorrow night?”

“Um . . .” I looked up at him startled. “Yes.”

“Great.” He released my hand. “I’ll call you later with the details.”

“Ok.” I nodded.

“See you soon.” He kissed my cheek, turned on his heel and walked off the dance floor.

I stood there for a few seconds, just staring at him. He was so calm, cool, collected and suave.  I was intimidated, and I’m not ever intimidated by anyone outside of my family.

“Who was that?” Brian asked as he walked over to me.

“Matthew Warren.” I whispered. “We trained together at the swim club.”

“Cool.” Brian sighed. “Anyway, you ready to get out of here?”

“Ah, yes!” I immediately turned my head to Brian. “You’re surprise!”

Brian grinned, nodded to my dad and Jeremy, grabbed my hand and led me off the floor and out the room. We quickly walked down the stairs and out the building.

“Where are we going?” I asked as we got into his car.

“Surprise, remember?” Brian laughed as we drove off. “So, what did Matthew talk about?”

“Oh!” I grinned happily and turned to look at Brian while he drove. “He asked me out! Can you believe it?”

“Oh . . .” Brian’s face fell slightly. “What did you say?”

“I said yes, of course!” I laughed and looked out the window. “Oh, I’m excited, but nervous! I mean, what if he doesn’t like me?”

“What’s not to like?” Brian sighed. “You’re absolutely amazing, Sammy. You’re extremely beautiful, you’re funny, sweet, kind, loyal. You defend and protect those who are close to you. You’re super intelligent, and you’re understanding.”

“Gosh . . .” I blushed. “Thanks, Brian.”

“Anytime.” He glanced over to me and smiled.

We quickly turned down a side street that led to the north docks of the island. We headed down the street toward Power Boats lot.

“We’re going on a boat?” I stared around with my eyes wide open.

“Yea.” Brian smiled a bit as he parked in front of the dock. “I rented a speed boat for tonight. I figured . . . we could head down the islands? Surf there tonight?”

“Oh gosh . . . Brian!” I jumped out the car and hugged him tightly. “That’s perfect!”

Reviews

[Dutch Jr.]

Heartfelt. I'm sinking deeper and deeper into your story as it goes on.