Graduation

Another attempt to start a book. Some of the same characters, I'm just going with the ideas that come. It's not at all finished :(

     I have lived in Arizona all of my life and I have always dreaded the summers because of the heat, the 'sweating while sitting in your car with the A/C turned on full blast' type of heat.  My parents, ever since they adopted me from Mrs. Carmichael's house, knew that there was something special about the projection of my life.  I had stayed with Bree Carmichael for the first seven years of my life.  I have no clear recollection of that place, just the last day I was there, she had the TV turned on to the Price is Right as usual, the other kids were outside swimming and I was packing my one suit case that I possessed.  My time there was up and all I cared about was getting out.

     As the ceremony started, the church was now filled with hundreds of people all awaiting the moments where each of us would walk across the stage adn recieve our diplomas.  Out in the hallways we all were lined up, ready to go, the only thing keeping us in the foier was the person in front of us.  Two by two each of us walked down the aisle.  Tall, white high heels Nicole and I had picked ut just the day before were now making my feet hurt.

     "Can you believe were going to be freshmen again?"

     "No."  Despite how excited and anxious everyone else was, I was feeling a bit queezy.

     "Alaina, you ok?"

     "Yeah," my throat was all chocked up and my stomach kept churning.  When would this service end?  "Just a bit nervious."

     "You sure?  You really don't look all that great."

     "Thanks, I'll take that as a compliment."  Nicole was never one to communicate her thoughts without it sounding more negative than her origional intent.  Despite my quick comebacks, we remained friends all these two years.

      "You should.  Just take it easy, alright?"  Her smile allowed me to know that she knew the intent of my heart.  I nodded my head, closed my eyes and focused on conquering these butterflies so that they do not dominate my being.  After all, I just have to walk up, shake some hands and sit down.  How hard could that be?

     "And it is my great honor to present to you this year's valedictorian:  Jim Stephens."   It seemed so ritualisticas the audience broke out in applause.  "As he is coming up, I would like to say just how honored I am to have known Jim these past for years.  For those of you who don't know, Jim is not only one of my students, but he's also my nephew.  And I am deeply grateful for all of his accomplishments."

      A nudge to my arm startled me since I was half asleep by now.  It was Nicole.  "Isn't he gorgeous?"  All I felt like doing then was a slight laugh and then close my eyes once again until the leader told us to get back up so we can go up on stage.  The many speeches adn performances and songs made me that much more tired.  I felt another nudge from Nicole again.  "Hey, Alaina.  Ben's looking at you."  Now fully awake, I asked her to clarify that. 

     "What?"

     "Ben has been looking back at you a couple times in the past few minutes."

     Because I was too tired adn did not feel like loking baack at him and did not want to make a scene, I subtly took out my phone and told her to text me what she wants to say.  The text read, Do you still like him?  I know it's been like a year since you guys broke up, but, still...do you?

 

no! he made the decisions that he did and you know that I like Brian, so why ask that question?

 

IDk lol.  you two were soo cute together though

 

no, i'm never going back..he's changed way to much

 

Really?  like how?

 

Can we talk about this later?

 

yeah, but you have to tell me soon

 

I will..just another time.

 

     Looking to check the time, I noticed another text from an all-too-familiar number.

 

Hey, it's me..Ben.  What's up?

 

   Leave me alone that's what, I thought.  As I looked at the text, I took a deep breath and sighed quietly as I closed the phone.  As I sat listening the honors chorale sing I started dozing off again though there were a few more minutes until we were to stand up to go up on stage.  I realized that I dozed off again when Nicole practically pushed me off of the pew saying we have to stand up soon. 

     "Why are you so tired today?"

     "I just did not get any sleep."

     "Why?"

     "Dreams.  Countless dreams and dogs barking at birds outside."

     "Well, we have about another twenty minutes until it's over, so, you'll be sleeping in a little while."  Josh motioned us to get up and move down the aisle.