Twenty Three

Before I knew it, Val and my brother were graduating. It’d been a week since my parents somehow found out that I was gay. My parents had begged me to wear something other than a sweater, so I decided to wear a navy button up shirt and khakis.

My parents were busy chatting with Val’s parents. Adrian had also driven in to support her. We all sat watching as the senior class waited on the football field. You could almost feel the anxious energy radiating off them. 

The valedictorian was Jessica Reed, of course. She went on a long rant about her life story and where she’d go from there, until she got the point. She said life is short and so we should make the most of our experiences and do everything for yourself. Not for your boyfriend, not for your best friend, not for your parents. For yourself. I hated to admit that she was right. 

Eventually, the seniors started being called onto the stage to receive their diploma. When Val’s name was called, Adrian and I jumped out of our seats and cheered. 

“Let’s go babe! Yes! That’s my girlfriend!” he called out. 

Val took her diploma and turned to face the audience. She squinted her eyes trying to find us, and when she did, her face lit up. I waved and she waved back before exiting the stage on the opposite side.  

Once all of the students had been called up to receive their diploma and were seated, the principal wrapped up the ceremony. Then, the moment we’d been waiting for finally arrived.  

“Congratulations Class of 2022! You may throw your hats.” 

And they did. For a split second, it was like a sea of black. I was so happy for Val. And so was Adrian evidently, because he was grinning from ear to ear. 

 

 

~ 

 

 

When the graduation ceremony was over, we all walked down to the field to greet Val. The first thing she did was rush towards Adrian and give her a big bear hug. I didn’t blame her. Nothing’s been the same since he left. When they were done catching up, she turned towards me.  

“Congratulations Val!” I smiled. 

“Thank you!! I’m so glad everyone could come!” 

“So be honest,” I started. “How nervous were you to walk across the stage?” 

She chuckled. “It’s fine. At least now I get to leave this place.” 

“And that’ll be me next year!” I exclaimed. 

Val elbowed me in the shoulder. “You bet it will. You’ll have to keep Adrian and I updated on your college decisions.”

 

“I will for sure.” I hesitated. “Wait-… when are you leaving again?” 

Val frowned. “Tomorrow. My flight is super early in the morning.” 

My heart sank. That early? Now I wouldn’t have any friends to get me through summer or my senior year. I gave Val a big hug. We stayed there for a while before pulling away. “I’m going to miss you.” 

Val smiled at me sympathetically. “Aww, I will too. But don’t worry. We’ll come visit you this summer. And you can of course visit me in California!” She had decided to go to college in California where most of her relatives lived. 

“I know, I know,” I reassured. “After all, you guys still have to show me the cool summer hang out spots.” 

She smiled. “We definitely will.” She sighed and then placed her hang on my shoulder. 

“Hang in there, okay?” 

I placed my hand on top of hers. “Don’t worry. I’ll be fine.” 

She smiled one last time and continued making her rounds. 

Eventually, we’d all congratulated her and were on our way back out to the parking lot. I turned to wave goodbye, and that was the last time I saw her for a while. That was the last time I had a friend at school. 

All throughout my senior year, I never had friends like I did my junior year. Of course I hung out with people, but it wasn’t the same. We never had the same connection that I did with Val and Adrian.

Or Gideon.