The One That Got Away

I rolled my eyes at the valedictorian’s pathetic speech. He was the standard cliché: tall, scrawny, greasy, pimply. He was trying way too hard to make the other almost-graduates laugh. Notice how I said trying. I fidgeted with my recently manicured nails. My mother had thrown a fit about how I should “look nice for once in my life” since it was my graduation today. In all honesty, I thought I looked fine, but apparently my mother didn’t. So she took me to the local salon where I got plucked and painted.

            A hand patted my leg, causing me to snap my head up. It was Sarah Duncan, a recently added friend because our last names were together in the alphabet.

            “You look annoyed,” she said, her wide blue eyes circled with worry. Sarah was a very caring person I had come to find out.

            “Actually, I’m a little pissed.” I replied as I nodded my head towards the valedictorian. We were arch enemies all through high school, both battling for the top spot. After our final six weeks, our class rank was announced. Matt Ranch, number one. Jamison Durst, number two. He beat me by a hundredth of a point.

            Sarah, having heard the story numerous times since we started practicing for graduation, nodded her head in understanding. “If it makes you feel any better, I’m pretty sure everyone wanted you to be the valedictorian. You are hilarious.”

            Gratefully, I smiled. “Thanks Sarebear.” Inwardly I laughed, she hated the nickname she was given by the student body. She grimaced but said nothing.

            I decided to place my attention back on Matt, even though I didn’t like him. He was still failing miserably. I snickered. Sarah shot me a “Be nice” look, which immediately made me shut up. She was a little firecracker.

            “And with that, I turn this over to our beloved Principal, Dr. Long,” Matt finished. A roar of applause sounded, most likely because everyone was counting the seconds until that torturous speech would end.

            Dr. Long, a surprisingly tall Asian man in his mid forties, stepped up to the podium, the audience immediately quieted.

            “Friends, teachers, students, we are gathered here today to celebrate twelve years worth of achievement.” He stopped, letting his statement sink in, his authoritive voice ringing across the auditorium like the Liberty Bell. “Today is a day honoring the accomplishment of…” Dr. Long continued talking, but I had stopped listening. My attention was drawn to my parents and my older brother in the far right of the auditorium, making a fool of themselves. They were waving their arms above their heads, my brother had even taken it upon himself to do his interpretation of the chicken dance. I sent them a questioning glance, shaking my head. My parents turned to my brother and asked him what it meant. He rolled his eyes and explained, then turned back towards me tapping his phone.

            Receiving the message, I pulled my ugly read gown that clashed with my hair back and pulled my cell phone out of my jean pocket. Three unread messages. I skipped the other two and tapped on my brother’s to see what he sent me.

            We were tryin 2 get ur attention

            I hated it when people didn’t use correct grammar, even while texting. I replied.

            You got it. What’s up?

            A hand tapped my shoulder. I turned around and met the eyes of my sophomore English teacher Ms. Garcia. She gestured for me to put my phone up and I quietly obliged even though I thought it was stupid. I was almost a legal adult and technically I was already graduated from high school. She can’t force me to do things anymore.