Chapter 17
My life now feels complete. Clarence and I have put the past behind us and we are stronger than ever. I told him everything about the pregnancy, he was shocked to hear the news and apologized to me like a million times and promised to always be there for me from now on. To be honest, I did have my doubts but I don’t want to hold one incident against him, people change, or at least that’s what I want to believe - I love Clarence and that’s all that matters now.
Today is the day of our graduation, I am excited yet nervous as I’ve been chosen as the class valedictorian, don’t get me wrong I’m truly honored and glad that I’ve made daddy proud but my nerves are kind of getting the better of me right now!
The graduation ceremony begins at 9:00 am sharp! There’s so much to do before that though, at least I’ve got my daily shower out of the way, now to fit into my dress, get my hair and make-up done and make my way to the school hall! Phew! Seems like a lot to do in such little time.
I quickly rush back into my room and change into my dress but I can’t seem to find it! Damn…why is it when you’re in a hurry you can’t seem to find anything! I could have sworn I took it out the drawer, I begin to dig into my drawer, I pull through each hanger but I can’t find it
“There you are, mum said to give this to you” Derrick enters my room with my dress in hand and places it on the bed and leaves
Things with Derrick and I have returned to the way it was when our parents first got married – Derrick is always to himself and doesn’t really say much, we barely talk
I begin to put my dress on; it’s an olive taffeta dress with bronze sequence from the bust to the waist, it settles just above my knees and zips at the back. I stand in front of the mirror and admire how gorgeous the dress looks, I push my hand to the back and try zipping it up but the zipper is jamming. I bend my head over and try to focus on pulling the zipper up but just then a familiar feel of hands pulls the zipper up. When I lift my head up and look at the reflection in the mirror, I see Derrick standing behind me with his grey formal pants and shirt unbuttoned revealing his toned chocolate abs. He stares at our reflection on the mirror; I look at it as well nervously, not knowing what to say
“You look beautiful” he says to me and makes his way out the room
I’m lost for words and don’t really have a response for him. After some minutes of just staring into space I continue to get dressed. I slip on my bronze stilettos and take a seat at my dresser so I can get started on my hair and make-up.
“Looking elegant as ever…” mum says to me as she takes a few steps closer to me
“Thanks mum, help please?” I ask her and grin widely
“Sure”
She begins brushing my hair and pulling it up into an up style.
“Things don’t have to be the way they are…with you and Derrick”
“I don’t want it to be the way it is, I want us to be close again but he can’t handle the fact that I’m with Clarence and he’s never going to”
“In time he will, maybe when he finds his other half in life. Hey, I’ve got a brilliant idea…don’t you have any girlfriends? You could hook him up and you guys could bond over some double dating?” mum looks all excited with her so called brilliant idea
I laugh at the image of that “It doesn’t work like that and I can’t imagine Derrick on a double date with Clarence and me”
“Don’t shoot the idea down unless you try it, you never know…” she says to me as she does my make-up. She then applies my make-up and stares at me in awe. I look at her with curiosity pecking at my mind “you look amazing and I’m so proud of you my angel” she says to me with tears in her eyes
I look at myself in the mirror and I’m amazed! “Thank you mum”
I look at the time and realize I’m going to be late if I don’t hurry up; I quickly grab my graduation gown and hurry downstairs. We all hop into daddy’s car and head to the school hall where the ceremony is to take place. Derrick sits there staring out the window the entire drive there but I have to admit, he’s looking really hot!
As we enter the hall, there’s about ten minutes before we begin, I quickly go through my speech ensuring I remember everything and don’t make a fool of myself in front of all those people.
I put my gown on and take a seat in the first row along with the other students. The hall is buzzing and everyone’s so excited, all the parents are seated proudly waiting for their child’s name to be announced. I look back to see where mum and daddy are seated, when I spot them daddy gives me the thumbs up and a huge smile. Then my name is announced, I walked up to the stage and collect my certificate and medals and then pose for a picture.
At the end my name is called upon once again to give the speech, I walk up nervously but after catching my parents proud expressions my nerves begin to disappear.
“Good evening graduates, parents and honored guests. Today is the final chapter of our schooling years but the first chapters of our lives – our lives begin now, everyone will go their separate ways whilst others will still remain friends for a life time. High school doesn’t really end for anyone, it remains with us…engraved in our memories – the good ones that make us smile and make us miss school, and then the bad ones that we may regret but it is however, the bad ones that have made us wiser, stronger and changed us for the better. I’d like to thank each and every graduate for sharing every moment with me and I wish you guys the best in life and know that the power is in your hand – you can achieve anything you desire if you believe in yourself and your ability to do it. Thank you”
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Mum has prepared a feast for us, Clarence and his parents are joining us this evening as well. Daddy and Clarence’s dad go on about their politics and so on whilst Clarence’s mum helps mine to bring the food from the kitchen to the dining area, Derrick sits bored and Clarence holds my hand and talks about how happy he is to be with me and to spend this day with me.
Once the food is all set on the table and everyone is seated, daddy gets everyone’s attention and says a prayer.
“Amen” everyone says in unison
“I know everyone’s starving but could you please hang in there for just a minute as I would like to have the special people in my life share this day with me” Clarence suddenly says, I look at him lost as to what he’s about to share
He puts his hand in his pocket and pulls out a little box “Dianne, I’ve spoken to your parents and I’ve got their permission and blessings, that has made me really happy but what would make me even happier is your answer…” I look at him knowingly but shocked as he opens the little box revealing a diamond ring “Will you marry me?”
I look at everyone, Derrick rolls his eyes and when I look back at Clarence i begin to explode with happiness and his smile melts my heart “Yes, yes I’ll marry you” he slides the ring onto my finger and kisses me
Our parents hug us and wish us well
“And before everyone settles down again, allow me to share my good news with everyone” Derrick announces
“Have you found yourself a girl too, son?” daddy asks
“No, but I have applied at the University of Cambridge and I’ve been accepted…I’ve got a full scholarship” he says it emotionless
“Congratulations! I’m so proud of you” daddy taps his back whilst mum gives him a huge hug
“I’d like to go there alive mum” he squeezes out
“Oh congrats Ricky, but isn’t that all the way in England?” I say to him realizing how far away from me he’s going to be
“Yes, it is” I suddenly lose my appetite as his words begin to sink in…
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