Welcome to the last official chapter! Well, real chapter. The last one will be the Epilogue so I guess it's not necessary, but I think you should stick around for that because this is a pretty short one :D It's graduation time!
Please don't forget to vote and comment what you think <3 Thank you for all of the support!
~~~
Sky
The backfield was completely packed with the giant stage, chairs and people. I never imagined that this many people would be coming to watch us graduate. It was just... Strange. The teachers were running around making sure that everything was in order. Many of the people graduating were speaking with their invitees or directing them to their seats. I spotted my mom and her video camera sitting next to Luke, Evie, and Brody.
"Hey Brody. Did Garrett introduce you to these crazy people?" I joked, which made him laugh, but earned me a few scowls from the other three. "He sure did. He's actually coming right now," he said looking behind me. I turned around to be enveloped into a tight bear hug. "I can't believe we're graduating today!" He said excitedly. I pushed him off of me before he could suffocate me. "You need to learn how to not squish me to death and wrinkle my clothes," I laughed. Garrett then turned to his left and gave Ave the same hug, but she pinched him before he could do any damage.
"You are really strong for being so short," he joked and blocked her punch. "All graduates please report to their designated seats," the principal announced from the microphone on stage. "Alright, I'll see you guys after the ceremony," I said to Ave and Garrett before going towards the "E" section. Ave and Garrett were lucky to have last names so close to each other; they got to sit together. The grade twelve teachers, including Dan, who I haven't seen until now, lined up in their places with huge smiles plastered onto their faces.
The principal and vice principal walked towards the microphone and began speaking. Everyone quieted down and got into their proper seats as they introduced themselves and gave a little speech about the graduating class. The valedictorian was next to go up. Brian was the name of the guy giving an amazing speech. I'd seen him around, but he was one of those people that you've never shared a class with so you wouldn't know anything about him other than what you've heard from gossip. Apparently he had gotten a full scholarship, like Avery, to the University of Toronto and was also a great hockey player. I zoned out for most of the speech, but clapped along when everyone else started. We were then sent to line up. The names started being called. I was feeling a bit queasy just thinking about walking in front of people to accept my key to my future.
"Sky Evans," the principal called. I swallowed my own saliva and took a deep breath before I started walking up the stairs. Right before I reached the last step I heard a deep voice that I loved call out my name and gasped at what I saw. My father was standing near the tables with two suitcases and was waving at me. The biggest smile that's been on my face for a long time kept on getting bigger as I kept walking towards the principal to accept my diploma and shake his hand. We both turned to face the crowd and smiled for any pictures that would be taken. He congratulated me before I stepped off stage and another name was called. I made my way back to my seat just in time for Garrett's name to be called up. After what felt like two hours, but was really only 25 minutes, the rest of the graduates had accepted their diplomas and awards were back in their seats. The principal and a few teachers gave their congratulations to the class before he set us free.
As soon as I got up I ran straight towards where my father was standing. "Daddy!" I screamed before I jumped into his open arms. "Congratulations, Sky. You're ready to start a new life," he said while squeezing me. "Why are you here so early?" I asked him and wiped a happy year from my cheek. "I wanted to see my only child graduate in person," he said as my mom and friends made their way over. My mom didn't seem to be on the little surprise so when made it to my father she jumped on him and started kissing him.
"Kill me now," I said to the clouds before everyone dragged me away towards the teachers. Mr. Edwards and Dan were talking with each other along with the other math and science teachers. It seemed like each department was in separate groups, which made it easier to spot the teachers we wanted to say goodbye to. We all got congratulated by each of them before we went towards where Dan and Mr. Edwards were. "Where did he go?" I asked Ave when I couldn't find Dan anywhere. She shrugged after taking a look for herself. "Are you girls looking for Mr. Phillips?" Mr. Edwards asked us. We nodded. "We wanted to talk to him before heading out to eat," Ave said quietly. He nodded at us.
"He actually just left about two minutes ago. He said something about needing to go quickly," he explained. "Oh, alright," I said, "Thanks for being an awesome Chemistry teacher!" I said. "Have a good summer," Ave said before we made our way back to our friends. I wasn't really surprised at Dan. He probably lost all of his feelings for me and left as a statement that we were over. I couldn't help but feel a bit disappointed. I wasn't keeping my hopes up that Dan would still love me, but it still hurt that he avoided me before I could even say bye. I noticed two people that I've never met standing next to Garrett and Brody. "Hey girls. These are my parents," he said while motioning towards them. Ave and I both said introduced ourselves. We invited them to eat dinner with us and they happily accepted.
We ended up taking various cars. Ave, Evie, Luke, and I rode in one car; my parents in another with Ave's parents; Garrett with his parents, and Brody in another. When we arrived to the restaurant the first thing we did was change out of our graduation robes and touch up our makeup. We noticed that there were two separate tables that filled everyone up. Ave and I sat at the corner booth that contained all of our friends. I slid into the booth with Ave next to me. Brody and Evie were sitting at the corners of the Booth while Garrett decided to take one of the normal chairs in front of the table so Brody could get to know us better. After everyone decided what they wanted to eat we had small conversations with each other.
I looked over at my parents. They were talking to everyone else talking to them with huge smiles on their faces. Garrett had told his parents about him being gay and instead of them being angry or disappointed they celebrated. Apparently they knew all along and were happy when he finally decided to tell them the truth. When the food finally arrived everyone dug in. Ave and Luke decided to share a big dish while everyone else got their own plate.
As I brought the fork of delicious food up to my mouth the restaurants door opened, making the wind blow on the plant right beside me. The leaf hit me right in the face and made everyone laugh at me. After fighting with the plant and positioning it in a way that wouldn't allow it to hit me, I finally got a few bites in. "I have to go to the washroom," Evie said while holding her phone up. Everyone nodded and continued to eat. I was almost half way done my food when Garrett caught my attention.
"Evie's been gone for over fifteen minutes. Could you go check on her?" her food's probably getting cold," he said. I nodded and excused myself. When I got to the washroom it was empty. I decided to go myself so I wouldn't have to later. After I flushed and washed my hands I went to leave the washroom. I heard a door open near me, but no one else was inside the washroom with me. I couldn't help but feel nervous. What if Trevor somehow got out and came here to attack me again? I quickly left the washroom to make my way back to the table. I noticed the door to the restaurant was locked so I went the other way that lead to the main lobby. As I was walking toward the other door a figure turned out of the men's washroom and stopped in front of me before turning around. I couldn't believe who was standing there.
"I hope I'm not too late," Dan's deep voice said before he stuck out his hand out. I gladly put mine in before he squeezed it. "You'd never be too late," I said before he pulled me in and kissed me passionately—a kiss that I had been craving for months. I hugged him as tightly as I could and held my tears back. He pulled away and looked at my face. "Why are you crying?" he asked. I smiled at him. "I thought you gave up on us and stopped loving me. I didn't think I was going to see you again and especially not hug or kiss you again," I explained pathetically.
"I told you that I still love you. Now you're graduated and we can be together in public.
How about we start it out by telling your friends?" Dan suggested. I nodded with a huge smile on my face. "You guys can at least wait for me," Evie shouted from the boy's washroom. So that's where she was. I was a bit nervous as Dan ad I walked towards the table hand in hand. Ave and Luke had huge smiles on their faces, Garrett looked surprised, and Brody just looked confused at everyone's expressions. "Daniel!" My mom screeched before running towards him and giving him a hug. My father shook his hand and introduced Dan to the other parents. Ave's parents recognized him from the parent-teacher interviews, but thankfully they didn't say anything bad—they just looked uncomfortable. I could tell that Dan was as nervous as ever.
"So this is your little secret," Garrett said with a little smirk. I nodded at him before I stuck my tongue out. "Does this mean we're not going to call him Mr. Phillips anymore?" he asked me. I laughed and looked at Dan. "You can just call me Dan, but don't take advantage of it," he joked. Everyone switched around so that I was one space over and Dan was in my original spot. Apparently Luke wanted to be funny so he switched the plant back to where it was.
"What is wrong with this plant?" Dan said after it slapped him in the face a few times. Everyone laughed at the situation before we finished up our food and made their way home.
"You should come to my place tonight," Dan whispered huskily into my ears. I could feel the chills running down my spine. "What about Luke?" I asked. Dan grinned, "He'll be at your place." I smiled and bit my lip. "Alright, I'll go. But before we do anything I'm organizing your closet," I said which made him groan. "Can't you do that tomorrow morning?" he asked hopefully. I smirked at him and went in my tippy toes to whisper in his ear. "My way or no way," I whispered before I lightly bit his ear. I felt Dan shiver, but I stopped and ran towards his car with him chasing behind me.