Naomi Wright
I took in a deep breath and began to walk across the large, black floored stage, waving and smiling while I walked. The students who came before me clapped and screamed my name. The crowd hooped and hollered and I'm sure you know most of it came from my family and Daniel.
I was finally graduating from Chi Arts and damn, it felt good. I’d be out of Chicago (don’t get me wrong I love it, sometimes) and soon I'll be attending UCLA with a major in journalism and minor in music. I’m doing pretty well. I’m graduating with a 5.0 out of 5.0 GPA.
I can't lie nor front, high school has turned me into a well-rounded person. That dude and I wrote all the time. I sang with Daniel. Dance, well more like 'twerked' with Fatou, and played ball with Jamiya. I'm doing pretty well for myself.
“Congratulations, Naomi. You were and still are an exceptional and outstanding student. I will miss your presence. Don't be a stranger." my principle, Antoinette Brown, said while handed me my diploma.
I nodded and then turned towards the crowd to get my picture taken by the photographer who sat at the front of the stage and everyone else who had their cameras out.
Once that was done, I lifted up my baby blue gradation gown, so that I wouldn't sit on it, and made my way to the chairs where all of the over students who'd gotten their diplomas already. My last name starting with W, I was the last one. That also meant that I was lined up with P, as in Perez.
I have to look at his damn bush for the rest of the ceremony.
God.
"Now we will announce top ten, followed by a few speeches our students have put together based on their experiences here at Chi Arts. And finally to close, there will be small performance created by each major." Ms. Brown announced.
I sighed a little loud and shifted in my seat, causing Mr. Nosey Ass to turn around and look at me. He looked me up and down, lust in his eyes. All I could do was roll my eyes at his disgusting self.
But I feel bad for whoever gets Valedictorian and Salutatorian. It's really unexpected and since it's a surprise, that means they had no time to prepare a decent speech. Lucky for the rest of the top eight, all they have to do is smile in wave.
"Starting with number ten,
Cynthia Alexander,
Monica Jones,
Rayan Lopez,
Cachee'lyn Brown,
Jazmyn Williams,
Craig Crippen,
Chresanto August,
Fatou Diaz,"
"And for your Salutatorian...
Mr. Jacob Emmanuel Perez."
While the crowd went wild, all I could think was, How the hell did this nigga get second best? He hasn't done shit since he basically switched over. Don't tell me he slept with her just to get Salutatorian!!
Jacob stood up and walked over to the podium. He waved, winked, and blew sloppy kisses at all of the thirsty "fans" of his.
His presence disgusts me.
Sorry, not sorry.
I mean, I don't mean to sneak diss my ex, but he's a pig now. I have every right after what he did to me and after what he put me through. Had it been a simple break up, I wouldn't talk shit. But it was more than that, therefore I will.
"Hello, students, staff, friends and family. It brings me a great deal of happiness to be able to accept this award as Salutatorian. My years here at Chi Arts and Medgar Evers have been that of ups and downs. I've been able to find myself and I can't lie, I've had a great share of fun. But, the most important thing is the value of my education. Chi Arts has given me opportunities that can't be replaced with the basic education of other schools." Jacob stopped talking. Ms. Brown handed him a small envelop and they exchanged a few words. After that he opened it and smirked. "But enough about me, with much pleasure, I'd like to introduce your Valedictorian; the beautiful, sophisticated, sexy, admiring, and talented, Naomi Wright."
Oh, what an introduction.
*
After the speeches, we sang a few songs. You know, typical graduation things. When that was done, each major presented something that would memorable for all of the students, staff, faculty and parents. Voice sang, music composed a really nice piece that incorporated just about every instrument you could think of, dance, of course, did a dance, and theatre acted out how life would change in college.
In the end, we had the opportunity to paint our school light blue & white. Our graduation was bomb! No school can top what we were doing. All of this thinking and reminiscing is really going to make me miss everything about this school.
"Look at you, baby girl. All graduated and what not. And don't get me started on that ass in that dress." Daniel mumbled into my ear, interrupted my reminisces of thirty minutes ago, while feeling me up.
I playfully rolled my eyes and slapped his hands away. "Not here! Do you my see my parents are right in front of us!?"
"I know, I know, I'm kidding. I have way too much respect for you than to do that against your will. I'm proud of you though." he said while grabbing my hand.
See, Daniel is a sweetheart and a gentleman. I love that he respects my personal wishes. I’m glad that our three month relationship has been solely based on connecting and not how fast he can get in my fast. That’s a real man.
"So, are we celebrating or...?" I asked while we walked behind my parents and out of the school.
This would probably be the last time I was here for a while. I'll probably come and visit but it won't be anytime soon. And like the asshole said, it actually wasn't that bad. Once I opened up and actually got to know a few of the student the last few months of school, I realized that they weren't as bad as I portrayed them.
"How about you ask your parents?" he suggest with a slight smile.
I began walking a little faster so I could catch up with them. "What're we doing tonight?"
"Well... We'll be going to dinner and then you and your little boyfriend will be catching a late flight to NYC for a week." my mom said brightly.
"I still don't like the sound of that," my dad confessed. "I mean I think he's a good kid and all, but a whole week!? Them alone in New York!?"
"We let her go for her birthday!" my mom said in defense.
"That was different." Breezy said, chiming in. "It was for her birthday, they weren't dating, and we flew in that morning."
"See!!" My dad scoffed.
I laughed and walked back towards Daniel. And ya' know what I realized? I won't be able to see Fatou for a while. I'll be in LA and she'll be in NYC attending Juilliard. If I'm lucky, Daniel will fly me out a few times so I can be with the both of them, but even that's not enough for me.
Fatou truly is my best friend and she's the person I go for everything. Imagine my clueless self without her in a whole mother state! What the hell am I going to do without her? I'm gonna make a plan for us to hang out for a few days before I leave. I start school early August and she's early September.
"So, I'm coming back to NY with you, huh?" I asked playfully elbowing Daniel.
“Yep,” Daniel said, wrapping his arm around me.
Like normal, I melted. I don’t know what it is and why it happens, but I get weak whenever Daniel touches me. He’s so gentle and relaxing. His scent makes me feel like a kid in a candy shop…
…or maybe it’s all in my head.
Maybe Daniel is just a replacement of what once was. Maybe Daniel and his way remind me of what Daniel Jacob used to be like.
But that’s impossible.
Those two don’t compare.
*
“How about a movie?” Daniel suggested as I stepped into his room from taking a shower. I hadn’t completely dried off, therefore I was still a little wet.
“Um, I guess that’s fine.” I said, walking over to his bed and sitting Indian Style on it.
“You don’t seem sure. Did you have something else in mind?” Daniel asked, walking over to me.
“Well…” I sang a little.
I wrapped my legs around his waist and ran my hand up and down his chest.
I was horny.
The lust in my eyes was apparent.
I wanted him and I wanted him right away.
I climbed up to my knees and pulled him closer to me. “Are you beginning to catch on?”
“Oh, yeah.” Daniel said, laying me down.
He hovered over me and kissed me from my lips, to my jaw, to my neck, and chest. His kisses went lower and lower, but something just didn’t feel right.
It didn’t feel right.
Everything was right in my head but when it actually happened, I didn’t like it.
Can you guess why?