“Is your mom here?”
Her face falls. “Someone called into work, sick, last minute, and she had to cover for them.”
“I’m sorry,” I murmur, pulling her in for a hug. “We’ll take loads of photographs to send to her, though.”
She nods her head, fixing her smile back in place. I know having her mom here would have meant a lot to her, but I get the impression Emilia has gotten used to her mom not being able to make important events in her life because she has to work. It’s sad, but she understands her mom is only trying to provide for both of them, and I know when they do get to spend time together that they both appreciate it that much more.
“Let’s go graduate!” Wilder calls out. There’s still some weird tension between him and Emilia, but for the most part, they seem to both be ignoring whatever happened at the dance. Emilia hasn’t mentioned their spat, and I haven’t asked her, so I’m assuming it was nothing significant.
All of us file out of the dorm and make our way down to the lawn, where they’ve set up a stage, with rows of chairs lined up in front of it that are quickly filling with students. Surrounding the stage and chairs are stands which are already overflowing with parents here to celebrate their children’s achievements—or what is more likely, here to socialize and connect with other entitled, elitist assholes.
There’s an excited thrum of energy in the air, along with a constant buzz of conversation and girly squeals as students meet up with each other and find their seats.
The rows seem to be set out in alphabetical order, and grinning at the others, Hawk, Wilder, and I move to find our seats near the stage, while the others go in search of theirs further back in the rows. As Valedictorian, Emilia has to make a speech, so she has to sit up on the stage, along with the Heads of Departments and Headmaster.
I’m wedged between Hawk and Wilder when Mr. Phister stands up and moves to the podium. The noise settles down to a quiet hum as he speaks into the microphone.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I am honored to be here with you all today, to celebrate the Class of 2021. A graduation is always such a special occasion…”
He rambles on for a good few minutes about the bright future ahead of us, and makes a point to remind us that it was Pacific Prep that set us up with the necessary foundations to achieve success—seriously dude, is getting donations all you think about?
Glancing at Wilder out of the corner of my eye, I see him frowning at Emilia on the stage, and I lean in to whisper in his ear. “Are you okay?”
Tearing his gaze from her, he meets my eye, still frowning. “She’s going on tour with some band.” His lip curls in disgust.
Tilting my head, I try to get a read on him, but as usual, it’s impossible. “Yeah, I know.”
He doesn’t elaborate on his thoughts, just shakes his head and returns his focus to the stage. Does Wilder like Emilia? Or does he just not approve of her summer plans? I can’t work him out, and after a moment, I give up, returning my attention to the stage as Mr. Phister finishes up his speech, and Emilia stands.
As she approaches the podium, I nudge Hawk. “Record this so she can send it to her mom,” I whisper in his ear. He huffs, but does as I say, lifting his phone out to start recording.
After thanking the headmaster and faculty, Emilia looks out over the sea of assembled students. Her gaze latches on to mine and she smiles timidly before she glances down at her page of notes.
“Fellow students, today is both the end of everything we have known for the last four years, and the beginning of something new and exciting. After today, our futures are up to us, to do with as we please. Whether you’re going off to college, starting work, or heading off to find yourself, the future is yours to grab ahold of. Life is an adventure, and every opportunity to do something is a chance to learn more about yourself, and push yourself to new limits. So make the most of this opportunity you have been given. Do something that scares you. Take the trip you keep putting off. Talk to the guy you have a crush on.” She glances my way, one side of her mouth lifting in a grin, and I can see the tears forming in her eyes. “Take a chance on the new girl. Because you never know, she might just turn out to be the best thing to ever happen to you.” I grin back at her, blinking away my own tears. “Live your life with no regrets, because every misstep is a chance to learn. Every mistake enables you to make the necessary changes and do better next time.”
The guy in front of me turns to the girl beside him and rolls his eyes. Leaning forward, I smack him around the back of the head. His head whips round to glower at me, but seeing my furious expression, combined with Hawk’s looming presence beside me, the pissed off look on his face drops right off, and he mumbles an apology before turning around and paying attention again.
I glower at him for a second longer, making sure he’s going to sit there and shut the fuck up before I focus back on Emilia’s speech. “Pacific Prep has given me so much, and I’m not just talking about a high-quality education. It is here that I discovered myself, that I met my best friend and found a group of people who accept me for who I am, where I was pushed to stand up for myself and for what I believe in. No doubt, my time here came with challenges and low points, but even those I look back on with renewed clarity, and know they helped to prepare me for what’s to come. So, as we all, together, take that step out into the real world, let’s remember the lessons we’ve learned here, appreciate the friendships we formed, and embrace whatever challenges we may face in this next, unknown, phase of our lives.” With a bright grin lighting up her face, she finishes off her speech. “Congratulations, Class of 2021!”
I jump to my feet, clapping and grinning like an idiot, closely followed by Hawk and Wilder. I’m pretty sure I hear Mason whistling from somewhere behind us, and, more slowly, the rest of the year get to their feet, applauding.