Page 2 of Wrapped in Hope

“We almost didn’t make it to the weekend.” He rubs his smooth, angular jaw, nerves breaking through his usually cool exterior.

I think about how we’ve been caught in such a compromising position and my face burns with embarrassment. “I should probably get home. I have a speech to work on.” I push my auburn hair behind my ears.

Dean takes a deep, calming breath. “I have to get to work.” He reaches over and runs his thumb across my flushed cheek tenderly. “I’ll see you tomorrow before the ceremony?” His blue eyes are filled with questions, but also burning with excitement and nerves.

I give him a shy smile as I nod in agreement. “Do I need to bring my bags or are we coming back here first?”

“Bring them with you. We’re leaving as soon as it’s over.” He offers up a big smile of his bright, white teeth.

His boyish grin makes my heart beat faster. “Okay. See you tomorrow.” I reach for the handle and step from the truck.

“Good luck writing your speech,” he says just as the door slams shut.

I wave at him through the glass as a silent thank you, and start across the street to my house.

* * *

I rushout of the house, bag in tow, towards his truck. When I reach the bed of the truck, I toss my duffel in the back. He’s not outside yet, so I take a seat on the rusty, dented bumper. My parents weren’t exactly happy that I was riding with Dean to graduation rather than them, but they understand our need for independence.

Within minutes, he comes out wearing his royal blue gown, carrying his cap under his arm. I stand and turn toward him. “You look handsome,” I say with a smile.

His face turns red as he laughs. He reaches out and pulls me against his chest. “You’re beautiful.” His lips brush against mine quickly. “Did you finish your speech?”

I nod. “I did. I just hope it doesn’t suck.”

He backs away and leads me to the passenger side. “Want to read it to me on the way?”

I offer a wide smile. “You know I do. You can be my test subject.” I jump up into my seat and start pulling my notecards from my purse as he walks around to get behind the wheel.

* * *

As I’m standingon the stage in front of what feels like thousands of people, my nerves skyrocket. Sweat beads up on my skin as my heart pounds so hard I’m sure everyone can hear it through the microphone in front of me.

My eyes search the crowd until they find Dean sitting in the second row of chairs. He offers a kind smile and motions with his head for me to start up my speech. I take a deep breath and swallow the excess saliva pooling in my mouth before beginning.

“Class of 2013, I’m here to say that we made it. Despite all the homework, the tests, the good times and the bad, we made it!” Everyone cheers.

When the round of applause dies down, I continue on. “When I was a little girl, I was asked what I wanted to be when I grew up. Most kids would say something like a doctor, a princess, a rockstar, or astronaut, but I never had a real answer. I would give those same responses, but never truly meant any of it. And that was because I didn’t know. Still to this day, I don’t know. But I do know one thing. I know that this is the time to live, to take chances: to do what we’ve all been told we can’t. When I look back at my life fifty years from now, I’m not going to remember every test I’ve passed or every little achievement I may have accomplished. I’m going to remember taking that chance. I’m going to remember life lessons that can only be learned, not taught. I’m going to remember the important things, the things that make me, me. So wherever we go to after this day, remember to take a chance, to live for the important things. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the class of 2013!” My voice echoes around me as the audience stands and cheers.

My class stands and tosses their caps into the air, me included. I rush from the stage, down into Dean’s arms. He pulls me against his chest and kisses me while the rest of our classmates cheer and rage on around us. Confetti is falling over our heads, along with blue and white balloons. It’s like the whole world is moving quickly around us while we’re standing completely still, lost in one another.

When he pulls away, his eyes meet mine, a fire burning behind them. “I love you, Hope.”

I feel my heart flutter with excitement as it swells with love. “I love you too, Dean.”

With his hands on either side of my face, he pulls me back in.

* * *

After posingfor at least four hundred pictures, the death hold our parents have on us seems to slip away. We’re allowed to walk to his truck with all four of them following behind.

“Don’t forget to call and let us know you made it safely,” my mom says as she opens the door of the truck for me.

“I will, Mom.” I slide in and she closes it behind me, but her fingers are still curled around the door through the open window.

“You two better behave tonight,” Dean’s aunt says loud enough that we can both hear her, even with Dean standing at the tailgate with my dad and his uncle.

I turn to look at them, and I can see the seriousness written on every one of their faces. Automatically I know they are having some kind of sex talk. My face flushes and I turn around.

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