Page 92 of Unraveled

I knew how this worked. If I gave in, I’d tumble down the deep end. I’d lose everything, and I’d already lost more than I could handle.

JET

The rapturous buzz among our crowd of seniors was soon lulled to quiet as we were lined up and guided outside to the track. Most of us started scanning the crowd for our families, looking through waving arms and phones that were held high for pictures and videos as we searched for familiar faces.

The twins found their family first, and Tucker held his hand up in a wave right after. I followed his gaze up into the crowd, finally spotting all of our families sitting together, just like usual. The fact that I couldn’t see Nic up there was disappointing, but it wasn’t surprising after the way he took off today.

Pomp and Circumstancestarted to play over the sound system, our cue to start walking to our assigned seats in the stands, and once we’d all filed in, Principal Hiller walked up to the podium that was front and center on the small stage set up on the fifty yard line. When the music stopped and everyone had settled, he dove right into his welcome speech and introduced the commencement speaker, some previous principal that a few of our parents would recognize. I tuned most of it out, my mind having trouble focusing.

The afternoon had been weird, and after the slew of information and drama that had come out, I just wanted my diploma in my hands and my ass down at the after party with my friends so we could finally let loose. Not to mention I was baking in my cap and gown under the late May sun. The occasional gust of wind that might have helped with sweating caused more issues with caps thananything, and I could see Izzy adjusting hers from one of the lower benches.

I knew Tucker was worried about her. Just like I was still stressing about Annie. But damn if the three of us weren’t relieved when Izzy finally told our parents about Ryder today. Well, Micah, too, but he’d definitely gotten more grace when the recent truce was explained. The best part was Chuck’s reaction and how he’d sworn to Izzy that Ryder wouldn’t be allowed at family events for a long time. If ever again.

Part of me winced at thinking about that, wondering how it was going to go down when Chuck had to explain to his brother. That and if any of Izzy’s fears were going to be valid and cause a rift. I really hoped not. There’d been enough drama in our lives the past two years.

Fuck. Two years. It’s been almost two years since Patrick got sick.While in the thick of it, time had dragged, but looking back, it now felt like it had flown. We were graduating, and we had our whole lives ahead of us now that most of our concerns, threats, and trauma had been dealt with.Except Annie’s.

Noticing her stand and trying to straighten her gown in the wind, I tuned back in as she passed Megan, taking her turn next at the podium. I had to shove down the urge to cheer as I watched, my smile splitting my face as my girl started her speech. I was so damn proud. How that brilliant girl down there had chosenmefive years ago still threw me sometimes, but I was damn grateful that she had.

Annie looked down at the podium and back up at the crowd as they laughed at a joke she’d told, and a pensive smile formed on her face as she continued…

ANNIE

“While those are all amazing memories we’ll have here, I think it’s also important that we remember that this marks a moment of change for all of us. Things won’t be the same after tonight, and that’s okay.”

I looked up at my classmates, fighting the butterflies that fluttered in my stomach. It wasn’t like me to be nervous, but I had poured a part of me into this speech, exposing a bit of myself that I normally wouldn’t share. I took a deep breath and searched for Jet out in the sea of red, and as soon as I found his steady blue gaze, my body seemed to ease.

I swallowed as I continued. “I’ve been dealing with change for a while now, and it can be overwhelming at times, but we have to remember to embrace it. Something I should have already been doing myself. At least, according to my dad.

“He passed away during our junior year. Cancer, for any of you that may not know. It was the first of the major changes I learned to deal with, but even in his last days, he knew I would still need him, and on my eighteenth birthday, I got to read a letter he wrote for me, but it was his last line that really stood out.Embrace life.”

I paused, finding Izzy’s gaze out in the crowd. The one person who could relate before I looked out at our classmates again.

“I took those two words to heart, and while it’s not always easy, I’ve done my best to follow his advice. Graduation is about to change our lives forever. Nothing’s going to be the same once we leave this place, and it doesn’t matter how many plans we have for ourselves once we leave here. It doesn’t matter where we think we’re going or where we think life is going to take us. What matters is that we don’t walk away from the opportunities and possibilities that present themselves along the way just because we’re afraid.

“Push that fear aside, and don’t be afraid to face your demons and your truths. We’re graduating. We made it, and now it’s time we all brace ourselves and prepare for the change we know is going to happen.

“We’ve all got wonderful memories and, of course, some not so good memories of our time here together. Some of us will stay in touch. Some of us won’t. But together or not, we’ve got a lot of memories still out there to make.

“So, with our futures in mind, I’m challenging you all to the same challenge I’m giving myself. Take the bull by the horns and embrace what’s ahead with open arms. And I wish every one of us the best in life.”

I stepped back from the podium, and several of our parents and families yelled from up in the stands, cheering and clapping so hard it brought a blush to my cheeks. Jet and Tucker were whooping above the rest of our classmates, and I ducked my head with my smile as I headed up to my seat, grinning even wider as Izzy wrapped my arm in a hug.

“That was amazing, sis.”

“Thank you, Annie,” Principal Hiller said as he replaced me at the mic. “I loved your ending. Take the bull by the horns and embrace what’s ahead. I hope each of you do, and I hope y’all all give Annie the race of her life with that challenge. And I’ve seen her race. She’s a fast one.” He winked.

“But before you take off for that race, there’s something up here that I think might help you along the way. Something that each and every one of you has earned. As your names are called, please come down here to receive your diploma.”

Refreshed excitement and anticipation rolled over our section of the stands, and I watched the first few rows of my classmates cross the makeshift stage before I finally heard my name.

“Annabel Kaye Donovan,” Mr. Hiller called.

I approached the stage to the sounds of Jet, Tucker, and all of our families shouting through the list of all of my accomplishments, pride filling me for everything I’d worked for and earned. Mr. Hiller held out my diploma as the superintendent moved the tassel on my cap, and I faced the crowd, taking a moment to smile for the photographer, then waved wildly up at my family before turning to watch my sister.

“Isabel Faye Donovan.”

Izzy tucked her head, and her cheeks flushed as our families yelled for her just as loudly as they had for me. Mr. Hiller read off her list of accomplishments next, holding out her diploma, and she smiled genuinely for the camera before rushing over to meet me. We headed back to our seats together, silently gushing over each other’sdiplomas as we settled for the long wait for our guys’ to have their turn.

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