Page 88 of Fall onto me

Callum and Ryder both did a little dance on their turn.

When Brett was called up, he sent the entire auditorium that all-American grin of his. I couldn’t tell who was clapping harder for him, me or Warren.

The last of our group that is graduating today is the love of my fucking life.

“Foster Jennings.” Hearing his name, it never fails to erect the butterflies. Their little wings seem to tickle my insides, inviting me to stand and shout out how proud I am of him.

I lock eyes with him, but he’s looking somewhere else. Straight ahead, at his grandma. A tear rolls down my cheek from the sight of her, and the way the crowd grows quiet as they look at the woman who was thrown from a balcony, standing on two feet.

She’s being held up by Mrs. Rita and Mario, but it’s still a beautiful declaration that nothing will hold her down.

Adeline’s recovery has been daunting, but she is getting better each day. Two broken legs, a hip and two knee replacements were the biggest hurdle to get through. They didn’t think she would ever walk again. TK may have taken a lot of things away from us, but one thing he couldn’t, was Adeline’s drive to be here for her grandchildren.

She’s going to have to retire from nursing, but she will never have to worry about money again, and that’s not just because my wallet is brimming, no. It’s from my mother, who decided when she found those accounts, that she would split the money between herself, Adeline, and Mrs. Rita.

I watch with a proud gleam as Foster’s long legs bring him down the stage in just a few strides.

At the end, after everyone has received their diplomas and we hear speech after speech about our futures, we can finally stand and throw our caps.

The moment it flings into the air, I stretch my hands high to get it back. I never want to let that go, this accomplishment that seemed so far away only a few months ago.

I slip it back on, fix my tassel, and run to him.

“Good job, Shadow!” Foster sends me a crooked grin before sweeping me into his arms for a long, sweet kiss.

My face hurts from all the smiling, “We did it!”

Kate rushes over, with Ryder on her tail. The rest of our group is running in behind them. “We sure did.” She sings.

I wrap her and Brett in a hug, having to lean on my tippy toes because both of my best friends are freakishly tall.

Callum pats me on the back, “We did good blue.”

I’m surprised when Foster doesn’t correct him, but I think we’ve grown past the needless arguments. The jealousy that shouldn’t be there when we know that no matter what, we will always be faithful to each other.

“Party at my place!” Warren announces.

I look to Foster, knowing our plans are a little different than everyone else, but that’s okay. “We’ll meet up later, I’ve got somewhere I want to take her.” Foster says, placing his arm around me.

Our friends rush away, to begin a night of celebration. “Should we go see the parental figures before we go?” I laugh.

“Yeah,” he takes my hand, “Soph first.”

Sophie is beaming bright, proud of her big brother. She’ll be graduating before we know it. Time passes by in the blink of an eye and slow as a snail at the same time. “Good job!” Mrs. Rita smiles, pulling us both in for a hug.

Sophie puts her arms around me when I lean down, “Thank you for taking care of my brother.” She whispers, handing me a singular yellow rose.

“This is beautiful!” I gasp.

Sophie nods, “A women named Emilia gave it to me this morning!”

“That was awfully nice of her,” I say, walking over to Adeline who is now sitting back in her wheelchair. “That was impressive.” I tell her, leaning down to squeeze her neck. Foster is at her side, his hand on her shoulder.

“My physical therapist says within a year I should be able to walk to my mailbox!” She beams.

“I need a picture.” I tell them all, scooping up a passerby to snap one from my phone. We line up, me, Foster, Rita, Mario, and Sophie, surrounding Adeline and grin as the woman shouts ‘Cheese!’

That is a memory we will cherish forever.

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