Page 65 of Time Stops With You

Right now, there’s nothing much to look at. It’s just a well-maintained lawn behind the school building. However, there are three shovels embedded in the ground and a colorful ribbon hanging between two posts.

“We’re aware of your schedule, Mr. Cullen,” the escort says. “So we’re going to complete the ‘breaking of ground’ and ‘ribbon cutting’ portion first after the principal says a few words.”

I nod and take a seat in the front row.

The principal greets me with a chilly nod. “Mr. Cullen.”

“Principal Green.”

She turns her head swiftly and ignores me. I guess our first meeting left a bad taste in her mouth.

Great for me. That means I won’t have to make mindless small talk.

“Mr. Cullen,” a voice says.

I glance behind me and see Josiah sitting in the opposite row of chairs. He’s wearing the school’s navy blue polo and khaki trousers.

For the first time since that disastrous news about our PLP project, I smile.

He smiles back and waves.

The tiny, wordless exchange, strangely, makes all my troubles feel very small.

I send Sara a text.

How’s it going?

Sara: Everyone who can physically make it promised to be there.

I hesitate for a second.

And then I do something I’ve never done before.

I type:Tell them thanks.

Sara doesn’t immediately respond.

Just when I’m about to put away my phone she texts back.

Sara: I don’t know what’s more surprising. That you WANT to be in a room with everyone or that you’re grateful they’d show up.

I laugh and put my phone away as the principal takes the mike.

The ceremony itself goes by very quickly. Josiah hands me my certificate, shakes my hand and smiles for the camera. I do the same.

When it’s over, rather than return to my seat with the other invited guests at the ceremony, I’m escorted off to the side and taken through a small courtyard.

The escort from before explains as we move, “There will be more speeches, so it’s better to sneak away now rather than walk past everyone later and interrupt the ceremony. I hope you don’t mind.”

“No.” I glance over my shoulder and notice Josiah is heading away from the ceremony too, but he’s going to a different building. “Are the students returning to class?”

The escort looks in the direction of my stare. “Oh, no. It’s free period. The student who handed you your certificate is one of our prodigies, so he’s probably going to an advanced class at this time.”

I check my watch. The ceremony hadn’t taken that long. I can spare a few minutes before calling a car to take me back.

“Can I have a chat with Josiah before I go?”

She stops in the middle of the walkway and looks at me.

---