Page 20 of False Start

I need to have this last summer with my best friend.

“Okay,” I agree.

But there’s a sense of dread in my belly because I know what I have to do that night...

I have to finally tell my best friend the entire truth.

11

VAUGHN

“Vaughn Montgomery.” I walk toward the principal while the crowd around us cheers, my heart totally full as I accept the piece of paper, which apparently, isn’t my actual diploma but is supposed to represent it.

I shake the principal’s hand and then look out at the crowd, fixing my eyes firmly on Austin, who’s clapping and cheering loudly, even though he’s next in line. I wink at him and then head off the stage to clap like crazy when the principal calls out, “Austin Pierce.”

We’re high-school graduates.

We all toss our cardboard hats in the air. My arms wrap around Austin in a tight hug as we all cheer loudly. On to the next step. Vanessa finds me and lays a kiss on my lips, and then we all head out to our own graduation parties.

I’ll see Vanessa tomorrow, so I’m sure to give her another kiss. But Austin and I rode here together, so he drives us to my house, where our parents decided to throw us a joint graduation party—because why fight that?

I have a feeling my mom knew I’d totally ditch my own party to go to Austin’s and probably vice versa, though Austin plays itcooler than I do. After the party is over though, I grab the tent from the garage and put it in the back of my truck.

Mom packed up a lot of food from the party and hands it to me in a cooler. “You boys have fun.”

“We will,” we singsong on our way out to the truck.

When we get out to our spot, near the pond at the back of the property that’s surrounded by trees, we make quick work of putting up the tent. We’ve done this so many times, I think we could both do it blindfolded by now.

We set up a nice fire with two camping chairs side by side just as the sun starts to set behind the trees. “Man, I’m going to miss this,” I say as I look at the orange and pinks of the sky.

“Me too.”

I turn my head to look at him because he sounds a little sad. “You okay? I thought you’d be overjoyed today, but you’ve been pretty quiet.”

“I’m always quiet. You’re loud enough for the both of us,” he teases, and I grin, looking back at the sunset.

“True, but why aren’t you happier?”

“Because I have to tell you something.”

My blood runs cold, something in his tone says this isn’t a good thing he has to tell me. I turn to look at him slowly, noticing the crease between his brows. “What’s wrong?”

“It’s not bad. At least, not really. You’re going to think it is at first, but you have to trust me...”

“Spit it out,” I say, my panic rising as he just babbles on. Which is so not like Austin to do.

His eyes are full of worry as he licks his lips and then lets out a heavy, worry-filled breath. “I’m not going to State.”

My brow furrows, and what the hell is he talking about? “What do you mean? You have to go to college. You’re the smartest person I know.”

“I am going to college.” I cock my head to the side, trying to figure out what’s going on. “Just not State. I’m going to KU instead.”

“What?” I feel frozen, totally unable to think or move. My brain doesn’t seem to be catching up to what he’s saying because... he can’t be saying that.

“When did you decide that?”

“I was accepted to both, and I wasn’t totally sure until a couple of months ago.”

---