Page 90 of Harmony

He turns me in his arms. “I know. That’s why I do it.”

He presses a kiss to my lips as the announcers ask all the teams to make their way to the stage. This is the moment of truth.

Nate kisses one last time before making his way back to his seat.

Then Tiffany joins me, her arm in mine.

“What was that about?” I whisper as we walk onto the stage.

“When we submitted the paperwork, we had to write the choreographer down. We are the only ones who did it ourselves and well, Duke offered me a full-ride scholarship for cheerleading.”

I squeal and hug her before pulling her to kneel beside me. “That is amazing. I am so happy for you.”

She turns to me. “It wouldn’t have happened without you. Thank you.”

“Yes, it would have. It was your talent that got you there.”

She lets it go, knowing I won’t take her gratitude over something I feel I had nothing to do with. Still, she squeezes my hand.

I meet Nate’s eyes as he gives me a quizzical look.

I shake my head, smiling before mouthing the words, “I love you.”

He mouths them back with a smirk of his own on his face.

Then they are announcing the winners.

“And the winner of the twenty twenty-one Chicago regionals is… The Central High Ravens.”

We jump up, hugging each other as the whole stadium burst out with noise.

“We did it,” I say to Tiffany.

“We did.”

She grabs my hand, pulling me with her to grab the trophy.

As we pose for pictures, my smile is beaming. Then I look up, sending my thoughts to my parents.

I miss you. This was for you.

It’s a bittersweet moment. I wish that they could be here, but I know if they were I wouldn’t have these amazing people in my life.

Epilogue Part Two

Nate

I watch as both Hailee and Willow walk across the stage before me and can’t help but yell their names as loud as possible. Hailee turned bright red while Willow openly gave me the middle finger. I found it hilarious but by the sounds of the crowd some did not.

As my name is called, I walk across the stage to get my diploma. The principal holds out his hand, holding the diploma between us for a photo.

“Mr. Rockwell, I hope to never see you again,” he says through clenched teeth as he smiles for the camera.

“The feeling’s mutual. Tell your wife I’m sorry we can no longer meet up on Saturdays while you’re at golf. I must say, she’s been a huge part of my education the last four years,” I say as I slap him on the back, ripping my diploma from his hand.

I love fucking with him.

Walking down the stage, I can’t help but search out my crew.

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