Page 95 of We Thought We Were Invincible
“Surprise surprise.” Jamie laughed. “Callie making us late.”
“For the record,” I grumbled, following them out the door. “I didn't take too long. I just didn't get ready until the last minute.”
“Yeah, that's not any better, sis.” Colby grinned over my head at Jamie and I could have punched the both of them.
Colby, Jamie, and I said bye to Kat and Noah once we got to the school and walked across the football field to where our classmates were lining up.
“Callie.” Morgan sprinted toward us, her gown flapping at her legs. She hugged me and then turned to do the same to the boys.
We found our spots in line moments before it moved.
As far as ceremonies go, it wasn't half bad. But nothing compared to when Morgan got up to do her speech. Along with the valedictorian, we had a class elected speaker, and we'd wanted Morgan.
A cheer rose up - much louder than for the valedictorian I noticed - and Morgan raised a hand, grinning.
“Guys,” she started. “Our parents are watching. We're not a bunch of hooligans. Save the shenanigans for the parties tonight.” A laugh wound through her captive audience. “But seriously, this year has been full of a lot of crap.” I laughed again. The faculty didn't know what they were getting with her. They didn't know why everyone loved her so much.
“School was hard. Damn hard.” She leaned in to the microphone. “But the parties were fun.” She got serious again. “We got shot. Some of us literally.” She gestured to her shoulder. Silence followed. “We had an intruder in our school. OUR SCHOOL. One of us, but an intruder all the same. A lot was taken from us.” She looked toward her parents in the stands. “I'm not just talking about a canceled prom or even my brother, as much as that loss hurt us. It's unexplainable, but every single one of you knows exactly what I mean.” She pointed toward us, pausing to take a breath.
“We're still standing. Evil didn't win. We are strong. We are fierce. This class, OUR class, will be remembered for not giving up. For not turning on each other. For not being afraid. That's what we take with us from this place. Yeah, the knowledge will be useful, the memories fond, but our resiliency is priceless. Shit happens. Are you going to bury yourself in it or shovel it?”
I couldn't help it. I burst out laughing, and I wasn't the only one.
“What does that last part even mean?” I whispered to Colby.
“Did she seriously just say 'shit happens' in her commencement speech?” he responded.
Morgan had a shit-eating grin - oh the irony - on her face as she walked back to her seat.
The principle walked forward, rubbing a hand over his face and stuttered through a short speech before beginning to call our names.
Kat met us on the other side of the field when it was over, a big smile on her face. She cupped my cheek before wrapping her arms around me. “Your mom would be so proud.” Her other arm snaked out and snagged Colby to join our hug. “Of both of you.”
She released us and pulled out her camera. Jamie joined us for a few pictures before wandering off.
I was standing on my own, my mind lost in memories of the past year when someone stepped up beside me, resting his forearm on my shoulder.
“I'll bet it feels good to be so accomplished, Ms.McCoy.” The British accent was fake, and I grinned.
“Yes.” I did my best Emma Watson. “In the grand scheme of things, Mr.Daniels, high school is quite an achievement. There are only millions of us graduates.”
“Millions, you say? However did you join such an exclusive group?”
“Oh, it's all very difficult.” I looked down at my nails. “I showed up.”
Jay snorted, wrapping his arm around me. “I'm gonna miss you, kid.”
“You do realize that calling me a kid makes you a bit of a pedo.” I looked up at him to catch the twitch of his lips.
“This time last year we were just starting our torrid summer affair.”
“That's what the kids are calling it these days?” I chuckled.
He laughed until it died out. “And now you're leaving.”
“I'll be back,” I said.
“Is that a promise?”
