Page 111 of It's in the Contract
And the nerves melt away.
“My fellow students, what an amazing few years it’s been.” I don’t even need notes. This speech is coming straight from my heart.
A few people already cheer, and I wait for it to die down.
“We’ve come so far and learned so much. Together. And now we’ll go on to other things, to change the world. Because each of us has something to give. Each of us is unique. You have something to give the world that only you can give.”
People clap, and I smile.
“Show the world whoyouare, not who you think they want to see. Because the truest you is the one the world needs.”
People scream and throw their hats, jumping up and down, and I throw my hat into the air as well.
We did it.
Zeke, in a burst of overcoming his usual quiet awkwardness, runs to the front of the crowd and twirls me around in his arms, spinning and laughing. He sets me down and dips me, pressing his lips to mine, and the crowd whoops and cheers.
My parents,Mom with tears in her eyes, insist on taking us all out to a special dinner at Salty’s, which I eat with relish. And when Zeke extends his hand to me and invites me to walk with him on the pier, I accept.
We leave the restaurant, hand in hand, and walk down the mostly deserted boardwalk. I ditched my graduation robe in favor of jeans and a t-shirt that was a graduation present from Zeke. It says across the front in big, bold letters, “Calculus will test your limits. You may even have to go to L’Hospital.” It’s my favorite gift I’ve ever received.
“This is where we had our first kiss,” I say, squeezing Zeke’s hand. “You’ve made me the happiest I’ve ever been, Zeke. I hope you know that.”
Zeke tugs on my hand and pulls me to a stop. I turn to him, and Zeke studies my face with an earnest expression. “I never knew how much you were going to change my life, Callie. I adore everything about you.”
I step in closer with a smile and press my lips to his in a kiss that fills me with warmth. I put one hand on his chest, the other curving around his back, and he wraps his fingers in my hair. Myheart skips a beat. “I don’t ever want to be parted from you,” I say between kisses.
He sweeps me off my feet and lifts me in his arms. I run my hands along his shoulders, appreciating their size, before resting my grip on the back of his neck. “You’re perfect for me,” I say.
Zeke walks to the edge of the pier and sets me down. He sits next to me, and our feet dangle off the edge above the water. We stare at the red-gold sunset, the calm water sparkling, and I lay my head on Zeke’s shoulder.
“I’m the luckiest guy in the world.” Zeke puts an arm around me and pulls me close.
“I don’t care about the world.” I turn to him and meet his eyes. “I just need you.”
He leans down for a kiss.
The End
Epilogue
SEVEN MONTHS LATER
My fingers are interlacedwith Zeke’s. I sit next to him in one of the chairs set up in rows on the lawn of Monte Ville High. It’s graduation day, and everyone looks great in their robes and caps. Our parents are there, taking pictures, cameras flashing. Suzy is on my right, next to her tennis boy (a new one) and Dana and Troy.
It’s official. Long-distance relationships suck. But we made it work. Through phone calls and constant texting, virtual D&D nights, and watching movies together over Zoom. I didn’t let a day go by without reaching out and connecting with him in some way, letting him know that I never forgot about him.
Zeke flew into Seattle to watch me graduate, and this fall we’re both going to the University of Washington. I can NOT wait. Suzy got into Princeton where she’s going to study business and dominate the world, so she’ll be moving soon, and graduation is bittersweet. But I’ve already proved I can make a long-distance relationship work.
“We made it,” I say, and I mean more than just making it through high school, though that was an accomplishment. Zeke squeezes my hand, and he knows what I mean. He’s going to start college early and live in an apartment with Dan just so he can be close to me. No more long distance.
The year was hard, but we did it.
“Now Callie Carter will address us,” Principal Melrose says.
I stand, nerves fluttering in my stomach, and walk to the front of the crowd. My forest green robes swish about my feet, and I reach up to make sure my cap is centered on my head.
I reach the podium and turn, smiling at my fellow students and their families. The crowd looks enormous. I see Brielle examining her nails, and Noah whoops and hollers my name. I laugh.
