Page 112 of Chasing Infinity

Birds chirp in the distance as she takes only a second to gather her thoughts. Then inhaling, Addison looks back at the guests in the bleachers and gives a blinding smile.

“It is an honor today to deliver the commencement address for this incredible class on the night of our graduation. I just wanted to take a minute to thank you all for being incredible classmates over the last few years. And thank you to our teachers, parents, and staff who made these years everything they were. We wouldn’t be here on this beautiful evening if it weren’t for all of you.”

Parks takes another deep breath and then launches into the body of her speech. She regales all the memories we’ve made over the last few years, the laughter, the tears, and everything in between. The crowd listens to her with rapt attention, and pride swells in my chest.

That’s my girl up there. My girl.

“As Albert Einstein once said, ‘Education is what remains after one has forgotten what one has learned in school,” Addison says solemnly to the crowd. I fight the urge to roll my eyes. Ofcourse, she would use a quote by Einstein. My little nerd. “And I think that’s important to remember as we all part ways and take off into the great unknown.

“We’ll forget the specifics like how to do geometry or what a conjugate verb is, but at the end of the day, we’ll still have our education to see us through. What we learned here was more than just details in a textbook. While we were here, we prepared for our adventure out into the real world. We learned people skills and deductive reasoning that we’ll take with us for the rest of our life. These things will last more than the information we crammed into our brains before our last few final exams.”

The crowd chuckles at her little joke, and I smile at the stage. Parks is killing this speech. And to think this is the same girl who called me at ten o’clock last night in a full-blown panic about her public speaking. She had nothing to worry about, just like I told her.

“I’m excited to see where we’ll all be ten years from now. I believe that our class will do great things, and I hope that at some point, we can all come back here and appreciate that this is where it all started. Even though I moved into this town, I’ve always felt like it was home, and I hope that never changes. Willow Heights High School will always hold a special place in my heart, and so will all of you. Thank you for the best years,” Addison finishes her speech. Her eyes find mine in the crowd, and she beams at me. Our classmates clap for her, and I stand up, everyone following my lead.

The graduation ceremony continues with the presentation of our diplomas. They file us out of our seats row by row. When they call our names, we walk across the stage on the football field, accept the faux-leather cover with our diploma inside, and then file back to our seats.

Our principal gives one last brief comment, then we toss our hats into the air, and the crowd goes wild. When the ceremony dismisses, I stroll with my classmates out of our seats onto the football field. Thankfully, the weather held out for the ceremony this evening. It wouldn’t have been as nice inside the stuffy auditorium of the school.

As soon as we’re out of our seats, I scan the crowd, looking for Addison. She’s found Eli and Charlie, each giving her hugs and congratulations. I hold back and let her chat with her friends for a moment. Her parents walk up to her, and then it’s the entire process all over again. Once Eli and Charlie disperse, I take my cue to step up to the small family.

“See, I told you. You were great,” I say. She spins around to look at me and gives me a gleaming smile, shrugging sheepishly.

“I guess you were right this time, don’t get used to it. Congratulations!” she says, stepping forward and wrapping her arms around my neck, pressing close to me in a hug. I bury my nose in her honey brown curls, taking in her familiar scent. Too soon, I let her go and then turn to her parents. Addison still stays close to my side, and I wrap an arm around her waist, keeping her close.

Mr. Parks extends a hand to me, and I take it, giving him a firm handshake. He looks between Addison and me and smiles. After prom night, I had to have an official “sit down” with Addison’s father before we went on our first official date. He asked me all about my intentions with her. As uncomfortable as the whole thing was—for both of us, based on how he kept tugging at his collar—it paid off in the end. I’ve grown closer to Mr. Parks, which has been beneficial in more ways than one.

Though he hasn’t divulged precisely what he’s investigating my father for, he’s offered me a few tidbits of advice. I’ve stashed it away in my mental file cabinet for later.

After a few long conversations with him, I’ve become more interested in joining the FBI and working alongside him. I haven’t made any decisions yet, but I’m considering everything. He’s given me the proper resources to use if that’s what I decide to do and has offered to help me out as much as possible.

“What are your celebration plans tonight, Noah?” Mr. Parks asks when he releases my hand. His wife steps forward to stand next to him, smiling at the two of us.

“I think Addie said she wanted to go get ice cream Sundaes if you want to join us,” her mother says, eyes twinkling exactly how her daughter’s do.

Every part of me wants to say yes, but a chill creeps up on the back of my neck before I have the chance to answer. I glance over my shoulder and see my parents walking toward us. My father stands tall, his broad shoulders stiff as he glares down at Mr. Parks. My mother’s eyes are on me, an eyebrow raised inquisitively.

“Noah,” my father says once they’re close enough. The way his deep voice says my name has me inadvertently stiffening my muscles, immediately going on guard. His icy eyes flare when he takes in Addison standing next to me. I clench my jaw, my arm tightening against Addison’s waist to keep her close to me.

Before he has the chance to say something snarky or mean, my mother steps forward toward Addison. She smiles at her and offers a hand first to Addison and then to her parents standing by. “I’m not sure if we’ve officially met. I’m Catherine.”

Her parents introduce themselves, and Addison hesitantly takes my mother’s hand, giving her a wary smile. “I’m Addison. Nice to meet you.”

“Are you a friend of Noah’s?” I can tell my mother knows exactly what’s going on here based on the elated twinkle in her eye, but she wants to hear it officially. I don’t talk to my parents much, especially not about Addison, but I know I can’t avoid it at this point.

“She’s my girlfriend, Mother,” I tell her outright. Addison jolts next to me in surprise. Until about two seconds ago, we hadn’t officially put a label on whatever this is. We’ve just been “dating,” testing out the waters. But I decide right then and there that I’m not beating around the bush. I want Addison to be my girlfriend, and I want everyone to know it.

“Girlfriend?” my father says, surprise lacing his tone. I glare at him, only to find his attention darting between Addison and then over to her father. I’ve caught him off guard based on the slight slackness in his jaw and raised eyebrows. He quickly schools his features once he notices me watching him, putting on the mask of cool indifference. “Well, isn’t that interesting.”

“I think it’s lovely,” my mother says wistfully. “And the valedictorian too. I loved every second of your speech, dear. I thought it was very tasteful.”

Addison’s cheeks heat under my mother’s praise, and she glances at me briefly. I nod my head and smile at her. “Thank you, Mrs. McCoy.”

“Mr. Parks just invited me to get ice cream with them to celebrate,” I say to my mother. “I wasn’t sure if we had any plans for afterward.”

My mother glances at my father. He seems to still be stewing over the revelation of my having a girlfriend. Then she shakes her head and grins at me. “I don’t believe so. Your father told me he had to work at the courthouse just a minute ago. You go along, and I’ll see you back at home.” She leans forward and kisses my cheek. “Congratulations, honey. I’m so proud of you.”

My father is still staring at Mr. Parks, his face hard as stone, his jaw ticking as he clenches his teeth. Mr. Parks keeps his expression neutral, focusing primarily on Addison and me. He knows my father is glaring death threats at him. I can tell by the slight twitch in the corner of his mouth, but other than that, he gives nothing away.

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