Page 68 of The Other Half

“I was thinking… Maybe we could just go ahead and tell them our plans tonight. I mean the whole senior class will be there, I don’t think my dad will want to make a scene in front of 200 people.”

He scrubs his hand down his face and sighs. “Okay. And how do you plan on inviting the entire class the day of?”

I grin and open my door, stepping out into the sunlight that’s shining down on the parking lot. “Already taken care of. I told Amber to do it.”

He nods, his expression still apprehensive. “That’s one way to do it.”

“Speak of the devil,” I say as Amber runs toward us, Rodney trailing behind her a little slower. She wraps me in a hug and briefly lifts me off the ground.

“We finally get to party at Oakley’s, y’all. We’ve only waited all fucking year.” She smirks and keeps one arm wrapped around my neck. She’s wearing a pretty white sundress, and her hair is curled into brown ringlets.

“Thank Mama Matthews, it was her idea.” I roll my eyes. I had no desire to throw a graduation party but my mom insisted, and my dad went along with it. He’s actually been a lot less of a dick recently, still not dad of the year by any means, but I guess the threat of his family being torn apart did affect him somewhat.

“That woman knows how to have a good time. I know she’ll throw a badass party.” All four of us walk into the school side by side. It suddenly clicks in my mind how much has changed since my first day here. It was only nine months ago, but I feel like an entirely different person than I was then.

The day passes in a blur. It mostly consists of practicing being lined up and walking across the stage, which seems unnecessary to me. It’s almost three o’clock now, and parents and other family members are arriving and starting to fill in the bleachers of the football stadium.

As weird as it seems, I will miss this place. I came here hoping to keep my head down and avoid making any waves before shipping myself off to college, but coming here changed my life, changed me, in the best possible way. The plans for my future are completely different now, but I’ve never felt more like myself.

Chapter 52

Oliver

It’s hot as hell underneath this cap and gown with the sun beating down on our heads. I don’t know who thought it was a good idea to have a ceremony outdoors with 200 sweaty teenagers wearing black robes.

We’re all sitting in alphabetical order, so Oakley is only two seats down from me. I tried to get the dude sitting next to her to switch spots with me but he wouldn’t, fucking dick. She looks so beautiful today, even more so than usual, and happy. I stare at her shamelessly as she smiles and laughs with the girl sitting on the other side of her, the sunlight illuminating the golden streaks in her hair.

I’m nervous about seeing her parents tonight, but I figure it’s as good a time as any. I’m done pretending that we aren’t together. I plan on keeping this girl for the rest of my life, so Dan Dickhead Matthews will just have to get used to it. Either that or skip his daughter’s wedding, Which would be perfectly fine by me.

I keep my sunglasses on my face and scan the rows of bleachers until I spot her parents sitting on the bottom row closest to the field. Of course. They probably reserve those seats for the wealthiest assholes in town and make the other parents sit in the nosebleeds.

Her mom is pretty, she shares some of Oakley’s facial features, and her body is shaped the same. Her dad still looks like someone I’d love to punch in the face, but his expression is a lot softer than the one other time I’ve seen him.

I shift my gaze up to my parents and my brothers, they’re laughing and smiling. They look proud. It makes my heart hurt. I know they’re all going to be crushed when I tell them that I’m leaving, but I’ve already made up my mind. It’s not like I won’t come visit them as much as I can, but I know they’ll take offense to it anyway.

I know this world has more to offer me than Poplar Valley, and with a degree I’ll be able to not just help myself but also help lift my family out of poverty, too. I know they won’t understand at first, but it’ll be worth it in the end. At least I hope.

I try to listen as the valedictorian gives her speech, then the salutatorian says a few short words as well. I ended up being third in the class, but I don’t get to announce it to everyone. Thank fucking God. I mindlessly paw at the yellow cord hanging around my neck, wishing this process could go a little bit faster. It’s hot as hell out here.

The principal coughs into the microphone and asks for everyone’s attention. “Now it’s my honor to announce the recipients of this year’s Valley Endowment Scholarship. The recipients of this scholarship are chosen based on outstanding academic achievement as well as financial need. They’ll be able to use this money towards tuition at the college of their choice. The recipients this year are: David Chavez, Hannah Foley, and Oliver McLeod. Congratulations to all of you, you earned it!”

The crowd erupts into a cacophony of loud applause. Wait, what? The jock bro next to me shoves my shoulder playfully and yells in my ear, “Way to go, man.”

“Uh, thanks,” I respond, still completely confused about what just happened. I never applied for any scholarship, I wasn’t even aware that there was one. I look over at Oakley and her mouth is covered with her palm, her eyes wide as saucers. I guess she didn’t know about it either.

The principal finally begins going through the list of names, and we all make our way up to the podium to retrieve our diplomas. I feel like I’m walking on air. I actually won something. Money. I don’t even know how much money it is, but I don’t care. I have some money for college.

After the last name is called and we all switch our tassels to the other side of our caps, the class goes wild, shooting silly-string into the air and blowing air horns. I run over to Oakley, lifting her into the air and spinning her around, not giving a fuck who sees.

“I can’t believe you won a scholarship! I had no idea you’d applied for one.” The expression on her face is exuberant, she’s so damn gorgeous.

“I didn’t.” I shrug, unable to wipe the smile off my face.

“You deserve it. So much.” She kisses me tenderly, weaving her hands through my hair, and I suddenly wish we were somewhere a lot more private. “I need to go find my parents. I’ll see you soon. Are you riding with Amber and Rodney?”

“I’d rather ride with you. Fuck the party, let’s go somewhere else and celebrate alone.” I pepper her neck with kisses, still not caring that we’re in the middle of a crowd.

She pulls away from me with a pout on her face. “I have to go find them. I’ll see you soon. I love you.”

---