Total pages in book: 40
Estimated words: 37695 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 188(@200wpm)___ 151(@250wpm)___ 126(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 37695 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 188(@200wpm)___ 151(@250wpm)___ 126(@300wpm)
Our principal begins the ceremony, and I stay focused, not wanting to get distracted. But where is my boyfriend? Why didn’t I see him? He would stand out in this crowd with his imposing height and dangerously good looks. I’m sure he’s here, waiting in the back, watching. He wouldn’t miss this, would he?
Suddenly, Principal Tracy’s voice blares loudly, and I startle.
“And now, I’d like to welcome our valedictorian, Britney Carter. Britney, come on up!”
The crowd claps as I climb the stairs onto the stage. Once I get to the podium, I adjust the microphone for my shorter stature.
“Thank you, Principal Tracy. It’s an honor to be standing here today as class valedictorian, and I’m so happy to be here.” I drone on, but my eyes are still scanning the crowd. My fellow classmates sit in the first few rows, their faces open, expectant, and happy. Behind them sits the rest of the audience, filled with parents, grandmas, and babies. But I don’t see John. Where is he?
I clear my throat and continue speaking.
“It’s been such a gratifying time at Corona High School, and I’ll never forget our years here.”
But even as I continue speaking, my eyes search the crowd. Am I missing something? John is nowhere to be seen. Maybe he’s in the bathroom? Maybe he stepped outside for a breath of fresh air?
My fingers begin to tremble, and my heart races. He promised me he’d be here, but he’s not. I feel certain of it, even though I’m in the middle of public speaking. But why didn’t he come? Is everything okay? Oh god, is he breaking up with me?
The crowd watches me expectantly and I slap a wooden smile on my face, as if everything’s normal. I can’t act like a fool now. I can’t break down just because my boyfriend didn’t show up. It’s fine. There’s an explanation for all of this.
Finally, I finish with a joke. People laugh, and there are even a few sniffles from classmates holding back tears. Heart racing, I leave the podium and my class stands up to clap for me.
But even as Principal Tracy thanks me for my contribution, I’m fighting tears. They’re not happy tears either, or tears of excitement for the future. They’re because I’m doing this completely alone. Neither John nor my brother are here, and suddenly I feel lost. I feel like this has all been for naught, and that my entire high school experience was utterly pointless.
Finally it ends, and we throw our mortarboards in the air, cheering and laughing. I wipe at my eyes, even as Taylor and Victoria pull me into hugs once more.
“Hey, where is he?” Taylor asks finally, pulling away. She’s laughing and flushed, her cheeks red with excitement. I try to smile.
I shake my head. “He couldn’t make it. I got a text at the last minute. You know, work and all.”
Immediately, my friends are sympathetic.
“Oh, sweetie. I’m sorry. Come out to dinner with us. My parents would love to have you,” says Victoria.
I swipe at my eyes. “No, it’s okay. Joey and I are going out to eat when he gets home from work. I’m fine. Everything’s fine.”
My friends stare at me, but they’re already being pulled away by their own families.
“Okay, well call us tonight, okay? Stay strong, girlfriend! This is a happy day.”
I nod and smile as they leave, laughing and chatting with their families. And even though I’m in the middle of a crowd, I’ve never felt so alone before. People swirl around me, sipping champagne and celebrating with one another. Yet, I stand there like a lost girl in the middle of the auditorium, with no one at my side. Today was supposed to be one of the happiest days of my life, but instead, all I feel is heartbroken.
12
Britney
Two months later.
It’s been two months since graduation, and I’ve been moping non-stop. Surprisingly, I got a temporary job at the trailer park’s leasing office and it’s okay, I suppose. They needed someone to organize their files and help with paperwork, and I’m able to do that. Although I wouldn’t be surprised if they fire me because I never smile.
After all, I haven’t heard from John since the day of my graduation. After I got home from the ceremony, I tried calling him again and again, but he never picked up. So I did what any enterprising girl would do. I went downtown to confront him at ShopMore, ready to scream and shout.
But when I got there, he was right up front, laughing with Kathy. It was clear that he had nary a care in the world, and was totally healthy and fine. He was godawful handsome as always, those blue eyes piercing as he threw his black head back with mirth. I felt myself getting even angrier, and I was about to charge in and tackle him when suddenly, a girl appeared out of nowhere.