[Sam's Graduation]
I see Sam standing in front of the mirror, playing with the tassel on his cap. I walk over and cut it off before I stand behind him, "It's a big day, dude. Let's keep it cool" I say
We are in the car on the way to Newton. Sam and I are in the back before I get a text.
Izz:
[Photo of us from fort at sleepover] Found this on my phone HAHA
Me:
Hang out later?
We pull into the parking lot before Sam and I get out and head inside. I'm sitting with my parents and Jeremy while Zahid and Julia are on the other side of dad as we listen to the speeches, "I can't tell you what an impressive group of young people this is. Well, you know, you raised them" Mrs. Whitaker says as we laugh
Jeremy leans over, "So, wanna see if the band room's unlocked? It's got a couch" He whispers
"Don't be gross. But text me later. I'm hanging with Izzie but maybe after" I whisper back
"And now it is time to hear from this year's valedictorian, Paige Hardaway" She says as we cheer and clap, "Paige? Paige, I see you. You're right there. Paige?" She asks
Before I know it, Sam walks up, "This is not Paige, but I'll take it" She says
"What's he doing?" Mom asks
"I think he's going up on the stage" Julia says
"Damn straight he's going up on the stage. Get it, Sammy. Rock out!" Zahid says
"What is going on?" Dad asks
"I should go up there. Should I?" Mom asks
"Please do not" I say
"Hi, I'm Paige Hardaway" We chuckle, "That not true. I'm Sam Gardner. I'm just reading Paige's speech for her because her voice is scratchy and annoying" We laugh, "Um...Thank you for coming and to my fellow graduates...congratulations. We did it. It's been a long road. I—I came to this school as a girl and I blossomed into a woman" He reads
We laugh, "So far, so good" Jeremy says
"Oh, Sam" Julia says
"I love this so much" I say
"Word" Zahid says and we fist bump
"A good friend once told me...penguins mate for life. Was that me? I think that was me" He chuckles, "And, well, the friends I've made here are like penguins because they're for life. That doesn't make any sense" We laugh, "Our time at Newton High has been nothing short of transformational Dramatic pause. Am I supposed to pause dramatically?" We laugh as he pauses for a little too long, "Brilliant mother, poet, spirit guide. What? Maya Angelus once said, if you find it in your heart to care for somebody else, you will have succeeded. And by that metric..." He continues
I look at my mom, "Mom, are you crying?" I ask
"Maybe" She whispers
"...I think we've already succeeded" He continues
"This speech is ridiculous" I say
"I know. But he's doing it so well" She says
"The future is unknown so I can't promise much..." He says
I grab her hand, "Don't make it weird" I say
"But I will promise you this. I will never forget Newton High. Not when I graduate at the top of my class at Bowdoin or when I'm the first female President of the United States. Hold for applause" We clap, "I thought I was coming to Newton for an education, but I got so much more than that. Friendship, support, independence, guidance, a push when I needed it. Thank you all for being a part of my epic journey. The future is female. I don't know what that means. I'm finished" He says and we all clap and cheer for him
I stand up as others follow my lead as we clap for him. We sit back down, "That's my brother!" I tell everyone
[Later On]
Izzie and I are in the car, hanging out with slurpees, "I can't believe we drove four towns away just to find a 7-Eleven that serves cotton candy slurpees" Izzie says
"I have no regrets. So guess what? I had sex again" I say
"With Jeremy?" She asks
"No, with myself" I look at her, "Still counts, though, right?" I ask
"Shut up" She chuckles
"Yeah, with Jeremy. I really love him" I say
"I know you do" She says
"It's just, sometimes a thing feels, like...so right. You know?" I ask
Our hands are inches apart and before I know it, she links her pinky with mine. We don't make eye contact before she grabs my hand. We interlock our fingers, holding hands and I feel something ignite in me. My phone buzzes and I see it's Jeremy. I'm conflicted before I decline the call and focus on how I'm holding hands with Izzie right now.
आप पढ़ रहे हैं
Terrified of Love
फैनफिक्शन"I look at you and I just love you, and it terrifies me. It terrifies me what I would do for you" In which Cameron Gardner falls for the most unexpected person at the most unexpected time. femoc x maleoc Izzie Taylor x femoc (endgame)
