Fate's Demand (Twisted Fate, Book 3)

Chapter Twelve

The ceremony dragged, like time had begun to roll backwards. From the mayor's commencement speech to having to wait while everyone was called up to take their walk across the stage for their diploma, it felt like forever. I tapped my foot against the ground as I sat, impatient and nervous. I swear Mrs. Haun gave each student a talk about future expectations before handing over diplomas and lectured underachievers to do better.

At least, by the time my name was called, we would be close to the halfway mark in the alphabetical roll-call. Suzie was second-to-last, with Coach Z's daughter coming up to close the show. Then the valedictorian's big, shiny moment, and Mrs. Haun's farewell speech... and it would be over.

"Alyssa Frank."

Finally.

I stood from my chair to make my way up the stairs. The wind picked up as I walked and I held my cap from being blown off my head with a smile, only slowing to look down as I stepped up the stairs leading to the stage so that I wouldn't fall. Unwilling to allow anything to slow down the event, I made it without incident and forced a smile to my face as I crossed the stage.

Mrs. Haun waited with an impatient grin at the center by the podium with the rolled-up diplomas tied with blue ribbon lined up in a box at her feet. Remembering the negligence of her and the administration when Mr. Tinsley had been employed made it hard to accept anything from her, though only half of what I remembered actually came to pass. With just one look into the audience, I found the grace to do so. My mom, with her camera poised and happy tears on her cheeks, was all I needed to see to make it possible.

Nothing would ruin this for her.

"Congratulations, Miss Frank," Mrs. Haun said as she handed me my diploma.

I didn't thank her. Instead, I looked back out into the crowd and smiled again as my mother had instructed. It was the big moment, she'd said, and I had to capture that joy to always look back on. I waited until her camera lowered before fully grasping the scroll.

A boom rumbled, the wooden floor of the stage vibrating in response.

My head rose to the sky as another gust of wind threatened to displace my cap, the rustling force muffled against the microphone settled on top of the podium. Black clouds split with lightning as another clap echoed through the air, though there was no rain. One, two, three, four... another boom. It was getting closer. The bright blue that had started the day grew heavy, the gray fog travelling towards us from the direction of the hot springs marking sheets of promised rain.

"Exit stage-right, Miss Frank," Mrs. Haun ordered between clenched teeth while she kept her fake smile in place.

I looked to her and back to the sky. The winds became a constant surge, crashing like waves against rocks at the side of a cliff. The storm was coming, but hopefully not before Suzie got her turn on stage. Even if her parents didn't care, mine certainly wanted pictures of her big moment.

"Miss Frank."

I looked back to Mrs. Haun. "Uh, right." I nodded. "Sorry."

"Well, folks, it looks like that storm is moving fast, so how about we start doing this a little more quickly, hmm?" Mrs. Haun suggested as I left the stage, feeling cold. "Would the rest of the graduating class please line up on stage-left?" She pointed to the stairs. "Stay in order, please. Let's try to make sure everyone gets their turn."

Mike was at my side as soon as I stepped off the stairs, frowning at the sky as he fell into stride beside me. "You need to leave, Aly."

"No." I kept walking and never lost my smile so that my parents would see only happy if they happened to look over.