28. Chapter 28

Chapter 28

ISABEL

I was so emotionally drained that even my body felt tired. After dealing with the fallout of my reveal where Mom had alternated between tears and being ready to make heads roll, and Tucker, Jet, and Stef having to talk Chuck down from searching out his nephews, the idea of graduation was just exhausting.

There was just too much to process, and even though I was now standing in the high school gym, the room buzzing with the excitement of my classmates, I felt like I was in a fog. Tucker’s presence behind me right now was the only thing keeping me halfway present.

“You okay?” He ran a hand down my arm, bringing me back as my mind drifted again, and I nodded before I frowned, looking around.

“Where are Annie and Jet?” Hearing the chuckle at the back of his throat, I glanced over my shoulder at him, finding him looking down at me with an amused grin. “What?”

“Nothing. Just that I know you’re out of it if you missed their exit.” My brow furrowed, and he grinned wider. “ There was a whole deal when Jet realized Annie was in a dress…” He trailed off, and it took me too many seconds longer before it clicked.

“Oh. Oh! Here?” My eyes darted around the gym, and Tucker laughed softly.

“Locker rooms.” I looked over just as they were coming out, and Jet pressed Annie up against the wall to devour her in a kiss before pulling her back out into the crowd.

Annie was blushing and shooting Tucker warning looks from hell as they approached, while I just gaped that they’d been daring enough to sneak off with everyone around.

“Cat got your tongue, Izzy?” Jet tapped below my chin, his grin wide with amusement, and I snapped my jaw back up, making the guys laugh.

“Oh, my gosh! We’re graduating. Can you believe it? I’m so freaking nervous.” Emma came rushing up with Megan.

“You’re nervous?” Annie fidgeted with the red zipper on her gown. “I’m the one that has to give a speech.”

Tucker rolled his eyes. “Like you can really be worried about that after dragging me up on stage at Breaker Hall a few months ago. You made a whole scene, and now you’re afraid of a speech?”

“You’re gonna own the stage, sis.” I gave her a smile.

“Um, any love for the salutatorian?” Megan pretended to frown. “I’ll be out there making a speech, too.”

“Says the head cheerleader that performs in front of massive crowds at games.” Tucker gave her a knowing look, and she grinned.

“You’ll own it, too.” I bumped Megan’s hip just in time for the guys to descend .

“Hey! What up?!” Kyle loped up with his arms in the air, and Tucker and Jet met him with high fives.

“Hard to believe we’re graduating, huh? This is it.” Corey grabbed Jet’s shoulder and clapped a hand on his chest as he looked around the group. “Y’all coming to the party tonight? Got a different spot on the beach set up and ready to go.”

“Count on it,” Annie replied before giving Noah a weird look. “Something wrong?”

“Nope. I’m always just kinda thrown with how much you and Izzy look alike when y’all do your makeup the same.”

Annie groaned. “I was cornered. Practically forced.”

I rolled my eyes. “Sue me if I wanted to give us the full twin look tonight. You’ll live.”

“It’s definitely hot.” Kyle draped his arms over our shoulders. “All four of y’all ladies are yanking up that hot meter tonight.” He winced under the looks that Jet and Tucker shot him and looked at Mateo. “Well, I’m right. Right?”

Mateo took an awkward glance over us, spending only a fraction of a second on Emma. “Uh, yeah. Y’all look nice.”

“Thanks, Mateo.” I felt so bad for him. He was so clearly still hung up on her.

Ian suddenly appeared, draping an arm over Emma’s slender shoulders as he joined our group. “Hey, y’all. Don’t you look pretty?” He smiled down at her, and Emma beamed, eagerly turning to chat with him, seeming oblivious as Mateo walked off.

I glanced at Annie, wondering how long the awkward exchanges might last, but when the guys’ conversation turned to sports and cars, all of us girls split off, running into Trisha and Bev next.

My fog drifted back in as everyone chatted, and my thoughts floated elsewhere, landing this time on Nic. Wondering if he was going to be okay. It had been hard to not follow him earlier, and I was really questioning now if giving him space had been the right call.

He’d left the party entirely and had ignored every one of my calls before I finally just texted the stubborn Greek. I slipped my phone from where I’d tucked it into the bust of my dress, looking over our conversation in case I’d missed any other texts back.

Me: Are you okay?

Me: Do you want me to come meet you?

Me: Nic, please answer. I’m worried.

Me: Really worried.

Nic: I. NEED. SOME. TIME.

I felt the smack of his response like it was the first time I’d read it.

Some time for what, though? Time to shut down even more?

It was killing me not to go after him, and that fact that graduation was about to start was the only reason he was getting that space. Well, that and I wanted to respect his wishes. He was just so resistant to help, but I also knew him well enough to know that he appreciated it when someone cared, even if he would never say it. And I was the only one that knew his thinking place.

Just stop worrying. Try to focus on graduation for now. And the party. For once, I was looking forward to one, knowing I needed the distraction after today. And if I have to scratch this Nic itch, he won’t be too far away.

NIC

I stared out at the vast expanse of water in front of me, the tiny waves along the shoreline splashing in their own rhythmic pattern across my bare feet. The sun was sinking lower in the sky, so I knew the graduation ceremony would be starting soon, but no matter what strings I tried to manipulate inside my brain, I couldn’t bring myself to go. My anger was still in a raging war with my thoughts.

Unable to stop myself, I reached for the brown paper bag that was lying in the sand at my side. I pressed my hand against it, finding it cool to the touch here in the shade. Knowing the way my lips would form around the mouth of the bottle and how it would feel when the liquid splashed down my throat was comforting to think about, but it made me ache for a taste. That harsh burn that would dull the senses…

I groaned and leaned my head back against the wooden beam I sat against under the pier, forcing my hand to slide off the paper to run it through my hair, mussing the gel.

Not today.

I knew how this worked. If I gave in, I’d tumble down the deep end. I’d lose everything, and I’d already lost more than I could handle.

JET

The rapturous buzz among our crowd of seniors was soon lulled to quiet as we were lined up and guided outside to the track. Most of us started scanning the crowd for our families, looking through waving arms and phones that were held high for pictures and videos as we searched for familiar faces.

The twins found their family first, and Tucker held his hand up in a wave right after. I followed his gaze up into the crowd, finally spotting all of our families sitting together, just like usual. The fact that I couldn’t see Nic up there was disappointing, but it wasn’t surprising after the way he took off today.

Pomp and Circumstance started to play over the sound system, our cue to start walking to our assigned seats in the stands, and once we’d all filed in, Principal Hiller walked up to the podium that was front and center on the small stage set up on the fifty yard line. When the music stopped and everyone had settled, he dove right into his welcome speech and introduced the commencement speaker, some previous principal that a few of our parents would recognize. I tuned most of it out, my mind having trouble focusing.

The afternoon had been weird, and after the slew of information and drama that had come out, I just wanted my diploma in my hands and my ass down at the after party with my friends so we could finally let loose. Not to mention I was baking in my cap and gown under the late May sun. The occasional gust of wind that might have helped with sweating caused more issues with caps than anything, and I could see Izzy adjusting hers from one of the lower benches.

I knew Tucker was worried about her. Just like I was still stressing about Annie. But damn if the three of us weren’t relieved when Izzy finally told our parents about Ryder today. Well, Micah, too, but he’d definitely gotten more grace when the recent truce was explained. The best part was Chuck’s reaction and how he’d sworn to Izzy that Ryder wouldn’t be allowed at family events for a long time. If ever again.

Part of me winced at thinking about that, wondering how it was going to go down when Chuck had to explain to his brother. That and if any of Izzy’s fears were going to be valid and cause a rift. I really hoped not. There’d been enough drama in our lives the past two years.

Fuck. Two years. It’s been almost two years since Patrick got sick. While in the thick of it, time had dragged, but looking back, it now felt like it had flown. We were graduating, and we had our whole lives ahead of us now that most of our concerns, threats, and trauma had been dealt with. Except Annie’s.

Noticing her stand and trying to straighten her gown in the wind, I tuned back in as she passed Megan, taking her turn next at the podium. I had to shove down the urge to cheer as I watched, my smile splitting my face as my girl started her speech. I was so damn proud. How that brilliant girl down there had chosen me five years ago still threw me sometimes, but I was damn grateful that she had.

Annie looked down at the podium and back up at the crowd as they laughed at a joke she’d told, and a pensive smile formed on her face as she continued…

ANNIE

“While those are all amazing memories we’ll have here, I think it’s also important that we remember that this marks a moment of change for all of us. Things won’t be the same after tonight, and that’s okay.”

I looked up at my classmates, fighting the butterflies that fluttered in my stomach. It wasn’t like me to be nervous, but I had poured a part of me into this speech, exposing a bit of myself that I normally wouldn’t share. I took a deep breath and searched for Jet out in the sea of red, and as soon as I found his steady blue gaze, my body seemed to ease.

I swallowed as I continued. “I’ve been dealing with change for a while now, and it can be overwhelming at times, but we have to remember to embrace it. Something I should have already been doing myself. At least, according to my dad.

“He passed away during our junior year. Cancer, for any of you that may not know. It was the first of the major changes I learned to deal with, but even in his last days, he knew I would still need him, and on my eighteenth birthday, I got to read a letter he wrote for me, but it was his last line that really stood out. Embrace life .”

I paused, finding Izzy’s gaze out in the crowd. The one person who could relate before I looked out at our classmates again .

“I took those two words to heart, and while it’s not always easy, I’ve done my best to follow his advice. Graduation is about to change our lives forever. Nothing’s going to be the same once we leave this place, and it doesn’t matter how many plans we have for ourselves once we leave here. It doesn’t matter where we think we’re going or where we think life is going to take us. What matters is that we don’t walk away from the opportunities and possibilities that present themselves along the way just because we’re afraid.

“Push that fear aside, and don’t be afraid to face your demons and your truths. We’re graduating. We made it, and now it’s time we all brace ourselves and prepare for the change we know is going to happen.

“We’ve all got wonderful memories and, of course, some not so good memories of our time here together. Some of us will stay in touch. Some of us won’t. But together or not, we’ve got a lot of memories still out there to make.

“So, with our futures in mind, I’m challenging you all to the same challenge I’m giving myself. Take the bull by the horns and embrace what’s ahead with open arms. And I wish every one of us the best in life.”

I stepped back from the podium, and several of our parents and families yelled from up in the stands, cheering and clapping so hard it brought a blush to my cheeks. Jet and Tucker were whooping above the rest of our classmates, and I ducked my head with my smile as I headed up to my seat, grinning even wider as Izzy wrapped my arm in a hug.

“That was amazing, sis. ”

“Thank you, Annie,” Principal Hiller said as he replaced me at the mic. “I loved your ending. Take the bull by the horns and embrace what’s ahead. I hope each of you do, and I hope y’all all give Annie the race of her life with that challenge. And I’ve seen her race. She’s a fast one.” He winked.

“But before you take off for that race, there’s something up here that I think might help you along the way. Something that each and every one of you has earned. As your names are called, please come down here to receive your diploma.”

Refreshed excitement and anticipation rolled over our section of the stands, and I watched the first few rows of my classmates cross the makeshift stage before I finally heard my name.

“Annabel Kaye Donovan,” Mr. Hiller called.

I approached the stage to the sounds of Jet, Tucker, and all of our families shouting through the list of all of my accomplishments, pride filling me for everything I’d worked for and earned. Mr. Hiller held out my diploma as the superintendent moved the tassel on my cap, and I faced the crowd, taking a moment to smile for the photographer, then waved wildly up at my family before turning to watch my sister.

“Isabel Faye Donovan.”

Izzy tucked her head, and her cheeks flushed as our families yelled for her just as loudly as they had for me. Mr. Hiller read off her list of accomplishments next, holding out her diploma, and she smiled genuinely for the camera before rushing over to meet me. We headed back to our seats together, silently gushing over each other’s diplomas as we settled for the long wait for our guys’ to have their turn.

“Tucker Ryan Pierce.”

He swaggered out with his shoulders back when his name was finally called, and when Mr. Hiller announced his scholarship, Tucker beamed, his chest sticking out proudly with his boast. He looked up in the stands after his photo and took a bow, waving at his family as he stood, just making them cheer more. His eyes landed on Izzy as soon as he headed for the stands, and she and I bumped shoulders and rolled our eyes when he sent her a teasing smirk.

“Jet Dimitris Thanos,” Mr. Hiller called out a few names later.

Izzy and I cupped our hands over our mouths to cheer, and I could hear Tucker yelling and whooping from somewhere behind us.

“I’m especially pleased to share this graduate’s accomplishments with you all tonight. Not only is he receiving a full-ride football scholarship to Ridgeside University next year, he is also one of our first graduates from our certified auto mechanic program. Congratulations, Mr. Thanos.”

He handed Jet his diploma and a separate leather bound certificate, and I didn’t know who was beaming harder, Jet or myself. I was so freaking proud of him. As soon as he stepped off the stage, Jet threw his arms in the air, his diploma and certificate held high as our families cheered, and I could tell the moment he realized he’d forgotten to smile for the picture, watching him double-take and then shrug before heading back up the stands .

I just beamed, locking my eyes with his as he passed.

‘So fucking proud,’ I mouthed, and by the look in his eyes, I knew promises for us to celebrate were being made for later. I clenched my thighs together, already too eager, and Izzy shook her head as she grinned.

Principal Hiller’s closing speech felt like forever, but when it was finally done, we all filed out onto the field, and Izzy and I rushed to find Jet and Tucker as our class all formed a circle and linked arms. The four of us looked at each other, then out at our classmates, excitement mixed with a tinge of sadness as we took in this final moment together on the field. And when Tucker shouted out the countdown to three, we flooded the air red with our caps in celebration.