Chapter 164
“Shut up!” Brooke and Caroline chorused together as they both pulled me into a hug.
“Scarlett!” My mom called out from the living room. “Hurry up – we’re going to be late and
parking is going to be a nightmare.”
“Coming.” I shouted in reply as I strapped on my beige stiletto sandals. I had spent too
much time earlier deciding between a white and beige dress, and now I was running late. I
had texted both Caroline and Brook for help but neither answered in time, no doubt too
busy getting ready themselves. I had to resort to asking Aiden for his opinion which
ultimately turned out to be a waste of time because his reply was I look great in either.
Note to self, never ask Aiden anything time sensitive ever again.
I ended up picking the sleeveless beige sheath dress because white just didn’t seem like an
appropriate dress color for graduation. I would have ideally liked to wear black – you know,
the color of my soul – but it clashed with the maroon graduation robes.
“Okay, I’m ready now.” I declared adjusting my cap and gown.
“Anthony is meeting us there.” She said grabbing her purse. She too was dressed up in a
half–sleeve knee length polka dot maxi dress and a pair of red stiletto heels. Even with both
of us wearing heels, I was still taller than her by a couple of inches.
“Sounds good.” I replied following her out. I had only grabbed my phone, which I would have to shove somewhere in my bra because the graduation gown didn’t have pockets and
neither did my dress.
Classy – I know.
Once we got to school, mom had dropped me off in front so she could go find parking and meet up with Anthony. We had agreed to meet up after the ceremony.
As I made my way inside the school, I began searching for a familiar face until my eyes
landed on Caroline and Brooke with Aiden and Lucas.
13:12
The Divorce Contract: Five Requests to Let YOU Go!!
98.2%
Chapter 164
“There you are!” Caroline exclaimed when I began making my way towards them. “I wouldn’t put it past you to forfeit graduation as well!”
Clearly she was still holding a grudge about prom.
“Ha ha – very funny.” I rolled my eyes, adjusting my cap for the hundredth time.
“Here,” Caroline walked around me. “Let me pin it with some bobby pins.”
“Thanks.” I mumbled, scanning my surroundings. Our graduation was being held in the school auditorium, which was large enough to house the five hundred or so students, faculty, parents and guests present.
Foldable chairs had been set up in front of the stage for graduates, as well as on stage for the faculty. There was a large podium with the school’s logo in the middle, and two large
projection screens on either side of it in the background – one displaying Congratulations Graduates and the other Northside High School Class of 2017.
The entire set up was pretty impressive.
All five of us were wearing identical maroon robes with a white National Honors Society
sole and cords, with the exception of Aiden who also had a gold valedictorian stole.
After Caroline finished fixing my cap, Aiden came to stand behind me. “Are you excited?”
He wrapped his arms around my waist and rested his head on my shoulder.
“Kinda.” I shrugged. I always thought I’d be over the moon with excitement when this day
finally came, but I couldn’t quite bring myself to jump up and down with joy.
“I already know you’re going to miss seeing my face every morning,” I felt his lips brush against my cheek.
I giggled, spinning around and into his embrace. “Sure – that’s definitely it.”
“Even you can’t resist this face.” He smirked, holding my gaze.
“Get a room!” Brooke fake gaged from next to us.
At the same time, Principal Peter’s voice echoed throughout the large auditorium. “Graduates and guests, please take your seats. The ceremony will begin in ten minutes.”
13:12
The Divorce Contract: Five Requests to Let YOU Go!!
98.4%
Chapter 164
People all around us began moving towards their seats.
Typically, we were supposed to sit with our homeroom because that’s how they called us up but the first row in the front had been reserved for the top ten students. Aiden, Brooke and I would all be sitting in the front row while Caroline and Lucas would be sitting with their respective homerooms.
Despite my lack of effort the past month, I found myself seated next to Aiden as number
two. However, if I knew I would be sandwiched in between him and Victoria, I would have
tried harder to drop down in rank.
Talk about awkward.
Aiden shifted nervously in his seat, while I had to bite back a laugh at Victoria’s scowl and the daggers she was not–so–subtly shooting at me.
The awards aspect of the ceremony went by in a blur, and soon enough it was time for Aiden’s speech. As he stood up on stage at the podium, he looked so at ease. His once messy hair was neatly combed to the side, and a small smile framed his handsome features.
“One day you wake up and realize that it’s the last day of high school. You would have
taken your last test, emptied out your locker and said goodbye to your teachers and fellow
classmates.” He began, his voice resonating across the entire auditorium. “We have all accomplished so much in the past four years we’ve been together – we have grown together and learned from our mistakes. Today marks a major milestone, one that should be
recognized with immense pride.”
13:12
