I loved James with my whole heart, but it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows. Mostly because he suffered a lot of guilt for what his dad tried to do to me, blaming himself for not protecting me. I had to keep reminding him it wasn’t his fault. The trial was pushed ahead quickly, since everyone thought his dad posed a threat to the community, and after presenting the evidence, a jury found him guilty of attempted murder. It was a difficult time, but we got through it, and it made us even closer.
Going away to college would present new challenges for us. James signed a contract with Texas Tech to play Division I football, while I’d be attending Cranbrook Academy of Art in Michigan. We debated choosing colleges closer to each other, or even closer to home, but in the end we both knew that wasn’t the right decision. We believed that if we were true to ourselves, then the rest would fall in place. We planned to try the long distance thing and see what happened. If we were meant to end up together, then we would. Just like when we were fated to meet on that dusty dirt road so many months ago. It would be painful to be far way from each other, we were used to seeing each other every day, but to borrow one of Pops’ clichés – distance made the heart grow fonder (or so we chose to believe).
“Mike, are you coming?” My mom yelled up the stairs.
“I’ll be right down,” I answered, using the last bobby pin to secure the cap to my head, hoping it didn’t fall off before it was time to toss it in the air.
I walked down the steps and saw my mom, Emma, and Pops waiting for me.
“Wow, I can’t believe it. You’re graduating today,” my mom said, tears in her eyes. “It feels like yesterday you were starting kindergarten. I wish your dad were here – he’d be so proud.” My mom clasped me to her chest and gave me a tight squeeze. It didn’t seem like she was going to let go.
“Mom,” I said, exasperated.
Finally she released me, and I rolled my eyes. See, some things changed, but other things didn’t. My mom and I got along much better now than we did when we moved here, but sometimes I still got annoyed with her. Like right now. Being touchy feely still wasn’t my thing.
“You look smart,” said Emma, giving me a compliment. We’d probably always have our fights, we just had one yesterday, but we had learned to be friends. Sharing a room, and living in this small town, had changed us for the better. We both finally recognized how lucky we were to have each other to lean on when it counted.
“That’s my girl.” He winked. Pops didn’t have to say aloud that he was proud of me because it was written on his face. He knew I wouldn’t want him gushing over me too. That wasn’t our style. Instead he turned to Emma and said, “You better brush up on your trivia. Because once Mike leaves, you’ll have to follow in her footsteps and help me with the crosswords. I’m getting old, and I can’t remember stuff like I used to.” Pops didn’t need Emma’s help on puzzles any more than he needed mine, he was just letting me know it was okay with him for me to move on. Hopefully Emma would seize the opportunity and spend some time with Pops. He was of my most favorite people in the world and I’d miss him dearly when I was away at college. I looped my arm through his as we walked out of the house.
We arrived at school and I headed off to the cafeteria to meet the rest of the class to line up, while my family went to find seats. Since it was a beautiful day, not a cloud in the sky, the graduation was being held outside on the football field. Chairs were set up on the field for the seniors, and the guests sat in the stands. There was more than enough seating for all family and friends who wanted to watch. I felt a sudden rush of nerves as I thought about all those people watching me accept my diploma that would mark the next end of one chapter in my life and beginning of another.
As soon as I stepped into the cafeteria, James greeted me, picking me up off of my feet, and swinging me around. “Hey, beautiful.”
“Hi,” I said, exhaling.
Putting me back on the ground, he leaned down and kissed me on the lips. I placed my arms around his neck and pulled him closer. Heat spread through me like it always did when James was near. I nipped at his mouth with my teeth, and then parted my lips to welcome his tongue.
Suddenly someone coughed. “There’ll be none of that right now. You’re still in school.” Coach said, coming up behind us. “Just because you’ll be graduating in a few minutes, doesn’t mean you don’t have to follow the rules.” I blushed. It was easy to become so wrapped up in James’ touch and how good it felt that I often forgot where we were.
“I know you guys were voted class couple and all, but the rest of us don’t need you to shove it in our faces,” joked Tyler, joining us. He was still searching for that special someone. He broke up with Liz when he found out that she had tried to get it on with Dooner that night in the gym. He had spent the rest of the year playing the field. He still had some growing up to do, especially when it came to girls, but Tyler, Dooner, and I had long settled our differences and had reached a friendly understanding. Tyler had come to respect me for standing up for what I believed in, even when that meant we often disagreed.
I made a few other friends this year too, like Gina Jo from art class, and Sophia who reminded me a lot of Paige. I waved to them as we lined up. The only person who hadn’t changed at all was Casey. He was still the most perverted human being I’d ever met. At least Emma had smartened up, dumping Casey after homecoming, when she found him dry humping another girl in the secret make-out corner.
“Okay, everyone it’s time to line up,” yelled Mr. John, who had volunteered to put us in alphabetical order for the processional. I lined up behind Olivia Martin, and James got in line behind me. Having last names that both began with ‘M’ worked to our advantage. James pulled me to him and inhaled deeply. He did that a lot lately, as if he was trying to memorize my scent.
A few minutes later we exited the school. I waved to my family as we marched across the field and took our seats. Speeches were given, music was played, scholarships were awarded, and then it was time for the reading of the names of the graduates. After sitting through what felt like an eternity, the assistant principal announced, “Mikayla Mooney.” I stood and proudly walked across the stage, receiving my diploma and shaking hands with the principal. I cheered as James was called next. A bittersweet smile formed on my face when he returned to his seat. I was happy to be done with high school, but sad that it meant leaving Nowhere and James. Finally all the names were read and the principal said, “And now I present to you the graduating class of 2012.” Right on cue, we all tossed our caps in the air, while everyone on the field and in the stands cheered. I didn’t wait for my cap to come back down before jumping into James’ arms.
“I love you, James,” I said.
“I love you too,” he answered. His eyes were the brightest shade of green I’d ever seen them. “We got through this year, and we’ll great through the next one too. Whatever the future holds, we’ll always be together.” He clasped my hands in his, and placed them over his heart.
I knew he was right, and the kiss I gave him proved it. I didn’t have a crystal ball, but my heart knew it would belong to James forever.
Table of Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Epilogue
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