Chp. 20 "A Familiar Face"

I stared at myself in the mirror of my bathroom as I primped myself one last time before heading downstairs. For some odd reason I was actually wide awake even though it was 7:00 am, but I knew today was the day.

My makeup was on point, my dirty blonde hair in curls and my dress hugging my torso. It was casual yet sophisticated, and as if flowed over my stomach and thighs I felt ready to take on the world. Today I would officially graduate high school and start a completely new chapter in my life.

And Avery, my girlfriend, and Max, my best friend, would be by my side the entire time.

I realized we should probably be heading over to Avery’s soon to pick her up so I grabbed my cap and gown and ran hastily down the stairs. I felt awful that Avery’s dad wasn’t going to be there but I heard her mother and step father were coming down to see, although wouldn’t make it in time to pick her up.

So we were doing the honors.

My parents were waiting downstairs and they gasped, “Oh God… our baby is graduating today!”

I smiled as we walked out to the car, feeling my parents love wrap around me. They knew we were leaving today but they weren’t the least bit of worried about us, they knew Gage was joining us, and everyone trusted Gage. They just were kind of worried about me forgetting about them whenever I would meet my real parents…

But I would never forget them.

We sped down the road to Avery’s as I directed my dad down the mellow roads, knowing we could not fall behind on time.

I couldn’t be late to my own graduation.

I sat silently in the backseat as the hum of the radio kept my nerves calm, reality was actually starting to hit me. Not only was I graduating today but I was also leaving the state without my parents to meet my biological ones, whom I have never even spoken a full conversation too. It may seem weird to an outsider, or even Avery and Max, but they didn’t hear my mom’s voice on the other end of that phone. The way her voice had been so cheerful, as is she had known me for years. She had sounded so excited to be speaking with me, and even though we barely knew anything about each other I still felt an extremely strong connection towards her.

I wondered if my birth mom would have the same power as me, or if it would end up being my dad. I imagined how my mom would look, wondering if she was going to be the one I got most of my appearance from. I pictured them both in my head, wondering what speaking with them would be like and how they would greet me.

And then I wondered why they hadn’t tried contacting me, suddenly feeling sadness sweep through my heart.

Was it because of good, sensible reasons or was it selfish and in the moment reasons? I couldn’t process the thought of my biological parents giving up their child to people they saw as friends for selfish reasons. They just honestly didn’t seem to be the type of people to do such a thing…

But I could always be wrong.

Then I felt a hand on my knee, realizing it was just my mom, “Honey, you ok? You’re quiet back there.”

I nodded, knowing it was a weak attempt to show her I was fine when she could read me like a book.  I forced words, “Yea, just thinking about after graduation…”

My dad seemed to tense from my response, giving me the hint he was probably thinking of the same thing. He sighed heavily, “Andy… you’re an adult now. We can’t make decisions for you but we will be there for you when you need. Meeting Teal and Fred seems scary right now but they’re great people. And even though we haven’t spoken to them in years… I know they love you. You’re their daughter, and even though they didn’t raise you, you were still a part of their life for almost a year.”

I felt my heart warm at my dad’s words, feeling as if I was going to meet people tomorrow who loved me unconditionally. I smiled, knowing that there was good reasons behind all of this screwed up stuff I had been put through as a child and the Masons were going to let me know why.

We finally pulled up into Avery’s driveway and I spoke before going get her, “I really do love you guys…”

They smiled proudly at me, responding with their own words of love as I exited the vehicle. I had a new sense of self and encouragement about this situation from my parents, and I knew I was ready for this trip.

I knocked on Avery’s door and I heard her from the inside shuffling around and most likely grabbing last minute items to bring for the trip. We were leaving almost right after graduation so we had all of our things with us.

Then she opened the door, revealing her usual magnificent eyes and her velvet hair that fell around her smooth face. She smiled, pulling me immediately out of my thoughts, “Hey! Andy we’re about to graduate!”

I smiled at her excitement, sharing the exact same feeling with her at this very moment. I knew this as it, the start of a new beginning, and I was motivated to begin it. She carried her cap and gown in one hand and a bag in the other, so I took her travel bag and led her to my parent’s car.  

We sat back in the backseat and Avery greeted my parents while my eyes traveled out of the window. I watched her house disappear and wondered if her mom was going to show today at her graduation. Avery had told me her mom had promised she was coming but I could tell by the way she spoke of it that she wasn’t getting her hopes up. Not only was she now sure if her mom and boyfriend were coming but she knew her dad wasn’t coming at all. Her father had claimed he was stuck at work, and getting away at this point in time was nearly impossible because an important case had come up.

I felt bad for her, I really did. I knew she wanted them to see her walk across the stage but she wasn’t sure if either of them actually cared.

We all exited the car as we pulled up in the parking lot of the auditorium where graduation would be held. I saw kids walking with friends and family, some of them already dressed in caps and gowns as they beamed with excitement. I was excited but I was thinking more about after graduation and hitting the road with Avery, Max, and Gage.

We entered the building and I hugged both my parents, “See you guy after I’m graduated!”

They smiled with pride in their eyes as Avery and I turned and walked away, heading for the back room where we were all gathering to organize.

Avery spoke, pulling me out of my daze, “Too bad we couldn’t be sitting right next to each other.”

I bit my lip in thought, knowing sitting next to Avery during something like this would most likely get me in trouble. I smiled devilishly at the thought, “Yea, instead I’m in between a nutcase that can’t stop mumbling to herself and a boy that looks like he hasn’t cut his hair in three years.”

Her laugh filled my ears, which caused a smile to spread on my face. Her happiness was contagious, and even though she was laughing I still couldn’t help but feel sorry for her. I knew I couldn’t comfort her from whatever pain she was feeling over her family but I would damn well try.

I hated seeing her sad.

Then I was hit in the back of the head by something that felt like cardboard, making me turn with hostility. I pointed a finger only to see Max and the Carl kid from science class, “Sorry Avery, even if Andy was sitting next to you, making out the entire time is probably not acceptable.”

I grabbed Max’s cap out of his hand in response to his unnecessary “tap” on the head while Avery responded quickly, “You’re just jealous, so stop hating.”

Max hadn’t heard Avery because he was too busy trying to possess his cap, and as he reached for it I slapped him in the face with it. He yanked it from my grip and Carl wiggled his eyebrows, “I wouldn’t mind if you two made out the entire time, actually, I would encourage it.”

Carl was a lot like Max in many ways, which only led Avery to scowl at him just like she had with Max. I thought his comment was funny but I knew Avery was short tempered today, which was why she hadn’t laughed at it.

Then we heard one of the graduation committee’s voices boom over the chattering crowd, letting us know to start readying ourselves to get in line.

I threw on my gown and zipped it up quickly, “Avery, help me put this thing on my head.”

She smiled, grabbing my cap and smoothing it over my hair, trying not to mess it up in the process. Her face was close to mine and I felt my heart beat rapidly in my chest, she was just so attractive. The way her hair fell loosely around her face gave her an adult look, her makeup wasn’t heavy because honestly she didn’t need it. She was just flawless, and when she finished she grinned playfully, “I could kiss you right now.”

“Why don’t you?” I had said the statement immediately, not even thinking about it.

She leaned in, quickly kissing my lips and speaking, “See you after?”

I nodded quickly, still feeling the butterflies in my stomach from the kiss, “Yea… after.”

She smirked from the obvious emotions we were both having as she left and walked to take her place in her assigned line. I couldn’t wait to leave this town with her and spend an entire car ride with her by my side, and sharing a hotel room alone.

Just the thought made my stomach clench in anticipation.

Then we were filing out of the back room, making our way to the auditorium where we would take our seats and begin graduation.

There was chatter amongst everyone that was walking through the narrow halls but I was only focused on the padding of my feet against the linoleum floor. My heart was beating quickly as we approached the double doors that would expose us to the open, dome-like auditorium. I was excited to get this over with, although my thoughts kept wandering to Avery’s quick kiss that had sent me flying.

The affect she had on me would never get old.

Then the doors were opened, my eyes taking in the crowd around me that held everyone’s family and friends. My parents had told me where they would be sitting so my eyes darted around the area, searching for their familiar faces. I saw their frantic waves of excitement as they called my attention, feeling the normal fuzzy feeling of love in my stomach.

We were soon sitting, allowing me to glance back at Max who was giving me an excited thumbs up and Avery who blew me a kiss. We were just ready to get this over with and get out of here.

Then speeches began and people clapped, allowing everyone to start flowing with anticipation as we awaited the walk along the stage. I glanced back once more, seeing Avery staring straight forward as her foot tapped nervously on the floor.

The anticipation was growing with every second we waited for them to begin calling names.

Then the last person finished his speech, forcing me out of my daze and back into the real world. Everything was going super-fast, and I knew this was because I had been too excited to possibly pay attention to anything.

The Assistant principal of our school stepped forward, taking her place at the podium as she began calling the names. My heart was racing a million miles per minute as the front row stood and she began, “Daniel Cole Aaron…”

The list began dwindling down as I watched my peers walk across the stage, most of them too excited to contain their smiles. They accepted the diploma folder and started walking back off, shaking hands with every school board member of the county.

Then before I knew it my row was standing to take their place steps below the stage. I followed eagerly, watching kids file behind the steps as we stood in line, frantic to accept the diploma. I couldn’t contain my giddy excitement anymore, and I glanced back up at my parents seeing them waving to me.

People filed across the stage but I couldn’t concentrate on anything but putting my left foot in front of my right and vice versa. Walking was difficult and my legs were shaking in nerves as I approached the stages steps, only minutes away from walking across it.

I was on the first, then the second, third and fourth, and now I was waiting for them to call my name. My heart was beating so hard in my chest that I thought it would soon explode from the anticipation and excitement. My legs shook involuntarily but it was controllable, and soon my name was called, “Andrea Grace Brock…”

I was moving towards the center of the stage but I couldn’t feel my legs moving, everything was on autopilot now. I was handed my diploma and grabbed hold of my principal’s hand with firmness, trying not to let him feel the nervous shake I had. I smiled for the picture and began off the stage, continuing to shake hands with 6 men and 1 woman as I retreated.

Then finally I was off the stage, and for some reason my eyes forced their way to the upper deck of the auditorium.

Then I saw him, his familiar jet black hair and those luring eyes that were boring right down on me. I felt my breath suddenly catch in my throat, wondering if I was seeing things or if he was really here. And before he disappeared back into the crown I mouthed his name involuntarily.

“Blaine…”