They all seemed upbeat and I didn’t want to spoil the mood by making it clear, yet again, that I won’t ever be repeating a high school graduation, because I won’t be becoming a vampire. I knew they all hoped, especially Jonathon, that I would change my mind. But it just wasn’t going to happen. I didn’t know of anything in the world that I wanted more than my humanity. I don’t want to stay young forever. I want to grow old and age and be like everyone else. Live the life I’m supposed to live. I know it will be weird when I get older and look like Jonathon’s mom and then his grandma and then his great grandma but we’ll take it in stride. We’re soul mates after all. We should be able to make it through anything and come out okay.
Patrick clapped his hands together loudly breaking my trance.
“You guys better get a move on. You don’t want to be late,” said Patrick.
Jonathon looked at his watch. “Crap, we have to go now!”
We almost made it to the door when Jonathon turned around.
“Hey, Uncle Patrick? Aren’t you giving a speech this year?” asked Jonathon.
Patrick looked startled. “Am I?”
“I thought so,” said Jonathon. “You do every year.”
Patrick looked thoughtful for a minute. “No, not this year. I had said I would but when Kylie came into the picture I found it to be important to sit in the crowd as a proud father. I’m proud of all of you, not just Kylie.” He added, his eyes sparkling with happiness.
We finally managed to make it out of the house. I figured the way they all drove we’d make it in plenty of time but if we had any more hold ups we were going to be late.
We all piled into Danny’s Hummer H3. Diana, Jonathon, and I sat in the back and Mason sat up front with his brother.
Danny, of course, sped down the road. It amazed me how he managed to navigate the small streets and bustling cars in his huge vehicle. It looked like a monster truck next to the clown cars that most Italians drove. I appreciated the small cars for the gas saving capabilities but they really were entirely too small.
We made it to the school parking lot in plenty of time just as I had predicted.
I took in the castle like structure for what may be the last time. The building was so breathtaking. It never failed to amaze me. It was the kind of building you saw in history books and may never see in real life.
We went into the lobby area of the school and then a sign directed us to the auditorium. Pretty much everyone was already there waiting in their cap and gown.
Everyone was milling around, talking, with friends. A group of girls w
ere passing around year books and crying. At one point I would have found their behavior silly but now I wanted to join in and cry with them. This was the end of my youth. Of, maybe, even my life. Today had a much different meaning to me than it did for most. For the others it marked the beginning of their lives and for me it marked the end.
I saw Isaac a little ways away with his friends. His wounds were almost healed but his eyes still had a purple tint, a small cut on his lip, and his nose was still swollen. A part of me felt bad about his wounds but then again I didn’t. After his behavior that night he deserved what he got.
The dean clapped his hands together.
He said something in Italian and everyone bustled together so I followed suit. Jonathon’s hand weighed comfortingly on my back.
We all got quite and came further into the room. Anticipation hung thickly in the air. This was yet another right in our passage of life like learning to walk and talk. Only this was bigger. This was the real world we were going to be heading into. Jonathon moved his hand from my back and took my hand instead. He brought it up to his lips and kissed it lightly and then instead of letting it drop he held onto my hand tightly. It was as if he was afraid that if he let go I’d get swallowed up by the crowd and Selena would grab me up and carry me away from him.
“I will call you by your first initial, and then last name. You are to line up in a single file line in the alphabetical order that I call you in. There will be no goofing off. After you are in order we will take a stroll down these hallowed halls one last time and then we will proceed to the outdoor auditorium.” He cleared his throat. “Now on a lighter note. I wish you all the best of luck with your futures. Whether it is the universities or travels I hope you all find the greatest joys in life. Each and every one of you is special and I am proud to have known you all! You are all good people and you deserve the best! Good luck!” he cleared his throat again. “Alright enough talk. I’m going to start calling names so be paying attention.” He cleared his throat yet again and I wished I could give the poor man a cough drop.
Jonathon thankfully had whispered his entire speech in English in my ear so that I wasn’t lost.
He started calling names and the students lined up accordingly.
He finally made it to the ‘L’ names and mine was the last to be called.
“K, Lyons.”
I stepped forward behind a guy that was in my math class.
The line continued to get longer behind me. I heard the Pulmers join the line. More people continued to join the line and after what felt like an eternity the Dean finally called the last name.
He clapped his hands together again.
“Gli studenti seguono difuori. Soggiorno in formazione,” said the Dean. Students follow me outside. Stay in formation.