Fallin' For You-Part 5

TWENTY-NINE

She was done with high school.

She was an adult.

She was going to college.

She was going to work hard.

"Um, thank you all for coming this afternoon." Sophie started with a nod. "It was an honor to be chosen as Valedictorian. Throughout my years at this school, I've been through so much with so many friends and so many people." Sophie's eyes became teary as her mind began replaying all four years of her high school career. "When I think about the Seniors of this year, I think about a quote I read a long time ago. The quote says, 'If your dreams don't scare you, they are too small'. I think this quote is the perfect embodiment of this class. All of us have always worked hard and set our goals and dreams so high and, finally, we've reached them. Doing this is completely terrifying for all of us, but we made it." She turned to the rest of her class that was sitting behind her. "We did it guys."

They were going to help people.

They were all going to be the best version of themselves that they could be.

And no one was going to stop them.

Tears started pouring out of Sophie's eyes and she turned back to the crowd and continued. "These four years have been the best years of my life and I'm so glad I got to share it with all my friends, family, and teachers. Everyone believed in me even when I didn't believe in myself, and so I want to thank you all."

The tears came pouring out even more, and Sophie was sure she would break down there and then, but Dex rested his hand on her shoulder, and it gave Sophie the strength to keep going.

"As a message to all the undergraduates," She said with a smile, specifically looking at Lex, Bex, and Rex. "Know this: if you try hard enough, you can move any mountain in your way."

§§§

"That speech was great, by the way," Keefe said as he walked her to the front door after the party at the Vacker's house. "Did I tell you that?"

Sophie laughed. "Yes, you did. Probably about ten times all day."

"Well, it's true,"

They stopped at the bottom of the porch and smiled at each other. The night was starry, the wind was mild, and Keefe looked handsomer than ever.

Then he pulled her into a tight hug. "I'm so proud of you."

Sophie hugged him back, nestling into his shoulder. "I'm proud of me too."

Keefe pulled away, arms still around her waist, and smiled. "So, when we're both at school, how does meeting up every Saturday sound? I mean, it's only seven hours by car."

Sophie laughed. "No thank you. I think I can settle for Facetime calls every other day and meeting up every month unless we're both heading back home for a holiday."

Keefe pouted but he was still smiling. "Fine, I guess I can live with that."

Sophie's face widened with a grin before she stood on her tippy toes and pulled Keefe into a long, sweet kiss.

"I love you Keefe," Sophie said once they'd pulled away.

Keefe smiled. "I love you too Foster."

Sophie sighed before letting go of Keefe and starting to walk up the porch steps. "I'll see you tomorrow, okay?"

Keefe nodded. "Are we still going to have our regularly scheduled window sleepover?"

"Yep," Sophie said. "I mean, unless you don't want to..."

"No," Keefe said quickly. "I do. I'll see you in a little bit."

Sophie nodded before opening the door and making her way into her house.

She walked up the stairs and made it to her room, closing the door as silently as she could. She quickly grabbed a pillow, a blanket, Ella, and Iggy before heading to her window and opening it up.

After a second, Keefe was there with a grin on his face. The two of them smiled at each other, talked, and laughed before finally falling asleep.

One more...

It will be posted tomorrow...

Hahaha...