Always Aaron

Chapter 59

I backed away nearly tripping over the countless wires sprawled and knotted across the floor. "Uh no. Trinity is." Ms. Clarissa scrunched her nose.

"I know but Trinity's solo is shorter and I want to ease your part first. After Trinity's singing we will call out the headmaster to send you all off with your diplomas and of course the sacred cap toss." She rambled and look out the window. "It's your turn. Go, go, go."

I looked around helplessly and inhaled and exhaled before walking out. I parted the curtains and walked to the center stage with my hands sweating.

Everybody was staring at me as the spotlight hit me. I did not bother spotting anyone from the crowd because knowing my nervousness I will probably laugh if they even so much as blink.

Ms. Clarissa sneaks me a thumbs up and I suck in a breath before laying my fingers on the notes. I stared playing with a softer rhythm fluctuating it louder and then easing back.

During the middle I had to play it louder and more powerful to create a chilling effect. I watched my fingers masterfully gliding across them. I felt the emotions pumping through me.

Ms. Clarissa and I had specifically written this song so that we could portray a journey. A journey of pain, emptiness and hopelessness to that responding to a journey of love, friendship and hope. A journey that showed my emotions and the emotions of everyone here.

Because we all had a journey. And though we finished a chapter of we were yet to voyage into the great unknown.

My ears thrummed with the sound of my own blood as I finished and looked around at everybody. It took me few seconds to realize they were giving me a standing ovation.

I gasped and grinned as I got up and took a bow. People were applauding a whistling. I could see my friends beaming at me, my mother sniffing with joy with Jake at her side, my grandma giving me thumbs ups, the twins and Miles giving me proud looks and Aaron... Aaron was grinning at me and clapping the loudest. He mouthed me You were amazing.

I waved at him and scurried down the steps. Everybody congratulated me as Trinity went perform her song. I went down the steps and shuffled in an aisle to sit next to Aaron. He had saved me a spot.

I sat down pardoning the lady next to me who smiled and waved me off. Aaron grabbed my hand and leaned down. "You were eccentric. Amazing. I don't know the word to describe that moment. It was beautiful."

"Thank you." I beamed and listened to Trinity's solo end. We all clapped loudly for her as she took a boy and Principle Simone came to center stage.

She took the microphone as everyone sobered up with their clapping. "I would just like to say how proud I am of this school, if these teachers and most importantly of these impressive students. Seriously. Yes-" She extended her hands as we all applauded her. "It astounds me every day to be able to come here and work. Because Welton academy is a home. It's our own little community of amazing people. It has taught me more then I have taught it. Before I hand out the diplomas to this year's graduates, I would like to hold a moment of silence for one every brave boy. Harry was an amazing student. He was bright, he was loved and he cared about everything. He was a one in a million. I hope that he finds peace in paradise. Amen."

"Amen." Everybody murmured back and bowed their heads in silence. We stayed like this for a few minutes before Principle Simone took the microphone again.

"Now it is my great honor to call out this year's graduates. First off we have Mr. Aaron Mercer." I clapped loudly as Aaron cursed and got up to get onto stage. I pulled on my robe quickly as he went and shook hands with the principle. He waited at the end of the stage as Sersha got called on. Then Reuben. Then Jordan, Trinity and everyone else.