Determination (Sequel to Innocence)

Chapter 2

            After my shower I straightened my hair and put on any jewelry I was going to wear. I look around at the photos of me and my friends smiling. Our looks… height… weight… anything you name it… has just changed so much since middle school. I put on my formal shirt and pants and then my tie. I loosen it up a lot and I spray perfume on me. I stare at myself in the mirror and think to myself ‘it’s going to be a sad and long day.’

            I grab my gown that’s still hanged up and I carry it downstairs on the hanger. I smile as everyone’s faces brighten up and smiles. I do modeling poses and laugh so does everyone else.

            I hang my gown up to a nearby nail until its 1:00 so we can leave. Until it is 1:00 my mom keeps trying to feed me to make sure that I’m full and awake. The children just play around but their parents asks them to not mess up their outfit which I’m sure they will later on today. I end up playing with them too and my mom fusses at me also. The children laugh at me and I tackle them gentle to the ground tickling all of them. Pretty much we all just have fun until its 1:00 and all of the sudden everyone is serious. I think my family all together is bi polar.

            “Okay it’s time to go everyone…” My dad says walking out the door with some people.

            I walk over to my gown and I put it on. “I’m not putting on my cap until I get there. I don’t want my hair messed up.” I laugh and my mom rolls her eyes.

            I walk to my truck getting in and I drive to the high school leading the way as everyone else follows me. Today’s the day… I’m still not 18 yet though I will be in august but I’ll be in college for sure by then. I’m like the baby in the class. I always have been but I’ve always acted more mature than everyone else.

            When we arrive there of course it’s hard to find parking but eventually we do and well… in Arizona… it’s so hot in the summer so I wish I wore shorts or something. A lot of the people from my school say hey as they walk past us to the football field which is where the graduation is set up.

            “Are you ready?” My mom asks placing her hand on my shoulder.

            “Yeah, I believe so.”

I smile walking to the football field with my family. I hug them all because they have to sit somewhere else and I go to my classmates talking to some of them.

            The principal asked for us to all go to our seats and we did the national anthem. Afterwards there were long speeches that felt like hours. Don’t get me wrong I enjoy speeches and respect them but it’s so hot out here.

            I walk up to the stage several times to get awards and that’s about it. The most important award though for females in academics is “Best Academic through High School” and I’ve been waiting to see if I actually get that award.

            The National Honor Society President who is Mrs. Russell walks up to the podium.

            “Now, I would like to give the Best Academic award to one of our females. She really has proved that she will stick to what she does and say. She won this because of how smart she really could be. In fact did you guys know that Aubrey Johnson…”

            Everyone stands up from their seats screaming and clapping. A huge smile appears on my face as I hear that it was me. I can feel butterflies and everything going on inside of me.

            Mrs. Russell laughs at everyone and tells them to calm down for a moment.

            “Did you know that… Aubrey Johnson had bad grades especially in 7th grade until she got into 8th grade?”