The depth of pain that flashed through the headmaster’s eyes as he looked at Josh stopped my breath. I put my hand on Josh’s arm and he stopped talking. Clearly, talking to Josh reminded the headmaster of Jen, and that was the last thing he needed to be dwelling on right now.
“We just both really hope that things get better for you,” I said, hoping it didn’t sound trite. “You and Sawyer . . . and Graham.”
“Thank you. Considering the circumstances, that’s very kind of you,” the headmaster said. “Obviously we won’t be back here next year.” He cleared his throat and turned to face me fully. “I wish you luck, Miss Brennan. With all your . . . endeavors.”
In the background we all heard a crash, and the headmaster flinched. I held my breath, but no shouts or screams came. Apparently it was a run-of-the-mill construction noise, nothing more.
“Thank you,” I told the headmaster.
“Well, then.” He tried for a smile, but it came out as a grim frown. “Have a good day.”
Then he turned on his heel and speed-walked away. I wondered if he was going to attend the graduation ceremony that afternoon. From the looks of it, probably not. He was practically leaving a fire track behind him as he hoofed it for Hull Hall. I was sure he couldn’t get out of here fast enough.
“Is it just me, or have we gone through a lot of headmasters?” I said, trying for levity as I leaned back into Josh’s waiting arms again.
“Three in two years? Yeah, that’s not normal,” Josh agreed, handing my croissant back to me.
“I wonder who it’ll be next year,” I said, taking a small bite. “If tradition holds, it’ll be someone who’s offended by my very existence and will do everything in their power to make my life miserable.”
“Nah,” Josh said with a smirk. “Fourth time’s the charm.”
I laughed and followed the headmaster with my eyes until he had disappeared inside Hull Hall. If he wasn’t coming back next year, that meant Sawyer wouldn’t be here either. I felt a pang of loss deep inside my chest and let out a sigh. So many people had come and gone out of my life lately. . . . It was getting old. But it also reminded me of who was truly important.
I tilted my head up and looked Josh in the eye.
“What?” he asked quietly.
“Nothing. I just love you,” I said.
Josh smiled and softly kissed my lips. “I love you, too.”
ALL YOU
“Tiffany Roxanna Goulbourne!”
I cheered as Tiffany strolled across the stage in her dark blue graduation gown. While most students had a few cameras trained on them as they accepted their diplomas, Tiffany lifted her camera out from the inside of her bell sleeve, held it above her head, and snapped off a few shots of her own as Dean Marshall attempted to hand her the scroll. Everyone cheered as Tiffany shook the dean’s hand and accepted her diploma, moving her gold tassel from one side of her cap to the other as she descended the stairs on the far side of the stage.
“I can’t believe they’re actually graduating,” Constance said, lifting a tissue to her nose in the chair next to mine.
“I can’t believe they got such a bloody gorgeous day,” Astrid added, squinting up at the sun from behind her thick sunglasses. “You know that when we graduate it’ll be the rainstorm to end all rainstorms.”
“No negativity today,” I admonished. “It’s going to be beautiful. Even better than this.”
My friends all eyed me, surprised, but I ignored them.
“Shh! Josh is next!”
“Joshua Matthew Hollis!”
Josh strolled up to stage, looking confident and handsome and happy. His parents and brothers and sisters were a cheering section unto themselves on the other side of the aisle, giving him a standing ovation. I stood up too, clapping as best I could with my cast, and smiled at Josh’s brother Lynn across the way. Josh shook the dean’s hand, took his diploma, and held it in his fist above his head. I laughed, my chest welling up with pride and happiness and sadness all at once. He found my eyes as he walked off stage and I blew him a kiss before sitting down again.
“I just can’t believe I’m not going to be a freshman anymore,” Amberly said, touching up her berry-colored lip gloss. “Is it just me, or has this has been the longest year ever?”
“It’s not you,” I agreed.
“It’s going to be so weird around here without them, isn’t it?” Lorna said, leaning forward at the far end of the aisle. “Portia, the Twin Cities, and everyone?”
“Weird, or just really, really awesome,” Kiki put in, snapping her gum.