Authors: Emma Griffiths

After I Wake (24 page)

Well, close enough. I still don't believe normal exists for anyone. But that's okay because nothing has to be normal. You just have to be content. Or happy. Both work.

Darcy stands next to me, and I snap back to attention, quickly standing up as well. She goes to get her diploma, and then my name is called, so I stand up and make my way to a different small stage with a large podium and shake my principal's hand, and then the other principal's hand, and then they hand me my diploma, and I have to be careful going down the stairs because I almost trip on my robe even though I'm wearing flats and there's nothing in my way to trip me besides air, but I'm nervous, and I stumble anyways.

The last name is called a few minutes later, and I cheer with everyone else. I take pictures with my friends and with my mom, and I can't stop grinning. I have a graduation party to go to. Harper somehow talked her parents into a cotton candy machine, and I cannot wait for that. We all hug each other awkwardly and get into our cars.

As my mom drives me to the party, we talk about normal. I'm glad I'm not normal. It'd make things boring. I'd far rather be happy. Happy is something you earn, because you have to work hard to be happy. The happy ending is sweetest when you've earned one.

So I guess I'm pretty cool with being happy.

About the Author

E
MMA
G
RIFFITHS
has been writing for the majority of her life, and it is a craft she plans on making a career. She is currently a student, but when she is not doing schoolwork, she spends her time watching movies (filmmaking being something else she'd like to practice professionally), making bad puns, getting emotional about superheroes, and yodeling at strangers in Starbucks (she doesn't actually yodel, nor does she frequent Starbucks, but she sometimes thinks about living vicariously from the safety of her bed).

Find her:

Twitter: @TheGingerWrites

tumblr: the-ginger-writes

Facebook: Emma Griffiths

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