ON the manicured lawns of Bryce Hamilton the seniors
loitered under the bright June sunlight in their royal blue
caps and gowns, faces glowing with excitement. Somehow,
they didn’t look like teenagers in need of direction
anymore; they were young people ready to make their own
way in the world. Col ege was stil several months away and
everyone was looking forward to the summer break. I knew
Xavier had received offers from several col eges eager to
recruit him into their ranks, especial y those with al -star
footbal teams.
Even though graduation wouldn’t impact on my future in
the same way, I couldn’t help but get caught up in the flurry
of nervous excitement. We were waiting for the signal for
the procession to begin. Outside the auditorium I spotted
Gabriel and his middle school choristers warming up for
their closing performance of “Friends Forever,” a popular if
cliched choice as valedictory song.
Among the seniors the buoyant mood was contagious.
The girls adjusted their caps and pinned back one
another’s hair so it didn’t fal over their eyes and ruin the
photographs. The boys were less concerned about
appearance, focusing instead on vigorously shaking hands
and thumping one another on the back. We were al
wearing the class rings that had been delivered only days
before. They were simple silver bands engraved with the
school motto: LIVE. LOVE. LEARN.
Bryce Hamilton loved pomp and pageantry. Inside the
auditorium invited guests and parents were taking their
seats and fanning themselves with folded copies of the
program. Ivy was sitting beside Dol y Henderson from next
door, feigning interest in the neighborhood gossip. Waiting
in the wings was Dr. Chester and the teaching staff in ful
academic regalia, the color of their hoods denoting their
individual branch of expertise. The principal would give the
opening address, and then as class president, Xavier
would deliver the valedictory speech. He hadn’t had much
time to prepare, but Xavier was a natural orator and I knew
he’d be able to deliver an inspirational speech with just a
few scribbled notes to guide him. From outside I spotted
Bernie in the audience, trying to keep her youngest from
clambering over each other and tel ing Nicola off for playing
Peggle on her iPhone.
After the ceremony high tea would be served in the
cafeteria, which had been transformed with white
tablecloths and flower arrangements to befit the occasion.
A professional photographer was already clicking away
behind his camera lens, and I watched Abby and the girls
apply fresh coats of lip gloss and make sure their caps
were straight. I was looking forward to the part where we’d
al throw our caps into the air—I’d seen the scene in several
movies and wanted to experience it firsthand. Ivy had taped
my name to the inside of mine so I’d be able to find it easily
afterward.
The whole school was buzzing with a strange energy. But
amid the excitement was an underlying wistfulness. Mol y
and her friends would never sit out in the quad again; this
position would be passed on to the next group of seniors
who could never be quite the same. The days of skipping
class, cramming for exams, and flirting with boys at the
lockers in between periods were over. School had united
us; we were expected to pursue our own lives now, and
chances were, we’d never al be in the same place again.
I wanted the ceremony to hurry up and start. I was so
caught up in the excitement I almost forgot I was a mere
onlooker in al of this. I felt entirely human, like I should be
worrying about col ege applications and my future career
prospects. I had to remind myself that this life was not
meant for me. The best I could do was share in the
experience through Xavier and my friends.
Mol y appeared by my side and threw her arms around
me.
“My God, it’s so sad!” she cried. “I’ve spent the last four
years complaining about this place and now I don’t want to
leave.”
“Oh, Mol y, you’l be okay,” I said, tucking a wayward
corkscrew curl behind her ear. “It’s ages til col ege.”
“But I’ve spent thirteen years of my life at this school,”
Mol y said. “It’s weird to think I’m never coming back. I know
everybody in this town; it’s my home.”
“And it always wil be,” I said. “Col ege is going be an
amazing adventure, but Venus Cove wil stil be here when
you come back.”
“But I’l be so far away!” she wailed.
“Mol y.” I laughed and hugged her. “You’re going to
‘Bama—it’s one state away!”
She giggled and sniffed. “I guess so, thanks, Bethie.”
I felt a hand wrap around my waist and then Xavier’s lips
were at my ear.
“Can I talk to you?” he murmured. I turned and looked up
at him. The blue of the graduation gown emphasized the
color of his eyes and his silky walnut hair wasn’t even
mussed by the cap.
“Sure, what’s up?” I asked. “Are you nervous?”
“No,” Xavier said.
“Is your speech ready? I haven’t heard any of it!”
“We’re not staying.” Xavier delivered this earth-shattering
statement with surprising equilibrium.
“Excuse me?” I said. “Why not?”
“Because it doesn’t mean anything to me anymore.”
“Don’t be ridiculous.”
“I’ve never been more serious in my life.”
I stil didn’t believe him. “I think today is turning everybody
weird,” I said. “Don’t you want to graduate?”
“I’l graduate whether I attend the ceremony or not.”
I saw then that his eyes were bright and his smile made
his whole face radiant. He was actual y serious about
leaving.
“You’re giving the valedictory speech!”
“It’s taken care of. Wes is stepping in for me. Wasn’t
cheap though.”
I stared at him. How could he make jokes when he was
about to walk out on one of the most momentous events of
his life? Everybody expected him to lead the ceremony—it
wouldn’t be the same without him.
“Your parents wil never forgive you,” I said. “Why don’t
you want to stay? Aren’t you feeling wel ?”
“I feel fine, Beth.”
“Then why?”
“Because there’s something much more important I want
to do.”
“What could be more important than you graduating?”
“Come with me and you’l find out.”
“Not until you tel me where we’re going.”
“Don’t you trust me?”
“Of course I do.” I nodded ardently. “But I’ve never seen
you do anything this … you know … reckless.”
“Funny, I don’t feel reckless,” he said. “I’ve never felt more
in control.”
Bryce’s marching band started up the procession and
the students began filing into the auditorium to take their
places on the stage. A teacher on duty was counting them
in by tens. I could see Mol y searching for me in the crowd
as we’d planned to sit together. The school captains always
filed in last because their seats were in the front row. I
looked over at Gabriel. He was escorting his choir
backstage, but he must have sensed something was up
because he threw me a questioning look over his shoulder.
I smiled and gave him a feeble wave in return, hoping I
gave off the signal that everything was under control. Xavier
was looking at me expectantly.
“Come and sit with me under the old oak for five minutes
and I’l explain everything. If you don’t like the plan we’l
come back and go in together. Agreed?”
“Five minutes?” I reiterated.
“That’s al I’m asking.”
I stood under the dappled light of the old oak tree in the
middle of the school’s sweeping circular driveway knowing
this would be our last tryst here together. A wave of
nostalgia hit me. The oak had been a reliable friend to us
during our time at Bryce Hamilton, its gnarled branches
providing refuge and serving as our secret meeting place
whenever our desire to be together overcame any sense of
responsibility. I wrapped my arms playful y around its wide
trunk while Xavier continued to look as though he’d just
made the discovery of the century.
“Okay,” I said. “Your time starts now. What’s this great
idea that warrants skipping out on graduation?”
Xavier took off his cap and gown and flung them onto the
grass beside us. Underneath he was wearing a white shirt
and tie over dress pants. Seeing his athletic chest under
the flimsy cotton stirred in me the usual deep, visceral
yearning.
Xavier was gazing at me dreamily. He bent his head and
kissed my hand. “I’ve been thinking about us.”
“Good thinking or bad?” I asked immediately, the
yearning giving way to fear.
“Good, of course.”
I was able to breathe easily again. “So let’s hear it.”
“I think I’ve found the answer.”
“That’s great,” I said lightly. “What’s the question?”
But Xavier was deadly serious. “The question is how do
we make sure no one comes between us again.”
“Xavier, what are you talking about? You need to relax.
We’re together now. I’m back. Jake won’t bother us again
anytime soon.”
“If it’s not Jake it’l be someone or something else. It’s no
way to live, Beth. Always looking over our shoulders,
wondering how much time we’ve got left.”
“So let’s not do that. Let’s just focus on what we’ve got
right here and now.”
“I can’t. I want this to be forever.”
“We can’t have that expectation. You know that.”
“I think we can.” I looked into his bril iant, fathomless eyes
and saw something I hadn’t seen before. I couldn’t put my
finger on exactly what it was, but I knew something had
changed.
Then in the next minute Xavier had firmly taken hold of my
hands and dropped to one knee by the base of the oak, the
crinkled leaves on the ground crunching under his weight.
My heart started racing like an express train. An internal
tug-of-war began between joy and devastation at what he
was about to do.
“Beth,” he said simply, his flawless face lit up with
anticipation. “There is no doubt in my mind that we belong
together, but to spend the rest of my life with you would be
an honor and commitment I would cherish.” He paused, his
clear, blue eyes luminous. My breath caught in my throat,
but Xavier only smiled. “Beth,” he repeated. “Wil you marry
me?”
The look on his face was one of pure happiness.
I was dumbfounded. I could honestly claim that Xavier
was an open book to me by now, but I certainly hadn’t seen
this one coming. Involuntarily I glanced up at the sky for
guidance, but none was forthcoming. This was something I
would have to deal with on my own. A number of possible
responses tumbled through my mind, one more rational
than the next.
Xavier, are you delirious? Have you completely lost
your mind? You’re not even nineteen and in no position to
get married. Don’t you think we need to think this through
?
I can’t let you throw all your dreams away … after college
maybe we can talk about it. We don’t have the authority to
make this kind of decision alone
.
Your parents are going
to disown you
.
How will Ivy and Gabriel take it?
But only the least rational found its way to my lips.
“Yes.”
We moved quickly away from the old oak, fearing
someone would come looking for us. As soon as I’d given
Xavier my answer he scooped me up in his arms and
charged off toward the school gates, not stopping until he
got to the street where his Chevy was parked. Xavier
deposited me careful y on the curb to open the passenger
door, then jumped behind the wheel and headed straight for
town.
“Where are we going now?” I said breathless with
exhilaration.
“We have to do something to celebrate.”
A few minutes later the Chevy pul ed up outside
Sweethearts on Main Street. Inside the cafe was almost
empty. I figured most of its regulars must be at Bryce’s
graduation ceremony. I stole a quick glance at my
wristwatch when Xavier wasn’t looking. We’d been gone at
least half an hour by now. Our absence would have been
wel and truly noticed. The principal was probably halfway
through his opening address. There would be whispers and
questions among the teachers backstage as to who had