"Dude stop!" I shouted at Nick.

"We're gonna be late! Take your pants off!" I got shoved playfully by Nick.

I buttoned my long blue robe and we rush out to the court yard. Finally after 14 long years in school I was going to be free! Nick kept glancing at me as we ran to our spots in the crowd. I looked around and spotted Lexia and my parents sitting next to each other, Nick and Ashley's parents together as well. I looked around a bit more and see Baxlyn and Troy by their parents.

I look at them for a while until Principal Coon tapped on the microphone and they ran up to the seats. Baxlyn turned and looked at me with and wide grin and a big thumbs up. I felt a smile creep across my face and looked back at Mr. Coon.

"First off let me give my warmest congratulations to this wonderful class. You have been a talented, hard working class. I am proud to have been your Principal. Academic achievement from you all has been very good. This is the strongest performance in 10 years. Thank you to the parents and guardians for all your help. Each time we asked you delivered, your support has been amazing. At graduation day the emphasis at the ceremony is about the great achievements of the graduates. Today is also sad that you are leaving, joyous in its celebration of your success and inspiring when your future is considered. Thank you and good luck in the future!" Mr. Coon finished his speech with a smile and a wave then began to call names up.

"John Hogen...Madison Gandle...Juan Hondras." It felt like forever until it got to me. "Tanner Linden."

I hopped out and of my seat and rushed up to the stage and shook Mr. Coon's hand as we said our farewells. He gave me my diploma and I felt my heart beat out of my chest. I glanced at my parents in the crowed, mother crying and father clapping with a straight face. I then looked at all my friends who were hooting and hollering. I searched for Baxlyn in all the faces. She was clapping and shouting.

We hadn't really talked much since the night I saw her crying. We would glance at each other at school and she would smile or wave and we acted like nothing happened even though it did happen. I couldn't get her puffy, red face out of my head. She had came up to me in the hall one day during passing time.

"Hey," she said looking at her binder then to my face.

"Hi," I looked right into her eye and she looked down again.

"Listen, can we just forget about the whole me crying and you climbing onto my balcony thing?"

"Oh. Ugh, yeah. Of course," I said. Though I knew she knew we weren't gonna forget that night.

"Thank you," Baxlyn stood on her tippy toes and kissed my left cheek. I felt my face heat up as she walked away.

"Tanner? Tanner?" I looked around and Mr. Coon was saying my name. "You can leave the stage now Mr. Linden." I could hear everyone start laughing at me.

"Oh, right." I walk off the stage with embarrassment.

I watched Nick, Ashley, and Lexia go up and get their diplomas. I cheered for them but when Baxlyn went up, she got The Dean's Award and the her diploma. Almost everyone was standing up, cheering for her. She was shyly waving and did a little victory dance. She winked at someone to my left and I seen Troy. I wanted to gag.

It took about an hour or so then Mr. Coon said his last congrats and farewell. We all counted down from 3 to 1 and threw our caps in the air. Everyone was shouting, crying, cheering, racing for their caps. I started to walk to my parents but Baxlyn stopped me.

She leaned into my ear. "I know you and Nick are naked under your robes. Clever." She laughed and lifted her robes up slightly to indicate she had no clothes on either. I cracked up inside.

"Just clever old me." Oh my god. Did I just say that? Baxlyn laughed at me and walked towards Troy, throwing her arms around him and kissing him all over his face.

I wanna be kissed all over my face...

I met up with my parents and we talked with Lexia's family. I always got the same questions: excited for college? Any big plans for your future? Does Lexia involve those plans? Ugh, I hated it. I just needed to get away.

"Hey mom. Lexia and I are gonna head home and get changed. We are gonna head to the party tonight around 7," I said, hoping she wouldn't care.

"Okay hun. We are gonna go out for dinner with Lexia's parents," she said, rubbing my back.

I took Lexia's hand and we jumped into my car and drove home. The whole way home, we jammed out to her favorite songs and I held my hand in her lap. I rolled up into my drive way just as Troy and Baxlyn were getting out of her Jeep. I watched them as I got out and moved over to Lexia. I picked her up and she wrapped her legs around my waist and I walked her up to my room.

***

"Thanks Lexia. I needed that," I said pulling on my jeans and a tight, light blue shirt.

"Anytime baby." Lexia placed her hand on my chest and kissed me.

It was about 6 o'clock so we headed downstairs and walked out the door. I turned on the engine and headed for Ashley's house. She was hosting the graduation after party this year. I would have but my parents don't wanna pay Neena extra for cleaning the house after the big party mess.

It only took about 20 minutes to get to her house but we had to stop at Lexia's house to get her changed. I waited outside. I texted Nick in the meantime.

Me: Yo, at Ashley's?

Nick: Yeah. There is already 30 people here. Not the whole class but it's already crazy.

Me: Shoot, on my way.

Nick: Ight.

I put my phone down to see Lexia walk out in a short, tight, red skirt and a Aztec designed shirt with a red scarf. It didn't cover her cleavage much because I got a large view of them. We pulled out and was on our way.