Under the Texas Sky

CHAPTER 64

TRENT

18 years old

It’s the day I’ve been waiting for and dreading at the same time. The humid air warms my skin until my hairline beads with sweat. Why does graduation always have to be outside during one of the hottest months of the year? They could have at least held it inside, in the air conditioning, so we don’t sweat through the cheap polyester gowns they gave us.

The cap on my head isn’t any better, but they allowed us to decorate it this year, so I shouldn’t complain too much. I can’t wait to frame mine and Kian’s and hang them up side by side. Proof of our accomplishments, no matter how much the odds were against us.

I silently flip off my mom and Kian’s parents. Fuck them for not seeing us and truly loving us like parents should. Parental love shouldn’t be conditional, but that’s okay. I have Kian, and I’ll always have him.

His love isn’t conditional, it’s absolute. It’s absolute in the way that only Kian knows how. Our love is all-consuming, and every day I wake up, I’m grateful that of all the choices I’ve made, he’s been the best one.

Mitch drove us here and he’s sitting somewhere in the stands. I’m in the middle of a row, between two jocks talking loudly about their plans for the after party. The ceremony started thirty minutes ago, and we’re still working our way through the boring acknowledgements of the school board members and all the teachers who represent our class. Yadda, yadda, yadda.

My attention is solely focused on the cap that matches mine in the front row, the hint of yellow against his black robe. Honors, because my boyfriend is a genius, and he deserves to be finally recognized for how much time and effort he’s put into school. He’s sitting up front with all the smarty pants of our class, and he even had to write a speech. I think it’s good, personally, and not because I helped him rehearse or because I’m biased. He’s the best, and anyone who doesn’t think so can fuck right off.

His parents moved away after that night when I picked him up on the sidewalk, and my mom couldn’t give less of a fuck about me if she tried. We don’t need them here to celebrate, though, since we have Mitch. And we have each other. That’s all we need.

“We’re going to start by announcing the honors graduates. Please hold your applause until the end,” our principal says into the microphone, the sunlight glinting off his bald spot. About damn time.

The students line up and wait for their names to be called. Kian’s curly hair is neatly tucked into a low ponytail to keep it out of his face while he reads his speech.

His cap depicts a watercolor scene of the night sky, a flurry of dark blues and purples studded with small gems to resemble stars. Mine is the counterpart, the sun high in the sky, bursts of bright yellow, orange, and red. I painted his hat, very carefully, while we sat on the couch watching an action movie. There might have been a small pizza stain that I covered up with a thick coat of dark black paint. Oh well, no one will ever look at it that closely.

Kian’s name is called, and I don’t give a fuck what the principal said, because I stand up and cheer for Kian. His cheeks flush bright pink, but he has a wide smile on his face, so I know no matter how embarrassed he is, he’s also happy. This is all he’s ever wanted, for someone to stand by him in the good times and the bad. And to cheer him on every step of the way.

The rest of the ceremony flies by, and I cross the stage hearing my two people scream and cheer for me. I look for Kian first in the row of students, and he’s on his feet, clapping for me. Mitch is standing in the crowd holding two cardboard cutouts, one of my face and one of Kian’s. It’s one of the best moments of my life.

After the principal calls an end to graduation and we all file out, Mitch is waiting for us in the parking lot. Holding one bouquet of flowers with a teddy bear wrapped around it, and a box covered in black and white “congratulations” paper.

He hands the flowers and bear to Kian and wraps him in a tight hug. I wait patiently for my turn, and Mitch hands me the box. Him and Kian both stare at me with a knowing glint in their eyes.

“What’s in it?” I hedge, because I hate surprises. Kian and Mitch both know that, but they don’t ever care.

“Open it and see,” Kian squeals, holding his gift tight to him and squishing the bear against his face. It’s adorable, the freckles on his face more prominent after sitting in the sun for two hours. At least he wore sunscreen, so he’s not too burnt.

“Yeah, do what your boyfriend said. Shut up and open it.” Mitch’s smile is wide, and mine mirrors it.

Inside the box, carefully tucked in pieces of tissue paper, is a leather bound notebook. I run my fingers across the engraving, feeling the smooth material combined with the indentations made into it.

You are my sunshine.

I flip it open, and there on the first page is a letter to me from Kian. My eyes skim it and promptly tear up. I go to the next page, and there’s one from Mitch too. The tears I try to hold back rush out of me in a flood. I don’t know what I did to deserve either of them, but I will spend my whole life making sure I’m worthy of the love they give me.

I give Mitch a hug, pulling him tight to my side, and he claps his hand on my shoulder.

“Congratulations you two, but I’m starving and that damn thing lasted two hours too long,” he says, then he leaves us standing there while he goes to the truck.

Kian stares up at me, and I pull him into me, our fronts pressing tightly together. I brush back a piece of hair that has escaped his ponytail, and leaning into his ear, I whisper, “You did it.” I’m so fucking proud of him and all he’s accomplished. He’s going to go so far in life, and I’m honored that he’s chosen me to be by his side for it.

“No.” He pulls away enough to look into my eyes. His bright green eyes shining with love. “We did it.”