Epilogue
“On the first day of school, I got detention. While I was there, I was given an assignment to write a five-paragraph essay about a goal I had for senior year. If I could go back and redo that assignment, I’d put that my goal was to survive.
My sister never got to experience graduation.
She died before she got the chance. When you really think about it, high school is scary, and getting through it is rough, especially when certain people are trying to keep you down.
At one point, I didn’t think I would make it.
But then, I realized something. Even though we are all so different, in the end, we are all just trying to survive.
So, as I stand up here today , for me and my sister , I want to say that you are all capable of surviving the next chapter of life, whatever it may throw your way.
So, let’s stop fighting each other and fight life instead. ”
The students went wild as I stood on the stage facing friends, family, strangers, and even former foes.
In an instant, the weight that was placed on my shoulders when I had first arrived at Summerville High had finally lifted, and after four years trapped in the prison of my mind, it felt nice to be free.
My eyes were drawn to my parents in the stands as they pumped their fists in the air, screaming loudly. I don’t think I’d ever smiled so wide.
“Let’s hear it for our valedictorian, Clarke Taylor!” Principal Hawkins screamed.
Minutes later, the sky was raining graduation caps.
Tossing mine into the sun, I kept my chin angled high and looked up.
I found myself doing a lot more of that lately.
The sky had never looked so blue. The flash from my parents’ camera nearly blinded me as I pushed my way through the sea of students.
Even from thirty feet away, that thing was blinding.
I launched into Elliot’s arms as soon as I saw him.
He enveloped me in a tight hug, his laughter contagious as he spun me around.
“You did it! You graduated!” I beamed. “Your parents and your sister look so proud of you.”
I flashed a smile at Ms. Keller and Emilia, who sat in the bleachers, waving enthusiastically.
“Yeah.” He waved back. “All thanks to you and that wicked brain of yours.”
“Eh. You did most of the heavy lifting.” I shrugged.
He chuckled, shaking his head slightly, but the smile on his lips spoke volumes. We locked eyes in silence, pretending as if we were the only two people for miles. I grasped his hand in mine.
“So…what now?” he asked simply.
“Now, we keep on surviving.”