Chapter 6 Alexis
ALEXIS
It’s nearly my turn, and honestly? It just doesn’t feel important anymore, and the excitement over the moment has faded.
I just want to get my diploma and start packing.
Stepping onto the stage, my name is called and I shrink inwardly at the polite applause, no cheering, a stark contrast to my classmates as I don't have a cheering section.
Then I hear someone shouting my name and cheering for me.
Searching the crowd, I find Mr. Walker standing like a proud father, clapping his hands with a wide smile on his face, and I fall a little in love with him at that moment.
Just like freshman orientation, when he made sure I wasn’t by myself, he is coming alongside me, making me feel just a little less alone.
After the never-ending ceremony is over, we’re released to our families.
I know I’m welcome with Marcee’s family, but I don’t want to intrude.
She shouldn’t have to share her family just because mine is a no-show.
On my way to my car, I hug friends and pose for random pictures.
It wasn’t what I had hoped for, but it was nice, and I guess I'm glad I didn’t skip the ceremony.
From a distance, I see Marcee and her dad hugging a huge bouquet of flowers clasped in her hand.
I snap a quick photo of the sweet moment to send to her later.
I’m just about to unlock my car door when I hear someone shout my name.
Turning away from my car, I find Mr. Walker jogging toward me with a large bouquet of pink and orange hibiscus flowers in his hands.
Tears well up in my eyes and I bite my lip to hide the tremble as I take the bouquet he holds out to me.
“Congratulations, Lexie, I’m so proud of you!” He gives me a side hug and I inhale the scent of him engulfing me, sandalwood and something I can’t put my finger on, but it’s warm and inviting, like him.
“Thank you so much, Mr. Walker, they’re beautiful.”
His bright eyes are framed by fine lines that crinkle when he smiles as he looks down at me. “You know, you’re an adult now. A graduate and all, why don’t you call me Finn?”
“Hmm, okay,” I tilt my head like I’m deep in thought, “but only if you start calling me Alexis.”
His eyebrows shoot up in surprise. “You don’t like Lexie?”
I shrug, avoiding his eyes as I admit, “I’m just ready for a fresh start, you know?
Thought I might go by Alexis instead. Well, for everyone except Marcee—I don’t think she will ever stop calling me Lexie.
” I laugh, hiding behind the practiced smile I use so often.
There’s no way in hell I’m telling him it’s really about the sleazy nickname I earned last year.
“Makes sense. Well, I hope you come to my place tonight, Alexis.” He puts extra emphasis on my name, making me smile—a real smile this time, and the smile he gives me in return tells me he knew it was genuine.
The drive to my parents’ house is short, and I rummage through cabinets until I find a vase for my flowers.
Pressing my nose into them, I breathe deeply, drawing the sweet floral scent in, still so grateful Finn thought of me today.
I carry the vase to my room and get ready for Marcee’s party.
I catch myself humming as I get ready and realize how happy I feel, a stark contrast to the start of my day.
We had strict rules on what we had to wear for the ceremony, so I’m definitely changing before I head out.
Staring into my closet, I debate what to wear.
I know Marcee will be wearing a sweet little sundress, and I have one similar that I could wear, but it just isn’t me.
I spy my brown leather mini skirt—bingo!
It hugs my body and is short enough to grab attention, but not so short that it’s inappropriate.
My favorite part is the leather laces that run up the sides.
I pair it with a cream crochet top with bright flowers embroidered across the chest that shows just a thin strip of my stomach.
Looking in the mirror, I twist this way and that, loving the 70s hippie vibe I'm rocking. Throwing on some chocolate brown leather gladiator flats to finish off my look, I head for the door.
The driveway is already packed with cars when I pull up to Marcee’s house. My heart squeezes just a little, not in jealousy of my friend, but in longing to have that kind of support. What it must feel like to have so many people that care about you and actually show up to celebrate you.
I blink away the moisture in my eyes and lift my chin a little. I'm stronger than this, and Marcee deserves all the love and support. The gate to the backyard is open and I can hear music coming from that way, so I go straight back instead of through the house.
There’s a massive table of food near the back of the house and I make a beeline for it.
I haven’t eaten all day and I’m suddenly starving.
I reach out and pop a hunk of cheese in my mouth as I survey the table.
The desserts are at the far end, and I spot brownies and know just where to start.
Who needs real food? I've always been a dessert first type of girl anyways.
Two large cakes sit on wooden platforms, and I freeze mid-step with a brownie bite halfway to my mouth, as I take in the writing.
Of course, one says, Congratulations, Marcee, we love you, in pretty yellow icing, but there’s a second one with…
Is that...no it can’t be. I reread it twice, not truly believing what I'm seeing. There’s no way this is real, but by the third time I read it, it sinks in.
In bright pink icing on the top of the second cake reads:
Congratulations, Alexis, we are so proud of you!
Fuck, so much for keeping my makeup looking perfect.
A big fat tear runs down my cheek as I stare at it, still not believing my eyes.
Someone comes to stand beside me, and I glance up embarrassed at being caught crying, something I rarely allow to happen.
Finn is looking at me with a soft smile and such caring eyes that the dam breaks and I sob.
“Thank you for including me,” I gasp out the words. “No one has done anything like this for me since I was, well, I can’t even remember, but it was really nice of you.” He just smiles at my response before waving Marcee over, and I know I’ll remember all the things he did for me today.
To some, the gestures might seem small, but for someone that has been alone and forgotten more often than not, it meant more than words can express. He didn’t have to go out of his way to make me feel included and celebrated today, but the fact that he did just shows how big this man’s heart is.