Chapter Eight
The next few months were a blur. It seemed surreal that high school was coming to an end. Conversations revolved around what colleges people were going to and who they were going to prom with. I tried to block out prom as much as possible. Chloe, Tracy and Monica all had dates, and despite them nagging me to join them for prom without a date, I refrained. Honestly, it was far from my idea of fun to be solo at prom, even though I knew my friends would make sure I didn’t feel alone. I didn’t want to be a burden to them when they should be having fun with their dates. I also had to admit to myself that I didn’t want to see Jason. After our last conversation when he dropped me off, we hadn’t spoken a word to each other. We were worse off than before we had reconnected, because I didn’t even get a wave from him in the hallway. I told myself it was for the best, and soon I would probably never see him again. It left an ache in my chest, but I pushed the feeling away.
I heard that he went to prom with Jillian, and I was extra glad that I hadn’t attended. I didn’t need to see her all over him. After prom, it was only a few weeks until it was time for the graduation ceremony. It was a happy day, but also bittersweet since all my friends were going out of state for college. But, fortunately, we were all staying in Hyattsville for the summer before college, and those few months were an idyllic time. We spent most days lounging at Tracy’s pool or went on day trips to nearby beaches. On rainy days, it was fun just hanging out at each other’s houses and binging on terrible reality shows and eating too much ice cream.
I never saw Jason during the summer. Chloe told me that she heard that he was spending the summer in Chicago, in a pre-college program at his school. I missed him in the beginning, but soon he faded into the background, and things went back to normal. I wished the best for him and sincerely hoped only good things for him. Maybe one day, we could be friends again.
Summer came to an end too fast, and soon everyone left for their respective colleges. Darrenston College was an adjustment, but soon I found my place. Shelby had decided to go to Darrenston as well, and I was happy to already have a friend there.
I admittedly still thought about Jason every now and then. I wondered how he was doing in Chicago, and if the U of Chicago suited him. I couldn’t help wondering if he was dating anyone. I would be surprised if he wasn’t, since he was so good-looking and charismatic. He would get snapped up quickly.
I had a few admirers in college as well, but I had no interest in dating. I was happy with the small group of friends I had made, and my quiet social life. My mom, on the other hand, started dating a man she met through an acquaintance. I was happy for her because she hadn’t dated anyone since my father left. It was nice to see her excited, and, for once, prioritize herself and her happiness. She was initially worried at first about my reaction, but I reassured her that I was nothing but happy for her. The man, Keith, seemed nice enough and he treated my mom well, which was all I cared about.
They dated for two years, and when they got married my junior year of college, I was ecstatic for her. It was a courthouse wedding, since we really had no family on our side except for distant relatives who we didn’t keep in touch with, and Keith was also alone with both parents deceased and an estranged sister that he didn’t talk to. But it was still beautiful, and it was a happy day.
Everything was going well, and I was hopeful for the future. I hoped everything was going well for Jason, as well.