"I am so proud of you" my father says softly as he pulls me into a hug.
"Thanks dad" I respond with a smile.
"You did so good baby girl" my mom adds, pulling me into another hug.
"You really did do a wonderful job" my brother Ted chimes in as he pats me on the arm. "Who would of thought? My sister- the Valedictorian."
"Don't get used to it" my younger brother chimes in. "You won't be hearing a speech from me next year when I graduate."
"Well Sebastian, maybe if you applied yourself…"
"I still would never be as smart as my gorgeous older sister."
"Wow" my mother interjects. "Why is he sucking up to you so much?"
"He wants me to set him up with my friend Trina" I explain. "Even though I've told him and told him that she has a boyfriend" I add glaring at him.
"Can't blame a boy for trying" my father chuckles.
"I suppose not" I smile. This is really nice. The whole family together. And they're all here to see me. They're all proud of me. If only they knew… God, I feel like a scumbug.
"I have to go to the bathroom" I say nervously. "Excuse me?"
"Is everything all right?" my mom asks.
"Yeah" I smile "of course."
When I finally break free from the crowd, I take a deep breath. Goodness, I felt like I was going to suffocate for a minute there.
"Congratulations" I hear a familiar voice say as I'm quickly pulled into yet another hug.
"Howard, do you really think this is a good idea?" I whisper as I pull back.
"Oh Phoebe, don't be paranoid" he laughs. "To anyone else this would look like a teacher congratulating a student."
"Right" I respond as I smooth my gown. "Even so, we don't want to draw suspicion to ourselves."
"You're 18 Phoebe, we aren't doing anything wrong" he says, employing his usual argument. "In the eyes of the law you're a consenting adult."
"I'm you're student!" I bite back in a whispered hush.
"Not after today" he smiles. "Even if the whole world found out what's going on between us, there's nothing anyone could do to stop us."
"Right" I scoff. "Do you have any idea what my father would do…"
"I don't want to talk about your father" he interrupts. "You were spectacular up there."
"You had already heard the speech" I smile.
"Yes, but to see you up there with the lights, and everything… You're amazing. You're the most amazing woman I've ever known."
"Thanks" I smile looking down embarrassed.
"I got a room for the night" he whispers seductively.
"I don't think I could sneak away tonight" I respond.
"Just bribe the guard again."
"My family will notice. I graduated tonight; all eyes are going to be on me…"
"Phoebe?" my father asks eyeing both of us suspiciously. "I thought you were going to the bathroom."
"I did" I reply nervously. "And then Mr. Cheney stopped me to congratulate me."
"And who is Mr. Cheney?"
"He was my English teacher Junior year. He proofread my speech for me."
"Really?" my father asks arching a brow. "Why did you ask him for help? Your mother or I could have helped you."
"I knew that both of you would say you loved whatever I wrote. Mr. Cheney always had a lot of input on my writing so…"
"Your daughter is very talented" Mr. Cheney interrupts. "She's an exceptional girl."
"Yes" my father replies skeptically. "She is."
"Well thank you Mr. Cheney" I say trying to sound as breezy as possible. "But my father and I should probably be leaving now…"
"Yes" my father says wrapping his arm around me protectively. "I have a surprise for you."
"Really?" I ask smiling at him as we walk away.
"Goodbye Phoebe" Howard calls out. "I hope to see you soon."
Please Review!