Scarlett Nelson's P.O.V.
I was fixing my robe, and my cap, nervous as Hell.
"Scar?" I heard the call from my best friend, Mandy. I turned to see her, trying to fake the best smile I could possibly muster "Can you help me with my robe?" she turned around and I closed the zip, trying to take as long as I could. I was emotional and frustrated, all at the same time.
"There, all done" I told her, giving her a smile. Mandy smiled even brighter than me and skipped away, reuniting with her parents. I sighed and tried not to cry at the vision. My parents promised me to be for my graduation, but they hadn't even texted me yet!
"Scarlett!" That voice made me smile, and at least it wasn't fake. My best friend, Jason, was approaching with his little sister, Bianca. Although, she wasn't that little, because she was 16 already. Bianca hugged me tight and I gave them my best smile "How are you feeling?"
"I'd feel better if they called me..." I recognized, rubbing Bianca's arm.
"They'll be here" Bianca assured me, smiling. I nodded at her.
"I really hope so, Bi..." I admitted "Sorry, Jase, but I have to practice my speech..." I gave them a lame excuse, only to get out of the sea of parents and kids that were hugging and smiling at each other.
"Let me help you" Jason offered, but I shook my head.
"Jase, your parents are here-"
"Scar, it's OK. Really..." he promised me, giving Bianca a nod. Bianca nodded as well and hugged me once more before going away to her parents "Now, let's hear that speech of yours..."
The ceremony was about to begin and I still was without any text or calls from my parents. I tried to call them, but they haven't answered their phones. And, when the phones didn't go to voicemail, the connection was cut clean from the start. I curled my fists at it. Thanks for nothing, Mom and Dad...
"Scar!" Jason's voice pulled me out of my reality. I saw him, walking with a woman who looked similar to him. Her hair was raven black and it was short, which made her look even more younger. Her skin was pale, like porcelain and she had tiny freckles over her nose. She was wearing some stylish clothes with leather, high heels and a silver bracelet on her wrist. Her eyes were sky blue, just like Jason's.
"We're about to get to stage, Jase..." I trailed off, trying to distract me from the phone calls.
"I know. This is my Mom" he introduced her, smiling. The woman smirked and patted Jason's shoulder.
"You can call me Thalia. Call me Mrs. di Angelo, and you and I, young lady, will have a problem" she threaten me, playfully. It was enough to make me relax and laugh before my stepped into stage.
"You have a deal" I assured her, smiling. I saw the principal walking up to stage and I knew my moment was close "OK... Wish me luck..." I sighed, upset because my parents still weren't here.
"Scarlett?" Thalia called me, holding my shoulder "I'm sure your parents wish to be here to tell you how proud are they of you..." Great, I was hoping not to cry, but that was as close as I can get "Now, get on that stage and knock'em dead!" I chuckled and nodded, walking up to stage. I took a deep breath before start.
"We've gone to school together for three years, and we've been through a lot" I saw aroudn at the parents and students, smiling "But with that training out of High School gone, what's going to happen to us? We all know what the answers are. We want to be happy, go to college, own a car, maybe raise a family" I looked up, hoping to see my parents, but they weren't there. I sighed and continued "But what if that doesn't happen? I have, I have to be honest, though, I have all the hope and ambition in the world. But when I think about the future, the truth is, I am really...scared" I admitted, trying to stop the tears. I looked at Jason's family and I saw them smiling at me. I nodded and snorted "You know, what? It's ironic that I stand up here representing my classmates when...they're so... awesome..." I looked at all of them, smiling, not holding back a tear "They should be up here themselves. But I'm up here, and... I'm sayin'... stuff, 'cause everybody's got their... stuff" I joked, making everyone chuckle, making me feel better "Whether you're popular or a drama geek...We're all just trying to figure out who we are. I guess what I'm trying to say is...don't stop... believin'...Get this party started" I finished. I was received with a standing ovation, which made me feel really good about myself. Jason's family was down there to receive me with hugs.
"You rocked it!" Bianca celebrated. Everyone was hugging each other, people were throwing their caps in the air, which was insane.
"Thanks..."
"Scarlett?" someone said behind me and I got surprised to hear that voice. I turned to face my parents "Oh, dear..." My tears made appearance and I ran towards them, my mother receiving my hug first.
"You came..." I whispered to them, excited and emotional. Dad chuckled.
"Your speech was amazing, sweetie" he congratulated me, rubbing my head. I chuckled and wiped my tears, trying not to smudge my make up "Who are those people you were talking?" I sighed and pulled them to the Grace's.
"Mom, Dad... They are the di Angelo's..." I introduced him, smiling "The parents of my friend Jason..."
"It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Mrs. and Mr. Nelson..." Thalia pulled her hand out for them to shake it. I smiled at this.
And, that's how I met Jason di Angelo's Mom...
