Prom
Chapter Twenty: Graduation
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Lizzie couldn't wait. It was almost time to go down the aisles in the gymnasium to be no longer a high school Senior, but a graduate. She looked for her partner. There were male-female partners according to last name that would walk down the aisle together. Her partner was Thomas Meeker. She crutched her way through the hallway to find him. She looked for a tall boy in a dark blue gown. The guys had dark blue gowns, and the girls had light blue ones. She saw him talking to a guy named Jim Sampson, and she went up to him.

"Hey, Tom," she said. He turned to face her.

"Liz, what's up?" he said casually.

"I think it's almost time to go in the gym, so we should get in our place," she said. And indeed, she was right. As soon as they took their spots in front of Claire (who nobody talked to anymore) and a very geeky guy named Milton Millber, the school counselor came over to the group.

"It's almost time," she squeaked, enthusiastically. "As soon as the school song starts up, you two will go in." She pointed at the guy and girl in the front. "Then the rest of you will be let in at intervals." She clasped her hands together. Her smile widened. Everyone was one hundred percent quiet, waiting for the song. It started up, and the first two started walking into the gym. Applause and clicks of cameras were heard. The counselor started admitting the partners every few seconds. Soon, Lizzie saw Ethan and his partner, Renae Clarke, go through the doors. She frowned, but only a little. This was too exciting for her to be bitter.

Lizzie saw Jason and his partner, a pretty redhead named Annie Day, walk through the doors a few partners behing Ethan and Renae. Not long after, Gordo and Melissa Gill were through. Lizzie waited for what seemed forever until she and Thomas got to the front of the line. As the counselor let them pass, Lizzie and Thomas exchanged glances, and stepped into the gymnasium. They walked through the aisle, arms linked as rehearsed, and Lizzie's smile widened. She saw her parents and Matt in the middle seats, where only immediate family of the graduate was permitted to sit. Mrs. McGuire had tears in her eyes, and she snapped a bunch of pictures. Mr. McGuire was videotaping it, and even Matt had a little smile on his face. Lizzie continued walking with Thomas, and noticed his family taking pictures of him as well. They finally reached the front, where they sat with their classmates who had already came in. Claire and her partner came in next, followed by a few more groups until Miranda and her partner came in, followed by Kate and her partner. Soon, all the Seniors were there.

The principal and a couple teachers gave speeches. Then, it was the Salutatorian's turn to give her speech. Heather James walked up to the podium.

"Hillridge High School has been a journey, for all of us. We've all been through so much here, and it's something none of us will ever want to, or be able to, forget. From kindergarten to eighth grade, and ninth to twelfth, we have came a long way. And to see all these people that I grew up with still here means a lot. We have all came through this incredible journey, with its fun, hardships, and happiness with determination. All I have to say is this: Congradulations Seniors!" Heather said. The Seniors cheered. The principal came up to the mic and cleared his throat.

"And now, your Valedictorian, David Gordon." The principal gave a fake smile, and stepped back so Gordo could give his speech.

"Hillridge High has a motto," Gordo started off. "The motto is a simple one, 'You Can Do It.' This little saying, though, is true for all of the graduating Seniors this year. We can do it, and we did. We got through everything the world has thrown at us so far, and we're ready to step into the real world. It'll be tough, but as out motto says, 'You Can Do It.' So, there you have it. We can do anything we put our minds to. And right now, our minds say to get our diplomas and give ourselves a time we'll never forget!" he said, causing an eruption of cheers from the other Seniors and a boom of applause from the onlookers. He used his crutches to get back to his seat. The graduation song played up again.

"As I call your name, please come up for your diploma," the principal said. "Natalie Abrams," he called, and a short blonde girl started towards the center stage. She stopped for her picture, and then continued on to take her diploma and shake the principal's hand.

The ceremony continued, the crowd applauding at the right moment each time. "Jason Davis." Jason smiled big as he got his picture and diploma.

Soon, "David Gordon." Gordo was a sight with his crutches. He did his thing, and Lizzie smiled.

After a load of more names, "Elizabeth McGuire." Lizzie adjusted her cap with one hand and got her picture taken, followed by recieving her diploma.

"Miranda Sanchez," came soon from the principal. Miranda's smile was the widest of all, and her eyes were very bright. She got her diploma and joined the other Seniors.

After 'Victoria Young' was called, they were all waiting on a set of bleachers. "Congradulations, class of..." the principal yelled, but he was cut off by the Seniors yells and cheers. All that was seen was a giant cloud of caps and tassels in the air and smiling faces.

- - -

The next day, after the after-Graduation "party," Gordo woke up at noon. He walked down the stairs ywaning, his eyes still half closed.

"David honey, your letter's here," his mom said as he entered the kitchen. His eyes were now completely open. He practically ripped the envelope out of his mother's hands.

"Thank, mom," he said, ripping the letter open.

He pulled the typed sheet of paper out of the envelope. "Dear David..." he read, but continued reading the rest to himself. "Yes!" he yelled. "Now I can tell Lizzie!" he said, and rushed upstairs to get dressed.
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I told you it'd be short.

Sneak Peeks:
Upcoming chapters of Prom:
Chapter Twenty-One: Gordo's Letter (aka Gordo the Star)
Chapter Twenty-Two: Extras
Chapter Twenty-Three: Big Hit
Don't worry, there will be more than 23 chapters! It's just that these are the only ones I have planned out so far.

The story Gordo's Cousin is uploaded now. It isn't related to this story at all, but I'd still apprecitate if you'd read it.