Author's Note: I do not own Passions or any Passions characters. I do own all characters I made up.
For A Reason
Chapter Seventeen "Graduation Part 3"
Fox sat in his wheelchair and talked to some of his friends as they waited for the start of the graduation ceremony. Finally Mr. Andrews, the principal, called them over and told them to line up alphabetically.
The commencement song started and they filed onto the field in a group of maroon and white. Fox followed the valedictorian and salutatorian onstage while the rest of the class took their seats in front.
He glanced over at Theresa and she blew him a kiss. He smiled at her and then turned his attention back to the ceremony.
"Good afternoon everyone," Mr. Andrews started. "I would like to welcome you all to the 2004 Graduation Ceremony of Harmony High. Today is a day for joyous celebration and I hope you enjoy it. Our first speaker today has had the highest GPA of her class since starting Harmony High. Please welcome our 2004 Valedictorian, Gabrielle Huntsman."
Gabrielle went up to the podium and gave her speech. She got a round of applause from the crowd and then sat down. Mr. Andrews then introduced the Salutatorian, Mike Williams. He also got a round of applause after his speech.
"Our final speaker was an obvious choice for our graduating class. I would like to introduce our 2004 senior class speaker, Nicholas Crane."
Two men took the podium down and Fox wheeled up to where it had stood. They placed a lowered microphone in front of him. "Thank you," he said to them and then looked out into the crowd and began his speech.
"First of all I would like to thank my classmates for giving me this honor. As you all know I was in a car accident two months ago. I was lucky that I lived and that I did not end up paralyzed. While recuperating from my injuries I had a lot of time to think and reflect upon my life. I realized that life can end at any moment and that you must make it the best life that you can have. Although there are times you are afraid of what may come to you next, you just have to deal with it and push on. Don't be scared of doing or saying anything, because you never know if that action could make your life better than it ever was before. When I returned to school after my accident I was afraid. I didn't want to accept help from anyone when they offered it. But I soon realized that I needed the help, that I couldn't do everything on my own like I once could. I am up here on this stage because a great friend of mine helped me catch up so that I would be able to graduate with my classmates. My family and my best friend helped me through the hardest time of my life that I've ever faced. To them I would like to say thank you and I love you. To all of you I would like to say please don't be afraid to ask for help or accept it when it's offered. There will be trying times in all of our lives and in order to get through those times you must rely on the help and guidance of your family and friends. Congratulations to all of my fellow classmates, the 2004 graduating class of Harmony High."
As soon as he finished the entire crowd rose to their feet and gave him a standing ovation. He sat there looking at them with a smile on his face and his eyes glistening with tears.
Mr. Andrews came back to the front of the stage and shook Fox's hand. "Thank you for a wonderful speech Mr. Crane."
Fox rolled back and looked over at Theresa. She was standing there with a beaming smile and tears rolling down her cheeks. When she saw him looking at her she mouthed 'I love you' and Fox mouthed it back. He made his way down to his place with the rest of the class and waited for his name to be called.
Mr. Andrews stood at the podium which now held a box of diplomas. He called the students with last names beginning with A through D to stand next to the stage. Fox followed the first group up and sat in his wheelchair, his patience starting to wane.
As the line started to grow shorter Fox grew more nervous. The ramp he was supposed to go up was right next to the stairs so he wouldn't feel awkward. Finally he was next to be called up.
"Nicholas Foxworth Crane," Mr. Andrews called.
Fox took a deep breath and then moved his chair in front of the stairs. He heard a gasp as he placed his hands on the handles and pushed himself to standing. Thankful there were only two stairs to go up he moved the wheelchair to the side and slowly made his way up. Once onstage he looked up and saw everyone staring at him. He carefully and slowly made his way to Mr. Andrews and shook his hand. After receiving his diploma he moved his tassel over. He turned to face the crowd and gave a thumbs up which caused everyone to stand up and cheer for him.
After making his way down the stairs on the opposite side he sat back down in his wheelchair. He had done what he wanted and it had tired him out.
Soon the ceremony was over and Theresa and his family ran over to him. Theresa wrapped her arms around him.
"Oh my God Fox. I can't believe you did that. I'm so proud of you." She gave him a soft kiss and another tight hug.
"We're all proud of you son," Julian said.
"Thanks Dad. I'm pretty proud of myself too."
They were interrupted when a reporter for the Harmony Herald came over. "Mr. Crane, a quick question please," he said.
"Sure."
"After listening to your speech to your classmates, I just have to wonder. Do you believe that fate was the cause of your accident? That maybe your accident was a way for you to let others know the importance of family and friends?"
Fox pushed himself up from his wheelchair and wrapped his arm around Theresa's waist for support. He placed a soft kiss on top of her head and with a smile, turned to the reporter.
"You know what, I do. I think it happened for a reason."
-The End-
Author's Note: Well, that's the end of "For A Reason". I had so much fun writing it.