Two Weeks Later

Christina stared at herself in Melody's gigantic mirror, which was built into the wall. She was wearing her white cap and gown. She couldn't believe that she made it to this day, graduation. And then tomorrow she would be going to France with Raphael and Mel, to spend the summer there. They wanted to know their way around before they started college.

"What do you think, Chris?" Mel asked, standing behind her. Christina turned around to look at her friend.

"Gorgeous as always," she replied to her friend. "Are you all packed for tomorrow?" Melody nodded and asked the same question. "Yeah, I am." Suddenly, Christina heard a faint sound coming from behind the mirror. It sounded like a voice, but she couldn't tell what it was saying. Mel had busied herself in making sure everything was packed. Christina walked towards the mirror. The voice stopped. "Did you hear that?" Mel looked up from the bags sitting on her floor.

"Huh?" she said, looking at Christina.

"Did you hear that?" Christina asked again, putting a hand on the mirror.

"I didn't hear anything," Mel answered. "What is it, Chris? What do you think you heard?"

"I thought I heard a voice," she replied. "But, I guess I was just imagining it." Melody shrugged and went back to her bags. Christina could have sworn there was a voice behind the mirror. She dropped her hand and looked at her friend's alarm clock. "Oh, god. We have to go, Mel." Her friend looked at her clock. They both slipped their gowns and caps off, then ran out to their cars. Mel stuffed her bag in and took off first, followed closely by Christina.

When the two were about halfway to the building graduation would be in, Melody's cell phone rang. Looking away from the road, Mel grabbed her cell, slowly down unintentionally.

"Hello?" she said when she turned it on. "Oh, hi, Mom. Yes, we're on our way and should be there in about fifteen minutes." The next thing she heard was the squealing of tires, drowning out her mother's voice.

In the other car, Christina had no idea what Mel was doing. It was dangerous, though. She kept slowing down, almost too quickly for Christina to do the same. Finally, Mel slowed down way too quickly and made Christina turn fast to the side and hit the brakes. Her car spun out of control when she turned off and she couldn't regain control. Mel drove to the side of the road and got out of her car.

"Mom, I'll see you in a bit," she said, quickly, and hung up. Christina's car finally stopped spinning, just missing the trees on the side of the road. Mel ran over to her friend's black car and opened the driver's side door. Christina sat in it, hands tightly grasped on the steering wheel, staring out the front windshield, horrified, and breathing hard. "Oh my god." Luckily, there was barely anyone else on the road to have an audience. "Christina!" Mel about yelled. "Christina, it's over. Let go of the steering wheel." Melody tried to pry her friend's hands away from the wheel. "Christina, its O.K." After a few minutes, Christina finally relaxed, her breath starting to go back to normal. Slowly, she let go of the wheel and sat back in her seat. "Are you alright?"

"I'm…I'm fine. I was just…scared," Christina replied. She sighed.

"Are you O.K. to drive?" Mel asked. Christina took a moment, then nodded.

"I think I'll be fine," she said. "Let's not tell anyone about this for now, alright? I don't want anyone to worry." Mel nodded. Was Christina dreaming? Or did it feel like some had wrapped their arms around her to protect her?

"Alright. Let's get going," Mel said and wandered back over to her car. She let Christina go first this time and made sure her cell was completely turned off.

When they arrived, they had to stay behind the stage, with all the other seniors and teachers. Raphael was standing by the door, waiting for the two to arrive. Melody and Christina got out of their cars and walked over to him.

"Where have you guys been?" he asked them. The two looked at each other.

"We left the house late," Melody answered him. He nodded and they went inside to check in with a teacher.

And hour and a half later, the ceremony began. It was long a boring, to Christina. She wasn't sitting anywhere near any of her friends, and the band's selection for music wasn't interesting in the least. According to the announcer, it was called "Bacchanale" from "Samson and Delilah." Christina and Mel had played that song sophomore year for a school concert. Not only was in boring, it was hard. She kind of felt sorry for the freshmen that were stuck playing it. Mel looked back at her and smiled when the song started. Christina smiled back.

Finally, the diplomas were handed out and the Valedictorian gave her speech. They turned their tassels on their caps and threw their confetti. Cap throwing was illegal, due to hitting someone in the eye with one a few years back. The air sparkled with little shiny pieces on confetti and the band played "Pomp and Circumstance" while they processed out and backstage.

While backstage, Christina took her cap and gown off, showing off a white, spaghetti strapped dress that went to her knees. It wasn't anything really special. She fanned herself with her hands. It had been hot up out there. Mel and Raphael joined her and they went to their cars to stuff their things in them. The three also decided not to go to the after-graduation party, since it was already almost 11:20 PM and their flight left at 6:05 AM. Luckily, they didn't have to drive home, which would be about forty-five minutes. They were staying in a hotel, which was fifteen minutes away, close to the airport. Their families were going to the hotel as well. The three families booked three rooms.

At the hotel, Ben, Christina's 13-year-old brother, complained about having to share a bed with his sister. So, to please him, Christina stayed with Melody, since it was only her and her mom.

Mel's mom went to sleep first, then Mel. Christina laid in bed, with Mel sleeping beside her. She thought about how wonderful Paris was, then her mind raced to the voice behind the mirror. She had forgotten all about it before. Then the arms that she felt held her during the accident she had before graduation. Finally, around 1 AM, Christina drifted off to sleep, dreaming about tomorrow.