This is my last entry for today...more coming soon!! I hope you are enjoying it!!
Jen and David, Jen's current boyfriend had driven Joey to Worthington. Jack had stayed behind and waited for Andie. Jen promised to save seats for everyone since she was getting there early.
"Okay Joey, how many seats again?" Jen asked as they stepped out of her Honda Civic.
"Oh I don't know. You two, plus Jack, Andie and her date, Bessie, Bodie and Alex. Gale and Lilly are coming with Bessie too. Grams still coming?"
"Of course, with Clifton naturally."
"Well that's a total of twelve seats, wow I have a substantial cheering section."
Jen reached over and hugged Joey.
"Yes you do, now you better get going, see you in a few hours. Stop shaking, this is it, no more test, you've made it."
"Thanks Jen, you know how I am with large crowds, just watch for the graduate who falls on stage, that will be me."
They both laughed and hugged once more.
"Jen, Joey, if you two don't stop this hug-a-thon we're all going to miss the big event." David said.
"All right good luck, break a leg. Wait I take that back, don't break a leg....just good luck." Jen said winking her eye.
"See you later." Joey said as she walked off into the main hall.
Joey sat in the crowd of cap and gown clad people. She listened as the commencement speaker spoke of the great future that lies ahead of them all. Joey laughed, she was sitting here, at her own commencement, something she strived for and she wasn't even paying attention to what was being said. Please let this be over soon.
Before long her stomach was getting knotted up, they began calling graduates names. Being an honor student meant she was one of the first to be called. Her row stood up and began walking toward the podium. They stood in a single line, waiting for their name to be called before walking across the stage.
"Douglas Deavers.....Christina Hunter......Kerry McHugh......Josephine Potter."
The voice boomed over the sound system. Joey winced at the mention of her name and began to walk across the stage. She shook the hands of the President of Worthington as he handed her the diploma. She heard a small eruption from behind her. She looked back and waived in the direction the sound was coming from. With the bright lights it was almost impossible to make out anyone person in the crowd.
After what felt like hours the ceremony was finally nearing it's close.
"Would the students please stand. Please move your tassel over." The entire group moved their tassel from the left side of their caps to the their right side of their caps.
"Ladies and Gentlemen it is my honor to introduce you to the graduating class of 2005. Congratulations."
At that moment caps flew in the air through out the student section. Joey kept hers on and quietly held her diploma to the sky and smiled. The act did not go unnoticed by her friends and family. At that moment not only was Joey fighting back tears, Bessie, Gale, and Jen were also quietly crying.
The afternoon had been filled with happiness. Joey drove back home with Jen and David. Grams and Clifton followed them back to the house. Gale and Lily had traveled with Bessie, Bodie, and Alex. Joey soon received her first surprise of the day.
"So Jen, Jack still with Andie?" Joey asked. Jen nodded.
"Yes he is, wait to you get a catch of her date. There is just something so familiar about him." Jen said as she secretly winked at David.
They were the first to arrive back home. Joey excused herself to change her clothes quickly. Jen and the others set up for the picnic. On her way up the steps he saw the answer machine flashing. She reached over and pressed the play button.
"Well I guess this means I should try to call a little earlier next time. It's me, I was just calling to see if you guys still remembered what my voice actually sounded like. Mom called and told me today was the big day. So you're actually done, gosh Joey it seems like just last year we were freshman. I know we haven't really kept touch lately, but I couldn't let my best friend graduate and not tell her congratulations. Jen, Jack if you get this message, please don't erase it. I feel like such an ass, not keeping in touch with you guys. Well Congrats Joey. Maybe we can catch up this summer, I'm heading home for a few weeks. I'll try a little later to give you a ring. I better let you go now. I miss you, bye." The machine beeped to indicate there were no more messages. Joey reached over and pressed save, keeping it for the other two to listen to. She sat down and just stared at the answering machine for a few minutes. Jen soon broke her trance.
"Hey, I thought you were changing." Jen asked before getting a good look at her.
"Joey, are you okay? You look like you've just seen a ghost."
"He called while we were out, left a message." Joey was still stunned.
"Who?" Jen asked
"Dawson."
"Dawson, we haven't heard from him since...."
"Christmas." Joey finished Jen's sentence. She shook her head trying to clear her thoughts. She stood up and headed back towards the stairs. "I saved the message for you and Jack too."
Jen was completely surprised that he called, it just seemed so out of the blue. She sat down and pressed play. Jack walked in the room to see what was taking so long.
"Jen, where...."
Jen help her finger to her mouth to quiet him. She pointed to the machine. They both listened to the machine. The message ended and Jen decided not to erase the message quite yet.
"Well that explains what's been keeping you. Has Joey heard it yet?" Jack asked. He stood behind Jen, resting his hands on her shoulders.
"Yeah, to say the least it certainly surprised her." Jen said as she stood up. "I hope she doesn't get mad when she sees her next surprise."
"I don't think it will upset her, she's been worried for months. This will definitely make her day."
"Jack I hope your right."
"Trust me, now come on, we have a few people outside waiting for us. Everybody has made it back. I'll go get Joey. You and David keep the crowd at bay until we get there okay."
"Yeah. Amazing isn't Jack. This day is really turning into a three ring circus."
Jack grinned and started his way up the steps.