A/N: This is the last chapter.

CHAPTER 18: After the Graduation

After the graduation ceremony, Daddy and Elizabeth hosted a party for me and my friends, and the Everetts came, too. It reminded me a little of the party we'd had on the day we'd come home from Washington, only this time, there were less people—just my two families, the Dawes', the Papadakises', and the Everetts—and I was feeling a lot better than I had that day.

We had pretty much the same food that we'd had at the other party. And yes, Daddy and Elizabeth had to buy and make more, because you don't expect some food to stay fresh for two weeks. (Can you say "food poisoning"?) After we got our plates, my friends and I went into the dining room. A few minutes later, Jason joined us at the head of the table. I sat on his left, and Nancy sat on his right. Hannie sat on the other side of me.

"You guys did great," he said as he squeezed my shoulder affectionately.

"Thanks," I said. "You know, I was really surprised that Pamela and I got the award that we did. I thought for sure that it'd go to someone else."

Kristy joined us just in time to hear that. "Yeah, I know what you mean," she said, taking the empty seat beside Nancy. "When my friends and I took that infant-care course, I thought for sure that Dawn would get the award that I did."

I got up from the table to get a refill on my drink, and that's when I started to sway back and forth. "Karen, are you all right?" Nancy asked in alarm.

I didn't answer her. I tried to grab onto the back of the chair to steady myself. Jason and Kristy jumped up from the table in an attempt to help me, but I fell to the floor and passed out.

When I opened my eyes, I found myself lying on the couch with a wet washcloth on my forehead and my feet in Jason's lap. He was checking the pulse in my neck, just like I'd done for him on the day that he'd collapsed outside the restrooms at Rax.

"Wh—what happened?" I asked, dazed.

"You passed out," Jason explained, taking the washcloth off my forehead. "I guess everything that's been happening lately just caught up with you."

Hannie and Nancy came over just then. "Are you all right, Karen?" Nancy asked.

"I...I..." I said weakly.

"Shh," Jason whispered. "Take it easy now. You just fainted, and need to rest."

At that moment, Daddy and Kristy came over. "You okay?" Kristy asked.

"I think so," I managed to say.

"Would you like to go up to your room and lie down?" Daddy asked. I nodded.

"All right, just sit up nice and easy," Jason said as he moved my feet off his lap. Daddy handed the washcloth to Kristy, and she headed to the bathroom as Daddy and Jason helped me up. "I'll be up to see you before I leave."

Daddy gently took my arm and led me upstairs. When we got to my room, he helped me sit on the bed. I took off my shoes and socks, then put my glasses on the nightstand. "Have a nice nap," Daddy said before he left. I fell asleep as soon as he'd left the room.

A little while later, I felt a hand on my forehead, and heard Jason's voice saying, "Karen?"

I opened my eyes, and there he was. Boy, talk about déjà vu! (In case you're wondering, it reminded me of the day before the awards dinner in Washington, and Jason had woken me from my nap when he'd returned from the doctor's office.)

"Hi," I whispered. "Are you leaving now?"

He nodded. "I just wanted to make sure you were all right."

"I'm okay. You know, you were right. All that excitement got to me."

"I think that's happened to all of us," Jason agreed. "Well, I'd better get going. I'll see you later. And in case I haven't told you enough, we're all so proud of you."

I smiled. Like I said before, he's a really sweet guy, and Kristy's really lucky to have him for a boyfriend.

THE END