Chapter 23: To Graduate
The graduation was almost over. All the principal had to do was call the names of the graduating seniors. The principal called dozens of names, but the moment came when he called "Dawson Leery!"
Dawson's parents were cheering and clapping. In addition, of his parent's celebration, his friends were commemorating the moment. He was the first of his friends to graduate.
Little after his name, the Principal called out "Jen Lindley!" Jen proudly walked up the stage and Grams was even more proud to see her granddaughter graduate.
As the principal leisurely started to call out more names, Joey started to have a conversation with Pacey.
"Hey Pace." Joey whispered.
"Yeah?" Pacey responded with a huge smile.
"What's going to happen after graduation?" She asked.
"Well I guess, we can go to the party. We can see if Gretchen can watch Joshua." Pacey suggested.
"No, you misunderstood. What I meant was… What is going to happen to us, as a family, after graduation?" Joey clarified.
"Well… I don't know… I'm just happy that we're a family." Pacey sidetracked.
Before Joey could continue the conversation, the principal called out "Andrea McPhee!" and "Jack McPhee!" They went up to the stage and received their diploma.
Pacey went back to Joey and he said, "What do you want to happen after graduation?"
"I want us to stay together." Joey pleaded.
"And I'll make sure that nothing will separate us." He declared, "But right now I don't want you to worry about anything." He grabbed her hand and kissed it.
Joey didn't want to make a big deal about this, especially at a time like this. She was just too afraid that something was going to happen to her fragile universe. She wanted to make sure that she could start this family without any obligations.
However, her thought process was clouded when the principal said, "Joey Potter!" A small cheer came from their section. As she grabbed her diploma, she looked into the crowd and she was disappointed too see that neither Bessie nor her father was there. They both refused to go. Nonetheless, Joey looked over a different section and saw plenty of people cheering for her. She knew that she had many other people who cared about her and loved her.
Time past as Pacey was waiting to have his name shouted out. When he first started high school, graduation was not a big deal to him. However, things had changed and graduation meant, graduating into adulthood. It was his time to be a man. It was his time to face the world.
Nonetheless, without warning, the principal shouted out his name. When he heard "Pacey Witter!", he enthusiastically jumped out of his seat and headed for the diploma. He received this diploma, turned around, and saw his entire family and friends standing up. He had done it! He had graduated.
When he sat back down, the principal continued up with the last students, but Joey had a life altering revelation. She turned around and started talking to Pacey.
"Pace." Joey called.
"Yeah." He said with an immense smile.
"I love you." She declared.
"And I love you too." Pacey responded. Everything was getting better. He could not imagine what could make this better.
"I want to be with you for the rest of my life." Joey announced.
"So do I?" Pacey replied.
"Well then…" However, before Joey could have continued the principal interrupted her.
"Ladies and Gentleman, I give you, the Capeside High School Class of Two Thousand and One!" The principal said.
Everyone stood up, except for Joey. Pacey then looked down and stared in Joey's eyes. She had one question for Pacey:
"Will you marry me?" Joey asked rewardingly.