"Let's hear it for the class of 2006!" Principal Keegan yelled into the microphone.
Everyone clapped, including the students. Even Carly was smiling with her friends knowing she could get away from California in a couple of days.
But her feelings came crashing down when she saw him, arrive at the back and try his best to blend in with the applauding parents. But Carly saw him; she was no longer clapping and smiling, she wanted to cry, wanted the ground to swallow her up.
Shawn waited at the back, waited for the rest of the parents and students to go. Carly tried desperately to get out without him seeing her but every time she made a beeline for the door, she saw him smiling at her and there was no possible way to get back. Catherine met Carly at the stage.
"I'm so proud of you honey bunny!" she hugged her tightly, but Carly couldn't take her eyes off of Shawn. Catherine turned around and saw Shawn standing just behind them, waiting to speak to Carly.
"I'll wait in the car" she kissed Carly and went to the car.
Shawn went and sat on a chair in the front row. Carly followed him and sat 2 chairs along.
"Why did you come back?" Carly asked
Shawn didn't answer, just looked at the floor.
"I'm waiting for an answer 'dad'. I'm guessing its still OK for me to call you dad, or are you too proud to be a dad?" she asked.
Shawn still didn't say anything
"I know the floor's pretty but I'm sure you didn't come here to study it"
"Stop, Carly" he finally said
"Stop what dad?"
"Stop this. I came here to apologize for what I've been doing"
"You haven't been doing anything, that's the point "I'll come and see as soon as I can. I'll be a dad. I'll make up for lost time. I'll call you every night. I love you Carly. I PROMISE.' How could you say all that and then just forget I ever existed?"
"It's not like that Carly"
"Yeah it is. You give me a credit card, give me your car, play this movie dad then drop me just like that. And then expect to come here, say 'Carly I'm sorry. I PROMISE not to do it again' and it'll be alright… well its not gonna be like that. I've spent all my life without a dad and I sure as hell don't need one now, especially one who thinks he's got the right to just walk in and out of my life all he wants. I love you dad but I cant do this anymore. Goodbye." She got up, kissed him on the cheek, and left.
