Chapter nineteen came sooner than expected. But it was supposed to be quick and to the point. ^_^
Okay, so, this isn't the end yet there's still an epilogue to include. I know, I know; you're all waiting to see the final end to this saga, but believe me. An epilogue was all part of the plot.
Before we end this story, I'd like to say one thing. This isn't the end, it's the beginning of a new adventure. :)
Three years later...
Hogarth stood on the podium, gazing at each and every person in the audience. He cleared his throat, tapped the microphone, and spoke.
"To the class of 1963," he began, "let me begin by thanking Principal Griffiths for that kind introduction. I am very pleased to have been chosen to speak on this very important day. Today is an important event in all of our lives."
In the audience, Annie and Dean sat beside Duncan's parents, Michael's, and Terrence's mother.
"His speech sounds really good," whispered Mrs. Pitman to Annie.
"I know," remarked Annie.
A set of footsteps approached down the aisle. Dean swiveled his head, spotting Elias Wolfe scanning the aisles for an empty seat.
"Hey," whispered Dean, "over here." He quickly waved him over. Elias traipsed over to the right and filed through him and the others. He found an empty seat next to Mrs. Jones.
"What did I miss?," asked Elias quietly.
"Not much," replied Annie, leaning over, "Hogarth just started his speech."
Elias nodded and sat back, listening to Hogarth's speech.
"It's special for the graduates, their parents, their grandparents," continued Hogarth, "as I begin this speech I thought of all the hours I could spend talking about our four years at Rockwell High School, all the experiences; but then, an important friend reminded me that I don't need to make a longwinded speech about that.
"Standing at the threshold of the next phase in life, students must now embrace the inevitable that they go on, out into the world to make a difference. Every person that achieves a degree has shown commitment to their studies. The very same commitment must be shown now in their daily lives as they endeavor to make a difference for the greater good of humanity."
The ocean of eyes locked on to Hogarth, their ears perked. A semblance of calm enveloped the whole auditorium. Hogarth's stomach was filled with butterflies. Although he was composed on the outside, on the inside he was was scared and ready to leap out of his skin and run away.
"He's pretty well-spoken," said Elias.
"Oh yes," said Mrs. Jones.
Elias nodded, a smile spread across his face. Behind them, closer to where Annie and Dean were seated, Thelma and Malcolm listened intently.
"He looks so handsome in his cap and gown," whispered Thelma.
"Yes, he does, " quipped Annie, leaning back while keeping her eyes on her son.
The graduates in the first row listened, waiting patiently. Some sported looks of boredom, desperate to get out once Hogarth was through with his speech. Among them, Hannah smiled warmly, captivated by his focused eyes, silvery voice, and his overall charm.
"There is a universal truth we all must face," spoke Hogarth into the microphone, "whether we want to or not: everything eventually ends. As much as I looked forward to this day, I've always hated endings. The last day of summer, the ending of a movie, the end of a book, the end of a good day, parting ways with a good friend.
"But endings are inevitable. Leaves fall, the movie ends, you finish the book, the sun goes down, and you say goodbye. This day is one of those for us. Today we say goodbye to everything that was familiar, to everything that was comfortable. We are moving on. But just because we're leaving all that was familiar, there are some people who are a part of us, they'll be with us no matter what. They're our solid ground, our anchor, and the small clear, voices in our hearts that will be with us. Always."
In the audience, Duncan, Michael, and Terrence who were separated on account of last name order, stole a glance at each other, giving small waves and smiles. The anticipation was exhilarating and they could hardly wait for the moment they become high school graduates.
"I would like to thank my teachers," said Hogarth, "for dedicating their lives to teach us. I would like to thank my friends for all those laughs and fun moments."
"Yeah!," cheered Duncan, standing from his chair. "Wooh!" He raised his rolled diploma in the air.
"Sit down!," snapped the boy next to him.
Duncan sat down; Terrence and Michael quietly snickered.
"Thank you, Mom, Dad; for all you've done for me," continued Hogarth, "and for always being there for me through every hard time. I would also like to thank my friend, Elias Wolfe, for just being there. "
Elias chuckled lightly. "It's true," he whispered to Mrs. Jones.
"And I'd like to thank my girlfriend, Hannah Perkins." Hogarth waved to Hannah. The blonde quickly waved back, smiling the whitest teeth you'd ever seen. "I would also like to thank, if it's okay to mention him, the Giant," he added sheepishly.
The crowd suddenly went silent. Hogarth could feel time stretching at a snail's pace. He continued speaking.
"I'd like to thank him for showing me that anyone, whether they're human or not, can make a change in anyone's life. No matter how small you feel, you leave a big impact on those closest to you. One of the happiest moments in life is when you find the courage to let go of the things you can't change. And while we can't change the fact that we are graduating, we can change the world.
"A wise friend told me, 'Whenever you find yourself doubting how far you can go, just remember how far you have come. Remember everything you have faced, all the battles you have won, and all the fears you have overcome.'" Hogarth cleared his throat. 2's words stayed with him to this very day and they still leave an impact on him. "We have all overcome so many trials in our lives, and now we're about to face our biggest trial: leaving our mark in the world.
"To the class of 1963!"
A cacophony of cheers erupted, as if all of Rockwell—all of America—the whole world—was cheering its joy that moment.
Hogarth gazed at the roaring sea of faces looking back at him. He smiled. So many things were burning inside him. Excitement, fear, curiosity and wonder all bubbled in him. He felt humbled by the speech he'd given, and yet, he was proud of himself. The applauds, the cheering; it all left Hogarth with his head spinning. He wished this moment would last forever.
Half an hour passed after the graduate students strode outside to the front steps and threw their caps in the air. The photographer took the picture that would go down with the rest of the high school memorabilia.
"I'm so proud of you," said Mrs. Pitman, wrapping her son in a hug.
"Thanks, Mom," said Duncan.
"Duncan!," called Hogarth and Michael in unison, trotting up to him.
"Hey!," cheeped Duncan, breaking away from his mother's hug.
"We're finally high school graduates," chirped Michael, holding up his diploma.
"Yeah!," said Duncan.
"I can't believe we actually did it," said Hogarth.
"What about you?," quipped Michael. "And that speech. That was incredible."
"I know," retorted Hogarth, "that really took a lot of effort. I practiced for weeks writing it and rehearsing it."
"I bet giving it was the final exam," remarked Michael.
"Yeah," snickered Hogarth.
"Where's Terrence?," queried Duncan.
"Over there," said Michael, pointing.
The three of them saw Terrence standing with his mother. From the looks of it, it seemed he and his mother were deep in conversation. Terrence felt their eyes locked on him, and he waved to them. Hogarth, Michael and Duncan waved back.
"Things are going to get better for him and his mom," said Duncan.
"Yeah," uttered Hogarth, "now that his dad is dead."
It was true that Terrence's father died in a car crash as a result of driving while drunk. The loss took a toll on Mrs. Jones. The loss was taken differently by Terrence. Although he was sad about his father's death, Terrence took note that he didn't have to be in his father's shadow any longer. He was finally letting himself grow physically, mentally, and emotionally.
"Hogarth!," piped Hannah. She was running down the stone steps. She flung her arms around him once she was in arm's reach.
"Hey, Hannah!," said Hogarth.
He and Hannah shared a kiss.
"Ooh la la," muttered Duncan.
Hogarth chuckled as he pulled away. "Knock it off."
"Hey!," called Dean, waving a hand. He and Annie traipsed down the stone stairs. Hogarth waved back to them.
"I'm so proud of you," said Annie, wrapping her son in a hug.
"Thanks, Mom," said Hogarth.
"You did great," said Dean.
"Hogarth," hooted Thelma, waddling down the stairs. Beside her, Malcolm joined her, his arm interlinked with his wife's.
"Hi, Grandma," said Hogarth.
"You were so great up there," said Thelma, encircling her arms around the boy.
"Yeah, yeah," said Hogarth. "Everybody's been congratulating me all day."
"Valedictorian," said Malcolm, ruffling the boy's hair. "Dean here almost made valedictorian if he hadn't spent his time chasing girls."
"Dad," snapped Dean, a look of embarrassment spread across his face.
Malcolm chortled. "Sorry, son."
Dean scowled.
"Hey," said a new voice.
Everyone turned around to see Elias walk up to them.
"Congratulations, Hogarth," he said, facing Hogarth.
"Thank you," said Hogarth.
"Great speech, by the way," added Elias, "better than my own graduation speech."
"You were a valedictorian, too?," queried Michael, eyes wide in wonder.
"Sure was," replied Elias. He glimpsed over to his right, his attention gartered by something taking up most of the view. "Looks like someone else wants to congratulate you, too," he said to Hogarth.
Hogarth turned his head, eyes bulging. Though he was far away, the Giant was standing and watching.
"Whoa," uttered Terrence.
"Huh," said Michael, "when you said you wanted everyone at your graduation, you meant everyone."
"Uh-huh," chimed Hogarth, nodding.
"Where's he at?," asked Duncan, raising a brow.
"The pier, I believe," said Annie.
"Let's go," chirped Hogarth.
"Can we come?," asked Michael.
"Sure you can," said Dean, "as long as it's okay with your parents."
"Of course," spoke Mrs. Burgess. Mr. Burgess gave a nod of approval.
"Go on, dear," said Mrs. Jones. Terrence hugged her before joining his friends.
"Hannah," said Hogarth, turning around, "you coming?"
"Okay," said Hannah. She trotted down the steps and followed the others.
Dean, Annie and Hogarth piled in to the truck while everyone else jumped into the back.
"Elias!," called Hogarth. "You wanna come?"
Elias smirked. "The party never ends, huh?"
"No, it doesn't," quipped Dean.
As soon as Elias hopped onto the back with the rest, Dean started up the truck and drove off.
The drive into town took under twenty minutes. Dean parked near the port, just a few feet away to keep a safe distance. Duncan, Hannah, Elias, Terrence and Michael jumped out of the back of the truck. Dean, Annie and Hogarth filed out, and gazed up at the colossal robot.
"Hey," said Hogarth, taking off his graduation cap, "I'm here."
The Giant smiled and bent down. He stretched out his hand. Hogarth giddily hopped on, throwing his cap behind, which was caught by Annie. Hogarth looked back and laid eyes on Hannah.
"You coming?," he asked, teasingly.
Hannah blushed. She coyly giggled and threw her cap in the air, falling on the pavement. She took Hogarth's hand and jumped on the Giant's hand. The Giant stood up, ignoring the looks he got from the onlooking townspeople.
"Ready?," asked Hogarth, as the Giant looked to the sky. He carefully wrapped his hand into a fist, keeping Hogarth and Hannah secure.
Hannah wrapped her arms around Hogarth tightly. She forced an uncomfortable smile, glimpsing down at the ground every second or so.
"Ready," she answered.
"Alright."
Smoke erupted from under the Giant's feet. He was inches above the ground, flames trailing underneath, like incandescent banners.
"WOOHOO!" Hogarth raise his arms in the air.
Hannah dug her nails into her boyfriend's sides. The panorama of the town from a bird's eye view was quite captivating. It took her breath away.
In seconds they were flying over the town, and then they were zooming over the forest. Everything underneath looked so small from such unbelievable heights.
"Hey," said Hogarth loudly enough for Hannah to hear.
"Yeah?," replied Hannah, raising a brow.
"I wonder what 9 and the others are up to."
"Probably doing something on the ground." Hannah buried her face on Hogarth's chest.
All Hogarth could do was laugh.
How was that for ya? I know it's a little cheesy, but it was all part of the plot. Writing Hogarth's speech was a hellish task. I hate public speaking. What do you expect?
Don't forget; there's still an epilogue to add. Don't go away. ;)