Author's Note: Here's chapter 31! Next chapter will probably be the last one. Review anyway!
Chapter 31: GraduationI looked in the mirror as I got ready for my graduation ceremony. I was really nervous because I had to make a speech and as mentioned before, I was never good at speech-making, so yeah, I was pretty nervous. I was wearing a sparkling white dress that went down to my knees with some nice black sandals with it. I sighed as I put on a little makeup which included a little mascara, some lip gloss, and a little blush on my cheeks.
After getting ready, I grabbed the red robe we had to where during the graduation and put it over my dress. As soon as I was ready, I got in with my mom in her car and we drove off to the high school for the ceremony. Even though I was going to college in Destiny Islands, I knew my mom was going to miss having me in the house.
After driving for a little bit, we pulled up into the school's parking lot. There were a lot of parents there along with a lot of younger siblings. My mom left me and said that she'd see me in the auditorium when the ceremony begins. I walked over and saw Namine talking to someone with long black hair. The person looked like a friendly version of Tifa.
" Hey Namine. I can't believe you're leaving after graduation." I greeted my friend.
" I know. But, Kairi, meet my twin cousin, Kagome." She introduced the black haired girl to me. She DOES look exactly like Kagome from the TV show. " Kagome, this is Kairi."
" It's nice to meet you, Kairi." Kagome said in a cheerful way.
" Same here." I agreed while shaking her hand.
" Kagome." A male voice said from behind her. Kagome moved a bit revealing a guy that had long silver hair and was quite tall. " We should go and sit now."
" Right." She turned her head towards us. " Well, Inuyasha and I will see you in the auditorium."
" So, YOU are Inuyasha?" I asked the guy.
" Yeah, and…"
" You look just like Inuyasha from the…" I began to say.
" I know, it's sad. Everyone thinks I'm half dog-demon just because I look like the same guy and have the same name."
" Even I thought you were a half-demon!" Selphie blurted out. Inuyasha just shot a death glare at Selphie and then groaned.
" You're lucky you're a girl 'cause then you'd have a bump the size of a coconut on your head!" Inuyasha yelled.
" Aw, you really are angry!" Selphie whined.
" Inuyasha!" Kagome scolded her boyfriend.
" Anyway, you should probably go now. You wouldn't want all the good seats taken, right?" Namine suggested.
" Right. We'll see you guys later!" Kagome then left with Inuyasha.
I then walked over to where Sora and the guys were. I asked them if they were ready and replied with a yes. Sora looked really good in his graduation outfit. I then waited with them for the ceremony to start.
" Man I can't believe we're finally done with High School!" Riku blurted out and then gave Roxas a high-five.
" Yeah, no more homework!" Roxas agreed.
" No more tests!"
" No more drama!"
" No more teenage problems! We're officially adults!" Namine cheered as she joined us. I just kept quiet.
" Kai, you okay?" Sora asked me.
" Oh yeah! I'm just a little nervous about the speech." I answered in reply.
" You're gonna be great." Sora said as he put a hand on my shoulder. I nodded in agreement.
We all then lined up to enter the field. Today was the day we would get our diplomas and then we'd all be free to be able to live out on our own. I also had to give my speech. I paced back and forth wondering what it was going to be like giving a speech in front of all those people. I've never had good experience. What if I faint? What if I get sick? Or what if I mess up? Oh well, my mom always says to have plenty of confidence when it comes to presentations and then I'll be successful.
All of us students then entered the field and then walked onto the stage. The principal then walked on the stage and introduced all of us and gave a super long speech about the school year, sports, final exams, etc. After he gave the super long speech, he gave a little intro about me and then had me come out to the center of the stage so that I could give my speech. Everyone cheered for me. My friends were the loudest ones in the field. I pulled out the note cards that I wrote my speech on. I then began my speech.
" Um, hello everyone, my name is Kairi. And, I'd like to say a few words before the principal hands out the diplomas." I took a deep breath and then went on. " High School was an awkward time for all of us, whether we were dealing with grades, romance relationships, friendships, or even parents or teachers. But, we managed to get through all of those four years of awkward moments. When we were freshman, High School was like a whole new world to us. It was a place to prepare for adulthood. We all still had a childish side to us when we were freshman, but as the years passed, we matured more, some of us made new friends, some of us learned how to get along with parents and teachers better, some of us even fell in love." I grinned as I glanced at Sora. " Most of us have grown over the past four years into mature, young adults. We developed the same way a caterpillar does in nature. We were all little caterpillars at first, but as we matured more, we turned into butterflies, but we still weren't ready to spread our wings and fly out into the open world. Some of us were failing, some of us were thinking about dropping out, if you drop out or fail, then you'll never learn how to fly, meaning, if you can't handle High School, you'll be able to handle the world which we seniors are about to enter as soon as our principal presents our diplomas. So, anyway, High School was a time for us to develop from little caterpillars, to majestic butterflies. Now seniors, class of 2007—" I began to say when I took out a box from under my chair. "—Spread your wings and fly out to the new world!" I finished off by opening the box and releasing a hundred different colored butterflies and letting them fly away. Everyone cheered and I began to get teary-eyed, so did my friends and Sora did too. The principal then walked back up.
" Thank you, Kairi. Now, let's congratulate the class of 2007 seniors of Destiny Islands High School!" We then all stood and everyone cheered. " Now, I'd like to hand out the diplomas."
After the crowd calmed down, the principal began calling out our names for us to accept our diplomas. Everyone cheered Everytime someone's name was called. My friends and my mom cheered a lot when I was called to get my diploma. I took my diploma and went back over to where all of the other seniors were. Sora hugged me and gave me a kiss on the cheek. Although, Sora didn't break the embrace until he was called, which they had to do three times before he heard them.
The rest of my friends got their diplomas and we all cheered for each other. Kagome came and congratulated Namine and I. As always, Inuyasha came but just stood there. I tell you, Inuyasha is probably the weirdest guy I've ever met. My mom and my friends' parents came over and congratulated us. They then decided to take us all out for pizza for dinner.
That night, we all got together and went over to Pizza Hut for a celebration dinner. When we got there, our parents gave us some money for the arcade games. I'd better get used to paying for my own stuff, but oh well, it's our last night together, and we might as well ask our parents for money once more. We all went over to play the arcade games after getting money.
While my friends were enjoying the games, I sat at our table just drinking the root beer that I had. I'm guessing Sora saw me sitting all alone, so he came over and joined me. He sat across from me.
" Hey, what're you doing here all alone?" Sora asked me.
" Nothing much, just sitting here." I answered.
" You feel bad about me leaving, don't you?"
" Yeah, I guess." I answered putting my head down.
" Hey, how about we spend tomorrow together, just the two of us?" Sora suggested. " Nobody else and no interruptions, either." I actually liked that idea.
" I'd like that." I grinned and agreed.
Author's Note: Okay, there's next chapter, and then the ending, and then the story's over! Review please!