Something's been bothering me for quite awhile. I got accepted into MIT. Massachusetts Institute of Technology is one of the best schools you could go to for computer sciences. When I first applied, I wanted it so badly. But now… I just don't know. Everything has changed in a matter of 4 months. The things I want, the way I think, my dreams, my goals. Of course I still want to go to MIT, it's my dream school, but I can't get this one though out of my head.
What if I lose Cat when I leave.
"Robbie Shapiro down to the principal's office please." I wake up from my little daydream when I heard my name called. I look up at and Sikowitz he nods me off. I get up and collect my books. The class watched me as I left. I open the door to the office once I walk down the hall. The lady who works the main office greets me and sends me directly into the principal's office.
"Hello Robbie." Principle Dubois says with a smile. "I would like to congratulate you on something. You are number 1 in your class. Do you know what that means?"
I looked at her for a moment. "No ma'am."
"You made Valedictorian. Congratulations. Now every year we have the Valedictorian give a speech at graduation. Will you be able to prepare a speech by graduation next week? We can have someone work with you on it if you would like." She explains.
"No I can do it. Thank you." I say standing up as she does. She shakes my hand and lets me go back to class.
I walk back down the halls when the bell rings to go to your next class. Cat runs up behind me and give me a big hug.
"So what was that all about?" She asks me. A shiver runs down my spine when she puts her hand on my chest.
"O-oh it was nothing… Not too important." If there is anything that she has learned about me, it's that I cannot lie. I never have been and I will never be able to.
"Seriously Robbie. We've been friends for like 10 years! You know you can't lie to me! What is it?!" She begs grabbing my hand.
"I have to write a speech for graduation." I said quietly.
"Why?" She asks. I figured she would understand but now I have to spell it out.
"I'm Valedictorian. The principle called me down to congratulate me and explain how I have to write a speech.
"WOW! That's great! Congrats!" She says wrapping her arms around my neck and giving me a kiss on the check.
"Whoa what's going on here? Did you to get married and not tell me?" Jade says walking up to us with Beck's arm around her shoulder and a coffee cup in her other hand.
"Jadey! No! Robbie is Valedictorian!" she says with a big grin on her face.
"It's not that great. It's really not a big deal." I say kind of blushing because the girl of my dreams thinks it's cool.
"No Robbie you have it all wrong. This is amazing. Do you know why?" I just look at her waiting for her to continue. "Cat has this think for geeky nerdy guys. She finds it kind of sexy, if you know what I mean. This could be a big opportunity for you." She just gives Cat a look. Cat glares back at her.
"Is this true Kitty Cat?" I ask and chuckle.
"Well I mean…" The bell rings. "Ding ding ding! Time for class! Got to go! Bye!" She hurries off to class.
"Saved by the bell… Well I'll see you later. And hey Robbie… Just once you give the speech please don't pull Cat into the janitor's closet… I actually want to spend some time with you guys before the summers over. I don't need you two banging each other at every free moment." She and Beck laugh at that and walk away. I just stood there in the middle of the hallway with my jaw dropped.
Finally I come back to earth and head to my next class. I guess Cat forgot that she was in this class with me because the second I walk in she looks at me then buries her head in her books.
I walk over to my normal seat right next to Cat but she doesn't dare look up. "You know, I think little red heads are kinda sexy too." Then I go back to my work.
She looks up and smiles at me. When class is over us both head over to the Asphalt Café. Cat runs over to Jade and Tori in the line for the food truck and I go sit with the guys. I can here every few words in their conversation but then I figure it's now right to eavesdrop. I start talking to the guys and in the middle of my sentence I hear Jade shout.
"HE SAID WHAT!"
"Calm down Jadey. Can you please be a little bit quieter?" We all turn to look over at them. They huddle up in a little circle and start talking quieter.
"What the hell was that about?" Beck asks me.
"In class after Jade said the whole nerd thing about Cat, she got really red. So I leaned over to her and told her that I think little red heads are sexy too…" I smile a little bit remembering her reaction.
"Oh… You really need to talk to her… or maybe kiss her." Andre says. "You two are just perfect for each other."
Later that day I go home and started my homework. My mom comes up about 10 minutes later.
"What do you want for dinner?" She stands in my doorway.
"I don't know mom… Um how about spaghetti and meatballs?" I ask.
"Sure thing baby." She smiles at me. "So what are you up to now?"
"Writing speech." I explain.
"Oh cool. For what?"
"It's the valedictory address." I smile.
"What! You're Valedictorian! That's amazing! Why didn't you tell me as soon as you got home!? Wait… why aren't you excited?"
"I don't know. It's just that… this means high school is over. This is where we all separate. Some of us go to college, some of us end up staying here flipping burgers. The people we grew up with, we may never see again. It kinda hurts mom. I mean I guess I don't have to hide it anymore. Everyone knows. But this is the end for Cat and I. In about 3 months the love of my life will have just slipped out of my hands. Everything will be over. My friends will be gone. I'll still be the nerd. I'm going to follows my dreams and leave behind everything. I'm going to leave behind the person who means the most to me. This isn't exciting. My childhood, my adolescence, my friends, some of my family, all of the memories made, all of the laughs, they are all going to be nothing but a memory in a matter of 3 months." She just stares at me and pauses thinking for a moment.
"Well… that is true. All of it. And I know that's not what you want to here but it is true. Can I give you some advice?"
I look at her a nod. I really needed her advice. Whenever I was having problems, whenever I was upset, she always knew what to say.
"Baby… in life we have to grow up. We have to move on. We meet people that change our lives but then they leave. They are here to teach us a lesson. They are the ones who help us grow. One day you will meet someone who changes your life. Someone who changes the way you look at things. Someone who changes who you are and who you are going to be. By what I see, this has already happened. But you need to remember that this all has to end. Even the most beautiful rose has to die. Sometimes this person is a friend. Sometimes a lover. Sometimes even the person you hate most. Don't be upset that that everything is over, but be happy that it all happened. Take too many picture, laugh too much, make memories you will never forget, because every sixty seconds you waste upset, is a minute of happiness you can never get back." She smiles at me and gets up to leave.
"Mom?"
"What's up?" She turns.
"Thanks." I say as she walks out. I turn back to my computer and start to write my speech.