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Chapter 16

Mike's POV

"I can't believe we are finally graduating," Lucy smiled as she placed her hand on mine as I drove down the street.

"Neither can I," I answered. "I've waited so long for this moment. There were so many times that I never thought I would make it here." The day had finally came, graduation day. As with prom, the Kennedy High students would be coming together once again. This time, the ceremony was to be held at the park across from the school.

"Are you nervous about your speech?" Lucy asked as I pulled into a parking spot.

"Yeah, kind of. I don't think it will be that bad though," I answered. Mrs. Russo had approached me last week and asked me to say a few words at the ceremony. Even though I really don't like speaking in front of a big crowd, the proposal aside, I agreed to do it anyway.

"You're probably right," Lucy told me. "You had the courage to tell the Colonel that we were getting married last night, so one little speech couldn't be that bad."

"That was different," I told her. "Your grandfather already knew I was going to ask you."

"That explains why he was so calm about the situation." Lucy smiled as we joined our classmates.

"Probably," I answered.

"Hey guys," Rod greeted as we joined him and Shelby.

"Hey," I greeted back.

"How are the babies?" Shelby asked. "Did you find out what they are yet?"

"No," Lucy answered. "We had an appointment a couple of weeks ago, but Hank told us it was too early to tell."

"Hopefully we'll be able to find out on our next visit." I answered. "I was really disappointed that we couldn't find out last time."

"How did your parents take the engagement?" Rod asked.

"They were thrilled," Lucy smiled. "Mike had already talked to my family before he asked me. As usual I was the last one to know."

"Well, I had to make sure it was okay with your parents before I asked you," I defended myself.

"Alright," Mrs. Russo shouted at us. "Everyone line up the way we showed you yesterday. We're getting ready to start."

I kissed Lucy softly before we headed our separate ways. After a couple of minutes the line was complete and the music started. We marched between the make shift aisle between the steel chairs and found our seats. Once the graduation song ended, Mrs. Russo appeared in front of the podium up on the stage.

"I would like to welcome you all to today's graduation ceremony." Mrs. Russo began. "For our opening prayer, let's welcome Reverend Eric Camden."

I clapped along with the rest of the audience as my future father-in-law appeared at the podium.

"Let's bow our heads," he requested. "Father, we thank you for allowing these students the opportunity to be together one final time at this joyous occasion. We pray that today's ceremony will go off without any further incident. Bless these students that will today, begin their journey into adulthood. We would especially like to ask that you bless the families of those students who are no longer with us. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen."

"Amen," I raised my head.

Mrs. Russo appeared at the podium once more as Mr. Camden took his seat next to the rest of the Camden's. "As you all know, we lost seven amazing students this past February in a senseless tragedy. Of those seven wonderful students, four of them were members of our senior class. Kennedy High School would like to honor those students now by presenting their families with the diplomas they worked so hard to earn."

The Vice Principal handed Mrs. Russo the diplomas and she opened the first one. "Christy Bryant," She announced as Christy's picture appeared on the screen that was set up on the stage. "Christy was an amazing young woman. With a 4.0 grade point average, Christy was headed to Stanford in the fall to major in Biology-Pre Med. Christy was an active member of the big brothers big sisters program and she always brought a smile to the face of those who knew her. She will truly be missed. Accepting on behalf of Christy are her parents James and Michelle." Christy's parents appeared on stage and shook hands with Mrs. Russo as she handed them the diploma.

"Jason Fouts," Mrs. Russo looked at the next diploma as the picture changed up on the screen. "Jason was an amazing athlete. He was all state in football three years in a row and he led our team in rushing this past season with 1513 yards. Jason had decided to stay at home for college, accepting a full scholarship to play football at Crawford University. Accepting for Jason is his mother Carol and his step-father William." Jason's parents appeared on stage and were given the diploma.

"Shannon Moore," Mrs. Russo announced as another picture appeared. "Shannon was another amazing young woman. She was involved in several extra curricular activities including: cheerleading, debate, speech, and student council. This past fall Shannon was named as Kennedy High's Homecoming Queen. Like Jason, Shannon was headed to Crawford University in the fall with aspirations of becoming a kindergarten teacher. Accepting on behalf of Shannon are her older brothers Daniel and David." I watched as the boys were handed the diploma and the final picture appeared on the screen.

"Jonathan Stacy," Mrs. Russo continued. "Jonathan was our class clown. He always had a way of making everyone around him laugh. He was a talented member of our drama club and most recently stared as Puck in last falls production of A Midsummer Night's Dream. Jonathan was accepted to UCLA where he had planned to major in drama. Accepting for Jonathan are his parents Thomas and Miranda."

Mrs. Russo handed them the diploma and the crowd applauded.

"Instead of a classic valedictorian speech, we're going to have a special young man from our senior class say a few words. Ladies and gentlemen, Mike Pierce." Mrs. Russo announced.

I took a deep breath and stood, pausing before I made my way up to the stage. My stomach was in naughts as I climbed the stairs onto the stage and stood in front of my classmates and their families. "Good Morning, I guess most of you know me as the guy who was in the mental hospital for a year. If that is how you know me, then I am okay with that. Mrs. Russo asked that I share my experience with all of you today and say a few words about the future. There was a time when I thought that was something I would never have. Three years ago, my father committed suicide. I was the one who found him. For so long I wasn't able to get the image out of my head. I wondered if it could have been my fault. I thought that maybe if I had been better, he wouldn't have done what he did. I became depressed and blamed myself. Those were the thoughts that went through my head when I downed a full bottle of prescription pills."

"To all you gossipers out there, the story about killing myself because a girl dumped me, it isn't true. Far from it. That story makes it seem romantic and believe me, there is nothing romantic about suicide." I continued. "It's scary and messy. Most of all its selfish. When I woke up in the hospital, the doctors told me that my mother had gone into a catatonic state after finding me. I hated myself for what I had done to her. I realized then that what happened with my father was his own selfishness. Not mine. I knew then that for some reason, God had given me a second chance at life and I took it and ran. Now my life is completely different; my mother is herself again, I'm happy and healthy, I'm getting married, and as most of you know, I have a baby on the way. So many wonderful things have come from that second chance. After the shooting this February, God gave all of you the same second chance he gave me. I implore all of you to use it. Make the most of everyday because it could always be your last. Don't let go of any dreams you have; instead work hard to make them come true. Make a positive difference in the lives of everyone around you so that tragedies like the one that took our fellow students away from us will be in the past, no longer a threat to future generations. Thank You."

I smiled at Lucy as the crowd applauded. I slowly made my way back to my seat and sat down, relieved to have the whole thing over with. Mrs. Russo appeared at the podium once more. "And now I would like to present to you, our graduates." I listened intently as Mrs. Russo called name after name. It was only a short time later when Lucy walked across the stage. "Lucy Camden."

She smiled at me as she walked across the stage and received her diploma. She looked absolutely stunning. Her pregnant belly was visible despite the loose fitting graduation gown. The Camden's stood and cheered as she continued her walk on stage. After Lucy's time on stage was over, I zoned out. I completely missed both Rod and Shelby's names being called and was only able to come back to reality just before my own name was called. "Mike Pierce,"

I walked back on stage for the second time that day. The Camden's once again cheered only this time, my mother joined in with them. "Congratulations Mike," Mrs. Russo told me as I shook her hand and grabbed my diploma. Once I returned to my seat, I zoned out once more. The guy next to me nudged me after the last name was called.

"I now present to you, Kennedy High School's graduation class of the year 2001."

A/N: I'm sorry it took so long to update. I've been eagerly watching Kentucky's Calipari watch 2009 and I haven't been able to take my mind away from the situation. I promise I will do better. As always, press the beautiful green button and leave a fantastic review!