Ch. 16
Tori's POV
I can't sleep-I am too worried about Beck. I then realize I have my high school diploma-I graduated from Hollywood Arts. I should be so happy-excited even. I open up my diploma and it reads:
Hollywood Arts Academy
Los Angeles, California
Victoria A. Vega
Having completed the necessary courses of study required by the state is hereby declared a:
Graduate of this school and is awarded this
Diploma
With all the rights and privileges pertaining thereto. In testimony whereof the signatures of the Academic Supervisor of the high school and the student scholar named: herein have been affixed.
I look down at my diploma. It looked so official and I felt as if I have accomplished something for the first time in my life. I had achieved something beyond my mother-who never finished high school. I am sure she was at the ceremony, searching for me. But she doesn't know that I am here at the hospital; with Cat. She doesn't know I live with Beck; all she knows is what the news tells her about me. And they spread lies like hell fire; she is dumb enough to believe anything the news tells her.
My mind wanders back to Beck-he's just lying there while the doctors probe him like a frog in dissection. I am horrified thinking about anyone stabbing the man I love. I am never going to leave Beck-ever again. I have threatened to leave him one too many times. I am just so confused on how I am feeling towards anything. I make rash decisions without thinking how they affect the people around me. From now on Beck, I vow to stay with you no matter what. We are as thick as thieves and as prosperous as nomads.
I am tired of thinking useless thoughts in this hospital bed. I want to see Beck-that's when I notice the kind police officer. "Hello Ms. Vega. The doctors have informed me that Beck is doing better. He will make it and needs time to rest and heal. He may need to be in the hospital for a week or so-so he can have a full recovery. They tell me they have put stitches where he was stabbed. You are free to see him; he can talk but we don't advise him to."
"Thanks officer for everything. And I appreciate you getting all of our diplomas. I was just looking at mine. I should be grateful to be done with high school." "Yes you should Miss Vega, and I think you'd better run along now and hand Beck his so he can get his mind on better things."
I wake up Cat and we head to Beck's hospital room. I see him and I want to cry-but I know it wouldn't achieve anything. To brighten the mood up-I show Beck his diploma. "Hey Beck, congrats you deserve this it's your diploma!" He reaches for his diploma and smiles, "Wicked!" How can he make jokes when he is in so much pain?
"Beck I did everything I could to get you here. I didn't know what to do; I panicked so I called the police. I wasn't thinking clearly." "Tori, you did what you were supposed to do. I am alive because you called the medics and the cops. And I am grateful to see you right now, thanks for handing me my diploma. And I heard what you said on the ambulance; I am excited to go to Stratford University in the fall with you girls. I bet you didn't know Sicowitz has a sister that works there; she is an acting professor. Go figure! I am excited to explore my country with you Tori. We can settle down and get away from all this pain that the Harris brothers and the news have caused us."
I look at him and know that he will be okay. I believe him and am excited for the future ahead. I view this present situation as a bump in the road-the road of life which I travel daily. "Beck I vow to always stay beside you no matter what-you are my best friend and I should have realized that sooner. You are my best friend first and my boyfriend second. I am sorry it took me so long to understand that" I blush.
"Tori come here," He kisses me quickly and tells me he wants to go to sleep. Cat and I soon leave to give him some space.
"Tori would you like to stay at my house for a week while Beck recovers in the hospital?" Cat asks. "Sure Cat that would be great and we can visit Beck every day."
"Let's go to your house and get some clothes for you." "Sounds good to me Cat" I say while grinning; I am smiling and I don't know why. My boyfriend has been stabbed and somehow I can smile again. Maybe it's because I know he will be okay; maybe it's because I trust in the future. Or maybe it's because for the first time in my life-I feel like I am growing up.