Reluctant Adults

Chapter 4

Senior Year …Graduation Day 2004

We were supposed to be seated by last names but Pam, Eric and I decided that would not be for the best; especially not for us. It was our graduation day and we were going to sit where we wanted to sit. We had always planned on sitting together and that's what we did. We held hands as we waited for them to call our names. This is the last year that we will be together on a daily basis. This will be the last year that we'll be able to see each other on a daily basis. I have been accepted into Brown University. Pam was going to Texas A&M and Eric was going to UCLA. It's almost over and I'm not ready for it to be over.

I know that you're probably wondering why Eric and I would apply to different schools. We did that before we started dating. I'd thought about switching so that I could go with Eric to California but Brown gave me a full ride and it's also my dream college. I wanted to ask Eric to come with me but I couldn't do that either. He's always wanted to go to UCLA. What kind of girlfriend would I be to get in the way of his dreams? I want for Eric the same things that I want for me. The best and if that's UCLA then I'm happy for him. Sad but happy.

I am doing my best not to cry but I can't stop it. The more I sniffled, the tighter Pam's grip became.

"If you make me cry, I swear to you, I'm kicking your ass before you get your diploma." Tears began falling from her eyes. She looked at me and said, "I'm going to beat the shit out of you." She then threw her arms around me.

It was great.

Mrs. Jane Bodehouse stepped upon the stage and began giving her speech and it's the same speech that she gives every, single year. She was telling us how we were now a part of the real world and that the games that we used to play were no longer going to be played. She said that the real world was calling to us and it was time for us to answer. We had no choice in the matter. We were now grownups. Grownups and accountability are the real world. She said that it's time that we accept our fate.

She said it in such a matter of fact way, that it frightened me. I didn't like it. I didn't want to be involved with the real world. If the real world is anything like high school, I hated it already. It was something that I was positively not looking forward to.

When the end of her speech was near, I knew that it was my time to give the valedictorian speech. I wiped my face and steadied myself. Thank God Pam talked me out of wearing make-up. I would probably look like an abused raccoon if I had.

"Good luck, Sookie," Pam whispered to me. "Now open your robe before you go up there. You look too hot to be completely covered up."

I did as we'd planned and opened my robe. My white dress was form fitting, off the shoulder, and it was flattering with my tan. Gran was not pleased with my dress choices. She believed that it left very little to the imagination. She asked Gran'pa his opinion and he said what he always says.

Without even looking up at me, he said, "Listen to your Gran."

It was typical Gran'pa Mitchell.

I smoothed down my dress and smiled at Eric and asked, "How do I look?"

"You're gorgeous and you'll do great," Eric said as he lifted my hand to his mouth and kissed it. His class ring, my wedding ring, was still on my finger.

I looked down at my soon to be lover and I know that I can do anything just as long as he is with me. Tonight, things between me and Eric are going to change forever. We are going to make love for the very first time and I can't wait. I know that it's going to be magical.

"I love you," he whispered to me.

"I love you too," I said as I looked into his eyes.

"Our valedictorian speech will be given today by Miss. Sookie Stackhouse."

Gran, Gran'pa, Jason, and his girlfriend, Amelia, were screaming at the tops of their lungs. Eric and Pam were standing and cheering for me. Bill stood and clapped just as devotedly and he smiled broadly. He even gave me a 'thumbs up' and I appreciatively returned the sentiment. Arlene, Dawn, and Maudette, each of them gave a simultaneous middle finger salute. I gave them a smile. As for the rest of my classmates, I received a few pity claps but that's okay. Most of the others acted as if I didn't exist anyway. They didn't matter to me. Just as long as I have my family and friends, I know that I will do just fine. They've always had my back and I knew that today would change nothing.

When I took my place behind the podium, I looked out into the sea of faces that stared back at me. For the most part, some of the kids were nice to me … a small part. Some of them were mean. It then dawned on me. Maybe being a grownup won't be so bad after all. I thought how things were going to change for me and how they were going to change for the better. The rumors that the mean ones spread about me and the names that they called me would no longer exist. The teasing and the taunting was about to stop. These kids would no longer be my tormenters. I would finally be free and away from Bon Temps. I can start over. I have been given the chance to meet people that will be willing to give me a chance.

Soon, my eyes landed on the teachers that ignored the mistreatment that I received from my fellow classmates. I stared at Mr. Dearborn. I recall how René Leneir grabbed my bottom and called me an ugly name after I slapped him across the face. René shoved me into the wall and Mr. Dearborn did nothing. He acted as if he didn't see it. Eric came to my defense and he was almost suspended for a month until his dad intervened.

Ms. Caswell, the cheerleading coach, listened as Dawn and Maudette teased me ruthlessly after a football game that I didn't go to but because I was out in the parking lot waiting on Eric when the game was over, I was every disparaging name that they could conceivably think of. Slut and tramp would've been nice compared to the names that they called me that night. Anyway, Ms. Caswell heard it all and she said nothing. She told me to toughen up and not let it get to me. The pained look on my face didn't affect her in the least. There's no need to explain about Ms. Bodehouse. Her behavior has already been told.

I inhaled deeply and closed my eyes as I basked in the reality that my living hell was almost over. I opened my eyes and smiled out at the meanies and thought that it is over. They couldn't hurt me anymore. Eric's and Pam's stunning smiles caught my eye. The pride that filled my grandparents' eyes was lifesaving. My brother and his girlfriend were just as happy as I'd ever known them to be. Pride even shone in Bill's eyes.

The people that love me and made my life better are all that I need. I smiled at the six faces that loved me dearly … and Bill. Those six people are the lights at the end of the dark tunnel that was finally going to close. They always made everything better. I thought to myself that today, things were going to change and all of Bon Temps was going to know it.

"I had written a speech about our new adventures … the wonderful roads ahead of us but I've decided that it's not fitting for this occasion," I began. My smile brightened and heart grew. "If I could describe my high school life with four words, those words would be Eric Northman and Pamela Ravenscroft. They were the best people in this school. They were the only ones that kept me coming back. A large majority of you, including some of the teachers and the principals, were horrible to me but it's okay. If anything, I should thank you for it. Each of you made me stronger. Each you made me even more determined to do my best … to be the best."

Pam stood up and clapped. Eric followed suit. His joyful cheering filled the auditorium. Just like Eric and Pam, Jason and Amelia were cheering me on. Gran and Gran'pa were frowning. They'd heard my speech earlier at home and it sure as shooting didn't start off like that. They were probably wondering where this was going.

"Some of you, excluding my two best friends, my family and Bill Compton, will more than likely forget everything that you've learned in high school. But I promise you that you'll never forget what it felt like the first time that you'd gotten smashed. You'll never remember any of the government that we'd learned but you'll remember the laws that you've broken. Most of you will undoubtedly brag about it. Over half of you will forever live in your high school days because that is when you peaked. You have nothing else. You have no goals. You have no aspirations. You have no college prospects. Sadly, the only things that you'll have moving forward are memories and the words, 'When I was in high school'."

Their surprised looks and mumbles filled the auditorium.

I shook my head as I continued on with my impromptu speech. "I remember how half of you laughed at me because I kept my head in the books and because of it, I was accepted into Brown with a full scholarship. I will not live off of my grandparents. I know that's not true for some of you and that makes me so sad for you … each of you … irrespective of the way that you treated me. I'd hoped better for you because what we need to make it in the real world, was right at our fingertips and you missed out on it. And it's all because you were hell bent on be popular … being the alpha dog … being the bully."

My eyes automatically drifted in the direction of the cheerbitches. "I remember the hateful and cruel rumors. I remember the teases and the taunts. I remember the names that I was called. Many of you have tried to break me but I triumphed. I persevered. I am proud to say that I have held onto what is important to me and that is me. No matter what you tried to do to me, I made it. You did not break me. I'm still here." A single tear fell from my eye before I could brush it away.

Mrs. Bodehouse stood and said, "That's enough."

I turned to face her head on and shook my head no. "No, it's not enough. It was enough when I was being mistreated and you sat back and watched. It was enough when I would come to you and the other teachers and you all did nothing to help me. The least that you can do is to give me five minutes of your time when you've given me four years of torment."

"Yeah!" Pam yelled out. "Sit down and shut up!"

Gran squeezed her eyes closed as she heard Pam's voice saturate the air of the auditorium.

"Quiet!" someone else yelled. "Let her speak!"

Other children, the castoffs, began cheering with Pam and the stranger. They had someone that was finally going to give them a voice when no one else would listen to or protect them.

Ms. Bodehouse listened to the cheers as she slowly sat down in her seat and didn't say another word. I stared at her and said, "You were supposed to protect us and you didn't do that. You were supposed to be our advocate but you ignored what happened to us. Just give me this one thing. Let me be the voice that you were supposed to be."

She looked at the group of principals and they shifted back and forth in their seats; afraid to say no. So she did the only thing that she could. She looked at me and nodded slightly.

"Thank you," I said. I turned back to my captivated audience and continued my speech. "There comes a time in every student's life when he or she recognizes that the necessary reading needs to be done … occasionally … possibly … assuming there's nothing good on TV or nothing hot is going on that night. But for some of you, it was always the T.V. or some sex with a random guy or girl. And for many of you, something hot was always going on that night."

I just so happened to look at Arlene Fowler and Denise Rattray. They were just as smug and arrogant as they usually are. I didn't get to look at Maudette. She'd dropped her head and was looking down at her feet. The other cheerbitches, at least they had to decency to look embarrassed.

Pam continued to laugh like a hyena. Eric looked on proudly. Jason and Amelia were still laughing. I think Gran and Gran'pa Earl were frozen in time. Their expressions were blank. I am probably going to be in some big trouble when we leave but I don't care. This was my opportunity and I was going to take it.

"The reason I say all of this is because I hope that each of you gets the life that you deserve. Be it good or bad, though I hope that it's good, you probably deserve it. So Bon Temps High, class of 2004, when I become rich and famous and the rest of you are still living in your parent's basements or having sex with some random guys or girls, I will think of you and how you pushed me to be the best that I can be. I will think of you when things get too tough and I want to give up. I thank you for making me strive for the best … to be the best. I thank you for making me stronger."

Before walking from behind the podium, I looked out at them and said, "Regardless of what has happened in the past, I do wish each of you the very best. I hope that life treats you better than you've treated me," I said. "Congratulations class of 2004."

There was almost complete silence. I think I even heard a couple of random claps. The math club stood up and cheered me on … and loudly … as did the goth kids and the debate clubs. A few more of my fellow underdogs cheered me on as I walked down the aisle. Eric, Pam, and Bill were clapping like maniacs. When I walked past the teachers, they dropped their heads in shame. I waved at my grandparents but I don't think they saw me. They were still comatose. Jason and Amelia were cheering and clapping just as loudly as Eric and Pam.

And I loved it.

As I made my way back to my seat, Bill stopped me and said, "Great speech and congratulations on getting into Brown. I'm going to NYU. Maybe I'll see you around."

"Thanks and same to you. If I see you, that'll be great. If not, I hope that you have a great life. You deserve it. I wish you the best, Bill," I said as I walked away from him.

Before I could sit down, Pam and Eric hugged me and told me how awesome my speech was but I knew that there was more that Eric wanted to say and he made sure to say it. "What did Bill Compton say to you?"

I rolled my eyes and said, "He congratulated me on my scholarship and wished me the best. That's it," I said as I reached up and kissed him. "He didn't make a pass at me."

Eric's eyes went to the back of Bill's head and nodded. "He'd better not had," he mumbled. "I'd hate to kick his ass on graduation."

I laughed at him as I took his hand in mine and sat at his side.

Jane Bodehouse tried to make things better by apologizing for me. She was booed by many of my cheerleaders. The louder she'd try to talk over them, the louder the cheers became. After realizing that her apology wasn't going to work, she began calling out our names so that we could get our diplomas and begin our lives in the adult world that we were all fearing so much.

The smiling and the laughter between us abruptly stopped. Actuality hit us all when she called, "Eric Northman."

He looked at us and grinned. "This is it," he said as he stood.

He looked good in his red cap and gown as he walked down the aisle. His blond hair was falling into his eyes with each step that he'd taken. He held his head up high and he was smiling broadly. When he took to the stage, Pam and I jumped up and down and screamed until our throats were sore. So did everyone else in the auditorium. He winked at me and shot Pam. My heart was breaking to know that we only had one more month together before we grew up. There would be no more 'blue raspberry ring pop rings'. There would be no more 'Dirty Dan and Pinhead Larry'. There would be no more trick 'r treating. Those days are long gone.

Watching the man that I love as he walked proudly to his seat, I said to Pam, "This is it."

"Yeah," she whispered. "Scary, huh?"

"I don't want to grow up," I said as I turned to face her.

With her eyes now red from crying, she said, "Neither do I, Sookie. Neither do I."

When they called our names, we knew that we couldn't stop it.

When we walked upon that stage, we knew that there was no going back.

When we took our diplomas, we knew that was it.

We were grownups.

I want to thank each of you for reading, reviewing, and making this story a favorite. It makes me feel so good to know that so many people enjoy these little ideas that pop into my little, old head. Thank you all so much. I hope that you've enjoyed this chapter.