Page 115 of The Forever Crew (Adamson All-Boys Academy 3)
And the Montagues aren’t the only ones who show for graduation.
Ranger’s mother is there, hidden by a big, black floppy hat, looking like the reincarnation of Jenica Woodruff. Spencer’s mom and dad are there, but sitting on opposite sides of the room, Jack slumped in a seat on his mother’s right side. The McCarthys are there, too, sitting together but worlds apart from each other.
There’s a lot to unpack there, between the boys’ families and mine.
But we have all the time in the world to do it.
First, we graduate. Next, we travel. Then, we do college.
And all the while, we grow, and change, and love, and make mistakes, and learn.
My dad makes his speech first, ever the consummate headmaster, with Church stepping up to the podium at the tail-end of the ceremony.
“It’s been said that our high school years are the best years of a person’s life. I respectfully disagree. While I’ve met fantastic people here at Adamson Academy, while I’ve fallen in love with a beautiful girl”—he looks right at me, and my cheeks flame as the crowd turns to see who it is that’s captured that blinding smile of his—“I think there are no best moments in life. We’re all just lucky to be alive, period. And if we’re happy here, in this little corner of time, this slice of forever, then that’s enough.”
The crowd cheers like crazy for him—as they should because, uh, Church is freaking awesome—and the ceremony ends with us holding our diplomas in one hand, and our futures in the other.
“To the Jaw Flapper for ice cream?” Spencer suggests, and we all raise our diplomas in agreement, like knights raising their swords.
“For ice cream, and coffee,” Church corrects, and I grin.
“Ice cream, coffee, and good company,” I agree, and together, we walk down the stone halls one last time, head out into the sunshine, and into our future.
This is Chuck Carson, the secret girl, with her ruthless boys, her forever crew, signing out.
Peace, love, and pink cupcakes, my friends.
Always remember: hug like you mean it, love with your whole heart, and naked-bake something every once in a while.
Over and out.The End
