The Circle of Friends

VII - Graduation and Beyond-1

VII - Graduation and Beyond

Baseball season ended during the first round of the playoffs. Jason did not appear nearly as disappointed as when football season had ended. He enjoyed playing baseball, but football was his real passion. He had earned a football scholarship and was more excited about playing for Florida State that fall.

Graduation lay just around the corner. Everyone had developed summer fever, especially the seniors. Students were far more disruptive than usual and the pranks were becoming frequent. Even Lori had a difficult time concentrating and was thankful she carried a lighter load this semester. She still had gym and she and Jason shared the same weight training class. Due to size differences, they did not work out together, but he definitely kept an eye on the other boys.

The week before finals, the gang started to pair off for graduation. Jason felt torn between Lori and Matt. Neither had mentioned graduation night yet. Jason casually asked Matt what his plans were for the ceremony.

Matt opened his locker and shoved his books on the top shelf. “I dunno,” he said, eyeing his friend. “We could walk together, but you’re thinking about asking Lori, aren’t you?”

“I haven’t yet,” answered Jason. “I don’t know if she’s asked Sarah or what. But we’re best friends, Matt. I’d hate to let you down.”

Matt closed his locker and glanced down the hallway. Following his gaze, Jason saw Lori and Heather come around the corner.

“Heather asked me about it, too,” said Matt, his eyes on the girls. “Why don’t you just ask Lori and see what she says?”

“Are you sure?” asked Jason. He felt reluctant to hurt either’s feelings.

“Heather!” called Matt, gesturing for her to join them.

“What’s up?” she asked, looking from Matt to Jason.

Lori placed a hand on Jason’s shoulder and she gave him a kiss hello.

“I’ve got a question for you,” Jason said as she put away her books.

“Yes?” she asked, looked up expectantly.

Jason felt Matt and Heather watching him. “About graduation,” he began. “Who are you walking with that night?”

Her smile faded and she appeared perplexed. “I don’t know. If I pick Sarah, that leaves out Maria and vice versa.”

“Oh, just go for it, man!” said Matt impatiently. He turned to Heather and made the decision for Jason. “Heather, you’re walking with me, right?”

Lori frowned. “Who will walk with you?” she asked Jason.

Shaking his head in exasperation, Jason smiled at her. “You!” he declared.

“Really?” she asked, genuinely surprised. She glanced at Matt and realized the dilemma. “Oh, no! You guys have been friends forever. I don’t want to separate you on graduation night!”

“Well, I’m not gonna separate you two, that’s for sure!” cried Matt. “It’s okay, we’ll stand next to you. Besides, Heather and I have been friends even longer than forever!”

“Yeah, and you still owe me!” Heather said, punching him lightly on the shoulder. “You threw sand on me the first time we met. You were a pain in the ass even at three!”

“Are you sure?” Lori asked, wrapping her arms around Jason’s neck.

He smiled at her. “Yeah. Then you don’t have to worry about Sarah and Maria.”

“Yes, but you don’t want to look back at your yearbook years from now and wonder who is that girl! You should walk with your best friend.”

Giving Lori a kiss to silence her protest, Jason pulled her closer. “Lori,” he said firmly. “I am sure! Besides have you not seen that poll the seniors sent around? We’ve been selected most likely to get married first!”

“You’re kidding!”

“Well, we probably won’t be first!” he replied with a laugh. “But I promise I will be walking with my best friend.”

Lori received a second surprise when she was named Valedictorian. Her perfect grades and incredible achievements on the swim team more than qualified her for the position. She was absolutely terrified of speaking at the graduation ceremony, though. Jason refused to let her bow out of the honor, assuring Lori she would do a great job. Her father assisted her with a short but meaningful speech. Lori simply prayed she would survive the ordeal.

Sarah and Maria were relieved by her decision to walk with Jason. It eliminated the possibility of an unpleasant situation arising between the three of them. Steve had already paired with Chris, leaving Sarah with few options. Lori wondered if Sarah and Steve would survive much longer as a couple.

Lori’s grandparents flew in for the event, and her aunt and uncle drove into town as well. Her cousin tried to give her grief, but she reminded Jeff that he still had two more years remaining before his graduation, effectively silencing his snide remarks. She posed for family photos and rode to the school that evening with her parents. A huge party had been arranged after the ceremony this evening and Lori had permission to attend. Several families had rented a hall for the kids, with a late night of dancing promised to them. Jason had stopped earlier to get her sleeping bag and overnight sack so she could go directly to the party after graduation.

The graduating class comprised of only two hundred students, but the auditorium was packed. Lori located Sarah and waited with her friend until Jason arrived. He and Matt were very animated and she hoped they would get through the ceremony without incident. Her speech lay tucked away in a pocket and Lori kept checking to be sure it had not gone missing. She felt anxious enough without the fear of being forced to ad lib her talk.

When the ceremony began, she and Jason were one of the first couples to enter the auditorium. Despite the staff’s request that no one hold hands, Jason’s fingers were curled around Lori’s as they walked. They stood by their seats and waited for the entire graduating class to assemble.

Her stomach churned nervously when she arose to give her speech. Jason nodded encouragingly as she spoke and Lori was rewarded with a standing ovation afterwards for her efforts. Embarrassed but grateful her task was complete, she returned to her seat and the safety of Jason’s presence. Once out of the spotlight, Lori relaxed and enjoyed the remainder of the ceremony.

Lori was thankful they had entered first, for now they were the first to exit the auditorium. The moment they stepped into the hallway, Jason swung her around and let out a whoop of excitement. When he released her, Heather grabbed Lori’s arm and propelled them toward the commons. They waited for all of their friends to join them, saying heartfelt goodbyes to those who were not going to the party. Lori located Maria and gave her a hug before she was whisked away by her parents. She was still saying goodbye when Jason grabbed her hand, eager to get to the party.

Nearly seventy graduating seniors converged on the hall that night. There was an incredible spread of food and drinks for the kids, guaranteeing no one would go hungry. Several of the boys had smuggled in alcohol that would be discreetly consumed during the course of the evening. Lights flickered around the dance floor and music thumped loudly from multiple speakers. A separate room near the main hall had been designated as the sleeping area and everyone rolled out their sleeping bags on the floor.

Lori found herself wandering from group to group, enjoying the high spirits of those present. Jason continued to bounce off the walls with excitement and she just let him roam on his own. Sarah kept her company and they drifted through the hall together. Sarah sipped on a cola tainted with rum, but Lori decided to stick with water.

An hour after their arrival, Jason hunted her down for a dance. He was still wired but definitely craving her company. After a couple dances, he escorted her to the table where the boys had gathered for the evening. Fortunately Lori had completed her wanderings, as Jason kept her by his side for the remainder of the night.

Heather continued making the rounds with the boys, pulling each one out on the dance floor. She even coaxed Jason out for a song. Lori encouraged them to dance, not the least bit threatened by Heather’s antics. Matt offered to dance with her in Jason’s absence and she accepted. Sarah managed to keep the same partner all night, although Lori doubted Steve would appreciate her dancing with anyone else.

Once Matt had danced with Lori, several other boys tried to get her out on the floor. However, Jason refused to relinquish her to another partner, not even Matt again. For the remainder of the evening, he guarded her like a wolf.

By two in the morning, Lori realized she simply could not stay awake any longer. The crowd had begun to thin and several people were already in their sleeping bags. Jason was still fairly alert, but promised to join her soon. Sarah staggered into the room a few minutes later and collapsed on the bag beside Lori. She appeared tired, but they conversed for several minutes before attempting to fall asleep. The music continued in the main hall, barely masking the snores around them.

Some time later, Lori heard Jason climb into his sleeping bag. She felt him touch her sleeping bag, trying to pull her closer. When she moved, he realized she was still awake. Jason unzipped her bag just far enough to discreetly place his arm around her midsection. Only the mass of sleeping bodies surrounding them, not to mention the chaperone nearby, prevented him from doing more than kiss her lightly on the neck. Eventually he drifted off, his arm still around Lori.

The next morning someone bumped her and Lori awoke with a start.

“Sorry,” whispered Sarah, trying to unravel herself from her bag.

Lori stretched and glanced at Jason. He faced the other direction and his deep, rhythmic breathing told her he was sound asleep. She followed Sarah to the bathroom, taking her overnight bag with her. There were no showers, but at least she could freshen and put on clean clothes.

They picked their way around the bodies again and placed their sacks on the sleeping bags. Sarah giggled when she noticed Steve on his back and snoring. Jason’s body was in the same position and Lori knew it would be a long time before he awoke. Many continued to sleep, although several sleeping bags lay empty.

“Aren’t they cute when they sleep?” whispered Sarah.

Lori glanced again at Jason. She wondered if they would ever wake up together.

In the main room, one of the chaperones was serving bagels and muffins to those who were awake. Lori and Sarah chatted while they ate, waiting patiently for the boys to wake. Someone had already begun to clean the tables, wheeling a large trashcan around the hall and picking up cups and plates. Paul proudly showed them the pictures he had taken with his digital camera and Lori noticed several of her and Jason in the batch. At least there were no incriminating photos, she thought.

Lori soon discovered Matt had accomplished that feat. He arose not long after and brought out his camera for everyone to see. One of the very last pictures revealed Jason curled up against Lori as they slept.

“Thanks, Matt!” cried Lori.

He laughed and leaned over to whisper in her ear. “Well, you’re the only who saw Heather and me asleep together, so I thought I’d return the favor!’

“Least I didn’t take a picture!” she said defensively.

Twenty minutes later, Jason joined them. He had put on a fresh shirt and wet down his hair, but he still appeared tired. Matt eagerly showed him the picture and Jason immediately asked Matt for a copy. Lori just shook her head.

“It’s the only proof I have that you actually do sleep!” Jason teased, kissing her on the cheek.

After a bite to eat, Jason gathered their bags and said goodbye to their friends. He yawned as he drove and Lori just smiled. She felt refreshed and would not even need a nap this afternoon.

“What?” he asked, glancing her direction. “Okay, so I’m not awake yet.”