When the Club Stood Their Ground

Chapter Four The Cafeteria

The cafeteria felt different the moment I stepped inside — louder, brighter, crowded in a way that made my nerves prickle. A few people stood by the door greeting everyone who came in.

“Welcome in,” one of them said with a bright smile. “The tables are over there. Find the letter of your last name to pick up your graduation items. I hope you enjoy your day.”

“Thanks, you too,” I said, though my voice sounded distant even to me.

I scanned for the letter C.

At the very beginning, I saw the sign: A–D. Perfect.

I slipped into the line, already annoyed. I hate lines. They always feel like they stretch time out on purpose. But today, the impatience felt sharper — like something was pressing against my ribs from the inside.

“Next,” the lady called to the gentleman in front of me.

My stomach tightened.

I was next.

Finally.

When she looked up again, she said, “Next,” and I stepped forward.

“Tara Carnell,” I said.

She signed my name, handed the slip to a man standing nearby, and he walked off with it. A moment later, he returned carrying a box and a garment bag.

“Congratulations,” he said.

“Thank you,” I replied, moving away to find an empty seat. I set the box down and placed the garment bag on top.

I unzipped the garment bag.

Inside was a red gown, a red cap, and a blue sash.

My breath caught.

Valedictorian.

The tassel had to be in the box. I opened it and found not just the tassels but a yearbook, ring, photo album, and other things my parents had ordered. I grabbed one of the tassels and closed the box.

I attached the tassel to my cap and started getting dressed. I had never been popular in school. I was part of the “outcasts” — the group that didn’t fit anywhere. The polite word for “losers.” But I never cared. I wasn’t here to make everyone like me.

I slipped the sash over my shoulders.

That’s when the whispers started.

“She’s the valedictorian this year?”

“She must’ve done something to get it.”

“Her dad probably helped.”

Their voices weren’t just rude — they were sharp, cutting, almost rehearsed. Like they wanted me to hear. Like they wanted to see how I’d react.

I clenched my jaw, ready to snap back, when suddenly a warm hand rested on my shoulder.

I turned.

Derek Young stood behind me.

“Back off,” he said to the group, his voice calm but edged with steel. The kind of tone that made people move. They scattered instantly.

His hand lingered on my shoulder for a second longer than necessary, and my heartbeat picked up.

“Thanks,” I said quietly.

“Anytime.” He gave me a small smile — crooked, knowing, the kind that made my stomach flip.

Then his eyes dropped to the blue sash. “Hold on… how come I never heard about this?” he asked, stepping closer. His tone was teasing, but his eyes were warm. “You keeping secrets from me now?”

I shrugged, trying not to blush. “I didn’t tell anyone. I wanted it to be a surprise. So… please don’t say anything.”

He leaned in just a little, close enough that I could smell his cologne. “I won’t tell,” he said softly. “But you should’ve told me. I’m not just no one.”

My stomach flipped so hard I almost forgot how to breathe.

Not just no one. What does that mean?

“Want to finish getting ready with me?” I asked.

“Sure,” he said.

We finished getting ready together, standing close enough that our arms brushed every few seconds. Neither of us moved away when it happened. If anything… he moved closer.

But even with him beside me, the cafeteria felt off. Too loud. Too crowded. Too many eyes drifting my way. Every time I looked up, someone seemed to look away too quickly.

A moment later, Principal Walker walked to the front of the cafeteria with a microphone.

“Hello, hello,” he said, tapping it. “Testing, one, two, three. Is everyone ready to graduate?”

“Yes!” the cafeteria answered.

“I think we can do better than that,” he said. “Again — are you ready to graduate?”

“YES!” we all screamed.

“That’s better. We have five minutes. Finish getting ready and line up like we practiced.”

I walked over to find my spot in line.

As I stood there, I felt Derek’s eyes on me down the row. When I looked back, he gave me a small smile — one that made my heart skip.

But behind him, I saw something else.

A man I didn’t recognize.

Standing near the back wall.

Not talking. Not smiling. Just watching.

The same cold, heavy feeling from earlier slid down my spine.

Graduation was about to start, and suddenly I wasn’t just nervous about my speech.

I was nervous about everything.

Something was wrong.

I could feel it.