Revenge

Chapter Four The Cafeteria

As I walked into the cafeteria, a few people stood by the doors greeting everyone who came in. “Welcome in,” one of them said with a bright smile. “The tables are over there.” She pointed to a long row of tables lined up on the left side of the cafeteria. “Find the letter of your last name to pick up your graduation items. I hope you enjoy your day.”

“Thanks, you too,” I said, heading toward the tables and scanning 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 take forever.

“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 wrote my name down, 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, handing them to me.

“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. I am valedictorian. I hadn’t told my family—I wanted it to be a surprise. Honestly, it was a surprise for me too.

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’d never been popular in school. I was part of the “outcasts”—the group that didn’t fit anywhere. Basically, 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, and that’s when I heard the whispers.

“She’s the valedictorian this year?” “She must’ve done something to get it.” “Her dad probably helped.”

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

I turned and saw Derek Young standing behind me.

“Back off,” he said to the group, his voice calm but sharp enough to cut through their gossip. They scattered instantly.

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

“Thanks,” I said quietly.

“Anytime.” He gave me a small smile, one of those crooked ones that always made him look like he knew exactly what you were thinking.

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 am not just no one he said.

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

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

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

“Hello, hello,” testing one two three he said. “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 Deark’s eyes on me down the line. When I looked back, he gave me a small smile—one that made my heart skip.

Graduation was about to start, and I was Nevers about my speech.