And the rest is history.
ASHLEY
Today is graduation day. I can’t believe how fast this year flew by. My heart feels like it’s going to burst as I watch the boys pose for pictures in their caps and gowns. They’re all leaving soon for summer training, and I’m trying hard not to count the days, but of course I am. Knowing they will be together in college gives me a sense of peace. I still hate the idea of them going away, but at least they will have each other.
Todd eventually told his parents about the theater program, and they were incredibly supportive as long as football comes first. I guess his dad’s priorities will always be a little out of whack.
I can’t help sitting back and taking everything in. Although it’s not really my day, I’m so excited for everyone who graduated, and their excitement is almost tangible.
I start to laugh when I hear Gretch squealing before I see her. She runs across the lawn then jumps up into Ryan’s arms. I love seeing them both laughing.
As it turns out, Gretchen actually has pretty great grades, and she got into Penn State, too. Ryan never let on that she was even applying there, but he seems to be thrilled that they will be together.
They are the first couple I witnessed who proved true love can happen in high school. In the beginning, I didn’t think she was right for him, but after everything, I now see just how perfectly they fit together.
Blythe and Brian are off to the side, concentrating on only each other. My heart sinks for them a little. Blythe is going back home to go to the University of Tennessee. They are going to try long distance, and I really think they can make it. Blythe has truly changed Brian for the better, which is an incredible feat when you think about it. Turns out, she loves him as much he loves her. That still surprises me sometimes, but they are good for each other. They even each other out. Brian knew right away; it just took Blythe a little longer to figure it out.
Then there is Todd. I know he started this year full of uncertainty, but he looks so relaxed, his smile so genuine now. He can’t wait for the next chapter of his life to begin, and he wants me to be a part of it as much as possible. We will only be a few hours away from each other, and we’ll have lots of weekends, because we already made a pact that I’m going to all of their home games. So there’s that to look forward to, at least.
“Hey, you,” Todd says as he walks up to me.
I know I have said this before, but he looks incredible in everything he wears, and you can definitely add a cap and gown to that list.
“Hey, I like your tassels,” I say, grabbing the cords draped around his neck that represent honor society and varsity sports.
“Oh, yeah?” His look takes my innocent comment to a dirty place.
I smack him. “You are so bad.”
He pulls me closer. “Come on, we need to make the most of the time we have left. You’re the one who said it.” He leans down and kisses the top of my head.
“Dude, check out the new starting QB,” Brian interrupts us.
Both of our eyes follow the direction of his gesture, and there is Johnny in full make-out mode with SHANE!
My heart stops; my breath catches. I don’t know what to say. I’m not sure what they are thinking, but clearly, they know what they are doing because they can’t get any more out in the open than they currently are. I guess whatever Shane said to Johnny finally put them in the same place at the same time.
I feel Todd’s arms tighten around me. “Good for them,” he says with a smile.
I study his smile. He knew?
“You knew?” I ask.
“You knew?” he returns my question, just as shocked. “Johnny,” he answers a question I didn’t actually ask.
“Shane,” I say with a shrug.
“Wait, I’m lost. What did you guys know?” Brian asks, oblivious.
Todd and I both shake our heads at Brian as we give each other I-can’t-believe-you looks.
“Well, I think it’s awesome!” Brian shouts as he runs over and pats Johnny on the shoulder.
“Nicely done, Shane-y. You landed yourself the star quarterback,” Brian says loud enough for just about everyone to hear.
Ryan and Gretch come up to join us.
“Man, this year is full of surprises, huh?” Ryan says with a smile.
“Out with the old, in with the new,” Gretch agrees.
I’m so happy no one is questioning it; they just accept it.
Shane looks so content and comfortable. Finally.
“Well, I guess that secret is out.” Sid comes up to join us.
“I guess so,” I say as I wrap my arm around her shoulder.
Then I feel Todd’s fingers intertwine with the hand that’s not currently wrapped around Sid.
“I need to see you over here, Ms. Taylor,” he says with a wink.
Sid gives us a headshake and eye roll as she releases me.
“Yes?” I ask as we step away from our group.
“I love you. I just needed to say that.”
I look up at him and drink him in. Seeing him in his cap and gown is such a period at the end of this part of our lives. No longer will I see him in the halls every day; no longer will we get to eat lunch at the opening; no longer will we get to have secret meetings in the janitor’s closet. But, as sad as I have been all year because I knew this was all coming to an end, today is the first time I’m excited for all the new things to come.
Todd’s eyes study mine as his thumb rubs over his class ring on my finger. “We did it.” His crooked smile breaks onto his lips. “One step at a time.”
I think back to the beginning of this year when that became our motto. “We did, didn’t we?” I step up on my tiptoes and wrap my arms around his shoulders to show him just how proud I am of him, of us, through my kiss.
Being here with all the people I care about most in the world, this moment couldn’t be more perfect. Things are going to change—things are always going to change—but I guess that’s what makes life exciting. You never know what is going to happen next, and I can’t wait to find out.
Acknowledgements
I want to thank the readers who have reached out and asked for more. You are just as passionate about the characters as I am, and you have no idea how much that means to me.
I also want to thank a few amazing people who read the book before it was even edited. Thank you for your constant words of encouragement, advice, and tolerating all of my typos, Dema, Rick, Ratha, Melissa, and my mom. You have each made the book better.
Thanks to Alizon and Kris, the best editors a girl could ask for. I truly love reading your comments. They keep me going throughout the sometimes not so fun editing process.
And I want to thank YOU for reading this book. Thanks for taking a chance on an Indie author. I hope you enjoyed Ash and Todd’s story as much as I enjoyed writing it.
About the Author
These are usually in third-person, but I thought I would make it a little more personal this time, since it’s my third book, which I still can’t believe!
I grew up in Florida with naturally curly hair, so I write from experience to all my fellow curly-haired girls! I now live in New York with my husband and two children, who truly inspire me every day. My day job is as a children’s television producer, but a few years ago I decided to try a slightly new adventure and self-published a book. It started as a small side project that’s grown into a real passion. I love reading and writing YA, mostly because it still allows me to think like a fifteen-year-old!
I really do love hearing from you—good, bad, whatever—so please visit my Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/adriennetorrisiauthor