I watched him meander away, bumping into another small clump of people. Turning, I took the stadium steps two at a time and rounded the railing, making my way to my folks.
“I can’t believe my baby—my last boy—is a high school graduate.” My mother threw her arms around me. “Look at you.”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah. Look at me. You saw me this morning. I’m still the same old handsome, brilliant and humble son you’ve always known and loved.” I kissed the top of my mom’s head. “You feeling all right? The sun wasn’t too hot?”
“Nah. Dad kept an eye on me. I’m fine.” She held my face in her hands, studying me. “But areyou?”
I winked at her. “Golden just like always. I’m just glad to be done. Glad this is over.”
“Graduation, you mean? Or high school?” My dad crossed his arms over his chest and cocked his head.
“Both.” I managed a smile. “Let’s blow this joint, huh?”
“Yep.” My mother lingered, looking out over the field. “I know it sounds silly, but I feel like I’m graduating today, too. Leaving behind a whole era of my life. I’ve had a kid in these schools for ...” She cast her eyes up, thinking. “God, twenty years. And now it’s over.”
Over.Yeah, that was the key word. It was all over. Finished. I followed my mom’s gaze to where Nate and Quinn stood with their parents, and I knew with certainty that she was right. I was leaving behind an era of my life, too. The Trio had been over for a long time, but today ... this was the official end. I wondered if I’d ever see Quinn and Nate again. Even if I did, nothing would ever be the same again. I’d destroyed my friendship with them, and in doing so, I’d buried any chance I ever had with Quinn. I’d broken her heart. What she didn’t realize was that I’d done the same to my own.
“Let’s go home. Simon and Danny said they’d see you there.” My dad linked his hand with my mother’s, smiling down at her. “One era ends, and another begins.” He gripped my shoulder. “For you, too. Onward and upward, son. Time to tackle world.”
I took a deep breath and turned my back on the field, on my friends. The finality of everything sent pain knifing through me so deep and so ripping that I wanted to curl around it and groan.
Instead, I kept walking, moving farther away from the girl who I knew I’d always love and into a future that felt uncertain.
Alone.
