Hades (54 page)

ON the manicured lawns of Bryce Hamilton the seniors

loitered under the bright June sunlight in their royal blue

caps and gowns, faces glowing with excitement. Somehow,

they didn’t look like teenagers in need of direction

anymore; they were young people ready to make their own

way in the world. Col ege was stil several months away and

everyone was looking forward to the summer break. I knew

Xavier had received offers from several col eges eager to

recruit him into their ranks, especial y those with al -star

footbal teams.

Even though graduation wouldn’t impact on my future in

the same way, I couldn’t help but get caught up in the flurry

of nervous excitement. We were waiting for the signal for

the procession to begin. Outside the auditorium I spotted

Gabriel and his middle school choristers warming up for

their closing performance of “Friends Forever,” a popular if

cliched choice as valedictory song.

Among the seniors the buoyant mood was contagious.

The girls adjusted their caps and pinned back one

another’s hair so it didn’t fal over their eyes and ruin the

photographs. The boys were less concerned about

appearance, focusing instead on vigorously shaking hands

and thumping one another on the back. We were al

wearing the class rings that had been delivered only days

before. They were simple silver bands engraved with the

school motto: LIVE. LOVE. LEARN.

Bryce Hamilton loved pomp and pageantry. Inside the

auditorium invited guests and parents were taking their

seats and fanning themselves with folded copies of the

program. Ivy was sitting beside Dol y Henderson from next

door, feigning interest in the neighborhood gossip. Waiting

in the wings was Dr. Chester and the teaching staff in ful

academic regalia, the color of their hoods denoting their

individual branch of expertise. The principal would give the

opening address, and then as class president, Xavier

would deliver the valedictory speech. He hadn’t had much

time to prepare, but Xavier was a natural orator and I knew

he’d be able to deliver an inspirational speech with just a

few scribbled notes to guide him. From outside I spotted

Bernie in the audience, trying to keep her youngest from

clambering over each other and tel ing Nicola off for playing

Peggle on her iPhone.

After the ceremony high tea would be served in the

cafeteria, which had been transformed with white

tablecloths and flower arrangements to befit the occasion.

A professional photographer was already clicking away

behind his camera lens, and I watched Abby and the girls

apply fresh coats of lip gloss and make sure their caps

were straight. I was looking forward to the part where we’d

al throw our caps into the air—I’d seen the scene in several

movies and wanted to experience it firsthand. Ivy had taped

my name to the inside of mine so I’d be able to find it easily

afterward.

The whole school was buzzing with a strange energy. But

amid the excitement was an underlying wistfulness. Mol y

and her friends would never sit out in the quad again; this

position would be passed on to the next group of seniors

who could never be quite the same. The days of skipping

class, cramming for exams, and flirting with boys at the

lockers in between periods were over. School had united

us; we were expected to pursue our own lives now, and

chances were, we’d never al be in the same place again.

I wanted the ceremony to hurry up and start. I was so

caught up in the excitement I almost forgot I was a mere

onlooker in al of this. I felt entirely human, like I should be

worrying about col ege applications and my future career

prospects. I had to remind myself that this life was not

meant for me. The best I could do was share in the

experience through Xavier and my friends.

Mol y appeared by my side and threw her arms around

me.

“My God, it’s so sad!” she cried. “I’ve spent the last four

years complaining about this place and now I don’t want to

leave.”

“Oh, Mol y, you’l be okay,” I said, tucking a wayward

corkscrew curl behind her ear. “It’s ages til col ege.”

“But I’ve spent thirteen years of my life at this school,”

Mol y said. “It’s weird to think I’m never coming back. I know

everybody in this town; it’s my home.”

“And it always wil be,” I said. “Col ege is going be an

amazing adventure, but Venus Cove wil stil be here when

you come back.”

“But I’l be so far away!” she wailed.

“Mol y.” I laughed and hugged her. “You’re going to

‘Bama—it’s one state away!”

She giggled and sniffed. “I guess so, thanks, Bethie.”

I felt a hand wrap around my waist and then Xavier’s lips

were at my ear.

“Can I talk to you?” he murmured. I turned and looked up

at him. The blue of the graduation gown emphasized the

color of his eyes and his silky walnut hair wasn’t even

mussed by the cap.

“Sure, what’s up?” I asked. “Are you nervous?”

“No,” Xavier said.

“Is your speech ready? I haven’t heard any of it!”

“We’re not staying.” Xavier delivered this earth-shattering

statement with surprising equilibrium.

“Excuse me?” I said. “Why not?”

“Because it doesn’t mean anything to me anymore.”

“Don’t be ridiculous.”

“I’ve never been more serious in my life.”

I stil didn’t believe him. “I think today is turning everybody

weird,” I said. “Don’t you want to graduate?”

“I’l graduate whether I attend the ceremony or not.”

I saw then that his eyes were bright and his smile made

his whole face radiant. He was actual y serious about

leaving.

“You’re giving the valedictory speech!”

“It’s taken care of. Wes is stepping in for me. Wasn’t

cheap though.”

I stared at him. How could he make jokes when he was

about to walk out on one of the most momentous events of

his life? Everybody expected him to lead the ceremony—it

wouldn’t be the same without him.

“Your parents wil never forgive you,” I said. “Why don’t

you want to stay? Aren’t you feeling wel ?”

“I feel fine, Beth.”

“Then why?”

“Because there’s something much more important I want

to do.”

“What could be more important than you graduating?”

“Come with me and you’l find out.”

“Not until you tel me where we’re going.”

“Don’t you trust me?”

“Of course I do.” I nodded ardently. “But I’ve never seen

you do anything this … you know … reckless.”

“Funny, I don’t feel reckless,” he said. “I’ve never felt more

in control.”

Bryce’s marching band started up the procession and

the students began filing into the auditorium to take their

places on the stage. A teacher on duty was counting them

in by tens. I could see Mol y searching for me in the crowd

as we’d planned to sit together. The school captains always

filed in last because their seats were in the front row. I

looked over at Gabriel. He was escorting his choir

backstage, but he must have sensed something was up

because he threw me a questioning look over his shoulder.

I smiled and gave him a feeble wave in return, hoping I

gave off the signal that everything was under control. Xavier

was looking at me expectantly.

“Come and sit with me under the old oak for five minutes

and I’l explain everything. If you don’t like the plan we’l

come back and go in together. Agreed?”

“Five minutes?” I reiterated.

“That’s al I’m asking.”

I stood under the dappled light of the old oak tree in the

middle of the school’s sweeping circular driveway knowing

this would be our last tryst here together. A wave of

nostalgia hit me. The oak had been a reliable friend to us

during our time at Bryce Hamilton, its gnarled branches

providing refuge and serving as our secret meeting place

whenever our desire to be together overcame any sense of

responsibility. I wrapped my arms playful y around its wide

trunk while Xavier continued to look as though he’d just

made the discovery of the century.

“Okay,” I said. “Your time starts now. What’s this great

idea that warrants skipping out on graduation?”

Xavier took off his cap and gown and flung them onto the

grass beside us. Underneath he was wearing a white shirt

and tie over dress pants. Seeing his athletic chest under

the flimsy cotton stirred in me the usual deep, visceral

yearning.

Xavier was gazing at me dreamily. He bent his head and

kissed my hand. “I’ve been thinking about us.”

“Good thinking or bad?” I asked immediately, the

yearning giving way to fear.

“Good, of course.”

I was able to breathe easily again. “So let’s hear it.”

“I think I’ve found the answer.”

“That’s great,” I said lightly. “What’s the question?”

But Xavier was deadly serious. “The question is how do

we make sure no one comes between us again.”

“Xavier, what are you talking about? You need to relax.

We’re together now. I’m back. Jake won’t bother us again

anytime soon.”

“If it’s not Jake it’l be someone or something else. It’s no

way to live, Beth. Always looking over our shoulders,

wondering how much time we’ve got left.”

“So let’s not do that. Let’s just focus on what we’ve got

right here and now.”

“I can’t. I want this to be forever.”

“We can’t have that expectation. You know that.”

“I think we can.” I looked into his bril iant, fathomless eyes

and saw something I hadn’t seen before. I couldn’t put my

finger on exactly what it was, but I knew something had

changed.

Then in the next minute Xavier had firmly taken hold of my

hands and dropped to one knee by the base of the oak, the

crinkled leaves on the ground crunching under his weight.

My heart started racing like an express train. An internal

tug-of-war began between joy and devastation at what he

was about to do.

“Beth,” he said simply, his flawless face lit up with

anticipation. “There is no doubt in my mind that we belong

together, but to spend the rest of my life with you would be

an honor and commitment I would cherish.” He paused, his

clear, blue eyes luminous. My breath caught in my throat,

but Xavier only smiled. “Beth,” he repeated. “Wil you marry

me?”

The look on his face was one of pure happiness.

I was dumbfounded. I could honestly claim that Xavier

was an open book to me by now, but I certainly hadn’t seen

this one coming. Involuntarily I glanced up at the sky for

guidance, but none was forthcoming. This was something I

would have to deal with on my own. A number of possible

responses tumbled through my mind, one more rational

than the next.

Xavier, are you delirious? Have you completely lost

your mind? You’re not even nineteen and in no position to

get married. Don’t you think we need to think this through
?

I can’t let you throw all your dreams away … after college

maybe we can talk about it. We don’t have the authority to

make this kind of decision alone
.
Your parents are going

to disown you
.
How will Ivy and Gabriel take it?

But only the least rational found its way to my lips.

“Yes.”

We moved quickly away from the old oak, fearing

someone would come looking for us. As soon as I’d given

Xavier my answer he scooped me up in his arms and

charged off toward the school gates, not stopping until he

got to the street where his Chevy was parked. Xavier

deposited me careful y on the curb to open the passenger

door, then jumped behind the wheel and headed straight for

town.

“Where are we going now?” I said breathless with

exhilaration.

“We have to do something to celebrate.”

A few minutes later the Chevy pul ed up outside

Sweethearts on Main Street. Inside the cafe was almost

empty. I figured most of its regulars must be at Bryce’s

graduation ceremony. I stole a quick glance at my

wristwatch when Xavier wasn’t looking. We’d been gone at

least half an hour by now. Our absence would have been

wel and truly noticed. The principal was probably halfway

through his opening address. There would be whispers and

questions among the teachers backstage as to who had