Chapter 39

"Alyssa Livingston!"

Applause was heard all around, with a few cheers from her friends and family. Carter clapped along and watched the girl walk up the podium. Her blonde, wavy hair bouncing in shiny golden locks on her back as she went, before she accepted the certificate from the principal.

The weather was hot, and the graduation robes made it a little unbearable, but he managed. It was mostly the idea of wearing actual graduation robes, because he was graduating, that stopped him from taking them off.

Alyssa waved at the people cheering her on as she walked off the stage again, and Carter looked at the students going up to receive their graduation certificate when their names were being called.

"Paxton Laster!"

Of course, Paxton rushed into the stage while doing a crazy dance, causing all the students who were still waiting for their name to be called to burst out laughing. Carter grinned at the sight as well and he could almost feel Alyssa roll her eyes at him from the crowd with the families of the students and the students who had already received their certificate.

Chris, Melanie and Josh were besides Carter, watching everything from the side of the stage. He liked how everyone was in such a good mood, and so was he. The sun was shining brightly in a cloudless, light blue sky. The stage was set up at the sports field, along with rows of chairs spreading out almost entirely across the field. Somewhere, Carter was a little nervous about having to walk up the stage, and having all those people watch him.

"Joshua Marson!"

Carter looked at the blond after his name was called. Chris patted him on his back and Melanie clapped before he walked up the stage. It was good to see him so happy again. He seemed healthier, the bruises were gone, the wounds were healed and so was his broken collarbone. The past few months have not been the easiest for him, having to live completely on his own now, and barely seeing his father again, but he was clearly a lot happier and more at peace with himself now.

Josh accepted the certificate, a smile plastered on his face, before walking off the stage and accepting a hug from Alyssa.

"This is the part that really sucks about graduation ceremonies. They always have do it in alphabetical order. The students whose last name starts with a letter at the end of the alphabet always have to wait for so long," Chris said, his arm draped over Melanie's shoulders.

"You're just bitter because always one of the very last," Melanie said with an airy chuckle. "But I feel your pain."

"I usually don't mind, honestly," Carter said, "and I also wouldn't have minded this time if it wasn't for the unbearable heat in these robes.

He saw Josh and Alyssa sitting down at one of the chairs as well, looking back at him and Chris and Melanie. As he looked at them, he could almost see their younger selves again. Carter recalled the time that he participated in one of the plays at Middle School, and how Alyssa and Josh came to watch the play and cheer him on, even though they didn't have to. They were also sitting next to each other, just like that. Josh's hair a lot longer and Alyssa's a lot shorter. Even back then, their classmates used to think that they had a crush on each other.

"Carter Raymore!"

Carter looked up when his name was being called out. Chris's hand patting his shoulder this time as an encouragement to go.

He gave his friends one last glance before approaching the stage. He walked up the small steps and was welcomed with the friendly smile of his principal. He gave him a firm handshake before Carter accepted the certificate from one of the teachers sitting at a desk where a small stack of the remaining certificates was placed. It felt almost surreal to hold it in his hands, and seeing how his name was written on it.

His high school life, over, just like that. It was a strange feeling, yet at the same time it brought him happiness.

He walked off the stage and made his way over to Josh and Alyssa.

Alyssa immediately flew around Carter's neck, causing him to nearly stumble but he accepted the hug with joy.

Paxton was sitting with his family a few rows away from them, and Carter's parents were a bit more to the back. Alyssa's family, which consisted of her parents and her older brother and sister, were sitting right next to her and they looked up at Carter with a proud look.

"Congratulations to you as well, Carter," Alyssa's mother said to him.

"Thanks," Carter smiled. Josh draped an arm over him and he looked up at the blond, seeing the happiness written all over his face.

"Melanie Santiago!"

Carter turned around to watch Melanie walk up the stage and accept her certificate. Chris stood there all alone now, along with the remaining student who were still waiting for their names to be called out, which weren't that many.

Melanie waved at Carter, Alyssa and Josh before she walked up to her own family.

"Hey, I'll see you guys after the ceremony, alright? I need to go back to my parents" Carter said to Josh and Alyssa.

"I'll come with you," Josh said, his arm still draped over Carter's shoulders.

"Alright. I also need to find Sasha and Deena to congratulate them, so I'll see you later," Alyssa spoke, stretching her arms out a little.

Josh and Carter walked back to the row where his parents were sitting, and they immediately raised from their chairs to hug both of them.

"We're so proud of you!" Mrs. Raymore said, ruffling her son's hair. "I almost can't believe that you're graduated now. My little boy."

Carter laughed a little awkwardly, always wishing that his mother wouldn't call him silly names out in public.

"Christian Yves!"

When Chris finally got on the stage, it was almost a funny sight. The blond jogged up and you could see the relief on his face from all the way in the back. His family hugged him when he walked back to the seats and Carter stayed with his parents and his family to watch the last few students receive their graduation certificate.

Afterwards, various foods and drinks were provided to the students and their family at the small after party.

Carter finally removed his graduation robes and felt a lot better when his arms got some fresh air.

He had gathered with his friends at a spot of the sports field, drinking and eating, and recalling old memories about high school and Middle School.

"My mother cried when my sister graduated, but she didn't when I did. Should I be offended?" Chris said as he took a sip of his drink.

"Well, that proves that you're their least favorite child," Paxton smirked before receiving a glare from Josh, and a smack on his upper arm from Alyssa.

"Well, you are the youngest sibling, right?" Josh asked. "They could have gotten used to graduations and letting go of their children by now, probably. They've had to do it twice by now."

"True, but still. It hurts my feelings," Chris said in a dramatic voice, before making sobbing noises and resting his chin on Melanie's shoulder.

"Don't worry. I'm sure they'll shed a few tears once you move out," Melanie huffed and patted Chris on his cheek.

Carter chuckled and watched his friends. It was peaceful and nice, sitting with them like this. And the thought that this might be the last time of them being together like this, brought his a lot of sadness. He took a sip of his drink before taking a deep breath in.

"You know," he said, catching the attention of everyone in the circle, "I'm really glad that I met you guys. All of you. And I'm also so, so glad that I moved back, and that even after five years, you're all still my best friends."

"Of course we're still your friends," Paxton said. "You won't get rid of us that easily."

Carter could feel Josh chuckling as they were leaning against each other, and his words also brought a smile to his own face.

"There's is old saying," Melanie spoke. ""Love is timeless". I really believe that it's true, if the bond between two people is strong enough." She looked up at Carter and Josh and a gentle smile curved her mouth. "That must say something about you two, right? About all of us. That's why I think we'll always stay friends, no matter what our plans for the future are."

A brief moment of silence fell, the sound of birds chirping and the chattering of the other students and family in the background, before Alyssa spoke.

"You're so awfully dreamy sometimes, Mel," she said. "But that just makes me want to cry. Both out of sadness and joy."

"And you're so awfully sentimental sometimes, Ally," Paxton said, rolling eyes, earning another smack from Alyssa.

Carter, along with Josh, Chris and Melanie laughed at the scene and he looked down at the grass. He hoped that what Melanie said was true, and found those words to be incredibly reassuring.

It was true what she said; love is timeless, and he past year had proved that to be true.