"Long Awaited" Chapter 2: "Graduation Day"

Virginia's POV:

I opened my eyes ever so slightly to look at my clock on the bedside table, it said "9:36." I just got up because I can never go back to sleep once I'm awake, so I opened my eyes fully this time and reluctantly got out of bed. I thought to myself "Hey, at least I have a lot of time to get ready for Graduation." It was at 2pm today so I have a good amount of time to get in the shower, get dressed, style my hair, and everything else us girls do in the morning. I walked into my bathroom to brush my teeth, I was unusually excited today, I just thought it was because I'm going to be able to go to college next year! This is going to be so cool! But let's not think about next year, let the summer go by very slow first. I laughed to myself. After I finished brushing my teeth, I went downstairs to eat a little breakfast. I heard scuffling in the kitchen and whispering. It recognized the whispering as my parents. "Maybe they're talking about my surprise?" I tried listening in, but with no luck. "Dang it!" I thought to myself. So I thought it would be pointless to continue hiding if I wasn't doing anything wrong, so I came out into the kitchen. I smiled at my parents and greeted them a good morning.

Virginia: "Good morning parents!"

Mom: "Mornin' sweetheart."

Dad: "How's my little angel?"

Virginia: "Very good, and yourselves?"

Mom: "Just fine." (obviously speaking for both of them)

Virginia: "That's great!"

Mom: "What do you want for breakfast, hun?"

Virginia: "Hmm...is eggs and toast okay? I'll make the toast while you make the eggs?"

Mom: "Splendid, dear!"

Dad: "So are you excited you are graduating today?"

Virginia: "Oh my, absolutely! I can't wait for that and something else."

Dad: "And what's that?"

Virginia: "To know what my surprise is, or course!"

Dad: *smiles at my interest* "You'll find out right after you get your diploma."

At that, I became very excited and my parents could both see the excitement on my face. I was basically glowing. They knew I wanted to know really bad! But they also knew I was patient. We ate breakfast together and then I went upstairs to finish getting ready. I took a shower, did my hair, and continued with all of my other personal business and headed back downstairs.

A few hours pass and it's time to leave. I am in a magnificent purple dress with flowers on it. But I will be wearing my red graduation grown over it in just a few minutes. Upon arrival at the school, I look around to find my friends and see what they're wearing just to make sure I didn't wear anything too over the top. I tend to do that a lot. Anyway, we are outside and I'm with my friends backstage behind the curtain. We are talking out our nerves because we never expected this day to arrive so soon. Soon, I realize Amanda is crying.

Jen: "Mandy, what's wrong?"

Amanda: "Oh nothing."

Virginia: "Yeah, my best friend is crying. Something must be wrong."

Amanda: "Well, I just realized how much time I spent with the best friends I have ever met today. I just realized how much we're been there for each other and how much we love each other. I hope we always stay in touch. After graduation, keep my phone number and address, call or write everyday."

Gin and Jen: "Aww, Manda!" *rubs her back*

Gin: "Don't cry. We'll always stay in touch with you."

Just then we heard "Amanda Buming"

Jen: "Go! Go! They called you!"

Amanda: "How do I look?"

Gin: "You look fine, just go!"

We see her leave to retrieve her diploma from the principal and Jen knows she's very soon after Amanda is called. She gets a lot more nervous than she was before. I try to calm her down. As we see people leaving, Jen gets even more uptight.

Gin: "It's alright. You're fine. You just have to walk out on that stage and smile. There's no reason to be nervous. It's not like your making a speech to thousands of people."

Jen: "You know what, you're right."

Principal: "Jennifer Cinatra!"

Jen smiles at me and says "You're almost up" I see put her smile on and walk out into the light to get her diploma. I breathe in an out very deeply as more people retrieve their diplomas. I say "Just follow what you told Jennifer." Because it's easier said than done, but nevertheless, I calm down.

Principal: "Virginia Presley."

I put on my best smile, take on more deep breath and walk out into the light. I look out into the audience and see my parents smiling at me. I shake the principal's hand and said "Thank you." And then there's a roaring applause. I continue smiling after I get off stage to meet with my friends. They say "Ahhh! Can you believe we just graduated!" I laugh and say "No! It didn't feel like I thought it would feel." I felt really excited like I could do anything, but then I realized "Dad has to tell me now."

I run out into the crowd and say "Hey Dad!" and give him a big hug.

Dad: "Hey, how's my graduate?"

Gin: "Very good...now..."

Dad: "Now what?"

Mom grins at Dad and he gestures to me as if to tell me to repeat the last part of my inferred question...

Gin: "Is there something you need to tell me now?"

Dad: "Yes, I believe there is."

I see him reach into his jacket pocket and take out 3 plane tickets. I wonder what they must be for. I thought for vacation first, but I don't know where, we usually drive. I become intrigued.

Gin: "Where is that to?"

Dad: "I know you love this guy David Archuleta."

Gin: "YESSSS!!!"

Dad: "And you've been wanting to go to Utah for a few years now..."

Gin: "Dad! You didn't!!!!!"

Dad: "At the end of the summer, we're going to Utah! But it's going to overlap with school...so we wanted you to try out the school just for one day and see how you like it."

Gin: "Well okay then!!! I'd like to try to meet some people there. I heard they were really nice. OH MY GOSH! THANK YOU SO MUCH MOM AND DAD! I LOVE YOU!"

I give them both a kiss and turn away. My smile increases by at least 190%! My friends see my joy and they smile.

Amanda: "You know now?"

Gin: "YOU WERE IN ON IT?!"

Jen: "Well yeah. Your parents asked us if they should do it. We told them yes."

Gin: *grabs them both by the shoulders and pulls them in for a tight hug* "OH MY GOSH! I LOVE YOU SO MUCH! THANK YOU FOR TELLING THEM! I have the best friends in the world."