Page 47 of My Best Friend Prince Charming

17

Ryker

I stepped from my car into the school parking lot and wiped the sweat from my brow. The last day of my senior year was a scorcher. I’d already finished all my final exams, but I still needed to pick up my cap and gown. That and my yearbook. It was a big deal to get your senior yearbook signed. I’d watched the other seniors passing their yearbooks around every other year. It was a way to say goodbye. The last time to see each other. Sometimes maybe ever. Many of us would end up going off to college. Some would stick around, and some would come back to Sweet Mountain years later to settle down with our families. It was strange to think about what the future held for all of us. I’d always thought that my future included Shannon, but now I wasn’t so sure.

I walked through the halls of the school, mentally saying my goodbyes to the building. I’d spent the last four years of my life here. It was strange to think I wouldn’t have a reason to come back on Monday. I’d be graduated and flying out to California by then.

Mia and Jimmy sat side by side on the floor against the lockers. Their yearbooks were open on their laps, and they looked over them together, pointing out the parts that caught their attention.

I scanned the crowded halls, looking for Shannon. I had something important to tell her. I’d been sure to give her as much space as possible to let her have time to sort out her feelings. But I’d thought about her every day. And now I had some news that would change everything.

Mrs. Gentry, our principal, and her husband, who happened to be the vice-principal, sat behind a folding table outside the front office, handing out graduation caps and gowns. Bella and Logan stood at the table, gazing into each other’s eyes. Mr. Gentry cleared his throat, and Bella jumped. “Oh, sorry!” she said, blushing, before taking her cap and gown from him. I got in line behind them and then took my cap and gown. I tucked the bundle into my backpack and searched the hall for Shannon again.

I turned the corner, looking into one of the classrooms where I knew Shannon had classes. Maybe she was still taking one of her final exams.

Down the hall, I spotted Mara and Taggish standing by her open locker. She put on her graduation cap and checked out her reflection in her locker mirror. He reached up and batted at the tassel, causing the strands to fly into her face so she couldn’t see. She swatted his hand away, but he just laughed.

I pulled out my phone and sent Shannon a text.

Me:Are you at the school right now?

Harper stood at her locker, cleaning out the contents into her backpack. Her boyfriend Luke said something to her with a smile, and she punched him in the gut.

“I thought we were past this!” he exclaimed.

She laughed and said something under her breath to him that I couldn’t hear. His eyes widened, and then he laughed with her.

I checked another classroom and then headed toward the lunchroom. Outside the lunchroom, a table was set up where Mr. Nelson and a couple of the juniors were selling yearbooks.

Kate stood in line to pick up her yearbook, and Miller was behind her. He had his arms around her waist as she leaned against him. I got in line, and my phone buzzed.

Shannon:Yes. I was just meeting with Mrs. Drake.Are you here? I need to talk to you.

My heart rate picked up at the last line of her text. She needed to talk to me. My mind jumped from possibility to possibility of what she might have to say. Most of all, I just wanted her to tell me that she wanted to be by my side as much as possible.

Me:I’m in line to get my yearbook. Over by the lunchroom. Have you gotten yours already?

Shannon:Not yet. I’ll be right there.

Shannon appeared around the corner just as I got my yearbook. I bought a second one and handed it to her. “I got one for each of us to save you the trouble of going through the line.”

“Oh, thanks. Do you want me to pay you back?”

I frowned. “Of course not.”

“Okay. I wasn’t sure.”

We walked for a bit in silence.

“What happened with Mrs. Drake?”

Shannon’s smile brightened. “You’ll never believe what happened. I won the contest.”

“Wow! That’s great. Congratulations.” I stopped and hugged her. She felt so amazing against me. I’d missed holding her so much. “Does this mean you’re going to be a published author now?”

“I guess you could say so!” she said brightly.

“And you’ll have the money too?”

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