Page 145 of To Love or to Lose
So yes, maybe the Greeks were right.
Epilogue
Graduation
From hearing the phraseto love is to lose one's mindall throughout my life, through different poetry and literature, I always assumed it to be true.
I figured if you found a love so passionate, and so real, there would come a time where you would believe that it is worth it to lose whatever it takes—even your mind—to gain the one you love.
The truth, however, is that you don’t always have to lose one thing to gain another.
I believe this more than ever before as I sit next to my girlfriend at our high school graduation.
The girl who was once my biggest enemy, my biggest rival, is now by my side as we wear ridiculous-looking caps and gowns. Both of us are cloaked in matching NHS stoles, the only difference in our gown accessories is the mass amount of chords Genevieve has draped over her shoulders. I don’t know where she got half of them, but that doesn’t stop the pride from overtaking me.
She’s worked so hard, and I’m happier than I’ve ever been getting to watch it all pay off for her.
“And now, welcoming ourtwoValedictorians to present to you their hard-earned speech, Genevieve Alderidge and Jameson Beaumont.” Headmaster Whiting says into the microphone up on the stage.
Genevieve and I stand as the applause takes over the stadium.
“I can’t believe he said my name first,” Genevieve whispers as we walk through the isle of people.
“He chose wisely,” I say, holding up her gown for her as we take the steps up to the stage to make sure I don’t step on the bottom of it.
“Are you talking first, or am I?” She asks quietly as we approach the microphone.
All I do is nod at her because she already knows the answer to her question. We’ve rehearsed the speech plenty of times; she’s letting the nerves get to her.
I knew from the moment Genevieve and I seriously started writing this speech that she would be the first and the last to speak, signifying her importance. I want her to be what people remember about this speech, not me.
She is the star of the show here.
“Hi, everyone.” Genevieve smiles into the mic. I feel giddy as I stand behind her, seeing her gorgeous face light up the screens across the stadium full of people. “My name is GenevieveAlderidge, and I am proud to be presenting my speech to you this evening as the first female Valedictorian at Fairwood Prep in twenty-seven years.”
The crowd cheers, but we can especially hear Winnie, Eloise, Logan, and Luke, who are all sitting in the second row, right behind our vacated seats.
“I’d also like to introduce my co-Valedictorian, Jameson Beaumont.” She smiles, waving me toward the mic. “We would like to start by thanking Fairwood Prep Academy for all the amazing experiences that have been brought our way, and the community of friends that feel like family that we were able to build during our time here.”
“As many of you may know, Genevieve and I didn't quite get along when I first arrived from London at the beginning of the school year,” I say, my voice amplified for thousands of people to hear. “For most of the year, we competed with one another, and that was mainly because of the narrative that Fairwood Prep has been pushing for the past decades.”
Genevieve takes over. “In September, after spending my entire high school career believing I would be the Valedictorian and working impossibly hard to ensure my spot, I was introduced to Jameson. I was then told I would share the position.”
I’m shocked the mic hasn’t been cut yet, but that would be more embarrassing for the school than anything.
“Throughout most of the school year, I had the pleasure of being hated by Genevieve Alderidge,” I continue as I look at her and smile. “And rightfully so, because Fairwood Prep Academy has cheated her out of a title she deserves to represent on her own.” More cheering from the students erupts throughout the crowd.
“This school, one that claims to preach the importance of morals, has been put on a pedestal of immoral standings for aslong as it's existed,” Genevieve says. “Jameson got this position not merely because he deserves it, but also largely because he is a man.”
Parents' reactions vary: some are smiling at our fight for injustice, but most of the men are shaking their heads. However, both the Callaghan and Alderidge families are standing near the back of the stadium, gleaming with pride.
“I wouldn’t change a moment of what I was able to experience in Fairwood this year.” I take the position in front of the podium again. “But that does not mean I believe Genevieve’s success should have ever been discredited in order to showcase mine.”
“Never has a female valedictorian walked this stage unless they were accompanied by a man, and that needs to change. We cannot continue to disservice the further generations by allowing women to believe they are worth less than men,”Genevieve says strongly.
“Women are the future.” I’m going completely off-script now. “And Genevieve Alderidge deserves this position more than any other person in this class, or any class before this one. Her hard work and dedication should not be ignored anymore.”
Genevieve smiles, relishing in my compliments, but I’m not finished.
