Chapter 30

       I never understood why our school's graduation ceremony was before school even ended. We still had three weeks of school left, but here the ceremony was.

       For all they know, I could fail all my classes right after I received my diploma.

       I mean, that was impossible for me because my grades were too high, but still. What about those who were on the verge of failing?

       Mom insisted on taking pictures of me in my gown and hat, but I kept telling her not to. I hated pictures.

       "Atticus, you are our only son," Mom said. "I'm taking pictures whether you like it or not, especially because I know you're not going to let me take any prom pictures."

       "Probably because Dad wouldn't want pictures of me with a Prince," I said. "Seriously, though, I have to go behind the auditorium where everyone else is."

       "Fine, go. I'll just take a lot of pictures of you when you're on the stage."

       I sighed before heading behind the auditorium where all the other graduates were waiting for the ceremony to start. I couldn't wait to be done with high school. While there were still three weeks of school left, graduating meant one step closer.

       I walked over to where the triplets were and when Orchid saw me, she pulled me into a hug and I hugged her back. "I can't wait to graduate high school," she said. "Four years of this hell hole and we're almost done."

       "I know," I said. "But then we've got four years at university, so that will be fun."

       "At least we get to choose our own classes, and shouldn't be caught up with all the petty teenagers and high school drama," Orchid said, though for some reason, she had a smile on her face when she said that.

       "You seem way too happy," I said. "What's up?"

       "She won't tell anyone," Alan said. "She's been all giddy all day."

       "Uh, that's because we're graduating today," Orchid said.

       "Yes, and then we'll be back at school tomorrow for another three weeks," Alan said. "Nobody should be this happy about graduation."

       "Well, I am, so stop questioning me and just be happy with me," Orchid said.

       "I'll be happy once you tell us why you're so happy," Alan said. "Again, we go back to school tomorrow. I still don't get why they have the graduation ceremony so early. I'd rather have the ceremony, and then never return to school ever again. So, tell me why you're so happy or I'll tell your boyfriend one of your many secrets."

       Orchid raised an eyebrow. "I don't have any secrets. Well, at least none that he doesn't know of. And, like I said twice already, I'm happy because we're graduating. Sure, we still have to go to school tomorrow but this is one step closer to being done with high school forever."

       "I just can't wait for the ceremony to actually start," Nolan said. He was sitting down on a bench beside us. "I need an actual chair to sit on. This bench isn't comfy at all."

       "Are you going to use your walker to get across the stage?" I asked. He had been using the walker a lot more than his wheelchair, and he was getting so close to being to walk properly again without any help.

       "Yeah," Nolan said. "I can probably walk without it since the stage isn't huge, but it would take me a while so I'm just going to use the walker. I'm just glad I'll be walking across it in general, walker or not."

       It took a while for the ceremony to actually begin and when it did, we all walked to the auditorium in order like we practiced. I spotted my family almost immediately, and my mom wouldn't stop taking pictures of me.

       The ceremony got boring for me very quickly. My last name was closer to the end of the alphabet, so I almost dozed off a few times waiting for it to be at least the Princes' turn. Everyone else was irrelevant.

       When it was Nolan's turn to cross the stage, Jerome ended up shouting, "Yeah, that's my boyfriend!"

       And that didn't seem to please Mrs. Goth at all. "Every single time a Prince graduates, that happens," she said with a sigh.

       Nolan still got a lot of cheers though, especially from our fellow graduates because they knew he was just starting to walk again. He had been in a wheelchair for so long, and now he was actually walking across the graduating stage.

       He was an inspiration to a lot of our classmates and they all loved him.

       I felt like being a pain in the ass and shouting, "Yeah, that's my girlfriend!" when Orchid crossed the stage, but I decided to be respectful to Mrs. Goth.

       For today at least. I couldn't keep that promise any other day.

       When I crossed the stage, Wilder decided to be a pest and shout, "Yeah, that's my cousin!"

       That annoyed Mrs. Goth even more, but she didn't say anything else about it. I didn't see the big deal about it. They were happy we were graduating, and a lot of people were cheering and applauding the whole time.

       Finally, the ceremony ended and as soon as it did, Orchid pulled me into a hug, still looking as happy as ever. In fact, she looked a lot happier.

       "Alright, what are you so happy about?" I asked. "Seriously, even the people who hate school aren't this happy to graduate."

       "Atticus, I've said this before," Orchid said. "It's one step closer to being done with this hell hole forever."

       "Yeah, I'm not buying it," I said.

       Orchid shrugged. "Come on, let's go return our gowns then go talk to our families."

       After we returned our gowns backstage, we headed outside of the auditorium where all the family members were. Surprisingly, ours were near each other, and I could already see Dad and Grayson glare at each other.

       "I took a lot of photos," Mom informed me.

       "Why?" I asked. "Just... Why?"

       "Atticus, you graduated," Mom said. "I'm not going to ignore that fact and not take pictures of you because you hate pictures."

       "Don't worry, I'll delete them when she's not looking," Wilder said before giving me a hug. "Congrats, Atti. Did you have to graduate though?"

       "Hey, I'm always going to be here for you," I said. "Even if we don't go to the same school. And it's not like I'm going away for college. I'll still be living beside you."

       Wilder nodded and hugged me tighter. The only bad thing about me leaving high school was that Wilder would have nobody there. I really hoped he would be okay.

        Mom tried taking even more pictures of me, so I took Orchid's hand and walked a tiny bit of distance away from my family. I didn't understand why Mom was so obsessed with pictures.

       "Okay, I really need to know why you look so happy," I said to my girlfriend. "The ceremony is over. Can't you just tell me why you've been so happy?"

       "How many times do I have to say I'm happy to graduate?"

       "You can say it as much as you want. It's not going to make it any more believable."

       "That's rude. You not believing your girlfriend. I'm hurt."

       "Yeah? And I'm still not believing you. Come on, what are you hiding?"

       "I'm not hiding anything."

       "Then why are you so happy?"

       Orchid looked around before her eyes landed on Nolan and Jerome, who were talking away from Nolan's family. "That is why I'm so happy."

       "I'm so confused right now," I said.

       "Wait for it..." Orchid said.

       I still didn't get why Orchid was so happy, or even what I was supposed to be waiting for.

       That was until Jerome reached into his pocket and got down on one knee.

       "Nolan," Jerome said, holding a small box. "Will you marry me?"

       Though Nolan looked a bit shocked, it didn't take long for him to answer. "Yes. Yes, of course," he said with a huge smile.

       Jerome smiled back before standing up and pulling Nolan in for a kiss as his family, who was also watching, cheered loudly.

       Except for Tulip.

       She screamed.

       I honestly didn't expect less from her.

_________________

Same Tulip, same.

Yay, Jerlan is engaged now. cx Even though they're married in one book. And just got together in another book. I have so many timelines going on BUT IDC.