e last fling tonight at my pla

eive the high school diploma, I would have punched him in the face. Maybe another person would knee him for harassment, but

had been a week since the call with Mr. Rowe and I had yet to hear back. I had come to t

ould get pissed off and dismiss me. The only thing holding me together wa

u should come to

opped myself from shuddering at her voice. There was just

l pa

nto a house with sweaty and drunk people. It

might never see

se. I would donate to whatever charity the h

I wil

at my words. It was hard

cknamed me "Little Orphan Willow". Much to my displeasure, the nickname caught on when Joan accused me of trying

ack... become a well-settled person. That w

lege will you

knew of the scholarship drama between Chris and me. And

accepted it without a word. She didn't even point out how horrible my statement was. Our school needed to restructure the education they gave to student

gave me some comfort. If she could make something of hersel

seat. I looked past her and at the crowd and a wave of sadness overcame m

n he had come back. The note contained an apology for not being able to attend graduation and he even left me a generous amount of cash as a parting gift. Another pape

ut what was the point of it? Nothing would change if I felt sorry for myself. And I w

a place in the world I could call mine.

extended family for any of my classmates. Yet, a strange feeling of familiarity washed over me. I could have sworn I had seen him around town

ishable about him. As I continued to stare, I realized I had seen him near the administrative room at s

as he sta

d of applause as I walked over to receive my diploma. I gave Lory a smile and turned to her parents with a small nod. I fo

and hat were rented and losing them would lead to a big fine. I gave back my robes before the others who took pictures with

k me into a bear hug before d

ls." Mrs. Adams hugged us both. "Wi

hough I knew I was welcome, I was not in the mood to

e, but I think I have to

y to change my mind, I was ushered away by the well-wishes of my co

you buy things for

," I told

re living in the big city. I will be waiting for you to make a na

hoebox to live in and food in my stomach. I had to repr

"Are you sure you want to go home?" she a

am just not in the

r to your house after dinner. Packing is be

de rather than be alone in that empty house. I didn

ill drop you at your house on o

ou," I t

she spoke in low tones. "Will you call

d. There was no time left to di

it were

It won't be late then." She knew how nervous I was

e being relaxed until I felt it completely. If I kept using

ry yell that she would see me soon. Once inside the house, I stripped off my formal clothes and rushed toward my phone. I was appalled that

ion when I saw that I

ossibility he was busy and didn't have time to call me. I really

of my thoughts when

to chew her out for rushing her celebratory dinner. Instead, I came face to face with

h the loophole before openi

I was close to slamming the door shut and hiding

and non-threatening. But what wou

ce of lighting: Who was t

d his hands up in surrender. He