Christina H.

6^th period

Creative writing

The night of graduation was on a clear June evening, the sun was just about to set over the horizon as the graduating seniors of 2001 filed in a line onto the football field. The white chairs were arranged in perfect rows along the fifty-yard line. A small stage sat in front with four chairs on each side of the dais that seated the administration. As the graduates march on the field, Anne looks up and spots her family in the stands waving to her trying to get her to smile for a picture, their faces glowing with excitement as they waved back and forth.

As she march's on, she passed old teachers, some who have changed her life forever. Teachers like Mr. Green, who was her freshmen biology teacher. Mr. Green had a special way with students. He made them want to succeed by telling them the same thing over and over again. "You're not going to get anywhere. No one ever does from this school." Anne just couldn't wait to come back after college and prove him wrong.

Mrs. Haddad was sitting next to him; she had been her sophomore basketball coach. She taught Anne things that no one else could ever teach her. Everyday, Anne would run her hardest, throw till her arm was too tired to even pick up the ball anymore. Mrs. Haddad made sure that everyone knew that there was no "I" in team. She never would have become the basketball player that she is without her.

In the seats next to Mr. Green and Mrs. Haddad, were some soon-to-be former students. She passed Gary, the tough football player who used to have the locker next to her. He was always able to make her laugh with his child-like ways. In the seat in front of him sat Marie; Marie and Anne never really got along before senior year. Their opinions of each other were anything but high. They worked together every summer at the local Tasty Freeze. They had one of those "Hello" friendships. But that changed when they ended up with three classes together this past year. Marie spots Anne and mouths, "Hey." An Anne smiles back and continues to walk.

She reaches her row and walks down a bit to takes her assigned seat. Pomp and Circumstance starts to fade away as her expression goes from a grin across her lips and eyes open wide to a glazed over look. Memories started to come back to her, the good times she had here. Her first ever pep rally with her new friends as a freshman. They all just kind of sat there the whole time, didn't scream or make any noise. They were all too afraid to make a sound. The dances, mostly the first time she had a real date to one. Some of the best times she had were hallways between classes the fun they had sitting on the floor next to the lockers eating cake with her best friend, Bell, for her birthday. These memories are the only things that matter now. The clothes she wore or how many points she made in the first basketball game sophomore year don't count, just the good times.

Back a few rows sit Bell eagerly chewing on her fingers as though she hadn't eaten for weeks. They met their freshmen year, because they shared the same English class and were instantly connected to each other. They have been friends ever since that day they partnered up in class for the first time to read. Bell and Anne could have been twins; they both loved to read, had the same opinions on religion, and felt the same way about guys. They shared opinions that most teens don't have at their age. They would stay up all night discussing the real reasons why World War II was started and if the U.S. should have dropped the atomic bombs. After this day, it would all be different. Bell would be going to school about three hours away and, for Anne, she would be about five and a half hours. They would both be making new friends and new memories. But, they both knew that the new ones would never be able to compare to the old ones. From the time they danced around Bell's living room using flashlights as their microphone from the first time they had their heart broken, they were there for each other through thick and thin. It was sad to think that they weren't going to be a phone call away from each other, that they would actually have to put a small amount of effort into their friendship. All of these grown up things that she has been preparing for are right around the corner like paying bills and not having her parents around to keep her out of trouble. These are hard things to realize.

Anne's row stands up and walked towards the podium. Name after name is called as she gets closer and closer to receiving that one piece of paper for which she has worked these past four years. "Anne Hanes." She quickly walks up the set of three stairs, clicking the whole way up as her high heels hit the stairs. Principal Mattie smiles and gave her a "congratulations" She shakes his hand with her right hand and takes her paper with her left. She turns toward the crowd and smiles it's all been worth it. Every test, every paper, and every day of getting up early has all been worth this moment.

She walks down the stairs and take her seat again. Principal Mattie finishes handing out the diplomas and stood at the microphone to make the last announcement. "I'm proud to announce the graduating class of 2001." A large roar came over the crowd, drowning out Mr. Mattie. Each graduate stood up and threw their cap as high in the air as they could. Some are crying some are hugging but all had smiles across their faces.

Anne stands a round after the ceremony and took pictures with close friends and old teachers. She laughed with Marie about old times and shook her head at Gary and his childish comments. People crowded around the school like after a play, as thought the students were the actors in a four-year play waiting for the closing night. Each one of them was there own main character. With supporting actors and actresses playing their friends. While the rest of the students were just extras, those people in plays that you don't really meet but say a few words to every so often. It had all been just a play and this was closing night and all summer will be rehearsal for the next play, college.