Graduation Day

Graduation Day

For most people their graduation day is one of the best days of their lives. No more high school, and for some it means that they are now able to move out on their own and embark on the independent journey of college. In my case my graduation day started out to be a great day but turned out to be one of the worst. It is almost as if I wish I never had a ceremony. If there wasn’t graduation ceremony there wouldn’t have been an accident.

On June 13, 2003, I woke up a happy and excited 17 year old for it was my graduation day and that meant no more high school, no more nagging teachers, and no more drama. I met my friends and my boyfriend Andrew in the school parking lot and away we went to practice graduation. After we had practiced walking and getting our diplomas we all went to lunch and discussed what we had wanted to do with the rest of our lives. After what we had thought to be one of the last lunches together I went to Andrews house to hang out for a bit. We talked about him going away and me staying here and all of the normal stuff that applies in a relationship when one goes away. Before I left his house I asked him if he had wanted a ride to graduation, due to the fact he was in a car accident four days prior and the only vehicle he had at the moment was his motorcycle. He responded with a polite, “Nah.” That’s when I knew he wanted to take his bike.

When I got home I quickly got ready, I ironed my cap and gown, did my make-up and hair, and made my last phone call to Andrew. I called him right before I left and asked him if he was sure he did not want a ride. Again he responded politely and on my way I went. When I got to the high school everyone was taking pictures, laughing, and talking about how they were going to miss everyone. As we all piled into the gym I noticed that Andrew was not there, everyone kept asking me where he was and all I could say was, “ Eh, you know him he’s always late.” After about fifteen minutes I started to get concerned he was supposed to walk with me and he was not here yet.

After we had walked out and took our seats I couldn’t help but to stare at the empty seat next to me and wonder where he was at. I called his house but no one picked up. After calling a repeated amount of times his friend Ryan was able to get through to his parents. His parents had told Ryan that there was an accident and after we graduate they will tell us where Andrew is at. As soon as Ryan got off the phone he told me not to worry and that he probably broke his leg or something and that he was in a hospital somewhere and that we will know where after we get our diplomas. After a couple of speeches and a few diplomas later it was almost my row’s turn to walk across the stage and claim our diplomas. Right before we were to stand up and walk toward the stage I got the worst news of my life.

I got a call from Andrews frantic older brother. He asked if I had walked yet I told him no and demanded to know where Andrew was. After a few minutes of heavy breaths I heard the words, “ Jenn, Andrews.... Andrews dead.” The words echoed in my ears. I dropped my phone and just sat there. I couldn’t move, speak or even cry, I just sat there and stared. After a few minutes I guess you could say it hit me. The tears came rolling off my face. Advisors and school employees’ ran to me to see if everything was okay, but I didn’t want to tell them what I had just heard. I looked at Andrews two best friends and ran to them, I held their hands as I told them the devastating news. Right after telling them it was our turn to get our diplomas. I couldn’t find it in my self to get up and walk so Andrews friends helped me to walk across the stage and get my diploma. No one else that was graduating had known what had happened and they were actually laughing