Chapter 11

                                    

                                          
Sitting on stage looking over all the other students I felt grateful to be here. Principal Jeffrey was busy with one of his speeches again. This was our last assembly, our last day of school, our official farewell and except for the buzz of excitement there was also sadness for the long chaptor of our lives that we are now closing.
The last few weeks were emotionally draining. Shawn and his father did indeed dry to intimidate us, but with help from Jake's sister, who decided to speak up, we managed to build a strong case.
The piano started playing and our whole group stood to sing our farewell song. We listened to one more message from our grade head and then walked out to the quad where we released white balloons into the air. Wendy pulled me and Beatrice into a group hug "Oh guys we made it! We are officially done with school!" She was so excited I could only laugh. "Mind if we join the celebrations?" Jake, James and Mark stood watching us with grins on their faces. "Of course!" Then Wendy pulled them into the group hug too.
Over the last few weeks Jake has been visiting more and he has even been spending time with our friend group. James was pleased as they were long time friends but just never hung out at school much.
Between all the cheers, arms in the air and bodies jumping up and down Jake's eyes met mine and he smiled. I will never grow old of those dark eyes. He was a rock throughout my Shawn saga. I fell in love with his family and I was relieved when his sister and I clicked. I smiled back and we continued to celebrate.
That afternoon we all got together at Mark's house and had a barbecue. It was awesome. The music was loud, the fire was blazing and there weren't a gloom face in the crowd. It was nice to feel happy again.
We were all dancing out on the grass when it started drizzling. At first the girls all squirmed because of their hair, but then all was forgotten and everyone danced in the rain. I was soaking wet but we were loving it. As we all danced Jake took my hand and spinned me around. I laughed. He spinned me again, I lost my footing and fell against his chest. He looked down at me and then we both laughed again. I felt carefree and Jake has placed absolutely no pressure on me to be anything more than friends. Gran was much more relaxed with him and that made me feel more relaxed. 
Hours later we all plopped down on the living room floor. Matrasses packed like a big family bed. Pillows and duvets everywhere. We still told stories for long after we got into bed, but eventually one by one we all fell asleep.