Chapter Thirty

Graduation. I stared at myself in the mirror, feeling like I was missing something. My gown covered my dress completely, only the volume of the dress slightly pushing the gown out. My red hair was braided over my shoulder and as I looked at my reflection, I could feel how nervous I was. My gown was a lot longer than I had realized and could easily trip on it. My hand rubbed the necklace that Jason had given me on my birthday. I felt the silver anchor and the engraved words on the silver ribbon that wrapped around it. Earl and my uncle were helping Jason get ready in the living room so I took a deep breath and went out there. Jason looked up from fidgeting with his tie, his eyes slightly widening.

"You look beautiful." He smiled.

"You haven't even seen the dress." I laughed nervously.

"Everyone ready?" My aunt held up a camera. "Get together you two." Jason wrapped an arm around me and she took the picture.

"Okay. Lets go." She led the four of us out as I grabbed my cap. Jason put his on then helped me with mine. We split from everyone once we got to the school, going backstage. The Principal started off with a speech then read from a long list of names. There was a pause halfway through.

"Now, dear parents. This student is very different. She went from terrified of water to being the second best swimmer in all the state. On top of that, even though she missed school due to illness, she had top marks in all her classes. Blake Vanderweele!" I walked out on stage, vaguely awkward. I held part of my gown up so that I didn't step on it. While everyone clapped, I received my papers. Jason was after me and soon it was time for the after party.

"I'm so proud!" My aunt hugged me. The after party was at the beach right before the sand in the grass. I had my swimsuit on under my dress incase we decided to swim. When we got to the field before the beach, we stopped and watched all the other graduates. "Okay, give me your gown." My aunt unzipped the sky blue fabric.

"I... I don't know...." I mad an uneasy face.

"Come on. You'll have fun! Plus, Jason is very handsome. You don't want him celebrating with another girl." She pulled the gown off, showing my dress. The warm air hit my skin softly.

"That's a cruel thing to say." I rubbed my bare arms. I turned to not only see Jason staring, but also Earl and my uncle.

"Damn." Jason whispered. Seeing his awestruck expression made me smile. She took my heels, making me shorter, the sand hot against my feet.

"Alright. Go have fun. Both of you." My aunt shooed us. I smoothed my dress as Jason linked his his arm in mine like we were at a fancy event. We joined everyone in the field, smelling burgers and hotdogs.

"Damn, girl!" Samantha and Beth joined us. They had ditched their clothes, wearing matching bikinis. "You both look fine as hell!"

"You know we're swimming, right?" Beth pulled a lollipop from her mouth.

"We have our suits on." I nodded, holding onto Jason.

"Hey, guys." Brice came to us.

"Hanging out with the gay squad since everyone knows your secret?" Beth squinted in the sun. I wondered if she was drunk already.

"We won't be mean because it's graduation." Samantha shifted. "But we aren't your friend." He nodded in response.

"Lets go get a drink." Beth waved him over. "And you two? Undress. Show those sexy bods." She pointed to us with her lollipop, looking at Jason like she was ready to rip his clothes off and have sex with him. She definitely had a spiked drink. I let his arm go and walked over to the water, letting the soft waves lick at my feet. I took a deep breath as Jason touched my back.

"Will you unzip my dress?" I questioned quietly. I felt his fingers pull on the back of my dress, going all the way down. I pulled it off and placed it on a tree branch. I stood in the warm air in a new bikini. It was covered in flowers of every color.

"Damn girl! Here." Beth handed me a cup of pink punch. "It's spiked with vodka." I took it and sipped. "Now you, Prince Charming. Undress before I do it for you."

"Beth, stop flirting with Blake's man before I cut you off from your spiked juice." Samantha rolled her eyes, drinking from her cup.

"I'm not. This is a beach. For half naked, wet, people who party." She tossed her head back, drinking as if it were a shot. I gave her my cup, going to Jason and unbuttoning his shirt. My heart beat in my throat as I touched his smooth skin, tracing his V-line with my fingertips. I looked up into his eyes then he leaned down, kissing me with a hand caressing my face. I pulled his shirt off and tossed it with my dress as he picked me up and kissed me again. "Mmm. Hot."

"You need to f*ck. Get it over with." Shocked, I looked over to her.

"Our relationship isn't based on sex. As are most good relationships."

"Mine and Sam's is all sex." Beth licked Samantha's neck. "Last one in the water is a rotten egg!" She and Samantha dropped their cups and took off running. We only followed out of fear that, because they were drunk, they'd drown.