Chapter 8

TW: mentions of death

"Good evening Seniors."

Dean sat in the front row outside on the school's football field. He looked at the seat next to him.. the seat with flowers on it... the seat where she should have been.

After the teachers were done speaking... Dean grabbed his paper and stood up taking a deep breath, it wasn't that he was scared, but more or so.. this was going to be hard for him to say, because some of them were Camille's words.

"Good evening everyone, I am Dean Carter..."

"We did it guys, we completed 12 school years... we walked in with a backpack when we were five years old, and now we're leaving to be set out into the world...."

"I'm sure you all know of the unfortunate event that just occurred in our district... and really it wasn't supposed to be me up here talking... Cami worked hard for this title... so it doesn't feel real that I have it."

"She should have been here tonight.. to graduate... to share her kind words, her kind heart... it should have been her... so I instead took the liberty to share with you what she wrote.."

He got the paper out

" Hello class of 2023!! I am Camille James. Well can you believe it... today is officially our last day at this school... it flew by huh? You all probably remember the first time you stepped through these doors, feeling anxious but excited... knowing that your life was going to be determined through what you did here.... and now we've made it... we worked, and we worked hard... We kept our heads up... even though life got hard, even though the world got crazy... we never lost hope... that is why if anyone here believes they failed... I promise you, you didn't, you made it here, you did it... you're going to go to college, or you're going to start your first real full time job... or you're going to take a break and figure out your life so you be the best version of yourself... but you did it... you're making a life for yourself, a name for yourself, you are strong, so never feel like you failed, never feel hopeless... you have friends and family who care about you, just know that this isn't the end... it is only the beginning, because our lives start now, so stay strong soldiers... you've got this... we believe in you..."

Dean paused as he finished reading the paper. He hurriedly wiped his eyes with his sleeve. If only she could have taken her own advice.

"What she said is true, she worked hard for the title of valedictorian, she had expectations for herself... as well as from her family, and she wanted to live up to it... but she cared about this school... Camille was a quiet girl.. but she seemed to know everyone... she cared about everyone... even if you didn't know her personally... just the fact that you are a living breathing human made her feel you deserved an equal amount of respect... so though she's no longer here... she would have thanked you all, she would have genuinely believed you all would do great things. And you will just keep believing in yourself."

He was quiet for a few seconds and then he said in the mic.

"Cami I love you."

There were many people in the crowd sobbing. Dean stepped off of the podium. They all clapped for him, very loudly.

The graduation went on and before he knew it he stood again and walked across the stage receiving his diploma. His mother was in the stands and she cheered loudly, as well as his sister.

Camille's parents were at the graduation as well. They went down to receive Camille's diploma after the principal gave a tribute speech to her.

Dean went out to eat with his mom and sister, he felt very proud, but a part of his heart still ached so greatly... he really wished she was there with him.

The next day came and Dean went to a flower store and bought a bouquet. Then he drove to almost the other end of town, he approached the grave yard, and he walked until he found her. He layed the flowers down and then crouched down.

"Hi Cami, it's Dean... we graduated last night... I hope you don't mind that I used some of your speech and put it in mine.. I told everybody you wrote it... everyone cried for you... they cheered for you..."

"Cami why did you do it? Why did you leave me alone... I'm gonna continue to live, because I need to support my family, because I know I have a great future, and because I know you would want me to... but right now it's really hard... I didn't even get to say goodbye... you left me without saying goodbye... I didn't even get to see you one last time before you went... I didn't get to see your beautiful smile... the sound of your laughter.. You left me... without giving me the chance to say goodbye... Cami I love you, but I can't forgive you for that..."

After he said that he got up and left, getting back in his truck and riding away slowly.