Chapter 130: Chapter 130

Nate's POV

Ethan has a proud smile on his lips as he looks at me from among the vast sea of graduates, sitting in front of me, wearing black robes and hats. Gavin, Grace, Milan and Dulce are beside Ethan and they also have wide smiles on their faces.

I'm now standing on the dials of Westview's main auditorium, in front of the Mike, facing at least a three thousand people, including our principal, chief guests, staffs, my fellow graduates and their friends and family. And they are all looking at me confused as to why I suddenly paused my valedictorian speech without a proper conclusion.

Yes, today I'm graduating from high school and I'm standing here on the stage, delivering a speech after becoming the Valedictorian of this year. Something I and all the others thought I would never be able to do. Or better something people made me think I would never be able to do. But today I proved to myself and to the other that it was a wrong conception. Of course I couldn't do it without the help of a certain few who believed in me even when I failed to believe in myself.

When last week one of our teachers Mrs Wilson called me and asked me, whether I'll be able to deliver a speech on graduation day, I immediately said No. But Ethan and my parents made me change my mind. They said I could do it. They said it was okay to stutter. They said it's okay if I forget my speech in the middle and it's okay even if the whole crowd laugh at me. They said I don't need to care about anything and I just need to believe in myself and look at the people who loves me. And I decided to step up on the dials, gaining my courage.

However I've been trembling with anxiety and nervousness from the very moment I sat down on my distinguished chair on the stage along with the chief guests. Apparently I and a girl named Belinda were required to sit on the stage during the whole graduation ceremony as we were Valedictorian and Salutatorian and we both have to deliver our speeches.

My hands and legs were shaking as I stood up from my chair and walked towards the mike. Then when I stood in front of the mike and looked at the big crowd in front of me, my fingers and the piece of paper in my hands trembled vigorously. But then I saw Ethan smiling at me so confidently, wordlessly telling me that I could do it. And I remembered my Mom's words ' Mickey, you are so strong. You can do anything !' I couldn't see her or my parents as they were at the back of the auditorium along with the rest of the spectators. But I knew they would be looking at me so proudly. And I started my speech.

Of course I stuttered. I stuttered a lot in the beginning. A few people laughed. But among the crowd I saw Ethan and my best friends with wide smiles on their faces, saying it's okay. I could see pure admiration for me in their eyes and I found myself becoming comfortable as moments passed and I now spoke for almost five minutes, without much difficulty.

However Ethan's smile is now fading a little as it's more than five seconds since I paused the speech.

Suddenly our principal who was sitting on his chair behind me claps his hands and soon the whole auditorium erupts into claps.

" My speech hasn't ended yet, friends.", I immediately say through the mike and the audience instantly stop clapping. " Sorry, I've still a l..little bit to say before concluding. I was looking at my b..bestfriends.", I say and smile causing them also to smile wide at me.

" Senior high school wouldn't have been this e..enjoyable for me, if it weren't for them. So let me....take this opportunity to say a q..quick thank you to them. You guys are the best friends anyone could ever have.", I say and I see they all especially Grace, smiling at me so happy and proud.

I continue whilst smiling at her. " Without any doubt I'll say, th..this year was the most wonderful and the most e..eventful year in my....whole life. And you all made it m..more beautiful. Thank you so much guys."

Grace is almost crying now that I quickly averts my eyes to Ethan.

" And now, allow me to thank my g...greatest inspirations, for all I do. Those....Those people who are the reason behind my confidence in s..standing here on this stage today and delivering this speech, d..despite my speech disability. My dear ones for whom I'm Michael. My b..brother who lives in my heart, My Mom, My Dad....,My Mom, My s..sisters and.....my boyfriend. Thank you for instilling in me so much courage and c..confidence and for never leaving my side through both my triumphs and tragedies. I love you all so much and...you'll stay in my heart f..forever."

I see Ethan pressing his lips together and brushing away the tears in his eyes. The words I said now, especially the last sentences were mostly meant to him and he sure knows it. And I definitely surprised him by saying the word 'Boyfriend' in front of all these people. Also the auditorium has suddenly become so noisy after I said it. Even I hear one of the dignitaries behind me amusedly murmuring ' Boyfriend?'. And soon the principal, leans in and taps on my back, asking me to conclude.

I nod to him and take a breathe, looking back at the audience. " Mr Tristan wants me to conclude. So let me conclude. ", the audience errupt into a small laughter at that. I smile at them before speaking again.

"So, my fellow graduates, once again a big c..congratulations to all of you. May the lessons you have learned and the bonds you have sh..shared here in our beloved school....inspire you to cross oceans for your d..dreams. Good luck and keep your stars shining brightly. Thank you.", with that I conclude and the whole auditorium errupt into loud claps. Ethan and my friends jumps up from their chairs and claps loudly for me whilst smiling broadly.

As I walk back to my chair beside Mr Tristan, I don't feel a bit nervous. I feel confident and triumphant. I realize I've a lot more confidence inside of me than I thought I've.

After Belinda's speech and a few more speeches from the guests, it's time for the tassel turning. I stand up from my chair along with all the graduates below me as the piano players starts to play a slow melody.

" I now pronounce you graduates. You may now change your tassels from right to left.", Mr Tristan croaks cheerfully into the microphone. I look at Ethan and he is waiting to turn his tassel along with me. I smile at him and we both together turn our tassels from right to left. The piano players then hits a key, giving me a tingles in my tummy. I don't know whether it's the music or Ethan's gorgeous smile which was the actual reason for the butterflies in my stomach. Maybe both. Maybe it's the realization that we both are now graduates.

The graduation march soon starts playing and everyone starts to march towards the underpart of the auditorium to collect their diplomas. Mr Tristan motions me and Belinda to walk down the stage and join them. As I walk down the steps, Ethan walks towards me, smiling. He takes my hands in his as I descend the last step.

" Your speech was great. ", he tells me, smiling even more broadly.

" Thanks..", I smile. " I did better that I...thought I could."

" I'm so proud of you, baby.", he says, ruffling my hair. " And thanks."

" For what ?", I ask laughing.

" For taking a really courageous step today. For speaking so courageous and admitting your sexuality in front of everyone. I didn't expect you to do that.", he says.

" Didn't you tell me I don't need to bother about wh..what others think ?", I ask.

" Yeah..", he nod smiling. We then walks out of the arena and a staff directs us to stand in a line and wait to collect our diploma certificates. Ethan can't stay still as he stands behind me in the queue. He plays with my tassel and the hair below my hat, almost tickling me.

" Michael Nate Clark.", I say to Mrs Tennyson as I reach in front of the row. She is a history teacher but she hasn't taught me in both semesters.

"Oh.. Valedictorian, right ?", she asks me smiling and I nod.

She pulls out my diploma from a from a file and hands it to me. " Congrats Michael."

" Thank you.", I say politely and move out of the line. Ethan gets his diploma next and we walk back upstairs where our parents would be eagerly waiting for us.

" Hey guys! "

We hear Gavin shout and we turn to see Gavin, Grace, Milan and Dulce barging towards us.

" Congrats dude ! And you were amazing on the stage.", Gavin says and hugs me, patting on my back. After that he exchange a bro hug with Ethan while Milan hugs me. Once he pulls away, Grace pats me on my shoulder, praising me about my speech. Dulce also says her Congrats whilst smiling wide.

Soon they all run away in search of their parents after reminding us to meet at Black swan at 9. Now it's only 5:30 PM. We will be first celebrating our graduation with our parents and then we will all be meeting at our usual restaurant and celebrating together until midnight or morning.

We then start looking around for our parents. They will be together cause we all actually came together for the graduation ceremony from Ethan's home.

Okay, I'll explain. My Mom now talks to my parents and she is pretty civil towards them. A lot of things happened after our birthday. My parents actually came home on our birthday after we had dinner from outside. They and Mom talked for a long time and they could finally apologize to her. Mom said she forgave them.

During the last one month of our vacation, I and Ethan stayed the first three weeks at Oklahoma. Dad and Mom invited Mom and Eve to our home and they came and stayed two days with us. Then the four of us together returned to Texas. For the last ten days I was here at Ethan's home. Mom and Dad came here today noon. Ethan and I went and picked them from airport and we all had lunch together at home before we headed to school for the graduation ceremony with me and Ethan in Ethan's Car and our parents and Eve in Mom's.

So you might be thinking our parents are now really close. No they aren't. Mom doesn't actually like talking to my parents or interacting with them. She is just doing it for the sake of us. She hasn't completely forgiven them yet. Actually she is confused about what she should do. One way she is happy that she now has two sons and she got such a great son like Ethan. But also she feels angry thinking they took away me and she didn't know all these years. So she can't make herself to get close with them yet. But we hope as time passes she will slowly lose her grudge.

" Eddy ! Mickey ! "

A high pitched squeal comes from my left and I turn to see Eve running towards us giggling. Our Mom's and Dad are coming behind her smiling at us. Eve opens her arms wide as she reaches us and I and Ethan bend down hugging her from both sides.

" Congrats Eddy ! Congrats Mickey !", she whispers in our ears and we can't help but smile and thank her by kissing her cheeks from both sides.

My Mom throws herself on me as she reach us. " Congratulations Mickey !", she exclaims hugging me tightly and when she pulls away I see her tear stained cheeks. I smile at her and then Dad hugs me while my real Mom hugs Ethan. Afterwards she hugs me and tells me congratulations in my ear while Dad and Mom hugs Ethan. Mom looks so emotional as she pulls away and stares at my face with a tight lipped smile.

" I'm so proud of you.", She says with a lot of emotions lingering in her voice. I just smile back at her.

" C'mon..now let's take your pics. Pose nicely, okay.", my Dad then says, fishing out his old Sony W series camera from his pocket. Ethan instantly pulls me closer to him and wraps his one arm around my waist while his other hands holds his diploma up in the air. His lips are spread into his Gorgeous smile and his eyes are shining brightly.

" Mickey, you can look at him later. Now smile and hold up your diploma.", My Dad says and I quickly raise my diploma, my cheeks involuntarily heating up. He and our Mom's and our little sister laughs at me, causing me to blush further.

Dad hits the button on the camera and it flashes at our faces. He snaps a few more pics before asking us to do a different pose. I and Ethan then make a heart with our free hands above our head and smile broadly at the camera. Dad then clicks a plethora of pics of us in different poses while Eve giggles and our Mom's smile and laugh at us, fondly.

" Okay..that's enough I guess.", Dad finally says satisfied.

" No. One more pic, Dad.", Ethan says and suddenly scoop me up in my arms.

" Woah ! ", I hear all of them utter and the camera flashes on us, repeatedly as Ethan spins me around and kisses my forehead before placing me down. I'm blushing furiously by then and I can barely look up at my parents who are laughing hard.

" Eddy, spin me too ! ", Eve then says raising her arms. Ethan laughs and picks her up from the ground, easily spinning her a few times while she giggles happily in his arms. He then plants a sweet kiss on her forehead and places her down. She smiles satisfied at him before tilting her face to our Mom

" Mommy, aren't we cutting cake to celebrate their...graduation ?", she asks.

" Yeah..of course we are cutting cake.", My Dad replies before Mom could.

" When ?", Eve asks turning to him.

" Now.", he replies. " C'mon boys, let's go, celebrate your graduation. Which is the best restaurant here ?"

" Uhm..let's go to Crunchy Comfort.", Ethan says. In this one year duration, we have went to numerous restaurant and we both agreed the food at Crunchy Comfort is the best, although we don't go there often. It's a little bit fancy restaurant, ten minutes away from here. And it's really expensive there. But today since it's our graduation, we'd go there.

" Okay, then let's move ? ", Dad asks. We nod to him and we all walk towards the parking were our cars are parked. Eve walks in between us holding our hands and occassionally tilting her head left and right to look at us both. She is amused with our robes and hats.

" I can't wait to graduate like you, guys.", she tells us swinging our hands. " But I need to wait a...l..long time.", she pouts, causing us to laugh.

But I honestly don't want her to grow up. I just want her to be the little cute girl, my and Ethan's little sister. But time passes very quickly and soon she will be a grown up girl and she will one day realize I'm her brother. I don't know how her reaction will be then.

It might be like my sister’s when she knew I’m not her brother. She was so shocked but she overcame the shock and she still loves me more than Ethan. So I know for sure, Eve also would always love Ethan a little bit more than me. And I just want it that way. As long as Ethan loves me, nothing will concern me. And I'll make sure Ethan will never stop loving me.

" Mommy, can I go in Eddy's car ?", Eve asks as we reach the parking.

" No Eve. You will go in mine.", Mom says sternly. I know she doesn't want to drive with my parents alone. Eve doesn't try to protest or say anything. She leaves our hands and sulkingly goes to Mom's car.

" You know three people going in a car is so boring.", Mom says as she hops into the passenger seat.

" Yeah..", She sighs and closes the door, afterwards crossing her hand. I can't help but laugh at her pissed look.

" C'mon..", Ethan tells me whilst opening his car. I nod and hop into the passenger seat while he goes round the car and hop into the driver's seat. He turns the key in the ignition and soon pull out of the lot. Mom's car follows us behind.

Once we are on the road, Ethan reaches his hands and grabs mine, intertwining our fingers.

" You know Michael..", he says tilting his head a little. " I'm a lot lot happy today. Guess why ?"

" Because we graduated.", I laugh.

" No.", he shakes his head. " That's not the reason. I knew we would graduate anyway."

" Then it's because I became the Valedi...Valedictorian and gave the speech ?", I ask.

" Yeah..I wanted you to speak confidently when we pass out from school. And I wanted you to confidently tell others that I'm your boyfriend. You did both, that too on the stage in front of an auditorium full of people. I'm so happy. ", he says squeezing my hands a little and smiling at me, a genuine smile coming from his heart and reaching to his eyes.

I smile at him and use my free hands to tilt his head to the front. " Look at the road and drive.", I tell him and he laughs.

" Baby, can you believe we are going to college in a month ?", he then asks excitedly.

" Yes I can. We got the admission letter l..last day.", I tell him.

" But I can't. I can't believe we are going to the Texas university ! ", he squeals like a child. I smile and shake my head.

We are both going to the university of Texas at Austin in this fall. I'm going on an academic scholarship and he is going on an athletic scholarship. It was his dream and it came true. And he is so excited since we got the letter. But neither of us know what college will have in store for us. But I guess it will be fun figuring out.

I reach my free hands and switch on the radio to play a song from Ethan's playlist. But I accidentally turn a channel where a programme about various quotes from Dowson's creek, an American teen drama television series is going on. Feeling amused I decide to listen to it. Soon Ethan also stops his squeals and laughter, silently listening to it.

At the middle of a particular quote, I suddenly feel goose bumps litter on my arms. The quote was,

' What's a Soulmate ? - It's like a best friend but more. It's the one person in the world who knows you better than anyone else. That someone who makes you a better person. No, actually they don't make you a better person. You do it yourself because they inspire you. A soulmate is someone you carry with you forever. It's one person who knew you, accepted you and believed in you before anyone else did or when no one else would. And no matter what happens, you'll always love them and nothing could ever change that.'

Ethan had rolled the car into the parking lot of Crunchy Comfort by then. He tilts his head and smiles at me whilst unbuckling his seat belt. I keep on staring at him. I stare into his beautiful brown eyes as he lean forward to me.

" Ethan..", I whisper as he unbuckles my seatbelt. He gently raises his eyebrows with a small smile on his lips.

" You are my Soulmate. And I want to carry you with me f..forever.", I say.

Ethan keeps staring at me for a few moments. " I'm yours Michael, until my end. ", he whispers and I feel tingles on my whole body. He then looks at his wrist and rolls his wrist band off of his hands. I also untie mine. I stretch my hand to him first and he carefully tie his blue band around me.

"It looks beautiful on your hands than mine.", he says. And I smile looking at the name ' Ethan' sparkling on my hand.

He smiles wide as I tie my black band around his wrist. It looks perfect on his beautiful veiny arms.

" Perfect ! ", he tells out my thought. Then he slowly brings his face closer to me until our lips touch. " Baby, you take my breath away.", he whispers against my lips. Our lips move against each other in sync, erupting butterflies inside my stomach.

[The End]

Thanks from the bottom of my heart to all those who read, liked and reviewed this book. Thank you so much. Love you

- Nigel