Delaney

I ran my fingers through my curly blonde waves, laying them neatly along my shoulder blades.

My dress was white lace and accented my body figure nicely. My hips popped and my boobs looked perky.

I had on dark shaded brown eyeshadow and eyeliner to complete it. My eyebrows were sharp and prominent. My face looked dewy with my moisturizer. I looked refreshed and ready to go. I think the pregnancy glow to my face brought my look together. It made me look happier, more alive. My cheeks held a rosy tone and my dimples were always there.

I slipped my white heals on and fasted them. My anklets went well with the shoes.

Finally, I grabbed my gold gown and slid it over my dress, replacing my hair neatly around it. I twirled around in the mirror to get a full view of my look.

I was ready.

I grabbed my white purse and slung it over my shoulder. I picked up my cap and phone, then made my way to Carter's room.

I knocked them entered without waiting for any response.

He was dressed in a nice white shirt and trousers. His burgundy gown went well with the look. His hair was gelled back making him look older and more responsible. He looked wise.

"You ready to graduate, brother?" I asked him, sitting on his bed carefully. I watched him do a final check in the mirror beside grabbing his cap as well.

"Ready as I'll ever be, I suppose."

I giggled.

"Where are you going from here?" I continued.

"A college in Illinois. It has a really good art program." He smiled to himself.

I grinned back at him, then stood up to hug him. When I pulled back, I held him by the shoulders and looked him in the eyes.

"I'm so proud of you! You'll make a great artist."

He pulled me into another hug.

"What about you?"

"I know I want to help people. Maybe like a nurse or paramedic." I admitted sheepishly.

Only Xavier and Josh knew what I wanted. Carter just gave me a proud smile, and led me downstairs where we were joined by the rest of the family.

"Hey, you guys ready to go?" Scott asked us, seeing as everyone else was waiting by the door for us.

We both nodded at him.

I drove my car with Nathan, Carter, and Luke riding in it. Scott drove Ben, Dakota, the Twins.

"Who all did you invite?" I asked Carter, making eye contact through the rear view mirror.

"Umm, Gran and Grandpa Thomas, Granny Rose, and Dad's siblings: Uncle Rob, Aunt Kelly, and Aunt Becca." He listed.

I hummed in approval, "cool."

Nathan turned to look at me from the passenger seat.

"Who'd you invite?"

"Mikey, Josh, and Ryan. Obviously Xavier's family is already there. So is the rest of ours. Nobody I needed to invite." I explained to all of them.

"Who're Josh and Ryan?" Luke asked.
We don't talk about random things much, so it's not like he's know my best friend. Plus he's busy with school.

"Josh is my best friend. Ryan's his brother."

"Oh," he murmured in confusion.

"Does Xavier know about them?" He asked almost accusingly. I looked at him funnily for a second before refocusing on the road.

"Uh, yeah. Why wouldn't he know my best friend?"

"Because your best friend's a boy. Isn't he worried you'd cheat?" He asked.

"You think he has a reason to be?" I asked before continuing, "Xavier and I trust each other completely. What's a relationship without trust?"

He didn't respond, just looked out the window. Nobody spoke for a while.

"He's also 26 years old so that's not really a problem." I broke the tension, not wanting to ruin that special day.

•••

The boys stayed quiet the rest of the ride, looking awkward. Eventually, I grew tired of the silence and turned the radio on, singing loudly by myself.

When we arrived at the school, Carter and I made our way to the rest of our class while the boys and Scott found their seats.

I found Xavier instantly, giving him a hug and kiss. He lifted me up and pulled my legs around his torso, twirling me around in circles.

I giggled as we spun, breathing in his intoxicating cologne.

"I love you!" I exclaimed, pulling him into another kiss. This time deeper.

"I love you more, babygirl," he breathed out into my lips. I fixed his messy hair and wiped the lipgloss off of his lips.

"You look good, Mr. King" I flirted, giving him a sultry look.

He groaned, shifting his hands to my ass. He squeezed my cheeks.

"Don't tease me, sweetheart" he warned. I giggled and jumped out of his arms when I heard them call us to our seats.

We sat alphabetically, so Xavier wasn't anywhere near me. He was closer to the front and I was in the back. I was sat right beside Jacob though. That helped calm my nerves. I was right in front of him, so he could catch me if I fall or something.

I listened to the principle giving off his speech. All the clichés.

When it was time for the first row to be called up, the all stood and got ready to walk up the stairs.

"Xavier King" the lady announced. I stood, along with my family and his. We shouted and screamed in support.

"Woohoo!" I clapped loudly, along with Jacob. I was glad he didn't make me look stupid standing alone.

Xavier looked official and buff onstage. His muscles made him look seriously. But I saw the soft smile he gave me.

"Cara Perez"

I cheered again.

"Adam Sanford"

Oh. Time for my row.

I stood up and got in line nervously.

"Delaney Taylor Thomas"

I heard her call. I marched up the stairs looking a whole lot more confident than I felt. I wanted to feel powerful and strong.

I shook hands with the principle after getting my diploma. I turned to the screaming crowd and picked out my family.

Xavier's yells were the loudest. Josh and Ryan shouted and whistled along with him. The Thomas' looked shocked at my name. I never told them I had it changed after Scott's adoption papers went through. The clapped and cheered as well, besides the twins.

Their hate for me seemed to be manifesting into something stronger.

I tried not to focus on them and made my way off stage to hear the valedictorian speech.

"And finally...Maria Willis" she finished.

Once the speeches were done, everyone in my class rose.

"Congratulations to the class of 2018"

We through our hats up and cheered once again. My eyes found Xavier's and gave him a larger-than-life grin.