“No you won’t, you love me too much for it,” she said as they waited for their diplomas. Once they were finally graduates, their families bombarded them, and she didn’t have a moment to spare as they took picture after picture after picture.
Half of the administration came over towards them, and she knew what they were about to ask.
“Melinda, Ms. Simmons has been filling us in on some very interesting information,” Mr. Nelson stated.
“I figured it was bound to come out since she’s not here,” she said as Jordan tucked her in beside him. “I’d like you to meet my wonderful in-laws though.”
“Ford Turner,” her father-in-law stated just loudly enough for others lingering to hear. “My wife Gabrielle.”
“Mel, come here,” Tate said pulling her away and nodding towards Stephanie and Andrew who were watching them closely. “What’s going on there?”
“I have no idea,” she admitted. “It doesn’t matter Tate. We’ve graduated and it’s over; she can’t do anything to me anymore.”
Mel saw a few of their classmates wave them over and she sent Jordan a quick smile before they went and took some pictures with them.
“Well aren’t you the sly one? Bagging the youngest Turner boy and gaining his whole family’s support,” Stephanie said sneaking up behind them. “Maybe I should have been nicer to you after all.”
“No hard feelings Stephanie but I don’t play with snakes,” she said moving back towards her family with a laughing Tate behind her.
“What are your plans for the future Melinda, Tate?” Mr. Nelson inquired as they reached the group.
“Work, school, and enjoying life,” she told him.
“I suppose I have to say the same since I’m now the recipient of a great scholarship, though I don’t remember applying for it,” he stated looping his arm around her waist.
“You did, I just typed up the application, and had you sign it, while I used your essay from drafting class along with your college application one,” she admitted with a grin. “I told you I’d get you to Whitmore with me.”
“Forcing me to work for you, to go to school with you, can’t a dude get a break?” he asked giving her a teasing grin.
“Yes poor Tate. You get money lining your pocket all summer long while you get to hang out with me, you get to go to the best school around to study what you’re dying to study for free, and you’re likely to have a guaranteed position when you graduate. How can you possibly deal with that sort of pressure?”
“I see that it wasn’t just an act you all put on for the students,” Mr. Grasse said watching them. “I have to admit that part of us wondered about your relationship.”
“I did too the first time I saw them together,” Jordan admitted. “Then again I didn’t realize she was still in high school let alone only a junior.”
“Tate knows all my secrets, so I have nothing to hide from him whereas I had to protect myself against others who seemed to despise the sight of me,” she stated kissing Jordan lightly.
“I think it was the opposite Mel,” Tate teased pinching her side. She smacked his hand away and the adults laughed.
“I think I’m going to miss watching the two of you as much as I’m going to miss the rain at prom,” Ms. Simmons said with a smile.
“Why are you looking at us for?” she asked keeping her expression even.
“For some reason I think the two of you are capable of far more than we’ve given you credit for,” Mr. Nelson told them. “Though I can’t say I wasn’t happy that the dances were cut short, or that someone didn’t end up with the crown.”
“I’m just glad I got Mel through graduation without decking Steph,” Tate told them.
“I don’t know it might have been interesting to see what her reaction would be to a fist flying at her,” Mel stated with a laugh.
“But then the secrets would have come out, and I’d have lost you,” Tate reminded her.
“I know but that’s never going to happen. You’re stuck with me, and Jordan, and the rest of this crazy bunch.”
“As long as you know it goes both ways Mel,” Arthur told her. “And that I fully intend on taking my trophy back at the tournament.”
“Ah, that’s not fair, don’t you know you’re supposed to play nice with girls?” she grinned.
“But you’re not just a girl Mel,” Tate said with a wink.
