Lily’s face scrunches up in confusion as she picks up my cap and hands it back to me.
“Connor and I had a bet,” I explain. “We couldn’t agree on how many conspiracies Taylor was going to sneak into her valedictorian speech.”
“There were only two. Which means I win.” Connor does a little dance.
“You’re just happy you finally beat me at something.”
“Seriously?” He stops swaying and reaches out to start tickling me. I giggle as I try to twist away from him.
“Ew, is this what it’s going to be like going to the same college?” Hardy says, walking up. “Is it too late to go somewhere else?”
“I think so.” Lily sighs loudly. “I guess we’ll just have to work hard to out-cringe them.”
“Like this?” Hardy scoops up Lily in his arms and starts making loud kissing noises. He takes a step closer toward us and sticks out his tongue like he’s French kissing the air.
Connor pulls his hands back from me, but Hardy continues to pretend to make out with Lily.
She smacks him and wiggles out of his arms. “My parents are going to freak out if you don’t stop.”
“I thought we were one-upping them,” he asks.
“When we get to Gainesville, not in front of the families of every senior at Citrus Prep.”
Connor taps my shoulder. “Speaking of, here they come.”
All of the parents are moving toward the front of the auditorium to reunite with their children. My mom and Chad find me. She pulls me into a tearful hug while Chad shakes my hand. While my relationship with my mom is complicated, and I still don’t like Chad, I’m not angry anymore. I’ve come to terms with the fact that I’m not the only one who was hurt by what Dad did. While I don’t agree with how my mom has coped, I don’t get to tell herwhat she can and can’t do. Thankfully, she doesn’t have any desire to boss me around either.
“We are so proud of you, Ella,” she says, pulling out her phone. “Let me get a picture of you.”
I smile for the camera.
“Okay, now let me get one of all of you.” She motions with her free hand for the four of us to squish together. She doesn’t seem to care that Connor is there, and doesn’t flinch when puts his arm around my waist and pulls me close. I guess I’m not the only one letting go of family grudges. She takes a couple of pictures of the group. “Now just the two of you.”
I wait for her to elaborate. Does she mean me and Connor or me and Lily? I’m standing between them, and I really don’t know which one my mom wants. Turns out, she wants both. Then Lily and Hardy. Then Hardy and Connor. She gets every combination possible before she lets the other parents get close.
Hardy and Lily disappear almost immediately with their families, and my mom starts flipping through the pictures she just took.
That leaves me and Connor alone as his parents approach. I hold my breath and brace myself even though Connor insists that he’s not being disowned and that there isn’t a secret plot to destroy me.
Mr. Williams’ posture is stiff as he shakes his son’s hand. “Congratulations.”
“Thank you,” Connor responds with equal formality.
I debate trying to slip away when Mr. Williams turns tome. He sticks out his hand. “And congratulations to you, as well. I found your speech to be enlightening.”
I force a smile as I shake his hand. “Thank you.”
Mrs. Williams clears her throat and Mr. Williams adds, “We would be delighted if you would come to dinner on Saturday to celebrate Connor’s and your accomplishments.”
The way he says ‘delighted’ makes me think he’s not exactly thrilled to have me over, but I find some small comfort in thinking he’d be more excited if he was planning on poisoning me. “Thank you for the invite. I’ll look forward to it.”
He turns to Connor. “We’ll see you tonight.”
Once his parents are far enough away they can’t hear us, I start laughing. “Well, that was awkward.”
“You’d better get used to it, Adams.”
I raise my brows at him. “Is that so?”
