Dean and Camille had woken up early today. Camille had spent the previous day going over her speech one last time and today was finally the day.
Dean felt surprisingly nervous. He had already been through this but the last time he was so devastated that he didn't have the time to be happy about graduation.
They both got in the car. Camille had a dress to wear which was white with black embroidery and lace sleeves and white heels. Dean wore a white dress shirt and black dress pants as well as black dress shoes. He rolled up his sleeves and put on a watch his mother had kept of his older brother's.
He was going to go downtown and drop her off at the salon to get her hair done and then head to the barber to get his done.
Dean requested just for the sides to be trimmed down and for his mustache to be shaped. Dean hadn't grown much facial hair yet.
He looked in the mirror feeling satisfied and asked Camille when she'd be done.
Dean walked around downtown for about an hour and a half before he finally got a text back.
~ Sorry lol I ended up getting a tiny trim, some highlights, and then curled it~
She replied with another text
~ They also did my makeup :)~
Dean smiled at his phone and then walked back to his car to go and pick her up.
Dean pulled over and got out the car waiting for her to come out. When she did he felt breathless. A sudden surge of emotion overcame him.
It was the greatest gift he'd ever got that he was standing here with her today, and witnessing her get dressed up to graduate. That he was going to see her graduate.
Dean hugged her and then kissed her. "You look beautiful Cami."
She smiled and pulled him closer. "And you look like a prince."
Dean chuckled and then opened her door for her.
"Then you are my princess aren't you?"
Camille smiled as he helped her into the truck and closed the door for her.
Dean went around to the drivers side and hopped in as they made their way to the high school.
The parking lot was starting to fill as students pulled up hopping out in their caps and gowns.
Camille and Dean had put theirs in the backseat. Dean grabbed them and then opened the door for her and helped her out the car.
Camille put hers on which was white and then slipped her valedictorian sash over her head. She was looking in the mirror and putting on her cap while Dean was still getting on his gown because he had put it on inside out at first.
Dean kept readjusting his cap until Camille grabbed it from him and held his hair in place before putting it on him.
"There" she smiled. They held hands and walked into the building.
Since they arrived an hour early they would have to wait in the commons until they were called to line up. However it seemed while they were all wrapped up in their anxieties, time moved quickly.
Soon the teachers called for them to line up. Dean was lined up on the other side away from Camille since his last name was Carter and hers was James.
The band began to play as they walked out. When they reached their seats on the football field, they played the national anthem.
Dean stood placing his hand over his heart and two girls from his grade stood up to sing. However Dean was looking around for Camille. He was happy to see her looking at him too.
They sat back down and spent over twenty minutes listening to the principals and teachers speak. Then they finally welcomed the valedictorian.
Camille got up and made her way to the podium. Dean clapped and cheered loudly. He had watched her go over it so often, but she wouldn't let him hear the final speech, she wanted it to be a surprise. Dean couldn't help but feel nervous as his mind flashed back to when he read her graduation speech.
She cleared her throat and began.
"Good evening, esteemed faculty, proud parents, beloved friends, and my fellow graduates,
It is both an honor and a humbling experience to stand before you today, as we reach this monumental moment in our lives. As I look out over this sea of familiar faces, I realize we've all shared in the countless hours, challenges, and victories that have brought us to this point. Today, we celebrate not just a diploma, but the journey that got us here—the late nights, the endless assignments, the laughter, the tears, and the growth that happened in ways we didn't always see.
When we started this journey, we were filled with dreams and uncertainty. We didn't know exactly what the future held, but we had hopes, and together, we've worked tirelessly to turn them into something tangible. We've learned not just from textbooks, but from each other. We've learned how to rise after setbacks, how to question, how to challenge, how to dream big, and most importantly, how to support each other through it all.
None of us made it here alone. Each of us has been shaped by the people who've walked beside us—our teachers who pushed us to exceed expectations, our families who supported us when the path got tough, and our friends who provided comfort and motivation. I can't help but feel immense gratitude to all of you for the roles you've played in our success.
Today is not just a celebration of academic achievement; it is a reminder of how far we've come, and how much potential we hold. We've been equipped with knowledge, skills, and, perhaps most importantly, the resilience to face whatever challenges lie ahead. The world is full of unknowns, but that's what makes this moment so exciting. We are not just the future; we are part of a generation that will shape it, for better or worse. The lessons we've learned here—of persistence, creativity, empathy, and courage—are the tools we carry with us as we step into the world.
To my fellow graduates: The road ahead may be uncertain, but we have everything we need to navigate it. Let us approach the future not with fear, but with curiosity and determination.
Let us remember that success is not measured by the titles we earn, but by the impact we have on the lives around us. It's not about the destination, but the journey—and the person we become along the way.
So, let us go forward with confidence and with the knowledge that we are ready, not just to meet the world, but to change it. Today, we stand together as the Class of 2023, and though our paths may soon diverge, we will always share this bond. We are not the same people we were when we first walked into these halls, and that is something worth celebrating.
Congratulations, Class of 2023, Here's to the journey ahead.
Thank you."
Dean hadn't even realized he became teary eyed, that was phenomenal. He knew the last time he had shortened her speech a bit because he was nervous and it was hard to speak about her. But now she had so much time to pour herself into that speech without being stressed out. She embodied her speech and he couldn't have been prouder.
Dean stood clapping and whooping. Camille shot him a glance and smiled brightly.
The salutation gave a breif speech. Dean was recognized in the academic achievement which he swore he could hear his mother screaming from across the field.
Then they were walking and receiving their diplomas. His mom had gotten closer to the field to snap photos of him and Camille.
And alas they finally were told, "Now dear class of 2023, you may switch your tassels. Congratulations you've graduated!"
Dean cheered along with his buddies and turned his tassel before throwing his cap into the air and catching it. There was a sea of red and white all over the field. Dean made his way across to find Camille.
He found her hugging a few friends with a bouquet in her arms.
He nearly plowed her over, but he picked her up and spun her around.
"We did it! We graduated!"
She laughed. "I know!"
They found a few more friends to celebrate together.
Dean found himself repeatedly looking at Camille. He was so invested in seeing the happiness on her face. To think that in the previous life he had been the valedictorian, and afterwards he didn't celebrate. He had just walked off the field feeling so completely empty and left with his mom and sister while everyone had seemingly forgotten about the speech he just gave for Camille. He had been the only one to walk off the field with tears of sadness in his eyes. Everyone else was hugging and laughing. He felt like such an outcast back then.
But not this time. She was going to live her life to the fullest. He would make sure of it.