Silent Lies - Chapter 51: Chapter 51

Four-ish months later
Today is my-our-high school graduation. Mine, Divine, Adrian, and Ashtin's graduation. Danny has another year and Noah has two, it's nice hearing the two complaining about being younger. We get to laugh about it.
We've sat through an hour of speeches from teachers, the principals of our class, the valedictorian, and it's starting to get annoying. All we want is to walk across that stage and grab the little piece of paper we've worked for twelve-thirteen if you wanna count kindergarten-years to get. My ass is numb in this metal chair.
We're seated alphabetically, so Ashton is a few people over from me, but Divine is nearly the first person and Adrian further behind us.
When it's time for our walks-finally-every single one of us sighs of relief, quite a few people mumbling how all those speeches were unnecessary. They all pretty much said the same things-congratulations, you made it-but had to extend it out.
"Divine Abara." Divine is the fifth person, one of the very first just like I thought, when they call up the first two rows. She walks across the stage confidently, fixing her cap when she collects her paper as her natural poofy hair looks gorgeous but makes it difficult.
Divine got into North Carolina state university, the best of us all, and will be going in for a teaching degree this fall. I got into a community college, and I'll transfer to another when I can. I didn't think I'd even make it to community college, so either way, I am very fucking proud of myself with how I worked my ass of those last four months after three and a half years of barely trying.
I'm going in with a psychology major, and hoping to become something along the lines of a therapist or social worker, I'm not sure which yet. I want to help kids who are going through the same thing I did, or similar situations, I just want to help kids no matter what. It may be pretty cliché for my case, an abused girl healing and becoming a therapist or social worker, stuff like that, but it's genuinely what I want to do, so I don't care.
Adrian and Ashton are both going to be working with Adrian's dad for a gap year. Or, at least Adrian's taking a gap year, Ashton hasn't said much about what he's going to do. Ashton's parents are in the crowd, shockingly, but they're just there. They're not making moves to cheer him on like other parents even when our principal said to save all the cheering and clapping for the end.
I lean forward, looking down our row to check on Ashton. He spots me, waving with a grin that says he's completely fine. He's still, if not more, practically an older brother to me.
While me and Ashton wait for a little while longer for our row to be called up, I think back to the last half of the school year, of our last school semester. It was fucking amazing.
Shockingly, I actually participated in the last senior year activities. Senior skip day, of course. Senior prank failed because the second teachers and principals found out we were talking about what to do, they threatened to take away prom and graduation, letting us have no fun, something about trauma from other senior pranks from years before us. Senior picnic was boring but nonetheless another memory.
And then prom, the best of it all, even if we ended up ditching it quickly and only going to the party after it. We got to dress up, have some fun, and drink at the party with our class, celebrating the two weeks left of school.
There's another party tonight, of course, since it's graduation.
Prom
"I'm definitely snapping my ankle tonight," I say as I slip on the black heels, not used to them.
"Bring extra shoes in the car," Divine says, walking in her heels perfectly fine, not struggling one bit.
"Yeah..." I stand, walking over to my mirror and seeing how I look. Amazing.
My dress is simple, black and long as fuck; it'll be a miracle if I don't trip over it tonight. The straps are spaghetti straps, the top actually making my chest look good-okay, my tits. It was the only dress I tried on and actually liked how it looked on me, so the simple look was best for me.
I didn't do too much with my hair because it's raining, of course, so it'll get frizzy and either way by the end of the night it'll be all messed up. I straightened it, doing a basic half up-half down because that's the best I can do. My makeup is a lot more than usual, the eyeshadow dark and my lips painted red, but damn I still look good.
Divine comes over also, looking at herself. Her hair is amazing, I'm honestly jealous. She's taken out her braids and has just had it naturally done this week. Her hair is a fluffy Afro, the coils looking better than ever. She's put it in buns all week but tonight she lets it do whatever it decides, looking perfect. She did her makeup light tonight unlike me, when usually it's the other way around, just foundation and concealer where she claims she needs it, some eyeshadow and lipstick.
Her dress though, is the best part possibly. It's a purple dress that's also long as hell, with a corset top. It's short in the front but long as hell like I said in the back. It has mesh down the back with white flowers and, of course, white butterflies. It's a dress she's had her eye on for a while now, happy she's finally got it.
"We look... hot," I say amazing at the same time as her, both of us laughing, but agreeing with both statements.
We grab our bags, as we know we're staying at Ashton's house tonight, and our phones, walking downstairs finally where we find everyone else. They're all talking until they see us, mom and Admira turning and having watery eyes with smiles.
"Look at our girls," Admira says, nudging mom. "We did good."
Mom and Admira have gotten closer again over these last months, things between me and mom being nearly completely perfect. With therapy and talking about everything, it's helped, but Dr. Molloy had a few sessions with me and mom, helping us some more. It was nice and things are really fucking good now.
"We did." Mom hugs me, as I search for Adrian. He has the biggest smile on his face, looking all fancy in this tuxedo as all the guys do.
Danny and Noah are talking and grinning to each other, looking cuter together than ever. Ashton goes over to Divine just as Adrian comes over to me, pulling me into his arms.
"You look... God you look so beautiful." I can't help the smile that comes across my face, my stomach still getting those damn butterflies. No matter how long me and Adrian have been dating, I'll still get butterflies or blush or any of that.
"Thank you." I resist kissing him even though I want to, not wanting to mess up the perfect red lipstick just yet.
I smile as he takes out the corsage at the same time Ashton takes his for Divine-Danny had gotten a corsage from Noah. He places the rose corsage around my wrist, it goes perfectly with my dress. Adrian has a matching boutonniere, having me pin it for him. I never thought I'd see the day where I have someone to follow this tradition with me, it's also amazing.
"Pictures, come on!" I knew mom and Admira, Mason too as even he's preparing to take some, wouldn't let us go without pictures. Danny's mom, one of the sweetest lady's ever I learned when I met her for the first time a couple months ago, also requested a shit ton of pictures of her son so who knows how many they'll make him take.
We stand in so many different positions as couples, and then separate, then a group, couples again, and so on. Divine puts an end when we're all annoyed at one point, "Mom, we're going to be late. No more! Please?"
"Oh, fine." Admira doesn't want it to end though, hugging her daughter so tight as mom hugs me and Noah, Mason almost just ruffling my hair like he always does but I stop him thankfully.
"You guys be safe, do not drink the punch because I can guarantee somebody poured alcohol in it and I don't need you guys drunk but if it happens call us!" Mom rushes out a bunch of worries, Admira too, Mason laughing at the two worried women. "Love you guys!" We all say it back, everyone, because we've become one big ass family.
We hurry outside as me and Divine hold up our dresses, getting in the cars, and I thank god that I didn't snap my ankles in those heels in the rain. Divine and Ashton take her car as usual, Danny and Noah with us in Adrian's car.
Danny's got his license now, but doesn't have a car yet. I've managed to get my permit and I'm saving for a car now, the job at the grocery store helping a little but I'm mostly saving for tuition and basic needs to live once I get to that point.
Adrian also got a job with me for some money before he goes with his dad for work, he's already put in his two weeks since he starts during summer break. Me and Adrian aren't going to get to see each other everyday like we've gotten used to, maybe once a week now or more or less depending on how often he wants to do that drive or how much I want to once I get my license. But who knows since Adrian's dad comes up to see his mom so much he'll probably come with him.
"Of course it rains on prom night." Adrian curses under his breath, his hair nearly soaked as the same as mine and everyone else's. Great.
"Oh calm down, it's just rain." I pull down the visor mirror, ignoring Danny when I have makeup and hair to worry about. My hair is messed up, but my makeup survived it at least.
Adrian drives through the rain that only worsens, holding my hand and still stealing glances with smiles towards me anyways. Danny and Noah talk in the back about how much fun they're going to have, not having a care in the world.
"I'm not getting out in this," Adrian mutters as the rain pours so hard we can't even see out of the window when he pulls into the fancy ass hotel's parking lot, the only place with what's practically a ball room, where all the proms for our school have been held.
He thankfully parks safely, getting his phone out to call Ashton. They talk for a few, about what to do, but thankfully the rain slows down, stopping completely after a few minutes. We're a little late now, but whatever, it's okay.
I give up on heels when I get out of the car, almost falling but Danny catches me when he's out, laughing his ass off at me. I sit back in the car when my feet are soaked because of the puddle I hadn't seen, pulling on the flat dress shoes I bought with socks because I thought this would happen.
"Come on," Adrian says, holding his arms out as I bunch up my dress so it doesn't get soaked next, laughing at how I almost fell.
I hold onto Adrian, thanking him for the support while he helps me with my dress, not letting it fall until we're in the hotel and turning in our tickets, being directed to the supposed ballroom.
Walking into the ballroom, most of the senior and junior class is here-Noah gets to come as a sophomore since Danny's his date so there are some sophomores here too-, making me claustrophobic with the music playing, actually heard over the chatter. Us six make our way through the crowds, trying to find a spot to just hang at for a few.
"What do we do now?" Ashton asks, already seeming bored.
"It's prom." Divine rolls her eyes. "Dance, drink, have fun."
"Oh, yeah, I'm going to get that punch," Noah says but I stop him.
"Moms right, somebody's probably poured alcohol in it." After how drunk he'd gotten at the Christmas party, I worry.
"And? That makes it funner." I shake my head as he drags Danny with him.
Ashton and Divine go their own way, dancing to the sickeningly slow song together but it's cute as others do too. I'm shocked Danny and Noah aren't, as they love dancing.
"Let's dance." I can't say no to Adrian as he takes my hand, watching out for me so I don't trip over my dress, smiling at me with nothing but love.
"This is so cheesy." We both laugh as his hands find my waist, my arms going up to wrap around his neck.
"Oh, but you love it, admit it," he whispers into my ear as I feel his hands slowly making their way further down.
"Obviously." His hands squeeze my ass, and even though I knew he was going to do that, I still flush and swat his hands away as he chuckles. "We're not doing that in public."
"But we will later, right?" I roll my eyes, but do think about tonight.
"I guess." I sigh dramatically, pretending like I'm annoyed.
"Don't act like that," he says against my lips, kissing me hard as always, making me unable to keep up the act.
"Fine, just for you I won't." He grins, revealing his dimples I love so much, kissing me again.
"Ah, no. Save room for Jesus!" A teacher pushes me and Adrian apart, not letting us kiss anymore.
"Sorry," we both mutter, watching as other couples get pushed apart.
"We can finish it later." He winks horribly at me, making me laugh, only stopping when his hand wraps around my throat lightly, pulling me in for one more kiss.
Me making him read some certain books I enjoy for certain things has helped us a lot.
"Yes, we can," I say breathlessly against his lips even though I want to smack that smirk off his face.
Present time
I can't replay the rest of the memories of prom night in my head as mine and Ashton's row is called, making us stand up with smiles, super excited. Walking across a stage in front of at least five hundred people is nerve wracking, but if it means I get to make one last normal high school memory, so be it.
We line up before the stage in the huge gym in a local college, the gym at our high school wasn't big enough for our graduating class with about two hundred people and then family and friends. I'm the third person to go with our row, making me thankful so I can get it over with.
"Olivia Carter." I smile, hurrying up on the stage, shaking hands with our principal-a new principal, Morgan had quit on her own, admitting to sending me back with my dad back in November even when I tried telling her about the abuse. It had opened a whole new case that I had to talk for, but I hardly paid attention. I was just trying to finish high school and here I am. She got some jail time but now she's suspended from ever working with kids again, apparently.
Like with Divine, I hear our family and Danny and Noah cheer and clap, the principal sighing and giving up on making everyone wait until the end to cheer and clap, all that. My gown flows behind me after I'm handed my diploma, hurrying off the stage as names continue being called, my heart beating out of my chest just about.
I didn't think I'd make it to graduation, not one bit. I've accomplished so much just with surviving dads last beating. Now I'm graduating? I almost cry tears of joy but I don't let that happen, not wanting my makeup ruined just yet.
As I walk back to my seat, waving at our family in the crowd when I finally spot them, I look up at the sky, knowing Hadley's watching down on me. She should be here, but she's not. I know how proud she would be of me.
"Ashton Cole." I can't stand and cheer for Ashton, just as I know Adrian and Divine want to, but our family does for us so we don't get scolded by our principal. He walks across the stage, actually smiling so brightly like I've never seen him before, happy to have that paper in his hand finally.
We sit through another fifteen minutes while other names are called, more cheers from families for them, watching as everyone walks proudly across that stage and happily.
Then Adrian's row is called up and I smile when he waves on his way over, happy to see him finally. I can't wait for when this is over. He's the second to go with his last name.
"Adrian Jackson." He walks proudly and happily just like everyone else, making it hard for me to resist cheering him on as he goes. He's looks so fucking perfect in the cap and gown, and with how much he's changed these last few months.
He hasn't really changed, but he also has. He's let his hair get a little longer, not much but it's still parted in the middle like always, soft and my favorite to run my fingers through when we have-never mind. He's been working out a lot more lately, building muscle, preparing for when he works with his dad at the construction company. It wouldn't matter to me though how much he's changed because he's always been pretty, that's the word for him.
We sit through another half hour before everyone finally gets their diplomas, one more speech being said about how proud our teachers are of us and how proud our guardians are, suddenly making me think about dad.
Dad called me one day a few weeks ago, somehow managing to get my number. I'd told mom, and she called our lawyer Michelle, so dad got added another year to his sentence which makes me thankful. He's not supposed to contact me at all in anyways, at least while he's in prison.
A few weeks ago
My phone rings, making me jump and groan when I'm trying to finish an assignment for chemistry. I don't know the number at all, so I ignore it, but end up picking it up anyways. It could be an emergency somehow, I don't know.
"Hello-"
"Hello, this is a prepaid call from... Justin Carter, an inmate at North Carolina State Prison. To accept charges, press one." Oh what in the actual fuck.
I drop my pen, thinking for a moment. I shouldn't accept it, but I also want to hear what this is about. He can't hurt me over the phone, and I'm sure if he's caught saying a bunch of words he'd usually call me, he'd get looked at weird by guards and caught.
Fuck it, I press one.
It's silent for a few, as I don't dare speak first. He wanted to call so he can. "O-Olivia?"
"Justin." I say his name like it's poison on my tongue.
"Oh, Olivia." It sounds like he's crying, but I ignore it. He can cry me a fucking river and I won't care.
"What do you want? I have schoolwork I'm supposed to be doing." He's quiet for too long. "Don't waste my fucking time, da-Justin. Schoolwork is way more important than this."
"I'm so sorry, Olivia. For everything I-I did to you and Hadley. I... I'm terrible." I laugh humorlessly.
"At least you're self aware." My leg bounces up and down. "You said your shitty apology in court, why call now?"
"I wanted to do it like this again, so you can see I really mean it. Olivia... I wasn't in the right mind, your mother leaving... it just-"
"That's not a fucking excuse, dad. Mom left, boohoo. You still had kids to take care of but no. I would've understood if you were upset, we would've understood. We were fucking broken over it, over mom leaving. But you didn't see us beating each other, we cried, that's all. It's hard for me to even remember how you used to be a good dad, it's hard for me to believe you ever were. You don't beat your kids to the brink of death no matter what the situation is."
"I know... You're right, Olivia." He sniffles and I shake my head.
"I know I'm right, why else would I have said all that?" He chuckles and I'm confused. How can he possibly laugh right now?
"You got the smartass remarks from your mother." I pinch the bridge of my nose, fed up already.
"Get to the point here, please."
"I'm so sorry." I think for a minute, deciding to do what's best for me.
"I forgive you, and not so you can feel better for yourself. You should hate yourself. But, for my own closure, I do forgive you. That doesn't mean I forget, though. I still wake up crying from nightmares about you, so yeah." I go on ranting before he can say anything. "You know, I'm going to therapy. It's actually helped so much. It's really nice. Life is so much better now, now that I don't have to worry about coming home and getting beat by you. I'm going to college too."
I don't know why I feel the need to tell him how far I've come, but it's like rubbing it in his face that I won't let the trauma he caused me ruin my life any longer.
"I'm so proud of you, Olivia." Hearing such kind words from him for the first time in years should make me happy, but it makes me disgusted instead. He should've been telling me such words a long time ago, but instead would so I'm a failure.
"I'm proud of myself too, Justin." I hang up.
Present time
We all slide the tassels on our caps to the other side as we stand, a photographer getting one last picture of our graduating class before we all throw the caps up in the air, everyone finally able to cheer.
Now, the tears finally build up from happiness and some fall, ruining my makeup but I don't care. I catch my cap just in time, not wanting to lose it when I paid for it and wanna keep it for the last memory.
I follow Ashton through the crowd of graduates now, Divine finding us quickly while we go to find Adrian. I run to him, practically jumping in his arms as Divine and Ashton also hug.
"We fucking did it!" Some dude cheers for our class, everyone else cheering again that we did do it. It was one hell of a year, but we did it.
"I am so proud of you guys." Mom comes over with Admira and Mason, Adrian's parents right there too as Danny's parents came to cheer us on also. Ashton's parents take their time and I really hate them then.
"Mom, you're going to suffocate me," I mumble when she hugs me so tight. She laughs, kissing my head as I turn to Admira, hugging her. She helped me so damn much this year.
"Mom, don't cry, please," Divine tells Admira and I pull away, seeing her already crying anyways.
"Feels like just yesterday I was watching you two run around the backyard when you were still babies." She hugs us both, my lip trembling when I feel overwhelmed with happiness and memories.
Everyone hugs everyone, so many hugs and group hugs and pictures of course, the sun beginning to set already. I turn around when I feel someone tap my shoulder-Ms. Scarlett.
"Come here, kid." She pulls me in her arms, now feeling sad I won't get to see my favorite teacher regularly anymore. In the second semester, I'd just been going to see her during lunch and some days staying after school. "I'm so proud of how far you've come."
"You've helped me a lot, so, thank you." She cries with me, pulling me into her arms again.
"You'll always be my favorite student. You're apart of the reason I've stayed a teacher, because sometimes this job sucks so much." I laugh in her arms, happy to hear I'm a reason. "It feels like just yesterday you were coming into my class as a freshman, and now you're a whole adult."
"It doesn't feel like it." She laughs with me, wiping my tears.
"I think your friends are waiting." I look behind me, seeing everyone starting to leave already, probably for the party.
"They can wait." She shakes her head.
"I didn't graduate that long ago, Liv. I know there's a party after graduation, you go and have fun with the last memory." She kisses my head and I don't want to leave her side.
"Can I have your number?" I don't want to lose contact with her.
"I thought you'd never ask." I grin, handing over my phone.
"I'm going to miss you." I hug her one more time.
"Come back to school in the fall when you can, come to my class, so I can give students an example of who to become." I shake my head with a smile, thanking her more, still not wanting to leave her side.
I sip on the beer in my red solo cup, immediately disgusted with the taste, just trying to get it down anyways. I want to actually get a little drunk tonight, but not like Noah or Danny do. But they're not even here, as this is the graduating class party only.
"Hey!" Some guy catches everyone's attention, standing atop a table as he raises his cup of beer as to say a toast. "I don't know what the fuck to say, but someone's gotta say something."
Everyone laughs, agreeing, just as the song Pursuit of Happiness turns on. It's always the perfect song for these moments and it makes me so happy, especially as Adrian wraps his arm around my waist, Divine and Ashton together right beside us.
"We may not all get along or like each other, I know that much is true." Everyone agrees on that. "But we made it through high school together, we graduated together, so tonight put that aside. Because we fucking made it!" The guy gets down, mumbling to himself how boring his speech was, but everyone cheers him on anyway. He's the only one to say anything.
Adrian leans down to kiss me, the taste of beer coming from both of us, as he pulls me close. Everyone's singing along to the rest of the song lyrics, so we join in, having plenty of fun. Now, this is finally a good party.
I'm on the pursuit of happiness, and I know, everything that shine ain't always gonna be gold.
Hey, I'll be fine once I get it. I'll be good.
Perfect.
"Having fun?" Adrian asks a little later, holding me by my waist as we're both pretty drunk by now.
"Yes, I am." I wrap my arms around his neck, leaning in to kiss him. I love kissing him.
"So... want to get out of here?" I can't help my drunk giggle when he squeezes my ass, pretty much telling me why he's asking to get out of here.
"You horny bastard," I mumble against his lips, grinning as he squeezes again, but I swat his hands away when they almost go under my dress.
"Yeah, I am." He doesn't care to admit it, pulling me as close as possible to him.
"Fine, let's go." I grin against his lips, trying to turn in his arms to lead the way but he doesn't let me.
"Hey, Liv." He stares down at me, smiling.
"Yeah, Adrian?" He presses a kiss to my lips.
"I love you." I practically melt in his arms like always, also smiling now.
"I love you, too. So fucking much."
"Forever?" he asks me, kissing me again, unable to stop it seems even though we need to be calling an Uber or something before they're all out for the night.
"Forever." I promise, meaning it deep inside me.
I think back to when this began, when we began, so fucking happy he started talking to me, and saw through my as he called them. I'd be completely fucking lost without him.