The Moments by Nicole Pyland

Author:Nicole Pyland [Pyland, Nicole]
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3
Tags: romance
Published: 2018-11-01T00:00:00+00:00

PATH II: SHE DIDN’T ASK HER

CHAPTER 1: IT DIDN’T HAPPEN ON GRADUATION DAY

Jenna watched from her seat as Bailey received her diploma and shook hands with the various members of the faculty on the stage as required. Jenna had already done the same thing. She should remember that moment more than any other today. She watched Bailey turn toward the camera, aimed at center stage, hold the diploma in one hand and the principal’s in the other and smile as the flash went off. As Bailey went to walk off stage, her eyes went to Jenna. That couldn’t be right. Bailey’s eyes seemed to be on her, directly on her. She smiled up at Bailey with the best non-nervous smile she could muster. She knew then. She didn’t understand it fully, but she knew still.

After the ceremony, Jenna took a thousand pictures with her parents. Some had her younger brother. Some were just of the three of them. Some were just Jenna standing in that ridiculous bright red cap and gown. After the final shot of her with the whole family, both in and out of her gown, she went to return the rented property. The cardboard hats were theirs to keep, but the gowns had to be returned. She handed her gown over to a woman who checked her name off a list and turned just in time to see her friends standing over in the parking lot by their cars, tossing their caps into the air mockingly while laughing. She looked again to see that Bailey was standing with her family. Did it get hotter outside? It felt like it got hotter outside. Bailey was wearing a light blue sundress and ballet flats.

Jenna knew this was probably the last moment she’d see Bailey Sayers. After four years of friendship, they’d both move onto separate colleges in different states. Bailey would likely get an amazing job just out of school that would take her somewhere exciting. Jenna would find something too. But this would be the end of their friendship. She’d always wished she had more courage. Every year, when the last day of school came, she knew she’d go three months without seeing Bailey. She could have picked up the phone. She could have emailed. She had her school email address. They’d used it a few times to exchange homework-related emails. Jenna hadn’t done either of those things though. She watched as Bailey’s father squeezed her shoulders, causing Bailey to grimace awkwardly before smiling. Jenna laughed silently at the exchange. Then, she made her way back toward her parents and brother to tell them she’d see them at home later.

“Hey, Jenna,” Bailey half-yelled across the lawn while walking briskly to meet her before she joined her friends.

“Hey, Bail. You do all the pics with the fam?” she asked.

“I did. They’re going home. I’m going to meet them there,” Bailey said.

“Cool. Will you be at my open house tomorrow?”

“That’s the plan,” Bailey replied as she stood a foot in front of her.

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