Riding Waves by Susan Marie Schulhof Dec 13,2014
“The valedictorian’s speech was so boring,” Ashley says.
“No it wasn’t,” says my mom with a chuckle, “So University of Evansville
this fall Ashley?”
“Yes, but it doesn’t seem real yet.”
“When is orientation?” my dad chimes in.
“Sometime in July when we get back from our family reunion in Georgia.”
“Is your whole family going?”
“Yes. My mom said that we all must go, no if, ands or buts about it!”
Ashley says with a laugh, imitating her mom’s voice.
“That will be nice.”
“Can I go with them?” I ask even though I wasn’t invited.
“Yes! You must Harper. I don’t know how I will survive almost two weeks
without you.”
“No is the answer, and you both know it. Somehow you will both survive
only being able to talk and text on your cell phones,” my mom jokes.
“Fine. I’ll be busy starting set crew on the play anyway,” I agree.
“What is the play this year?” Ava asks.
“Sound of Music. I should have
tried out. I would have been a good nun," I joke.
After we talk more about who was cast in the play and where all of our
friends are going to college, we stand up to leave.
“So what are you guys doing tonight?” my brother asks both of us, as we
walk out of the ice cream place.
“A bonfire at Mary’s,” Ashley and I both say together and then laugh
since we said it in unison.
“Well have fun and be home by curfew,” my mom says as I hug her, my dad,
my brother and my sisters.
“I still have a curfew?”
“We talked about this, Harper. I won’t be able to sleep until you get
home,” my mom explains.
“I know. I know. Just asking. I love you all. Thanks for coming to my
graduation.”
“Thanks for the ice cream,” Ashley adds as we get into my mom’s car to
head to Mary’s.
Since we were wearing dresses for graduation, we change into jeans when
we get there. Even though it is June, it is a little cool out tonight. Mary’s
house is small but on a lot of land. The bonfire pit is made of red bricks and
has it’s own built in area by the back porch with chairs and tables. She
invited a lot of people but only twelve people came, probably because her
parents will be home so everyone knows that there won’t be any alcohol. Ashley
drinks sometimes, but I never really do, only sips here and there. My
parents rarely drink at home, except at our annual Christmas party, so I guess
it is not something that I am used to. I know that my brother drinks, and I am
sure that I will drink when I get older, but I just have fun hanging out with
my friends. I have heard some of the stuff my friends did when they were
drinking, so I don’t know if I should really ever drink.
When the conversation changes to where everyone is going to college, I
head inside to the bathroom. As I come back out, I see Mike walking in. Mike is
tall and thin with blond hair. He is around our group most of the time, but he
is pretty quiet, so I don’t know him that well.
“Hi Harper,” after a pause he continues, “I am going to Layton Community
College too. Maybe I will see you there.”
“Yeah. Maybe we will have a class together,” I say, knowing that they
must have been talking about me for Mike to know where I was going. I don’t
mind going there really. It will help my parents out since they do have four
kids to put through college, and I am glad if I can save them some money.
“That’d be cool.”
“I’ll see you back outside in a minute,” I say as I head back to the
bonfire.
We decide to find sticks and roast marshmallows as we reminisce about
high school. I start to worry about my future again as I listen to everyone
talk about the past.
“Remember when Max got kicked out of the football game because he was so
drunk?”
“Maybe if he wasn’t dancing in the bleachers, no one would have known he
was drunk.”
“True. What about senior ditch day when we went on his boat?”
“Luckily, he wasn’t drunk or singing that day!”
After a few more stories about high school, I say, “I need to head home
everyone.” Ashley doesn’t have a curfew so she is getting a different ride home
later.
“Are you sure that you don’t want me to leave with you?”
“No. It’s my parents that are strict. Not yours, Ashley.”
“I know; I just feel bad.”
“Don’t feel bad. Have fun and call me tomorrow to tell me what I
missed,” I say as I hug her goodbye.
All of the lights are off when I pull into the garage. They probably
wouldn’t have even known if I was late.
Thoughts swirl through my mind as I try to fall asleep. I am so nervous
and excited about the future but also anxious for it to just start. After lying
in bed thinking for 20 minutes, I get up and decide to write in my journal.
Maybe this will calm down my fear of the unknown.
Dear Future Self,
Tonight was
your high school graduation. I hope that you are reading this in 2016, a year
after your college graduation. My prediction is that after two years at the
community college, you will go to UE. You will love college and graduate with
honors. I think that you will major in English or maybe even Psychology. During
college or right after, you will meet a man that you will love like crazy. He
will be smart, caring and passionate about his work. He will love to travel,
want two kids and love you a lot. You will get engaged a few years after you
graduate because first you need to establish yourself in your career. You will
continue to write poems and draw and maybe even run a 5K. You will be close to
your family still, but you will get an apartment on your own or with Ashley
before settling down, getting married and starting a family. You will be happy,
successful and love your life!
Love,
Me
I can finally fall asleep with that future life in my thoughts. As I
drift off, I think that even though I am scared, this has been a great day.
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