Megan headed outside from English class so she could get out of the crowd. Holly and Megan would always sit at the same table every day since grade eight.
Last month, when Megan was making her way home one night, her best friend, Holly, was killed in a car accident. Earlier that night, they'd gone to a Youth group. It ran from seven to nine o’clock, sometimes later…depending when the kids’ parents will come. The last text message Megan got from Holly was: ‘I’ll see you tomorrow at school. Oh and by the way, you have to finish your homework which is due in English class...Just thought you should know. Luv ya bunches.’
Graduation was two months from now and Megan kept going through her mind the times she had with Holly; how they would spend weekends together. Megan went to church every Sunday morning and Saturday evening as well with Holly. Megan’s mother would be sitting with her adult friends as the youth would be down stairs. They had youth twice a week: Sunday and Friday’s.
Megan lay on the field; her back on the grass as she watched the clouds go by. Suddenly, as she was lying there and had her eyes closed, a shadow made her open them.
“Hi. I can’t see you…whoever you are,” Megan said, as she put her hand over her eyes to block the sun.
“Sorry,” Boston lay next to her, “Now you can,” as he smiled.
Megan felt a bit awkward. Not many people liked him. He enjoyed chess and loved science, never had friends. Boston had glasses and some of the students teased him for it.
“So, I always see you out here by yourself. Do you mind if I sit here for spare?” Boston said, looking at Megan for a response.
She couldn’t believe her eyes. When Boston took off his glasses, he was that little kid she remembered when they were in elementary.
“Do you remember me by any chance?” asked Megan, thrilled that it was the kid she knew when they were young; she nodded her head to allow him to sit with her.
“Of course…you’re in my science class,” he told her, smiling.
“No I mean. Do you remember Holly and me when we used to hang out with you?”
“No?” he said, more confused than ever, “I was an outcast and didn’t want to hang out with you two…” he was confused, “I’m a bit confused in what you are trying to ask me?”
“I mean,” Megan sighed, “When we were little. Do you remember playing at the jungle gym together?”
It took a minute for Boston to process it into his head, “It doesn’t ring a bell.”
Megan took out a photo to let him see it. She stared at it for a moment. There was Holly, her teeth shining as usual. She never had a frown in any of her pictures, that’s why Megan missed her so much. That smile got her all the time.
Megan gave the picture to Boston. His eyes went bigger as usual, “I remember that. We were at the park. Did a photographer take it?” He looked at Megan, giving the picture back to her.
“My mom; she was a photographer,” Megan responded as her face was saddened.
Boston paused, “I’m sorry what happened to your mother and Holly. What about your father? Is he still around?” Boston asked, taking Megan’s bag as a pillow.
“No, he left after when my mother passed away,” Noticing he took her bag, “Hey, I need that,” she said, chuckling.
Boston grinned, “For what? You can use mine,” as he gave his bag to her.
Megan hesitated, “Um, no that’s alright.”
“Alright. It’s there if you need it.”
“Oh alright, I’ll use it. Pass it here.” Megan said, watching the clouds with him.
They talked about the past and how it used to be. It was less stressful back then.
Boston and Megan hanged out more. Boston left fifth grade to go to New York with his family and they lived there quite a long time. They moved back to Canada in grade ten and he wanted to meet at least a friend, until now and finally, he reunited with Megan. She knew that Boston wasn’t like other guys. He treated woman with respect and value.
“Man, I can’t believe this is our last year,” Boston said, looking down at his science text book.
“Well, at least we found each other,” Megan responded, as she looked at him and back at her homework she was doing.
“I know. That’s a good thing. What do you want to do when you’re done?” Boston asked, putting his hand on hers.
“Boston, you made me mess up,” Megan looked at Boston as she starred at him, trying to fix it.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to,” He grabbed the eraser and was about to erase.
“No don’t. It’s okay.”
“Are you sure?”
“I’m sure. What was the question?” Megan looked at her project and took another sheet of paper and started over.
“What are you going to do when you’re done school,” Boston asked, watching what Megan was doing.
“I’m praying I will get a scholarship so I can go to UVIC,” she said excitedly, “I feel that God wants me to carry on the legacy of my mother.”
Boston looked at her with amazement. Megan wanted to become a photographer just like her mother. They would take pictures together of anything. It was there hobby.
She knew that when school was going to be over, it will be hard for Boston. He had a hard time making friends, and no one included him in anything. He was scared to leave school; but worried to lose Megan again.
“I’m still going to be your friend, Boston. No matter what,” Megan went over and gave him a hug. He looked at her than to his text book as he pulled it out.
“That’s what everyone says,” Boston said, as he wrote in his notebook, finishing his science questions.
“But Boston, it’s true. I want to stay friends with you,” Megan said.
Megan didn’t have a friend like Boston. They never hanged out with guys but Boston was different. He was a guy with his own personality.
“But you are going to college and I won’t be able to see you much. I don’t want to leave school knowing I won’t see you ever again,” Boston turned away to not look at Megan, and continued to work on homework before lunch was over. Her hair stood up behind her neck. She never knew Boston was having a struggle to leave school. She was also having the same struggle. Not because of Boston but of grad day itself. She wasn’t going to have her friend Holly by her side, nor her mom…no one.
School ended early at one o’clock and Megan headed to her car, noticing that Boston was behind her; he went closer and gave her a hug. She allowed him to.
“I’ll see you tomorrow, Megan,” Boston smiled, as he headed to the bus lineup.
Megan was starting to wonder about Boston. Did he like her? He never gave her a hug before so much or holds hands with her at times when they looked up at the clouds. She loved Boston; the kind of love when you want to be with that person forever.
Megan loved to take pictures, but she knew she had to decide on her decision. She had to choose to stay here with Boston or move to Victoria and never see him again. No one could make the choice for her. It was a decision where her life will be different. Starting over.
Megan was home from school and entered into her living room. She grabbed some money to go buy some things. Megan looked at the time and noticed already it was five o’clock. She promised Mrs. Chantella she would be at her place for dinner but just as she about to leave the house, the phone rang.
“Just when I am about to leave,” Megan took her shoes off and the message machine came on.
“Hello Megan, its Mrs. Chantella. I hope you get this message on time. I’m sorry but I’m busy. I got your email regarding your year-end project and you can hand in the project on Friday. This gives you four days to work on it. Sorry for the inconvenience. See you tomorrow.”
Megan was glad. It gave her enough time to rethink things and head out to get some groceries.
The day finally came when it was graduation day. Megan promised Boston she would meet him at the park.
As Boston arrived and seeing Megan, “Wow, you’re so beautiful,” Boston said, holding out his hand as she was coming out the car.
“Thanks. You’re quite handsome,” she answered him, smiling.
“My parents are over by the tree that has that photographer waiting for us.” Boston said, as he was making his way over. Megan grabbed his hand quickly and made him stop running.
“Wait, Um, Boston?”
Boston looked deep into her eyes, “Yes, what is it Megan?” He came closer to her.
“You don’t have a crush on me. Do you?” Megan asked, with a grin.
Boston couldn’t hide it anymore. It was obvious; hugging her for long periods of time, covering her hands with his and kissing her on the cheek.
“Megan, I do. I had a crush on you for some time now. I don’t want you to feel uncomfortable, so let’s just have fun and forget about it, shall we?” Boston hugged her and went towards his parents. He introduced her to them.
“Right there, son. Perfect! Stand nice and tall…great,” Boston’s dad took the picture of them looking at each other laughing.
“You guys have a good time. We gotta get first row seats. See you guys later,” Boston’s mom kissed him on the cheek and they both headed away.
Megan and Boston headed to the car to go back to their school to get ready for the ceremony, “I can’t believe we are graduating today, Boston. Can you?” Megan asked, a little sad that no one was going to be there.
“I rather not talk about it, maybe later,” Boston’s mouth was quivering. He was nervous, and his hands shaky.
“Everything is going to be okay, Boston. We’ll get through this,” Megan wanted to be sure for herself too.
As they approached the school, Megan and Boston headed to the room where everyone had to wait. The room was packed with every student in their grad gowns and ready on caps. Most were excited and laughing. It was either laughing because of excitement or laughing because of nervousness…one of the two.
“Hey Megan, I’m so proud of you,” Mrs. Chantella went over and hugged Megan as she smiled and looked at her, Megan started to cry.
“What’s wrong?” Mrs. Chantella asked, rubbing Megan’s shoulder.
Megan looked at her and whispered it as she tried to talk, “I miss them,” Megan said; as Mrs. Chantella pulled her close, hugging her.
Every student sat in their chair in front of the audience as Holly’s dad, Saul, who was the Principal, went up and started to talk. Seeing Megan without Holly made it very hard for him to speak.
“Megan Lovely, please come and get your diploma,” Saul said. Megan made her way to the front and as he shook her hand, Mrs. Chantella went to the podium and nudged Saul to move over a bit.
“I enjoyed every one of these students. I promised a mother that I will help one student. Megan Lovely. Today, although her mom isn’t here anymore, her father has a letter that he sent me to read in front of all of you. He hasn’t been in Megan’s live for quite a while but wishes he made better choices in life.”
Megan was shocked. Her father has written a letter? He left her when she was fifteen after her mother died. Megan kept her tears from coming as she stood and looked behind her as Boston winked at her.
Mrs. Chantella started to read, “Dear Megan. Today, you are graduating, congratulations. I wished I made better choices. I should have been there for you when your mother died. Instead, I left you and continued to work. I had this dumb thought that you were better without me, I was wrong. I am so proud of you Megan. I am sure mother would have been proud of you. I know I am. Please remember, never make the same mistakes, us parents know what we are talking about. Anyways, I am so proud for you. Love, Dad.” As Mrs. Chantella was done, she looked over at Megan. Her eyes were watering as the tears kept falling. Mrs. Chantella went over to her and made Megan turn around.
Her father in a suit, smiled ear to ear. His smile turned into tears as Megan ran to him and they embraced.
The ceremony ended and everyone went to the gymnasium for the Grad Dance.
Megan danced with her dad for the ‘Dad and Daughter dance’.
When all the parents left, the after party still remained. Students ate pizza, junk food and played some games. Megan left and headed outside. She went over to the table where she and Boston now, would always sit.
Waiting for him patiently, “It’s about time you came out here,” he said, starling Megan, “Did I startle you?” he asked, as he got up, to face her.
“Yes!” she exclaimed. They both sat down on the ground and laid there staring at the clouds together as Boston’s hand again was on hers.
Megan looked at him. “Boston?”
“Yeah,” he asked, remained staring at the stars.
“I just wanted to say you’re my best friend Boston. I don’t want to lose you.”
“But you’re leaving soon, are you not?” he asked wondering, lifting his hands as he stood up.
“I decided not too,” Megan was happy to say it, “I found out I can take it here and take a class. It’s less expensive for me,” she answered him excitedly.
Boston looked happier than ever. “So I don’t have to feel you’re going to leave me after all, eh?” he nudged her as he got up and holds out his hands to help her up.
“No,” she paused, looking into his eyes, “It’s because I want to be with you.”
Boston looked at her, shocked at the words she just said, “I was hoping you would say that,” sarcastically, as he drew nearer and kissed her.
Megan and Boston headed inside, holding hands. Megan never felt more loved. She would learn to become a photographer right here at home where she grew up. She knew her mom would be so proud of her. Her decision was to stay home and to be forever with Boston…sharing memories for a last time.