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On shaky legs, I get up frohth row back--and e I clie, cross to where Principal Brown stands in front of the microphone, and take his offered hand

In his other hand is a scroll of paper, tied with a pretty blue ribbon He guides me to face the camera and, as the flash pops in ratulations, Lily"

I set back down to the grass, I turn to face the crowd in the stands above the field The seating is general admission, so my friends and family could be anywhere, but with Tellin in attendance I just follow the sense of the bond

I zero in on their location and hold up the scroll, my hard-earned diplo, Daddy, Aunt Rachel, Doe, and Tellin Quince’s mom is up there, too Even Perichestnut hair with vivid orange tips

My other nearest and dearest are in the sea of students with me Brody is somewhere very near the front, with Quince just a couple rows behind him Shannen is at the very back, and we’ll have to wait alet her diploma And honor cords And perfect attendance award And state scholarship certificate

She has the longest graduation résumé of anyone in our class And I’m so proud that she’sit out and h

And as soon as the cereraduation surprise planned for Quince After the last name is called, the crowd in the stands descends on the field of new graduates Aunt Rachel takes a million pictures, and Quince’s e is cleared and most of the stadium is emptied As our friends and family finally disperse, I order Quince intohis eyebrows suggestively "You going to kidnap do

Iout once This is definitely an ih a few intersections along the way

When we get there, everyone is waiting for us Well, everyone but Quince’s ure out how to tell her about thespot at the far end of the lot

Quince starts to climb out of the car, but I put my hand on his arm to stop him I want this , Daddy gaveabout your inter­kingdo "It’s about you"

"Oh yeah?" He sounds equal parts intrigued and concerned "Not another test?"

I twist around to face out the driver’s , pulling my hair to one side to reveal my neck