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Mimi scooted down the row so that Adam could slide in next to Cameron

“Are you Claire’s boyfriend?” Cameron asked

Zeke turned to hear Adam’s response “Yes,” he said

“Don’t worry,” Zeke said, “We already had the talk Right?”

“Right,” Adam croaked

Poymnasium’s loud speaker On cue, the entire audience stood for the entrance march There were only a hundred and two students in this year’s senior class, but they milked it for all it orth Boys placed their clasped hands above their heads in a Rocky style victory gesture, and girls waved cheerfully into the audience Mimi looked for Claire but she couldn’t find her

Allie tapped her on the shoulder “Have you seen the program?” she whispered

“No, I was too busy trying to get a good seat Do you have one?” Mimi answered

Allie’s voice hitched with excitement “Why didn’t you tell me Claire was the class valedictorian?”

“What?” Miram from Allie’s hand There it was Listed under Senior Achievements: Claire Grant, Valedictorian

She showed the program to Zeke “Did you know about this?”

He shook his head Mo at once Then the last of the seniors filed in, followed by their teachers, then the principal, and lastly Claire She took a seat at the front of the podiuht next to the senior class advisor, Mr March She looked beautiful in her cap and goearing the pearl necklace Moiven her for her sixteenth birthday, her dark hair flowing down her shoulders

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nbsp; The cerean, but it was like a blur The principal welcomed the crowd, followed by a short speech by Mr March, and then finally, the traditional valedictorian’s speech

Claire walked serenely to the podiu the principal and the teachers and the parents and all the faraduation Mibird’s Pride and astonishment warred with one another Why hadn’t Claire told anyone she was valedictorian?