Rae Bryant sighed as she put the keys in the ignition and started her car. It was her graduation day, and she was already sweating bullets in her new floral sundress from Target. Maybe that prescription strength Secret deodorant did not help. She ran her fingers through her hair as she backed out of her driveway and into the street. Since she lived in a cul-de-sac, there was no need to look for cars.
She rolled down her windows and let the cool Michigan air flow across her hot skin. She cranked up the radio as she drove away, beginning the treacherous three mile drive to the highschool gymnasium. It's not that it was dangerous, Rae just didn't want to leave. She didn't love high school, but it was where she felt comfortable. Four years having the lead in the fall musical, four years on varsity lacrosse, and three years with Finn, a guy that seemed like the perfect boyfriend. Except Rae wanted more out of her comfortable life. She wanted excitement. Danger. Anything that would make her pulse race in the best way. She wanted to be a musician. Not a popstar. A musician. One that drove a six door van across the country to play her music for strangers every night. A musician that got to experience life one crappy hotel after the next. She wanted to live.
As Rae pulled into the school parking lot, she saw a scene of white and green robes and Finn waiting near the spot where she usually parked. She turned off her car and got out, walking around the other side to get her cap and gown.
"Hey," Finn said, leaning in and kissing her on the forehead. He had his cap on his head and his robe draped over his arm.
"You're going to wrinkle your robe," Rae said, taking his robe from him and holding it out so he could put his arms in. "Put it on, then we can be matching-sort of" she said with a small laugh. Finn clumsily zipped the robe over his six three frame and leaned against her car.
"Wow, this is going to be the last time that we stand here, in this parking lot." He said with a sigh, looking down on her.
Rae simply nodded and quickly slipped on her robe. "Let's go into the caf. I'm sure a lot of people need to take pictures."
"Are you going to Ryan's party after? Because I was thinking we could, um, hangout before you start packing for LA."
"I have to break the news to my parents after graduation. Then maybe we could do something." Rae replied, feeling guilty. She forgot to tell Finn that that something involved breaking up with him. She didn't want to do it tonight, but if not, when. She was leaving for LA in three days and she wanted Finn to feel okay before attending UVA in the fall. She just wanted everything to be alright.
"Sweet deal," Finn said, putting his arm around her shoulders. She would miss this, the feeling of closeness with someone. In LA she would be all alone for the first few months, at least. Unless by the work of a miracle that she found a room mate, a band, and a record deal right when she got there. Which was doubtful.
"Are you nervous about singing?" Finn said, referring to the national anthem that Rae was supposed to sing before commencement exercises began.
"Not really. I've only done it, like, a hundred times before." Rae said with a smile, crinkling up her small nose. She never got stage fright anymore. Maybe this town was just too small for her.
"Hey girl! I can't believe that we're graduating!!!" Rae's best friend Olivia screamed from inside the school. They quickly embraced before Olivia instructed Finn to take a couple quick snapshots of them two together.
"These are definitely going on my college wall collage!" Olivia exclaimed giddily. "Now I need a few of you and Finn. Class couple, twenty ten!" She said. Finn put his arm around Rae's waist and smiled. Rae angled her body and smiled, looking up at him. She really was going to miss this kid.
