Liza’s hand was heavy in my own. I walked slowly, so slow that Liza was basically dragging me. I didn’t want to do this. Not today. But it looked like I already was.

I was already pulling away.

“Seriously Ashums,” Liza snapped stopping and looking back at me. We were in the back hallway of the stadium. Lost. “Why won’t you talk to me? What’s the matter all of a sudden?”

I just shrugged and looked away, folding my graduation gown over my arm. It was royal blue. Liza put two hands on my forearms and looked deep into my eyes. She was reading me. She was reading every inch of me, and for the life of me I couldn’t make her stop. I wanted her to see everything, every ounce of what I felt and what I hid. The truth. She sighed and leaned forward to kiss my cheek, but I backed away. I was looking at her, dead in the eye when I backed away. I don’t know why I did. I just did.

“So it was Spencer,” Liza said matter-of-factly, releasing my arms and backing away. “On the phone?”

I don’t say anything.

“It was here wasn’t it?” Liza said, her voice softer now, broken. She already knew the truth. She smiled a sad smile and took a few steps back, “Right…I’m gonna walk a couple of steps ahead if you don’t mind.”

I grabbed for her hand. “Liza come on. Don’t be like this.” She walked down the hall. “I’m sorry!” I called after her. “I’m sorry for all of this.”

And I was. I was so sorry.

Liza just waved her hand, silencing me, and disappeared down the hallway. Shit. I leaned against the wall and banged my head against it repeatedly. Just then, my cell phone rang.

“Hello,” I basically moaned into the receiver. Franklin chuckled on the other end.

“You ready to graduate?” he asked.

“Yeah sure.”

“Well hurry up cuz these stadium seats are hard as rocks and my ass is startin’ to hurt.”

I chuckled. “Will do Frank. Pete out there with you?”