I tried all week to break up with my boyfriend. Every time, I was covered in new bruises on my arms and upper torso. I couldn't wear the dress mom got me for graduation without makeup. Katie helped me apply makeup to my arms and set it in place. Katie was the second person to find out. No, my parents still don't know. They probably should, but he's shipping out tonight. He told me yesterday. I had the letters written and done completely with him. I consider him my ex. He slipped on which base he's going to, so I'm mailing it out so it gets to him overnight.
When Katie was done, she sighed. "I don't know how you got so deep with him." She said. "I've been trying all month," I said. "And he kept this up?" She asked. "He refused to take no for an answer. I'm dumping him over letter to the base and getting on with my life without him." I said. "Should tell Wyatt so he gets horrible treatment." She said. "Cassie may tell Hedli, who will tell mom," I said. "True. If you do not tell our cousin, who is an as-needed drill sergeant, I will." She said. "I'll let him read the copy of the letter going to the lawyer," I said.
"You better." Once the makeup was dry and set, I put my dress on, and Katie made sure no bruises were seen. I left before graduation in my car and went over to Wyatt's house for a minute. I got out and went up to the door. I knocked, and Cassie answered. "Hey! Shouldn't you be on your way to the stadium?" She asked. "I need to talk to Wyatt first," I said.
"Ok. Give me a minute." She said, going back into the house. He came to the door. "What's up, cuz?" He asked. Cassie was standing behind him. "Can I talk to you?" I asked him. "Sure, what's up?" He asked. I nodded towards the vehicles. He understood. Privacy. He followed me out to the end of his truck. I handed him the letter that I was going to take to the lawyer tomorrow. I waited for the temper that came with our last name. Our great-grandfather had it, then grandpa, the uncles, and dad.
"Why didn't you tell anyone sooner?" He asked, frustrated. "Because he was still considered a 'minor' in high school," I said. "He's leaving for basic training tonight," I told him. "I'll have that side handled for you." He said. "I felt like Cassie would have told your mom, who would tell my mom," I said. "Yeah. I've gotten onto her about that. I'll see you at the stadium. Drive safe." He said before hugging me. "I will," I told him.
Graduation went well. My ex was not there at all. His family was there just to hear his name announced, and then they announced that he had to leave before graduation for the military. I felt free finally. Then they asked the valedictorians to come to the stage at the end. I stood up along with the male student. I had prepared my speech for this. My family did not know this happened. They let the boy speak first before cutting me off from speaking. The boy and I exchanged glances before we had to leave the stage.
I did not engage with the crowd, but he did. He gave a thumbs down to the families because the members did not let me speak. The next speaker was the class president. Another boy. He said that he would not be there if it were not for me. I made these boys learn respect for their peers and showed them that it was not okay to harass female students. He spoke for me, saying that the school system may have failed to teach us respect, but I did teach them how to respect not only the opposite gender but each other and themselves.
I was declared the mother hen of the group. He even went on to talk about how I fed kids who needed a meal with my allowance money. My ex hated me for that. He wanted me to spend all my money on him. I did it for the less fortunate. Some kids only got a meal at school. A group of kids who did Ag walked up to where I was. They handed me a welded hen sitting on a metal nest with a wooden base and plaque engraved with 'mother hen.'
The families clapped and cheered. Even the principals clapped and cheered. The board members were not happy. The next speaker said that he was skipping his speech, and for us to have a great summer. We did not want to be there anymore. The principal congratulated us, and we moved our tassels before throwing our caps. I felt better being free from my ex now and for the rest of my life.