I stood there as an avalanche of snow creatures—giraffes, fishes, birds, dogs, and even some hummingbirds fell on me and around me as if I were the centerpiece in a living snow globe. For a moment, I became my own favorite collectible. After Iggie ran away, before I could even thank him for this most amazing gift, I collected every paper masterpiece—all two hundred of them, such a great even number. I will have to spend more time inspecting this menagerie, and I’ll keep them forever.
Everyone in my class was delirious with excitement. Right before the ceremony began, we gathered in an annex that was part of the concert hall where our graduation took place. All of the students showered Ms. Harrison and Marv with gifts. They didn’t open them there, but when they do, I hope Marv likes the giant red clown shoes I bought him, and I hope Ms. Harrison can appreciate the box of temporary tattooes I picked out especially for her.
Ms. Harrison gave us last-minute instructions, and we met the bagpiper who would soon usher us into our places. She warned us that there were hundreds of people in the room, all there for us and that we needed to be on our best behavior. She had to confiscate two beach balls and a bullhorn from some of the boys. Even though our graduating class was small, it was clear we were well loved.
“The room is packed,” she said. “Stay in the moment. Try not to move around and crane your necks looking for your family and friends. Be formal as the day requires and your loved ones will find you afterward. I’m proud of all of you.”
After the bagpiper led us in, there were some speeches from school board members that nearly put me to sleep. But then, there was a video that showed a year-in-review. It was great, and I got emotional but was able to swallow my rising tears. Next, there was a performance by our sign language class. A group of seniors signed a song and then awards were given out.
I drifted off again during that section because I didn’t think I’d win anything. I was wrong. I won this year’s Meadow Oaks Writing Award! It was very surprising to me because I seemed to rarely be able to follow all of Ms. Harrison’s rules, and I thought that I frustrated her more than I made her happy. She must have liked what I wrote this year anyway.
Ms. Harrison handed me my plaque through genuine tears. I gave her a big hug, looked at her, and quietly said, “Thank you, Ms. Harrison. For everything. I will always remember you.” When I walked back to sit down, I saw that my classmates had stood up for me and that Keira was whistling loudly. This was the first time I ever got an award for anything. It was totally cool.
After all our names were called, after “Pomp and Circumstance,” that was when a big surprise came. All the organized ceremony melted into group chaos. Kids were looking for their families, people were shouting and laughing and crying. Keira yelled over people’s heads at me and said, “Hey, Danielle, your parents and other people are looking for you.”
My group finally found me. They pushed their way through. Daniel practically knocked me over when he hugged me. He was so excited about my writing award, so glad they didn’t give it to a quarterback, he said. When he let go of me, I saw around his shoulder: Aunt Joyce, Mom, Dad, and . . . Justine! I screamed. My aunt had flown her out as a graduation present to me, the best ever. There must have been some real dirty pool going on with my mail, but I am going to accept that because I was happy to see my beautiful, British friend. She was so excited to have “journeyed to California” and was looking forward to a few days with my family and Daniel—it was her first trip to the States. She was wearing a corsage, and I knew my father had bought it for her. I was glad he did.
Justine handed me a gift wrapped in heavy, coarse paper and tied with a string. She wove dried purple and blue flowers around the string; the whole thing was so lovely that I didn’t want to open it, but she begged me to. She clapped her hands together and rose up on her toes as