Page 127 of Foul Territory

“I think so,” he agrees with a smirk.

“I wouldn’t want it any other way.”

“Me either,” he says, smiling back at me.

I’ve been so concerned with getting Sydney back, I haven’t had time to let it sink in that my best friends are all going in different directions.

“Don’t even think about it, man,” he says, reading my mind. “I’ll be seeing you on the field again before you know it. Lauren isn’t going to let go of the family she just got either.”

“You’re right. It’s just hard to say goodbye.”

“Then we won’t.” He slaps my shoulder. “Come on. Let’s find some breakfast. They are going to be in there awhile.”

“I’ll meet you down there. I need to throw some clothes on.”

I hope Hart is right and this isn’t goodbye but see you later.

27

SYDNEY

I straighten the tassel on my graduate cap again. I’ve only fixed it ten times since I’ve been waiting in the crowded tunnel.

Is this what it’s like for Nash before every home game? The nerves, the adrenaline? We’ve been waiting in the underground tunnels of the football stadium for at least twenty minutes.

I’m ready to walk onto the field and take my seat. It’s already been an emotional day. From the moment I woke up this morning I’ve had a slideshow of memories playing through my mind.

From moving in freshman year, meeting Lauren for the first time, our first frat party, late night study sessions, sleepovers with the girls, and everything in between that got me to this moment.

“Please welcome Newhouse University’s graduating class,” the dean of students says into the microphone. The students around me straighten their spines and prepare to walk.

Koa glances at me over his shoulder and winks. He’s about twenty people in front of me. I smile back and hide my nerves.

The marching band begins to play the Newhouse U fight song. I have to swallow back the tears. This song isn’t just for the football team on game day. It’s our motto here at Newhouse: to fight until the end. To show up until the job is done. To give it your all until you have nothing left.

Walking out onto the turf, the sun and heat is almost too much to bear after being in the dark tunnels for so long. I search the stands for my family. They texted me earlier with their location. I spot them easily sitting next to Koa’s mom and dad, and do a little finger wave in their direction.

My mom is already crying into a tissue and my dad is clapping with his chest puffed. They’ve always believed in me. When I told them my major they were skeptical, or maybe they were realistic. They knew it wasn’t going to be an easy road. But I did it.

We file through the white chairs setup on the field until we find our assigned seat. Koa squeezes my hand when I pass by him.

I find Lauren, Hart, and Wren a few rows ahead of me and Wyatt behind me. I spot Charlie where she is sitting on stage and blow her a kiss. Hiring all of those cute tutors paid off because she’s our valedictorian.

The dean of students as well as a few other faculty members, and prestigious alumni address our graduating class offering congratulations and words of wisdom for our future. I tune them out and let my mind drift to what's next for me.

Koa and I are loading up the moving truck in a few days. It’s bittersweet to leave behind all the places that got us here.I’m going to miss summers reading under the willow trees on Grove Street.

I’m going to miss Sunday afternoons spent listening to my brother and his friends arguing over dropped passes and missed calls by the referees while watching football games at the townhouse.

I'll miss living with Lauren and being able to run down to the hall to her room when I need her. I think that is going to be the hardest one.

It’s strange how you can be so excited about what’s next and still grieve everything you’re leaving behind.

The dean introduces Charlie and there is a mix of wolf whistles and clapping from everyone.

“Good afternoon family, friends, faculty, staff, honored guests, and my fellow graduates. Today we are celebrating four years of hard work. After all the hours of studying and cramming information into our brains, we made it to the end. We have achieved the goal. Mission accomplished.”

Charlie’s eyes roam over all of us, stopping to smile at me, Wren, and Lauren. “A degree is not the only thing I will be leaving here with. Like some of you,” her eyes land on Lauren for a moment, “I came to Newhouse looking for a fresh start.