"Five more days," Scott said with a lot of enthusiasm in his voice, "I can't wait to be done with school!" "I can." Brandon said as the two strolled to lunch, "This year went pass way too fast." "Ohh this is about Julie isn't it?" Scott said as everything seemed to make sense in his head at that moment. "No." Brandon said in a monotone voice. "Missing all your friends." Scott said in a confident manner. "No." Brandon said with the same tone of voice. "Then what are you going to miss? Your dog?" Scott asked again extremely puzzled. "IT'S NOT ABOUT MISSING ANYTHING!" Brandon shouted as the whole cafeteria turned to look at him. "Then what's this all about?" Scott asked with a serious tone. "Regrets." Brandon said as he began to get up and leave. "What do you have to regret?" Scott asked. "Ohh nothing." Brandon said as he walked away. "That's right Brandon. You have nothing to regret." Scott said as he finished his sandwich.
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"Phone's for you BB!" Brandon's mom shouted from the other room. "OK Mom I got it!" Brandon said as he began to pick up the phone. Brandon began to say hello but was interrupted with "Why did you leave school after lunch yesterday?" It was Julie Brandon's girlfriend of 2 years. The last day of school also had more reason to celebrate for Brandon and Julie; it was there anniversary. "I just didn't feel like being there anymore Jewel." Brandon said, "it's boring these last couple of days." "Well B you didn't come today either," Julie began, "these are going to be the last times your going to see everyone together."
It hit Brandon then. He was leaving for California in a week. With everyone else still staying in South Carolina it was going to be tough to see everyone. In all reality he would never see most of his friends again. Brandon never wanted to leave everyone, but the pull of California was just too great. It was his dream since he was eight years old to go to Berkeley. He couldn't back out now. "I'll be there tomorrow Jewel." Brandon said in a sleepy voice. "What's wrong with you Brand you haven't been acting the same." Julie said in a concerned girlfriend voice. "Nothing." Brandon said as he hung up the phone.
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"It's finally here! The last day of school!" Scott said over the morning announcements. He had been doing them for extra-credit in speech. He really didn't need the credit, but did the announcements because he loved the sound of his own voice. "So is everyone ready for total chaos?" another voice chimed in. It took Brandon a second before he realized who it was. It was Ken. Ken and Brandon had hung out since the first grade. During their earlier high school years they skated together everyday. So did Scott and the rest of the crew, but Ken was the one who got Brandon into skating. At first it was just Brandon and Ken, but it only took a couple of months before everyone else in the crew began. Brandon had shied away from skating in his senior year and unfortunately, he also shied away from Ken.
"Yep. It's the last day of school," Scott said to Brandon as they ducked down to dodge all of the food flying over their heads. "I don't know whether to join in or to eat my food." Scott said as he stared at his apple. "OK kids that's enough!" Mr. Phillips said as he walked in the cafeteria. In one of the oddest moments in high school everyone listened and stopped. "That was odd." Ken said. "I hear that Brandon said as he sat up to once again start eating his food. "Hey Ken I was thinking," Brandon said as he danced his fork through his plate of spaghetti, "would you want to go skate after school today?" "Are you serious?" Ken said in a very excited tone, "Hells yeah. I'm in." "Cool I'll meet you at your house around four." Brandon said as he finally gave in and took a bite of his food. "All right." Ken said, "Meet you there."
"Hey guys I propose a toast" Scott said as he raised his carton of milk "What do you propose?" Ken said as he began to lift his own carton. "I propose that we never lose touch with one another. Even you California boy." Scott said as he looked at Brandon. "Now how could I lose touch of you guys.?" Brandon said as he tapped his carton against Scott's and the rest of the crew's.
"What's going on over here." Julie said as she put her arms around her boyfriend. "Oh nothing." Brandon said as he put down his carton of milk. "So what are you doing after school today?" Julie asked in a hinting manner. "I'm gonna go skate with Ken." Brandon said as he pointed to Ken. "Oh. I guess I'll talk to you afterwards then." Julie said as she began to walk away from the table. "Of course Jewel." Brandon said as a saddened girlfriend walked back to where she was sitting.
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Brandon looked up as the California sun began to set. He had found this spot one of the first days he got to campus. The spot was along the beach. There was a bench that sat a top a fifteen foot cliff. Brandon had never missed a sunset since he had been at college. He came here to think. To think about all of his regrets. On the last day of school Brandon ended up not skating with Ken or even seeing his girlfriend on their anniversary. Instead he went to four girl's houses and kissed them. He always had an interest in them, but until that day he had never done anything about it.
Brandon looked down at the gift sitting in his hands. It was a locket that read "I'll never forget Jewel." He had never gotten a chance to give it to her. She found out what he had done that day and dumped him the second she saw him. She refused to talk to him the rest of the time Brandon was still in South Carolina.
"I'm sorry Jewel." Brandon whispered as he threw the gift into the ocean. "I would do anything to go skate with Ken and then be with my girlfriend afterwards again." Brandon thought to himself as he walked back to his dorm.