�Owen Thomas Leeds.�
�Kennedi Marie Limon.� Kennedi blushed furiously as the principal mispronounced her last name. Everyone always did that. It was Lee-mohn not Lie-mon. Her friends cheered anyway, and Alyson grinned and shrugged when Kennedi looked at her.
�Kyle David Lorenzo.�
�Francesca Juliette Lynch.�
�Edward Jeffrey Macarthur.�
�Tara Louise Maclayne.� Tara grinned as her friends cheered for her. She looked Alyson who gave her a thumbs-up, so she boldly did it back, just before switching her tassel.
�Penelope Rebecca McAlbright.�
Siobhan smiled as the names continued to be read. Madison was near to last, so she wouldn�t be on for awhile. She let her thoughts drift off a bit.
�Hey, Madison, can I talk to you?� Siobhan had asked, at the exact same sleepover. Alyson and Tara had gone into the living room to get the Harry Potter game set up and Kennedi was in the bathroom. It was just the two girls getting the snacks set up.
�Sure, honey. What do you think, marshmallow creme or regular marshmallows?� Madison asked.
�Both. All the sugar we can get.� Siobhan grinned, �Seriously Maddi, I need to talk with you for a sec.� Siobhan said.
�Okay, I�m listening.� Madison said, as she got the Sprite out of the refrigerator.
�I-I�m just having mixed feelings. I want to go to college, and I�m excited about that, but...� she trailed off.
�But you�re scared of becoming an adult and don�t think you�re quite ready yet?� Madison asked, stopping what she was doing and leaning on the counter, looking at Siobhan who was at the table fidgeting with the napkins.
�Yeah.� Siobhan said, quietly.
�Hey, it�s okay to be scared. I�m scared, too, especially because I�m going out of state, but for me, that�s the best. For you Edina State with Kennedi and Tara is the best, and I know you�ll do well. And, hey, no one expects you to grow up overnight. It takes time, you have four years before you�re expected to live on your own. And even then, I see us five getting an apartment together or something.� Madison smiled at her friend.
�Really?� Siobhan asked.
�Yeah. Hey, you�re a great person, you�ll do very well in college. I�m not worried at all.� Madison said, waving her hands for effect.
�Thanks. Hey, Mads?� Siobhan asked.
�Yeah?� Madison asked.
�Don�t tell anyone else, but you are my best friend. When we first met it was obvious that Aly and Tari were the best buds, so I feel more attached to you, and more so than Kennedi because we�ve known each other longer.� Siobhan smiled, �Thanks for always being you.� she finished off.
�No thanks necessary. You totally deserve it.� Madison smiled at her.
�I love you, Maddi.� Siobhan said, reaching out for a hug.
Madison slipped into Siobhan�s arms, �Love you, too, sweetie.�
Siobhan grinned at the memory, and she glanced up and realized Madison was about to go on. She grinned at Madison, who grinned back.
�Samantha Nicole Weaver.�
�Savannah Marie Weaver.�
�Madison Chantelle Winters.� Siobhan and the others clapped when Madison got her diploma. She grinned deviously.
�Walter Frederick Wizowski.�
�and Hannah Christina Zimmer.� the principal waited until Hannah was seated before he announced, �I now present to you Baker High School graduating class of 2003!�
Everyone stood up and threw their hats in the air. They then proceeded out of the auditorium, starting with the front row.
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