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Hearts Don't Lie Chapter 12 "What do you mean that you can't come to graduation?" Kristin remembered yelling at Kevin, close to tears. "Baby, I'm sorry. I just can't. Things are too crazy with the tour right now," he had said. "This is my graduation Kevin. Can't you do something?" she pleaded. "I'm so sorry Kristin. We have too many dress rehearsals and the fact that we're going overseas for two months," he tired to explain. "Fine. Maybe I have too many things to do, so I won't join you on the tour." "Don't be a brat. K, I tired to change things but it can't be done. I'll make it up to you honey." Kristin was jostled out of her thoughts by Mattie nudging her. "K, it's almost time to get out diplomas," Mattie whispered. "I know," she whispered. "He did everything he could K. Some things can't be controlled." "I just wish he were here now." "Hey, Gillian's getting her diploma!" Mattie cried. "Gillian Marie Caruso, cum laude!" the announcer said. Mattie and Kristin cheered for their friend. Within a few minutes, they were standing in line to receive their diplomas. "Mattie Elizabeth Daley, magna cum laude!" A huge cheer came up from the back. Kristin laughed. Leave it to Mattie's family to make some noise. "Kristin Elise Donovan, magna cum laude!" As Kristin crossed the stage, and even bigger cheer erupted. She glanced into the audience to see where it came from. Way in the back, 8 people were on their feet cheering. She couldn't quite make out who they were. Then she stopped cold when she saw a leopard print cowboy hat being waved. It couldn't be, she thought. Right then, her suspicions were confirmed. "We love you K! We love you Matts!" the group called out. Kristin grabbed her diploma and went up to Mattie, who was frozen in shock. "They came!" both girls cried. The audience chuckled. The rest of the ceremony dragged on. Finally when it was over, Kristin and Mattie raced down the aisle, waving hi to their families and went to the place where they thought the others were. "Where are they?" Mattie demanded. "Maybe they went outside," Kristin said, pushing through the crowd to get outside. Once outside, they looked around. Had they imagined it? "Looking for me?" a deep voice whispered in Kristin's ear. She spun around. "Kevin!" she cried, throwing herself in his arms. Tears of happiness ran down her cheeks. "You said you couldn't come!" "It was a surprise. Baby, I'm so proud of you," he said, still holding her. "I love you," she whispered, so the onlookers wouldn't hear her, and start rumors. "I love you," he replied. "Would you two break it up? I want to hug her too," another voice asked. Kristin wiped her eyes. "Brian!" He hugged her tightly. "Good to see you." She glanced around. "Oh my God! You all came!" Amanda hugged her. "We wouldn't miss this for the world." In turn, everyone hugged Mattie and Kristin. "Hi Matts," Nick said, hugging her. "Hi Nick," Mattie whispered shyly. Brian winked at Kristin. Oh yes, Nick and Mattie would have to be set up. Howie took the hand of a pretty woman and pulled her forward. "K, Matts, this is Claudia." "Nice to meet you," they said. "Likewise, these guys don't stop talking about you," Claudia replied. "Kristin," a new voice called. "Mom! I'm sorry I ran off!" she cried, hugging her mother. "Is this Kevin?" her mother asked. "Yes, this is Kevin.....and Brian, Leighanne, AJ, Amanda, Nick, Howie and Claudia." "Wow. What a group. Thanks you for being so kind to my daughter." "She's the one who was kind to us," AJ offered. "Please join us at our home for a party," Kristin's mother added. "We'd be honored to. But first, there's something we'd like to present her and Mattie," Kevin said. Kristin was handed two boxes and Mattie was given one. "Mattie, this is from all of us. It's a token of our friendship," Howie said. Mattie gasped as she saw that they had given her a pair of gold hoop earrings. "K, this is from everyone but Kev, as he wanted to give you something of his own. It's not every day that someone graduates college. There's a lot of hard work and time involved. To top it off, you were willing to take on one of us as well. That's one of the hardest tasks of all. Always remember us by this gift. A circle is something with no beginning and no end. It can't be broken. Yours is a friendship that we will always have and treasure. We really mean it when we say that we love you," Brian said, misting up. A beautiful gold bangle bracelet gleamed at Kristin. Tears raced down her cheeks. She hugged each person in turn, at a loss for words. Kevin made her open the other box. He had given her an elegant gold chain. He kissed her gently. At that moment, there was not a dry eye to be seen. Never had Kristin felt so loved.Next: Chapter 13 |