Free Say Nothing... (The Speak Series Book 2) by T.A. Roth Page A

that my Nana Rosemarie isn't here to see it. I reach the stage and repeat the process done by all the other graduates and head back to my seat. An empty diploma holder sits on my lap as I wait impatiently for this to end.

    Vonne and I wait by the large pine tree near the parking lot. I got a text from Ari telling me to find Vonne and for both of us to wait for them here.
    "Where are they at?" Vonne asks.
    "I have no idea. This place is a fucking madhouse."
    As if on cue, Ari appears behind a large group of smiling faces. The same glittery posters I saw in the stands are now heading our way, and Ari is beaming at us. Eli is at her side, and my mother and Andrew are slowly trailing behind them. A couple of girls, I'm assuming are related to Vonne, come running up and excitedly wrap her in a hug.
    "Hi,” Ari says as she walks up. "Congratulations.” She hugs me and gives me a chaste kiss. She pulls away and walks over to Vonne giving me a chance to greet Eli.
    "Congrats, bro,” he says pulling me into a hug.
    "Thanks." His eyes flit back and forth between Vonne and me.
    "Go on. Go tell your girl congratulations," I say smugly.
    He's nervous. Her family surrounds her, and I'm not sure he's ready to meet the parents.
    "Congratulations, sweetheart.” My mother reaches for a hug. Andrew stands behind her.
    "Congratulations, Ben,” Andrew says while my mother hugs the life out of me.
    "Thank you. So where to now?" I ask.
    "I made reservations for us at McCormick and Schmidt’s. I know how much you love steak. Is that okay?" She's been a little softer since my grandmother's passing. It's weird.
    "Yeah, that sounds good. Let me get everyone together and I'll have Ari introduce you to Vonne."
    "Okay. We sat with her family. They were lovely." What the hell? It's like the invasion of the body snatchers. I stare at her for a minute.
    "What?" she asks.
    "Nothing. Uh . . . I'll be right back." I keep my mouth shut and walk over to Ari and the rest of the group.
     

    My nerves were shot all morning. The thought of being stuck next to Ben’s mom during the graduation ceremony had my knee bouncing about a mile a minute on the car ride over. I knew she was pissed about not being able to attend the larger of the two ceremonies and would no doubt unleash her wrath on me. Ben assured me that Eli and Andrew would run interference if she even thought about starting in on me, but I wasn't convinced.
    So when Vonne told me that she mentioned the situation to her parents and they offered to sit next to us, I was relieved. Her family is great and just as personable as Vonne. They had Elizabeth eating out of their hands. She was surprisingly pleasant, which made the two-hour ceremony more bearable.
    I walk over to Vonne and her family, giving Ben a chance to greet Elizabeth and Andrew. Like me, Vonne has two younger sisters, and she also has an older brother. Her sisters, Yvette and Yesenia, made her a huge sign that said Congrats Vonne in pink glitter. Which, of course, she's fawning over as I approach. Her brother, Jason, wraps her in a big bear hug, and I notice him scowl in my direction. I look over my shoulder and smirk as Eli approaches the group. Jason has always been protective of his sisters, so I don't envy Eli. Jason is definitely not going to make it easy for him.
    A few minutes later, a pair of strong arms encircles my waist, and Ben's scent engulfs me. He presses into me resting his chin on my shoulder.
    "Are you guys about ready to go?" His breath against my ear causes me to shiver.
    "Sure. Let me tell Vonne we're heading out. I think Eli could use some rescuing too," I say laughing.
    After a quick introduction to Vonne's family and a scowling once-over from Jason, we head out. Eli and Vonne drive separately and follow in the car behind us.
    "So how do you feel? Fancy graduate," I tease.
    "Good. How did it go in the stands with my mom?"
    "She was fine. Vonne's family was sitting next to us, so it wasn't bad."
    "So is Vonne's