School

The corridors of Lincoln High School were buzzing with the kind of fervent energy that only the last day of school could summon. Locker doors slammed shut for the final time, students exchanged yearbooks and hugs, and teachers offered half-hearted attempts to maintain order amid the chaos. I navigated through the sea of bodies, my backpack slung over one shoulder, feeling both a sense of relief and a twinge of nostalgia.

As I approached my locker, I saw Will waiting for me, his lanky frame leaning against the metal door. Will had been my constant companion since middle school, our friendship forged over shared interests in fantasy novels and weekend Dungeons & Dragons marathons. His sandy hair was tousled as usual, and his glasses sat slightly askew on his nose, giving him a perpetually bewildered look.

"Hey, Mia," he greeted me with a grin. "Ready for the last day of high school?"

I returned his smile, feeling a familiar comfort in his presence. "As ready as I'll ever be. Can't believe we're actually graduating."

Will nodded, his eyes scanning the hallway. "Yeah, it's surreal. But hey, we survived, right? Four years of high school drama, and we came out unscathed."

I laughed, opening my locker to swap books. "Speak for yourself. I'm pretty sure Mrs. Henderson's calculus class left some permanent scars."

We chatted idly as I gathered my things, the conversation flowing effortlessly as it always did with Will. But as I closed my locker, I caught sight of Trina making her way toward us, her vibrant energy practically radiating off her. Trina was the opposite of me in almost every way – outgoing, extroverted, and the lead clarinet player in the school band. Her curly red hair bounced with each step, and her infectious smile was a beacon in the crowded hallway.

"Morning, you two!" Trina exclaimed, joining us. "Can you believe it? After today, no more Mr. Boring's history lectures or Ms. What's-Her-Face's monotone English classes."

I chuckled, appreciating Trina's enthusiasm. "I think I'll actually miss some of it," I admitted, a little surprised at my own sentimentality.

"Miss it?" Trina raised an eyebrow in mock horror. "Speak for yourself, Mia. I'm ready for college. New people, new experiences, and, hopefully, fewer rules."

As we made our way to our first class, I couldn't help but feel a sense of camaraderie with these two. They were my people, the ones who had seen me through the awkward phases, the bad haircuts, and the moments of self-doubt.

The day passed in a blur of final exams, yearbook signings, and bittersweet farewells. Teachers offered words of wisdom and encouragement, their speeches filled with the usual clichés about new beginnings and chasing dreams. I listened, trying to soak in the moment, knowing that these were the final hours of a chapter that was about to close.

Lunchtime found us at our usual spot in the cafeteria, a corner table that had become our unofficial territory over the years. The conversation was light, filled with plans for the summer and jokes about who would be the first to get a real job.

That's when I saw Mr. Blackwell, our history teacher, making his rounds in the cafeteria. He was young for a teacher, probably in his early thirties, with a charisma that made his classes more bearable than most. I had always admired him, his passion for history and his knack for storytelling captivating my imagination. And, if I was being honest, there was a part of me that harbored a small crush on him, though I had never dared to admit it out loud.

As he approached our table, I felt a flutter in my stomach, a mixture of nervousness and excitement. "Hey, Mr. Blackwell," Trina called out, waving him over. "Care to sign our yearbooks?"

Mr. Blackwell smiled, his eyes meeting mine for a brief moment. "Of course, I'd be honored. You three are some of my favorite students."

We each handed him our yearbooks, and he penned a personalized message in each one, his words thoughtful and encouraging. When he handed mine back, our fingers brushed, sending a jolt of electricity up my arm. I quickly looked away, hoping my blush wasn't too noticeable.

As the day drew to a close, the final bell ringing through the halls, I felt a sense of finality wash over me. We lingered in the parking lot, **** to say goodbye, even though we all lived within walking distance of each other.

"Summer's going to be epic," Will said, a twinkle in his eye. "We should start it off with a movie marathon at my place."

Trina nodded in agreement, her usual exuberance shining through. "Count me in.”