The Senior

May “It’s a clown’s nose…silly!” Jaycee said as she tossed a round red ball to Bobby Chapman, who was standing in front of the room full of seniors. “I know but why?” Bobby asked. “ ‘Cause you are the winner of the class clown award, Mr. Oreo!” she responded laughing. “Put it on!” Bobby caught the ball and noticed there was a string attached. He pulled the string back and put the ball on his nose. “Are you happy?” he joked. “I look stupid!” Rock music continued to fill the room, bouncing from one large black speaker on the stage and off the other three walls in the cafeteria, forcing the loud music toward the stage. “Can someone turn the music down?” Jaycee yelled into the microphone she was holding as it echoed across the room. Jim Grove, who was standing closest to the stereo, reached over and turned the large round silver knob to the left. The music quickly fell to a small simple back ground noise in the room. Jaycee was standing in the front of the room right in front of the stage. It was the school’s cafeteria that also doubled for their stage for drama class and band concerts. The room wasn't very big but it was round so there wasn't a bad seat. There were three long tables lining the cafeteria from the front of the stage to the back of the room. Students were scattered along the three tables with a dinner plate in front of each. “Everyone? Thanks for coming to the senior dinner,” Jaycee said into the microphone. “It’s not easy getting us all together like this but since it’s the final week of school we’ve got some business to take care of. Michelle, could you please help me up here?” Michelle Brice hopped up from her chair and quickly walked to the front of the room, licking the chicken grease from her fingers then wiping them on her pants. Jaycee pulled up a brown paper sack and set it on the stage floor right behind her. “We have a few senior awards to pass out,” Jaycee said as she held the microphone close to her mouth. Adam was sitting near the front of the room on the far left hand table. He was eating but from time to time would glance up to see if Anne was looking at him. She was not. Anne Marie was sitting two tables across from Adam and slightly farther back. She wasn’t eating, just sitting at the table and smiling. Adam knew their relationship was over. It had been for over three months. Anne still hadn’t talked to him and the last couple of months had been tough on him. His heart was hurting more from his feelings for Anne than any damage he might have done to it this last school year. He really wasn’t hungry but continued to pick up his small piece of pizza and nibble at the edges. “Our first award is for class clown; we all know who has already won that one!” Jaycee joked, smiling. Bobby stood up from his seat at the table still wearing the red nose and took a bow and everyone clapped. “As if anyone else ever had a shot at that one,” Michelle said to Jaycee as the class cheered Bobby and clapped even harder. Bobby leaped from his chair and walked up to the front, grabbing a small plaque from Jaycee’s hand. “Thank you, Ms. President,” Bobby said as he took the small award and smiled. He held it up as the class continued a small cheer. Then he walked back to his chair and sat down. Jaycee reached into the brown paper sack and pulled out another award. “Most likely to succeed…Loren Gregg!” she called into the microphone. Loren stood up in the back of the room, jogged to the front and grabbed his small award as the class cheered him. “Probably the only kid in school that actually runs his own business. When did he take over his father’s towing business?” Michelle asked as she leaned over to Jaycee. “A couple of months ago,” Jaycee answered. She reached into her bag and pulled out another award. “Best athlete. That’s Manny Cunningham,” Jaycee said loud into the microphone, looking at him. Manny was sitting in the front row of the table next to her so Jaycee tossed it to him. Manny reached out to grab it then pulled his hands back letting the small plaque hit the floor; it broke into two pieces. “Nice!” Jaycee said smiling. Manny laughed, then reached down and picked up what was left of his plaque. Jaycee reached into the bag again pulling out another small award. “Most popular girl…Anne Marie Powell.” Jaycee called into the microphone, then smiled and looked at Anne. Anne hopped up and walked to the front and grabbed the small plaque. “Any words for your fans?” Jaycee asked as she held the microphone over to Anne. “I just want to thank all the little people!” She joked then turned and walked back toward her table. As she walked back she glanced to her right and looked directly at Adam, who was clapping along with the other students. She hadn’t looked his way or talked to him in so long but at that moment her eyes went directly to him. She hadn’t been looking for him but knew exactly where he was. Their eyes met and Adam’s hands froze during the clap. Anne didn’t smile at him; she just looked at him as he looked at her. Their eyes stayed connected until she sat back down. She turned her head back toward the front of the room. Why did I do that? Anne wondered to herself. She had no reason to look his way but she did. Anne had spent the last few months not trying to forget about Adam but trying to not lead him on. She didn’t want him to think she was ready for any kind of a relationship with him. She just wasn’t comfortable with their last conversation and she wasn’t sure if she ever would be. Still, she missed his eyes. She’d not looked at them in such a long time that her eyes craved them. Her eyes called out to his and they knew exactly where to find them. Maybe this is a sign? Anne continued to wonder but did not turn her head back to Adam. Do I really love him? “Most popular boy…Adam Sawyer,” Jaycee called out. Adam wasn’t paying attention and was still staring at Anne hoping she would look back one more time. “Adam Sawyer?” Jaycee called out again, looking at him staring at Anne. “Yo…Adam Sawyer?” Adam heard his name…then looked back at Jaycee. “Yeah…you! I’ve got some hardware for you,” she said smiling and holding up a small trophy. Adam hopped out of his seat and as he passed by Michelle he noticed that she looked away from him and turned her head down like she was searching in the bag. It was obvious to Adam that Michelle was still feeling badly about dumping him the day of the prom. Adam didn’t really care; he wasn’t really upset about it. If he’d gone to the prom he probably just would have been thinking about Anne all night. Adam was trying to make it a point to not ask anyone else out until he’d heard back from Anne. It seemed pointless but he was planning on riding out his decision. His clock was ticking. As Adam got the front of the room Jaycee leaned into him and covered the microphone. “We are still walking together at graduation right?” she asked. “I know we’d talked about it but I’m just making sure.” “Of course,” Adam responded. “You are one of my best friends. I can’t think of any other friend I’d rather make my final walk with.” The two smiled. “Adam Sawyer…most popular boy,” she called out holding up her hand next to him. Suddenly from the back of the room came a voice yelling out. “That’s bullshit!!!” The clapping stopped and nearly every senior turned to the back of the room. Richard was sitting alone at the end of the middle table. His plate was in front of him but he hadn’t touched the food on it. “You guys are such idiots!” he called out. “What? We can’t hear you Rich,” Jaycee said over the microphone. Jim reached over and turned the music all the way down. “I said you guys are idiots!” Richard responded again, harshly. “What are you talking about?” Jaycee asked with a questioned look and one raised eyebrow. Richard stood up and looked around the room. Then he pointed at Adam who was still standing in the front holding his small wooden plaque. “I ca