Judy’s POV
I went to the hospital; I wasn’t sure what compelled me to come here, but Irene spoke to her father last night, and she told me that he had to go to the hospital because something happened with Rachel, and that’s what caused him to miss the graduation ceremony.
I barely managed to finish my speech once that breaking news story got sent to everyone’s phones. My voice had come out hollow, and I could hear the rapid beating of my heart; there was no doubt that everyone else could hear it too. I saw the sympathetic looks of Nan as she watched me struggle to speak.
I apologized and stepped away from the podium, ignoring the scattered claps as I took my seat. My hands were trembling violently, and I couldn’t even look up to meet the wary gazes of my parents, who I knew without a doubt were watching me from across the room. I saw my mother on her phone at one point as well, so I knew she had seen the news story and shared it with my father.
There were a couple more speeches from some of the college faculty, and then the Dean returned to the podium for her final speech before she announced the graduates by name. As she spoke each name, graduates stood and walked up to the stage, grabbed their degrees, and shook the Dean’s hand before posing for a picture.
“Nan Bigsby,” the Dean announced.
Nan stood, plastered a smile on her face, and walked onto the stage. Chester was the loudest to cheer, and Nan blushed when he stood up and shouted for her. I wanted to be one of the loudest to cheer for my best friend, but I could barely
even move.
I hardly registered what the Dean announced my name. The girl beside me had to nudge me when I made no effort to move.
“Judy Montague,” the Dean announced.
With wobbly legs, I stood and made my way towards the stage. The walk felt like an eternity; though there were clapping and cheering, my parents being amongst the loudest, and Nan and Chester also chanting, I barely heard any of it. To me, the entire place was silent, and the only sounds of my beating heart and breathing could be heard.
I stepped onto the stage, forcing a smile, though I knew it was tired and worn as I took the degree and shook the Dean’s hand.
“Congratulations,” she said just before we posed for a picture.
I couldn’t manage a simple “Thank you” in response. I only nodded and made my way down the stage. I returned to my seat as the other graduates were called. The rest of the ceremony went by as a blur.
“Come on,” Nan said, grabbing my arm and pulling me to my feet. I hadn’t realized the ceremony was over until she came to grab me. “Let’s get you out of here.”
Chester was with her, and my
Vel
parents were approaching, a worried look in their eyes. I nodded and stood to my feet. We walked outside, and the cool night air, practically attacked my lungs making it difficult to breathe. I felt myself growing dizzy, and what I
wanted to do at that moment was lie
down and maybe have a cry.
“I can’t believe you did this to her, Dad,” I heard someone saying from nearby. “You didn’t even bother calling. You just stood her up! You stood me up!”
I looked up to see Irene standing by her car, tears streaming down her face as she clutched her phone. My heart was thudding even harder against my chest.
“And for what? Because Rachel is in the hospital for a child that probably isn’t even yours?? I thought you were smarter than that…”
My heart shattered; that’s why he missed the graduation. Because he was still in the hospital with Rachel The news article did show a video of Gavin @ushing Rachel to the hospital yesterday, but I didn’t think he’d
actually stay there all night with her and miss the graduation ceremony. Then again, I wasn’t sure what I was expecting. It’s not like he’s been talking to me these last couple of weeks. I have no idea what’s been going on in his mind.
“You have so much to make up for,” Irene said before she hung up the phone.
She noticed me watching her as she shoved her phone into her purse. Tears were still filling her eyes, and I could see the hurt behind them.
“I’m so sorry,” she whispered before she got into her car and drove off.
“Let’s get you home,” my mother had said, wrapping an arm around my shoulders.
“We can celebrate tomorrow. You look exhausted.”
I nodded, barely registering her words.
Now, it’s the next morning, and I’m standing in the waiting room of the hospital. Gavin’s scent was faint, which meant it had been a few hours Since he had been here. But I
Rachel was still here. Ineeded
Kpeak with her and find out the
truth. I needed to know if the rumors were true and if Gavin truly was the father of her baby.