Leo and I entered the gym just at the tail end of the ‘Alma Mater’. The standing crowd faced a stage a couple of feet off the ground; behind the stage, Pleasant Hills’ pennants, sports championships, and a massive tapestry depicting a purple panther, yellow eyes staring down. When the song ended, the bleachers groaned as everyone sat down. Everyone. People in Pleasant Hills came to graduation even if they didn’t have a kid who was graduating; it was a sign of town unity, community spirit – and it was exactly what we wanted. Everyone in one room.

I bet a lot of them came because they were looking forward to Heath Alderman’s speech.

Thankfully, no heads turned towards us as we snuck inside; all the graduation seniors were sitting facing the opposite way, and the sound of the doors opening was masked by the commotion. We scurried to the left, where there was a hallway that led to a set of stairs.

Which led to the projection booth.

‘You still have it?’ Leo whispered sharply from ahead as we made it to the staircase.

‘Ye of little faith.’

‘Just checking.’

The ceremony continued as we ascended, quickly enough not to waste time but slowly enough not to make too much noise. The principal had gone up to the microphone to introduce the next speaker. ‘Typically at this point in the ceremony,’ he began, ‘a speech would be given by the valedictorian of the graduating class, followed by the class president, but this year, we are lucky enough to have a student who has earned both honours. A very exciting time for Pleasant Hills High, and for our community. Truly, this kid’s a go-getter and we all can’t wait to see what he does next. It’s my pleasure to invite Heath Alderman to the microphone.’

Gross.

We’d made it to the door of the projection booth, where Olivia was waiting, wringing her wrists.

Leo muttered a thanks and zoomed past her, while I stood there, not really sure what to say, until Olivia wrapped me in a quick hug. ‘Go, go,’ she said. ‘Do the thing. Go.’ Then she disappeared down the stairs.

I followed Leo and jammed the USB stick into his hand.

‘Principal Stevens,’ Heath began below, ‘trustees, faculty members, family, friends and fellow graduates, today is truly a day of celebration. It is an honour to be here –’

Leo booted up the computer connected to the projector and stuck in the thumb drive, then cursed it for taking too long.

‘– to speak to the community, absolutely, but especially to address the incredible group of friends, peers and scholars with whom I’ve shared these halls for the past four years.’

Leo clicked his tongue while the monitor came to life.