BB15 | Refracted | Epilogue
Two days later, Jared puts on his cap and gown so he’s covered in bright blue from head to toe. Danneel adjusts his cap and tweaks his cheeks with a sweet smile.
“We’re doing it, Jared.”
Jared takes a deep breath and loves being lost in the loud noises of graduates waiting in the field house to be led out onto the field for the ceremony. “Yeah, we really are.”
“What a crazy ride, huh?” Danneel laughs.
He knows she means all four years, but to him it’s all about the last four months. And the next four to come, and a dozen beyond that.
There are plenty of weeks between now and the start of college, and he’s content to enjoy that time without worrying over all that awaits him. The old Jared definitely would be focused on that already. This new Jared is more interested in the possibilities and unanswered questions.
Like Jensen, who slips between other grads and joins Jared at the front of the line. Jared’s at the start of the crowd in honor of his grades landing him in the top twenty-five students, while Jensen should be back by the students lined up alphabetically by last name.
Others around them watch when Jensen cuts line and stands beside Jared. They could be annoyed with him being out of place or just because it’s Jensen. Maybe even because of what happened at Prom, which likely became the hottest gossip of the year.
Jared doesn’t care, and he closes his hand around Jensen’s. “You ready?”
“As ready as I’ll ever be,” Jensen replies while squeezing Jared’s hand. “You?”
“Not at all,” he admits with a smile. “And it’s totally fucking great.”
“Oh, Jared Padalecki!” Jensen shames him with overplayed shock. “What a dirty mouth you have.”
“I hope so.” Jared flits his eyebrow then laughs when Jensen’s cheeks turn red.
When he spots Mr. Beaver heading there way, looking none too plussed at Jensen being in their line, he elbows Jensen. “You’ve been spotted. Better get back in line.”
“Hell no, I’m staying right here. I want a front row seat to all the pomp and circumstance.”
“Mr. Ackles,” Mr. Beaver intones deeply from behind him. “I think you’ve got somewhere else to be right now?”
“I would much rather be in Hawaii, but …”
“Mr. Ackles,” Mr. Beaver says even deeper than before.
“Yes, sir,” Jensen replies while rolling his eyes.
Seconds later, Jensen’s wading back through the crowd and Mr. Beaver is turning away with a shake of his head. Danneel nudges Jared’s side a bright, excited smile and Jared returns before looking for Jensen again.
He breathes deeply and smirks as he reads the back of Jensen’s cap. It’s okay not to be okay.
Everything slots into place, and he knows that life is more than what everyone wants for you. It’s about what he wants and being who he is. Who he really wants to be.
Right now, that’s a high school graduate with a new boyfriend who encourages every misstep along the way. And that is okay.
