Mia managed to see Noah for a few minutes every day during the following week, even though he was busy working at the café and practicing in the evenings for Blue Moon’s holiday weekend performances. There were a lot of reservations at the inn for Memorial weekend, so it was beginning to get busier. But Mia would be going to Noah’s graduation on Friday night.
Dad would probably be coming home for Memorial weekend, and Mia was planning on having Noah over for a cookout Monday afternoon before the band’s performance at the Dragonfly Pointe Inn. Noah had been thrilled when their band had been asked to perform, because theirs would be the first concert of the season.
In their rush to get ready, they’d been asking Mia for a lot of advice, and she was surprised to realize how good she was at giving it. Mia taught them all some simple dance moves to use when performing as well as assisting each with their individual makeovers. Plus, she really enjoyed it.
The week sped by quickly and soon it was Friday night. Dad had given in and was finally allowing her to drive the car. Mia had a feeling he’d bought the Volkswagen Beretta for her use anyway but was waiting until she was actually ready to drive it. Now that she wasn’t hanging out as much with Bree, she wasn’t quite as nervous about driving on her own. If she would have continued living in Chicago, who knows if she would have ever learned how.
When Mia walked into the school gym, where the graduation ceremony was being held, she heard someone call her name.
Noah’s grandmother.
Grinning, she walked over to where Noah’s grandparents had held a seat for her.
“Hi, Mia,” Noah’s grandfather said, standing up so Mia could squeeze into the seat beside Noah’s grandmother.
“Hi, Mr. and Mrs. Erikson. How is everything going?”
“Great,” Noah’s grandmother answered, grinning. “You don’t have to tell us how you’re doing. Noah talks about you all the time.”
“Shh,” Mr. Erikson said with his index finger held to his lips. “You’re not supposed to say stuff like that to a boy’s girl, Barb. You’re really getting to be a smart aleck, just like Noah said.”
Mrs. Erikson elbowed her husband, and Mia giggled.
Only a few minutes later, the ceremony began.
The principal of the school said a few words, and then he announced the two valedictorians of the senior class. “Sarah Kimball is our first speaker for the night.”
Mia wasn’t surprised. She knew Sarah fairly well, and supposedly she would be going to college at Wisconsin, after being awarded a scholarship, even though she’d had offers from several other schools.
After Sarah finished speaking, the principal walked up to the microphone. “Our other valedictorian might come as a surprise to some of you. He’s worked as a tutor, not just in music but in math. He’s always played it fairly low key, but there’s not a nicer, more helpful student than Noah Erikson, and I certainly hope the Air Force appreciates him. He’s planning on continuing his education there and possibly going into engineering.
Mia’s jaw had dropped, hearing Noah’s name, and glancing at his grandparents, they were nearly as amazed as she was.
Mia asked in a whisper, “He didn’t tell you?”
Noah’s grandmother had tears in her eyes, and his grandfather didn’t appear to be far from tears himself.
“Not a word,” Mrs. Erikson muttered.
Reaching out, Mia squeezed her hand.
Noah stood up and began to speak. It’s funny how Mia hadn’t looked at him as closely as she was looking at him now. Noah was a born leader. Listening to his speech, she discovered just how informed he was about current events, and his beliefs shined through.
Mia had a feeling deep inside—he was going to do something extraordinary someday. She just knew it.
He was surrounded by a crowd of kids, some who appeared to be in a state of semi-shock after the ceremony, and some who were genuinely pleased to see the recognition he was receiving.
Grinning, the school principal came over and shook Noah’s hand again, while Noah stood there looking bemused.
Mr. Adler said, “I told you we shouldn’t have kept it a secret. I swear, some of the parents looked like they were ready to faint.”
Noah grinned. “It’s gotta be the Harley. It fools them every time.”
Mr. Adler barked out a laugh, and Noah still heard him chuckling when he walked toward Noah’s grandparents to have a word with them.
But the only person Noah saw was Mia as he watched her approach, looking puzzled, wearing a smile on her face. And geez, she looked hot, wearing a dark blue dress and heels.
“Congratulations,” Mia said, reaching for his hand.
“I thought about telling you, but I was trying to keep it low key for Sarah’s sake. And stuff like this doesn’t matter in the scheme of things, since my career path has already been chosen.”
“Low key is right,” she answered.
“It was kind of fun seeing the look on people’s faces,” he murmured, wrapping his arm around her shoulders, as a few other students approached.
He whispered in her ear. “Let me get out of this silly gown and get rid of this cap, and then maybe we can take my grandparents out for ice cream?”
“That sounds great. They were nearly as shocked as I was when the announcement was made,” Mia said.
Noah frowned. “I wanted to surprise them. Plus, I didn’t want to make a fuss.”
“I know why you were waiting to let them know,” she said softly.
Noah blinked, looking at her face, and then gave her a wry smile. “I try not to bring up money, but you’ve figured it out?”
She gazed into his eyes. “I have. They’re in a bind because of all your grandfather’s health issues?”
“Let’s just say I’ve decided that the best way I can help them out would be with a steady income,” Noah answered. “The money issues? It really doesn’t bother you, does it, Mia?”
“Not one bit,” she answered, firmly.
Noah smiled, brushing a kiss over her lips.