Despite our differences, Danny and I continue to be best friends and neither of us can remember when it wasn’t that way. I think we both realize that we are headed for completely different careers and that the time may come when we’ll have little in common but our memories.  We still have another year of high school and sometimes I find myself wishing that it would never end. I know that Danny feels that way as well, although being Danny, he would never admit it. Nearly everyone in our class had summer jobs this year, I worked as a junior counsellor at a camp for pre-teens and Danny was a lifeguard. Noah who worked at a local hardware store was envious  of both of us, although he made more money in one month than I did for the entire summer. He also had Sara working in the pharmacy next door and they were able to spend most of their free time together, while I was away from Cherrie for much of the summer. Friends sometimes tease Noah and Sara because she is so petite, while he stands 6 ft. 4 in. and weighs 230 pounds.  We all agree however, that they are among the happiest couples at school. Danny, on the other hand, can’t as yet be said to have had a childhood sweetheart, and despite his popularity with the opposite sex, has had perhaps six dates in the last year. I keep telling him to watch out when he does fall.

I can still remember my first day of school, it was a little scary then too, and it was the same with junior high and high school. Now as we make plans for our high school graduation, and try to decide on a college for next year, the idea is every bit as scary, perhaps more so because most of us will be living away from home for the first time. Eighteen year olds, especially boys, don’t like to admit such things but it always felt good having mom and dad around, even if we sometimes called them old fashioned and proclaimed loudly that we could make our own decisions. Although I expect to handle the transition from high school to college with as much ease as anyone, it’s  natural for me to discuss any fears I might have with my parents, after all we’ve always been open and honest with each other.  I love my parents and have no problem in telling them so, in fact I feel sorry for any kid who don’t have the same relationship.

Cherrie and I study together one night each week alternating between her parents place and mine. On weekends we both have dance practice but always find time to either watch a movie, go to the theatre or take in one of Danny’s football games. Danny always appreciates it when we show up to watch him play. A couple of times a year, we go to a fancy restaurant  with either her parents or mine. We also plan to attend the same college in September but as Cherrie is looking at a career in medicine and I’m interested in both theatre and teaching, it’s unlikely that we’ll be attending the same schools later. Danny is hoping for a football scholarship and so far his chances look good.  Noah’s situation is a bit different but he hopes to attend the local college and work evenings and weekends. Sara, not wanting to be away from, “the sweetest man on earth”, as she calls Noah, is looking at attending our local college as well.