Was he crying?
Then Caleb slowly folded his speech in half.
The gym became silent.
Thousands of eyes fixed on him.
He looked up.
Not at me.
Not at the principal.
At Patrick.
Sitting beside me.
My stomach tightened.
“Sorry,” Caleb said quietly.
His voice echoed through the microphone.
“I can’t pretend nothing has happened.”
A murmur spread through the audience.
I turned toward Patrick.
His face had gone pale.
For the first time all evening, he looked frightened.
Caleb reached inside his graduation gown.
He removed a sealed envelope.
My heart started pounding.
“Now everyone will find out what you did.”
The gym exploded with whispers.
The principal stood halfway from his chair.
Patrick’s jaw clenched.
I felt completely lost.
“What is happening?” I whispered.
Patrick didn’t answer.
On stage, Caleb took a deep breath.
Then he spoke.
“My stepfather has spent the last year telling people he’s proud of me.”
The room remained silent.
“He tells friends about my grades.”
“He talks about my scholarships.”
“He congratulates me for becoming valedictorian.”
Caleb held up the envelope.
“But six months ago, I discovered something.”
Patrick lowered his head.
My pulse hammered in my ears.
Caleb continued.
“I applied to twelve universities.”
