Tuesday - 5/11
SALEM HIGH SCHOOL
It was the big day. Graduation day. All of the seniors were putting on their caps and gowns and getting in line.
MANNY: You guys were so adorable last night!
RICKY: Thanks, ‘della.
ALLIE: I had the best time last night!
MANNY: I’m glad. So, you ready for the big day?
ALLIE: Yep.
RICKY: Onto the next adventure.
Allie and Ricky smiled and took each other by the hand. Meanwhile, Meadow Cole was helping Meadow West with her stole.
COLE: There we go.
WEST: Thanks, Meadow.
COLE: You’re welcome, Meadow. So, it seems like you and DiMera had fun last night. Congrats on winning the contest.
WEST: Thanks. And we did. It was really nice, actually. I’m sorry about how your night went.
Cole shrugged.
COLE: Tristan’s not a bad dancer, even if he’s not my type. Speaking of which…
She gave West a meaningful look and tilted her head to the line behind them.
WEST: Yeah.
COLE: You wanna do it now, or wait ‘til after graduation?
WEST: Let’s just do it and get it over with. We don’t want it looming over our heads during the ceremony. This’ll be fun.
Cole and West walked a short distance down the hallway until they came to Meadow Shaw, who was standing off to one side, scowling.
SHAW: Well, if it isn’t Benedict Arnold and Judas Iscariot. Come to finish me off?
COLE: Good morning to you, too, Meadow.
WEST: We need to talk.
SHAW: You had your chance to talk last night. I don’t have anything to say to either of you.
WEST: Maybe not, but we’ve got something to say to you.
COLE: As you know, the original plan was that the Meadows would carry on into college. And they will, just not with you.
SHAW: Excuse me?
WEST: Meadow and I have come to an agreement. You need to take a break, get things figured out.
SHAW: You’re kicking me out? Oh, this is the best thing I’ve heard all day! Newsflash: you can’t kick me out of the group! There’d be no group!
COLE: Newsflash: we can, and we have.
WEST: As of today, the Meadows have a new management style: co-leaders.
COLE: And as co-leaders, Meadow and I have decided that your services as former leader are no longer required.
Shaw’s face was nearly as red as her hair, and she looked as though she was about to pounce. Luckily, Miss Schuler, the theatre teacher, walked by.
SCHULER: Ladies, please get into alphabetical order. The processional is about to begin.
Shaw shot one final glare at Cole and West.
SHAW (whispering): You’ll be sorry for this. Both of you.
She turned on her heel and stormed away. The other two sighed.
WEST: That went about as well as I figured it would.
COLE: Yeah. Well, good luck, Meadow. I’ll see you on the other side.
WEST: Good luck to you, too, Meadow.
The two remaining Meadows shook hands, then walked to their separate ends of the line. As Cole went to her spot in line, she passed Johnny and Tristan.
COLE: Good luck, boys.
TRISTAN: You too.
They turned back to each other.
JOHNNY: So, how’d it go with her last night?
Tristan shrugged.
TRISTAN: She’s actually not that bad now that she’s broken my step-sister’s hold over her. But, of the three, you got the nicest one. How’d things go with her?
JOHNNY: Well, we won the dance contest, so there’s that. And we agreed that we’d like to hang out again.
TRISTAN: Sweet, man. I’m happy for you.
JOHNNY: Thanks.
Tristan and Johnny fist bumped. Out in the gymnasium, all of the families of the graduates were taking their places. Sami and Lucas waved to Tara, who waved back. Sydney looked over at Silver, who was sitting next to Tara. She looked over, too, but as soon as they saw that the other was looking, they looked away. Will soon joined the group.
WILL: Big day.
SAMI: It sure is! Good to see you, sweetheart.
WILL: You too.
Will hugged his parents and Sydney. Lucas leaned over to Sami.
LUCAS (whispering): We’ve got incoming.
Sami rolled her eyes and turned to see E.J., Tony and Chad approaching.
E.J.: Samantha, Lucas. Lovely to see you.
SAMI: Tony, Chad. E.J.
TONY: Thank you very much for the invitation.
SAMI: You three are Johnny’s family and I know he’s fond of you.
CHAD: Well, we appreciate it. How’s it goin’, man?
WILL: Not bad. Good to see you.
Chad and Will shook hands.
SYDNEY: Hi, Daddy.
E.J.: Sydney. It’s good to see you, my darling.
He gave Sydney a somewhat awkward hug.
E.J.: It feels like it’s been ages. You’ve gotten taller.
SYDNEY: A few inches.
E.J.: You really must come by the Mansion and see me sometime.
SYDNEY: Okay.
Tony put a hand on E.J.’s shoulder.
TONY: Elvis, the ceremony is about to begin. We should be finding our seats.
E.J.: Of course.
CHAD: We’ll see you guys afterwards.
LUCAS: Sounds good.
Sami watched as E.J., Chad and Tony found seats a short distance away from them. Gradually, everyone sat down as the ceremony started. The high school band started playing.
CLICK HERE to hear the processional music. The procession began with Mr Woods and the Vice Principal, followed by the heads of each subject, who took their places onstage and sat in a row. Next came two lines of students. Sami and Lucas took each other by the hand as they spotted Johnny and Allie among the crowd. Eventually, all of the students had gotten to their seats. Mr. Woods stood up and walked to the podium.
WOODS: Good morning students, fellow faculty members, parents, relatives, guardians and friends. My name is Malcolm Woods, I am the Principal and Head of the Science Department here at Salem High School. It is my honor to welcome you all to the 2021 Graduation Ceremony for Salem High School.