Part 23

The last two weeks at school and off campus had been a hundred times more busy than normal. Not only were the students, teachers, parents and every one else in Wood Berry getting ready to close out the school year, but there were others' that were waiting on the ending to important matters of the heart.

     It had been decided that the Saturday before graduation a parade was in order. This was a new event that was being hosted by the senior class, it's teachers and a few sponsors of the various business and churches in the community. It promised to be an eye opening event.

      Evening had fallen on the town as James waited on Si to show up. He sat in his room going over the long list of students names that he and Si had been able to put together. It still amazed him at how many of the seniors in school had responded to his and Si's efforts to contact them. James never figured some of these people as the caring type.

     As he sat on his bed thinking about tomorrow's parade he continued to wonder if all of this would yield the effect that Norton, Si and himself had hoped for, but for now there was no way to know.

     So deep in thought about what was to come James never heard Si come up. She stood at the doorway of his room just looking at him, but not in that weird creepy way. The way a girl that whole heartily admires that one person that she has always had deep secret feelings for.

     Si never thought much about how she felt regarding her best friend James, except now they were no longer young friends living two houses away. They were as close to grown up as could be and those feelings seemed more important to her than ever.

     Clearing her throat to get James attention Si spoke, quietly as if she didn't want to break to spell of the moment," I'm so sorry to interrupt. Just thought you'd like to know we can go now." her tone soft in a way James had never noticed before.

     Turning around he smiled as he looked at her, the light of the moon shining quiet brightly through his window. She seemed to have a slight glow about her and James liked it very much. He was so very glad to see her tonight knowing that she would be beside him all the way. It felt comfortable as though it was suppose to be this way.

     Smiling at her he replied, "Well, you certainly know how to sneak up on a guy, now don't ya?" he stood up walking over to where she stood and waited. He actually like the way this all felt.

     Not exactly sure what James was thinking Si looked at him questioning what was going on with him, "Ok, what ya looking at?" she asked him.

     He let out a little laugh as he simply replied, "You. Got a problem with that?" as he stood smiling down at the girl who was so grown up now. How very cute she looked at this moment with that puzzled expression on her face.

     "Whatever dude. Come on, let's go. Norton is waiting on us and so are all of the others'. We've got a lot to do tonight." Si turned and headed down the stairs. She wasn't sure exactly where James head was at, but as she headed out the door she was wearing a big fat grin. He had noticed her not only as his best friend, but as a real female and that was a great feeling.