Manny adjusted his tie. He peeked out from behind the stage curtain and saw his dad sitting in the audience. His dad was beaming.

Manny’s friend Sarah touched his arm. She looked different than usual with her fancy dress and high heeled shoes. Everyone looked more grown up today. Manny guessed that made sense – they’d be starting high school in just a few months after all.

“We’re lining up now,” said Sarah. Manny let the curtain drop and followed her to their place in the line. Their last names were next to each other alphabetically so they were next to each other in the line. It had been that way since kindergarten. Standing in line together all the time was how Manny and Sarah became friends. Manny knew a lot of things were going to change in high school, but at least Sarah would be there too.

“I saw my dad in the audience,” Manny said. “Is your mom here?”

“Yeah,” said Sarah. “She’s sitting out there with my aunt and my sister.”

“This feels really weird,” said Manny. “I can’t believe we’ll never stand on this stage again.”

“I know,” said Sarah. The stage had been a big part of their lives for the nine years they’d been at this school. Sarah stood on it when she was a tree in the second grade play. Manny stood on it when he played the violin in the orchestra concert. Now they were standing here waiting to graduate from eighth grade.

The music started and the two friends looked at each other.

“Here we go,” said Manny.

“Good luck,” said Sarah.

The curtain parted and they walked out. They looked at the sea of faces in the audience. Everyone’s families were there to celebrate what they had accomplished in their lives so far. Manny knew he wouldn’t have made it to this moment without his dad’s love and support.

“Thanks, Dad,” he whispered. And his dad smiled, like he could hear it.