151| GRADUATION

The morning of graduation day comes with all the speed of a tortoise racing to the finish line. But the morning of, something changes, and time’s dragging feet turn to a mad sprint. Before I know it, I find myself sitting in the audience of graduates in the auditorium with no real recollection of how I got from dressing this morning to this point.

*Did I black out again?* I haven’t had any issues regarding time for a while and the idea seems insane to even consider…but… I roll my tongue in my mouth, tasting for anything as I wiggle my toes in my tennis shoes. Nothing calls to mind memories of actually getting dressed after waking up this morning. Panic twists in my gut, but I take a deep breath and suppress the emotion before it can perfume my scent or pollute my already chaotic mind.

I make a mental note to call on Nikki later and relay this weirdness to her. For now, I focus on the situation and try to absorb as much as I can. I’m sitting in the auditorium of the school in my one-size-fits-most cap and gown, the draping material thin but scratchy as hell against my arms. Underneath, I can feel that I’m wearing normal clothes…wether or not they’re appropriate for the venue is another something I can worry about later.

My mouth is dry as people are called up to the stage by name, cross the stage and take their diplomas and pause to get a brief photo before getting back down from the stage. I have a vague sense of fear as my name is called and a twist of sadness as I rise and move on steady legs to the stage.

I don’t know how I’m supposed to feel as I stride up the steps of the stage, and have to swallow several times as I take my diploma from the administrator, shake their hand and turn to look into the camera. My face stretches into a smile as I force as much joy as I can into the expression…even as my eyes begin to warm and prickle.

*Mom should be here to see me in this moment*. To be one of the parents in the back rows watching the stage with their collection of flowers and balloons and wide-smiles. My mother would be clapping with ridiculous enthusiasm with Hale and the Azures. I step away from the center of the stage, a real, relaxed smile puling at my lips as my eyes fill, Blue’s emotions surging with pride in me. The comfort of his ever-present mind melded with mine soothes the sharpness of the stabbing ache in my chest. I keep my diploma clutched to my chest as I take my seat once more and try to absorb the moment as the rest of the graduates officially graduate.

I’m stunned as the closing statements are given, fighting to remain still though my skin itches slightly with sudden need to get out of the auditorium.

*This is really happening. I’ve reached my goal of finishing high school. I’ve graduated*. The mental loop stuns the ever-loving-shit out of me as my peers rise and throw their caps into the air, cheering chaotically as we’re dismissed. Suddenly, my mate is in front of me, a wide grin making the darkness in my mind fade away.

Blue’s got his wild, black hair hidden under the black cap, the shinny silver and gold stranded tassel dancing as he extends a hand to me. I take it without hesitation, letting him pull me from my seat and into his warm embrace. The mega-watt smile meant just for me grows widder and so loving that the fear in me melt away and I can’t help but grin back.

“You did it, Red.” I can see him mouth the words, but it’s too loud and chaotic to hear him properly. Still, because our minds are connected, I can hear the pride and conviction in them that should paint his verbal tone.

“You did, too.” I reply with a shrug. Blue reaches to cup my cheek with one big hand, caressing my slightly cooler skin and gazing longingly at my mouth. My breath catches a second before his soft lips brush against mine in the ghost of a kiss. The realization that we’re in public and not in a room alone, seems to register a beat before the kiss becomes more than just a light peck on the mouth. I shiver as the electric warmth skids along my skin where we’ve touched, my heart galloping in an effort to beat out of my chest.

My eyelids flutter before the intoxicating cloud clears from my mind and I can breathe again. Blue’s watching me with an unreadable expression, but undeniable heat in his silvery-grey eyes. My mouth dries and I have to swallow my initial desire to jump him right here, right now, even if there are more than two hundred humans in this cramped room with us. A small smirk twists Blue’s sinful mouth, the glint of wicked amusement in his eyes letting me know he caught that errant thought.

*Maybe we can sneak out of here without anyone seeing us?* My breathing escalates a little as Blue’s eyes darken a degree with my mental proposition. The carnal heat there letting me know we’re thinking about the same thing as he gives me an almost imperceptible nod. But before either of us can move to clear the five rows that separate us from the over-crowded exit, a pale form comes into our line of sight. The scent of over-ripe apples giving away the identity of the man before he clears his throat.

“Congratulations, Sunshine.” Hale’s gentle voice is barely audible over the slowly emptying room. Paternal pride makes his jade eyes just a little more reflective with withheld tears…and I know he’s got the same wish for Mom to be here as I do. The reminder is an ice-bucket to the face, cooling my libido quickly and making me think about everything more clearly.

“Thanks,” I smile back at my biological father, detangling myself from Blue’s hold long enough to reach for the vampire who’s DNA makes up half of my own. Hale gives me a firm hug with one arm, his scent of sweet apples and iron filling my nose. I swallow as I recall how much I associate my own scent with the combination of his and mom’s of cinnamon. I blink away tears as the gravity of the moment hits home.

“She would have been so proud of you, just like I am now.” Hale murmurs in my hair. I blink more rapidly, my throat working to clear the lump of emotion threatening to choke me.

I squeeze my father tighter to me, wishing - not for the first time - that I’d grown up knowing this man as the father figure I now associate him with. I wish we were more like the typical father-daughter with a normal relationship instead of the overly complicated one of mentor-father and student-daughter.

“I’m glad you’re here at least,” I tell him honestly before pulling back to see him sniffing and blinking hard. “We really need to talk more, old man.” I add in a more teasing tone. “I hardly see you anymore.”

“Yes, well, I think that can be arranged.” Hale sniffs, giving me an equally watery smile. “Let’s schedule a standing lunch. How does Sunday sound?”

“Good.” I nod eagerly, relief and warmth relaxing the tightness in my chest.

“Now, I know I’m keeping you from your mate, but,” Hale’s eyes light with mischief as he glances at Blue behind me. With a flourish, my father pulls his hidden arm from behind his back and produces a small bouquet of bright sunflowers and sprigs of greenery. “In case I don’t get to see you until Sunday.” Hale’s smirk makes my cheeks heat as I take the thickly bound flowers. “Be safe, Sunshine. We’ll chat Sunday.” He adds, lightly pressing a hand to my upper arm before nodding to Blue. I blink at the retreating form of my father as Blue comes to stand at my side and wraps an arm around my waist.

*Maybe it’s a good thing we don’t have a typical relationship, Hale and I*. I think to myself as I review the words my father just uttered. I’m pretty sure if Hale was ‘normal’ he’d have threatened to kill Blue for daring to look at me with such unbridled lust- let alone allude to me being ‘too busy’ to talk to my own father over the next few days.

“Let’s go home,”Blue murmurs in my ear, his clean-shaven face having the barest traces of stubble that rasp against my skin. I shiver as the promise in both his touch and words registers and ignites my blood.