The graduation
VIOLET
The car screeched to a halt in the school's parking lot, the sudden motion jolting me forward slightly in my seat. My hand instinctively moved to the door handle to step out, but before I could pull it open, Ryan’s warm hand tugged my arm.
“Not so fast,” he murmured, his voice low and teasing.
Before I could question him, his lips crashed onto mine, stealing my breath. The kiss was urgent, heated, and filled with emotions we hadn’t put into words yet—excitement, nerves, and the bittersweet realization that today marked both an ending and a beginning.
“Ryan,” I mumbled against his mouth, breaking the kiss with a breathless laugh. “Stop. We’ll be late for graduation.”
His smirk was shameless as he leaned back, his hand lingering on my arm. “Worth it,” he said simply, his green eyes glinting with mischief.
I shook my head, a small smile tugging at my lips despite myself. This was so typical of Ryan—always pushing boundaries, always making me feel like the rest of the world could wait.
We’d decided to arrive together today, though it had taken some convincing to get him to agree. Our parents were going to meet us at the venue later, each arriving separately, which was probably for the best. It kept things simple—or as simple as anything involving our families could ever be.
As we pulled up to the entrance, Ryan hopped out and grabbed his cap and gown from the back seat. He barely had time to adjust the tassel before Jack came over, clapping him on the back and dragging him off into the crowd of graduates.
I stood there for a moment, watching him disappear into the sea of black robes and smiling faces. Ryan always had this way of commanding attention, even when he wasn’t trying.
With a deep breath, I straightened my own gown and made my way toward the auditorium.
\---
The moment I stepped inside, the atmosphere hit me like a tidal wave. Bright lights illuminated every corner of the massive space, while a pulsing hum of chatter and excitement filled the air. The faint strains of celebratory music played in the background, adding to the electric energy of the room.
This was it. Four years of late-night study sessions, awkward presentations, stressful exams, and moments that felt like they’d stretch forever—it was all culminating here, in this moment. Graduation.
I let myself take it in for a second, my heart swelling with both pride and a strange ache. An end to something familiar. A beginning of something unknown.
“Bestie!!!”
Ashley’s unmistakable squeal jolted me out of my thoughts, and I turned just in time to see her rushing toward me, arms spread wide. Her dark curls bounced as she moved, the glow of excitement practically radiating off her.
She was stunning, as always, even in the shapeless black graduation gown. Her makeup was flawless, a shimmering mix of gold and bronze that highlighted her warm brown eyes. A pair of delicate gold hoops framed her face, and her signature bright red nails were a sharp contrast against the black fabric as she pulled me into a tight hug.
“You made it!” she exclaimed, squeezing me so tightly I almost lost my breath.
“Of course I did,” I laughed, hugging her back. “Did you think I’d miss this?”
“I don’t know, you looked kind of lost in thought when I saw you,” she teased, pulling back to inspect me. “What’s on your mind? Or should I say who?”
I rolled my eyes but felt the warmth creeping up my cheeks. “Ashley…”
“Relax, I’m just messing with you,” she said with a wink, looping her arm through mine. “Come on, let’s find our seats before we’re stuck in the back with the slackers.”
As we made our way further into the auditorium, I couldn’t help but glance over my shoulder, searching for a familiar head of tousled dark hair. Ryan had left with Jack to check in with their section of the graduates, but I already missed the comfort of his presence.
The rows of chairs stretched endlessly across the auditorium floor, each one marked with a small name tag. Ashley and I found our assigned seats near the middle, surrounded by a sea of other graduates in their gowns and caps. The air buzzed with nervous energy as people adjusted their tassels, took selfies, and whispered about the ceremony ahead.
“Can you believe it’s over?” Ashley said softly, her voice losing some of its usual playfulness.
I turned to look at her, surprised by the sudden seriousness in her tone. Her eyes scanned the crowd, a mix of nostalgia and pride flickering across her face.
“No,” I admitted, my own voice quiet. “It feels… surreal.”
She nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips. “We made it, though. That’s what matters.”
We fell into a comfortable silence as the lights dimmed slightly, signaling the start of the ceremony. The hum of conversation quieted, and all eyes turned toward the stage at the front of the room.
As the ceremony began, I found myself zoning out at times, the speeches blending into a haze of motivational clichés and anecdotes. My mind kept drifting—back to the past four years, to the moments that had shaped me, and to the uncertain future ahead.
And, inevitably, to Ryan.
I glanced over at the section where he was seated with the other graduates. Even from a distance, he stood out—his broad shoulders, the way he leaned back in his chair with that effortless confidence that always seemed to draw people in.
The ceremony began with the principal stepping onto the stage, her voice booming through the speakers as she welcomed everyone to the graduation. A hush fell over the crowd, and the excitement in the air shifted into a more solemn, reflective tone.
Ashley nudged me playfully, whispering something about how the principal always managed to make even happy occasions sound like lectures. I smiled faintly, but my mind was elsewhere, my eyes scanning the rows of graduates and the stage.
Ryan caught my gaze from across the room, his cap slightly askew in that effortlessly rebellious way of his. He winked, and despite myself, I felt a flicker of warmth ease some of the nervousness in my chest.
“...and now, it’s time to announce this year’s valedictorian,” the principal’s voice cut through my thoughts, drawing my attention back to the stage. “This student has demonstrated exceptional academic achievement, leadership, and dedication throughout their four years with us. Please join me in welcoming Luke Carter.”
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