Chapter 37

Ella

-Graduation Ceremony-

I’m nervous… my eyes now glued to my lap as I continue to sit within the second row near the front of the stage. My cap and gown both present as I quietly sit there next to Kris or at least as close as I can get to her considering we were seated according to last name and with her last name being Ryan she was a bit further down from me.

Really starting to wish that either Reece, Dylan or Caleb could have sat closer to me, I think, attempting to look over my shoulder in hopes of finding them or even Grant or Hayden only to fail as I do. The back rows filled with other parents and families as they also come to watch the ceremony take place.

Suddenly my attention along with everyone else's is quickly pulled up towards the podium as Mr. Mathews moves to clear his throat, his eyes moving to scan over the students and then the parents and families who came to join in the celebration.

“Welcome students, Welcome parents. Today we are gathered for a joyous occasion. The class of 2024 of Valley View Academy has officially graduated. And while it pains me to say goodbye to each and every one of you I know this isn’t farewell. No, it’s only the beginning for many of you. Now without further ado let's begin the ceremony shall we?”

Applauding, everyone moves to clap for Mr. Mathews before eventually another teacher moves to make themselves known, giving words of encouragement as well as praise before motioning for another teacher who slowly makes their way towards the podium before helping to read off names of each and every student.

-45 Minutes Later-

After many speeches and many names they finally make it to the K’s. My heart starting to race at the thought of my last name finally being called, my hands clinging to my partially opened robe. Having worn a tight yet classy royal blue bodycon style gown that hugged every inch of my body as well as curves only for the dress to stop about mid-thigh. My hair and makeup along with black heels adorning my features as well.

Deep breaths Ella, I mentally tell myself only to be torn away as I hear it. “Ella Knight” feeling my heart race I carefully move to make my way up towards the stage, my eyes glancing out towards the crowd still hoping to see my brothers yet don’t.

Shoving the feelings away I move to climb up the stairs, my nervousness now rising as I continue to approach the podium only to suddenly feel eyes on me. Eyes that made my skin crawl and not in a goodway either as I suddenly pause, hoping to find the eyes but don’t thanks to the crowd.

Easy Ella, don’t get too paranoid, not yet at least, I attempt to tell myself unable to shake the feeling deep within me, the teachers calling my name once more.

“Ella?”

Shaking my head, I move to approach them, a smile attempting to make itself known as I steadily move to reach for my diploma. A diploma I worked extra hard for.

“Ms. Ella Knight everyone” cheers the teacher as they move to hand me my diploma.

Facing the crowd I move to wave at each and every person as teachers, students and parents all continue to cheer for me, my cheeks red as I carefully move to make my way back towards my seat, the need to sit down growing.

~~~~~~~~~~
Unknown

Sitting here, I silently watch her as they slowly call her name to the stage, my eyes directly on hers the entire time. Her body tensed from feeling eyes on her and her body. My eyes.

Amused, I continue to watch her as her perfect little body slowly moves to climb up the stairs of the stage and to where the podium was. Her body suddenly pausing as if she could feel me. My smile rising at the thought of it.

Yes sweet Princess, that’s it, sense me. Know that I’m the one watching you and only you, I muse. My body aroused by hers. The need to walk up and over to her, to take her away growing each time I see her.

No, I tell myself, easing myself back down into reality. Not yet.

~~~~~~~~~~
Caleb

Two weeks, two agonizing weeks and still no closer than when we started. Sighing, I move to glance over to Reece and Dylan. Having been told about Ella’s strange behavior since our absence has been on the forefront of my mind since winning my race. Worry filling every inch of my mind at what it could possibly be.

Glancing towards Reece, I know he hates feeling useless, unable to offer the love and support to our sister, our woman, our princess, while not wanting to create further damage by prying things from her. Yet, when learning that she was hiding over in Reece’s room, a part of me became jealous.

A part of me wishing she would have chosen my room that was directly across from hers instead but knowing she probably felt more comfortable in his room rather than mine or Dylan’s had me not trying to push the matter into my own hands.

Patience, I tell myself, knowing Ella needed each of us and not just one of us, the need to feel safe as well as protected by each of us was enough to simmer my jealousy down to a minimum.

Just then I hear her name being called. My eyes snapping towards the stage as Ella finally moves to approach the podium for her High School Diploma only to see her pause. Worry now making its way through me yet again as I along with my brothers take notice.

What’s going on? Why did she suddenly stop walking? I wonder, resisting the urge to go over to her. Having been stuck closest to the back, Reece, Dylan and I along with Grant and Hayden were forced into watching from afar, something that didn’t sit well with any of us.

“Grant?” hisses Reece, drawing our attention towards the man in question.

“Yes Sir?” whispers Grant.

“What’s happening? Why has she stopped?” asks Reece only for us to see her finally continue forward as if whatever it was that seemed to have bothered her vanished as she finally accepts her Diploma before rushing back towards her seat.

“I’m not sure Sir, but I’ll work on finding out why” was all I heard as Grant moves to head for Ella and Kris.