The Beginning, Middle, but not the End

Day 6,718 (May 25th)

Today's the day, the day I graduate. Mom and dad have been fussing all day about it. They surprised me this morning with blueberry waffles, my favorite breakfast food. It was really nice of them, and I appreciate it, I just wish they would chill a bit. My anxiety keeps trying to make an appearance, but I refuse to let it take over me today. Today is just the ending of a chapter, but a beginning to a new and more exciting chapter.

My phone vibrates until I answer it, "Hello?"

"Hey, Jo! Are you ready?" Dallas asks.

I glance in the bathroom mirror one last time. I've already got my ceremonial gown and cap on, I smile and continue to scan my body in the mirror. "Yeah. I'm ready, I think Callie is heading straight to the school after her flight lands. Are we still on for dinner afterwards?"

"Definitely."

The butterflies in my stomach run flutter rapidly as I reassure myself aloud, "I'm ready."

"Are you sure?" Dallas asks, his voice hinting at worry.

I sigh, "No, but yes."

This makes him laugh, "Jodie Sizemore, you are the most confusing person I've probably ever met, but I am so happy we did. I love you."

My stomach does a few flips before I manage to get the words out, "I love you too, Dallas."

I hang up and go downstairs to meet mom and dad in the living room. Mom rushes me towards her, "We're taking some photos!" I pose with her around the house, and alternate her with dad as we take photos.

"We're gonna be late, mom!" I groan as we pose in the study for a picture.

She hugs me tight, "I know, I know. I'm sorry, I just want to savor your last moments of technically being a senior."

"Alright, five more seconds until we have to go," I hug mom back.

Dad starts to count down, "Five...four...three...two...one. Alright, ladies, time's up. Mom, you're gonna make Jodie late to her first graduation."

"You're right, let's go," Mom sniffles before following me and dad back to the front door.

"I love you both so much, thank you for everything," I hug them.

"We love you too," Dad whispers in my ear as mom quietly whimpers in between sobs.

We pile into the car and start to drive towards the school. The ride feels as though it lasts for ages. Finally, we pull into the parking lot. A crowd of other soon-to-be graduates and families lead us to the gym. I hug mom and dad before I depart from them to go sit with my class. I find Dallas, Zelda, and Dante in the crowd but I walk to my designated seat. Thankfully, Zelda's seat is behind mine, so I'm not entirely alone.

After I take a seat, she leans towards my ear, "I'm proud of us, Sizemore."

I nod, "Me too, Roux."

The administrators start to hush the crowd of families and our class before they begin the speeches. They talk for about ten minutes, mainly bragging about our grades. Finally, the first row of seniors rise and line up next to the stage as the administrator starts calling names. They start with the letter A, and go on. After each person is called to the stage to receive their awards, they take a photo with the principle and receive their diploma, then exit the stage to sit back in their chair.

Our principle continues with the list, "Sammy O'Harris Dai, cum laude. Justin Steven Digg, magna cum laude. Donny Ethan Doer, magna cum laude. Dallas Anthony Dolan, cum laude..." Dallas stands up and walks up the stage. He shakes the administrator's hand, gets his picture taken alongside our principle while holding his diploma, and walks off the stage. I watch my best friend graduate and then he returns to his seat, but before he sits, he smiles at me and winks. As soon as he sits, I lose him in the crowd of blue caps and gowns. Time passes and Dante goes up on the stage. I watch him stride confidently to get his diploma and before he leaves, he grins at the crowd and raises two piece signs to the sky.

My row stands up and is led to the side of the stage, where we stand patiently as more people get their names called to receive their diplomas. I stand anxiously, my feet dance a little as I shift my weight from foot to foot. It's weird. I never really thought I'd make it this far, but here I am, standing in line for my diploma at graduation. I don't know whether to be happy or sad, but I guess I'm both right now. I'm sad that this is coming to an end so soon and being unleashed into a wild world, but at the same time I'm so excited to be unleashed into this wild world because a new chapter of my life is going to start, and I'll have my best friends with me.

Before I know it, I hear, "Jodie Marie Sizemore, magna cum laude."

My heart starts to pound out of my chest. This is it, this is the moment I've been waiting for all day. I walk up the steps and to the stage. I shake hands with two administrators. Our principle on the other side of the stage gestures for me to come to her and shake her hand. She places my diploma into my hands and turns towards a camera. Before I walk away she stops me, "Congratulations, Ms. Sizemore. You're officially graduated. I hope you have a lovely and full life. You deserve it." She beams at me and waves.

I return the gesture, "Thank you, ma'am. It really means a lot." As I walk back to my seat, I look to the crowd and instantly spot my best friends and family. Dallas' mom is sitting with my family in the crowd. Callie is seated next to them, and the closer I look the more apparent their crying becomes. I look at Dallas in the crowd, and he mouths something, 'We made it'. My stomach clenches after doing a few somersaults. He's right, we did make it. I walk back to my seat and sit down. A tear escapes me, I've made it. I've graduated. This is amazing. I don't think I've ever been as happy as I am now.

Zelda is a few people after me, "Zelda Lee Roux, summa cum laude." Once she has her diploma, she blows a kiss to the crowd and starts to cry. She sits back down behind me and I can hear her start to sniff as she stops crying. I know why she's crying. This is goodbye to our lives at this school. No more getting up early to get ready and rush to school, no more going to each class, no more avoiding getting bumped into in the halls, and no more begging for extensions from teachers. We made it through high school, and that's an accomplishment in itself.

Eventually they finish calling everyone in our class' name, "Now, if you all would stand tall for us." The entire class stands and leaves their diplomas on their chairs. "Today has been a significant day for everyone. Please, Class of 2020, move your tassels from the right side of your caps to the left, let this commence the next adventure of your lives. Safe travels, Class of 2020. You may now toss your caps into the air for celebration, at this time."

We all throw our caps high into the air, catching them and repeating at least twice more. I toss mine once, and nearly don't catch it, but I leap forwards to get it. They dismiss everyone, and we all go out to the field where we can find our families and friends now that the ceremony is over with. Zelda and I hug tightly. "I love you, Jodie," she wipes her face from the tears with her sleeves.

I smile at her, "I love you too, Zelda." I follow her to find our other friends and then to meet back up with our families.

Once we find Dallas and Dante, we all huddle into a group hug, bumping our caps into each other. Dallas is the first to speak up, "We made it."

I tighten my grip on everyone, "Yeah, we did."