Winnie

Graduation

"Lia! Come on we are going to be late!" 

When I don't reply my best friend Aurora yells once more "Cordelia Catherine Winifred get down here right now!"

"I'm coming, I'm coming" 

As I walk down the stairs from my bedroom I see my best friend and boyfriend in their cap and gowns waiting on me. 

"it's about time" Damien says 

"We were just about to leave without you" Aurora says 

"If you would have left without me I could have always just driven myself" I say 

"ahh you look beautiful as per usual" Aurora says 

"Thank you Rora, but you look stunning" I say 

I give her a hug and give my boyfriend a kiss when my mom interrupts us and we pose for a picture. This is the first time in ages that I have seen my mother sober. I had asked her and my father both to not drink just for this one day so that I could enjoy my graduation. 

My dad walked into the kitchen barely even able to form a sentence 

"Dad I thought I asked you not to drink just for this one single day so I can enjoy myself" I said 

"I agreed never to nothing you slut , I don't listen to you " He said slurring his words

I was used to him calling me disgusting names. I knew he would never stopped no matter how badly I hoped he would. I tell Rora whenever he hits me and calls me names, and she always tells me to report it to the police. But I never will. I don't want to hurt my 15 year old brother Cameron. I don't want him to grow up with a broken family and even worse with his father in jail, I could never hurt him like that. I think this is the first time Damien has ever heard my dad call me a name, I never tell him about any of it. I keep my school life and my home life separated so the only person who actually knows about the abuse is Rora. 

"Dad please don't do this today. Please." I pleaded 

"I'll do whatever the fuck I want to, you are under my house" he says 

I couldn't understand what he said after that he was so drunk. 

"Go wait in the car I'll be there in a sec" I say to Rora and Damien

They both looked hesitant but after I mouth "I'll be fine" they eventually leave and then I turn to face my dad again with my mother standing right beside him.

"Okay dad fine you win, you can drink just stay at home please. I don't want you to ruin my graduation" 

"You graduate today?" he scoffs "Hopefully you will be out of the house soon, oh an take Cameron with you when you leave" He said 

"Wasn't planning on staying any longer in this house than I have to" I reply 

"Good it's not like me and your mother want you here anyway you worthless piece of shit" 

As I swallow the lump in my throat, push my tears back and I manage to say 

"Ok good to know. So it's settled you stay home and don't come to my graduation" I say 

He nods and I walk out the front door

I get in the car and me, Rora and Damien don't say a single word

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We arrive at graduation and me and Rora walk over to our friends and Damien walks over to his. And then what feels like forever of talking the graduation finally begins. 

As I walk up and accept my diploma it hurts knowing my mom or dad didn't show up. I didn't expect them to. And it's probably for the best they're not here. But I'm happy my brother Cameron showed up. He and Aurora are the most important people to me, my biggest supporters. 

Once the ceremony is done I run and give my brother a hug. We talk while waiting for Rora and Damien to come and meet up with us. 

Once they arrive we all decide to go out to eat.

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We arrive at the sushi place we all agreed on.

The server comes up to take our order.

"Hi what can I get for you guys today?" 

"I will take a Dragon roll please" Rora says

"Oh I will take that also" Cameron says

"Copycat" Rora says 

"Oh shut up Rora" Says Cameron they both laugh 

"I will have chicken teriyaki please" I say 

"Boring!" Damien says "Ugh let me live" I say 

"Anyways I will have a Rainbow roll" He says 

"Okay it will be out shortly" the waiter says 

we talk for awhile and then I say "I have to use the restroom be right back"

I walk into the bathroom and see Damien enter behind me shortly after

"What the fuck are you doing in here?" I say 

"I have to give you something" he says 

"In the girls bathroom?" 

"Sure why not" he replies 

"Okay well hurry up then" I say 

Ok that is my first chapter done. Thank you for giving my book a chance and taking time out of your day to read it, it means the world to me. I hope you enjoyed. Stay tuned for chapter 2.

(860 words)