Solace (Complete)

1. Graduation

I turned around for the third time to see if my parents have come but to my expectation they are not here. There sat one person that means the most to me my brother and I decided it wouldn't matter if they are here or not but the small part of me wanted them to be here. I wanted them to be here on my graduation day. Can you believe that they didn't came on their daughter's graduation. Well if not for me then they should have at least come for the show-off. They sure do have an image to keep. But whatever I don't care, my brother is here and that's what means the most. I smile at my brother and he returned back that smile. I know he wanted to make some excuse for them and I don't want to hear it. So I looked at front.

All the students were receiving there degree as one by one there names were being called on stage. I am waiting for my turn and to get it over with this crap. My best friend nudged me as my name was being called. I look up to see everyone looking at me.

"Calista Grace Forbes"

I stood up to go towards the stage to receive my degree. Finally. This will be over.

I took my degree from the dean's hand without giving him a look. I look at the parent's side. There I saw my parents sitting with my brother having proud smile on their faces as if they are behind my success. Like seriously, what's the point of coming now. I know they don't give a shit about us. They are here just because of their image. My father must be busy in his "important meeting" and my mother with her "rich snobby clients" at her boutique. And let me tell you my brother also works at my father's company still he made some time to come. Well it's all about priorities right. Isn't it?

I went towards my seat without giving them a smile or something like that. I am pissed at them, like really pissed. At first I really wanted to make my mother proud and just because of this I studied fashion designing but she is never happy with me. And I have stopped doing things to make her happy since long. I have always done things that she likes, always have worn clothes that she wanted me too but with time things change and I also change along the way.

Now I don't care for anyone apart from my brother. He is always there for me whenever I need him. I was always close to him since our childhood. Things change when he went to New York for college and I was left alone here. I was only 13 back then. He came after 4 years and started working at my father's company. He also moved out of our house to live at his pent house. So now I see him occasionally, sometimes at family dinner's or parties. Or when I want to crash at his place which happens once in a while. But I love him, I know he will always be there for me no matter what and vice versa.

"Hey are you coming for the party at Noah's tonight" my best friend Mia cooper asked me excitedly. She loves going to parties.

Apart from my brother she is the only person I care about but I don't like getting close to anyone so I keep her at an arm distance. I don't like when people leave so I just keep them away from me, so when they leave it won't hurt much.

"No I don't think so. My parents will want us to have dinner together." I told her, no matter how much I hate them I can't ignore this dinner. There is this thing, in our life when something good happens we all will have dinner together to celebrate it, and it's a must for all of us to join. They will eat my brain if I ditch this dinner. I have no problem ditching it, I have done that before many times. I am just not in mood for their long lectures.

"Ok next time then. I have to go now" she said and went away.

And I made my way towards my brother and unfortunately my parents.

"Congratulations, baby sister" he kissed my forehead and gave me a tight hug. He wore his navy blue three piece suit looking handsome as ever.

I smiled. He is the only person who can call me baby and can get away with it. I like it when he calls me that. It shows he loves and care for me. But I won't tell him that.

"Thanks big brother" I replied sarcastically.

"Congratulations calista dear" my father came towards me and hugged me briefly. He was in his usual business attire looking handsome as always.

"Congratulations sweetie" my mother also hugged me but for a moment longer than my father. She looks gorgeous in her knee length white dress that accentuate her figure. You can mistake her as my sister the way she looks. So beautiful and elegant. I took my looks from her, that's what people says apart from my eyes that are green like my father. My mother has grey eyes like my brother. Looks like good genes ran in the family.

"Thanks mom and dad. It looks like you guys were quite busy so you couldn't come on time" I said

"Sorry for that I was at an important meeting" my dad said.

"And I was busy with the client. I didn't notice the time" mom said.

Like I said. Priorities.

"It doesn't matter. Chris was here for me and that's enough for me" I told them with my fake smile.

There was a little hurt on their face along with a pint of guilt but I didn't ponder over it. Mom was about to say something, most definitely one of her excuse but I cut her off.

"I don't have time for this, chris and I have to go for lunch. See you two at dinner. Bye" I didn't give them a chance to say anything and dragged my brother with me towards his car.

I didn't felt bad for not inviting them with us. They deserved that. But my sweet big brother did felt bad.

"You shouldn't have act like that with them. They must have been busy. At least they came." He told with a longing look on his face and I exactly know why. Because my parents didn't go on his graduation.

He will always make excuse for them when both him and I know they have always given more importance to their work then to either of us.

"Oh please don't make me start on that. I am in no mood. You if all people know better. " I said in anger.

"Ok ok Fine. I wont just calm down. It's a happy day we should celebrate it" he said trying to calm down my anger.

"Sure" I said.