21

263 8 4
                                    

June 23

I get myself ready for the day before I get my diploma. I slide into a light teal floral dress, revealing my belly. I am not hiding this beautiful baby girl anymore that soon I will have in my arms. I don't care what people will think. I don't need to explain anything to them. I thought I would be more worried about this, but I am excited.

After high school, I was afraid to think of what I would do with my life, but I now have something to live for

Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.

After high school, I was afraid to think of what I would do with my life, but I now have something to live for. I have a new responsibility. I have money saved up so I can provide her a healthy life. Even though it won't be enough will get by.

Mark took off work for today because today is my big day. I walk past him this morning, not making eye contact. I can't stop thinking about our kiss. Our long kiss... I kind of have been avoiding him. I get nervous around him, and I probably shouldn't be. What we did wasn't illegal because I am 18, but I am living with him and that is kinda weird since he is seven years older. He does turn 25 in August.

I come out of the bathroom after I took my last pee break until who knows when. I have never been to a graduation, so I bet it will be a couple of hours of long listening and sitting.

"We have to get going." He says, grabbing my gown and holds it out.

I put my arms through it, and he places his hands on my shoulder, and I get those butterflies. I turn around. "Thanks..."

He beams, putting my cap on my head. "Let's go graduate!"

I arrive at graduation looking for Erik. I spot him and his family, and I run over, hugging him.

"This is it..." He says.

"Yup, it is..."

"Hey, El."

"Hi, Lyle!" I look over to his parents. "Hi."

"You look, beautiful dear." His mom says, looking down at my dress.

I smile."Thank you."

Mark catches up with me.

"Who is this? Your father?" Jose asks.

Mark lays his hand out, and Jose shakes it. He takes a second to say who he is. "I am Mark, not the father. I am just looking after Ellie."

Erik pulls me away.

"So... is there something going on with you two? I have been meaning to ask."

I giggle, getting nervous. "No... Why would you think that?"

"The way he looks at you. There is something going on or something that happened and the way he took a second to introduce himself."

"Okay... We kissed..."

"Woah! Ellie!"

Mark and Erik's family looks over.

"Shh. Don't tell anyone. It was just a kiss."

TrappedWhere stories live. Discover now