Differences Make Us Beautiful

Life Begins At One O'clock

Rami left the office of his academic advisor. It was the end of Sophomore year, and he's worked very hard the last couple years. Rami was very humble, but everyone that knew him new how smart of a goat he actually was. Reid has been there with him the whole time, and they have supported each other thus far.

Reid already had a talk with his advisor, and it seemed to go well. He was supposed to graduate this year, but last semester, he was told he had to stay one extra year because of a couple classes that didn't quite go well for him. Granted, it wasn't all his fault, one of the professors failed everyone in the class because he was angry one day. Reid wasn't too upset, though. He knows that things happen, and everything happens for a reason.

Rami walked out of the building and made his way across campus to the dorm. He felt strange. This meeting went well, but he hasn't been able to process exactly what happened. He should be happy, but he didn't feel like skipping with joy. Maybe he was more in shock than anything.

He finally got to the dorm, and when he opened the door, he noticed Reid was already inside packing his suitcase. Today was the last day they had before they had to move out for the summer.

"Hey, Reid." he said, closing the door behind him.

The deer looked up and smiled. "How'd it go?" he asked.

"I talked with the advisor, and it went better than I had expected. He actually gave me a choice, in what to do moving forward." Rami sat on his bed.

Reid turned to face him. "Oh? Tell me more."

"Well, he said I could either stay on my current path, and have a very light schedule next year and graduate as previously planned." he took a deep breath. "Or ... I could have a normal schedule .... and graduate early."

Reid's jaw dropped. "Really? What did you chose?"

Rami smiled, and stood up. "It looks like we'll be graduating together, my friend."

The two hugged immediately. "I'm so proud of you!" Reid said. He sounded just like a dad, which Rami found pretty funny.

* * * * *

The summer was pretty fun to say the least. Rami only lived about 40 minutes from Reid's apartment, so they were able to visit each other quite a few times. They had a lot of fun together, and were pretty much best friends at this point. Neither of them could see them spending their life away from each other.

They really connected with each other. They each had different degree paths, but as odds would have it, they actually had a class together this year. They were ecstatic to say the least. The two sat next to each other, and ended up being the two highest grades in the whole class. 

They each looked forward to what the summer had planned for them.

. . .

Rami was soaked. He had just rode the steepest waterslide in the park after Reid was able to convince him to do it.

"Remind me never to do that again." he chuckled and looked up to the tower that he just came down from.

"Ohhhh it wasn't THAT bad." Reid waved a paw.

Rami gave the deer an evil smirk.

7 minutes later

"Ok, you know what, I take it back." said a soaking wet and slightly shaking deer.

. . .

Rami was in Reid's kitchen, squeezing out one last lemon. Reid was finishing up the little sandwiches by cutting them into tiny triangles.

"You're going to love my lemonade. Made with love, for sure." Rami said.

Reid giggled. "I have no doubts."

When they got to their spot, Reid sat the basket on the ground and Rami took out the blanket. They found a spot under a large tree in the shade. There was a river nearby that cooled the air slightly.

The two sat and enjoyed a nice, relaxing picnic. Nothing like spending time with your good friend.

. . .

Reid finished setting up the tent. He dusted his paws off and turned to Rami.

"Whatcha think?" he gestured to his handiwork.

The goat nodded. "I am impressed. I've about got this fire going."

Rami took his lighter and lit the little piece of paper he buried under the cut logs. Within seconds they had a nice fire that lit up the quickly-darkening campsite. Reid took out the marshmallows and grabbed two skewers. He gave one to Rami and stuck a marshmallow to the end of his own skewer.

They roasted the sweet, cushiony treats and enjoyed the peace and quiet.

. . .

The two were dressed in their swim trunks and tank tops. Reid wore a pair of fashionable sunglasses, while Rami wore a nice, straw hat.

The sand between their toes/hooves felt pretty nice. Being animals, they weren't very sensitive to hot sand. They walked down the pathway, and could see the water in front of them. Rami was about to make a run for it until Reid looked over toward the other occupants of the beach.

"Rami, wait." he pointed.

The goat looked over and turned white under his fur. The two quickly turned around and headed back to their car. Neither of them noticing the sign that read:

Freedom Beach:  Clothing Optional

* * * * *

With their college careers coming to an end, the two friends were standing outside of Reid's car. They wore their black gowns and Reid had his cap on his head, tassel properly positioned.

"No, the tassel goes on the other side." Reid said to the goat.

Reid's brother, Royd walked up to them, with Rami's parents not far behind.

"Ayyy, my brother!" he gave Reid a hug. "Proud of you, man. You've done well for yourself."

Reid looked at his phone. "We should probably get in there. Life begins at one o'clock, and it's 12:26 right now."

Everyone shared hugs with each other and congratulations. The group walked inside the gymnasium together, and the two soon-to-be-grads found their way to the back where the line up was happening.

Everyone sat in their chairs patiently waiting for the university president to get finished speaking. Rami looked at the empty folder in his paws and everything became real in a moment. He did it. He pushed through, and now life is just beginning. Of course the first question on his mind is "what next?" but really, he doesn't really care right now. He just knows that life as he knows it is about to change.

"Please stand." came the voice of the President.

Everyone stood on their feet.

"Please join me in moving the tassel from the right to the left."

Rami reaches up and follows the instruction.

"I hereby officially refer to you, as the graduating class of 2019. You are dismissed."

Everyone takes off their caps and throws them into the air. Rami DaGoata, life has now begun.