The Elevator Incident

one

I woke up from my sleep to my phone ringing at my bedside table and hit snooze. I needed more sleep after staying late with my friends last night. I closed my eyes and was about to fall back asleep when I heard my door open and the loud thumps nearing my bed.

Dino, my baby german shepherd, jumped onto me and started barking.

"Okay, buddy. I'm awake," giving him a scratch at the back of his ear. He gave me a sloppy kiss and jumped out of my bed.

I sat up and stretched my limbs. I went out to the hallway following Dino's barks as he waits for me to give him food and water.

"Here you go big guy," I left him and went to the bathroom to wash up.

It's graduation day. After 4 years of studying, late night cramming, partying and everything else, I'm finally done.

After showering, I blow dry my hair and give it some light curls. I pin half of my hair up and leave a few stray hairs to shape my face. I do my skincare routine and put on some makeup. Some foundation, a dot of concealer, a bit of contour, blush, and highlight. I put a light blush shade over my eyelids to make my hazel eyes pop and some mascara. I finish off my look with a swipe of my cherry lip balm.

I looked at myself in the mirror and smiled at my work. I don't normally put on this much makeup, just on special occasions. I walked into my closet to grab the dress I bought to wear today. It's a cream-colored dress that fits amazingly on me. It fits perfectly around my waist and flows freely just a few inches above my knee. I grabbed a pair of nude heels to match and took my toga and cap off the hook.

I grabbed my phone from my charging deck and saw some missed calls and messages from my family and friends. I sent my friends a text saying that I was on my way and to try and save myself some parking space. I dialed my mom and waited for her to pick up as I grabbed Dino and made my way out of my apartment.

My mom answered when I was fixing the back of my car for Dino to sit on. "Hey mom," I said. "Honey, where are you? You can't be seriously late for your graduation. Everybody's here except you." I let out a small laugh as my mom worried that I would be late.

"I'm on my way. I'm in the car right now. Dino woke me up knowing that I would hit snooze."

My mom laughed, "That dog sure knows you. Alright, I'll let you go. Drive safe honey." She ended the call and I drove out of my apartment building and headed to university.

After hitting a little traffic, I finally made it and spotted my friends hanging around a parking spot. God, I love them. They saw my car and moved out of the way for me to park.

I got down and opened the backdoor to let Dino out. "Dino, you're finally here! I missed you." I scoffed as my best friend practically ran to my dog and gave him a hug and kisses. "I'm right here you know. Me, Kayla, your best friend of all time. I can't believe you're replacing me with Dino. He's my baby." I put on a fake frown as I gather my things and wear my toga.

"Well if it isn't for him you would probably be here running late," she laughed. Tiffany Jordan, my best friend, stood up from Dino and made her way to me to give me a hug. "We're finally graduating Kayla," a huge smile made its way to both our faces. "We're graduating, Tiff!" We held hands and jumped in excitement.

"Alright, alright. Stop with the squealing girls, no need to ruin my hearing," Tyler walked up to us to join in our hug. Tyler is Tiffany's twin brother. Although they were born on two different days as Tiffany was a midnight baby. I said hi to the rest of the group and made our way to the auditorium where the ceremony would be held.

I texted my mom that I was already there and told her to let Sydney, my sister, meet me at the entrance to get Dino.

"Congratulations, Kay! You're finally out of here!" I gave Sydney a hug and smiled up to her. "I'm so happy you made it. Is Johnson with you?"

"He's tearing off dad's ear as we speak," she laughed. Johnson is my 5-year-old nephew. His dad, Peter is currently out of the country due to business so I thought Sydney wouldn't be able to attend my graduation because she would be traveling alone with little Johnson.

Sydney took Dino and I made my way inside.

...

"Congratulations class of 2020!" I stood up from my seat and clapped with the rest of the graduates. I spotted my family and walked up to them. "Congratulations sweetie! Oh, I'm so happy for you." My mom gave me a tight hug and showered me with kisses.

"You did it kiddo," I swatted my dad's hand as he ruffled my hair. He laughed and pulled me in to give me a hug and a kiss on my forehead. Sydney and Johnson expressed their congratulations as well and we took lots of photos. I spotted Tiffany and Tyler with their parents near us and took photos with them as well.

"What time do we meet up later?" Tyler asked. "We have lunch plans and most likely finish around 3. We could meet up at my place and get ready there and leave by 6." I replied.

"Sounds like a plan. We'll see you later Kay. Bye, Mr. and Mrs. D. Congratulations on your new graduate," Tiffany hugged my parents and I bid hers goodbye as well. "Text me once you're coming over," I told Tiffany.

We all left school, made it into our cars, and drove to the restaurant for my celebratory lunch. I parked my car in the driveway and got down giving my keys to valet. Dino jumped down from the back and followed me inside. My parents and Sydney were already seated in the private room and Johnson was running around trying to catch Dino.

We ordered our food and made some small talk. I caught up with Sydney and asked how were things in the company. Sydney and Peter took over the family company 2 years ago as my dad thought it was time for him to relax and enjoy with my mom.

They came not long after and we started eating. "So Kayla, what are you planning to do? I'm pretty sure Sydney has a spot for you in the company if that's what you want," my dad asked.

I swallowed my food and took a sip of my champagne. "Actually dad, I already got a job." I looked down to my lap trying hard not to feel bad.

"Oh, how wonderful sweetie. Where are you working? Is it the Millards? I heard from Michelle she saw you there." My mom looked at me with happiness as I got a job, but I'm pretty sure that smile won't be there once I say which company I would be working for.

"Oh, you know just a small company here," I replied. I took a small glance at Sydney and I saw her already looking at me, the wheels behind her head running as she was wondering why I wouldn't just say where I would be working.

I told her all of the companies I sent my resume over and she even helped to some as she was friends with the CEOs. I know, I know. I didn't really need her help but she insisted and made a few calls and I landed to get pretty good offers from all companies. Although I appreciated her gesture, I still want to be hired not because of my connections but because of what I can offer to the company. So, I sent my resume to the company that I knew wouldn't be swayed by a phone call from my family.

Sensing the guilt I had plastered on my face, Sydney's eyes widened and she gasped. "No. Please tell me you are not working there," her words were almost a whisper from the shock.

"I'm sorry," I hung my head low scared of their reactions. I let out a huge sigh. Well, it's now or never. Taking a deep breath, I looked into my parents' eyes, their eyes looked worried as to what was happening, then to Sydney's, "I took the job in Williams, Inc."

And just like that, I felt the world crumble in front of me.