Upon Meeting You

1

"Lenora Dalsing," I hear my name announced through the speakers of the auditorium. I am taken aback by the volume of the applause, voices, and whistles that urge me to walk onto the stage.

Don't fall. Don't fall. Please don't fall.

I watch my step as I make for the chancellor. At this point, I'm certain that my heart is going to lurch for my throat.

Breathe Nora... Suck it up and smile.

I plaster on a fake smile in an attempt to swallow the apprehension. The chancellor hands me a piece of paper, shakes my hand, then turns her head towards the camera awaiting to take our picture. I follow her motions and smile as the flash notifies me that the photo has been taken.

"Congratulations, Miss Dalsing!"

"Thank you, Mrs. Halifax. I appreciate it," I respond.

As I make my way back to my seat, my eyes wander for a moment, instantly finding those of Dolion as he mouths the words, I love you. My grin grows, but instantly falters as the girl beside him whispers something I can't quite make out into his ear, causing him to chuckle.

My gaze leaves his and searches for my parents. They are sitting with what seems to be my entire family.

Well now I know why the "audience" sounded so loud.

A single tear rolls down my father's face as he continues whistling and clapping with the rest of my family. My face heats with embarrassment as I let out a small chortle.

I slide my palms down my backside, preventing my graduation gown from riding up as I sit at my spot preparing myself for the long list of other students awaiting to be called.

⟷

"Oh honey you look so beautiful!" gushes my father as he pulls me into a suffocating embrace.

"Thanks dad..." I murmur letting my eyes fall to the floor endeavoring to hide my embarrassment.

"Where's Dolion?"

I look around the room for my boyfriend in response to my fathers question. "I'm not... 100% sure." I hesitate, still searching for him.

I am interrupted by a small voice,"Nora!" shouts my kid brother.

"Goren!" I lift him into my arms. "You're getting so big, bub! You must be, what? 30 years old by now?" I tease.

A soft giggle escapes his throat. "No! I'm only 7!"

"Only 7? Well you could have fooled me!"

I hear a bitter voice, abruptly clear her throat.

"Mother." I acknowledge the woman standing before me as I slowly set Goren back on his feet beside me.

"Lenora." she returns.

The tension in the air quickly thickens. After what feels like hours although only being seconds of us standing in silence, my father awkwardly coughs.

"Well then... Best go say hi to everyone else. They're all waiting outside."

"Right." I respond, grabbing Goren's small hand. "Let's go see Nana and Papa, yeah Goren?"

"Okay..." Goren murmurs, already aware of the tension between our mother and I.

We walk away from the couple. When my father thinks we can no longer hear him he starts at her.

"Just today! For once could you let her be? This isn't about you!"

"I haven't even said a thing!" she hisses back.